GUS (Gave Up Smoking) is a community support diary for Kossacks in the midst of quitting smoking. Any supportive comments, suggestions or positive distractions are appreciated. If you are quitting or thinking of quitting, please -- join us!
You can also click the GUS tag to view all diary posts, or access the GUS Library at dKosopedia for a great list of stop-smoking links. Check it out!
The nicotine demons still banging on your brain? Read the Demon Diaries to help defeat the Demon Nicotine
G'day, eh !! By way of introduction let me say I was a 35 year 1/2 pack a day smoker. I am 18 days quit. I'm about a 5 year lurker here at DKos and I have really found the GUS diaries helpful. Just reading about folks that have beat the habit and have gone, or are going through the same thing as me is making my quit easier. You have likely guessed that I'm a Canadian ( eh ! ), but I am not in any way connected to Australia, in spite of the "G'Day". We say it too, and I believe we were saying it first. The Demon Diaries ( linked above ) are really good. I'll be re-reading those in months to come.
I figured I could do, at least, a GUS open thread if not a diary. It can't be that hard, eh. I don't know much about smoking cessation, or anything really, but I have a ongoing surplus of opinions.
So lets get to the title. Distractions are what I have employed my whole life to avoid anything I don't want to do. I am a world class procrastinator. I've used smoking as a distraction for avoiding starting a task or chore. Eventually guilt kicks in and I have to get something done.
I've used smoking as a way to distract me from other things and now I am using other things to distract me from smoking. Curiously most of my current distractions are oral. Like eating, drinking water, chewing gum. I'm thinking that will pass but I don't know how it can. I am so used to bringing a cigarette to my mouth that I don't see how that gratification could be eliminated.
The distraction that I am going to mention has nothing to do with smoking and everything to do with my procrastination. Oh yeah, you know what I'm talking about, it's right there in front of you, just a few clicks away. That notorious time-waster, that insidious puzzle, that gratifying victory, that cruel mistress -- MINESWEEPER !!
Microsoft has included it with all it's Windows releases starting with 3.1. There are versions of it with most OS releases and you can get it as a download. You are likely aware of the cheat for the MS Windows version.
Make sure the Minesweeper window is in focus (the minesweeper window is highlighted & active ), and then type the following code via the keyboard: xyzzy, ENTER, SHIFT or Shift, Enter ( doesn't matter the order or if you press them both together ).
Now when you move your cursor over an individual square you will find a single pixel in the top left of the screen ( your full monitor screen - not the top left corner of the minesweeper window ) that indicates whether a mine is present on the square your mouse cursor is over. A black pixel represents a Mined Space, while a white pixel shows that the space is Free ( no mine ).
Now I'm not a good minesweeper player, in spite of all the time wasted in pursuit of the elusive smiley face in shades. I don't doubt there are true pros at the game and one definition of a good player that I am aware of is to have a combined score of less than 200. I'm currently at 247 ( Beginner / 16, Intermediate / 75, Expert / 156 ). I believe the path to the goal is to whittle down the Intermediate and possibly the beginner scores. We'll see, I will make time to play.
Under the tangent 'Ya learn something new every day' -
When Vista was released .... choosing to replace mines with flowers ( is possible ). Flowers behave in the same way as mines, in that they ‘explode’ when clicked. However, in place of the usual series of explosions, a calm melody sounds in the background. The option to display flowers instead of mines was implemented as part of the Windows Vista makeover because the game was considered to be offensive in some parts of the world due to the inclusion of landmines. (Wiki)
Just to wrap up then. Welcome to the GUS diary, hope you're keeping up the good fight, if you have slipped - it's all right - climb back on the wagon, kudos to all that try, if you are still smoking - take the GUS plunge, the water's fine.
The question of the diary is: What do you use to distract you from smoking and what did smoking used to distract you from ?
