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Four weeks

Matthew Schick — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:36:46 +0000

That’s how long it’s been since I began this experiment with electronic cigarettes. Haven’t touched a regular cig since then, haven’t missed em and won’t go back to em.

Hooray for no more tar, ashtray stank and smoke wheeze!

Two weeks

Matthew Schick — Sat, 23 May 2009 15:51:56 +0000

That’s how long it’s been since I had an ‘analog’ cigarette. And I’ve started running again. Life is good.

Posted by Wordmobi

From the ‘Duh!’ files

Matthew Schick — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:30:55 +0000

Had my first workout post-cigarettes and wow… Being able to breathe again makes a huge difference in the quality of the exercise (duh!). Was able to really push myself without feeling like I was going to pass out from lack of oxygen and (amazingly) felt quite good after I was done.

Been trying to become less of a couch potato for years now and I guess I underestimated the effects of cigs. Really not very bright on my part eh…

One week…

Matthew Schick — Sun, 17 May 2009 00:04:56 +0000

… and not a single ‘analog’ cigarette. Rock!

eCigs FTW!

Matthew Schick — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:41:38 +0000

So my new tasty ‘juice’ came in today and I’m 100% hooked. The flavor is worlds above the pre-filled carts I got with my 901 and it’s much, much smoother.

I haven’t had a cigarette now since the evening of the 8th, and I haven’t missed em in the least. My chest has cleared up significantly already, my energy levels are up and I can take deep breaths without a ‘catch’ again. Sure, I still have the nicotine monkey on my back, but losing the tar and other misc chemicals has been a huge win. I’ve also been able to deal with the daily stresses of my job without the normal withdrawal issues, matter of fact it’s been a bit easier since I can just reach over and take a puff during those long phone meetings.

Another smoke-free day

Matthew Schick — Sun, 10 May 2009 18:36:27 +0000

Haven’t smoked a regular cig since Friday evening and I feel great. Yesterday I did experience some restlessness but I’m chalking that up to the lack of the other chemicals in cigs. It could also be as simple as learning to use the eCig…

Either way, I’m feeling much better today and zero withdrawl feelings. So far so good.

Faux Cigs

Matthew Schick — Sat, 09 May 2009 15:12:47 +0000

So, been aware of the so-called ‘eCig‘ for a little while now but finally was able to try one a friend has at work. My starter kit and a few extras came in yesterday evening and so far I’m impressed. It’s taking care of my cravings which is more than I can say about any of the other options I’ve tried, my lungs are already feeling better and I’m not 24 hrs into this experiment. I think I’ll actually try and update the status of this little experiment in case someone else out there is on the fence about it as well…

This post is full of WIN

Matthew Schick — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:35:56 +0000

My oldest daughter just found out she made gymnastics team! She’s worked really hard and fully deserves the spot. Way to go Britton!

On Vacation

Matthew Schick — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:14:48 +0000

On the East Coast for the week enjoying some quiet family time at the beach. Managed to find a really nice house (with hot tub) within walking distance from the beach. More later, pics here

Down in Mississippi…

Matthew Schick — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 23:44:59 +0000

Traveling for the holidays has us staying with Tiff’s folks in Picayune this week. Kris and Candice scheduled Addisyn’s first bday party for Sunday (pics) so we were able to make that. Amazing how fast kids grow/change that first year.

Managed to get by Southern and visited with some of the profs I worked with there. Nice to catch up with those guys, compare war stories, etc. They tried to rope me into a LUG meeting, but I got saved from that one by dinner plans. It was rather depressing to hear about the general state of OSS within IT planning there. They seem to be following the old vendor lock-in ways without even considering any of the better options out there. Ah well…

Dinner was excellent. Caught up with Wesley and Eryn and grabbed some sushi at Sakura. Food was decent, company was much better. Got into some rather lively discussions about religion, politics and just life in general. Rather amusing that Wesley lives ~3 hrs from us, yet we have to meet 800+ miles away.

Ended up grabbing a beer over at the ol’ End Zone. Seems Hattiesburg now has a smoking ban, so I missed out on the whole smoky, hole-in-the-wall-bar experience I was hoping for. Did get up with Chris and Jennifer, and kicked Chris’ ass at some pool for old time’s sake.

As nice as it is to visit old friends and family, I can’t fsking wait to get back home. I could write volumes about how backwards things are here, but it would be rather pointless. Suffice to say it’s at least 5 years behind in tech, and attitudes are even further in the dark ages.

(With apologies to Sublime for the title)