Now that we have the first post out of the way, my post will be a brief (or maybe long winded) history of how I got to this point.
Started smoking back in the Summer of '69. Marlboro was my choice. Parents frowned a bit, but since I worked and bought my own at 15 cents a pack, they left me alone. Besides that, Dad smoked a pipe and to this day the scent of his "Cherry Blend" makes me a little misty eyed with the wonderful memories..
Yes, even back then we knew that smoking was not good for you and could very well kill ya. But, (love that word) like every teenage boy in high school at that time, we all knew what our future held. Little guys in black pajamas were kill quite a few of us, so the hard fact of the time was that we might as well go out doing something we enjoyed.
Zipping right along to '74, the jungle no longer posed a threat but, most of us held on the the beloved "Cowboy Killers". Why, guess because I liked them and that evil Nicotine had a firm grip on me.
Then came the first attempt to give them up in the summer of '77. Stationed at a detachment of Keflavik NAS (that's Keflavik, Iceland), cigarettes came in on a C-141 on Wednesday morning. By lunch time, Marlboro and Kool were gone. Didn't care for Winston or Camel, so tried to quit.. Uh-huh, most of us understand how that goes.
Sigh, swallow the pride time and try one of them "sissy sticks" (Marlboro Light). Well pride be darned, them things were pretty good and never again did I buy a Marlboro Red. Oh yeah, (grumble-growl) that was the year smokes went to 25 cents a pack.
Moving along to the spring of 2013 and still enjoying my Marlboro Lights, I caught my usual spring cold. That was in March and by May every day required a half hour give or take of coughing up nasty stuff and having a hard time catching my breath. Putting it bluntly, it was horrible and taking it's toll on both my physical and emotional well being. Doctor (nearly 1/3 my age) say's to me "you have to give up them things or it will only get worse". OK doc and off I go for home.
Stopped at Smoker Friendly and bought a pack. While I was there, I saw this display of Metro products and asked about them. The girl took the time to explain what they were and how she had managed to replace her smoking with them. FLASHBACK to the "sissy stick" moment, swallow the pride again and drop $21.95 for a "starter kit" with a battery, usb charger, and 2 cartridges.
Smoke-cough-smoke-cough thinking what a waste of money. Light up old reliable and read the little instruction manual on how to use the thing. Sleep on the knowledge that has been gained.
Wake up and go through the now morning ritual of coughing up all the nasty stuff, then reach for the pack and hesitate. Give it another chance my mind said to me. So I did and though I still sorta wanted that cigarette, the Metro gave me the nicotine fix to take the edge off. Maybe, just maybe this might be the answer.
Grabbed the new toy and the pack with 11 smokes in it and headed off to work. All is well in my new found world for the next 6 hours. Then if you don't know what happened next, I'll give you a little hint - light on end of new toy flashing - no nicotine.
No problem, I still have 11 smokes in the console of the car that will get me by.
Out to the car I go and grabbed the pack - hesitated - called the boss and told him I'd be back in a few and off to Smoker Friendly I go. Explained my problem to the girl that sold me the thing and she just smiled. Say's to me "we have throwaways, but don't throw them away". Huh? The throwaway is good, pre-charged, just screw on the cartridge and go. Best part (shhh.. secret she say's) is the battery recharges, is a little longer and lasts through the whole cartridge. Got it, $ 9.99 later and I am back at work and all is well again and the 11 smokes are still in the console if I need them.
Ah the end is finally here.. you still awake out there? Today is exactly 6 months to the day that I first used this new found toy. The 11 cigarettes are still in the console if I need them. One month ago I stepped from the Metro and the 2 cartridges a day at $ 3.33 each to my new toy and less than $ 1.00 a day in liquid.
My morning is once again bright and cheery. No longer coughing. Breathing well and feeling good! Thank you Metro for the start to a better tomorrow. And a very special Thank You to Hoosier. Why Hoosier? Hmmm.. Read my 3rd post to find out.. and I promise it will be very short and to the point.
