I originally wanted to use my HOF speech to vent a little about how I was mis-treated by a few of this site's so called "veterans of quit" I actually did write that speech, but decided against publishing it because it would have made me look like a whiney little bitch..... and I ain't little! I will, however, say this much..... to all of the doubters out there that have repeatedly told me that I won't make it through this quit because I do things a little "different"..... I realize that my way is not the norm, but I am still quit. If my quit is working for me, then let it work. Why take the time to tell me that I won't make it by doing it this way? I thought this was supposed to be an online support group... I guess you only get real support if you do things the same way as everyone else.

Now for my story.....

I started chewing when I was 9, I quit at 45... yup 36 years NON-stop and every day. I chewed because I liked it - No other reason.....I loved the taste, and I LOVED to do it! By age 13 I was swallowing that crap! Since I didn't need to spit, I could pack a four-fingered fatty into my lip anywhere I wanted and not one person could tell I was doing it. I never tried to quit - EVER! I loved it too much.

On Dec 9, 2009 I was headed out for a date with a young lady that I've been seeing for a while, I stopped off for a can of snuff before heading to her house. She has 2 daughters that are around the age that I started chewing - 8 & 11. That very morning, her 11 year old had a health class that covered tobacco use and she worked up the nerve to ask me what the ring in my pocket was from..... she knew, but she had to ask, so I told her. I could see the disappointment and the disgust in her face. That was it! I couldn't get her face out of my head..... still can't. I quit the very next day - Dec 10, 2009. I still have that last can just sitting on my dresser. It reminds me of that conversation and I will never throw it out. That's just one of the things everyone keeps telling me I am doing "wrong".

My Quit: Not wrong, just different
I did not quit for me. I did quit cold-turkey, but I did not use any fake stuff or patches. I did use sunflower seeds, beef jerky and gum, they all helped but after a while I didn't need them. The first 3 weeks of my quit were the worse 3 weeks of my life - I had all of the side effects of going off Nicotine. After the first 3 weeks, it was smoooooooth sailing! During my quit, I didn't stop drinking, I didn't throw out all of my chew, I didn't stop hanging out with friends that still chew, I've never needed to "talk" with anyone. I've never had a crave, I've never had a "dip dream" I didn't ask for one person's number and I didn't offer mine to anyone. When someone offers chew to me, I smile and say "no thanks, I've quit" without hesitation. I did use this site, but mostly for my own accountability and entertainment. I love my QUIT TANK brothers, I did PM a couple of them, but it wasn't because I was thinking about caving. I don't "NEED" this site. When I hear one of the so-called vets say "you need to take it one day at a time" I want to puke! I'm quit for today and I'm not afraid to say that I'm quit forever. It only took one time for me.... This is it! I'm done with chewing..... What's that you say? You don't believe me? You're right, there's no way any of us will know for sure, I could have a fatty in my lip as I'm typing this..... you might have one in your lip as you're reading this! How do any of us know for sure? All I can tell you is this.... I honestly don't want to chew ever again. Can you say that? Oh, and one other thing.... I've lost 12 lbs since I've quit!

I'm not sure how you'll all feel about this one but.... US Tobacco WAS a client of mine! I own a design firm and I designed those stupid outdoor magazines that UST would hand out when you signed up for something at a sporting event kiosk or online. Although they haven't been a client for many years, I am still a member of the UST team and I still get things mailed to me. I just received my fancy brass chew can lid - and I promptly placed it on my last can of chew that's sitting on my dresser..... in a couple of weeks, I'll receive my FREE multi-tool! I check out the UST website regularly to make sure I get all of the FREE Swag I can..... The way I see it, they took a lot of my money over the past 36 years, I got some of it back as a vendor.... but they still owe me!

Bottom line.... if you haven't quit yet, you should..... today. I'm not trying to say that I'm the best quitter ever or my way is the right way... I'm just trying to show that we ALL have our own way of doing things. What worked for me, may or may not work for you.... I encourage you to find your way and stick to it. If you need help, there's nothing wrong with that! I didn't, and there's nothing wrong with that either! There are a ton of great people on this site that can and will help if you need it. If you're a stubborn asshole like me, then I feel sorry for you.... I would NOT suggest going about your quit the same way I do. I do recommend quitting though. It feels great!

I'll keep posting roll for a while longer, but eventually I'll have to quit you too! I'll check in with my fellow Tanks from time to time, just to keep you all on your toes!

That's it..... I can't wait to see what people are going to say about me now... GO QUIT TANKS!!!!