Tihmmnmmish's Very Laid-Back Summery Poolside Threadcast

[EroticOrogeny]

I've been trying to reply to you, EO, but I had some spyware or something that would hijack my browser when I went on Lit. I think I finally got it with my Norton 360.

I just talked to my doctor about quitting smoking cuz I really can't afford it. His suggestion was to reduce my daily number of cigs by 1 each week. So, I'm gonna give that a try. It's going to take me quite some time to quit that way, but I need to do this.

I hope that works!
How many do you have per day on average?
If you typically have one around a particular time, have you decided which ones to drop?
I've tried that sort of approach before, but I would keep on finding excuses to have another.

I think the patch is keeping me from craving nicotine now and will hopefully work when I decrease the dose. What's just as much trouble are those situations where I would typically have a cigarette or 2. That's where I really have to work!

I hope we both make it!

 

[LadynStFreknBed]

I'm going to try waiting whenever I feel like lighting up first-- unlike the mindless smoking I typically do while I'm working or on the computer. That helped me cut back before, but then I kinda let myself slide again. I'm smoking about a pack and a half at the moment.

Has anyone else had any issues with spyware or adware when on Lit. I updated my virus scan and did a full scan. It said it detected and fixed one item. But, I'm still having issues when on Lit. My browser redirects to other websites. Any ideas?

 

[EroticOrogeny]

I'm going to try waiting whenever I feel like lighting up first-- unlike the mindless smoking I typically do while I'm working or on the computer. That helped me cut back before, but then I kinda let myself slide again. I'm smoking about a pack and a half at the moment.

Has anyone else had any issues with spyware or adware when on Lit. I updated my virus scan and did a full scan. It said it detected and fixed one item. But, I'm still having issues when on Lit. My browser redirects to other websites. Any ideas?

I know what you mean about almost chain smoking, like when on computer at home - no smoking in office at work. And when I'm at the computer I may not actually inhale that much - often just sitting in ashtray, going up in smoke.
When I take a smoke break (often bringing some papers and pencil) I smoke 2 back-to-back because have to go down elevator to get outside. Last Friday was the first day I didn't take a smoke break and only got to see a few of the things on the elevator TV. I'm about 3 packs a day. In the past I've gotten down to half a pack, but then it would shoot back up again. I find it tough to say now I can't but then I can - its so easy to make 'just this time' exceptions. I do find that now I'm OK w/o a cigarette setting here, but there are lots of other times that still hit me - like after a meal.
Sure hope you can make it work!

I'm OK on lit, have never seen any of the problems you mentioned. I have McAfee running to check for such things. It automatically downloads updates - my scan last done yesterday.

 

[Palba_Noruda]

Update on this - I finally covered all of the threads I'd missed. I saw some people express concern which I hadn't noticed till now - thanks

On Monday my wife took me to the doctor, since it seemed like my burn was getting worse, rather than better. I expected a prescription for antibiotics, some advise of the best care and maybe a couple of days off work. But the doctor said I needed to go to the hospital. They just let me out last nite. I'm on the healing trend, but it'll take a while. Need to stretch my leg out, like on a bed or sofa from time to time, and not do too much walking or standing.

And the hospital the doctor had us go to was quite strict about smoking - they said if you're well enough to go out for a cigarette then you don't need to be in the hospital. I knew I wasn't well enough, so ... They gave me the patch and some medicine which is also supposed to help. So now I'm out and wanting to give quitting a good try - besides the health benefits it costs so much these days with all the taxes. And I don't think I could be successful having just a few a day. I'd tell myself ;just another one now' and that would snowball. I had similar issues long ago with drinking - moderation might hold for a bit, but then breaks down. Its not going to be easy, but I'm definitely going to try. I need to keep my AA recovery stuff in mind - things like a day at a time (or a minute), serenity prayer and the like. Right now I think the nicotine craving is being controlled - it's all those habits and activities where I would smoke. I'm on the computer at home and would got through lots of cigarettes while there - quite a bit of it may just have gone up in smoke. And so many other situation you don't realize.

When I quit smoking, I found my state's quit hotline extremely helpful.
They sent a packet of material with a workbook with a bunch of hints and research into successful techniques.

