Journey Journal of Coastie

[Coastie3202]

I am a fairly new member, 57 years old, smoked 1 to 1.5 PAD for the past 40 years (Amazed to see that in print as it really puts me in touch with what I have done to my body).

I have tried a number of things to quit smoking, but always dredded starting a new quit. Since reading extensively over the past couple of months about PV and the benefits I finally ordered my Volt starter kit, received shipping confirmation, and expect delivery today (if USPS can be believed).

I am excited. Let me say that again...I am excited. This is a first for me. I'm talking about quiting analogs and I am actually excited. How can that be? This just ain't normal for me. How excited am I? Well the tracking through USPS indicates delivery today. My mail usually come about 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon. I think I will take the afternoon off from work and wait for the mailman. Gee, when was the last time I was this excited to see the mailman? Long time, I can tell you that.

My wife is getting tired of hearing me rant about the ecig and this forum. I asked her last night why she is not as excited as I am since she is the one that wants to keep me around awhile. She stated that she is excited, but does not want to get too excited as she does not want to be disappointed if I can't quit. I explained to her that my confidence level, and my desire to quit analogs is much higher than it has every been, and I think I have finally found the tool that I need to be successful. I told her, and read to her, the success stories of many on this forum, including 4 - 5 PAD smokers. She remains apprehensive, but not me.

I think the best way for me to approach this is to keep a daily journal of my journey. I hope it does not get too tedious to others on here, and I hope it helps others who are considering the move to PV. I also look forward to encouragement from other forum members.

So today, once my starter kit gets here I will read all the directions that it comes with, charge the batts up, and start my journey. I plan to track daily usage of the PV, usage of analogs, carto usage (how many in a day), battery life, juice likes, dislikes, and issues, nic level impressions and changes, money spent on cartos, juices, upgrades, etc., and money saved since I won't be buying analogs. I will also put my thoughts, concerns, and fears about this process into writing.

Wish me luck.

 

[dejavoodoo]

CONGRATS Coastie3202, I'M EXCITED FOR YOU!

We all find ourselves stalking the mailman these days, so welcome to that club as well!

Sounds like you made a wise purchase and can now look forward to many hours of enjoyable vaping.

We look forward to hearing back from you on your journey.

 

[Renolizzie]

Coastie, this is the first time I have ever been excited to be quitting smoking, as well. Yes, I am stalking the mail lady.

I have cut down by over half of mu 2 and a little more PAD habit that I have had for a wopping 30 years. I too have failed at other forms of quitting but I really think this is working and I don't feel anxious. I feel excited. I'll be watching for your journey.

 

[Coastie3202]

Day 0 - I have to call it day zero because the damn mailman is late. The U.S. Postal Service website says my starter kit should be delivered today, but the damn mailman is late.

This is just not right. My anticipation of getting started on the road to anti-analog is causing me to smoke more analogs. Arggggggggg.

Is all this funny (weird) mental behavior an indicator of my readiness to quit smoking? Or is it just the anticipation of another new gadget. Time will tell I guess.
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Mailman showed up....nothing for me. Maybe tomorrow.

 

[JENerationX]

Awwwww.... sorry it didn't happen today. When you get your volts, they are usually shipped with at least an 80% charge. Put one on the charger and vape away with the other one. Which batteries did you get?

 

[Nathanman]

I look forward to reading it. I too have become the postman's worst enemy. I've been vaping just over 3 weeks after over 20 years of smoking. I was excited too and have yet to stop raving about it. My friends are sick of hearing it. Best of luck to you sir. I'm telling you, after only 3 weeks by lung capacity hads drastically improved to the point where I can now run till my legs ache before my breathing becomes laboured. That's never happened before. I have become somewhat "evangelical" about vaping, as have my vaping companions in work. Nothing has worked for me before but this has been the turning point for me and I hope it is for you too.

 

[Alpha Orionis]

The volts are good but I got back on analogs waiting for refills. 5 cartomizers don't go as far as you might think. I would recommend getting that refill order out quickly; perhaps spread the risk with small orders to more than one vendor.

Backups of Backups of Backups.

 

[Coastie3202]

Awwwww.... sorry it didn't happen today. When you get your volts, they are usually shipped with at least an 80% charge. Put one on the charger and vape away with the other one. Which batteries did you get?

I ordered the 78mm, one auto and one manual, in black, so that I can figure out which I prefer. I also understand that the 78mm has a little longer battery life.

 

[Coastie3202]

The volts are good but I got back on analogs waiting for refills. 5 cartomizers don't go as far as you might think. I would recommend getting that refill order out quickly; perhaps spread the risk with small orders to more than one vendor.

Backups of Backups of Backups.

