ALVY: I haven’t been the same since I quit smoking.
GIRL: When did you quit smoking?
ALVY: Fifteen years ago.
-- "Annie Hall"
I HAVEN’T BEEN the same since I quit smoking, and this annoys me greatly. The trouble, you see, is that I’m turning into a particularly disagreeable curmudgeon, the type of person whose sole pleasures in life are making smart remarks and having a decent breakfast on alternate Sundays.
No, no, I mean, more than usual. Yes, it's that bad.
However -- today I discovered that keeping my blood sugar steady has a direct, positive influence on my well-being. Apparently, one of the things nicotine does is convince the body to release sugar and fat into the bloodstream, like carrying around a glucose IV. So as one might imagine, I’m going through more than just nicotine withdrawal – I’m also apparently fighting my body’s long-entrenched sugar habit.
It’s not fun. As a result of the withdrawal symptoms, I’m nervous, distracted, and subject to mood swings -- and also, I might add, bad when it comes to blogging. That bothers me most of all, because I really like blogging and I haven't been able to devote the time I'd otherwise put into The Rant. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to kick things up a notch soon!
Posted by Benjamin Kepple at July 12, 2005 06:27 PM | TrackBackPlese do "kick it up a bit" soon. You used to be very readable, but ...
Posted by: retsel at July 13, 2005 12:02 AMA close friend of mine stopped smoking...man he was a bloody pain to be around for at least 6 months!
Posted by: Andrew Ian Dodge at July 13, 2005 07:10 AMYou need a new vice, Mr. Kepple. Like, crack! Exercise, my friend, that's what you need. When I quit for over a year, the only way I felt right was to take long walks and jog. Now if you'll excuse me, I need a cigarette......
Posted by: simon from jersey at July 13, 2005 09:43 AMsimon's right, ben.
exercise is the key.