GUS is for people who are quitting smoking and have quit or in my case someone who has agreed in a court settlement to join a group. I think I'll spare you the gory details but I might have a comment or two.
Instead I'll share a few videos that I love to watch to mellow things out a bit. After the experience I just went through I could use some soothing and to be honest, I'm not doing well in the quit smoking department. Hopefully you can use some mellow too.
Where to start? Obviously if I'm getting to pick the videos they will focus on the visual. Butt first, how about a great song with lyrics that I've been singing to demon tobacco?
I'm going to try to come up with some nice views and music that is new to you. But second, an old favorite that has come back to me. When it came out I was coming out of a break up and very much identified with the lyrics. It wasn't until I got into the act that I realized the video is a fabulous tribute to street photography. Lately I've been identifying with the old guy carrying the camera in this NYC street video. Now that the management of my complex has worked so hard to give me a bad reputation, I'm identifying with the lyrics all over again but from another angle.
Here's a beautiful song you probably have not see before. This song gets an A+ in the aural but it is also a visual treat and should be viewed full screen. I don't just mean this is a beautiful young lady, check out the light coming through the window and check out what happens to the tune at 5:11.
What too mellow? Well we can always step up the classics a notch. Here's a tune from my neighborhood, at least that is the Spuyten Duyvil Metro North station in the video.
A soon to be classic from a video director that gets visual. I love this one where timpani meets rockabilly and I love the line "Say you'll love me like a hobo."
Stepping away from the not so classic but visually pleasing for a bit and focusing on a real classic from The Man. Unfortunately he was a man who was a heavy smoker, suffered from emphysema by his fifties and was dead at seventy-two. Just imaging what fifteen more years of Leonard Bernstein would have offered this world.
I don't get out much but here is a favorite of mine that you have probably already seen. Did you know that they were dancers in "Riverdance" and worked out this routine during down time at rehearsals?
I do get out every now and then. I'd like to share a very pleasant experience in my life. It's about seven years ago now but seems like yesterday. I was always a big fan of Blue Man Group and when they announced The Confidence Tour I was first on line for tickets. It turned out that I liked the warm up band much more than the main attraction. After watching this band that was two guys playing laptops and a beautiful young lady who sang like Julie Andrews I kept hoping the Blue Men would bring her back out. They did and it was a real treat!
Well that's it out of me and my soothing music. But before we get to the important stuff, like the members of this group and steps toward smoking cessation, I have one question.
No that's not right, ending with some honest mellow. I love when the conductor sighs.
What, you were expecting a bunch of dumb photos from me? I like music too.
Has your life been affected by smoking or smokers in your life?
Feel like providing a supportive place for quitters and would-be quitters to hang out? If so, we would love to have you write a GUS diary or host an open thread! Please sign up in the Butt Can (Tip Jar), and name the day and time that works for you (AM, PM, late-night, early-bird, lunchtime, whatever...)
Current members of the GUS team!
