The mornings are easiest.

It seems to be pretty easy not to reach for a cigarette after waking up, despite the habit of doing so for as long as I have. That habit wasn’t that tough to break. It’s not so tough to have my morning coffee (since I can’t seem to sleep a full night at the moment, caffeine is a buddy that I dearly need) without a cigarette, much to my surprise. Walking to work, no difficulty (never smoke during that anyway). First hour or so at the office, no real problem.

The problems seem to come up when my hidden triggers are kicked. When I complete something. When I finish a meal. When I finish a project. When I finish a module. When I finish _anything_. I want to reach for a treat.

Such conditioned behavior — I didn’t know I was so susceptible to it that, like a dog, I am a treat-oriented being.

Took friend Kristin to the airport this morning. Will be staying with her dog, Henry, over the long weekend while she is in New York. He’s a friendly, friendly yellow lab mix. Gorgeous beast. And she’s left beer in the fridge. Hopefully the weekend will pass without incident.

Finished the post. Feel like I should reward myself with a cigarette. I’m that simple.