johnny5

NOPE - Not One Puff Ever

Yes, it is about money. Couldn't agree with you more about investment groups and metrics. Metrics were what was used to argue that the Jose Quintana deal made sense at the time. Javier Baez's contract comes up at the end of next season, as does Kris Bryant's and Anthony Rizzo's. It is assumed Bryant will be gone. Rizzo and his agent tried to negotiate a "team friendly" contract extension last off season and the front office delayed it. It will be interesting to see what happens to Baez who is the face of the franchise now. It doesn't look good.

NOPE - Not One Puff Ever

What you are experiencing is often called "junkie thinking." As nicotine addicts, our mind is constantly trying to trick us into seeing some value to smoking so you can get your next fix. This psychological addiction is sometimes harder to fight than the physical one but the only thing you get out of a cigarette is that next nicotine fix. The fact that you are waiting for bad news to force you into quitting shows how messed up the addiction is. Fight through this. In time, things will get better. You just have to realize that nothing at all positive comes from smoking. It is solely about feeding a deadly addiction. Congrats on doing so well with Day 1. You can do this!

Goodbye 2020! Best wishes for a better 2021.

Congratulations on 7 months smoke free @JohnQ That is awesome!

Thanks for the Happy New Year wishes, @JH63 I wish you a Happy New Year too. Quitting smoking will definitely guarantee a healthier new year. I suggest sticking around here and finally quit for good. I know it can be tough but the people here can attest that quitting smoking is definitely doable and is worth it.

Horrible news about Phil Niekro. Regarding the Cubs, I have no idea WTF their front office plans are. Theo Epstein, former president of Cubs operations, left. This wasn't totally unexpected. Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora were released (not tendered contracts for arbitration to be technical). Almora was not a surprise. Schwarber isn't a total surprise either but it is a tough to see someone capable of hitting 30 home runs released like that. Again, the above was not completely unexpected. Now, the Cubs traded their best pitcher and Cy Young award runner up Yu Darvish and their above average backup catcher Victor Caratini for the decent pitcher Zach Davies and 4 lower tier minor league players. You never know how those minor league players turn out but this deal makes me more sick than the Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease trade for the super mediocre pitcher Jose Quintana. There are also rumors about Willson Contreras being traded. Cubs management swears this is not about finances but I assume the Cubs, who have been playoff contenders the last few years, are now trading everyone and rebuilding. Complete BS 💩

Congratulations on 7 years smoke free, @Devil Doll

You are doing great, Fluffy! Keep up the awesome work!

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Congratulations on that first day smoke free. You are doing great!

What you are experiencing is normal. Fight through it. There really is nothing relaxing, enjoyable, or otherwise positive about smoking. It is only about feeding an addiction and all those supposed positive things you attribute to smoking are lies we conditioned ourselves to believe over time. Breaking free from the addiction is freedom. Keep up the great work. Life as a nonsmoker gets better and better with time and any early struggles are worth fighting through.

Congratulations on 4 months smoke free, @Layla Keep up the great work!

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There is a "Can We Have A Curse It Thread(With warnings)..." thread in the "Off The Record" section towards the bottom of the main page. Lots of people rant there.

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Thanks for the snow pics, Mac. We don't see that much down here in Raleigh, NC. I bet you are glad that you no longer smoke and have to go out in that weather for smoke breaks.

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