Derek De Koff is a pussy.
Don't get me wrong, I don't even know Miss Thing, but his expose on Chantix from earlier this year has been sent to me more than ten times after announcing my use to all of my "friends" on Facebook. De Koff had problems with the pills starting with nightmares about his air conditioner, to hallucinations involving potted plants, to thoughts of throwing himself out of moving taxis. While its a good read, it varies from my experience.
After 22 years of smoking, with assorted breaks my decision came to quit. My health wasn't the issue. Cholesterol fine, blood pressure great, breathing great, no indicants of cancer. The issue was that something was part of my life for over half of the time I'd been on the planet. Such bonding to an evil group of corporations was no longer tenable. On a regular doctor's visit, my intention was announced and the prescription written.
Within days, smoking was something done out of habit still, but there was no nicotine payoff. With one lapse, encouraged by other consumption on Halloween, the pills effectively shut off any craving for nicotine. Like De Koff's usage, my Chantix usage also had side effects.
Maybe it's because I'm used to rolling with the punches. Or maybe it's because I enjoy a light hallucination. Or maybe I just have a more general mental flexibility. Whatever the reason, I'm loving my side effects.
Last Sunday was my most grueling workout in months. In my mind was a little voice, "Maybe just one more rep on those triceps. They don't hurt enough." Writing is happening more often, with ideas popping up and going into a pad.
One small downfall occurred when the lucid dreams first started. With full certainty, I turned to my, um, co-sleeper and asked him, "Did you just ask me a trivia question about Warren Beatty?" Not appreciating being woken for such an insane question, he grumbled, "No" and turned away. But for the most part lucid dreams have been about my friends or work, exploring my relationships with them. (Classical analysis would say that I need to share more with them.)
Hallucinations have been mild, and there is a general quietness to me. But both have always been a part of me, so it works. There is a bit of scatterbrains, too, but it's workable. Oh, and being a cheap date has been awesome, as three drinks has done the trick.
In more measurable terms, in three weeks almost $100 has been saved. Five pounds have been lost. And my windows are very clean.
Today is the Great American Smokeout. While in the past there have been rants and anecdotes, this year it's just sort of about me. Like most days.
Bureau of Tobacco Control : NYC DOHMH.
(Where you can get free nicotine patches and lozenges and gum which have a efficacy rate of SEVEN PER CENT per De Koff, who probably isn't a pussy, but then again maybe he is, but I don't hang much with those media types, especially those gay ones because you know, they're such pussies, or not, or something, but whatever, they all smoke and I so totally stopped doing that like three weeks ago so I'm totally in the judgmental phase of the postsmoker although I'm not really so light up, baby!)
