Kyle Quits Smoking

Last night on our walk to Trader Joes Nicole and I stopped at Wimpy’s (along Portland’s NW 2st Ave). It wasn’t the smokiest, but there were enough people smoking inside that I had to see it and smell it. We only stayed for one drink, I had my usual Maker’s Mark on the rocks, she had a glass of Chardonnay. I was able to smell the smokiness far more strongly, and I can see why non-smokers hate it. Back when I was smoking, it was a welcoming smell, a sort of “Yes, a smoking comfort zone!” sort of thing but now I found myself chewing on a straw, which is what got me through from days 2-5 when I was in Seattle.

Today should be interesting. I haven’t smoked in 9 days, and Nicole and I are supposed to go play trivia at another bar where I used to smoke profusely. One thing I’ve learned is that if I really want to push myself to the limits, I should try to go about my routine just as a I did when I was smoking, but as a non smoker. Calls for my vent business are a little slow, which is nice, it gives me time to focus on other projects, even though that one is my bread and butter. I’m pounding down sunflower seeds. I’ve gone through two bags of them. In fact, when I was getting close to running out, I started freaking like I used to when I was on my last cigarette and the store was an hour or two away. I’m also drinking lots of mochas instead of my usual black coffee, which worries my wallet far more than it worries my health.

I’ve tried to keep negative connotations out of my head, and instead of thinking “man, I’m never going to smoke again”, I think “I’m a nonsmoker, so I’m going to act like one, goddammit” which means I’m going to be an uptight asshole and pinch my nose and look at people with contempt when they light a cigarette.

The joys of quitting. Hey, at least I can say I’m a non smoker. Or something like that.

Posted on October 26th, 2006 at 8:43 pm in Quitting Smoking. You can comment, or trackback from your own site.