And they have trained counselors talk to you on the phone as much or as little as you need, helping you come up with different strategies, helping you through "practice quits", helping you set a quit day, etc. And they give you encouragement. And they suggest you tell your family and friends you are trying to quit and ask them to provide you support and positive feedback when you succeed for a day, week, etc.

Oh yeah, they suggest you keep tabs of when you smoke and what your triggers are in your workbook. Then they have you come up with alternatives to smoking and you talk about implementing them whenever you have a craving.


I had them call me once a week for quite a while and just check in, etc. They even called me once a month for a while and less frequently after a while. One time they called out of the blue and I was traveling for work, sitting alone in a dreadful hotel and I was really glad they called LOL.

I believe the hotline was funded through those giant class-action lawsuits the states won against the tobacco companies several years ago.

I've heard people have good results with some medications, too. I believe Wellbutrin is very good for getting people to quit.

1-800-QUIT-NOW

 

[hmmnmm]

This could be subtitled, "We Who Know We Ought Quit Cigarettes Support Thread" because I'm right there with you all. A strategy that appeals to me is to see how long I can go without after finishing a pack, like if I can time it so I have none by bedtime so there will be none in the morning, try to keep busy or something. Sometimes I somewhat succeed this way, and other times not so well, because I realized if I have any real hope of quitting cigs, I'll have to all but quit coffee too. It's a bitch. And face it, sometimes there's just nothing like a Marlboro...

 

[champagne1982]

I'm going to try waiting whenever I feel like lighting up first-- unlike the mindless smoking I typically do while I'm working or on the computer. That helped me cut back before, but then I kinda let myself slide again. I'm smoking about a pack and a half at the moment.

Has anyone else had any issues with spyware or adware when on Lit. I updated my virus scan and did a full scan. It said it detected and fixed one item. But, I'm still having issues when on Lit. My browser redirects to other websites. Any ideas?

Do you have a popup blocker inside your windows software you can use? Google's is pretty good too, but I like the extra one Windows provides, since with that, even the question of allowing a popup won't interrupt unless I'm trying to view a redirect, like a form or something.

 

[LadynStFreknBed]

Do you have a popup blocker inside your windows software you can use? Google's is pretty good too, but I like the extra one Windows provides, since with that, even the question of allowing a popup won't interrupt unless I'm trying to view a redirect, like a form or something.

It doesn't cause popups. I can be viewing a website and all of a sudden I'll be redirected to another website. It happened 3 times just while trying to pull up this thread. I found out that the name is wellaction and it's adware. I tried several different anti-malware scans, but none of them is finding it. I'm thoroughly pissed about my Norton 360 not taking care of it and then Norton trying to charge me $100 to get one of their technicians to remove it.

 

[champagne1982]

I find it tough to say now I can't but then I can - its so easy to make 'just this time' exceptions. I do find that now I'm OK w/o a cigarette setting here, but there are lots of other times that still hit me - like after a meal.

Behaviour modification. Instead of a smoke after dinner, go for a walk but leave the cigs and lighter behind. Another thing I've read, is to make it really difficult to have a cigarette, throw away your ashtrays, take them to the dump or to a dumpster that's far away from home, while you're at it, toss in your lighter and any remaining smokes. Clean the drapes and vacuum your rugs and upholstery. Wear an elastic around the wrist and use aversion therapy, snap that thing HARD each time you think about smoking... Unless you like that kind of thing, that is.

LOL on making this the "stay quit" support thread... It's good though, whatever breaks the nicotine addiction. EO, you must find it tough since I'll bet cigarettes took place of those extra drinks you once took. You're a strong man, approach this challenge with the same steps you use to quit drinking.

Lsfnb, I hope you can quit and stay quit that way, same advice to EO goes to you. I know you can be successful.

PN: Congrats on staying smoke-free!

Good luck you beautiful quitters... Just think how pink your lungs will be in 2 years from quitting. Big hugs.

 

[EroticOrogeny]

When I quit smoking, I found my state's quit hotline extremely helpful.
They sent a packet of material with a workbook with a bunch of hints and research into successful techniques.