1BQ, 3rdGenFeminist, Abra Crabcakeya, Actbriniel, addisnana, AfroPonix, aishmael, Alise, Alpha99, A Man Called Gloom, ambeeeant, American in Kathmandu, amk for obama, andsarahtoo, angry marmot, Anne933, anodnhajo, aoeu, aquarius2001, arcadesproject, Archie2227, arodb, Arthur Wolf (in memoriam), assyrian64, awkawk, b4uknowit, bamablue, BARAKABETH, barnowl, b barrie, bdizz, beatpanda, Beefydaddy18, BFSkinner, bgblcklab1, BigAlinWashSt, Bike Crash, BirderWitch, BJKay, bleeding heart, blingbling65, blue husky, Blue Intrigue, BluejayRN, BlueJessamine, bluestatedem84, BoiseBlue, boudi08, Brahman Colorado, breedlovinit, BrenP, Bronxist, BrowniesAreGood, bsmechanic, buddabelly, burrow owl, BusyinCa, Carol in San Antonio, CathiefromCanada, CathodeRay, CDH in Brooklyn, cee4, Cen Den, ChiTownDenny, ChocolateChris, ChurchofBruce, ciganka, cinnamondog, citizenx, ClapClapSnap, Cleante, Code Monkey, codobus, Coldblue Steele, Colorado is the Shiznit, coloradomomma, commonmass, Common Sense Mainer, congenitalefty, coppercelt, dadanation, dangoch, DarienComp, Dauber, Dauphin, Dave in AZ, Dave in Northridge, demkat620, Dexter, Diana in NoVa, Dickie, DiegoUK, Dingodude, dirtdude, distraught, djMikulec, dolfin66, donnamarie, Donna O, dotsright, DRo, droogie6655321, Dube, duckhunter, Eclectablog, Eddie C, EdgedInBlue, effervescent, elbamash, El barragas, el vasco, ericlewis0, Everest42, Ex Con, ezdidit, fhamme, Fineena, fiona2, fishhawk, Flea, flumptytail, fritzi56, FrugalGranny, Garrett, Gator, gchaucer2, GDbot, Geiiga, GenXangster, Georgianna Darcy, glpaul, GN1927, gooderservice, gooners, gravlax, greylox, grndrush, GrumpyWarriorPoet, gzodik, Haole in Hawaii, HappyinNM, henlesloop, HeyMikey, hideinplainsight, High Tide, hiliner68, hold tight, hulibow, I love OCD, Im a frayed knot, imisa, Indexer, indubitably, indyada, Interceptor7, inventor, I said GOOD DAY sir, itsbenj, Jahiz, JamesEB, janl1776, Janeo, JayinPortland, jayjaybear, jbou, Jeffersonian Democrat, jmadlc55, jmonch, Joe's Steven aka Steven, john07801, johngoes, jsfox, JVolvo's Mom, jwinIL14, kai99, kailuacaton, Kamakhya, kat herder, Kelly of PA, kestrel9000, khloemi, Khun David, Kitsap River, kittania, Kodiak54, Kristina40, Ksholl, labwitchy, Lady Kestrel, ladypockt, Lahdee, langerdang, LarsThorwald, LA rupert, last starfighter, LaughingPlanet, Laurie Gator, Lipstick Liberal, litoralis, lmdonovan, lockewasright, Lonely Texan, longislandny, luvsathoroughbred, maggiemay, magicsister, mango, Marc in KS, marknspokane, maryabein, Matt Esler, mdemploi, Meteor Blades, Micburke, michael1104, MillieNeon, Minerva1157, MinervainNH, Missys Brother, mjbleo, MnRaindog, mntleo2, Morague, Mr Bojangles, mrsgoo, mskitty, msmacgyver, MsWings, Murphoney, nannyboz, ncsuLAN, NearlyNormal, Nedsdag, Nick Zouroudis, notgivingup, NY brit expat, OleHippieChick, one pissed off democrat, Onomastic, operculum, OrangeMike, Ordvefa, Overseas, OverTheEdge, pager, paige, PaintyKat, paradox, parryander, paulitics, Pennsylvanian, phrogge prince, Positronicus, post rational, Proud Mom and Grandma, psycho liberal, ptolemynm, Purple Priestess, PvtJarHead, racheltracks, randallt, ray bob, real world chick, red mittens, Reepicheep, regis, relentless, revelwoodie, revsue, Rex Manning, rexymeteorite, RiaD, rickeagle, ridemybike, rightiswrong, rincewind, rkex, roadlion, Roger Fox, Rosebuddear, roses, rscopes, Rudini, Safina, SallyCat, Sanuk, Sark Svemes, sboucher, scooter in brooklyn, Scrapyard Ape, seenaymah, sfbob, sgary, Shahryar, sheddhead, shesaid, Shifty18, shmuelman, shopkeeper, sidious666, slowbutsure, smartcookienyc, smeesq, Smoh, snoopydawg, snorwich, SnyperKitty, SoCalHobbit, sofia, soonergrunt, sostos, sowsearsoup, SpecialKinFlag, spmozart, spotDawa, SpotTheCat, StateofGrace, Statusquomustgo, stiffneck, sunbro, Super Grover, Syoho, tallmom, Tay, tdslf1, teknospaz, theatre goon, The Eyewitness Muse, TheGeneral, TheStoopingRabbit, TigerMom, tiredofcrap, TomP, tonyahky, Toyotabob7, Treefrog, triciawyse, trs, trueblueliberal, ttanner, Tulsonian, Turn VABlue, Turtle Bay, Tyto Alba, uc booker, UncleCharlie, Unduna, Unforgiven, ursoklevar, USArmyParatrooper, VA02 femocrat, Vacationland, valadon, Vayle, Vetwife, vgranucci, Village expects idiot home soon, waytac, webranding, weelzup, Wes Opinion, Whimsical Rapscallion, willy be frantic, willy mugobeer, Wood Dragon, wolfie1818, Wordsinthewind, Wreck Smurfy, x, xopher, yet another liberal, Zotz
Here is the schedule of future diarists.
Tue PM: Eddie C (You R Here)
Wed AM: labwitchy
Wed PM: FrugalGranny
Thu AM: Open
Thu PM: Dave in AZ
Fri AM: flumptytail
Fri PM: Open
Sat AM: effervescent (bring your yoga mat)
Sat PM: Open
Sun AM: Safina
Sun PM: Open
Mon AM: Open
Diarists in regularly-scheduled time slots are listed in bold.
Please post a comment in the butt can if you would like your name added to the GUS Buddy List and add your name if you would like to post a diary in an open time slot.