Why was the forum down? Same happened to me that day!

Poot! Glad that the universe is conspiring to help you with everything.

When the forum is down it feels like a piece of me is dying a little inside...

OK, I'm being melodramatic here. :lol: But if the forum is down it's a bit like drinking my coffee and not having any sweetener. It's just weird and not the norm.

I'm not sure why the forum was down this time around. It happens on occasion but not for very long. The last time it was down for any significant and noticeable time was when there was a radio show someone working for a UK station did that tallied up the top 20 Chems songs based on our submissions (and other votes from around the net as well). This was quite a few months back. It was down pretty much all weekend. Not sure what happened. Maybe there was a spike in traffic or the site was undergoing some maintenance. But who knows...

I'm sure there was probably some site maintenance. The servers are likely in the U.K. and it started 3 p.m. PST, making it midnight over there, which is a usual window of time for internetz work to be done.

Yeah, I missed the Forum more now than before, oddly. Heehee. But I take my coffee black. ;-)

So I quit smoking today and I'm currently on hour 6 without a cigarette which may sound like a few short hours to some but it's felt like an god damn eternity to me. Quite frankly I'm ready to stab someone's eye out with a spork.

I'm probably divulging too much info but I've been on welbutrin for the past couple of weeks to help with some personal anxiety/emotional issues and lo-and-behold, the little pill is also used as an aid to ease the pain and edginess associated with the smoking withdrawals. I kind of felt like it was a good opportunity to quit smoking. And plus, well, it's time. Between the 2 of us we go through roughly 2 and a half to 3 packs per DAY which is utterly ridiculous at over $120 a week as we can't afford this habit any longer. Smoking has become a disturbance in my life. I want to exercise more and do another half marathon, go hiking and not get tired after a half hour, ride my bike with my boy - there's no way I can do that if I continue to smoke as I get older. My mom has been smoking for years and years from the age of 21 to the age she is now which is 69. She has a consistent nasty hack she's afraid to get checked because she's worried it's emphysema.

stash quit smokes today as well (Connor is safely tucked away at gramma's away from any potential withdrawal associated flareups).

Those who know me or have been around me for more than 5 minutes know I smoke like a freaking chimney and I pretty much have since I picked up the habit at 15. So this quitting thing is rather difficult for more reasons that just physical. I've used smoking as a mask to hide behind in social situations (believe it or not, I am really quite shy in social situations) and have used smoking as a crutch to help deal with nerves/stress/boredom as well as a crutch to keep all the weight I lost a few years ago off. As horrid as it sounds, and despite the above mentioned crutches, I enjoy smoking tremendously which makes it all the more challenging... I am trying to remain positive which is the only thing I can do, and typing really is a nice way to keep my hands from being idle. ;) Maybe by the end of this week I will have gone from 94 wpm to 150 wpm. Ha. I've quit a few times in the past and have always gone back but this time I'm truly hoping it sticks and I can stay on the wagon.

Words of encouragement are welcome! :P

whirly I'm so proud of you guys, that's a tough thing to do!

it's nothing i've really ever had to go through so i don't know what advice/help i can offer, if any, except that regardless of how hard the next few days may be, remember that the reward for enduring these few days of struggle will greatly rewarding with health and obviously money for a long, long time.

Keep it up Whirls! Lots of love for you and Stash!

I'm doing it the reaaaaaaaaaallllly easy way... everytime I wanna smoke tobacky, I smoke something else instead. I'm seriously starting to feel like Tommy Chong.

Hahaha! Do what it is in your nature to do, Stash. ;-)

I've reached a point that even if there was a pack of smokes right in front of me, I wouldn't know what to do with them, I am that goddamn loaded.

I might have to quit smoking every weekend.

yeah, probably cost more than smoking

no, actually. An ounce of weed is about half of what we spend on smokes in a month, and it would take me 3 months to smoke an entire ounce.

All the weed in Humboldt ain't gonna do jack for me right now, since I'm at work and am finding it rather difficult to maintain the cheerful and pleasant attitude I normally get paid to assert.

eat the green pill.

Got too much stuff at work to do that requires me not to be drooling all over my desk.

someone's about to have an out of body experience.

@pooter: sorry I haven't gotten back to you about SMD, I've been taking forever to come to my conclusion and how work/living in a hotel in salinas come in to play... so conflicted!

GGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWAALFKJDXHLAERSLRLKSjXZVCMZN

That is all.

If I had to give some advice for you Whirls, that would be to hang out with as many friends and family who don't smoke! People, as well as the environmental factors play a big role in keeping your mind busy on other things other than smoking. Things like exercising, hanging out with friends, or doing whatever you like doing is great. And yes, It's hard to purposely distract yourself into doing other things other than smoking.

You got the support here. I wish you success!

Remember,It's not how many you fall off..it's how many times you get back on!

g'luck on kicking the habit.

Among the side effects of giving up smoking is the little known fact that whirly's start to speak in satanic tougnes. At least you'll be able to tell if you have passed the Acid Test soon enough. I believe in you guys! Mind you I believe in alot of things.

In other news. I am offically working at the local symphony (Edmonton Symphony Orchestra) for no money. Damn school requirements. But hey I get to see a whack load of performances for free.

Saw Bloc Party two weeks ago. Still have bruises from that pit. fun all in all.

I agree with you, whirly.