Picking Her Poison

So last week I am leaving work, heading out to the parking lot, and I see a woman walking ahead of me with a black umbrella.  I figure she must be using this to block the sun, as it's 95 degrees outside.  I figure she's not the fancy type, substituting a black rain umbrella for a nice summer parasol, if one is so inclined, but to each her own.  Whatever keeps her from getting her inevitable skin cancer, I suppose.  A couple of seconds later I see the umbrella flopping around, and to my surprise, she is lighting a cigarette.  So now I'm confused, how she can fear the sun and it's potentially damaging rays, but welcome much more certain carcinogens voluntarily.  I did not care enough to ask her, so I will never know.  

This brings me to another point.  Who really gets sunburned anymore, anyway?  People do.  Friends of mine.  And it's funny every time.  I'm so pale I respect the sun, but do not fear it.  I don't intentionally stay indoors between 10 and 4.  I've been burned in the past, but kind of think I've got this whole thing figured out.  This is why I think it's so funny when people get burned.  It's always a surprise--like it's their first time.  Especially my brown friends.  "Dude, I don't need sunscreen, look at me, I'm Mexican!"  Whatever.  You burn.  Watching you squeal and peel was extra satisfying for this pale face.

If you get skin cancer, it's probably your own fault.  If you get lung cancer, it's probably your own fault.  But it will probably be a surprise.  But not to me.