(no subject)

[phosfate]

My dumbass cousin, let's call him Dudley, was smoking in bed yesterday. He fell asleep, set fire to his parents' house, sent his mom (my not terribly beloved Aunt Petunia) to the burn ward in critical condition, and died. Uncle Vernon (who escaped to the front lawn) is down to one lung, and is not supposed to be near smoke, but they smoke in his house anyway. They had a smoke detector, but the batteries had been removed, doubtless because the noise of it going off whenever somebody lit up disturbed Petunia's tender ears.

If there's a moral here other than "don't be a fucking moron," I'm damned if I can find it.

Comments

[sweet819.livejournal.com]

sorry to hear about that

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

Thans - I appreciate it. I'm just... so disgusted I can hardly speak. What a stupid waste.

::::Sighs::::

[darqstar.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear that. :::Hugs::: It's worse when someone dies in a horrible stupid way.

Smoke detectors won't generally go off over cigarette smoke, so there really isn't any excuse, unless the batteries were wearing out and they got tired of that beepbeep noise, the stupid things make when they need fresh batteries.

Again, I extend my sympathy.

Re: ::::Sighs::::

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

Thank you kindly. I just...I really don't understand. Death and suffering for absolutely no reason at all is just stupid. I just pray the no-batteries thing doesn't keck up their insurance claim.

I can understand about the noise.

[paradisacorbasi.livejournal.com]

The SDs in my current home go off if you cook. Food doesn't have to be burning. At all. It just has to be hot enough to steam.

Anyway.

Smoking in bed is idiotic.

I'm sorry about the death and about the aunt and uncle. Suffering pain for another's stupidity is almost worth than dying for your own stupidity.

[kielle.livejournal.com]

Good lord. I would say I'm sorry, but...well...Darwin Award, anybody?

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

The same phrase has been rattling through my brain all morning. Unfortunately Dudley's demise lacks the improbable grace necessary to put him in the running.

[nitasee.livejournal.com]

Why is it that smokers always seem to be stupid selfish gits? I'm sorry he died, but geez, what a dumbass. Sorry about your aunt. So tell me, is she the type who will not only not stop smoking after something like this, but try to light up while in the hospital?

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

I understand that she finally quit (after years as a chain smoker - and a nurse, mind you) a while ago, but Dudley and his sister still puffed away. Fortunately Petunia is expected to live (her injuries were all smoke- and heat-inhalation), though she won't enjoy it much for a while. "Dumbass?" Well, to quote MST3K, he died as he lived.

[moondog.livejournal.com]

If there's another moral it's probably "keep the damn batteries in" or "just kick him out of the house".

My condolances. What a horrible, stupid waste of life. And health. ::heavy sigh::

[bratbitch.livejournal.com]

As a smoker... how the hell can you fall asleep while having a cigarette? Perhaps I tend to retain consciousness for a little longer than some people.. hmm.. and how can you not wake up when something is burning right next to you?

I hope there's an upside to the story *hugs*

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

As a non-smoker surrounded by smokers...I have no idea, unless it's a process similar to that of nodding off during Sam Waterston's summing-up with a hot cup of coffee in your lap. Smoking in bed is such a 1965 way to die...

Upside...um...I'll let you know.

[cageyklio.livejournal.com]

I have no idea, unless it's a process similar to that of nodding off during Sam Waterston's summing-up with a hot cup of coffee in your lap

Erp. Mwf. Chrtl. Snrf.

Ya know, you make me feel really hypocritical about offering condolences when I'm trying so hard not to laugh.

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

They should just have him start to read 'Runaway Bunny' at the end of every episode and be done with it. So soooooooooothing...

[tsamm.livejournal.com]

Ugh. I'm sorry.