Ebooks, Smoking, Drinking -- Bad Medicine

neilmarr · 05-27-2010, 04:16 AM

When I checked into a clinic for some medical tests yesterday, I wasn’t able to get away with my usual indignant, “Of course I don’t smoke or drink, Dr!”

Waiting for the clinic to open, I was reading on my Sony 505, enjoying a cigarette and a beer in the sun at a sidewalk cafe nearby. A friendly, 50-ish chap in shorts and t-shirt, eating a plate of spaghetti on the next table took an interest and I told him about my device. I bought him a beer but he declined a smoke. A tourist, I guessed because, unlike others in the cafe (including the waitress), he'd shaved that morning.

I kept glancing at my watch so that I wouldn’t be late for my appointment next door. My new drinking buddy said: “No need to rush, Mr Marr. I’m Professor Coen, your new cardiologist. This is my lunch break.

He’d spotted my bandaged foot, walking stick and accent and put two and two together. Smart these frogs! Moral of the story: If you are prone to bad habits, don't attract attention by e-reading near to a clinic or hospital.

Cheers. Neil

Sweetpea · 05-27-2010, 04:48 AM

You could just stop drinking alcohol and stop smoking cigarettes... I'd prefer that over stop reading...

dreams · 05-27-2010, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilmarr

A tourist, I guessed because, unlike others in the cafe (including the waitress), he'd shaved that morning.

I hope everything was alright with your tests, neil.

***

Your story made me laugh out loud (especially, your 'unshaved' waitress)

. Did you feel like a kid who got caught by a parent?***

neilmarr · 05-27-2010, 05:29 AM

***You could just stop drinking alcohol and stop smoking cigarettes... I'd prefer that over stop reading.***

Usually, I smoke a pipe, SweetPea. That's pretty harmless. And even the docs agree that I don't drink enough for it to do any damage (mind you, I live in France). Aim to quit cigarettes again on June 1. Can't give up reading or I'd be out of a job as well as one passion short.

Yep the tests were fine, thanks, Dreams. Always lots of fun because (apart from the new cardiologist, who also turns out to have moved house to a place just 50 yards from where Skovia and I live), I know pretty well every one there. It's the results that hurt.

Hoots. Neil

dreams · 05-27-2010, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilmarr

It's the results that hurt.

I hope it's not too bad..

Sweetpea · 05-27-2010, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilmarr

***You could just stop drinking alcohol and stop smoking cigarettes... I'd prefer that over stop reading.***

Usually, I smoke a pipe, SweetPea. That's pretty harmless. And even the docs agree that I don't drink enough for it to do any damage (mind you, I live in France). Aim to quit cigarettes again on June 1. Can't give up reading or I'd be out of a job as well as one passion short.

Hmm, I can stand pipes... They don't smell as bed as cigarettes... And my grandfather was told by his doctor he couldn't smoke cigarettes anymore and so he switched to pipe. He still died at 65 though

(not bad, as he had been living on borrowed time for 10 years after he had that major hart attack, which cost him about 60% of heart functions when he was around 55...)

bevdeforges · 05-27-2010, 07:26 AM

In France, you might get a little "suggestion" to quit smoking - but I have yet to have a doctor here even ask me if I drink alcohol. (I think they just assume the answer is "yes.")

Kevin2960 · 05-27-2010, 07:42 AM

Neil,

Just how many members have asked you for the unshaved waitress's phone number ???

CyberSmoke53 · 05-27-2010, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilmarr

A tourist, I guessed because, unlike others in the cafe (including the waitress), he'd shaved that morning.

l

Thanks for sharing your story! It provided some laughter this am.. I didn't know that FRANCE had REDNECK cafes!!

neilmarr · 05-27-2010, 10:05 AM

***In France, you might get a little "suggestion"***

You're dead right, Bev. Dox here are brilliant (France is constantly at the top of the world health care rankings) -- but they're also realists and often comedians, not at all remote pedants.

I remember eating at a pavement cafe with a pal about twenty years ago, when a guy on a motorbike mounted the curb and snatched something from our table. A visiting hit-and-run bandit from Italy, I guessed, as my pal clutched her purse to her chest. He screached to a halt a few yards farther on, removed his helmet and waved my packet of Bensons in the air. It was my local doctor. Now that's how to make a point with Mediterranean-style! Salut. Neil

DixieGal · 05-27-2010, 12:15 PM

Lol!

