Becoming Nicotine Free

[Alex2507]

Nice new toy there Alex. You must have been a heavy smoker if you were able to pay for that with your smoke savings already.

Not smoking hasn't paid for it yet but another 3 months will cover the Dayton BR-1's from Gene, the Gramma's from Speakerman39 and this laptop. I am indebted to not smoking?

So what is it you would like to know/learn? Is this your first Vista machine?

This is my first Vista Machine and my first laptop. My only other computer ever is the 4 year old emachines T5026 that I am on now:

http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/emachines-t5026/4505-3118_7-31297819.html

I just plugged it in following the Quick Installation Guide. It already knows what time it is and I think it wants me to play with it. Since I have only ever done this with one other machine it's safe to assume that I don't know anything. I gotta play with this thing!

 

[adk highlander]

Well first thing is we need to get that one online instead of the old emachine. Are you still borrowing the free wifi connection?

Have you purchased an antivirus software program yet? There are a few good free ones out there and just plain Norton Antivirus is good (not the system works firewall crap).

 

[Alex2507]

I'm on the laptop. I have always used AVG Free and Ad-Aware. The thing is charging now and I'm gonna see about the anti virus business now in the security center if it's like XP.

Have you seen this?

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52617

 

[adk highlander]

I'm on the laptop. I have always used AVG Free and Ad-Aware. The thing is charging now and I'm gonna see about the anti virus business now in the security center if it's like XP.

It is similar. I must admit I turned off user account controls so I don't have to have messages all the time. I got tired of have to click through 4 windows to delete a file or change a setting.

Have you seen this?

Have now. Good stuff.

 

[Alex2507]

Back on the desk top while the other one updates.

I thought I should include that 'Onion" news thing to explain the cursing in my previous post. This screen looks dull. I guess I'm going with Norton for 90 days or until I get the AVG on there. Right now I'm gonna let that update and RTFM. My head is about to blow up. I listened to some Def Tech 7002's and some Martin Logans tonight. The 7002's were pretty nice. It's almost like too much for 1 night and my ability to concentrate is shot. That thing is updqating it's brains out. The laptop seems pretty quick but what do I know, right? I know I'm excited and rambling. More later when I get my head screwed on straight.

 

[Rickster71]

Not smoking hasn't paid for it yet but another 3 months will cover the Dayton BR-1's from Gene, the Gramma's from Speakerman39 and this laptop. I am indebted to not smoking?

So, in that case go get that new car, you'll have it paid off in.....

I've been meaning to ask you:
http://wcbstv.com/breakingnewsalerts/orangutan.attack.stamford.2.936381.html
I know you've been cranky since quitting; but this is getting ridiculous.

 

[majorloser]

Don't take the nicotine away from the monkey!!!

http://www.wfsb.com/news/18726175/detail.html

They were playing the 911 call on the news this morning.

 

[Alex2507]

We have a new car and even though my g/f and I were not heavy smokers quitting smoking covers about 1/2 the payment. I think it's good to keep reminding myself of things like that. The laptop allows me to be in the living room with the g/f and TV while making all these useless posts!!!

Chimps view appendages as weapons so in a fight hands and feet are more than just a tasty treat. Ooh ... I'm a poet ... and didn't even know it. I'll come clean on this. I don't really own a monkey. But anybody who does own a chimp and doesn't know that sexually mature chimps will
EAT YOUR HANDS
should not own animals that are
smarter than they are.
No wonder the chimp was pissed.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

We have a new car and even though my g/f and I were not heavy smokers quitting smoking covers about 1/2 the payment. I think it's good to keep reminding myself of things like that. The laptop allows me to be in the living room with the g/f and TV while making all these useless posts!!!

Chimps view appendages as weapons so in a fight hands and feet are more than just a tasty treat. Ooh ... I'm a poet ... and didn't even know it. I'll come clean on this. I don't really own a monkey. But anybody who does own a chimp and doesn't know that sexually mature chimps will
EAT YOUR HANDS
should not own animals that are
smarter than they are.
No wonder the chimp was pissed.

He owns you!

These people that "own" primates are nuts. Orangutans especially. Wicked strong and "smarter then they are" is right.

 

[Rickster71]

Chimps view appendages as weapons so in a fight hands and feet are more than just a tasty treat.

Oh...so hands and feet aren't just for breakfast anymore.

 

[Alex2507]

Oh...so hands and feet aren't just for breakfast anymore.

Much like beer and tequilla.

Oh my, I just had a thought. I'm going to put some music on now that the g/f is out and I'm alone with the laptop in the living room and able to do all this at once. I might even eat something at the same time. Holy smokes.

