PRISONER EXPRESS

From the point of view of human culture and happiness, the three most significant inventions continuing towards the employment of friendship and conversation are the invention of smoking, drinking, and coffee. They have three common traits: first, they contribute to sociability; secondly, they can be enjoyed at any time; and thirdly, they change the way we feel. All one has to is look at the success of Starbucks, Marlboro, and any of the brands of Vodka. So great are these inventions that we have cigar bars, smoking sections, cafes, pubs, taverns, Mr. Coffee, nightclubs and even 12 Step Programs to help us recover from these habits.

Much of my life has consisted of saying to friends: " Hey, meet me there for coffee." Or "Are you going to happy hour?" And the daily "Smoke Break!" Many friendships are made and broken, problems solved, advice and support given, gossip exchanged, laughter and just plain craziness--and letting loose- while involved in these pastimes

Different types of friends must be selected for different types of enjoyment. For enjoying flowers, one must secure big-hearted friends. For going up a high mountain, one must secure romantic friends. For going to a nudie bar, one must secure daring friends. For the beach and boating, one must secure friends with an expansive nature. For nightclubs, and dancing, talkative and outgoing friends, as long as they don't steal too much attention away from you. I doubt you would find too much comradeship if you took a friend to the symphony who only listens to rap music.

Unfortunately, if you have a compulsive nature such as mine, you may smoke too much, guzzle your booze, and consume vast quantities of coffee so that you shake, rattle, and roll. All I can say is that I'm grateful for all my encouraging friends in AA, my friend who gave me my first nicotine patch, and my friend Stan at Starbuck's, who got me addicted to herbal tea.