Now that I am approaching a year here at ECF and just hit one year and three months of no smoking, this Cranky Old Man would like to share some of his story. In my 75th year, I have earned, IMHO, the right to fart while waiting in lines. Hell, I can't hear 'em anyway. Some I have to move away from myself.
For the newer members that didn't meet me when I first came aboard, I smoked cigars and pipes for over 59 years. Fact is, I had my first puff in 1946 or so. Quitting the habit did not come easy for me. My doctor told me that if I was in a room with 5 other men my age, as the only smoker, I would be at the greatest risk for a heart attack. I told him, "That really good news Doc." He looked at me funny and asked why. "We'll, there'd be four guys that could call for help." He didn't even smile....
I had finally decided to try and quit but knew I needed a lot of help. A 16 week program of Wellbutrin and Chantix was prescribed. I took the Wellbutrin for two weeks up to my quit day, May 22, 2014 and began the daily Chantix. Holy Cigars! What a miserable time that was. Still, I somehow managed to get through to the end of the "program" without smoking anything. No tobacco....but.....as many of you here already know, I became much worse than just a Cranky Old Man. No one wanted to be around me...ever. I was mean, jittery, confrontational and just a pain. So, I found a no smoking forum I could find support in.
In a way, it was a two edged sword. Stories of complete success to whining posts like, "I feel so horrible but...". You know the rest. However, in the forum was a group in the list called e_Cigs. Their stories interested me and of course my Nicotine Monster was fascinated. A substitute for tobacco....and still feel like your are smoking. Remember, for over 59 years, I inhaled every puff. Not inhaling would be like taking a big swig of scotch and not swallowing wouldn't it? We'll get to the Alcohol Monster later...
One thing I noticed right away was that the folks that were posting in the e-cig forums were being belittled by the no smoking converts from the Church of The Gooey Death and I Quit Smoking Prayer Group . And then one morning it was just gone. That forum was removed by the admin stating that e-cigs were not an alternative they supported.
So...I checked around and found EFC. I didn't join right away, but I did a LOT of reading and learning. Then one day, out of no where, my Nicotine Monster said, "Damnit Dickie, if you don't do something to get us off this crazy ride, I'm gonna see if I can get the Alcohol Monster to get us all a good scotch and a few cigars. And I'm talkin' really good scotch here."
I found a Vape Shop, the only one in my little town and spent the rest of the morning learning about their "kits" and other items they carried. Then, the Nicotine Monster and I hopped in the car and drove over (He drove). Holy cow! When I opened the door, I couldn't even see to the other end of the place! REALLY! I turned to leave when a female voice, I often respond to those, came drifting out of the mist and said, "HEY! Welcome!! Can I help you with something?"
I had a pretty good Idea I wanted an MVP2 kit they had there. You know the ones......battery, charger tank. She agreed it would be a good choice but said I should try out a few of their flavors to first see if after all this time without smoking my body wouldn't revolt. The Nicotine Monster hissed in my ear, "Don't worry about 'the body', I'll take care of that...you take care of me and well be just fine."
The first puff was like heaven. I had the hand to mouth back, the mouth to lung and it tasted pretty good. Since I was so addicted, they recommended 16 or 18 mgs of nic. The Monster being skeptical said, ask them what's the highest." 24 was my answer and so it was and....still is!
"So let it be written 24 Mgs Nicotine....so let it be done..." ~Rameses II
This forum had been a fountain of information and learning. Oh.....I chuckle at the schoolyard fights that break out from time to time. Fact is, that's occurs with any group with more than say two people. While I don't go to the B&M very often these days, I did help them shoot a commercial a few months back. My only line was, "Compared to smoking, vaping is safer and a whole lot cleaner." The first time around it came out, "Oh...hi there! Did you ever find yourself in the shower without your mod?" It went downhill from there but we did get it done. Their line too....
Why am I a Cranky Puffer? Because, by nature, I AM CRANKY! But now I have a happy and satisfied Nicotine Monster, a sleeping Alcohol Monster plus family and friends that don't mind having me around except when I ask them to pull my finger. And, I learned that I can pull my own finger thank you very much. And as you may have guessed by now, I do quite often.
Thank you all for the great, almost a year here. I have learned to mix juice, build coils, wick my coils, spill my juice all over myself, but mostly I have learned that this journey we call vaping is different for all of us. What works for one...well....it's not always right for another. I try to remember that in my comments. I don't think I have shot a single flaming arrow. Now I did catch my pants on fire back in the days when I'd stick my still burning pipe into my pants pocket that also always had one or two packs of matches. They NEVER failed to catch fire. I am told it was my best act...
