2 weeks, no nicotine. It's happening. Much easier once I discovered (had never been told it like this before) that life as a smoker means living daily in a state of withdrawal. Even one cigarette means that I will instantly put myself into nicotine withdrawal for at least the next 3 days. Even one hit off a vape - anything that puts any nicotine back into my system, because as soon as it is there, the mind becomes aware about 10-15 minutes later that it is not there anymore, and the psychosis of withdrawal begins again. It is the very same psychosis of withdrawal that convinces us to have the first cigarette in the morning, and the next one after that, and will kick in minutes after finishing a cigarette or any other nicotine going in your body, every time. There isn't some critical mass of nicotine, or number of cigarettes that will be OK.
So now, NOT having another cigarette means NOT having to be in withdrawal. That's it. Living life in withdrawal sucks, no matter how great the nicotine itself may feel. Recognizing this has made a huge difference in managing cravings, being in situations where I would be triggered, etc. I've already stopped using bupropion; its job is done. That was really the only thing that I used as a crutch. No tapering down, just quit. had a relapse 25 hours in, went through about 1 1/2 packs, finished the pack I bought, quit again, haven't had any nicotine since 23:30 on July 15.
At the bar? Soda water/lime. Why? it signals to the bartender that you are likely a sober driver, and more likely a "graduate" of a 12-step program. They will almost always give these for free, especially if you tip for the first one, regardless of whether or not they offer it for free. There's definitely more psychology going on with this as well - but it all works in your favor, and makes you an instant ally of the bar staff, and can even allow them to be more liberal with your friends' drinks...
I've started showing up to gatherings with unflavored Topo Chico, or occasionally the lime/mint flavored one. It at least presents the possibility that I am joining in the "fun", although I stopped drinking alcohol some time ago, as well as anything with sugars, real or fake. I can forgive a tiny bit of lime juice, though.
Can confirm, have found in the wild. Rather fun stuff, actually, and not too hard to deal with.
Another 250+ miles on the motorcycle today. Another closed road that was passable, and a closed road that was not passable. May do a shorter ride tomorrow; if so I will be over the 1000 km mark for the weekend.
yeah, like a scramble. Some call it a power bowl, or dirty eggs. I don't really do pictures on here, sorry. Not well supported by my main client, so its a lot of bother to use a different client to post them.
Possibly, but people value rice, flour, and sugar as well. Unlike prison, your trading partners may have basic cooking tools. Of course, you could use your rations of flour and sugar to bake goods for trade as well - something else that can't happen in a prison, where cigs are possibly the best commodity.
Lots of stuff there to trade for meat. like everything except for the butter and soaps.
Ground beef, eggs, beef liver, cooked in butter, salted, maybe some cheese.
GM.
While simps are simping the simpshow in simptown, I'm going to put some more miles on the motorcycle. Headed to Tillamook (like the cheese) in a bit. Might touch the ocean.
Rode around Mt. St. Helens today. Literally, one big loop, with a detour up to the remaining observatory.
Been essentially deist for a long time for this reason. Most of it is ridiculous if taken at all literally, and is just an apparatus to enslave and coerce.
That said, for a very different view on physics and cosmology, the Vedic traditions have been very interesting. That is not to say I would adopt Hinduism in its current form, but the intelligence coming out of the Indus Valley was well ahead of its time, possibly more scientifically advanced than our current materialist view of spacetime and particle physics.
Just CTM at just about everything in my feed.
Conferences? Nope, not interested. Honeypots and distractions. Waste of coin.
Podcasts? Oh well. There's plenty of lesser-known voices out there that would live to have your ear. Or maybe listen to something completely different. Broaden your horizons instead of sitting in the echo chamber.
Exchanges? Maybe a necessary evil, but use what works while it is available. These things don't last forever.
Politicians? Really? You guys still think they matter, like, at all? Ok, you do you. Sats aren't the only thing I stack, because at some point, there will be change, and it will be time to act.
Until then, enjoy your diversions, friends!
Kill all your heroes. Take your coin off all exchanges. Stay humble, stack sats.
Be ready to change anything you thought you knew at a moment's notice, because that is all the notice you will ever get.
GN, until next GN.
Day 7 nicotine free. 2 more weeks before I'l really feel in the clear. Already functioning better without continuous withdrawal, but my diet has suffered. That's ok, much easier to fix that in a couple weeks.
GN.
Oh, they can eat it raw. Dogs didn't have the luxury of fire, and haven't evolved enough to require it since we came along.
Look up B.A.R.F. diet.
Of course, you do you - if you want to heat it up or cook it, they will eat that too.
My grinder came today.
Tonight's mission - grind up about 25 lbs of dog food. All meat, no bullshit. 20 lbs of chicken leg quarters are ready to go, along with organ meats.
#butchersdog #carnivore
My stated purpose has been, for some time, to serve as a positive example to my children. This is my prime directive. Sure, there are other things I value, but above all else, this.
I don't know how this would change if my children no longer existed. That is something I don't care to think about. I suppose I would either find a new purpose, or things would go really poorly for me.
I needed to affirm this, because as this is my stated purpose, addiction cannot square with this purpose. That goes for any addiction - nicotine, sugars, caffeine, etc. Any amount of pretending it could be OK is complete bullshit cope.
GN nostr, it may be tomorrow before I send another note.