Status: Still smoking, albeit reduced
Reason: Am pathetic, in manner of piking piker, with a myriad of excuses, none of which I'll insult you with - god knows you're all rational, intelligent people.
Expected Date to Return to Righteous Non-Smoker: April 19 (my birthday, coincidentally), when we return from Milan, I'll restart the entire Champix course. *heavy sigh*... Thought about starting earlier, but (fark, sorry, EXCUSE FORTHCOMING, but it was too tricky and burdensome to try and sort when was morning and when was evening, what with time zones in Dubai/Bangkok/Milan etc. So. That's when. Will not be blogging religiously. Pressure may make me implode (which might shake some of the extra blubber I accumulated from 8 weeks NOT smoking, but all in all, would be bad look), so have decided to make brief, concise blogs, likely a week apart.
That's all.
We leave on Friday. Am excited. Even excited about perusing lovely new trending furniture stuff at the Milan Furniture Fair, SUPER excited about seeing Dubai with my dear friend Kaalene (we met at hostel, first year university), ANNNNNNND even stopping over in Bangkok. Oriental City.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
*shuffles feet*
*looks at ground and begins mumbling*
So. First let's start with this. I'm incredibly gutted with myself. Due to a myriad of reasons, the major one being an incredibly stressful personal situation, I found myself turning to an old friend. An old friend who, in my delusion, I thought would relax me, and give me clarity of vision. I think you might know where this is heading. I have, ahem, new found reason to blog again.
Yes. I know. Disappointing, weak, paaaaaathetic etc. I consider this merely a blip on the road of quitting smoking - and intend to get, spurs, ten gallon hat and all, back on that horse very very shortly. I'm aware of the praise and heartfelt messages I've been receiving from my wonderful friends and family, and how you're all likely shaking your heads in disgust. Trust me - I've disgusted and disappointed myself just as much.
So yeah. Watch this space. I need to go and confess all to my GP and get a new script for Champix - as you need to start on the half strength pills again. I think finishing Champix early, combined with my above shite, may have been my undoing. Oh, and the earthquake played a part too.
Sorry.
*looks at ground and begins mumbling*
So. First let's start with this. I'm incredibly gutted with myself. Due to a myriad of reasons, the major one being an incredibly stressful personal situation, I found myself turning to an old friend. An old friend who, in my delusion, I thought would relax me, and give me clarity of vision. I think you might know where this is heading. I have, ahem, new found reason to blog again.
Yes. I know. Disappointing, weak, paaaaaathetic etc. I consider this merely a blip on the road of quitting smoking - and intend to get, spurs, ten gallon hat and all, back on that horse very very shortly. I'm aware of the praise and heartfelt messages I've been receiving from my wonderful friends and family, and how you're all likely shaking your heads in disgust. Trust me - I've disgusted and disappointed myself just as much.
So yeah. Watch this space. I need to go and confess all to my GP and get a new script for Champix - as you need to start on the half strength pills again. I think finishing Champix early, combined with my above shite, may have been my undoing. Oh, and the earthquake played a part too.
Sorry.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
So? Am I?
I've been asked so many times lately whether I'm still not smoking.
That tells me one of two things - quite a few people are actually READING this, and quite a few people know, due to my unfortunate history, that previous attempts to quit have revealed I'm as weak as a wobbly jelly sponge when it comes to quitting....
ALSO I guess, to be fair to the Doom Sayers, there's been earthquakes, extra families inhabiting Casa Del McCulloch, trips in airplanes to weddings with lots of booze, staying in an apartment EXPRESSLY picked four months ago for it's "Smoking Balcony Views - and to top it all off - Charlie Sheen looking so goddamned happy every night, all chain smoky and stuff... (Ok, he also looks insane, and older than his FATHER now, but still - look how those cigarettes are there supporting him in hishour days of need)......
SO... The short, only and final answer is that No, I am NOT smoking. Also am officially off Champix/Chantix - and have been for 5 days. Which also leads me to the next point - I have no reason to blog. So will leave this entry up for a couple of days, then blitz it, or at least, not write it anymore....
Thanks to everyone that supported me - wrote comments, read it, motivated me when I considered quitting - you all were very helpful. After almost 20 years of such a VILE habit, it's nice to be able to breathe, not wake up coughing like I'm dying, as soon as I get out of bed, and to hopefully have STALLED the motherfucking wrinkles.
