NEOGNOSTIKOS

Thursday, 16 March 2006

Fuck Tobacco
I have bronchitis. It makes me mad because not only do I not like being sick, but I have a hard time not disliking others who are always sick. It makes me very anxious. Like having to hang out with people of weak character: something bad is going to happen to us.

The bottom line is this: tobacco is the work of the Devil. Now, with the exception of a socially-puffed cigarette on Mardi Gras evening, I haven't smoked since mid-January. That's two months free of the addiction. In fact, if it weren't for my contemptuous lapse into that fucking habit back in November, I'd be working on something like a nine or ten-month span of freedom.

And I really do feel like I am free now. I don't know why I should ever light up a cigarette again.

My usual doctor ---a very pretty lady of South Asian extraction--- was not in yesterday, so an elderly gentleman doctor saw to me. I proudly claimed my cold turkey to him and he very dryly remarked that, although he was glad to know that I have given up smoking, it does not protect me against everything. Which is a wise way of telling me that I'll get no credit for that if I do not otherwise work for my own health.

Point taken.

Posted by Toby Petzold at 2:10 PM CST | Post Comment | View Comments (8) | Permalink

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Thursday, 16 March 2006 - 9:25 PM CST

You need to get in the habit of taking walks every day. Walking slowly at first but build up speed enough to where you're breathing heavily and sweating. Keep doing this. Your heart needs it. And you'd be amazed at how well you feel afterwards. Take this point.

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Thursday, 16 March 2006 - 9:35 PM CST

Name: Rider

Sounds like you've about got tobacco whupped. I quit a number of times before finally making it stick about thirty years ago. Weird little tip: Stand in front of the mirror every day, look yourself right in the eye, and give yourself a stern talking-to about it. Works.

Be well.

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Friday, 17 March 2006 - 7:30 AM CST

Name: Toby

Thanks. I used to love to walk, but I always find excuses for not. I hope to get back into that.

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Friday, 17 March 2006 - 7:32 AM CST

Name: Toby

Thanks for the encouragement, Rider, and your good example. I think I'm going to start being a prick to people I care about who smoke. There's really no excuse for being such an abject whore for something that kills you slowly and robs you of your money, health, and self-respect.

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Friday, 17 March 2006 - 4:19 PM CST

Name: Rider

And it stinks. :o)

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Saturday, 18 March 2006 - 11:10 AM CST

Name: b

There's even less excuse for doing something that has such a huge, negative impact on others, i.e. smoking creates enormous health care cost that everyone absorbs, and studies have shown that children of parents who smoke (even only outside) have a much higher incidence of asthma, allergies, bronchitis and ear infections. Smoking is indeed evil, and I commend you on your cessation. Be proud!!! and I thank you.

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Sunday, 19 March 2006 - 9:35 PM CST

Name: TP

I would like to learn more about our Government's subsidies of the tobacco industry. Keep your eyes on this blog for that.

Thanks for your good words, too.

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Wednesday, 29 March 2006 - 5:46 PM CST

Name: Bill

Hey Toby,

A friend of mine at work said he wonders if the government turns a blind eye on tobacco because cancer cuts down on the number of people collecting long-term social security.

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