The week between Christmas and New Years marks the time I moved from Ohio to Los Angeles at the end of 1989.
A lot has changed.
I left Ohio 12/26/89 and started driving South/West along I-71 and I-70 never getting out of 4th gear since the roads were so slick as attested to by the collection of cars and busses that had spun out and into the median from the storm the day before.
It wasn't until Indianapolis that I felt comfortable in 5th gear.
After that, the roads were clear and the weather began to warm.
I walked out into the court yard of my complex today to see a sign posted that this was a NO SMOKING facility.
Imagine that, a common outdoor area denoted as a NO SMOKING area.
I remember trying to get a table in a NO SMOKING area of a restaurant on a Saturday night and being told they didn't have one.
My how times have changed.
It was a long and tough war that was fought against big tobacco, led by a Los Angeles city councilman whose name I don't remember but to whom I will forever be indebted.
As an ex nicotine addict, I am convinced that nicotine is the most addictive drug on the planet. Other than alcohol, I've never used addictive drugs BUT I'm convinced nicotine is the most addictive.
Monday starts a new business year, the weather is slated to return to more typical SoCal temps, just like it was when I arrived.
Time marches on.
Lew