I don't know what he does in the 'HUT", ...... but he's got to smoke in here if I have to set him on fire. :devilish:

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Don't worry...I won't hijack anything, I just hate being excluded.

Maybe if each side understood the other a little better, more people would be tolerant of the cause & effects of legislature considered and passed. I like to think we're much more sensitive and understanding with each other than those who are making decisions for the faceless masses. Decisions that impact real people.

Not to in any way attempt to justify my being here, but I watched my father smoke all my youth. He smoked and he foolishly thought he was hiding it from us, while telling us "If I ever catch you smoking, I'll break your legs". A move that I always thought was completely hypocritical has now had a new light shown upon it, and I see it as an embarassed man trying to threaten his children in an attempt to protect them from something that had a tight grip on him.

He did manage to quit. One evening, about 16 years ago, he left my apartment after coming over for dinner, and went home to fall down the stairs. He was taking the dog out and going for his last smoke of the evening. His new slippers didn't have any tread, and he tumbled head first down the stairs, shattering his elbow and breaking his forearm in three places. A month in the hospital undergoing five major surgeries to install pins, needles, plates and screws really cramped his ability to smoke. He took advantage the restrictions placed upon him...and was able to shake it for good. He's 16 years without, and still has yet to admit he ever smoked.

I've learned by being able to read your posts, and was able to apply it to my own history with my father, and for that I'm grateful. I just wish I didn't have to sneak in.

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Though I am different from you,
We were born involved in one another.

For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.

Complete surrender should not just come at moments in which one faces overwhelming odds, but in the calm when it seems one is personally in complete control of one's life.

((((((WI)))))))




Allright........which one of you stole my lighter!!!!!! LOL

It was WI.....he lighting candles for the ladies in the hut

I think this thread is fine. I think wanting to talk about your addiction with other smokers without non-smokers butting in is fine.

RUDELY telling me or anyone else in the Pixies' family we can not post here is NOT fine.

:cents:

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Put me on wheels and I'll turn tricks.

Clever? Nah, I ran out of that years ago. But if you find this, let me know, k?
"The road goes ever on..." ~ Tolkien

In memory of my friend skip...
Go then, there are other worlds than these

Ok that is fine. <pause> You don't want me to be here. Because of the new law I can't be here if I am going to do that. <pause>I understand that you find it highly offensive, and it stinks, and it is a hazard to your health. <pause> Oh? It is also dirty? Yes, I agree! <pause> I really think it is awful when some people just throw their butts out a window and on the ground too. I don't do that you see. <pause> Oh? You thought that all smokers were inconsiderate? That is too bad. Do you think all people of color live on welfare too? <long pause> No? That's good because they don't. <pause> Oh, I see - smokers infringe on your right to breath fresh air. <pause> Oh.. no, I wouldn't want you to breath in second hand smoke. <pause> I agree, second hand smoke is bad for your health. <pause> Yes. You should be able to eat a meal in a resturant without having to walk though a haze. <pause> Really? You won't let your kid stay at a best friends house because a parent smokes? <pause> Oh, that parent smokes outside and not in the house. <pause> Setting a bad example? I see. <pause> Yes, death from smoking is horrible. <pause> No I didn't see the pictures <pause> The hospital bill was how much? <pause> No insurance? <pause> No, not all smokers are without adequate insurance coverage. <pause> Really? You believe that hospital rates are sky high because of smokers? <pause> No. I didn't know that you could tell if someone smokes because of the wrinkles on their face.

THUD

OH! Are you alright? (Helps back into seat) <pause>

OK. I understand. <pause> Yes it is difficult sometimes. <pause> I am afraid not. <angry pause> Well, you have passed your limit. <really angry pause> No. <sorry pause> It is alright. I will call a cab for you...........................
__________________________________________________ ____________
I am trying to quit. It is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I know the ramification of the choice I made many years ago. Not only do I have to deal with that, I am dealing with being treated like shit by those who do not understand the addiction. This is not an excuse. I would love to be able to quit "just like that". I am tired of getting "picked on". Some may say that is not so, but....that is how I feel.

