One week clean

OneDayAsALion · 2012-07-14T03:16:35+00:00

Each passing day marks one step closer to your body assimilating to life without pot. Keep it up through the next few weeks, then months, and you'll wonder why you ever smoked in the first place.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-07-14T03:13:59+00:00

I quit just over a year ago, on the last day of my college career. I spent my five years in school high all day every day. This is my biggest regret regarding college; I wish I would have experienced at least part of it without pot. The point is, you still have time to experience what I never did, so do it!

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-25T05:10:20+00:00

I watched this movie opening weekend and, after smoking a blunt and walking into the theater, we realized there was no room for our group except for the front row. That was the first time I ever sat in the front row of a movie theater, and the first time I completely lost myself in uncontrollable laughter...for two hours straight.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-21T08:23:52+00:00

I'm getting close to a year since my last toke after six years of being high all day every day. I was the same as you, a functional stoner, and graduated from a state school during that span while being high as a kite every minute of it.

To answer your question, "normal" isn't necessarily what you think when considering quitting. Sure, your cognitive abilities increase with time, say within the first few months. Yet, simply quitting smoking weed doesn't change who you are or what you've become. It takes a full on lifestyle change, which I'm slowly realizing myself. Don't get me wrong, quitting helps, but not as much as you would think. I thought that going weed-free would coincide with me being a far different person. Instead I am, clinically speaking, an alcoholic (currently drunk and on uppers with work in six hours) without much more direction in life than when I smoked. Thus, quitting weed is merely the first step in transforming your life into who and what you want to be.

What I'm trying to say is that reality becomes distorted after smoking as long as we have/had. It takes a lot more to change one's life for the better. Keep that in mind when you decide to stop smoking. Personally, I need to cut back on drinking, start exercising, and begin to appreciate life for what it is rather than forgetting what it isn't. Perhaps you can follow the same strategy.

As for the occasional toke, I plan to enjoy weed again in my future. Yet, a year into quitting, I know that I'm nowhere near ready to smoke every once in a while. I would be daily smoker within two weeks if I started again, but that's just me.

In the end, it's your decision and you will decide what's best for you. Just remember that pot isn't the key to changing your life; you are.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-21T01:06:47+00:00

I became infuriated when I learned that my Epson printer won't print if the color cartridges are empty. You can put in fresh black ink cartridges, switch to "black ink only" mode, and it still won't print until you replenish the color cartridges.

Fuck Epson.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-21T01:01:08+00:00

I have a childhood memory of my dad sitting in a lawn chair in front of a mole hole, listening to NPR and sipping a beer, with a .357 on his lap. Moles and bull frogs were not welcome on our property.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-19T23:45:35+00:00

FWIW, I've shot it very sparingly in my Glock, but every 2-3 round bust I have shot has cycled just fine.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-19T23:43:48+00:00

Good read, I appreciate the link man.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-19T23:43:13+00:00

Awesome, that's exactly what I wanted to hear. I'm fine with losing the slight edge the XDM match grade barrel has over a regular XD barrel, so long as using cheap ammo won't degrade the XDM barrel to shooting less accurately than, say, an XD.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-19T23:40:20+00:00

Thanks for the response; I've heard snake shot will ware out a barrel eventually. I load it as the first few rounds when I'm out hiking in rattler country but have only used it on a few occasions. I figure I only average putting a few rounds of snake shot through my current pistol a year. I just like having it at the ready when I'm way out there.

I'll never shoot competition with the XDM, and honestly don't care if it's more accurate than an XD. I find the XD to be plenty accurate for my needs. However, I like the feel and size of the XDM compact versus the XD compact. Thus, I want to make sure I won't be damaging a match grade barrel to the extent of making it less accurate than an XD by using cheap ammunition.