*Takes bow*
*Exits Stage Left*
That tells me one of two things - quite a few people are actually READING this, and quite a few people know, due to my unfortunate history, that previous attempts to quit have revealed I'm as weak as a wobbly jelly sponge when it comes to quitting....
ALSO I guess, to be fair to the Doom Sayers, there's been earthquakes, extra families inhabiting Casa Del McCulloch, trips in airplanes to weddings with lots of booze, staying in an apartment EXPRESSLY picked four months ago for it's "Smoking Balcony Views - and to top it all off - Charlie Sheen looking so goddamned happy every night, all chain smoky and stuff... (Ok, he also looks insane, and older than his FATHER now, but still - look how those cigarettes are there supporting him in his
SO... The short, only and final answer is that No, I am NOT smoking. Also am officially off Champix/Chantix - and have been for 5 days. Which also leads me to the next point - I have no reason to blog. So will leave this entry up for a couple of days, then blitz it, or at least, not write it anymore....
Thanks to everyone that supported me - wrote comments, read it, motivated me when I considered quitting - you all were very helpful. After almost 20 years of such a VILE habit, it's nice to be able to breathe, not wake up coughing like I'm dying, as soon as I get out of bed, and to hopefully have STALLED the motherfucking wrinkles.
*Takes bow*
*Exits Stage Left*
Monday, February 28, 2011
Rocky Times
I keep restarting this blog because there's too much I want to say, not enough ways to say it, and really, all things considered, it's not exactly important whether I'm smoking or NOT at the moment.
So will bullet point - keep snappy, short and relevant to topic on hand.
There's been MANY laughs, a few tears, and the girls have coped well, all things considered. The fights are declining, and the AWWWWW moments are by far outnumbering the "FAAAARKKKK MUMMIES NEEDS WINE, STAT" times....
For those that haven't and are possibly overseas, here's a link to the Christchurch earthquake donation fund:
http://www.redcross.org.nz/donate
So will bullet point - keep snappy, short and relevant to topic on hand.
- Although have been SORELY tempted in last 5 days, have not and will not smoke. It was 5 weeks on Sunday since my last cigarette (or is it 6? brain is addled)....
- Have experienced a few issues with Champix's much touted primary side affect, The Rage - when that happens, will only take one pill the next day. Fortunately the only victim of The Rage has been The Husband - who really, when one thinks about it - brings it on himself
- Household has doubled in size since last Wednesday - we're fortunate enough to be able to host the McGregor family from Christchurch. Girl child quota - DOUBLED! Workaholic husbands - TWOFOLD! Semi-alcoholic housewife - CLONED! With that, the noise has doubled, our recycling bin is moaning with the extra fortified glass rubbish items, and my husband has FINALLY conceded it's time to prioritise the Kitchen Upgrade, as while it's fine with one person cooking, and 4 people's food, yeah - it's not coping so well with the extra volume.
There's been MANY laughs, a few tears, and the girls have coped well, all things considered. The fights are declining, and the AWWWWW moments are by far outnumbering the "FAAAARKKKK MUMMIES NEEDS WINE, STAT" times....
For those that haven't and are possibly overseas, here's a link to the Christchurch earthquake donation fund:
http://www.redcross.org.nz/donate
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Earthquakes, Aftershocks, FFS!
If I get through TODAY without smoking, I get a medal.
SWAY SWAY SWAY... If I lived in CHRISTCHURCH, I'd have been smoking 5 hours ago. As it is, 2 hours south, we've rocked all day, and I am SICK SICK SICK of aftershocks.
I am STRESSED......
AND can't even have another vodka to soothe my nerves till my husband gets back from Wellington.
*WAILS*
And tomorrow is my ONE month anniversary (as in 31 days, didn't count the obvious but short 28 day anniversary)...
*WAILS AGAIN as big truck drives past*
SWAY SWAY SWAY... If I lived in CHRISTCHURCH, I'd have been smoking 5 hours ago. As it is, 2 hours south, we've rocked all day, and I am SICK SICK SICK of aftershocks.
I am STRESSED......
AND can't even have another vodka to soothe my nerves till my husband gets back from Wellington.
*WAILS*
And tomorrow is my ONE month anniversary (as in 31 days, didn't count the obvious but short 28 day anniversary)...
*WAILS AGAIN as big truck drives past*
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Things I Can No Longer Do As A Non-Smoker
I type this blog entry as almost a tribute/eulogy to smoking. Such is the mindset now, that I know I'll never smoke again, and it's got me thinking about smoking related life events - ones that I'll never be part of again. So for the sake of closure, I shall list three of them below, in no particular order.
