Hospitals suck too

I think I should start a blog called "Things that suck". I have really compiled quite a long list in the three weeks since I quit smoking. Don't be confused, I thought a lot of things sucked before too, but now... wow, it seems like more things suck than don't. Anyway, Abby is doing better, but still in the hospital. I can't wait to get her and Kelly back home. I'm still not smoking. And finally, something that SUCKS real bad, AIDS. Tomorrow is World Aids Day. Please take the time to learn more and find ways to help the kids in Africa, orphaned or infected by the thousands.

3 weeks

I made it 3 weeks. That is pretty awesome. Anyway, with all the hospital stuff it has been pretty stressful, but I am hanging in. I have also quit sleeping, but i think I am going to start back in a few minutes, just sleeping, not smoking. Time to go crash. Later.

Abby in hospital, continued

Yeah, I am making it all about me, but this is my website. It is all about her, on HER website! But man, stressful. Not smoking during this round of stress is tough. I mean it, you get through a holiday, several hockey games, and everything is looking good, then BAM, trip to the ER, followed closely by a trip to the Children's Hospital. Anyway, about 2 more hours and I will have not smoked for 3 weeks. WOOOHOOO.

Abby in hospital

Well, there is nothing like having a child in the hospital to make you want to smoke. I walked outside and someone else lit up, it smelled like fresh chocolate chip cookies. Anyway, she is doing better than she was yesterday, so we are getting moved out of ICU when they get a bed downstairs. Thats all for now, much love to CHOA for a great staff, and a computer room, and to everyone else for their love and support.

Black Friday

Today is black friday, and I went shopping, and I did not smoke. I did not even want to smoke. I love that. Anyway, I have not smoked over 740 cigarettes, and I have saved over $110. That is pretty awesome. I you have not already, check out the new and improved NateQuit website and all the fun stuff on it.

Thanksgiving Day Parades.....Suck

Ok, all parades suck, but they do keep the kids entertained for hours. I guess it should be pretty obvious at this point that I am thankful to not be a smoker. It is nice to be free from the bondage of nicotine. So get off you computer and go spend the day with your family, watch a parade, or football or something.

Still going, and going, and going

Hey, 2 weeks, 2 days, 8 hours, and no cigarettes, if anyone is counting. It really seems normal now. There are however, a few things I do out of habit; When leaving the house, I pat my front pocket to make sure I have smokes and a lighter, when I get out of my car, same thing. Sometimes when I get in the truck, I look for my cigarettes, I always kept a pack in the console, but it takes a second to realize that I am not a smoker anymore. What a cool statement.

This is too funny to ignore

sorry, you missed it.
click here to see it.

To change subjects, did you know that 67 countries have issued anti smoking postage stamps and that the U.S.A. is NOT one of them. check out Bophuthatswana's

and finally, a no smoking ad too controversial and insensitive for the USA, but apparently not for China.

Selfish Expectations

So I was thinking, "Why do so many people piss me off? Am I really that anti-social?" I was really trying to figure it out and that is when I realized, I spend a lot of time being frustrated by people just because they don't do things the way I want them to. It is almost never any real inconvienience, but here I am about to go nuts. So I think that I may have figured it out, a little. To read my rant, (or rave), click here.

2 WEEKS!!

In one hour, I will have not smoked for 2 weeks. That is crazy, well not crazy, thats cool. I have not idea what the future holds for my life, but I am sure that it does not include smoking. Two weeks ago, I could not imagine going a day without a cigarette. Going to the movies was a painful experience, or you missed 5-10 minutes in the middle. I have spent the last few years hating what I was doing to myself smoking, and even more afraid of quitting. It was scary, hard, impossible, or so it seemed. God gave me the courage to quit, the strength to stay strong, and the friends and support necessary to get through those first few days, and I am forever thankful.

Click here to see a couple of cute quit smoking videos.

I think I am nearly normal

It has been 12 1/2 days since the last time I poisoned myself. I should have almost none of the 4000 chemicals contained in cigarettes in my system. My brain is starting to level back out and I am not really as hyper as I was the first week. I was climbing the walls for a few days there, even onto the roof if you recall. Maybe I don't have ADD after all. So, I think I am nearly back to normal. My wife has started speaking to me again. That was a little risky at first, never knowing how I would respond, but assured it would not be pleasant. Now, I am the big softy you have always loved again.

What to say next?

I always thought I had a lot to say, but it appears that I am running out, at least for the topic of not smoking. I guess I still have a few more ideas but I dont really have the time to type them up just yet. Anyway, I will very soon post something new and interesting, but for now, just know that it is Day 11 and still not smoking!!! Woo Hoo. I quit.

