Raf

Three full weeks.

So far, everything's going great. It has now been 20 days since I puffed on my last cigarette. I've saved roughly $100 (not to mention the amount of money I've saved avoiding the situations that tempt me to smoke: between alcohol and cigarettes, I've probably got roughly $300 more in my bank account than I otherwise would have. Wow.

total coincidence: Guillermo del Toro is considering a remake of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. I'll be first in line to see it! He's the guy who directed Hellboy and Hellboy 2. I believe he's also been tapped to direct The Hobbit

Sometimes I forget the pill. Don't want the cigs anyway, :)

I'll take it that's an exaggeration. No food? Bad thing!

It's not today. It was within a week of today (not saying whether it's earlier or later). Happy birthday, old friend.

I don't even know what day I'm on anymore. Spent last week at a convention in Chicago (there was no "me" time, so forgive me for not telling anyone I was there). Lots of temptation, but I didn't give in a single time. So let's see... It has now been 18 days since my last cigarette. Think I'll celebrate by taking the $90 I've saved and spending it on my wife. :)

Anyone ever see "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark"? Made me afraid of the dark.

11 a.m. came and went and I didn't even notice it. Woohoo! I am now in week 2!

A little late to rejoin this part of the conversation, but indulge me: The problem I have with the word "disgruntled" is that it's dismissive. The word implies lack of justification for any such feeling. It doesn't say or mean the same thing as "awakened." It doesn't mean "fed up." It doesn't mean "recognizing, after all these years, that you've been HAD by a predator." I am not a "disgruntled former follower" of The Way. I am perfectly content. When I look back on that time in my life, I am grateful that I came away unscathed. And when I see what others went through, my emotions are similar to many of theirs. Disgruntled? No, thank you. I prefer "morally outraged!"

Gene Wilder See no Evil. Hear No Evil Kevin Spacey

Clear and Present Danger?

I no see nussink. You got a link? Of course, now it shows up. Nevermind.

Well, Harry and Lloyd never went to Alaska, so I'm thinking, who'd be dumb enough to utter that line? And the only name I can come up with is Homer Simpson. Is it The Simpsons Movie?

Two and a half hours away from one full week without a cigarette or, really, even much of a craving. Liberating.

In the true crime genre, there are several classics. First on most lists, of course, is In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, which practically invented the genre, or at least widely popularized it. Then there's The Onion Field by Joseph Wambaugh. But I'd say the best of the bunch would have to be Fatal Vision by Joe McGinnis.

Ok, no drinking and Chantix! Wow. thanks for THAT warning. And I had a couple of glasses of wine the other night, too. WHEW. Well, I survived it. There is some talk that this product being useful in fighting alcohol addiction, but I suspect that has more to do with people avoiding the places where they smoke.

The Courtship of Eddie's Father Ron Howard American Grafitti

!!!

A quick search turns up a place called "Mi Peru" in North Miami with some pretty good ceviche. I can't vouch for it, seeing I first encountered the term roughly three minutes ago when I read your post. If you just turned 30, you'll LOVE South Beach. If the bride of P-Mosh isn't a fuddy duddy, that is. Last time I was there, one of the more fun places was called Mango's. But honestly, there are so many party places on Ocean Drive that it's hard to have a bad time. No, skip the Shark Valley and the Seaquarium if the kid is that young. Stick with the zoo or, probably better, jungle island. I can't believe I forgot to mention Versailles! Thanks NIS!

Ok, trying to figure out how to count the days here. Yesterday I said it was Day 5, but it was actually five days since, which would make it day six. I'm saying this because, on the pills, it says I'm on day 7. So, I'll go by the pill box.... Day 7. This is either one amazing pill (for me) or one amazing placebo. Either way, I feel really good about not smoking and not wanting to smoke. Yesterday would ordinarily have been a tough day to get through (Mondays and Wednesdays are my longest workdays), but it was pretty much a breeze. The last thing I need to see if I can handle is a night out. It's the only thing I have not really done since this started (we went out Saturday, but it wasn't our usual time or place, and there was no temptation). Will I be able to go out singing and NOT smoke? That is the question. And if I can't, will I give up going out singing? Yikes. Who'll do this?

That is correct

I wanted to apologize about my words yesterday. I examined my heart, and I know in my heart I was wrong. Truth is, I couldn't care less. I even tried. I just can't.

If anyone has the right to say not all former followers are disgruntled, it's Mike. Wake up yet?

Since I don't often check in, I'll drop this in now and, if I'm right, you guys can continue: