3,750 packs later

About 20 years ago, I smoked a cigarette for the first time. It made me dizzy and I felt like my heart was going to come out of my chest. So I had another one. That one was much better.


Then I had about 75,000 more, give or take. Some of them were great (like the first one after every Thanksgiving dinner - sublime) and some of them were just there. Along the way, sometimes I smoked a pack or more a day; sometimes I didn't smoke at all (like most Sundays, for the past few years, anyway). I quit yesterday. It had been coming for a while. It bothers Super Hot Irish Girlfriend (who, incidentally, I was surprised to learn didn't smoke when we met, since it seems like an Irish thing), plus I understand it's bad for you. I always knew I had to quit sometime, and it just seems like there's no point in putting it off any more.


I'm on the patch. So far, it's not bad, but I didn't expect it to be bad yet. I usually smoke less than 10 a day - that's considered a "light" smoker - so I haven't really had any bad cravings yet. I'm sure they'll be along directly. It'll be really tough the first time I have a beer, I'm sure.


So, thanks, Camel Filters, Marlboro Reds, Marlboro Lights (yes, I really did smoke sorority sticks for a while), Bel Airs (very, very briefly), and Parliaments. You were great.