Smoking Ages

Smoking really does seem to age most people, prematurely. Not as bad as this funny exaggeration, I know.

I used to smoke. Stopped smoking about a year and a half ago. I still get strong nicotine cravings when I'm around others that smoke. I stopped because it was getting too expensive, and more importantly, it just added to all the other health problems I have.

So I quit, cold turkey. A female friend of mine, Abby, had stopped before me. I figured, if she can do it, so can I. After all, she had been smoking for years and years. I was impressed with her will power. And after I ceased puffing my life away, another friend, Marty, perhaps impressed with my will power, quit after me.

I don't preach to people about it, though. That never worked on me. I figure you'll quit smoking if you really want to quit smoking. Hell, maybe you're the kind of smoker who quits the habit and then becomes so agitated, you freak out on the drive-thru girl when she forgets to add the ketchup packets to your order, calling her an Airhead and then you get out of your car, jump up and down, sobbing, wetting your pants and then commence making noises only a crazed moose would love.

But getting back to how smoking ages you. It just does. You'll have to believe me on that. Now.... off you go.