JSWolf · 05-27-2010, 12:23 PM

Stopping smoking.. there's an app for that.

kindlekitten · 05-27-2010, 12:26 PM

bwahahaahaha!!! too funny! love the pipe smoke! go back to it soon!

dmaul1114 · 05-27-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

You could just stop drinking alcohol and stop smoking cigarettes... I'd prefer that over stop reading...

I'd never smoke, but I wouldn't give up beer before reading! I'm huge beer snob.

Conor · 05-27-2010, 03:18 PM

You know the definition of an alcoholic? A man who drinks more than his doctor.

05-27-2010, 04:16 AM	#1
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	Ebooks, Smoking, Drinking -- Bad Medicine When I checked into a clinic for some medical tests yesterday, I wasn’t able to get away with my usual indignant, “Of course I don’t smoke or drink, Dr!” Waiting for the clinic to open, I was reading on my Sony 505, enjoying a cigarette and a beer in the sun at a sidewalk cafe nearby. A friendly, 50-ish chap in shorts and t-shirt, eating a plate of spaghetti on the next table took an interest and I told him about my device. I bought him a beer but he declined a smoke. A tourist, I guessed because, unlike others in the cafe (including the waitress), he'd shaved that morning. I kept glancing at my watch so that I wouldn’t be late for my appointment next door. My new drinking buddy said: “No need to rush, Mr Marr. I’m Professor Coen, your new cardiologist. This is my lunch break. He’d spotted my bandaged foot, walking stick and accent and put two and two together. Smart these frogs! Moral of the story: If you are prone to bad habits, don't attract attention by e-reading near to a clinic or hospital. Cheers. Neil Last edited by neilmarr; 05-27-2010 at 05:21 AM. Reason: typo

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05-27-2010, 04:48 AM	#2
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	You could just stop drinking alcohol and stop smoking cigarettes... I'd prefer that over stop reading...

05-27-2010, 05:29 AM	#4
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	*You could just stop drinking alcohol and stop smoking cigarettes... I'd prefer that over stop reading.* Usually, I smoke a pipe, SweetPea. That's pretty harmless. And even the docs agree that I don't drink enough for it to do any damage (mind you, I live in France). Aim to quit cigarettes again on June 1. Can't give up reading or I'd be out of a job as well as one passion short. Yep the tests were fine, thanks, Dreams. Always lots of fun because (apart from the new cardiologist, who also turns out to have moved house to a place just 50 yards from where Skovia and I live), I know pretty well every one there. It's the results that hurt. Hoots. Neil

05-27-2010, 07:26 AM	#7
bevdeforges Addict Posts: 288 Karma: 1094000 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Essonne, France Device: Kobo Forma; Sony PRS600B; Sony 350; Sony T-2	In France, you might get a little "suggestion" to quit smoking - but I have yet to have a doctor here even ask me if I drink alcohol. (I think they just assume the answer is "yes.")

05-27-2010, 07:42 AM	#8
Kevin2960 YODA's Uglier Twin Posts: 974 Karma: 6295251 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Leicester, UK Device: PRS-600 and 2 Kindle 3's - and now a K4 + HTC Desire HD	Neil, Just how many members have asked you for the unshaved waitress's phone number ???

05-27-2010, 10:05 AM	#10
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	*In France, you might get a little "suggestion"* You're dead right, Bev. Dox here are brilliant (France is constantly at the top of the world health care rankings) -- but they're also realists and often comedians, not at all remote pedants. I remember eating at a pavement cafe with a pal about twenty years ago, when a guy on a motorbike mounted the curb and snatched something from our table. A visiting hit-and-run bandit from Italy, I guessed, as my pal clutched her purse to her chest. He screached to a halt a few yards farther on, removed his helmet and waved my packet of Bensons in the air. It was my local doctor. Now that's how to make a point with Mediterranean-style! Salut. Neil

05-27-2010, 12:15 PM	#11
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Lol!

05-27-2010, 12:23 PM	#12
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 78,973 Karma: 144284074 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Stopping smoking.. there's an app for that.

05-27-2010, 12:26 PM	#13
kindlekitten Professional Adventuress Posts: 13,368 Karma: 50260224 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Olympic Peninsula on the OTHER Washington! (the big green clean one on the west coast!) Device: Kindle, the original! Times Two! and gifting an International Kindle	bwahahaahaha!!! too funny! love the pipe smoke! go back to it soon!

05-27-2010, 03:18 PM	#15
Conor Groupie Posts: 153 Karma: 1011234 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Kindle Kobo Touch	You know the definition of an alcoholic? A man who drinks more than his doctor.

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