Jeff Matthews

Almost looks like a lover's quarrel.

I hope downsizing is as good for you as it was for me. I drastically downsized, too, and finally, I owned my stuff, instead of having my stuff own me.

So, you are moving (or have moved) there permanently?

"Dr. Who." That's a blast from the past! Wonder how things are going for him...

Gladiator. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. The Matrix. But I love My Cousin Vinny. I've seen it several times. She's hot, and he's hilarious!

I had permanent success after I lost about 30-35 pounds. Different approaches work for different people. What works for me is running and other exercise. Sure, I watch what I eat to some extent, but I am a junk food, snack, candy and ice cream-loving fiend. I probably have sweets almost daily. I have a regular routine of vigorous exercise, interspersed with alternating days of more moderate exercise. It's hard to make yourself feel good trying to run fast on a heavy stomach. Knowing I am going to be running later actually prevents me from stuffing my gut like I used to. This approach might work for some of you who are trying. Edit: I also rely heavily on my bathroom scale. I watch trends. I will allow myself to trend no more than 10 pounds above my preferred weight. This way, if I feel compelled to stuff the gut a few times, I go for it. Then, I get back on the wagon and shed these few extra pounds in no time.

And after I'll go to the court of appeal saying"You've done me wrong", it's the same old song forever"

He actually licked his habit.

See? There really is someone for everyone.

You're right. I was in high school when ecstasy came on the scene. Never tried it. But, yeah, it was legal because it was made from substances that were not on the list of illicit substances in the Penal Code. Word got out fast enough, and it was outlawed (as you know).

Mine, too, Brother! For all my life and through my entire marriage, I smoked cigs - about 3/4 pack a day. 30 years of it. I had a bout of the flu shortly after my divorce, and I decided, "I got rid of the wife (to put it nicely); now, it's time for the cigs." Haven't smoked since. I must abstain 100%, or else... We smokers know exactly what I mean.

Yeah. Maybe you can, but maybe you can't. I have had sporadic bouts of pains in various parts, such as back, groin, neck, shoulder stuff, etc. The pain can become pretty dang miserable and go on for months at a time. I never took pain killers for them, except to try Aleve and other OTC stuff. Mostly, I don't even do Aleve, etc. and just suck it up. I had a recent issue in my neck/shoulder/cervical spine area back in June 2018 which went on for 6 weeks. It was the worst hell I ever experienced. It scared me a bit to think things in my sleep, like, "If it requires surgery to try to fix this, I'd submit to it." All I can say is thank goodness it went away after 6 weeks. I don't know what caused the onset, and I don't know why it resolved. I hope to never experience that again for fear I'd be questioning whether addiction becomes worth it. If the hypothetical surgery would not have fixed my pain, I'd have become a pill-popper for sure. Ughhh!

Precisely! My theory (I'm not claiming knowledge of the actual science) is that there are sufficient biological variations between people which makes some prone to addiction to certain things. I can take or leave alcohol. I can get drunk and have a good time with all you guys, but that's more of an excursion for me than it is a lifestyle. On the other hand, if I smoke even one cigarette, I will be in grave danger of picking up a 30 year habit which I successfully quit 5-6 years ago. Back on the flip-side, my alcoholic brethren at the party can bum one or two of my cigarettes to add to a good time and not fear wanting another when they wake up the next day. It is a fascinating subject.

You asked the million dollar question. Good for you! Nobody can tell you if you are addicted unless they really know all the facets of your life and can witness the effects. Even then, people will disagree. Addiction is a condition which escalates very surreptitiously because it always seems to be gradual until it spirals out of control. If your conscience says, "I probably shouldn't," you probably shouldn't. If you get to the point of being dissatisfied with yourself for having a habit, then, you will know for sure. Good luck!

Poor Georgia looked like if anything could go wrong, it would. The early punt for 7 yards. Plus, the other punt deep in Georgia territory where the punter's knee hit the ground before he caught the snap. Ughh for Georgia!