Started smoking back in the Summer of '69. Marlboro was my choice. Parents frowned a bit, but since I worked and bought my own at 15 cents a pack, they left me alone. Besides that, Dad smoked a pipe and to this day the scent of his "Cherry Blend" makes me a little misty eyed with the wonderful memories..
Yes, even back then we knew that smoking was not good for you and could very well kill ya. But, (love that word) like every teenage boy in high school at that time, we all knew what our future held. Little guys in black pajamas were kill quite a few of us, so the hard fact of the time was that we might as well go out doing something we enjoyed.
Zipping right along to '74, the jungle no longer posed a threat but, most of us held on the the beloved "Cowboy Killers". Why, guess because I liked them and that evil Nicotine had a firm grip on me.
Then came the first attempt to give them up in the summer of '77. Stationed at a detachment of Keflavik NAS (that's Keflavik, Iceland), cigarettes came in on a C-141 on Wednesday morning. By lunch time, Marlboro and Kool were gone. Didn't care for Winston or Camel, so tried to quit.. Uh-huh, most of us understand how that goes.
Sigh, swallow the pride time and try one of them "sissy sticks" (Marlboro Light). Well pride be darned, them things were pretty good and never again did I buy a Marlboro Red. Oh yeah, (grumble-growl) that was the year smokes went to 25 cents a pack.
Moving along to the spring of 2013 and still enjoying my Marlboro Lights, I caught my usual spring cold. That was in March and by May every day required a half hour give or take of coughing up nasty stuff and having a hard time catching my breath. Putting it bluntly, it was horrible and taking it's toll on both my physical and emotional well being. Doctor (nearly 1/3 my age) say's to me "you have to give up them things or it will only get worse". OK doc and off I go for home.
Stopped at Smoker Friendly and bought a pack. While I was there, I saw this display of Metro products and asked about them. The girl took the time to explain what they were and how she had managed to replace her smoking with them. FLASHBACK to the "sissy stick" moment, swallow the pride again and drop $21.95 for a "starter kit" with a battery, usb charger, and 2 cartridges.
Smoke-cough-smoke-cough thinking what a waste of money. Light up old reliable and read the little instruction manual on how to use the thing. Sleep on the knowledge that has been gained.
Wake up and go through the now morning ritual of coughing up all the nasty stuff, then reach for the pack and hesitate. Give it another chance my mind said to me. So I did and though I still sorta wanted that cigarette, the Metro gave me the nicotine fix to take the edge off. Maybe, just maybe this might be the answer.
Grabbed the new toy and the pack with 11 smokes in it and headed off to work. All is well in my new found world for the next 6 hours. Then if you don't know what happened next, I'll give you a little hint - light on end of new toy flashing - no nicotine.
No problem, I still have 11 smokes in the console of the car that will get me by.
Out to the car I go and grabbed the pack - hesitated - called the boss and told him I'd be back in a few and off to Smoker Friendly I go. Explained my problem to the girl that sold me the thing and she just smiled. Say's to me "we have throwaways, but don't throw them away". Huh? The throwaway is good, pre-charged, just screw on the cartridge and go. Best part (shhh.. secret she say's) is the battery recharges, is a little longer and lasts through the whole cartridge. Got it, $ 9.99 later and I am back at work and all is well again and the 11 smokes are still in the console if I need them.
Ah the end is finally here.. you still awake out there? Today is exactly 6 months to the day that I first used this new found toy. The 11 cigarettes are still in the console if I need them. One month ago I stepped from the Metro and the 2 cartridges a day at $ 3.33 each to my new toy and less than $ 1.00 a day in liquid.
My morning is once again bright and cheery. No longer coughing. Breathing well and feeling good! Thank you Metro for the start to a better tomorrow. And a very special Thank You to Hoosier. Why Hoosier? Hmmm.. Read my 3rd post to find out.. and I promise it will be very short and to the point.
I really enjoyed your story. Keep em coming!