1. I Say Goodbye To Being an Agony Aunt
As a smoker, on the now rare times I went to an actual pub, I've literally solved the problems of whatever town I'm in. Cigarette in hand, gesturing wildly with the other - sort of a Wise Aunty, if you will, my captive audience gets psycho-analysed and cured in a much more efficient time frame (5 minutes per smoke) than any $200 an hour psychiatrist's would charge. Ahhh! I was GOOD! If I squint, I can still see the appreciation on their little wrinkle-free faces, as they ponder my gems of wisdom. Relationships were repaired! Drunks were Sobered! (INSTANTLY, one young chap literally RAN off in the opposite direction after a 2 minute pep talk, seemingly SOBER!) Angry looking men were SORTED-MOTHERFUCKING-OUT! Not only will I miss this myself, generations of troubled children will also never get to hear my soothing and reassuring words. This is a great loss to society in general, and Generation Z may never be the same.
2. I leave the Gossip Circle
Because let's face it - in the workplace, the smokers are the group that knows the Goss. Non-smokers sometimes don't even TAKE BREAKS (Madness, MADNESS I tell you!). And if they do, it's in packs, sitting in a communal staffroom, where they all have nothing in common, and even a "How was your weekend?" polite question and answer exchange, is heard by people PRETENDING to read the paper, but in reality, listening to every word, judging it in their head (and usually judging negatively), but having no one to gossip to about what a LOSER James in accounting is, talking about getting drunk to the CEO. Smokers on the other hand, are so relaxed and just so GRATEFUL to be inhaling nicotine, they share EVERYTHING. Want to know who's shagging who in the office? Take up smoking. The Brother and Sisterhood of Nicotine are a friendly club - one inhalation and you're IN. When I do go to work, I'll miss that badly.
3. Getting out of situations you just Can't Be Fucked being in
Dishes due to be done at a dinner party?
"Oh, I'll just have a smoke and be in to help"..
Fifteen minutes, three smokes and a text session later
"Oh you've DONE the dishes! SORRY - I just really needed a smoke - gosh you were QUICK!"...
Boring/Overstaying Guest wanting conversation?
"Hold that thought, I'm just gonna pop out for a smoke"
Ten Minutes later, re-enter and DELIBERATELY change the conversation or pretend you've just remembered, while smoking, you have to leave IMMEDIATELY
Anyway - Day 24 almost at an end. And it's telling that I have to sit here and work out what day I'm up to. The three week thing, Allan Carr talks about, is totally right - the last 3 days have been so easy. Down to maybe 3 times a day thinking beyond a 2 second thought of smoking, and it passes.
The pic below is only here because I found it FARKING funny - and because it represents about the amount of smokes I've NOT smoked since stopping......
1. I Say Goodbye To Being an Agony Aunt
As a smoker, on the now rare times I went to an actual pub, I've literally solved the problems of whatever town I'm in. Cigarette in hand, gesturing wildly with the other - sort of a Wise Aunty, if you will, my captive audience gets psycho-analysed and cured in a much more efficient time frame (5 minutes per smoke) than any $200 an hour psychiatrist's would charge. Ahhh! I was GOOD! If I squint, I can still see the appreciation on their little wrinkle-free faces, as they ponder my gems of wisdom. Relationships were repaired! Drunks were Sobered! (INSTANTLY, one young chap literally RAN off in the opposite direction after a 2 minute pep talk, seemingly SOBER!) Angry looking men were SORTED-MOTHERFUCKING-OUT! Not only will I miss this myself, generations of troubled children will also never get to hear my soothing and reassuring words. This is a great loss to society in general, and Generation Z may never be the same.
2. I leave the Gossip Circle
Because let's face it - in the workplace, the smokers are the group that knows the Goss. Non-smokers sometimes don't even TAKE BREAKS (Madness, MADNESS I tell you!). And if they do, it's in packs, sitting in a communal staffroom, where they all have nothing in common, and even a "How was your weekend?" polite question and answer exchange, is heard by people PRETENDING to read the paper, but in reality, listening to every word, judging it in their head (and usually judging negatively), but having no one to gossip to about what a LOSER James in accounting is, talking about getting drunk to the CEO. Smokers on the other hand, are so relaxed and just so GRATEFUL to be inhaling nicotine, they share EVERYTHING. Want to know who's shagging who in the office? Take up smoking. The Brother and Sisterhood of Nicotine are a friendly club - one inhalation and you're IN. When I do go to work, I'll miss that badly.