And they have trained counselors talk to you on the phone as much or as little as you need, helping you come up with different strategies, helping you through "practice quits", helping you set a quit day, etc. And they give you encouragement. And they suggest you tell your family and friends you are trying to quit and ask them to provide you support and positive feedback when you succeed for a day, week, etc.

Oh yeah, they suggest you keep tabs of when you smoke and what your triggers are in your workbook. Then they have you come up with alternatives to smoking and you talk about implementing them whenever you have a craving.


I had them call me once a week for quite a while and just check in, etc. They even called me once a month for a while and less frequently after a while. One time they called out of the blue and I was traveling for work, sitting alone in a dreadful hotel and I was really glad they called LOL.

I believe the hotline was funded through those giant class-action lawsuits the states won against the tobacco companies several years ago.

I've heard people have good results with some medications, too. I believe Wellbutrin is very good for getting people to quit.

1-800-QUIT-NOW

May give that a try. May have seen that number before.
My doctor has be on the patch and Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban, others). Once the wound treatment is behind me I plan to continue on with my primary care physician. I pretty well know my triggers - those times when a cigarette just seems right, like after a meal. I used to smoke a lot at my computer here at home, but that seems OK now. Will see what happens when I taper down with the patch and don't know about the pills.

This could be subtitled, "We Who Know We Ought Quit Cigarettes Support Thread" because I'm right there with you all. A strategy that appeals to me is to see how long I can go without after finishing a pack, like if I can time it so I have none by bedtime so there will be none in the morning, try to keep busy or something. Sometimes I somewhat succeed this way, and other times not so well, because I realized if I have any real hope of quitting cigs, I'll have to all but quit coffee too. It's a bitch. And face it, sometimes there's just nothing like a Marlboro...

Tight now I have no cigarettes - we threw out close to a carton when I got back from the hospital. And I always made sure I had plenty, so I never got into that situation of having to go out and buy a pack.
Yes, it is nice with coffee (doesn't work in the office).
And I know people who had quit, at least for a little bit, then went out drinking with buddies and started all over again. I don't have that to worry about (if I start drinking again smoking won't matter anyway), but lots of smokers at my AA club. Probably get a dose there with second hand smoke. Hope to be healed enough to go again soon and guard against temptation.

Behaviour modification. Instead of a smoke after dinner, go for a walk but leave the cigs and lighter behind. Another thing I've read, is to make it really difficult to have a cigarette, throw away your ashtrays, take them to the dump or to a dumpster that's far away from home, while you're at it, toss in your lighter and any remaining smokes. Clean the drapes and vacuum your rugs and upholstery. Wear an elastic around the wrist and use aversion therapy, snap that thing HARD each time you think about smoking... Unless you like that kind of thing, that is.

LOL on making this the "stay quit" support thread... It's good though, whatever breaks the nicotine addiction. EO, you must find it tough since I'll bet cigarettes took place of those extra drinks you once took. You're a strong man, approach this challenge with the same steps you use to quit drinking.

Lsfnb, I hope you can quit and stay quit that way, same advice to EO goes to you. I know you can be successful.

PN: Congrats on staying smoke-free!

Good luck you beautiful quitters... Just think how pink your lungs will be in 2 years from quitting. Big hugs.

Thanks - I plan to use the steps much as I did and do with alcohol. I've pitched all the cigarettes (I later found a couple part packs and was quite tempted, but tossed them too). I've found a use for my ashtrays now. I take those little plastic coffee stirs/straws and chew on the ends periodically. I've done that in the office for quite a while and bought a box for at home. Sometimes the ends break off, so I put the little bits in the ashtrays. It seems to help with both the oral and manual aspects, and its been a while since I've found watching cigarette smoke interesting.

Good luck to all of us trying to quit !

