2010 = 20zen, Part 1

As of January 2, 2010, indoor smoking is banned in all restaurants and bars in North Carolina (with a few small exceptions, such as cigar bars and privately owned, member-run clubs) and I couldnt be more thrilled.

I am in the restaurant business, and while I went on-record over 3 years ago as against the ban as it was orginally proposed, am very happy that the legislation that eventually passed was changed to include all so-called "private clubs" in order to keep the playing field level.

You see, NC has some very odd liquor laws and regulations, and we have establishments here called "private clubs" which would be called bars, clubs or taverns anywhere else. These places look like bars but do not sell food or derive less than 30% of their gross receipts from food and require a membership fee and waiting period, though Ive rarely observed this enforced.

Under the prior proposal, some of the private clubs I frequent would have been able to allow smoking, creating an imbalanced business competition with bar-restaurants which sell both food and alcohol. Im all for personal freedom (including the right to smoke if you choose), but not for crazy laws that create unfair competition.

Not to mention, Im super excited that Ill be able to enjoy breathing at work and going out for drinks or dinner with friends and not having to shower when I get home to get the smell out of my hair!

image here.

Friday fill-ins

1. Last night was the first New Years Eve I actually wasnt working and went out and closed down a bar in years. Amazingly enough, I had a mostly great time...excellent sushi, sake and Sapporo with very good friends, then off to the bar that one of those friends owns to see a band and catch up with more friends. Ive been crazed with work and opening our 4th restaurant and it was definitely a much-needed break.
2. Things are on an upward trajectory this year.
3. The funniest thing about last night was either the impromptu staged faux B&D photo session or bringing "Hey ladies, lets make some noise!" back.
4. New year, new decade, new beginnings, clean slate, healing relationships...so where do we go from here?
5. He said everything he needed to without speaking a word; she said to herself, its time to get over this crush and find someone who isnt afraid of my passion and dynamic soul.
6. Theres so much beauty in the world just out there waiting to be experienced and savored and it's up to us to find it.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm (not) looking forward to working from home via VNC, tomorrow my plans include our final private soft opening event at the new restaurant and Sunday, I want to begin the new year embracing my spirtuality, then more work to get ready for the grand opening Monday!