So, I'm 48 hours plus into my smoke free lifestyle. I won't lie to anyone and say it's the easiest thing I've ever done, but I keep telling myself the positive things I cvstand to gain from quitting the nasty tobacco habits.

1. My health
2. I get to see my child grow up (see # 1)
3. My voice (career habits, also see #1)
4. Finances remain intact, to a point.

So, there are 4 good reasons already to keep me off the bandwagon of smokers-r-us. To you smokers out there, let me assure you that quitting smoking for the 48 hours I have under my belt, already show changes in not only my mental capacity, but also in my stamina.

I helped the band I am in to move our rehearsal space from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor last night. Let me tell you, that stuff is not light weight. We're talking at least a good 2000 lbs total of equipment, between 5 guys, carrying it up the stairs was somewhat alleviated by the convenience of a conveyor belt to move the largest items, but, with the other stuff, I found out exactly how out of shape I really am. My breathing was labored to a point, at least I have 2 days now. My breathing will become better as time goes by.

The last time I stopped smoking, went 1 1/2 years without cigarettes. I noticed that my sense of smell was greater, taste was spectacular, breathing was easier, my voice was alot higher in range and stronger. For your information, it is possible to be a guy and have a 4 octave range. Yes it is. My 2-3 octave range now, will likely improve back to where I wish it to be. I am so excited about my new found freedom from addiction that I cannot begin to tell the whole of it in one blog!!

I can say that I will miss drinking beer for the time being, as I have quit that as well. Only until I am safely out of the reach of the nicotine addiction. Seing as how drinking beer results in craving for tobacco in my case (that's part of how I went back to smoking when I had stopped for so long) Yeah, I know, it's dumb sounding, but, when you go to clubs and drink, smokers all around you, you take a couple of drags here and there and before you know it, you're buying a pack again. Evil, evil nasty habit!!

So, I will update as I go along this new path of smoke freeness (not sure if I made up a new word)LOL. So, if you think it cannot be done, take a look at what you are really made up of as a person. Each and every one of us on this planet are in control of what we allow ourselves to do. Will power and desire/want to will drive us to accomplish ANYTHING we set our minds to.

Enough for now, more later.........

Peace out, fellow humans.

Toby