Side Effect

Day 5 of being smoke free went well.
Side effects of Chantix, not so well.

Everything Burns

Anastacia is 'smokin', and the girl's got a set of lungs. I love her music. You might consider exposing your ears to her. But I'm actually writing about my nose today. Everywhere I went, I swear I smelled something burning. And that just wasn't the case. But, what is the case, is how many people at work that do smoke and how the smell permeates everything. I even smelled myself to see if it was coming from me. hmmm not so much. Four days into having quit and the nose... does know. I stopped by the desk of a woman I work with and chatted her up a bit to recognize her for her accomplishments over the past few years. I smelled smoke. She doesn't smoke. I've never known her to smoke. Surely I'm wrong. The hell I was. She's a closet smoker. I didn't out her, but I know her dirty little secret and if it got out it would ruin her pristine little image. I'm gaining new super powers. Watch out Hulk, I'm comin' for ya!!

Fuzzy Tongue

Aaaah

pendt

da

dae

mid

Futhy

Tung

Translation: I spent the day with fuzzy tongue.

Having quit smoking before, I am familiar with this sensation. Other people don't know what I'm talking about. Most other people don't smoke Menthol cigarettes. I have been a menthol smoker since college. That's more than 20 years now. I used to smoke Marlboro Reds, but migrated over to Menthol because everyone was bumming' smokes. That did the trick. No one wanted to smoke menthol. Yuk, no way. Heck I enjoyed the cool ashy breeze billowing down my throat. Who the hell knows what it was doing to my tongue to make it feel fuzzy, possibly numb. It's like, or actually is, my tongue going through withdrawal. It's actually funny, odd, intriguing sensation. It also sucks that it's a reminder of what my tongue wants. I can think of better things though.

Embers Be Gone!!

Dr. Flab began his epic battle with the dreaded Nick O'tine during last nights episode of Saturday Night Live. With a burning cigarette in between his lips he grabbed the last remaining pack in his house. There were eight sticks still remaining. Staring at him like pawns in a chess game with the Queen neatly positioned and smoking, as if to say "Check Mate". With his Chantix armor and every bit of willpower within; Flab attacked the eight pawns first and quickly broke them at their filtered ends and crushed them at the center core. But the burning Queen still had half her energy and conjured her magic to the bitter end. But Flab would not be defeated and he grabbed the Queen by her butt and crushed her head into the metal cauldron of ash. The Queen was defeated. And Flab would need to rest from his battle and entered into a mystical coma of healing and recuperation.

Dr. Flab is well and will soon complete one day in celebration of his defeat of Nick O'Tine and his dreaded death army.

Reasons to Quit Smoking

1. yadda yadda yadda - all the health reasons.
2. Saving money.
3. Wrinkles.
4. The stink.
5. The dust.
6. Smoking to stay thin. Which is a LIE.
7. Healthier nails.
8. Sweeter breath.
9. Self Confidence.

And one the best reasons, is in consideration of my dog. I admit I have given much thought to the second hand smoke impact on him. Oh I've been a bad daddy.

Smoking Cessation: Chantix

Most of my friends know I am an avid smoker. I enjoy it. I love to smoke actually. My friends also know that I quit smoking 2 years ago for a total of 6 months. But I let the emotional and psychological damage of friendships going up in smoke, lead me back to the wonder sticks of nicotine nirvana. Back then I elected to use Chantix, a then-new smoking cessation drug by Pfizer. Holy hell, I did as instructed and *poof* no desire to smoke. I was drug induced cold turkey quiting. I figured I'd give it a go again. OH, not so easy the second time around. I tried quiting about four weeks ago and I was the crankiest 43 year old you never wanted to meet. So I have chosen to take things slower and continue on the path of the 12 week program. You ease into the program with one pill a day for 5 days. Then you continue on a 2 pill a day; one morning and one evening. You are encouraged to exhaust all of the medication, the entire 12 weeks. Your target quit date is after week #1. Well, that hasn't been working for me, so I've been biding my time...

What are you looking at?

WHAT??
I plan to quit... Really I do!!