Len

Quit smoking 09/11/2002

. For those of you who know little of me, I’m a gnarled old boot of a Brit guy. Fairly well travelled, earning my daily bread through a very physically demanding job of work. Have a grown up family, a successful marriage (34yrs) to a (mostly sweet) sexy lady and we’ve a bunch of really cute grandchildren swinging from our necks. This is Len’s (happy) lot. At 52 years old I pretty much felt that life had given me enough experience to handle everything and anything. I always thought that I had the strength and determination to overcome anything. Handling (as we all do), the trials and tribulations of life, and getting along from phase to phase, there was always the one thing that I never got around to nailing to the wall. And that’s how I came to find Blairsville. On the first day of April 2001 I set out on a deadly serious LAST QUIT, during which, I had cause to post the following:

AN OPEN LETTER TO NICO (DEMON)

My dear old ex-pal, I just want to cover the highlights of the past 3months 2weeks and one day so that I can be sure my message to you is clear.

From April 1 and for the whole of that month, you mercilessly tormented me...... but I'm not angry. It's quite understandable that after 35 years of companionship, you would be reluctant to let me go - especially as I was the one footing the bill. BUT I DENIED YOU.

From mid-May to early June during the 3 weeks vacation that I took with my wife to that sunny laid back Greek island of Crete, with my hands (for the most part) idle and with the very real threat of termination of employment awaiting on my return, I DENIED YOU.

On June the 20th when I was worried sick about my wife's surgery which happily after a two week wait for analysis results turned out to be a non-malignant lymph node, I DENIED YOU.

The shock and stress of my youngest being abducted and threatened at gunpoint over a financial debt at the end of that month was traumatic, BUT I DENIED YOU.

One week ago my second daughter secured the secretarial position in our local hospital, which she had studied and worked hard towards. This gave us so much pride, I won't apologise for you not being invited to the celebrations. Yes, once more, I DENIED YOU.

And then on the celebration of my 50th birthday, a jealous close friend tried to re-introduce us didn't he. You must have been rubbing your hand fervently knowing that I had enjoyed quite a few lagers and whiskies during the party. Oh your troops were well in evidence on that occasion. BUT I DENIED YOU.

NEED ANY MORE CLUES EX-FRIEND? IF YOU DO, READ ON

BYE-BYE, ADIOS, CIAO, AUF WIEDERSEHEN, DO WIDZENIE

AND GET THEE BEHIND ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

signed this day 17July '01

Len Talaga - one of the U.K.'s most determined

BUT , at half fogey stage, I FELL, and fell, way on down into the depths of the ashtray. It was due, I know, to two of the most common quit problems we experience. One of them being the belief that we are now ‘in control’ and the second being the uncomfortable extra weight. And so, I hid in shame from my friendly Blairsville and it’s citizens, never even popping over to read the posts of TommyBoy, John Miller, Scottish Ina, George (forge), Blair Price, Deets etc., and so coughed and spluttered and stank my way through about 12 miserable months’ delaying the inevitable last cigarette (which for some, is on the last day of life).

A new start, a new determination and more experience. The wisdom gained from my ‘great fall’ has been put to good use, because now, exercise and a more sensible diet combat the excess of pork and now I understand that nicotine is not a pet to let out of the cage for a brief exercise. It really is one monster of a POWERFUL AND DEADLY DRUG that has to be permanently denied freedom.
Happily, today, I’m older, wiser, healthier, richer, fitter, fatter (a little), happier and smell sweeter (according to my grateful wife).And, at last, an OLD FOGEY

This is an ideal time to express my gratitude to Mr.Mayor, Blair Price who has, through Blairsville, helped myself and numerous quitters. Also, all you happy struggling soldiers continuing to fight together to combat nicodemon. Last but never least, my beloved family who ‘understood’. Thank you one and all.
Len