jshatzkin

Cold turkey is the best way. I tried a million ways and then went cold turkey. Have not touched one in 7 years. I think it is also the mindset. Once you make up your mind you want to have a healthier body, you are willing to go through the pain! The first 72 hours were the worst for me. After about 2 weeks, you will start to be able to smell the world again! Food tastes better. Also exercise! I remember reading something about exercising increasing your chances of quitting successfully. I used to get a bad case of bronchitis twice a year (sometimes lasting several weeks). Since I quit smoking, I have not had any of that in 7 years and I rarely even get a winter cold. It does wonders for your immune system to quit. Good Luck! Remember that each urge will pass within a few minutes. Keep occupied and don't obsess over the fact that it's been "27.5 hours since the last cig". The frequency of urges will fade; then you'll become an annoying former smoker like me who hates the smell of smoke! (I want to gag when I smell it) Jen

And it could have nothing to do with skydiving in general! You are obviously anxious (consciously or unconsciously) about something and the "double mal" in skydiving could have simply been a symbol. Just my thought!

I think you are just a "closet American" Jen

You just keep on kicking the American stuff today, eh We have plenty of culture- We steal bits and pieces from everyone else then try to melt it together and sell it with a big paradox of values! Jen

..and my birthday is National Potato Chip Day. What about yours? And is it fitting? Clicky Jen

:0:0 I think my hubby and I were successful in making a (planned) baby last weekend. We'll see soon. It looks like I have many months ahead of no jumps though Poor gear was put away in the closet last weekend. Jen

I recently read a great remark from an airport security guard at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv (which, by the way I did travel through their airport twice in the mid-nineties and they; the whole country; take security very seriously). He said that the problem with airport security in the United States is that we are always looking for and banning things when we should focus more energy on looking for people, who are a threat. In reality, terrorists can find new ways, using anything, to be dangerous. We can't ban all potentially dangerous items, as that is ludicrous. But I agree that we spend way too many resources on items and not people. Maybe it's a false security thing. (sorry if this is leaning too much toward SC) Jen

Sorry you had to go through all that! I have traveled with my rig 3 times and everything has gone smoothly. I just flew out of Denver a couple of weeks ago and the TSA screener did call the supervisor. We stepped aside to a different area where he swabbed it. I guess I was lucky as he said he has seen many rigs go through security. He was even training a few other screeners what to look for. He was nice and asking a lot about the sport in general. Said he was interested in trying it out. I know I was lucky, and I dread the day I have an encounter like yours. I hope your complaint is answered to your satisfaction. Jen

You have to tell us all which zombie you are! I love zombie movies! "You can't say the ZED word!" Jen

Good to see someone else reads The Psychotronic Video guide! I thought I was the only one who ever saw (and owns) Psychomania! Jen

My husband would love the earlid idea (to fade out all that wife nagging)! Jen

How about: Men carrying a pregnancy and giving birth! Jen

And don't try to give blood (you'll be denied) a few days after gettinga HEP B vaccine. OOOPS Jen

Maybe we could go as a "double martini" Jen

I'm supposed to be a martini. A flying monkey sounds more interesting. Jen

Slotperfect has it right. My husband is an active duty major. He is an infantryman, branch transferred to Quartermaster as a captain. He got his rigger badge and spent some time as the DPO (Division Parachute Officer) for the 82nd Airborne Division. Of course, he had to move on to branch qualifying jobs,..so you can't do that forever,...as rigging is just one tiny part in the whole operation. So, if you want to stay connected to rigging while jumping,..go Quartermaster. Jen

Then you'll NEVER be able to drink again. Jen

Yeah,..Dean K. is nuts! His book is an awesome read. He did something else crazy like run 200 miles straight throughout the night,..with the finish at the start line of a marathon, then finished the marathon in under 3 hours. He also did a marathon in the South Pole (only a few ultra runners did it)...buried in snow. He is a complete natural....freak of nature. Jen

Early lent? Jen

why can't he drink now?? Jen

Until what? Jen

Not trying to pick sides here, but in her original post, she did not say anything at all about Christians. Just "Right Wing Religious types". That can include any religion. I did not perceive that as a direct attack on Chrisitans; just on religious fundamentalists in general. Jen

Here is a snippet of an interview with Dr. Ruth Clifford Engs of Indiana University, an internationally-known health educator and alcohol researcher. She supports lowering the age limit and here is her reasoning. And another response to your remark: The same reason why you are such an advocate of legalizing MJ and against this! Two separate issues I suppose! Jen

I copied this clip from a CNN debate on the same issue. I thought this was a good point, and they said it much more eloquently than I could have