Reverend Dickie the Cranky Puffer and Old Man
For the newer members that didn't meet me when I first came aboard, I smoked cigars and pipes for over 59 years. Fact is, I had my first puff in 1946 or so. Quitting the habit did not come easy for me. My doctor told me that if I was in a room with 5 other men my age, as the only smoker, I would be at the greatest risk for a heart attack. I told him, "That really good news Doc." He looked at me funny and asked why. "We'll, there'd be four guys that could call for help." He didn't even smile....
I had finally decided to try and quit but knew I needed a lot of help. A 16 week program of Wellbutrin and Chantix was prescribed. I took the Wellbutrin for two weeks up to my quit day, May 22, 2014 and began the daily Chantix. Holy Cigars! What a miserable time that was. Still, I somehow managed to get through to the end of the "program" without smoking anything. No tobacco....but.....as many of you here already know, I became much worse than just a Cranky Old Man. No one wanted to be around me...ever. I was mean, jittery, confrontational and just a pain. So, I found a no smoking forum I could find support in.
In a way, it was a two edged sword. Stories of complete success to whining posts like, "I feel so horrible but...". You know the rest. However, in the forum was a group in the list called e_Cigs. Their stories interested me and of course my Nicotine Monster was fascinated. A substitute for tobacco....and still feel like your are smoking. Remember, for over 59 years, I inhaled every puff. Not inhaling would be like taking a big swig of scotch and not swallowing wouldn't it? We'll get to the Alcohol Monster later...
One thing I noticed right away was that the folks that were posting in the e-cig forums were being belittled by the no smoking converts from the Church of The Gooey Death and I Quit Smoking Prayer Group . And then one morning it was just gone. That forum was removed by the admin stating that e-cigs were not an alternative they supported.
So...I checked around and found EFC. I didn't join right away, but I did a LOT of reading and learning. Then one day, out of no where, my Nicotine Monster said, "Damnit Dickie, if you don't do something to get us off this crazy ride, I'm gonna see if I can get the Alcohol Monster to get us all a good scotch and a few cigars. And I'm talkin' really good scotch here."
I found a Vape Shop, the only one in my little town and spent the rest of the morning learning about their "kits" and other items they carried. Then, the Nicotine Monster and I hopped in the car and drove over (He drove). Holy cow! When I opened the door, I couldn't even see to the other end of the place! REALLY! I turned to leave when a female voice, I often respond to those, came drifting out of the mist and said, "HEY! Welcome!! Can I help you with something?"
I had a pretty good Idea I wanted an MVP2 kit they had there. You know the ones......battery, charger tank. She agreed it would be a good choice but said I should try out a few of their flavors to first see if after all this time without smoking my body wouldn't revolt. The Nicotine Monster hissed in my ear, "Don't worry about 'the body', I'll take care of that...you take care of me and well be just fine."
The first puff was like heaven. I had the hand to mouth back, the mouth to lung and it tasted pretty good. Since I was so addicted, they recommended 16 or 18 mgs of nic. The Monster being skeptical said, ask them what's the highest." 24 was my answer and so it was and....still is!
"So let it be written 24 Mgs Nicotine....so let it be done..." ~Rameses II
This forum had been a fountain of information and learning. Oh.....I chuckle at the schoolyard fights that break out from time to time. Fact is, that's occurs with any group with more than say two people. While I don't go to the B&M very often these days, I did help them shoot a commercial a few months back. My only line was, "Compared to smoking, vaping is safer and a whole lot cleaner." The first time around it came out, "Oh...hi there! Did you ever find yourself in the shower without your mod?" It went downhill from there but we did get it done. Their line too....
Why am I a Cranky Puffer? Because, by nature, I AM CRANKY! But now I have a happy and satisfied Nicotine Monster, a sleeping Alcohol Monster plus family and friends that don't mind having me around except when I ask them to pull my finger. And, I learned that I can pull my own finger thank you very much. And as you may have guessed by now, I do quite often.
Thank you all for the great, almost a year here. I have learned to mix juice, build coils, wick my coils, spill my juice all over myself, but mostly I have learned that this journey we call vaping is different for all of us. What works for one...well....it's not always right for another. I try to remember that in my comments. I don't think I have shot a single flaming arrow. Now I did catch my pants on fire back in the days when I'd stick my still burning pipe into my pants pocket that also always had one or two packs of matches. They NEVER failed to catch fire. I am told it was my best act...
Reverend Dickie the Cranky Puffer and Old Man
Last edited:
