Washington City Paper published an article on my project yesterday. Check out the online article here. One correction though, I do have a Dublin accent (yes – I never lost it – my husband is Guyanese and speaks with a West Indian accent so I have never picked up an American accent) but I really thought I spoke in soft dulcet tones and not a deep, voice mellowed with nicotine! When I first read the article I went oh no – but now I think it is funny.
Seriously though – I do hope that the newspaper article encourages people to send me their cigarettes. It really would add value & meaning to this project. I do have three promises of last cigarettes so that is fantastic.
As for smoking or not smoking – I think I’ve made some real progress the last few days. I went to practice tennis in one of those half courts with a wall the day before yesterday and found myself looking forward to a grapefruit! What a change from a few weeks ago and am happy with that. Also, what I call the “tingling of the tongue†has disappeared. I think this sensation set in after the first few days. It was constantly there and accompanied by an insatiable urge to put something in my mouth. I still want to put something in my mouth but not all the time now.
Went to the Harp & Fiddle in Bethesda last night to meet up with friends. I did fine but there really is only so much diet coke you can drink! I was more than ready to go home after three hours. While most of these particular friends are smokers, we were sitting inside so I didn’t have to deal with any real temptation. I must say they are all really supportive of my quit. Anand who was out with us last night, picked up several copies of the City Paper for me as soon as he got back home to DC. Thanks Anand!
Jakie, Me again. I didn’t know about your project. Would have perticipated with more interest as I have vested interested too. 19th day smoke-fee. Sure does feels like hell physically but gives good feelings emotionally. Quitting smoking was a gift to my wife as marriage anniversary gift and she is very happy too. Well if there is anything I can do to help your project do let me know. Yes, I do have my last 4 Malboro lights sitting somewhere in my apt.
Hello! I read the article on you in the City Paper so congrats are in order on quitting and your excellent blog! I smoked 2 pack a day most of my life (I am 57) and I quit 6 months ago on the 29th of January. I still want a cigarette sometimes, but I have just had to get used to the fact that I will probably always want one and to just “get over it”!!! Quitting was rather painless as I took Chantix – the stuff is amazing and I don’t think I could have quit without it. Anyway – all the best, keep up the good work and keep blogging!! LOL
Michael
Since I received “honorable mention” in the City Paper article for giving you the first “last” cigarette only to buy a pack the very next day I thought it appropriate to respond to this particular blog with something that I wrote last week about my own battle with smoking. Jackie, you should be so proud of your amazing work and your resolve in this decision to stop smoking!!! Thank you for sharing this part of yourself with those of us who are trying deperately to find our own way to conquer the smoking addiction!
FRIENDS??? written by k.d. 8/07
A box with soft green lines and faint grey swirls,
Seemingly innocuous home to the tobacco filled
cylinders of paper that whisper constantly to me
from within.
Just one more…you can quit later…tomorrow…
Oh…really just one more and then we will set you free…
JUST one more, Just ONE more, JUST ONE MORE!
I try to ignore this incessant beckoning but I can think of nothing else!
Don’t they know that they are destroying me?
Don’t I know that they are destroying me?
For so long I have considered them my friends, how can this be?
They control me. They manipulate me. THEY ARE KILLING ME!
Friends??? How do I allow myself this relationship???
Hi Kathi,
You have outed yourself!! Somebody told me that I should have changed the project to send me a cigarette for everytime an ex-smoker thought of one – I would get thousands that way. I still haven’t received any cigarettes so am disappointed – but we are addicts and we can’t part with what hurts us. I know I will get your last one when you are ready. Everyone quits on their own terms/time and I guessed you weren’t quite ready then – but you have tried and are still trying and that is great.
Your poem is very good – but they are not your friends!
Jackie