It's Pleasant

six months ago, mike giant gave me a lighter.

today, it's finally dying-- not to say i was hoping it would die sooner. but six months is a long time for a lighter to live and technically, it hasn't died yet. it's sort of hanukkahing its way out with a miniature flame.

most people can't even keep a lighter for a month without running into a lighter-thief.

six months is award-deserving and this particular lighter has seen some things. it's sparked more cigarettes than i can count-- some for me and some for strangers-- it's lit candles, joints, enemy hair, documents and more. it's opened more imported beer bottles than the bottle opener itself.

and i'm going to miss it.

i felt like a traitor going into the local liquor store looking for the next lighter i'd carry with me at all times. but it had to be done before my mike giant lighter had the chance to die at a horribly inopportune time and end our relationship on bad terms.

and from here on out, i will be the man with the yellow lighter.

it was the most effeminate color available. i was hoping for pink, or light purple-- but yellow will do. i'm a fan of buying the lighter i deem least likely bought by regulars so no one can steal my lighter and call it their own.

reds, blacks and oranges always get stolen. everyone has those colors. i think it's because they just look good with fire. blues get stolen pretty often, too.

but pinks, yellows, purples-- easter colors in general-- they stick around till they simply run out of gas.

p.s. - to those of you upset that i'm smoking cigarettes again, know that the night before the bay to breakers race i made random conversation with a stranger on a smoke break and discovered her to be in charge of towing every car on the street next to our offices. because i was smoking with her, i was able to convince her to wait while i ran upstairs and alerted the office team.

smoking saved five people $250 a piece.