 

[LadynStFreknBed]

Well, my bf is "helping" me quit. It's total blackmail, but, sigh, I think it's for the best anyway. He's still at Ft Bragg (I think), but he says that if I haven't quit smoking by the time he gets home, I can't do, um, you know.. one of my favorite activities. LOL You don't become a goddess on your knees by accident. lol

Anyway, I am so PSYCHED!!! and no, not about quitting smoking. Okay, Picasso is one of those artists who I just never understood. I knew the academic answer of what he was trying to show in his work, but I never got it. I watched a documentary tonight about Picasso that showed Picasso actually painting. Although I'm still not a big fan, it did help me understand him better by seeing his process. BUT, that's not why I'm so psyched!
Something just clicked while I was watching Picasso. Lately, I have been struggling with my art. I feel that all I have done up to this point has just been practice. I hadn't found my style or artistic voice and was getting frustrated. Then, tonight, it all just clicked. No.. I'm not planning on copying Picasso's style. Hell no. I mean my own voice. I've got some great ideas and I am more excited than I have been in a long time about anything.
THAT'S why I'm psyched. Good thing I have a ride to the store tomorrow. I need just a few things.

Not that any of you are waiting on pins and needles. lol I'm not that egocentric. But that's all I'm telling anyone right now. I've got that superstitious element.. or maybe not so much superstition as self-preservation. I'm sure I'm not the only one who protects infant ideas from nay-sayers.

 

[UnderYourSpell]

You have TVs in your elevators? you must be way up high or travel very slowly to see much of anything

 

[wildsweetone]

oh grief, Lady, you're such a tease! lolol
i'm wondering what store you're going to, wondering what you're going to do and wondering when you'll share it. i'm excited for you. enjoy yourself

well done for all those quitting smoking at the moment. keep up the good work. you're being very self loving and that's a beautiful gift to give yourselves. xox

 

[EroticOrogeny]

You have TVs in your elevators? you must be way up high or travel very slowly to see much of anything

They're little screens, something like 10 in wide and 8 in tall. They periodically refresh with a few lines of comment, maybe get a couple of screens on the way.

 

[EroticOrogeny]

Well, my bf is "helping" me quit. It's total blackmail, but, sigh, I think it's for the best anyway. He's still at Ft Bragg (I think), but he says that if I haven't quit smoking by the time he gets home, I can't do, um, you know.. one of my favorite activities. LOL You don't become a goddess on your knees by accident. lol

Anyway, I am so PSYCHED!!! and no, not about quitting smoking. Okay, Picasso is one of those artists who I just never understood. I knew the academic answer of what he was trying to show in his work, but I never got it. I watched a documentary tonight about Picasso that showed Picasso actually painting. Although I'm still not a big fan, it did help me understand him better by seeing his process. BUT, that's not why I'm so psyched!
Something just clicked while I was watching Picasso. Lately, I have been struggling with my art. I feel that all I have done up to this point has just been practice. I hadn't found my style or artistic voice and was getting frustrated. Then, tonight, it all just clicked. No.. I'm not planning on copying Picasso's style. Hell no. I mean my own voice. I've got some great ideas and I am more excited than I have been in a long time about anything.
THAT'S why I'm psyched. Good thing I have a ride to the store tomorrow. I need just a few things.

Not that any of you are waiting on pins and needles. lol I'm not that egocentric. But that's all I'm telling anyone right now. I've got that superstitious element.. or maybe not so much superstition as self-preservation. I'm sure I'm not the only one who protects infant ideas from nay-sayers.

I sure hope your vision holds, that your inspiration carries you forward.
Can never tell what will trigger us, but take it and run with it!

 

[UnderYourSpell]

They're little screens, something like 10 in wide and 8 in tall. They periodically refresh with a few lines of comment, maybe get a couple of screens on the way.

saying what? adverts?

 

[EroticOrogeny]

saying what? adverts?

Usually a little bit of news or trivia. Some adverts, but more along the lines of public information, for either the building management or my company (the major tenant). Sometimes they want you to got to their web site, but never bothered. Sometimes they have a word for the day, along with usage. For those I know, their usage examples are generally poor. Its nothing you'd got out of your way to get, but since its there ...

 

[LadynStFreknBed]

okay.. i'm back.. sigh.. After talking to Norton tech support and HP tech support, I finally just had to do a factory system restore on my relatively new computer thanks to that adware that couldn't take a hint that he wasn't wanted. I say "just" had to do a system restore, but the whole thing actually took me most of one day and a couple hours of the next. Making the back up files, doing the actual restore, reinstalling my design software, MS Office, Norton, and my files. Geesh!