 

[pzaur]

That's a pretty slick machine you picked up!
I am now jealous...

-pat

 

[mperfct]

Good luck Alex, and it's good to see you are already reaping the benefits!

 

[adk highlander]

How is the laptop? Have you got all your issues worked out? (obviously I'm just talking about the computer ones)

 

[Alex2507]

How is the laptop? Have you got all your issues worked out? (obviously I'm just talking about the computer ones)

You know how you had to do your penance for getting those speakers? Well you were also doing penance for being sneaky. Even though I wasn't sneaky I still must finish painting the kitchen and bathroom. I know it doesn't sound like much but I possess the God given ability to make walls perfect before putting paint on them. There in lies my curse. I must put audio and Vista to the side whilst (that should make Rick happy) I blare a little Stevie Ray and discharge my obligations in holy home improvement and pursue cohabitational bliss.

My issues once again come last. I'm a flippin' saint.

 

[adk highlander]

You know how you had to do your penance for getting those speakers? Well you were also doing penance for being sneaky.

I do penance because I breathe.

Even though I wasn't sneaky

Women think all men are sneaky and even when we are not they think we are or are thinking about how we can be. This theory works with audio, skiing, cycling and most especially sex.

I still must finish painting the kitchen and bathroom. I know it doesn't sound like much but I possess the God given ability to make walls perfect before putting paint on them. There in lies my curse. I must put audio and Vista to the side whilst (that should make Rick happy) I blare a little Stevie Ray and discharge my obligations in holy home improvement and pursue cohabitational bliss.

My issues once again come last. I'm a flippin' saint.

Whats a skim coat between friends.

 

[Alex2507]

Update: Almost 4 Months

This thread got a lot of views and I got some good support and advice.

So it's almost 4 months now and I guess most regulars around here are aware of my weight gain and associated elevation in cholesterol and blood sugar levels that prompted me to join a gym and change my diet pretty seriously. I still eat enough to choke a horse but it's not steak with buttered Italian bread followed up by 4 layer carrot cake washed down by half a gallon of milk. That just made me hungry for sweets. If you are thinking of quitting you may as well know right up front, nothing will ever replace what nicotine does for you, nothing. Make your peace with the rest of your life being the perfect time to have a smoke ... and just never having one ... ever ... again.

Nicotine from what I understand makes your body burn fat so in the morning nicotine coupled with caffeine and sugar really provides you with a massive amount of energy. Say goodbye to that and say hello to lethargy. Nicotine is like an eating 'off' switch. That sick feeling that new smokers feel actually (for me anyway) makes me not want to eat more. Now I want to eat and eat until I'm ready to burst. While socializing a smoke allows you to take a mental break from paying attention so that you can gather your thoughts. That's gone now too. Now I'm scatter brained. I have read that there is an inability to concentrate associated to lack of nicotine in an addicted person. I'll tell you a little story about my score in a card game called Free Cell that I like to play on the computer. About 10 years ago when I drank alcohol very heavily and smoked my win percentage was ~ 73%. Fast forward to around 5 months ago my win percentage was ~ 90%. Now it's down to 76%. Cigarettes make you smart!

Every time I take a breath my lungs feel good. I don't crave cigarretes all the time. I don't use my mind all the time, even less now that it doesn't work so good. But I spend every second of every day breathing and that is much better. Oh, my doctor's visit was about 2 months after my quit date and he said that my heart and lungs sounded fine. Before I quit my girl friend could hear my raspy wheezy breathing at night, every night.

So ... almost four months.
I'm looking forward to breathing easy and being angry for the rest of my time here.
I started chewing my nails again.

 

[Adam]

Thanks for the update, Alex! It's good info for people wanting to quit to know that it's not a walk in the park, but that it has it's upsides. You want to lose your appetite? Tofu, brother. Tofu. Even I couldn't choke that stuff down - it was raw straight out of the box, though.

I've never been a smoker, so I can't really relate. The only thing that I'm addicted to right now is AH.

 

[Alex2507]

The Memoirs of a Glutton

I will also say that I have had some eating experiences that were amazing. I don't remember pizza tasting this good ever. The hot cheese mixed with the sauce and a few toppings like mushrooms and pepperoni all almost to hot to chew but tasting tart from the tomatoes and cheesy on that crust awakening the taste buds that make you feel like the only thing in the world to be doing is chewing this down so that you can get another mouthful and do it all again.

 

[jamie2112]

I am looking forward to my taste buds coming back when I quit as well.....