New Year's Resolutions

It is OK. There are no goblins and fantasy things in this one.

 

So, I throw myself on your suggestions (no goblins or spaceships,

Non-fiction

Shake Hands with the Devil - The failure of humanity in Rwanda
LGEN. Roméo Dallaire witn Major Brent Beardsley
Pretty compeling read. If you're French, American or Belgian, avoid...



Fiction

This is an old one and I'll get some rolling eyes for this but it's the only
Tom Clancy I've ever enjoyed (the rest are putrid). He manages to make
submarines interesting.

Hunt for Red October - Tom Clancy

 

There's a world of difference between drinking and smoking.

For most drinkers, having a drink gets them drunker than a
non-drinker. There is, arguably, a point in doing it.

For most smokers, having a cigarette does no more than temporarily
revert them to the state of a non-smoker. There seems little point in
doing that, given that being permanently in the state of a non-smoker
is a considerably healthier and cheaper alternative.

 

I'm sorry, you've lost me there. When I smoke it reverts me to the
state of a non-smoker? How does that work exactly?

I don't know if you've ever smoked, but the point of it is simply that
it's enjoyable. For whatever chemical or other reasons. It just is,
OK?

If you're trying to claim that the only reason to smoke is to satisfy
an addiction-created craving, then you're very, very wrong, as many
occasional smokers would agree.

 

Yeah, I've just bought a big bag of grapes and I've gnawed my way through
lots of dried bread.

Not really. I'm going cold turkey this time (I've used patches in the past)
and all that is keeping me going is the thought that I've done the hardest
part and in a week or two I will hardly be suffering at all.

--
AndrewR, D.Bot (Celeritas)
Kawasaki ZX-6R J1, Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo
BOTAFOT#2,ITJWTFO#6,UKRMRM#1/13a,MCT#1,DFV#2,SKoGA#0 (and KotL)
BotToS#5,SBS#25,IbW#34, DS#5, COSOC# Suspended, KotTFSTR#
The speccy Geordie twat.

 

All non-fiction

The Code Breakers - David Kahn [quite pricey $65 IIRC]
Seizing the Enigma - David Kahn
Gestapo - Rupert Butler
Padre in Colditz - the diary of Rev. Ellison Platt

since I realise a lot of my fiction is science fiction

 

I wouldn't agree at all. Because the enjoyment comes from relieving the
pangs and the state of relaxation associated with that that non smokers are
in a perpetual state of anyway (all things being equal). Why else would you
bother to occasionaly smoke if you didn't need to? Why run the risk of
triggering a carcinogenic response for something that doesn't have a hold on
you? Why not just do some heroin? I've heard that's pretty enjoyable too.
'Apparently the only problem with heroin is that it's a bit "moreish"'
(Harry Hill).

If this wasn't the case then people would try their first cigarette and
think "**** me! These are brilliant! I want more!" But I don't think this
happens, we usually cough ourselves stupid and feel like shit and it isn't
until the addiction begins to take hold that it _seems_ to take on other
qualities.

And sure it's ok to say "it's simply enjoyable, OK"? But there's not much
point in you involving yourself in a debate about the pros and cons when you
cba to work out why you're pro.

 

I need the money and most of them just want to talk.

--
AndrewR, D.Bot (Celeritas)
Kawasaki ZX-6R J1, Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo
BOTAFOT#2,ITJWTFO#6,UKRMRM#1/13a,MCT#1,DFV#2,SKoGA#0 (and KotL)
BotToS#5,SBS#25,IbW#34, DS#5, COSOC# Suspended, KotTFSTR#
The speccy Geordie twat.

 

Ho ho.

 

That explains the 2.5k pay rise, then...

 

Zyban

 

the subject matter does not override the form (thank you Mr.McCluhan).
It's definitately "science fiction", in the same way, say, "20,000
Leagues Under the Sea" is "Science fiction". In a way, it's a prescient
analysis of the current situation vis-a-vis HIV.

it's a fucking excellent book.

 

you know, I didn't notice.

it was the book that introduced me to the synonym "adjectival" - is
this the one you read? If so, you're a fucking philistine...

 

I've never bothered with the patches.

The whole body shaking coughs and the resulting green goo are
convincing me that this is definitely the right time to stop - I
hadn't made a resolution, hadn't intended to stop but this infection
has convinced me.

 

Has to be planned doesn't it?

 

I'm not sure. 3½ years ago I just went to the Doctors and he prescribed
me a course. Fucked my depth perception for a day or so and I've not
smoked since. Still needed a bit of will power though but not as much as
on my previous failed attempts.

 

Not you - most smokers. Porl got it right just down there. A smoker
who needs a fag is usually suffering from addiction withdrawl
symptoms. Having a cigarette alleviates those symptoms. For a while
he's in the same state as a non-smoker (i.e. no symptoms). He soon
reverts, and the cycle starts again. It's not hard to understand, but
only if you stop thinking in terms of yourself and start thinking of
majority of smokers - the addicted ones.

40 a day for 25 years

No. It is simplistic and unhelpful to dismiss satisfying a craving as
merely "enjoyable".

How many times do I have to say "most" smokers? Occasional smokers are
in the minority. Were I claiming what you suggest then I would indeed
be very very wrong - and were your argument stronger then you wouldn't
have to resort to making that sort of suggestion in the first place!

 

Give me a ring in a few weeks.

 

I have this if someone wants to read it.

 

The same applies to caffeine - a bugger to give up.