And I kept thinking.. wondering how I can prevent this from happening again. I didn't download something contaminated. I'm always extremely careful what I download. All I did was visit a website that was contaminated. As a freelance writer who researches a huge variety of subjects, I can't limit my web browsing to sites with which I am familiar.

My laptop and my daughter's laptop are having similar issues of a redirecting adware infection. Does anyone know if adware can be passed by router?

 

[EroticOrogeny]

okay.. i'm back.. sigh.. After talking to Norton tech support and HP tech support, I finally just had to do a factory system restore on my relatively new computer thanks to that adware that couldn't take a hint that he wasn't wanted. I say "just" had to do a system restore, but the whole thing actually took me most of one day and a couple hours of the next. Making the back up files, doing the actual restore, reinstalling my design software, MS Office, Norton, and my files. Geesh!

And I kept thinking.. wondering how I can prevent this from happening again. I didn't download something contaminated. I'm always extremely careful what I download. All I did was visit a website that was contaminated. As a freelance writer who researches a huge variety of subjects, I can't limit my web browsing to sites with which I am familiar.

My laptop and my daughter's laptop are having similar issues of a redirecting adware infection. Does anyone know if adware can be passed by router?

I know - reinstalling everything is such a pain, not just your files but all these little programs that make life easier.

Not sure about that, I have McAfee on my system, and it provides status on sites, but that doesn't guarantee the sites are safe.

I generally turn off my computer when I'm not using it. That would provide less time for attack. It also keeps Windows from getting too flaky.
Windows seems to be the least stable OS. Linux is better, and Unix (solaris) better yet. But tat doesn't help if you need Windows apps.

 

[LadynStFreknBed]

I miss McAfee. When I was online chat with the Norton tech, he was suggesting that I pay $100 to have one of their technician remotely remove the virus/adware or whatever. I don't have any extra money, but I didn't think it was fair at all that because their software can't detect this adware that I should have to pay extra. It's not like this is some new virus that was just unleashed on the public. I found many forum threads on techie websites about the very same virus. I'm not sure if McAfee can detect it or not, but I have been extremely disappointed with Norton. I also found out from the HP tech that the Norton backup program might have been what stopped the system restore to a previous date from correcting the problem.

Well, I am finishing up my schoolwork then I have 2 weeks off to work on the new art projects that I am excited about. Just one more day of these classes! Yea!

 

[EroticOrogeny]

Happy Summer, everyone (in northern hemisphere) !

Today is summer solstice up here.

(seems like appropriate for this thread)

 

[wildsweetone]

apart from the cooler air down here, there's been plenty of days with sunshine and blue sky. there's been some rainy days but i haven't noticed them so much.

i moved on the weekend. my first move to a place where there are no family members living. it's a nice place and my flatmate is really lovely but it's been a difficult time adjusting to having no family around. it'll take a while to get used to that i guess. i'm not living that far from them and i can go and see them at any time.

today is a new day and i've no idea what it will bring but it'll be good because yesterday's thoughts were for yesterday and today's thoughts are for today and tomorrow.

hope the no smoking is going well for everyone.

 

[EroticOrogeny]

apart from the cooler air down here, there's been plenty of days with sunshine and blue sky. there's been some rainy days but i haven't noticed them so much.

i moved on the weekend. my first move to a place where there are no family members living. it's a nice place and my flatmate is really lovely but it's been a difficult time adjusting to having no family around. it'll take a while to get used to that i guess. i'm not living that far from them and i can go and see them at any time.

today is a new day and i've no idea what it will bring but it'll be good because yesterday's thoughts were for yesterday and today's thoughts are for today and tomorrow.

hope the no smoking is going well for everyone.

Glad to hear that things are going smoothly for you and adapting to the changes in your life.

A little over 2 weeks without a cigarette!
The patch is keeping the nicotine needs at bay while my habits adjust.

 

[UnderYourSpell]

England is hot hot hot ! was up to 90 this morning and rose all day

 

[EroticOrogeny]

cloudy lo 90's today, but we'll be back to a mostly uninterrupted few months of heat and humidity.

 

[UnderYourSpell]

excuse me while I have a fiddle

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