And now for the big challenge

Rich Pav General

Thanks to a bout of nolo virus or salmonella or food poisoning I got from a plate of fried chicken about a week ago, I spent most of my winter vacation sleeping (and pooping), which provided the perfect opportunity to quit smoking for the 129th time.

So right after I post this message, I, for the first time in almost a year, will make the two-hour journey home without smoking the three ritual cigarettes I normally do. Nonsmokers won’t understand why this is such a big deal, but current and ex-smokers will. The cigarettes you associate with certain places and activities are the the most difficult ones to quit.

If I didn’t announce this publicly, I could easily picture myself buying a pack on the way home.

Rich Pav

Richard has been living in Japan since 1990 with his wife and two teenage sons, Tony and Andy.

14 thoughts to “And now for the big challenge”

  1. One before you get on the train, one as soon as you get off, and one as you walk home?

    That’s what I do. Unless I walk the hour and fifteen minutes home, in which case I usually smoke three or four on the way.

    Garrett’s last blog post..by: DeOrio

  3. Bugger I thought we were even when I saw you smoked menthols and I had the whiskey pussy thing, but now I got nothing!

    Smoke Marlboro reds and get cancer

    Smoke Marlboro lights and get cancer slowly

  6. I have been trying to slow down the drinking. Every night I don’t drink, 1000 yen goes into the envelope for some geek gear or a nice dinner out on the town with the wife. There is always something for me to buy and drinking costs a lot of money when you add it all up, same goes for smoking even though it is pretty cheap here. Start setting money aside for every day that you go smoke free (or every hour if you are a smoke or die type) . You can really see if you are making progress.

  7. Damn, how long have you been smoking for? My mom has been doing it since she was 14, now she is 50-something and still doing it (pretty fun, considering she is a health food freak).

    I have been doing it on and off for the past 3 years, but I never have any “cravings” or “need to smoke”. Only times are on social outings like to the bar, club, or petting zoo <.<

  8. I’ve been smoking on and off–mostly off–since I was 18. I smoke for a year, quit for 5, start again for a few months, bla bla bla. Funny thing is, when I’m a non-smoker, I really can’t stand the smell.

  9. I’ve started smoking cigars, only when I’m having a drink though. The only think I’ve actively put effort into quiting was when I gave up drink for three years, and for no good reason at all.

    Good luck though, we support you! As for the scent of cigarettes once you stop, every person I’ve spoken to who quit smoking tells me they despise the smell. I wonder why that is?

    Kieron’s last blog post..Repaired

  11. I’ve been trying to quit biting my nails for years and years. Not really as bad as smoking you might think, but as a finger-style jazz guitarist, my nails could help a lot. Ok, still not as bad as smoking.

    My sister quit for her kids. So, my advice is, if you get preggers, you won’t smoke. Good luck

  13. good on rich!
    best of luck mate…
    ps. go and watch charlie wilson’s war. was just released here and i recommend it. the book is good too!

  14. That’s funny, I was really sick last week. I gave up soda. I don’t really know why, but I don’t “want” a soda like I did two weeks ago. Maybe it was all the hot tea I was drinking that replaced my taste for sodas.

Comments are closed.