Hi GUSgraymatters!!! A zombie virus ate my friend's olfactory bulb which is like a daffodil bulb but different because it is in your head and looks nothing like a daffodil bulb.
Olfactory Bulb Function
As a neural circuit, the olfactory bulb has one source of sensory input (axons from olfactory receptor neurons of the olfactory epithelium), and one output (mitral cell axons). As a result, it is generally assumed that it functions as a filter, as opposed to an associative circuit that has many inputs and many outputs. However, the olfactory bulb also receives "top-down" information from such brain areas as the amygdala, neocortex, hippocampus, locus coeruleus, and substantia nigra. Its potential functions can be placed into four non-exclusive categories:
discriminating among odors
enhancing sensitivity of odor detection
filtering out many background odors to enhance the transmission of a few select odors
permitting higher brain areas involved in arousal and attention to modify the detection or the discrimination of odors.
Hahahahahaha!!!!!! Do any of us except the secret geeks understand what that is all about???? We are above such stuff on our intellectual realm. After all, are we not the superior humans of all things cats, dogs, lawns, uglie dolls, yoga, bbq (questionable since I think citizenx orders out), opera, violas, odd things found in other people's yard sales, biking, Dillys, WEATHER!!!!!, personal business that is none of our business . . . you get what I mean. Where was I???
Ok, my friend has accused me for weeks that he caught his massive (see, e.g. all men's representation of their own illnesses throughout centuries compared to wimmen's) cold which caused him to stop smoking!!!!!!
On December 7th, my buddy happened to absorb my very potent already one day-post opera germs and started hacking like a bronchitis victim on chawing tobackie. That's his pathetic story and he's sticking to it -- forget the whole world has a frigging cold.
Wellllll, he stopped smoking that day AND stopped drinking his daily ration of Heineken. I won't reveal the daily ration. I'm not saying he hasn't imbibed -- my high end box wine has been sucked down faster than usual. BUT, today is day 15 for not smoking!!!!!! That is really, really huge.
He knows it is a one day at a time thing -- hahahahahaha!!!!! I didn't tell him about the one minute to the next. He doesn't want to vape or use nicotine patches or gum. He wants to continue cold turkey. His taste buds and sense of smell have changed -- that's the olfactory daffodil bud part of the story. I could have told him it was brain damage but that would have been both counterproductive and cruel.
He's not a member of DKos because he's a bit of a non-obnoxious libertarian something, something and probably would irritate lots of people except here where we don't do politics. He should just join for the GUS diaries but probably won't. That means I will have to report on his progress if I hear from him again -- he's back to the south of here in the hinterlands where rich people live. Good news is that he won't be around smokers.
Soooooooo!!!!!! Here's what he did to reinforce his non-smoking since both of us have had the experience of horrible respiratory issues and still would light up a cig in the past:
1. Change the habits related to cigs: he stopped drinking his first cup of coffee with half and half and sugar. Stopped drinking beer -- mainly because his daffodil brain bulb is verklempt. He spent four weeks with me -- a non-smoker and no one else in his circle of friends and family smoke.
2. He understands it is a daily decision. He's not fallen into the trap of "I made it!!!! I'm a non-smoker!!!!" We all know that pitfall.
3. He loves Roger the Cat and Roger the Cat loves him so he doesn't want to give the little boy a respiratory disease.
4. He now can smell smoke from others and on his own clothes and doesn't like it.
5. He's proud of his 15 days. He's accepted the fraility and addiction and knows he can slip -- but doesn't want to.
I think 2 weeks is a truly amazing benchmark. I don't think he understands all the ramifications of not smoking for that many days. Lots of toxins out of the body but still the urge can return. He will enjoy foods better because the flavors will be enhanced even with his out of wack brain bulb. I think he really wants to quit. I will encourage him to put the Quit Keeper widget on his computer. It was a life saver for me -- along with youz guyz.
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! We kindly ask that politics be left out.
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! GUS library.
A message to ALL quitters. You don't have to avoid GUS if you have a failed quit. We won't give you a bad time and we consider the failed quits as "practice" for the real quit.
Quit Keeper widget which is an outstanding aid for those beginning the difficult path to quitting. It lets you know how long you haven't smoked, how many cigs you haven't smoked, how much money you've saved.
Quit Smoking Counter h/tGDbot. For those of you who have had a problem with Quit Keeper or want a different counter!
I was going to provide the recipe for "Cow's Head Surpise" which I found in an old cookbook. I looked on the interwebz and there is a Youtube video of how to do it. I love all of you too much to post -- and citizenx already knows how to do it. Soooo, I will provide lovely recipes that stimulate the olfactory bulb in post smoking ways.
Quaker Oats Raisin Cookies ( the recipe is on the lid)
I admit to adding walnut pieces.
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 Pound(s) (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened (cheap margarine is critical)
1 Cup(s) firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 Cup(s) granulated sugar
1 Teaspoon(s) vanilla
1 1/2 Cup(s) all-purpose flour
1 Teaspoon(s) Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon(s) salt (optional)
3 Cup(s) Quaker® oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 Cup(s) raisins
2 Egg(s)
PREPARATION:
Heat oven to 350°F.
