It is very difficult to stop smoking . The social pressure on smokers to quit increases every year No one smokes inside anymore. Millions of people have managed to quit. The route to stopping smoking is different than anything else we do. Most smokers that want to quit try and fail at least four times before succeeding. Many smokers fail twelve or more times before kicking the habit. We have all heard the reports of former heroin addicts saying that stopping smoking was more difficult than quitting heroin. I suspect this may just be bravado. No one doubts that quitting smoking is very tough and has thwarted many good people, including myself. That’s why I can’t stop smoking. I have failed repeatedly like so many others. Over time I was coming to believe that my tobacco addiction was stronger than me and I would never be able to quit before it broke my health. Fortunately I was wrong and eventually got it right.

The evidence of detrimental health effects is so overwhelming that even the Marlboro Cowboy has conceded that smoking causes premature death. Now days no one would dare claim that smoking was not addictive and harmful to health. The tobacco companies used that argument for years to resist liability. So is there hope for us smokers? This is where it gets interesting.

Studies have shown that each successive time you try to quit, the probability of success increases. Success rates at the first attempt at quitting may only be 5% or less but the success rate at the fifth serious attempt approaches 50%. So the moral of this story is quite clear, keep trying, keep trying, and you will be able to stop. Don’t let your past failures keep you from trying again. Instead do do your homework and come back and win this time..

If you really want to stop smoking and quit the habit forever, I recommend the free trial from Stop Smoking Resolution.

I finally fell asleep around 8:00 AM, I am assuming… and then I awoke at 2:00, half an hour before I had to leave. The day at Blockbuster was less busy for the most part. However, I did not take a break again- even though the shift seemed super long.

Two kids came in today and mumbled at me.

Me: “…What?”
Fat kid: “mbrr mbrr mbrr games?”
Me: “…Yes?”
Fat kid (stares): “Mbrr brr rent games?”
Me: “Yes.”
Fat kid: “Mbrr mbrr rent games?”
Pam: “Yes. We rent out games. They are over there. [points]”

The kids finally left us alone and sought out a game. They apparently did not understand the concept of renting out games and having an account at Blockbuster, and so we had to explain it to them. Then the fat kid told me his mother’s name and that she has an account at Blockbuster, so I looked her up and of course, she was not there. So we told them that we were sorry, but we could not rent to them without an account. The fat kid put his arms on the counter, rested his massive chin on his hands and stared at me.

“I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do.”

Eventually, he and his friend walked back over to the game section, but this time to the ones that were for sale… I picked up the clipboard with the FOS list and went out onto the floor to hunt down some missing movies. As I sat on the floor with a large stack of Deja Vu, I heard the alarm go off up front, followed by a screaming Pam running out the door.

“I’ll call the police! You give that back now or pay for it. Don’t be so stupid. You gave us your flipping mother’s name! I’ll call her too!”

I am unsure what happened following that involving the stolen game, but later tonight, the friend of the fat kid came back, trying to rent an Xbox 360 game. He had his big brother with him and they had an account that I was able to pull up. However, there was no credit card on the account, so I could not rent the game out to them. I repeatedly told them that I absolutely needed the credit card on the account. They left and then we started getting pretty busy. The kid came back while I was looking for a game for my current customer. and he said, “Can you check something for me?”

I told him I was with a customer at the moment and that he would have to wait. At this time, there was a massive line forming because two of our people were hiding in the back, eating dinner and Mandy and I were not fast enough for the multitude of customers that randomly showed up… I finished helping the customer I had and then the kid showed up in front of me again. I glanced to the left and saw that the customer that was supposed to be next was getting quite irritated so I told the kid that he would have to get in line because the people waiting had been there for awhile. He just looked at me, stood for a moment or two, and then walked out of the store.

It was not a racial thing, nor was it age discrimination… I was just busy and did not have time to deal with this kid’s crap- especially since he was in the store earlier that day and he and his friend attempted to steal something. (At the time, I did not realize that it was the same kid- so I did not tell the MOD about the kid and the events earlier.)

Not to mention, I have always hated the people that try to skip around a line just because they think they have something “quick” and “easy” for us customer service workers to handle…. such as “free refills.” Or being on the side of the counter and saying, “Can you look for this…” It has always annoyed me. If there’s a line, cutting is still cutting… and asking me to do something for you when I have other people I am helping is kind of rude.

I don’t even know how many times I had to deal with that today.

This week, my goal for onlines was 10. I got…

(drum roll)

ONE!

Yes, I do rock. Nine out of 18.

I used to be a Netflix junkie, but once I tried Blockbusters 2 week free trial, I’ve never looked back. Plus they don’t throttle my account and limit my movies like Netflix always did.

I’m finally sitting down in my room after a few hours of…alone time. It’s quiet, except for the usual rustling of other ‘Employees’ down the hall. But I suppose that isn’t too much to complain about. At least my grandmother isn’t around, and since my parent’s never seemed to give a damn – this is almost heaven. And some of the other guys around here are just way too cute to be angry with over idiotic playfullness. Anyhow…

Kalverstraat was busier than usual this afternoon. I didn’t have a problem personally per say but that’s probably because over half the people I ran into were customers from The Midnight Silk Pavilion. Not necessarily all mine, but just those that I’ve ran into while working. You know, now that I think about it – I’m somewhat surprised that most of the customers I see in the street don’t try to do anything when they see me. Considering I mostly just tease their brains out until time is up. But I suppose they know what could happen, or they simply enjoy the teasing more than actually getting off. Some men just need a little inspiration before they can go home and do their…husbandly or boyfriendly duty. I’m thinking too much about this, I know, but the coffee I had at the café I believe was much too strong. I’ll be awake long after curfew. …Lovely. Anyone want some company?

I bought a new music book and a few new scarves. One is white and grey, the softest material you have ever had the pleasure of getting your hands on – probably because this was one I had specially made. But,  I believe a shower might be in order soon, it was dreadfully muggy outside and the walk in it made my hair…gross.

Belisi scarves are so beautiful! They’re having a big sale on their website and I just bought 3 scarves for $5 each.