Arnon

You should start smoking.

Neria

Do you smoke?

Mieke

It's a funny question because I quit smoking many years ago but yesterday I had a craving for a cigarette, as I oftern do lately (everybody smokes fervently around me). There where huge lines in the supermarket but I gave my turn to a father with a bunch of kids who had just a few articles. Nearing the end of my turn I asked the cashier if they have Winston Light and she said: "In bodedot?"
It's a funny word in Hebrew and I automatically translated it to a three cigarettes' pack which is exactly what I needed (because I don't smoke) but she meant that they sell only packs (of ten packjes I guess). I wanted three and was offered to buy 200 hundred.
I asked the cashier if downstairs at the Kiosk they sell cigarettes the normal way (one pack at a time, more or less) and she said yes, so I went downstairs.
I didn't have any cash on me, only a credit card so I asked the guy if I can pay with a card and he said that the minimum sum allowed to be payed by a credit card is for three packs. This time it was much less, instead of three cigarettes I was offered sixty.
The father from the supermarket was there and so he mediated spontaneously on my behalf asking the Kiosk guy why can't I get exactly what I want. We all explained the issue of 5% to him but usually one is forced to buy less than the total sum of three packs of cigarettes. I told them that I don't smoke, I really meant it. It's a sort of fata morgana - one moment I smoke, one moment I don't. So the father insisted of giving me his LM pack which had exactly three cigarettes in it in the excuse that he is there anyway to buy himself new packs and that he owes me for being so kind to him in the supermarket. I told him that I wasn't kind in order to be payed in return (I couldn't know that we'll meet again at the kiosk), nevertheless I took out one cigarette and said that I need a light. An assistant co-worker immediately offered me a lighter (connected by a thin silver chain to the counter!). I lit up the cigarette professionally, I hope I said 'thank you!' again, and went quickly as possible out of there because it was a forbidden smoking area anyway. I could stand the stench because the communication and warmth were good for me. Winston Light are better than LM.

Do you smoke?

Neria

I try to quit for the moment, my second attempt in six months. My last cigarette dates from the 28th of February , but I have to say that I take Champix to fight my addiction. It's the first time I have the feeling I could succeed. Since Champix has been developed out of an antidepressant, I even feel cheerful.

Seriously Mieke - if you want to stop, just stop. That's all there really is to it. A conscious decision.

Mieke

So what brand was your favorite?

I'm not afraid of cigarettes, I'm not a true smoker because in most cases I really can't stand the stench and I'm the only person I know who brushes her teeth and cleans her hands after smoking (and seriously consider washing the hair too). I smoke with more ease and gusto when I'm tipsy or when I lose the battle for fresh air anyway. Also, I suspect that being a none smoker keeps me away from being tagged as a serious political activist. Interestingly enough, in this regard, a friend of mine told me two weeks ago that if the police will remove the charge against her she will quit smoking. Does it mean that she will also minimize her participation in political actions? We already inhale too much tear gas, I don't know which is worse.

BTW, if it the Chapmix works well for you I strongly recommend that you won't read the Wikipedia entry for this drug.

Succes :)

Aliefka

I tried that one over the last twenty years.

Neria

My favorite branch? L&M.
About the side effects mentioned in Wiki; I have been suicidale most times of my life, Champix doesn't seem to have an impact on that. My shrink is closely following me if Champix doesn't increase my healthproblems- I am a diagnosed schizofrenic- , but he's so happy I have been able to quit for five weeks now , that I don't want to disappoint him. Keeping your shrink happy, that's important in life.

Smoking

Please, boys & girls,
just keep on smoking & drinking!'
'A happy smoker won't be an "onruststoker" (a troublemaker/firebrand)!
Dear greetings to you all!
bert
==============

Mieke

Why is it important to keep your shrink happy, isn't that suppose to be the other way around? Are you happy when you keep your shrink happy?

Neria

I would be happy if I think if I think I made you happy.

Bert

Happy Eastern to you too.

Neria

I've would be happy if I thought I've made you happy.

Sander

Why can we only edit our last comment and not every comment we made in the last ten minutes?

Mieke

It's ok, I understood what you meant to say - edited comment or not. I think it's quite noble that you care about my happiness. Do you care about my happiness the way you care for your shrink's happiness?

Mr. Arnon, have you ever met Hugo Claus?

Neria

Do you doubt my sincerity? I care equally strong.

Dens

My father was an intimate housefriend of his aunt.

Mieke

Forget about my question, I realize it is a rational trip. I honestly wish you well. Your access to marble (?) and the fact that you have room for creative experiences do make me happy.

Neria

I think you are lovable.

Dens

Yes. Why?

Mieke

Thank you :)

I was wondering what you think of mr. Claus and what he thought of you. Once I came as close as reading his name on his doorbell.

Dens

Well, it's too late to ask him.

Mieke

Because I didn't anticipate you to post more than one comment per 10 minutes...

Perhaps it is a sign you should take more time between comments.
Perhaps it is a sign I am not a flawless programmer.

Sander

You're offensive, no perhapses.

Sander

Maybe I should. For me you are still flawless.

Mieke

Could it be that Chapmix affects moral judgement?

Dens

I think it's safe to state that Claus had an interest in Arnon.

Neria

Aha! Het roze-bril syndroom.

Mieke

So why did you ask if I doubt your sincerity? If you care about my happiness the way you care for everybody's, namely indiscriminately, how am I suppose to trust your feelings?

Neria

I do discriminate, believe me, but I happen to like Sander too. I've worked with him once and that was a very nice experience.

Mieke

I'll do my best.

To Mieke

Do you have an arguement supporting your assumption?

Pjötr

Yes.

To Mieke Dutoit

Would you care to share it us?

Pjötr

Probability calculation.
Try to imagine a pricewinning author, established, who isn't interested in the new upcoming challenger. I can't.