Yep, I already figured out that the challenge is going to be ensuring that I do not run out. I did order a 30ML bottle of 555 refill liquid so that I can refill the cartos. Once I determine how long a carto lasts with my vaping habit I will be able to establish a reorder schedule. I don't anticipate that I will get off the analogs for at least a couple of weeks while I figure out what works for me. I have 4 packs of analogs left and will try to make them last until I am ready to go all PV.

 

[Decipherme]

Keeping my fingers crossed your order comes tomorrow! I am a Mailman Stalker now, too =) It will be interesting to hear about your journey!

 

[Renolizzie]

Yep, I already figured out that the challenge is going to be ensuring that I do not run out. I did order a 30ML bottle of 555 refill liquid so that I can refill the cartos. Once I determine how long a carto lasts with my vaping habit I will be able to establish a reorder schedule. I don't anticipate that I will get off the analogs for at least a couple of weeks while I figure out what works for me. I have 4 packs of analogs left and will try to make them last until I am ready to go all PV.

Yep, I ended up taking from August 7th and placing my first order to placing several more smaller orders. Don't forget to use YOURVOLT00 in the coupon box for 15% off at SI. Also, srop into the Smokeless Image forum to get your freebie [battery, juice or something else] on the Faces of Volt thread in the SI forum] Read the directions on page 1.

Since I have been a heavy smoker it has taken me a little effort to find the right combination of gear and the right kind of juice and the strength but it wasn't hard. It just takes a little time, making decisions and putting your order in and then waiting for the mail lady

 

[filter]

ive only had 2 cigs since my volt starter kit arrived. i got the standard starter kit with two auto 78mm batteries and an add't 10 carts on top of the 5 that come with the kit. i hope you ordered more carts than just the 5 it comes with. if you didnt, put in an order now for more so that you dont run out. u should have some volt points that will lower the cost.

edit: oh just noticed the post about the 30ml derrrrrr

 

[troncellot]

Congratulations, Coastie! I feel the same way, EXCITED! It has kept me off cigarettes, become a hobby, and introduced me to some wonderful people here on the forum.

 

[Coastie3202]

Congratulations, Coastie! I feel the same way, EXCITED! It has kept me off cigarettes, become a hobby, and introduced me to some wonderful people here on the forum.

The one thing that I have noticed is how great the folks are in this forum. Who would think that so many folks, who have quit smoking, could be so nice. GO FIGURE. LOL

 

[JENerationX]

Most of us average around 3-4ML per day or 3-4 cartos if you're a PAD or more smoker. The cartos can be filled QUITE a few times before they're dead... mine can go 3 weeks or more if you don't let them get dry. They're a lot cheaper than smoking though, so if vapor production slacks off... I toss it and use a new one. I generally make sure I have at least 1-2 packs of new ones at any given time so I'm sure that I don't run out.

 

[filter]

aside from ppl being nice, who woulda thought so many folks could quit period. pretty ironic that the best smoking cessation device cannot even be called that.

 

[HawkeyeFLA]

Semper Paratus and welcome. Actually, Semper Paratus is a very good motto for vaping as well. Keeping your batteries charged, your juice in supply, and backups of your backups of your backups are very important. A journal is a great idea. ECF also has a blogging feature you might explore.

 

[Coastie3202]

Hooray, my Volt starter kit got here today. I practiced self control and went and changed clothes, let the dogs out for a pee, read the directions, and charged the batts. The auto batt was fully charged, the manual is charging now. Opened up my sampler pack of cartos and picked the Capaccino. Wow, what a smooth pull and a good flavor.

Now I will log the time that I took my first pull on this carto and battery: 5:35 p.m. mdt.

I want to see how long the carto holds out, and the battery. Once the carto is getting low I'll drip it and continue on.

Tomorrow ill be my first full day with the Volt, at work, so we'll see how that goes. Now I just have decide, do I pack my analogs along with me (the crutch), or just get crazy and leave them here at home? I come home for lunch so it's not like I'll be leaving my friends (analogs) all day.

Onward and upward. I'm so stoked.

 

[Coastie3202]

Look at this, I already have a question. That sure didn't take long.

Can you overcharge a battery?

I think to protect the threads of the spare batt I will use one of the rubber caps from the carto to cover the threads when the batt is not being used or charged.

By the way, love the rubber coating on the mouthpiece. Comfortable and not slippery.

 

[vsummer1]

I found that once I started the ecig I didn't need the cigarettes, but I still had that "craving". When I did, I just told myself, no you quit those -- vape instead! And it worked, once I vaped a bit the craving was gone. It's just the habit talking, not the desire. I would take a few cigarettes if you choose to take some, that way if you MUST you can but with only a few you won't just automatically reach for one you will be sort of forced to ration.

Good luck!