Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Thanks for the Memories


Today I quit smoking, one of my favorite addictions. Too bad it's such a dangerous habit, because I'd prefer keeping it. Look how much cooler and more badass Brando looks with Eva Marie Saint . . . and James Bond without a smoke? Clint Eastwood without a cigar? The reasons to quit are obvious. I do it by my own choice -- no pressure from any quarter and only support -- but still. It's a bitter cup.


You know, I still haven't seen Thank You For Smoking (2005). I probably will now. Good God, a healthier lifestyle in store? Say it ain't so!


In this scene, Viviane Romance looks like she just quit smoking herself. Good luck to my friend Susan, who is also in the process of giving up le tabac.

Today's Rune: Harvest.

Heap’o’Birthdays: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Hiram Walker (d. Detroit), Stephen Foster, James Anthony Bailey (McGuiness; b. Detroit), Calvin Coolidge, Louis B. Meyer (b. Eliezer Meir), Rube Goldberg, Gloria Stuart (Stewart), Viviane Romance (b. Pauline Ronacher Ortmanns), Tokyo Rose (Iva Toguri D'Aquino), Ann Landers (Esther Eppie Pauline Friedman Lederer), Dear Abby (Pauline Popo Esther Friedman Phillips), Eva Marie Saint, Gina Lollobrigida, (Marvin) Neil Simon, George Steinbrenner, Stephen Boyd (b. William Millar), Alan Blind Owl Wilson, Ron Kovic, Victoria Abril (b. Victoria Merida Rojas).


Ciao!

9 comments:

the walking man said...

Good Luck Honestly be strong and determined if that's your choice, Jen doesn't need you twp dollar per pack tax anyway (well she does but fuck that it's her problem)

As for me though after 47 going on 48 years of le tabac I quit quitting about 35 years ago.

just do me a favor and don't become one of those who always make snide remarks about us minority of people who still use it.

Congratulations on your success prior to it,

peace

TWM

lulu said...

I quit smoking almost two years ago, although I started falling off the wagon when I got fired at the end of April. Now I probably have 5 a week. I'm fine with that.

Good luck to you! One of the things I did was put all of the money I didn't spend into an envelope and after a month treated myself to a massage.

BTW, the books Thank You For Smoking is pretty fabulous.

JR's Thumbprints said...

Just remember: Everyone needs some type of vice. I don't smoke cigarettes, but there's a whole lot of other things I do that I probably shouldn't.

Johnny Yen said...

When I was married to wife #1 (the one who asked for a divorce ten years ago yesterday-- part of my tradition of crazy things happening to me on July 4th) she tried to quit smoking. It was not a fun time to be around her. I've heard that she since quit.

In any event, good luck with it-- it's the single most important thing you can do to improve your long-term health prospects.

Erik Donald France said...

Thanks, y'all for the comments.
Dr. Man (Mark) -- it's too humbling and surreal for me to make snide remarks about smoking. I'll save those for the politicians. Lulu -- that's very cool. I doubt I could smoke less than my "equilibrium" though -- a pack a day. I'll read the book, too. And yes on $ -- it's about $160/month in Detroit at a pack a day. So also enough to save some, too. Jim -- I'm in favor of vices. The only vice we all need to see go is the current Vice President. Johnny, hopefully I'll not drive anyone crazy and yeah, I'd like to keep living for quite a little while. Interesting on the July 4th timing, which has been more deliberate timing for me. Cheers!

Charles Gramlich said...

I smoke an occassional cigar but never found the habit all that attractive. My son, ex wife, and current flame all smoke. Just makes my eyes water.

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your posts Erik as always. I found this to work and you might want to try it. Because we associate smoking with giving us a good feeling... Put a rubber band on your wrist, and every time you think you need a smoke, snap it. The urge decreases because it becomes associated with pain. Cheap but effective.
MW

lulu said...

unless, of course, you associate pain and pleasure, which would only make smoking even more compelling. ;-)

t said...

You surviving?