And - my 2 cents (I am going to say what I feel and then I will let it go). PF mentioned in a post that he received a PM about it not being good to "segregate" those Pixies who do not smoke from posting in this thread as he wanted to create a "safe haven" so to speak for those of us who want to talk about it without feeling as if we were being ostrasized (sp) or put in a defensive mode about the addiction. He may not have said it as gently as he should have though.. My cig addiction isn't so intense that I HAVE to have a cigerette every 1/2 hour. There are some people who do have it that bad. Because of that addiction, they cannot go into certain resturants, can't go to a movie theater, can't go to an opera, can't go to a city park, can't go to an outdoor concert, hell - some of those people can't even live in certain cities in Iowa! In some cases smokers aren't going to be able to obtain employment with certain companies! Get what I am trying to say? So, for those of you who feel "left out" or segregated I am sorry. It is a terrible feeling isn't it?

But I still love you all...

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A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend, one human soul whom we can trust utterly, who knows the best and worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults.

I wish you didn’t too.





LOL
You are the second of what I consider a close Pixie friend that has expressed a feeling of unfair exclusion. While I can’t say that there must be a small feeling of satisfaction in being able to go to a place without the non-smokers scourge of superiority, that truly is not my intent or desire for starting this thread. It is hard enough to accept, let alone admit to an impassioned public, something you would like to be different and is something they just CAN NOT know without going there.

I happen have a current friend for the past 11 years that I hold among the hand full of ‘close friends’ throughout my life. Five weeks ago I was in his wedding and the only white face among 300 people. We have been partners in our little DJ business for seven years and have shared many things together from work (neither of our primary jobs), cookouts, Thanksgiving dinners and the birth of his daughter. I’ve been accepted buy his friends and closer to the real "black culture” than perhaps the majority of Caucasians. The one thing I do feel certain of is that I will never know what it is to live a life as a black person.

The deepest experience I’ve had along this line was when I was about 17 and came home late and tried to sneak in the back door. I must have been doing fine until I heard my mother sobbing in the dark living room. I guess being the eldest of seven, I was the first one she felt the need to see was safely in before she could sleep. When you see your mothers teared face for the first time it leaves an impression. The panic feeling turned to confusion when she said “I’m fat!” through a chocked back sob that was more of a moan and shutter than a sound. It seems our bathroom scale only went to 250 pounds and wouldn’t answer the question for the 4’ 11” lady that cooked three meals a day for a family of 10 and two boarders.

I’m 5’ 9” tall and weigh in at 162 pounds now and knew that night there would be things and places I could not go, no matter the deepest want or desire to help and understand something outside myself.

I have stated here over the years that my personal opinion regarding the subject of abortion is something that I, nor any other male of the specie, has ANY RIGHT to EVER make a judgement about it. It is purely in that same view that I offered a corner for one place I HAVE gone and CAN understand the frustration of an addiction that brings the wrath of social swing.

I have to go now and pack up 50 years of butts that I've been saving. I have a box coming with the address of where I should send them :jump:

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Then post away. YOU tell me what I and others smokers need to know.

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i'm a non smoker now,i needed the fag money for my other addiction Hi-Fi,so
i understand smokers problems,my house is non smoking unless guests smoke,ashtrays are provided,here in ontario public buildings are all non smoking,but if you want to open a bar,when you apply for the liquor license you have to agree to sell at least three brands of cigarettes,hypocrisy from our bleeding heart liberal govenment

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you can alway's tell a limey,But Not Much


I'm so miserable with out you,

It's almost like having you here

I have been a smoker all my adult life. I feel like a second class citizen and if non-smokers (or reformed smokers worse yet) have their way, those of us that do smoke will have to resort to sneaking behind the barn like we did when we were kids. The current attitude towards smoking reminds me of the period leading up to prohibition (and we all know how well that went don't we). Tax me all you want. Over-taxing a substance like tobacco in an effort to get people to stop is just another way for the socialists in our society to try and get their claws into my life. I know it is killing me, I've seen the photographs and know it was one of the chief reasons my dad passed away some years back. I am an adult though and can make my own choices. If I want to smoke I will - just don't come into my life and try to regulate it with your values. My values work just fine for me and it is one of the vices I have in my life that I enjoy. Now when I am on my death bed suffering from some lung disease you can come and laugh at me and say I told you so - but until then, please leave me and my cigarettes alone thank you very much! Hope I didn't offend anyone, but I have some pretty strong opinions on the subject as you can tell. Thanks for the thread - just what the doctor ordered!

