Ravindra shared:
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I definitely tend to agree with this; although it's been MANY years---lol! I probably better not share anymore as sometimes it doesn't seem to take much to offend "the cops." 
@Ravindra B wrote:
Actually - this is not the case and Marijuana is not a soft drug. In France there are hundreds of fatal traffic accidents a year caused by marijuana. Its impact on reflexes is every bit as bad as alcohol. If you smoke it, it not only mashes your brain, but is worse for your lungs than tobacco.
@Nichola L wrote:
@Ravindra B wrote:
Actually - this is not the case and Marijuana is not a soft drug. In France there are hundreds of fatal traffic accidents a year caused by marijuana. Its impact on reflexes is every bit as bad as alcohol. If you smoke it, it not only mashes your brain, but is worse for your lungs than tobacco.
When I was in high school, my first boyfriend was a beautiful Adonis - a much older guy who was a surfer. He was so, so, pretty, but also so, so stupid. And also, a complete stoner. I was in advanced placement classes and (at the time) had my sights on medical school (which didn't work out, but that's a different story!). I decided that I would never, ever touch the stuff, for fear of it killing my very smart brain. I had a string of beautiful, dumb, stoner boyfriends but have never smoked it myself. But I'm certain that my mother *still* doesn't believe me when I was always coming home smelling of pot!
Now, don't get me wrong - I am *certainly* not saying that there's a correlation between pot smoking and intellligence. I now know many intelligent people who also use marijuana. But to my young, impressionable brain, I thought there was a correlation and made a decision based my limited observations.
@Jennifer D wrote:
Now, don't get me wrong - I am *certainly* not saying that there's a correlation between pot smoking and intellligence. I now know many intelligent people who also use marijuana. But to my young, impressionable brain, I thought there was a correlation and made a decision based my limited observations.
I never advocate smoking (tobacco or otherwise) or drinking alcoholic drinks.
The luckiest people are those who never need these intoxicants (or others) to relax.
What I post for is just a few laughs. 
Ravindra posted:
I never advocate smoking (tobacco or otherwise) or drinking alcoholic drinks.
The luckiest people are those who never need these intoxicants (or others) to relax.
What I post for is just for few laughs. 
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I did used to smoke pot---MANY moons ago. I also used to smoke cigarettes but finally quit (after several attempts). I quit "cold turkey" on 5/19/2001 and have never regretted it or wanted another cig.
I occasionally do drink alcohol but am not "a lush." My previous husband became an alcoholic. His father had been one too and died at a younger age as a result of it which made everything even more sad. That's such an insidious illness.
If it would be as easy as simply: "say no to drugs." Throughout the years many who had the very best of intentions tried to convince me to quit smoking cigarettes. However, I was the one who had to really want to quit to be able to accomplish that. As a result of my own experiences, I don't lecture smokers. I do tell them that when they're ready they will quit and that if I could do it, anyone can.
I'm soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo very glad that I finally did quit smoking for so many reasons. Within a short time of quitting I began noticing the smoke smell from a distance and hated it as I continue to. To this day I think: OMG, I/my possessions used to smell like that???!!! Also, the costs were bad enough then; now---forget it!
Well, enough of "Confession 101"-lol! FYI Ravindra, many of your posts have given me more than just a few laughs! 
Pat, I'm an ex-cigarette smoker too. I was a very heavy smoker all through the end of high school and university. I cut back a lot when I finished uni and finally quit for good when I moved to Australia in April 2004. Doesn't stop me getting cravings though, especially when I'm stressed.
I drink very little alcohol and won't have a single drink if I have to drive at any point in the evening. My uncle killed himself drink driving and I'm militant about it. Sorry about your ex and his dad 
Anyway this has gotten way too sad for such a happy thread! Back to the hippie pictures!
Jennifer, I understand about heavy smoking; used to smoke 2-3 (usually 3) packs/day. YIKES!!! CONGRATS on quitting! I'm sorry you still get cravings; I know many that do.
You probably know this technique already but in case you don't I'll share. I practice it A LOT when I'm stressed. Take a VERY deep breath and VERY slowly exhale; sometimes a few times in a row. It really helps me.
Then there's other times I'm stressed whereby most people would count to 10: 1, 2, 3... I just go straight to 10 and yell it out. lol
I never drink and drive or even get in a vehicle with anyone that has been. I'm sorry about your Uncle. I had a great Uncle (never met) that evidently really enjoyed his drink. He was living with my Grandparents and came home very drunk one night. The story goes that he came in the back door and fell all the way down the basement stairs and cracked his head open. At least he probably didn't feel any pain but...gosh...
Anyway---enough of that; you're right. We'll choose to be happy now.
