It begins. Hopefully.

I started smoking the summer I was 19. I was working in a theatre/bar and picked up the habit by hanging with a lot of theatre-types. Grizzled crew men, ridiculously attractive actors, and perma-hungover front of housers (clearly, I fell in the latter category) who all enjoyed a smoke after the show (and before. And during). It was one of the best summers of my life, but I swore I'd quit when I returned to Ottawa for school and was out of this circle of friendly smokers.

And then I started writing for the campus paper, the staff of which were predominantly smokers. I made solid in-roads with the editorial board by chatting with them while taking a smoke break. I thought they were incredibly rad, and it was the first solid group of friends I'd made since leaving PEI. Needless to say I kept up the habit.

Several years later I found out two of the good friends I made that year that I remain tight with now were in very similar situations at that time. Little did we know we could have bonded by quitting our newly acquired bad habit then, together, instead of enabling and solidifying the worst idea we'd ever had.

Now it's five years later. One month before my 25th birthday and I think it's time to give quitting the ol' college try. I have three cigarettes left. The great experiment starts tomorrow.

I've started this for three main reasons:

1. To create accountability: If I'm writing about it, if people know, I've actually got to try. There's been dozens of times I've had similar inclinations to not replace a pack when I finish it, and I always cave. Now I'd have to explain myself.
2. To keep busy: I used to write constantly and haven't in ages. Hopefully this will give me something to do every time I think I should slip outside for a drag. Also, venting is great, and I'm sure I'll want to do it a lot. This will give me an outlet without driving any specific friend too batty with my issues.
3. Support: I'm not entirely optimistic about it really taking on my first serious try. But any kind words would be greatly appreciated and will likely help me through any crises.

In the future expect progress reports, explanations of why I'm trying now of all times, and perhaps some entertaining smoking-related anecdotes (I'll try to make them cautionary, so as not to get nostalgic).

Wish me luck. I should be out of smokes by mid-morning or lunch tomorrow.

Pictured above is my fourth-last smoke (hopefully).