Blogust & Everything After

I had a great week. I spent a lot of time at my two favorite places in Taiwan. Starbucks and Kevin Pipe. I've been getting more and more comfortable with alone time here in Taiwan. In Saskatoon I have always been fairly social and I always felt like I needed people around me but here in Taiwan I have worked a different schedule than Nevada and most of my friends so that has left me with a lot of alone time. I've become a reader which is a new thing for me. At home I'm a hardcore TV addict. But I've gained the appreciation for a good book. I've read more books here than I ever have in any one year of my live. I spend a lot of time reading at Starbucks. It's so relaxing and they succeed in creating such a wondeful relaxing atmosphere. I've heard a lot of people complain about Starbucks, the say "Why would I spend 5 bucks on coffee that isn't that much different than coffee at a cheaper place." The answer is the whole atmosphere at SB. The coffee is excellent but I also pay for the experience. I love the comfy chairs, the soothing music, the art, the wonderful smells and the modern decor. This added on to a great cup of coffee and I can't think of a better hour or two spent.

The other place I've been spending a lot of time is Kevin Pipe. It's a pipe shop owned by my friend Kevin. I am a pipe smoker which some of you may or may not know. You also may or may not like that but it's part of who I am. I've really developed a great friendship with Kevin. He (and his shop) will be something that I really miss when I return to Canada. We have exchanged languages and many life lessons and we've also had some great party nights which he affectionately refers to as "Today is a Holiday!" I'm learning a lot about pipes and piep tobacco. I've also come to realize that the pipe business people back home don't know much and we're not getting the servce and committment necessary to fully enjoy the hobby that is pipe smoking. I read an article from the online Star Phoenix that said Saskatoon will soon become a non-smoking city. This really upsets me. I realize that there are risks involved with smoking(predominantly cigarette smoking) and that people are uncomfortbale being exposed to it but I do also believe that the anti-smoking movement is infringing on peoples right at home. We don't outlaw other things that carry extreme risk with them: cars, alcohol, extreme sports etc. It seems unfair. And to be honest most of the smoking related issues such as health and addiction only apply to cigarettes. But us pipe smokers get included in this and therefore will potentially lose out on a great hobby. If they decide to go non smoking in Saskatoon I hope that they will grant special liscences to smoke shop establishments to create some safe havens for those of us that want to make that choice. If indeed that happens, you may eventually see me as a prowd owner of one of those shops. I guess we'll have to see. That's about all for now but I have a bit more left in my head so maybe tomorrow I'll spew out something else from the days and nights of Chester McKenzie.