When people used to tell me they're quiting smoking, I respond with "No one likes a quitter" (with tongue planted firmly in cheek). I haven't been smoking as long as some people I know, yet long enough - since I was about 19 or so. Maybe it was peer pressure? or whatever it was, I'm 37 (going on 38 in August) - so if you do the math I've been smoking for just about twenty years or so.
In about 6 weeks that's going to change.
It's been decided that my last cigarette will be just before I head into the airport for the red-eye to New York. Chef is going to be on Iron Chef America (due to air later this year), so why not quit then? The trip is going to be a short one, but still - 6 or so hour flight, can't smoke. I'm going to be this is going to be one of the hardest things I've ever done, though I'm looking forward to it.
I'm sure as hell not getting any younger.
I've been staring at a blinking curser for 20 plus minutes, why I'm not exactly sure. Maybe it's because I'm committing this to words - that to be honest is a bit nerve wracking. I've committed to this in my head yes, to a couple others verbally but for some reason typing it out - makes it more 'real'.
A lot has changed in the past year or so, even more so in just the last 6 months (btw, Scratch has now been open for 6 months.). For the first time in a long time, I'm ready and willing to make changes. I've been so focused for so long, that I had trouble letting people in. Which is I think is a main reason, yours truly has been single for so long. I've been letting things, places and people flash through my life, without so much as a glance.
To be honest, I feel like I've missed out on a lot - and I'm not willing to let that go on any longer. I can't, if I want growth as person, human being, chef - I need to let those 'other' things in and not let it flash by. I think this up coming trip to New York, is a step in the right direction.
OK, so enough with the Debbie Downer stuff huh?
So long story short, I'm quitting smoking and embarking on a new journey, one that I at some point I'd like to share it with. Whether it's friends or that 'someone' (yikes, cue the chick flick music).
To all of that: Bring it!