Alex Vernon.com

The past few days I was feeling a little down. Not having a job and the weather was getting to me. Because of this I almost didn’t go to see Steel Pulse last night at the Showbox. None of my friends here like reggae and I didn’t feel like going downtown. I had a ticket already and I love Steel Pulse so I decided to brave it. Lets just say it was a good thing I did. This is the third time I have seen them but the first real concert. The previous times were at On the Bricks and Voodoo Fest so they played shortened sets. This show was absolutely incredible, a great vibe from most of the crowd and a “Happiness Ninja” helped me enjoy the show even more. It was the first time in a long while that I actually sang along and danced (sort of). When they played Your House the whole crowd was into it and singing. Just awesome energy that only comes along in one of about ten shows that I see. Everything is all right in the world now and the sun is shining today, thankfully I got off my ass last night.

Feeling Irie

Edit: About thirty minutes after I posted this, the clouds moved in and it started pouring with a sleet/snow mixture.  Oh well, it was sunny for awhile.

Yesterday I decided to stop smoking. I have made a decision for my life (which I will blog about soon) and smoking can stop me from realizing it. Of course anything can but smoking increases the odds of nonrealization. I’m using the gum this time and it seems to be working ok. Of course it’s only been one day but I believe I am much more resolved than quit attempts in the past. This morning, ok this afternoon, I stayed up late watching  Masterpiece Theartre: Sally Lockhart: The Ruby in the Smoke. This is actually the second Masterpiece Theatre program I have enjoyed. Plus this starred Billie Piper, whom I’ve had a thing for since the first season of the new  Doctor Who. Back to the shower, I’m doing my thing just like every day but when I finish shampooing my hair something goes wrong. I suddenly smell a slightly medicinal odor. My first reaction was “What the fuck!” I assumed something was coming out of the pipes. Then I wondered if someone put something in my shampoo. Well I’m not a spy (or am I?) and my roommates would never do anything like that. Then the answer dawned on me. I was smelling my Tea Tree shampoo. The humid shower must have cleared out my nose and since I haven’t been smoking I can now smell again. Of course I could smell before but as any smoker or exsmoker knows, it drastically reduces that sense. It may sound silly but I think this will be the main reason I remain a nonsmoker. Yes it’s nice to have a reduced cancer chance, better lung capacity and more money but I feel not being able to smell really diminishes a lot of experiences in life. True, it would be nice not to smell walking down Bourbon Street or Revolution Ave in Tijuana. However even repulsive smells give us memories and make this life more enjoyable. Or at least make the better smells that much more appreciated.