First Cigarette....

[GregC]

You don't have to be anywhere near 'drunk' for alcohol to have a detrimental effect on reaction times and judgement.

Exactly. I thought this was common knowledge. Police, etc. have been doing those reaction-time tests on TV and in other places for decades now.

 

[Jim Campbell]

Exactly. I thought this was common knowledge. Police, etc. have been doing those reaction-time tests on TV and in other places for decades now.

the interesting thing now is how much talk there is in other threads about the lack of places to play,and dui laws are probably the big factor in the decline of night life.....reasonable people who would not drink to excess and drive mostly stay home,as a night out with cab fares and cover charges to go sit in a half empty room is expensive and not much fun.....a night of bar hopping is way beyond what most people with jobs can afford.....

the clubs are full only on weekends for a few hours around midnight,and most of the patrons who can afford that regularly are the unsavory types who make their money illegally...... violence levels have gone through the roof,which is yet another incentive for reasonable types to stay away.........

 

[NINFAN]

Ok, since this thread is still going I feel the need to rant.

I'm self sedating. There. I said it. Im basically gonna deal with my problems in the American Bushido fashion: If you've got problems, ignore them and sedate yourself in some self destructive manner. Some people choose alcohol, some people tobacco. Some people weed. For some people shopping till your credit dies does the trick.

For me, I chose the one thing that I can do on my way to, or from, or even AT work, that is legal. And won't affect my ability to operate. Plus, like Im pretty sure I've stated before, I never minded the smell, taste, or anything about second hand smoke.

I know 27 years is not a lot of time on this planet, but getting diabetes really "woke" me up. I wish I hadn't. Ignorance is total BLISS. I've literally tried as hard as I can to not only deal with but solve problems that affect me, even somewhat. It's never helped my sanity when any problem I might need help on just gets ignored, especially by people that have a large part in dealing with 'em. It's also never helped that every time I get within an inch of having some semblance of a good life, BAM something happens to **** it up. And again, no help from anyone important.

If I have to shovel ****, I might as well be able to think its not ****.

Sure, people are worse off than me, but im tired of having to give 1000% when I can only ever really give 100. The only reasons I don't jump off a ****ing bridge are: 1) I like being alive too damn much, and 2) I wouldn't mind seeing a day where I actually achieve something permanent in my favor.

So ya, rant over, time for some more sedation. I want back in the matrix.

For anyone thinking of having a first cigarette, just go ahead and do it.
Just don't come back to us with an "I Got Lung Cancer " thread in the future.

If I do get lung cancer, there will be a thread. But, it won't be an OMGITSUXORZ one. More like a YIPPYIGOTZIT one

 

[Bigjohn]

LOL, awesome.
The meandering rants come full circle.

You know what helps me stay awake on those nights?


Cigarettes.

 

[champbassist]

Ok, since this thread is still going I feel the need to rant.

I'm self sedating. There. I said it. Im basically gonna deal with my problems in the American Bushido fashion: If you've got problems, ignore them and sedate yourself in some self destructive manner. Some people choose alcohol, some people tobacco. Some people weed. For some people shopping till your credit dies does the trick.

For me, I chose the one thing that I can do on my way to, or from, or even AT work, that is legal. And won't affect my ability to operate. Plus, like Im pretty sure I've stated before, I never minded the smell, taste, or anything about second hand smoke.

I know 27 years is not a lot of time on this planet, but getting diabetes really "woke" me up. I wish I hadn't. Ignorance is total BLISS. I've literally tried as hard as I can to not only deal with but solve problems that affect me, even somewhat. It's never helped my sanity when any problem I might need help on just gets ignored, especially by people that have a large part in dealing with 'em. It's also never helped that every time I get within an inch of having some semblance of a good life, BAM something happens to **** it up. And again, no help from anyone important.

If I have to shovel ****, I might as well be able to think its not ****.

Sure, people are worse off than me, but im tired of having to give 1000% when I can only ever really give 100. The only reasons I don't jump off a ****ing bridge are: 1) I like being alive too damn much, and 2) I wouldn't mind seeing a day where I actually achieve something permanent in my favor.

So ya, rant over, time for some more sedation. I want back in the matrix.



If I do get lung cancer, there will be a thread. But, it won't be an OMGITSUXORZ one. More like a YIPPYIGOTZIT one

I sympathize. I can totally see where you're coming from and, though I can't agree with the choices you're making, I respect them. Just make sure (though I think you already have) that you don't spoil anyone else's life along with yours.

