I quit smoking just under six months ago, which was two weeks after my mother and step-father started vaping. Now they're back on the cigarettes again "just for the Christmas season". Yeah, whatever. My mother keeps offering me a smoke when I visit with her - more an absent-minded gesture than anything malicious - and I've genuinely found myself just not wanting one. I prefer to vape.
When I started vaping, my GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) was through the roof, just like everyone else's. I spent a fortune, just like we all have. I chased the vapour dragon right down that rabbit hole, just like we all have. I bought tanks, drippers, mech mods, copper mech mods, clones, authentics, rayon, Japanese cotton and even pointless things like extra drip tips. Just like we all have.
Then I bought an iPV3 and discovered the Infinite CLT range of drippers. And then the GAS just stopped. Just like that. I didn't even notice it happening. I gave almost all of my remaining gear away shortly after to intermediate-level vapers who were looking to get into mech mods. I still have my authentic MCV Overdose which I use when I'm out at the pub. I haven't looked at Fasttech for weeks. I appear to have found my sweet spot.
I'm a sub-ohmer. I love big clouds. I make huge clouds. I make them for me, not for "look at me". I build at between 0.15 and 0.25 ohms. I haven't exploded yet. I make my own juice from pre-made flavour concentrates. I've been vaping the same flavour for about two months now. I like it. It goes with just about anything for me. I have 5 litres of it steeping in my cupboard. It's 90% VG based. Big clouds. Big, thick, tasty clouds. Om nom nom. Amazing with a glass of ice-cold full cream milk.
I see people talk about Dr. Crimmy's juices. Or Suicide Bunny. Or Digby's Mum's Custard or whatever else. How they're really great and everyone should try them. Then I see the price tag and compare it to what it cost me to make the aforementioned 5 litres that are in my cupboard. No thanks. You guys go right ahead though; I'm genuinely pleased that you're loving them, and that they're keeping you off the stinkies.
I love vaping. I also feel very lucky to have found my sweet spot. In vaping, it would seem that you definitely need to kiss a few frogs on your way to finding the prince. I haven't "been in the market" for new gear since I got my iPV3 (mine was one of the controversial Liberty Flights ones which I refused to return, btw) and as long as it lasts for another six months or so, I'll be happy.
Merry Christmas, everyone. If you've arrived at the same place I have, I'd love to hear your story.