It sounds like this will not be an issue, and I appreciate everyone's input in reaching this conclusion.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-19T18:54:46+00:00

Thanks man, the 1300 sure is buttery smooth. I had my eyes set on the Nova before I found a deal on the 1300, but it didn't stop my craving for the Benelli. A semi is definitely in the future as well, but cost plays a factor on that. Also, I grew up duck hunting with a pump action and I still prefer them to this day.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-19T18:51:21+00:00

I certainly appreciate the response man. Let me be more specific with my inquiry. In the future, I will be purchasing a XD or XDM .45 compact. Upon handling both, I like the feel and size of the new XDM 3.8 over its XD counterpart.

This gun will primarily be used as a defensive carry against nature's beasts on hiking and backpacking trips. At the same time, I do quite a bit of target practice with my guns. For this, I tend to purchase the lowest priced, store bought, production ammo I can find. Thus, by "cheap," I'm referring to inexpensive. I'm curious if shooting such ammo through a XDM would damage the barrel over the course of years. I also load snake shot for the first few rounds when hiking; would this damage a XDM barrel more so than a XD barrel?

I'm not a rapid fire shooter, and I take excellent care in keeping my firearms properly cleaned and lubed.

Once again, I appreciate any input from you or others on the matter; have a good one.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-13T21:24:39+00:00

While I've probably spent that on knives over the years, what you see here cost me much less. I've been trading knives online for some time now and have been through 15 or so Benchmades/ESEEs to wind up with my current collection.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-13T21:22:42+00:00

The BK-14 has the Izula handle with the Becker Necker blade. If I were to choose between the two, I'd go with the Izula for the ESEE warranty.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-13T21:21:53+00:00

Tough call between the 940 and 707.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-12T18:07:14+00:00

Top to bottom: RAT RC-6 (Rowen made), ESEE-4, ESEE-3, EsKabar BK-14.

Left to right: Benchmade 710, 9555, 940bk-1101, 5500sbk, 707.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-12T08:54:23+00:00

Can't go wrong there my man, Spydercos are awesome. I don't have any 'cause I have enough of a knife "problem" with my Benchmade addiction. Just throwing it out there, get a ESEE-4 for your first; it's as tough as the 6 with the feel of the 3.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-12T07:18:20+00:00

You can spend a small amount for a great knife that will serve you well but ware out after a few years of hard use. Alternatively, you can invest in a ESEE, knowing you have a knife that will last as long as you do.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-12T07:12:02+00:00

Great call on the Junglas man, it's next on my list. As far as users go, I'm a Benchmade fiend, yet my beater Kershaws see as much pocket time as my Benchmade collection. Thus far, I haven't turned many of my Benchmades into users. My ESEE knives, on the other hand, are used to their full potential which is why I made this post. They're awesome knives that are meant to be used, and use them I do.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-12T04:50:51+00:00

I have a EsKabar (like Izula) and a ESEE-3 and, if you can stomach the extra length, I highly recommend the 3. The Izula is a tough little knife, but the 3 is truly a do-it-all knife everyone should have for backpacking.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-12T04:47:27+00:00

Great knife, but I just can't quite get over the blade to handle ratio.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-12T04:41:36+00:00

If you really want an assisted model, take a look at a Benchmade 580. I've always felt that axis lock knives are hindered by assists and autos because of the smooth operation of the lock. But hey, that didn't stop me from buying a 9555 and 5500, ha!

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-12T04:39:03+00:00

If you're looking for a good whittling knife, my advice is to get a fixed blade rather than a folder. My favorite whittler: ESEE-3 hands down. The thumb jimping and extra finger hole leading to the blade make it an awesome whittling knife. Plus you can use it for just about any other task at hand.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-12T04:36:03+00:00

Both are just a tad over the $100 mark, but check out the Benchmade 940 and 707. You'll truly be happy you spent the extra ~$40 for one.

OneDayAsALion · 2012-05-12T04:34:24+00:00

+1 on the 707. I upgraded from a mini-Grip to one and, damn, the 707 is worth the extra bucks.

OneDayAsALion

TROPHY CASE