In large bowl, beat together margarine and sugars with electric mixer until creamy.
Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well.
Add to margarine mixture; mix well. Stir in oats and raisins; mix well. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.
Betty Crocker Hermit Cookies
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened (not melted) (I use cheap margarine)
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 egg
1/4 cup cold coffee
1 3/4 cups sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/4 cups raisins
3/4 cup chopped nuts
Directions:
1 Cream the butter and the brown sugar and the egg, then add in the cold coffee (doesn't need to be super chilled, just room temp or below).
2 In separate bowl, mix flour and spices. Now add sugar mixture to flour mixture, stir in raisins and nuts, and let chill in the fridge for 30 min or so.
3 Take out and drop spoonfuls onto a high-rimmed pan (helps keep them dense- it you like lighter, more spread out cookies do it on a no-rim pan).
4 Bake 8-10 minutes.
Betty Crocker Snickerdoodles
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups all-purpose or unbleached flour (I use King Arthur's unbleached)
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Directions
1 Heat oven to 400ºF.
2 Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, the butter, shortening and eggs in large bowl. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.
3 Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Mix 1/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
4 Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
The always amazing anodnhajo's 11/23/13 updated buddy list!!!! Give a round of applause for our buddy!!!!!!
1BQ, 2thanks, 3rdGenFeminist, 417els, A Man Called Gloom, Abra Crabcakeya, Actbriniel, addisnana, AfroPonix, aishmael, Alise, Alpha99, also mom of 5, ambeeeant, American in Kathmandu, amk for obama, andsarahtoo, angry marmot, Anne933, anodnhajo, aoeu, AoT, aquarius2001, arcadesproject, Archie2227, arodb, Arthur Wolf (in memoriam), assyrian64, Aunt Acid, awkawk, b4uknowit, BadKitties, bamablue, BARAKABETH, barnowl, b barrie, bdizz, beatpanda, beefydaddy18, betterdemsonly, BFSkinner, bgblcklab1, BigAlinWashSt, Bike Crash, BirderWitch, BJKay, bleeding heart, blingbling65, blue husky, Blue Intrigue, bluedust, BluejayRN, BlueJessamine, Bluerall, bluestatedem84, BoiseBlue, boudi08, Brahman Colorado, breedlovinit, BrenP, BrianParker14, Bronxist, broths, BrowniesAreGood, bsmechanic, buddabelly, Bugsydarlin, bumbi, BusyinCA, cactusgal, cagernant, Carol in San Antonio, CathiefromCanada, CathodeRay, CDH in Brooklyn, Cedwyn, cee4, Cen Den, ChocolateChris, ChurchofBruce, ciganka, cinnamondog, citizenx, ClapClapSnap, claude, Cleante, Code Monkey, codobus, Coldblue Steele, Colorado is the Shiznit, coloradomomma, common green, commonmass, Common Sense Mainer, congenitalefty, coppercelt, dadanation, Damnit Janet, dangoch, DarienComp, dauber, Dauphin, Dave in AZ, Dave in Northridge, David54, deedogg, demkat620, Dexter, Diana in NoVa, Dickie, DiegoUK, Dingodude, dirtdude, distraught, djMikulec, docreed2003, dolfin66, donnamarie, Donna O, dotsright, Dr Teeth, Dreggas, DRo, droogie6655321, Dube, duckhunter, Eclectablog, Eddie C, EdgedInBlue, edr, effervescent, elbamash, El barragas, el vasco, electricgrendel, entrelac, ericlewis0, Everest42, Ex Con, exlrrp, ExpatGirl, ezdidit, fat old man, fauve, fhamme, Fineena, fiona2, fishhawk, Flea, flumptytail, Friend of the court, fritzi56, FrugalGranny, Garrett, Gator, gchaucer2, GDbot, Geiiga, GenXangster, glpaul, gooderservice, gooners, gravlax, GreenMountainBoy02 (in memoriam), greylox, grndrush (in memoriam), GrumpyWarriorPoet, GuerillaLiberal, GulfExpat, gzodik, Haole in Hawaii, HappyinNM, henlesloop, here4tehbeer, HeyMikey, hideinplainsight, High Tide, hiliner68, history first, hold tight, Hugh Jim Bissell, hulibow, I love OCD, I said GOOD DAY sir, Im a frayed knot, imisa, Indexer, indubitably, indyada, Interceptor7, Inventor, Isaacsdad, ItsaMathJoke, itsbenj, Jahiz, James