Down to Earth Dave’s Post of the Day–April 16

Salutations, Gentle Reader,

At one point during the night, I turned in my fitful sleep and heard the distinct sound of sleet pelting the panes of my bedroom’s fenestrations. Sure enough, when I arose and took those stalwart Pomeranians out for their morning constitutional, the parked cars were all covered in ice and some snow. Our high temps were on the 70’s within the past couple of days, so this last blast seems especially chilly. The Poms didn’t mind. One can learn from those delightful sprites, strolling the walkways of our neighborhood in complete canine confidence, as if they hold the deed.

I’m reminded of a quote attributed to David Starr Jordan,

“The world stands aside

to let anyone

pass who knows

where he is going.”

The Poms know where they’re going.  And so do I.

Often, when I provide you a shaft for your rhetorical quiver, there’s some tangential connection to the intro.  Gentle Reader, I actually thought of this word last week at the induction ceremony of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Yes, I really do plan some of these that far out in advance. As I was sitting very close to the production area, I and several others sitting around me suddenly sat bolt upright and looked at one another.  Someone nearby was smoking–and it wasn’t a “jazz cigarette”!  It was a real tobacco cigarette!  I have become so accustomed to only smelling smoke near the entrances to buildings or when I am with certain friends who do indulge in that habit that it really was a shock.  And with that, I offer you the…

WORD OF THE DAY:  FUMATORIUM

 

FUMATORIUM:  a place for smoking  

With the advent of laws regulating smoking in public places and/or private establishments frequented by the public; e.g., restaurants and pubs, the modern fumatorium is generally a designated area outside the entrance to those places.  Nevertheless, fumatoriums are not new inventions. In estates, the master of the house generally had a designated room for retiring for a smoke.  The fumatorium also often had books and other materials to keep the master’s interest, and it was large enough for hosting several friends.  Some historians suggest that the fumatoriums were the advent of gentleman’s clubs that sprang up and from which eventually developed fraternal and civic organizations.

Real Estate Connection:  I actually have had some clients for whom smoking was a determining factor.  I can think of three in particular.  The first were a couple.  She smoked.  He didn’t.  They had to have a ground level apartment or an upper floor apartment with a minimum of a Juliet balcony, so she had easy egress for a nicotine fix.  The second asked about whether smoking were permitted on the roof decks or other external common areas and wouldn’t settle for a building where that wasn’t an option.  Finally, I had one client with challenging expectations.  I thought I had located exactly what she was looking for–until we came off the elevator and were greeted by the aroma of smoke coming from someone’s apartment.  That tainted the entire viewing.  She had her arms crossed by the time we made it down the corridor to the available unit, and we were gone in less than three minutes.  (Her average time in all other apartments was 8-10 minutes.  As it turns out, she was one of those clients who ended up renting an apartment that a friend told her about.  So it goes.

Challenge: Know where you’re going, so the world will stand aside.  Know with whom you’re going, even if it just yourself.  And if you’re searching for a fumatorium, please consider giving up the habit.  I love you, Gentle Reader, and want you to be around longer.

Remain calm, and speak well.

Be kind to yourself.  Be kind to the planet and the future.  Cause no suffering.  Go Vegan!

David!