10 days

I have not smoked for 10 days. That is pretty cool. I am still suffering from a few side effects, as well as 3-4 urges a day, but nothing major. Anyway, I am really busy this week, so I dont have a lot of time to sit here and whine. I will post more when I can.

More insane facts about smoking

Below are some links to WhyQuit.com's website. A couple may be humerous and some are disturbing. All are informative. Check it out.

Nicotine lies (the nicodemon)

Cigarette butts

smokers vow

My cigarette, my friend



these are just a few articles on Whyquit.com. There are many more worth reading. If you are trying to quit, or plan to, going here and doing research may do you some good.

Side effects suck

Eight days, wow. Not smoking is really getting easier now. I am, however, still battling side effects of quitting. It is amazing how many different symptoms and side effects there are. Sleep is still restless and fitfull, my throat has started to hurt, I was even nauseous the other day. According to the various web sites, all of these are normal, and many more. Cigarettes contain over 4000 different chemicals, each on affecting your body in some way. When all of these are removed from your body, especially at the same time, you are sure to go nuts. So, while I do not regret quitting, it sure seemed easier to smoke.

It's official...

It is now officially more than a week. It has really gotten pretty easy. I have 5-10 fairly strong urges a day, and a few more little ones. For the first time, I can see things from a non-smoker's point of view. Don't misunderstand me though, I still believe people should be allowed to smoke in privately owned businesses that wish to allow it, but I can now see why some non-smokers would not want to go to those places. The government telling a private business owner that he cannot smoke in his own store, or allow anyone else to either, is a flagrant overstepping of their constitutionally mandated powers, but that is for some other rant, on some other day. Anyway, I see now how bad these things stink, and how annoying or possibly offensive their smell can be to some people. So week one is in the bag. Not to go too 12 step on you or anything, but I am going to just keep on going, one day at a time, and next thing you know, it will be a month, year, lifetime.

ONE WEEK!!!

hey, I made 1 week. Ok, you gotta give me an hour, but I promise, I wont smoke in the next hour. So, I did it. Woohoo. I actually quit for a 6 days about 4 years ago, and almost a month once too. In fact, I have quit for a day or 2 several times, but never have I been as committed, or a successful, or as encouraged, as I am right now. I feel very confident that I will not smoke again, mostly because I cannot handle quitting again. Obviously, I am still pretty excited about this whole thing, but I will quit blabbing, for tonite anyway. Go check out the rants if you need more to read. but there is nothing new since Friday. Dont worry, I have many more things to say, I just have to type it up.

Not again!!

Sitting in Taco Mac, watching the Dawgs go down to Auburn by one point, as they kick a field goal with 6 seconds left on the clock, was not quite how I had planned to spend Saturday night. It started off well enough. We went to the Gladiators game, it was pretty good, a little exciting for a minute, but in the end Gwinnett won 3-1. The Thrashers won as well. So it seemed that everything, in my sports world, was going according to plan. Then the Dawgs got held to a field goal, with 3 1/2 minutes left, putting them up by 2, but they were unable to stop Auburn who nearly scored a TD, but fumbled on the 3 yard line. So Auburn has to settle for a field goal, giving them a 1 point lead, with only 6 seconds left. Just thinking about this again makes me want to smoke. The quitting is going well, nothing really new to report. Except that while sitting in the bar the stench from the smoke was pretty gross. Even my clothes reeked when I left. I never smelled like that before did I?

Day 6

It is Saturday, a day I usually sleep late, smoke a lot, and generally live like a slug on the couch. Well, not much has changed. I am still being as lazy as ever but I am not smoking, it really makes relaxing even better, since I dont have to get up. Anyway, the days are getting better and the cravings are fewer and weaker everytime. There are still a few triggers that really make me want to smoke but I am finding it fairly simple to just think through the urge knowing it will be gone in a minute. A friend of mine, who also just quit smoking, said he did not feel quite whole anymore, "like someone took away my security blanket". What a great comparison. I dont know why I feel like I need to smoke in all the circumstances I find myself wanting too, but I do feel like part of me is gone. I guess that is true, an unhealthy part, now I need something new, to make me feel whole again. Maybe an exercise plan, we'll see.

Hockey without smoking

It is completely possible to go to a hockey game, as an adult, while drinking a beer, and not smoke. Yes I proved that statement true tonite. Anyway, I had a great time, only thought about smoking a couple of times, and really got through the evening without any real cravings. So it was a very successful night as far as I was concerned. Of course, it probably did not hurt that we won the game 5-2. Also, check out my latest rant "Aid to Africa".

Hockey, and not smoking, possible?

