I smoked my last cigarette at 9PM, in the garage of my parents' house, on Friday, September 28th, 1990. Up till then, I smoked two and a half to three packs a day. At that time, I had switched to generics, a brand called 'Bristol', which was $1.18 a pack at the Mobil next to where I worked. Those were da days, huh, Mindy?
Most of the time, I smoked Camels. WITHOUT FILTERS, folks! I'd wake up in the morning, and the very first thing I did, before I put my glasses on, before I farted, or even peed, was light a Camel, and I would cough, and it would hurt, and it would be four or five cigarettes into the morning before my throat stopped hurting. Camels were great, the young me figured filters were for uh...lesser men, and uh..girls (LOL!). This went on every day, for many years. I finally got sick and tired of the habit, and being a slave to it. After a couple of attempts which turned out surprisingly well, I waited until the time when I had the confidence to go ahead and kick it.
I did it over a weekend, so I wouldn't worry about stressful situations engulfing me. Since then, fourteen years ago now, I have never had a crisis, not even close. I quit in my own mind before I even did it.
Here's something interesting, though...the smoking dreams! In my dreams, at night, to this very day, I smoke cigarettes! At first, I scared myself, thinking, oh no, I'm doing it again. After a while, though, I figured, what the hell, I'll enjoy myself, it's not like I'm REALLY doing it. I had a dream last week where I was smoking. I truly find this amazing...