WI and Aqua seem to be the type of person that would go somewhere ie bar
for smokers,then complain that people are smoking in there

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you can alway's tell a limey,But Not Much


I'm so miserable with out you,

It's almost like having you here

I am not cheap...YET!

I am frugal. That's why I smoke the cheap brand

We have a lot in common, WI and I, and if you'd actually read our posts in that thread you might realize neither of us are complaining about smoking. WI posted of his experience with his Dad's smoking and I didn't talk about smoking at all. I stated that it was not fine to be so rude in stating this was a thread for smokers.

Bottom line... you are incorrect on your assumptions concerning both of us.

No Nada NOT ON YOUR LIFE!

This thread is not about flaming anyone like that! This thread, though could turn into a venting thread, is not a place for comments like that. Aqua and WI are 2 of the many very understanding people I know here on Pixies and your comment is very unjustified!

blkcat - you don't like being pigeonholled into a certain stereotype because you smoke and those who do not smoke like it less. I, for one, would like to see you apologize to them both.

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A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend, one human soul whom we can trust utterly, who knows the best and worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults.

Been thinking about this thread all day! I knew there'd be the ones who would be offended by being told not to come in! I KNEW some would say it's wrong to start this thread! I knew it...and I am not disappointed!

Those who feel excluded? WELCUM TO OUR WORLD!

It sucks...don't it? You have no rights or a right to make an opinion! Do you feel a bit shunned? Good! I feel that every day of my life! Does it make you angry that we "took over" and you had no say in it? GOOD! I feel that way everyday!

That said...I'll add my disclaimer here. I love everyone here at Pixies! I've never wanted to shun or deviate from you...by this thread or any other thread I started or replied in. It's just the nature of the beast! Smoking sparks segregation. I didn't spark it...I just follow the rules!

Here's my story Fats Man (<---An excerpt from the movie Weird Science)...

I was a six year old child...yes, I said six! I saw Daddy and Mommy smoking and I wanted to mimick them. I picked up their butts from the ashtray and went into the woods with my tiny friends. We all lit up. Coughed our fucking brains out and two of my friends puked. I wish (now) that I had puked. I wanted to...but held back so I could get this thing down to a science. I was six...remember?

I sucked at doing this grown-up thing...but I was determined! It wasn't till I was seven years old till I could inhale and let it out without having the "pukey feeling". Dad and Mom smoked Pall Mall®...a filterless cig...so it was that much more tough to get the hang of it. Anyone know me as a quitter? I never quit trying till I got it...then I was the coolest of the bunch!

Cigarettes cost about $.35 around then...and I could make that and more in allowance (Dad still lived with us and we still got an allowance back then). Kids could buy cigs with no questions asked...so who cared?

OK...so I was seven years old and I started inhaling. Haven't stopped but for the two months I mentioned in another thread! I am fourty seven now. Do the math!

I've quit crank (meth)! Did it intraveneously for nearly a year (coulda been longer...days blended together)...and quit it...cold turkey...no outside help...NEVER to do it again! I smoked pot. Can go years without it (though I puff every now and then...ain't opposed to it...never felt addicted to it)! I did "free" coke...cause the guys I knew thought I looked like I needed a line...and quit it...no looking back! The worst thing to quit for me was the crank. It was truely an addiction...though I didn't now it till I tried to get away. But I did it...and I can't stand it now. Mr. Lixy had a prescription anti-allergy med called Flonase® <sp?> and it smelled like he just snorted a line of crank and I nearly puked when kissing him (his nasal passages were filled with it and he agreed...it was crank like). Needless to say...he went back to O.T.C. meds so we could kiss without me running for the bathroom...lol!

I watched my brother "nod and puke" from heroin and still want more when he came down...but I never tried it because I HATED my artistic and intelligent brother go from that to a slug in a flash of my eye! I had the warning!

I NEVER had the warning when I tried to mimick my Dad and Mom!

I know the warnings NOW...but I was seven years old for shitthefuckhells sake...when I started this addiction!

Oh Gawd! Get me off this fucking soapbox!

*jumps down to light a smoke*

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Minds are like parachutes. They only work when they are open.

~Thomas Dewar~