Well, tonite will be my first hockey game without smoking, at least since I saw the Atlanta Knights with my Dad, and I was what 12? Anyway, I have decided that non smokers must be more patient than me. See, when I go somewhere, anywhere, and have to wait, I smoke. After ordering food, before getting the check, between periods at hockey, while my wife looks at purses or shoes. "Normal" people just patiently wait around for these thing to end, or happen or whatever, I smoke. Sometimes I smoke a lot. Why just sit around waiting on your food to get cooked, or the next period to start, go smoke, its something to do right. So now, without anything to do between periods, I guess I will be in the gift shop, looking at new ways to spend all this money I'm saving. Maybe I can get a jersey.

this really sucks

So it FRIDAY, and somehow the banks decided to close, on FRIDAY. What is that? Isn't it enough to be closed every other Monday, that now they feel the need to close on a Friday too. That's ridiculous, and bad for the economy as well. If the banks are closed on Friday and the don't process anything over the weekend, because God forbid, a banker can't be required to work weekends. So no one can get paid until Tuesday, that means bills are late, kids are hungry, beer sales at hockey games are down, its just bad all the way around. I get it, its veterans day, but why cant they have their day on a Sunday, like mothers, fathers, grandparents, or whatever. Or if they really need to feel extra special, give them a Monday, like presidents day, or MLK, and don't the Vets get memorial day already, or is that just for the ones who die, I cant remember. I'm not trying to be flippant, because for the most part, the people who serve our country deserve our respect, but on the flip side, its hard to feel good about someone who closes the bank on Friday.
Anyway, I still haven't smoked, but getting to the bank at 1:45 expecting to make a deposit on time, only to find out that they closed, sucks. And I still have a headache.

Click here, for more insane smoking facts, or here to view my rant, ect...

Now it is day 5

I feel pretty good this morning, but as I learned the last 2 days, that does not mean much. My urges are getting much easier to deal with, and stem mostly from the patterns of smoking, not a need to "de-stress". It is hard to talk on the phone, drive in traffic, and the worst is after meals, thats when you really need a smoke. I dont know why, its not like you wash down a burger with tar, but that is when I want to smoke the most. Anyway, I'm off to work, its Friday, so that is guaranteed to be stressful. At least this morning's traffic wont be bad.

Almost day 5

so, I cant sleep, I have a headache, I sweat more, I pee more (you know you cared), did I mention a headache. My doctor friend said you get 10-15% more oxygen when you quit smoking. Why aren't all non smokers dizzy all the time. Apparently, your body absorbs more caffine when you dont smoke. Again, I dont know why, or if thats even true, but I guess I cant lie in bed drinking cokes anymore. I know I am going to be happy about quitting soon, but right now, this is pretty miserable. I mean, driving in Atlanta sucked when I could smoke, now I drive, and cant smoke too, that is crap. Does anyone really know why they started smoking? I think it was just to be cool, well, maybe not so much to be cool, but everyone else was doing it, so why cant I? Check out my rant about this here.

my quitter poem

Ok, if you are reading this, and wondering where is the poem, YOU MISSED IT. Due to the length of the poem, and me, being kind of obsessed about keeping the blog neat, I have moved the poem to a new space. Check it out.

Day 4, continued

I feel sick. I hope it is just withdrawals, and not SARS, or bird flu, or whatever the latest pandemic paranoia is today. But for real, I feel nauseous, my head hurts again, and being regular, what is that? The urges, the boredom, the cravings that you think will kill you on day 1 are almost gone. I still want to smoke after meals and in traffic, but not like before. I guess now the physical side effects are coming on stronger. It sure does suck. For some reason everyone seems to be working overtime to STRESS ME OUT. Why cant people just be normal, I'm trying to not smoke, and these fools are going to have me on prozac soon. Uggg. I need a vacation.

Day 4

It is getting easier. I dont have my usual morning craving, a little urge, but nothing crazy. I do still have a headache, I think it may have to do more with kids than nicotine, not sure. My vision seems better, my balance is better, my mood, well, thats still up for debate. Anyway, I'm off to work, hopefully not a stressful day. It should be easier than the last one but there is nothing like a rush hour drive to make you want to smoke.

smoking stats, this is nuts

I haven't smoked for 70 hours. In that time 31,500 people have died from tobacco related causes. Is that just plain nuts. I have already saved $18 by not smoking, and increased my life span by 120-400 minutes, depending on the study. I have definately not wasted 500 minutes, at least not wasted it smoking, I may not necessarily have been productive with them either, but I wasn't killing myself. More crazy stats are available here.

To see how much money you have, or can save, time you can save, or cigarettes you have not smoked check this out.