Current members of the GUS team:
1BQ, 3rdGenFeminist, Abra Crabcakeya, addisnana, AfroPonix, ambeeeant, American in Kathmandu, amk for obama, andsarahtoo, Anne933, aoeu, arcadesproject, Archie2227, Arthur Wolf (in memoriam), assyrian64, awkawk, bamablue, BARAKABETH, barnowl, bdizz, bgblcklab1, Bike Crash, BirderWitch, bleeding heart, blingbling65, blue husky, Blue Intrigue, bluestatedem84, BoiseBlue, Brahman Colorado, breedlovinit, BrowniesAreGood, bsmechanic, burrow owl, Cen Den, ChocolateChris, ChurchofBruce, Colorado is the Shiznit, coloradomomma, Common Sense Mainer, coppercelt, dadanation, dangoch, demkat620, Dexter, DiegoUK, Dingodude, dolfin66, donnamarie, Donna O, DRo, droogie6655321, duckhunter, EdgedInBlue, ericlewis0, Everest42, fhamme, Fineena, fishhawk, Flea, FlipperWaves, flumptytail, FrugalGranny, Garrett, Gator, gchaucer2, Geiiga, gooderservice, gooners, greylox, grndrush, Haole in Hawaii, hideinplainsight, High Tide, hulibow, I love OCD, Im a frayed knot, imisa, Indexer, indyada, Interceptor7, inventor, itsbenj, Jahiz, JamesEB, janl1776, jbou, Jeffersonian Democrat, jmadlc55, Joe's Steven aka Steven, john07801, johngoes, jsfox, jvolvo's Mom, jwinIL14, Jyrinx, kai99, kailuacaton, Kelly of PA, kestrel9000, khloemi, Khun David, Kitsap River, Ksholl, labwitchy, Lady Kestrel, ladypockt, langerdang, LarsThorwald, last starfighter, Laurie Gator, Lipstick Liberal, litoralis, lmdonovan, luvsathoroughbred, maggiemay, magicsister, marknspokane, maryabein, Matt Esler, mdemploi, michael1104, Mikeguyver, MillieNeon, Minerva1157, MinervainNH, Missys Brother, Morague, mrsgoo, mskitty, nannyboz, ncsuLAN, Nick Zouroudis, notgivingup, operculum, one pissed off democrat, OrangeMike, Ordvefa, OverTheEdge, paige, PaintyKat, paradox, parryander, Pennsylvanian, phrogge prince, Positronicus, post rational, psycho liberal, Purple Priestess, PvtJarHead, red mittens, relentless, revelwoodie, Rex Manning, RiaD, rickeagle, rincewind, rkex, roadlion, Roger Fox, Rosebuddear, Rudini, Safina, SallyCat, Sark Svemes, Scrapyard Ape, seenaymah, sfbob, sgary, Shahryar, sheddhead, shmuelman, slowbutsure, smartcookienyc, smeesq, snorwich, sofia, soonergrunt, spmozart, SpotTheCat, SpringtimeforHitler, Statusquomustgo, Tay, theatre goon, TigerMom, Treefrog, triciawyse, trueblueliberal, Turn VABlue, Turtle Bay, uc booker, Unduna, Unforgiven, Vacationland, Vayle, webranding, weelzup, Wes Opinion, willy be frantic, willy mugobeer, Wood Dragon, wolfie1818, Wordsinthewind, x, Zotz
Please post a comment in the butt can if you would like your name added to the GUS Buddy List!
So you've had some experience with the effects of smoking, and want to write a GUS diary or host an open thread? Please sign up in the Butt Can (Tip Jar), and name the day and time that works for you (AM, PM, late-night, early-bird...). Regular diary slots are marked with * asterisks * - if you'd like to have one of your very own, it's yours for the asking!
Mon PM: You are here
Tue AM: * Frugal Granny *
Tue PM: Open
Wed AM: Open
Wed PM: Vacationland possibly late
Thu AM: Open
Thu PM: * MillieNeon *
Fri AM: Open
Fri PM: Open
Sat AM: Open
Sat PM: Open
Sun AM: Open
Sun PM: Open
Mon AM: Open
My read is that you wanted the PM slot on Wednesday, Vacationland. If I'm misreading please straighten me out.
I didn't see that dolphin66 consented to having his/her name added to the GUS buddy list. There's room ya'know. Say the word, or if anyone else has spotted a wink or a nod that it's ok, I'll put it up.
Want to know how to write a GUS diary the easy way? Click here! Still having trouble? email bsmechanic at yahoo dot com and he will send you all the bits and pieces. It's just that simple!