Armen Posted January 22, 2004 Report Share Posted January 22, 2004 I quit smoking a week ago. I think this was one of the most important steps in my life. I felt so weak against cigarettes that almost lost my self-respect at some point. People change their character several times during their life and in my teenage years I had this strong will-power to achieve things, which I lost in my early 20s when I easly achieved my primary goals. And now I know that starting smoking when you're going down the hill in your character development is not a good idea. Though, maybe cigarettes triggered my anger towards the absence of will-power. This was a year long battle. Cigarettes were so dear to me that I couldn't imagine a "me not smoking" situation. They felt so necessary when thinking, working or especially the times when you do nothing, like at party, the bus-stop or after dinner or talking about nothing special with a friend. When working with computer, coffee-cigarette combo was just something unimaginable to do without. Also, I love coffee and on some mental level it betrays you and enters into an alliance with cigarettes, that is so hard to "divide et imperium". There I was, left with single knife against an enemy with high class mental combat capabilities. I couldn't do without cigarette even an hour. Tried to quit several times and it made it worse, I started smoking before breakfast and late night, sometimes as you say in Armenian "mi cigarette myusov varelov". The final battle started just before the New Year. I went through a schedule of increasing non-smoking periods until one morning I realised that I'm done with it. I feel good not beacause I quit but most importantly because my will-power is back. My best friend and ally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted January 22, 2004 Report Share Posted January 22, 2004 Good for you!!!! I quit smoking a while back and although I've smoked cigs from time to time (once a month), I would never ever think about going back to it.. But I never felt addicted to it... I started smoking due to the "smoking makes me look cool" syndrome.. But I'm glad you quit!! I can say that I was an alcoholic a while back, used to go out and drink vodka, beer, rum every day, 7 days a week.. Well, it did take a big blow to knock some sense into me.. I feel healthier, although I want to drink from time to time and know that if I do, I won't go to extremes.. It's good to have one's will-power by one's side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasun Posted January 22, 2004 Report Share Posted January 22, 2004 Nice Armen, something to be proud of... I quit smoking 2-3 times. Last time I quit again 11 months ago and don't plan to start again. But I was never a heavy smoker, 10 cigarettes a day was my max. So it was not a big challange in my case. I am thinking to become a vegetarian - now that's a big challenge because I love meat and eat almost everyday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sev-mard Posted January 22, 2004 Report Share Posted January 22, 2004 But I was never a heavy smoker, 10 cigarettes a day was my max. That's not a heavy smoker?! That's good to hear that you quit man, smoking to me is more about the mental and physical hold it has, and how people are controlled by cigarettes. Not always of course, but most of the time. I don't smoke cigs, never have, never will. Your body and mind will thank you for giving them up. peace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasun Posted January 22, 2004 Report Share Posted January 22, 2004 That's not a heavy smoker?! Sevo jan, it is all relative... compared to someone who smokes 2 packs a day (40 cigarettes) I was not even a smoker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormig Posted January 22, 2004 Report Share Posted January 22, 2004 Smoking - never have, never will. I don't like the idea of inhaling stuff into yourself. The most I have done has been trying the hookah on two occasions with a bunch of people I had befriended - and this was within the last two-three months, in all my years. Never really figured what is so pleasurable about that, except for blowing out puff-white smoke. The tobacco was not straight tobacco, though - one of those Arabic fruit-flavoured ones, the "two apples" - so that might explain it. And, even though that sort of smoke is not going to be hot and burn your lungs, even that made me cough at first. So, cigarettes are definitely out of the question. I agree with what Sasun says - 10 cigs a day is no big deal. In fact, five cigs a day would count as beneficial if you can stick with that. Chinese doctors actually tell their work-a-holic patients this. And it's not just tobacco, yes - it can be food, it can be alcohol, it can be anything. I generally don't have problems with any of it. In fact, with regard to food, I sometimes go through periods of ascetism, almost. One thing that really challenges me is my thoughts - among them, again, food-related - because I know so much stuff about what is bad for you in what form and all that - that there was a time I used to almost drive myself nuts thinking over to myself every single time what was bad and what was not going to be good. Luckily, never being a blah blah blah talker, I never bothered anyone, and I had only myself to sort out. Relaxing about it, not the part about freaking out but the part about being conscious of it all the time, took a while to accomplish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sev-mard Posted January 22, 2004 Report Share Posted January 22, 2004 Sevo jan, it is all relative... compared to someone who smokes 2 packs a day (40 cigarettes) I was not even a smoker Yeah man I guess you're right. Wow, 40 cigs in a day, chem havatum! When do you have time to smoke 40 ciggys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anileve Posted January 