3. Getting out of situations you just Can't Be Fucked being in
Dishes due to be done at a dinner party?
"Oh, I'll just have a smoke and be in to help"..
Fifteen minutes, three smokes and a text session later
"Oh you've DONE the dishes! SORRY - I just really needed a smoke - gosh you were QUICK!"...
Boring/Overstaying Guest wanting conversation?
"Hold that thought, I'm just gonna pop out for a smoke"
Ten Minutes later, re-enter and DELIBERATELY change the conversation or pretend you've just remembered, while smoking, you have to leave IMMEDIATELY
Anyway - Day 24 almost at an end. And it's telling that I have to sit here and work out what day I'm up to. The three week thing, Allan Carr talks about, is totally right - the last 3 days have been so easy. Down to maybe 3 times a day thinking beyond a 2 second thought of smoking, and it passes.
The pic below is only here because I found it FARKING funny - and because it represents about the amount of smokes I've NOT smoked since stopping......
Sunday, February 13, 2011
What the hell, yesterday?
I felt like a heroin addict, such was the desperate need to have a cigarette for much of yesterday. It ended, thank GOD early evening, but yeah... I was doing the furtive glance from side to side, checking out Andy and his movements (in EVERY sense, LOL, for those that remember the Poo Story), and running through what would be needed to sneak and get a packet so I couldjusthaveonequicksmokejesusCHRIST.
Anyway, as luck would have it, my eldest sister arrived, who DOES smoke, and the urge to Sin started to leave me. Totally disappeared by the time she'd left (after a somewhat manic roar at her, when she was kindly telling me how I didn't need one "What do YOU know? YOU SMOKE! You don't GET to comment!"... (In jokey voice though, was not totally dysfunctional, there may have been a few drops of spittle leave my mouth, and my cheeks may have slightly mottled, but not in TOTAL Andy-style rage). But I didn't smoke. Came close, but didn't. (Speaking of Andy, he's back to being nice, but also smug, in manner of Born Again Cold Turkey Ickster- "Ohhh, looksit meeeeee, I don't NEEEEED Champix"....
Anyway, when I went to take my Night pill, around 7.30pm, I realised I have missed 2 out of the last 4 tablets. SO I suspect yesterday was due to being off the drug. Which leads to my next question? Am I hooked on Champix? Am I the next Lindsay Lohen, addicted on "prescription drugs"? (Obviously excluding the fact I'm not a redhead, otherwise we're like virtually the SAME GODDAMN PERSON)... I've taken the last 2 pills as prescribed and today I couldn't care LESS about smoking? In fact, today's officially 3 weeks of NOT SMOKING. So I can now add "Addicted to Champix" as a new possible blogging topic.
OR
Addicted to Taylor Kitsch and Friday Night Lights...
The jury's out. Thinking women should know the answer though ;)
Anyway, as luck would have it, my eldest sister arrived, who DOES smoke, and the urge to Sin started to leave me. Totally disappeared by the time she'd left (after a somewhat manic roar at her, when she was kindly telling me how I didn't need one "What do YOU know? YOU SMOKE! You don't GET to comment!"... (In jokey voice though, was not totally dysfunctional, there may have been a few drops of spittle leave my mouth, and my cheeks may have slightly mottled, but not in TOTAL Andy-style rage). But I didn't smoke. Came close, but didn't. (Speaking of Andy, he's back to being nice, but also smug, in manner of Born Again Cold Turkey Ickster- "Ohhh, looksit meeeeee, I don't NEEEEED Champix"....
Anyway, when I went to take my Night pill, around 7.30pm, I realised I have missed 2 out of the last 4 tablets. SO I suspect yesterday was due to being off the drug. Which leads to my next question? Am I hooked on Champix? Am I the next Lindsay Lohen, addicted on "prescription drugs"? (Obviously excluding the fact I'm not a redhead, otherwise we're like virtually the SAME GODDAMN PERSON)... I've taken the last 2 pills as prescribed and today I couldn't care LESS about smoking? In fact, today's officially 3 weeks of NOT SMOKING. So I can now add "Addicted to Champix" as a new possible blogging topic.
OR
Addicted to Taylor Kitsch and Friday Night Lights...
The jury's out. Thinking women should know the answer though ;)
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