 

[tZer]

Another perspective, for, um... perspective...

On thing that can lead to happiness is the knowledge that you are taking positive steps toward a positive goal. Providing instant gratification in the short run, while it seems to have value, can also be incrementally adding to a future problem that will be exponentially hard to mask with something as simple minded as smoking a cigarette.

Making a conscious decision to opt for a method of self-medication that doesn't carry that sort of cost can at first seem less effective (instant gratification-wise), but can ultimately result in feeling much stronger and more in control over your own life.

I know that when I was able to successfully control my smoking habit - I choose not to smoke everyday - I realized that I could control a lot more things which lead to a very productive cycle of positive and productive behavior.

Giving in - saying, "screw it... it makes me feel better now and that's important..." is also saying, "screw it... as much as I know this sucks, I know other stuff sucks too and this isn't as bad, so I accept that I'm doing something I know to be bad, but because I can cite more bad things..."

You can always find some rationalization that will make any behavior you know to be 'bad' OK.

Food for thought.

 

[champbassist]

Another perspective, for, um... perspective...

On thing that can lead to happiness is the knowledge that you are taking positive steps toward a positive goal. Providing instant gratification in the short run, while it seems to have value, can also be incrementally adding to a future problem that will be exponentially hard to mask with something as simple minded as smoking a cigarette.

Making a conscious decision to opt for a method of self-medication that doesn't carry that sort of cost can at first seem less effective (instant gratification-wise), but can ultimately result in feeling much stronger and more in control over your own life.

I know that when I was able to successfully control my smoking habit - I choose not to smoke everyday - I realized that I could control a lot more things which lead to a very productive cycle of positive and productive behavior.

Giving in - saying, "screw it... it makes me feel better now and that's important..." is also saying, "screw it... as much as I know this sucks, I know other stuff sucks too and this isn't as bad, so I accept that I'm doing something I know to be bad, but because I can cite more bad things..."

You can always find some rationalization that will make any behavior you know to be 'bad' OK.

Food for thought.

All good points there, emanating from a sane line of thought.

Problem in this case, AFAICS, is that we seem to have people who perhaps see logic in not following these ideas that are sensible to you and me.

 

[tZer]

All good points there, emanating from a sane line of thought.

Problem in this case, AFAICS, is that we seem to have people who perhaps see logic in not following these ideas that are sensible to you and me.

I comes down to 'what matters most to me, now' - which is why I framed it as a perspective.

Another anecdote from my perspective; I was on a float trip with a huge group of people. After the float we were all hanging at the campsite. I was playing sand volleyball when I stepped on a piece of glass buried in the sand.

The game screeched to a halt as people gathered to look at my bleeding foot. Yes, it was bleeding, yes, it was definitely something that demanded the game stop and yes, I definitely deserved the attention.

So I hopped up and leaning on a friend, headed back toward camp to deal with my situation. Upon arrival we found a group of people gathered around a girl who had an accident with a pocket knife and gashed her wrist pretty seriously.

Suddenly I no longer needed to hop and what I thought was a 'serious situation' became a non-event. A few short minutes ago I felt like I'd done something pretty serious. A few minutes later I realized how un-serious what had happened really was.


Smoking to 'relieve stress' - especially for someone claiming to be toying with the idea as opposed to justifying a habit developed over years of mindless use - seems a little self-centered and lacking in perspective. If smoking a cigarette is all it take to alleviate whatever it is that's stressing you, it's safe to say that there are thousands of other methods you could use to achieve the same goal that don't include planing the seeds for lung, throat, mouth caners, emphysema, copd, etc...

 

[NINFAN]

self-centered

Why not? Isn't that how we do **** out here in north america? As for the whole new age "karma" stuff, as I said in my little rant (which felt good to type out BTW) EVERY time I get **** going on a nice even, BALANCED path, something ****s up. IME, any steps, positive or negative all lead to ****.

So basically im taking steps that actually achieve something, both in the short and long terms.

Short term: I feel better about myself.
Long term: I feel better about myself, and become a burden on society. Revenge.

 

[GregC]

Ah, I believe the wisdom of Minor Threat applies here. (salty language warning)

 

[Execut1ve]

Short term: I feel better about myself.
Long term: I feel better about myself, and become a burden on society. Revenge.

so it's a denial thing.... I see

kind of like how a morbidly obese person might feel better after they down that double cheeseburger

look, if your life is bad, don't take up a habit that's going to make it worse, in the short or long term. in spite of all the positive ways to release and cope and deal, you have to choose smoking? really?