22, 2004 Report Share Posted January 22, 2004 Oh goody a whole thread dedicated to smoking. Well I feel like I should share the truth that surgeon general doesn't want you to know. On the contraty of what people believe smoking has it's great benefits. Wait wait, before you say "Ay mart, es incha asum?", I shall tell you that this is a medical fact. Every cloud of cigarette smoke has its silver lining: Nicotine enhances memory, reduces the symptoms of psychosis, and helps resist Alzheimer's and dementia. It also has therapeutic potential - schizophrenics self-medicate with cigatrettes, ADHD kids show dramatic improvements with nicotine, and it has analgesic properties that could make the opiates passe. Smoking in moderation is not so bad after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellthecat Posted January 23, 2004 Report Share Posted January 23, 2004 I had two cigarettes in a row last summer - the first time I had smoked any in almost 15 years. And I was surprised that I felt absolutely nothing, good or bad, taste or smell, or whatever. Have ciggies changed in 15 years? Or was it coz I had drunk 1/3rd of a bottle of airport duty-free Scotch just before lighting them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anileve Posted January 23, 2004 Report Share Posted January 23, 2004 Or was it coz I had drunk 1/3rd of a bottle of airport duty-free Scotch just before lighting them. Naaaa, I doubt that drinking only bottle of hard liquor numbs ones senses. It could be the cigarettes, these days they are made from the finest and most delicate sort of rose petals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THOTH Posted January 23, 2004 Report Share Posted January 23, 2004 Naaaa, I doubt that drinking only bottle of hard liquor numbs ones senses. No need when one's senses are already numb... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anonymouse Posted January 23, 2004 Report Share Posted January 23, 2004 I love a nice "schmok and pancake" from time to time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormig Posted January 23, 2004 Report Share Posted January 23, 2004 OK, people, how about chocolate? This one has proven to be the ultimate challenge for me. I've been buying these nice juicy packs and eating one square a day and keeping the rest in my office drawer. It's being tough on my office mates who cry that knowing it is there and that usually there is so much of it is driving them nuts. Well, I don't know a better way of getting magnesium daily. Better than getting too much of it once a week or month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sev-mard Posted January 23, 2004 Report Share Posted January 23, 2004 I just can't stand the acidic nature of 'regular' cigs to even get that 'beneficial' boost from them. Occasionally a Black & Mild, but that's about it. I love a nice "schmok and pancake" from time to time. How about a blunt and a blintz? Now we're talking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anonymouse Posted January 23, 2004 Report Share Posted January 23, 2004 I just can't stand the acidic nature of 'regular' cigs to even get that 'beneficial' boost from them. Occasionally a Black & Mild, but that's about it. How about a blunt and a blintz? Now we're talking How about a bong and a blitth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angel4hope Posted January 23, 2004 Report Share Posted January 23, 2004 hahahahah hahah i used to hav a physiology professor (in high school) who spoke like gold member and looked like him...end of the quarter we bought him the goldmember dvd...he was just extatic to find that they were soo much alike...man those were the good ole days...wed start makin fun of him during class time..i was the class clown...id always make fun of his short shorts and the way his skin would peel--on his face--like gold member--he had some rare sort of melinoma... oh man..too much info there.... flapjack and a cigar? bong and a blintz? schmoke and a pancake?then therejj no pleashjeeng you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sev-mard Posted January 23, 2004 Report Share Posted January 23, 2004 How about a bong and a blitth? blitth? inch es asum, blitth? i'm cool with the 1st part.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anonymouse Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 blitth? inch es asum, blitth? i'm cool with the 1st part.... Blitz = blitth with a lisp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sev-mard Posted January 26, 2004 Report Share Posted January 26, 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anonymouse Posted January 26, 2004 Report Share Posted January 26, 2004 Well, you didn't get my joke at first, so you ruined the umph. You should be egged for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sev-mard Posted January 26, 2004 Report Share Posted January 26, 2004 My fault as well, the pencil must have just been on it's way to get sharpened when i first read you quip, cuz it's sure funny no. We'll split the blame 50/50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anonymouse Posted January 26, 2004 Report Share Posted January 26, 2004 Deal, and I get pancakes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sev-mard Posted January 26, 2004 Report Share Posted January 26, 2004 Does that mean I'll be responsible for the pipes? I can do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armen Posted January 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 Oh goody a whole thread dedicated to smoking. Anileve, the thread is not about smoking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armen Posted January 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 Sev-Mard and Anonymous, thanks for keeping the thread alive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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