If you haven’t heard of Joost before, I highly recommend you check them out. If you have heard of Joost, but haven’t signed up to try them out, I can’t express how much joy I’m getting out of their service.

Joost is a peer-to-peer built “tv” player - basically, you locate the shows you want to watch (all legal through their network), wait a few seconds for the episode to cache, and watch from fullscreen to a tiny window (see screenshots below).

These guys have an interesting method of distributing shows: First, they’ve made deals with some independent and major networks (from Web-only clips to VH1) to distribute the shows withing their player; Second, they present the shows in a DVR-like interface which is remarkably easy to use; Third, once you’ve selected a “channel” and/or a show, the software grabs the correct packets from a peer-to-peer network of other Joost users (similar to how other peer-to-peer and BitTorrent networks operate) along with packets of commercial content; Fourth, the show(s) are broadcast to your player, with minimal interruption by a single commercial at breaks.

The amazing part of all this (at least to me) is how the commercials are ‘hot.’ By ‘hot’ I mean they’re hot links to the promoters, complete with an icon or logo representing the advertiser at the top of the players screen.

My raving about Joost is not an advertisement for them; I gain nothing from your signup. I am simply amazed at the amount of time that can be wasted watching web-based “tv.” Perhaps we should start calling this WV instead of TV.

Screenshots

• Windowed mode
• Fullscreen mode

People often say “quitters never win.” In the case of me quitting smoking (again), I say quitters certainly win. Especially when they have enhancement drugs on their side, like Chantix.

I’m planning on updating this post as my process to quit continues. Stay tuned!

First, the graph:

Next, the diary:

Day 0 (April 30, 2007): It was a slow smoking day today, all things considered. I wanted the day before I started Chantix to be a worst-case example of how far I’ve come on the drug (as I progress, of course). However, Monday was a slow day as I didn’t go out on the town, didn’t get outside much at work, and was home promptly at seven PM. Cigarette count for day zero: a paltry 9.

Day 1 (May 1, 2007): I took my first pill tonight. My doctor warned me that the most apparent side-effect he’s heard of was “Technicolor, 3D dreams.” Man, he wasn’t kidding. As I make this post the morning after my first pill (on May 2), I can clearly say that the dreams were as vivid, and fast-moving as I’ve ever had. I feel barely rested, but I’m willing to keep going on the pills to see if my lack of restful sleep is indeed from the pill, or just from my current stress-level. Cigarette count for the first day: 4-7.

Day 2 (May 2, 2007): No change in desire to smoke, although I am down one already for the day. Not having cigarettes around me is helping I imagine - I plan on continuing the day and night this way. Went to lunch with a coworker and felt my appetite might be affected (couldn’t finish lunch; felt sluggish and a little turned-off by food that I normally attack - good Irish lunch). Cigarette count for the day: 14.
Note: The spike in cigarettes for today has raised some eyebrows. Later in the day I had a breakdown, purchased a pack of cigarettes, and ended up seeing Kevin and friends at the bar late that night. Social habits are a killer.
Day 3 (May 3, 2007): Started out the day exhausted. It seems like I’m having a tough time getting to sleep. I finally fell into deep sleep (along with the lightning-fast dream sequences) around five this morning, which of course got my day off to a very late start. Tossing and turning in bed is absolutely miserable for me, but I’m still not convinced the Chantix is what’s causing my odd sleep patterns. Time will have to tell. Cigarette count for the day: 6.

Day 4 (May 4, 2007): A slow day indeed. I barely got outside today from working so hard, and I think for the first time I’m truly noticing the pill take hold of my desire to smoke. I forgot about smoking for a large portion of the day. That said, I still got ‘busted’ by Justine for having smoked on my way home from work. Cigarette count for the day: 4.

Day 5 (May 5, 2007): Went to dinner with Kevin today. Slow day as I’m positive the drug is taking effect. Cigarette count for the day: less than 3 (couldn’t finish!)

Day 6 (May 6, 2007): Staying inside all day and cleaning the house has helped me forget the few cravings I’ve had (I have to remind myself, actually). Cigarette count for the day: 0!

Day 7 (May 7, 2007): The night before my last day, what will be considered ‘day 0.’ Today was a fairly normal day back at work, short of the forgetfulness I have over needing to smoke. I think the drug is effecting me in the way that I forget to smoke - the mental desire, the reminder ‘you need a cigarette - NOW, buddy’ is fading to nothing. Cigarette count for the day: 3.

Day 8 (May 8, 2007): This is considered Day 0 - the first day as a non-smoker. Well, that didn’t work out so well. I’m up +1 for the day, for a total of 4 cigarettes. I’m not sure what’s different, other than old habits. I’ll keep an eye on my habits and see if maybe the increased dosage will help curb the addition. Cigarette count for the day: 4.

Day 9 (May 9, 2007): Zero, my friends. Zero. It could be due to my illness (stayed home for the day), but I feel that part of the result could be due to me completely forgetting to smoke. Cigarette count for the day: 0!