Posted by MoobyGoldenCalf at 133-194-35-64.mcttelecom.com on May 25, 2002 at 23:09:08:
In Reply to: *****CIGARETTES***** posted by Jasper Beck on May 25, 2002 at 22:05:16:
: I quit smoking about a month ago. The first few days were brutal; savage cravings transformed me into an irascible grouch. I went cold turkey due to my assumption that using nicotine gum or nicotine patches was a sign of psychological weakness. Quiting the sticks would simply become an issue of mind over matter via the cold turkey method.
: It was tough, but after maintaining a tobacco free month I feel comfortable saying that I've kicked the habit for good. I will admit, however, that seeing 99% of the clientele smoke inveterately at numerous bars during the stretch was agony. Only at the bars did I try to come up with rational excuses to justify smoking just one or a few cigarettes for old time's sake or because smoking complements drinking in the same way milk complements Oreo cookies. Alas, I did not smoke at the bar, and surviving the bar without smoking after one tries to quit should qualify as some sort of graduation.
: I started smoking when I was fourteen to fit in with the subversive malcontent crowd and I got hooked. Wheras when we were older we would smoke grass and drink beer on the weekends, when we were younger we engaged in cigarette binges that would make Keith Richards sick. Of course, we reiterated several times that our cigarette indulgence was just an experimental phase and that quitting would be effortless. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that all of said malcontents still engage in cigarette smoking (I haven't seen them since high school).
: I guess the nature of this post could be considered somewhat in the realm of off topic twaddle, but it dawned on me that a lot of the characters in VA films are unabashed smokers. I think a lot of the people involved with VA productions are smokers as well (the video portion of the Dogma commentary depicted Kevin, Affleck, Mewes et al with ostensibly lit cigarettes). Chances are, a lot of people who post messages with a frequent regularity are smokers.
: I don't like to pass judgement on anyone. People decide for themselves how to live their lives. But I firmly believe, with a disregard for pontification, that quitting smoking was a wise course of action. I feel invigorated with a sense of energy and vitality. I may end up gaining some weight, but maybe I'll have a desire to do cardiovascular workouts due to enhanced lung capacity.
: The obvious retort to sanctimonious tobacco opponents is "we're all going to die someday anyways." I give full recognition to the fact that someday I will be dead and buried, but being dead and buried as a result of lung cancer is one of the worst demises I can imagine (right up their with death by fire).
: If my opinions concerning tobacco use and abuse even slightly scratches the surface of VA web debate, I will be content. If not, too bad.
: See you in the funny pages...
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