More from Day 3

So, I have now let the cat out of the bag, no not the one from previous post, he is still in the garage, but the fact that I quit smoking. I guess now I am committed. If everyone I know, knows, it is going to be ugly if I was to start back. It is my opinion however, that this is all really mental, and maybe all drug addiction is, to a point. But for me, I get an urge every 10 minutes or so, except for when I'm typing, I may start a few more blogs. Anyway, the urge hits, and you simply tell yourself it will go away in 30-90 seconds, and it does. These urges get farther and farther apart, until eventually they are days or weeks or months apart. I cant wait for that. The physical aspects of quitting, have really been relatively light. I have had a headache, for 2 days, my vision is still doing funny stuff, and I get dizzy periodically, but I dont feel like my head is going to explode, or that I will die in some other crazy way if I dont get a fix. The rest of the physical, lack of sleep, bathroom problems, ect... are very small issues. I guess being irritable is a physical issue. My body is trying to get used to functioning on a different level, all this extra oxygen is a trip. Day 3 is almost half over and I am feeling much better about quitting. It doesn't suck quite as bad as it did monday.

Day 3

I still have a headache. I cant go to sleep, stay asleep, or wake up. I hate this. I just want to smoke. OK, really it is getting easier. The first day was the hardest. In my past experience, the 3rd day was the worst, but I have never tried to quit cold turkey before, I dont think. Maybe I did try, but did not even make it a day, not sure. Anyway, this is day 3 and it really is easier than I remember or expected. I still want to smoke, a lot, but I just keep telling myself that it is a mind game, and that my mind is stronger than a plant. I can do it. I still have a headache, funny vision, dizziness, ect...I was told that being dizzy is because my brain is not used to getting this much oxygen, I need some CO2. I read about quitting on web md, apparently it is good for you. I thought people quit because it was to cold to smoke outside, and no one will let you smoke inside anymore. Anyway, they say that the withdrawal symptoms will go away in 3-5 days, and urges to smoke will go away in a few MONTHS, jeez, this is crazy. I cant wait for the when I go a whole day without an urge. That will be cool. I really cant concentrate at all. My wife just found a cat at the park and brought it home, now I really need to smoke. My kids are crying because they can't keep it. I am so mean, they should have asked before I quit smoking. Then I would have said no nicely.

Day 2

It is nearly lunch time, I made it through the first day!! Today has been a little easier than yesterday. I made a quick trip in to work, nothing that I needed to do there, thank God, and now I am back home trying to decide how not to smoke today. I am trying to stay busy, I already cleaned my pond, I blew the leaves from the yard, there has to be more, no stressful things to do around here. If I could sit back and smoke for a sec, I could probably find all sorts of things to do. I have a headache. Withdrawals, no nicotine, uggg. I can't see very well, cant concentrate, focus, sit still, maybe I have ADD. They prescribe stmulants for that, maybe I have been self medicating with nicotine. We should see if we can get doctors to prescribe smoking instead of ritalin. If they did that, you can still be creative, and you wont kill yourself for years, instead of the months that we have seen on the ADD meds. I think its time to go clean the gutters.

Day 1, continued

Ok, not smoking at work sucks, especially when your co-workers smoke. I still took the smoke breaks, just didn't get the smoke. Its been like 8 1/2 hours, 2 meals, one rush hour commute, one typical Atlanta off peak ride, and a day at work. After breakfast, that was tough, but that was like 1 1/2 hours in, missing my after lunch smoke, that was painful. Trying to drive through Atlanta traffic without smoking, I just really don't know how anyone does that on a regular basis. I have been chewing on straws all day, it doesn't help much, but it is something to do.

DAY 1

monday, November 7, 7 am

I woke up, brushed my teeth, ect...(you dont want to know). Now I've been up for about 10 minutes, its time to SMOKE. I hate this already, but I'm really only 12 minutes into the whole quitting thing. Today, is going to be crap. I'm about to go to work, like who needs that when they are quitting smoking. Its time for another cigarette. UGGG. Get dressed, go to work, no smoking, does that mean I dont get all those breaks anymore? Its been like 30 minutes, and it sucks.

D-day

Sunday night, 11:30pm November 6,

I am about to smoke for the last time. Maybe I should smoke 2 or 3, just to make sure I'm ready. I have wanted to quit for a long time, and even quit for a week or so several times. This is it though. I am seriously ready to stop, cold turkey, no patches, no cutting back, no excuses. Just quitting. I refuse to smoke, at all, tomorrow, not even a puff. This is so going to SUCK. I just want to quit, I know its going to be hell. Oh well, thats it, last one's gone. Now its off to bed, and going to wake up a grumpy, non-smoker.