 

[NINFAN]

so it's a denial thing....

Yes. Ignorance is bliss should really be "Ignoring is bliss"

in spite of all the positive ways to release and cope and deal, you have to choose smoking? really?

So there are positive ways to stick my head in the sand? Any of them NOT involve sharing in group?

 

[kesslari]

This has been an interesting thread.
(old farte alert) When I was a kid people didn't know about the dangers of smoking, or could at least point to people who said "smoking isn't a major health hazard". Heck, Doctors smoked. Lots of people smoked, and found out later that smoking was screwing up their lives and that it was deucedly hard to quit.
But I understood those people starting to smoke.

Fast forward 40 years, when it's been well known (for a long time) that smoking is extremely unhealthy and difficult to quit. Yet I still see young people start to smoke, and I've wondered - what kind of person would start smoking today?

This thread has given me some answers.

 

[Joe Gress]

A good girlfriend of mine smokes. She's about the only person I know where it is her habit, her escape, her drug of choice. I've tried talking to her about it, but the situation and argument remains the same with her. She does it out of choice and need for nicotine.

The ***** addictive as hell, and twice as destructive.

 

[tZer]

Why not? Isn't that how we do **** out here in north america? As for the whole new age "karma" stuff, as I said in my little rant (which felt good to type out BTW) EVERY time I get **** going on a nice even, BALANCED path, something ****s up. IME, any steps, positive or negative all lead to ****.

So basically im taking steps that actually achieve something, both in the short and long terms.

Short term: I feel better about myself.
Long term: I feel better about myself, and become a burden on society. Revenge.

Nihilism - while it may have made it appear fashionable - is really nothing more than self-pity wrapped in ripped denim. It's "look at me!" for people who want to appear to not want people to look at them.

Enjoy it while you can. It (as you know) leads nowhere and is utterly a waste of time and energy.

So there are positive ways to stick my head in the sand? Any of them NOT involve sharing in group?

You mean like on the Interwebs in a forum thread that you started?

 

[THand]

Interesting thread....

I couldn't care less if you smoke or not. That's your business...hopefully you'll quit before too much damage is done...

Don't expect the "liking the taste and smell" to last, for as you become addicted, you won't be able to smell or taste them anymore, or get any relaxation from them...just cravings for more.

I do find your attitude annoying though. Typical sense of entitlement from the younger generation.

Life is hard and not fair.

What makes you think you are entitled to be exempt from that? Smoke if you want, but please put on your big boy pants and stop whining..

 

[Jonyak]

why not take up heroin while you are at it?

 

[DWBass]

Tried to smoke as a teen due to peer pressure! Thank God it made me nauseous and dizzy! Never tried it again!

Kissed a smoker once! Never again!

Bought a used car a couple years ago. Previous owner was a smoker! To this day, I cannot rid the car from the cigarette odor!

 

[Deluge Of Sound]

why not take up heroin while you are at it?

Heroin's way cheaper.


Sidenote, if anyone is interested in the history of tobacco, I found this book to be an awesome read:

http://www.amazon.com/Tobacco-Cultural-History-Seduced-Civilization/dp/0802139604

 

[Jim Campbell]

This has been an interesting thread.
(old farte alert) When I was a kid people didn't know about the dangers of smoking, or could at least point to people who said "smoking isn't a major health hazard". Heck, Doctors smoked. Lots of people smoked, and found out later that smoking was screwing up their lives and that it was deucedly hard to quit.
But I understood those people starting to smoke.

Fast forward 40 years, when it's been well known (for a long time) that smoking is extremely unhealthy and difficult to quit. Yet I still see young people start to smoke, and I've wondered - what kind of person would start smoking today?

This thread has given me some answers.

i started in middle school in the sixties,and we knew......we just were not listening......in those days everyone i knew smoked......teachers at my high school were seriously considering a smoking lounge for students to cut down on the almost continual between period smoking in the bathrooms and doorways,and ditched classes of those who cut at least one a day to go for coffee at "jack's" restaurant,where they could smoke at will......but even then everyone had heard the warnings,seen films of blackened lungs,and cancer victims,but still smoked.....

there's been a sea change in attitude since then,and smokers have been nearly ostracized,ridiculed,and allowed their butts in fewer and fewer places......i can understand older addicts who smoked for years and can't quit,but anyone young taking up the habit needs his/her head read......nihilism....phooey....i've seen that old james dean movie too