Earl, JamesEB, janl1776, Janeo, jarbyus, JayinPortland, jayjaybear, jbalazs, JBL55, jbou, Jeffersonian Democrat, jillwklausen, jmadlc55, jmonch, Joes Steven (aka Steven), john keats, john07801, johngoes, johnny wurster, jsfox, just another vet, JVolvo's Mom (in memoriam), jwinIL14, Kai99, kailuacaton, Kamakhya, kat herder, katchen, Kelly of PA, khloemi, Khun David, Kitsap River, kittania, kos, KrazyKitten, Kristina40, Ksholl, labwitchy, ladypockt, Lahdee, langerdang, LarsThorwald, LA rupert, last starfighter, LaughingPlanet, Laurie Gator, Lava20, Leo in NJ, Lipstick Liberal, litoralis, lmdonovan, lockewasright, Lonely Liberal in PA, Lonely Texan, longislandny, Lorinda Pike, LtdEdishn, lunacat, lunachickie, luvsathoroughbred, lying eyes, maggiemay, magicsister, mango, Marc in KS, MargaretPOA, Marjmar, Mark E Andersen (Kodiak54), marknspokane, marsanges, maryabein, Matf, Matt Esler, Maxiemax, maybeeso in michigan, MBNYC, mdemploi, Meteor Blades, Micburke, michael1104, MillieNeon, minerva1157, MinervainNH, Missys Brother, mjbleo, MnRaindog (in memoriam), mntleo2, mollyd, Morague, MotoGP, Mr Bojangles, mrsgoo, mskitty, msmacgyver, MsWings, Murphoney, nannyboyz, ncsuLAN, NearlyNormal, Nedsdag, Nespolo, Nick Zouroudis, nokkonwud, notgivingup, NY brit expat, oceanview, Ole Texan, OleHippieChick, Olkate, one pissed off democrat, One Pissed Off Liberal, Onomastic, operculum, OrangeMike, Ordvefa, Overseas, Over the Edge, Pager, paige, PaintyKat, palmer18, paradox, parryander, paulitics, peglyn, Pennsylvanian, peterfallow, phrogge prince, plok, Portia Elm, Positronicus, post rational, PowWowPollock, Proud Mom and Grandma, psycho liberal, ptolemynm, Purple Priestess, PvtJarHead, racheltracks, randallt, ray bob, real world chick, red mittens, Reepicheep, regis, relentless, revelwoodie, revsue, Rex Manning, rexymeteorite, RiaD, rickeagle, ridemybike, rightiswrong, Rileycat, rincewind, rkex, roadlion, RoCali, Roger Fox, Rosebuddear, roses, rscopes, Rudini, RumsfeldResign, Safina, SallyCat, Sanuk, Sark Svemes, sboucher, scooter in brooklyn, Scrapyard Ape, seenaymah, Senor Unoball, sewaneepat, sfbob, sgary, Shahryar, sheddhead, shesaid, Shifty18, shmuelman, shopkeeper, sidious666, sidnora, slksfca, slowbutsure, smartcookienyc, smeesq, Smoh, snoopydawg, snorwich, SnyperKitty, SoCalHobbit, SoCalSal, sofia, soonergrunt, sostos, sowsearsoup, SpecialKinFlag, spmozart, spotDawa, SpotTheCat, StateOfGrace, Statusquomustgo, stiffneck, stonekeeper, suesue, sunbro, Super Grover, susans, Syoho, tallmom, Tay, tdslf1, teknospaz, theatre goon, The Eyewitness Muse, TheGeneral, TheStoopingRabbit, TigerMom, Tim DeLaney, tiredofcrap, TomP, tonyahky, Toyotabob7, TracieLynn, TreeFrog, triciawyse, tripodisblack, trs, trueblueliberal, TrueBlueMajority, ttanner, Tulsonian, Turn VABlue, Turtle Bay, Tyto Alba, uc booker, UncleCharlie, Unduna, Unforgiven, ursoklevar, USArmyParatrooper, VA02 femocrat, Vacationland, valadon, Vayle, vc2, Vetwife, vgranucci, Via Chicago, Village expects idiot home soon, viral, vulcangrrl, waytac, webranding, weelzup, Wes Opinion, Whimsical Rapscallion, willy be frantic, willy mugobeer, Wood Dragon, wolfie1818, Wordsinthewind, Wreck Smurfy, x, xopher, yet another liberal, Zotz
Have you 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 (posting times are flexible).
Weekly GUS Diary Schedule (regular hosts featured in bold) is below.
Sun AM: gchaucer2
Sun PM: Portia Elm
Mon AM: Open
Mon PM: paulitics
Tue AM: gchaucer2
Tue PM: Open
Wed AM: Open
Wed PM: Vacationland
Thu AM: nokkonwud
Thu PM: James Earl
Fri AM: flumptytail
Fri PM: Open
Sat AM:effervescent
Sat PM: Open
Solid science education is the best inoculation against ignorance.
The Inoculation Project meets Sundays at 10 am ET / 7 am PT to help fund science and math projects in red-state public school classrooms and grow more rational voters. Join us at the link each week to cheer on our effort -- no cash required, but even small donations make a big difference!
Today's The Inoculation Project: Measuring Activities and Gardening
|
Today's The Inoculation Project: Measuring Activities and Gardening can be found by clicking the link!!!