I spend the morning collecting the numerous cigarette packs that adorn every facet of my existence; the car, my room, pant/shirt pockets, the green bag that I carry with me at all times, within immediate proximity of the computer, in the kitchen. I collect thirty-five empty paper form boxes, and realize my own disgust. This is not merely the disgust which I associate with the current status of my lungs, or nicotine dependence. It extends beyond that. In total, the boxes come to represent another detriment to existence. The expenditure denies longing.
When I look at the packs that now fill the bin, I am reminded of that which their combined cost has debilitated; the numerous adventures which have been severed by my dependence.
The estimated combined cost, at five dollars a pack, is totaled at $175. Reluctantly, I provide a list of twenty different purchases that this sum could have afforded me:
(1) 35 nighttime drives in Detroit, based on current gas prices.
(2) An all expense two day trip to Chicago (by car).
(3) A more thoughtful/extravagant gift for father’s day.
(4) Ten sets of the high-end water color pencils that I most enjoy using.
(5) Twenty full course meals at Linda’s Place.
(6) Twenty-two used vinyls from Car City Records.
(7) Ten new albums (CD), at discount price, from Record Time (Thanks Ray).
(8) The opportunity to thank Ray ten times for providing me a discounted price.
(9) A one-way ticket to California to visit a friend that is currently traveling there.
(10) Enough money to be stranded in California for a good period of time.
(11) 175 games of pool at Izzy’s.
(12) 27 showings at the Royal Oak Main Art Theatre.
(13) 6-7 dates, based on past dating averages.
(14) 1 used digital camera.
(15) 16 new canvases to fulfill my acryllic fantasies.
(16) A used projector with half the remaining bulb life.
(17) A web domain for 43.75 years.
(18) 87 shirts at Value World/Sunshine thrift store
(19) 176.76 cans of Arizona Raspberry Iced Tea
(20) 11-12 new books.
Disposed of on June 17, 2007
Note that I currently can not even afford to go to “Marlboro Country.”
