How to get around the Q ~~
a map, of sorts, for Newbies
Welcome newbies! Fasten your seat belts, boys and girls because you are about to go on the ride that you will never forget...
Day one. You have just arrived at the Quitnet, also know as the Q. It is such a large scary place with a lot of rooms to explore. There are so many people who belong to the Q and you don't know any of them yet. And the lingo, newbie, tweener, elder, etc, What is that all about. What are clubs and how do I find them.
This is a compilation of different things you will come across during your stay with us. Many people had a hand in making or starting the things you will be learning about. Just remember, Rome was not built in a day.
Your first stop will be the forum. This is where you can discuss the quitting process, ask questions of others and get feedback and support (and give some as well!). As you read through the posts, you will find things that you will want to be able to access later on. In order to do that, we have our own personal Library. In order to save a post that you like, click on teh "Add to my library" link found on the bottom right side of the message you wish to save. Later, any time you want to access your library, go to any of the forums and click on "personal library" located in the top left hand side of the list of messages.
PROFILES
a great way to get to know other members is through their Profile. You can read about members and their experiences. Be sure to fill out your profile at some point, as people will also want to learn about you.
http://purplkoala.coolpage.biz/library/profiles.html
POSTING ON THE Q
Post and read posts on the Q. There is a Quitting Milestones forum, Celebrating each other's quit anniversaries and accomplishments is a great source of motivation to stay kick the habit and stay nicotine-free. Use this forum to pat others, and yourself, on the back.
worried about gaining weight, why not check out Weighty . MattersGiving up smoking can be hard enough without the added drag of gaining weight. This forum is devoted to discussion and support for those quitting smoking whilst trying to keep the pounds off.
To discover all the other forums, click on the community tab and explore them all.
THREE POST RULE
Use the 3 post rule:
"When you're feeling a crave
And you want to cave
Come here and post
Then wait for the wave.
There will be three
to set yourself free
So, wait my friend
until 3 posts we send.
Please if you are having trouble and fighting with the nicodemon,
come here and post, then wait for at least three answers before you give in. Hopefully by then you won't even want to let him take over."
From katlady on 3/24/2003
CELEBRATE
There are many traditions and celebrating at the Q. We love a good party. to learn more about those traditions, continue reading.
Milestones:
Day 1
Quit Date - The day you choose to begin smoking cessation, often called the Longest Day.
3 Days Quit - Bracelet Day (Design your own "I Surivied Day 3" bracelet and show it off for everyone.)
Diploma Of Socks and Stockings Entitlement Rite (DOSSER). To use, merely fill in and post to the Q.
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This Diploma Certifies That [Insert Name Here] Has Completed 10 Some Free Days In Honour Of This Achievement, The Noble And Ancient Guild Of Sock Makers Bestows Upon Them Their Official Pair Of 10 Day Quitting Socks In [Colour], [Style] And Monogrammed With [Monogram And Explanation].
Signed This Day [Date] Dan Master Of The Sock Drawer Silver Needle Winner 2002
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1st Week
Hell Week - The first week of the Quit, often accompanied by severe withdrawal symptoms (especially in cold-turkey quitters).
7 Days Quit
Hell Week - Cyber-Trout - Your reward for reaching the end of Hell Week. A Quit-buddy will present the pan-fried trout to you:
><((((o>
\_________/----
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10 Days Quit - On smoke-free Day 10, Newbie members get to design and model 'Day 10 Socks' for their Quit buddies in the forums.
14 Days Quit - Heck week. The week that follows Hell Week, usually less physically intense and characterized by a beginning acceptance of one's ex-smoking status.
21 Days Quit - Weak Week (Unofficial). The last full week of Newbie-hood. QuitNet members are often dazed and confused after the two preceding weeks of Hell and Heck.
25 days Quit - Big Boy/Big Girl fancy Pants (Design & strut them down the Q runway). At Day 25, Newbies become Toddlers;
30 Days Quit - Spurs Day (Add some spurs to go with your new Socks and Big Girl/Big Boy pants!)
50 Days Quit - Tweenersville (Wiener Roast). You are no longer a toddler-you are a Tweener-half way to becoming an Elder. Traditionally celebrated with a wiener roast and a ramble.
2 Months - Design Your Own T-Shirt, to go along w/ your pants and socks, and show it off to al your Q buddies.
75 Days Quit - On Day 75, 3/4 of the way to Elderhood, QuitNet members may design and animate their own Virtual Pet, which you design.
100 Days Quit - You are an Elder! You have been smoke free for 100 days!! Elders sit in the Front Row of the Grand Lodge of Elder Lodge and wear Silly Hats, before or after which they design and your colorful kite! They can relax on the veranda and look out onto the trout pond; rambles are appropriate and expected. Not to be confused with Clothing optional (Nekkid) Kite Flying.
200 days - Clothing Optional (Nekkid) Kite Flight - Not to be confused with the Elder Kite Flight, a Q member must have 200 days smoke-free to be able to claim and acknowledge their right to THIS particular Kite Flight. Note: Silly Hat may be still be worn even if member is otherwise 'nekkid'.
8 Months - Ashtray Tossing Day. This is the time when everyone has to duck to avoid being beaned by flying ashtrays, when one cleans their house of all their remaining ashtrays
9 Months - Full Term (Unofficial you have come full term)
10 Months - Perfect 10. Not quite a Doctor of Quitology, this QuitNet member has achieved ten months' worth of smoke-free life, one day at a time.
1 Year - PHD. In Quitology. The highest Degree in the science of Quitology. This is the great day when you have reached your one-year quit. This is when you are conferred your Ph.D in Doctor of Quitology and should be Registered in the Doctors Page at http://mysite.verizon.net/rpacak/index.htm/
500 Days - Knighthood. When you reach 500 days without smoking, you become a Knight of the Q Realm, and are now worthy of membership in the Q500 Clubhouse. - plus you get to add Sir or Lady in front of their names in gold letters.
2 Years - The Golden Boot Award ~ The Moppet Award
1,000 Days - Ascending The Grand Staircase. You have reached the topo step of the Grand Staricase. Anyone who has reached 1000- days quit can be listed on the Grand Staircase by sending your Q-name to Bob at: http://mysite.verizon.net/rpacak/index.htm
3 Years - At three years quit, you're proclaimed an honorary Mayor of Quitstville, and are presented the Keys to the Q by those who've gone before you.
4 Years - Sidewalk Of Stars & Handprints On The Walk Of Fame - Show up with four years smokefree, and we'll cast your handprints (or butt-prints!) in the QuitNet Sidewalk of Stars. Join a long line of Q celebrities so honored in virtual cement.
5 Years - Induction Into The Hall-Of-Fame - The Q's most prestigious award, granted at 5 years quit. For all your hard work, dedication, and loyalty, you get to deliver an acceptance speech to your peers as they induct you into the Hall of Fame.
Look at the Quitticisms to the left for more detailed explanations.
QMAIL
You have heard of email, well we have Qmail. Many people do not even know it exists for a few months into their quit. Qmail is a fun way to communicate with other people on the Q. When you first sign into the Q, you will see a message that says, "welcome back, (your name)!" just belore and to the right of that is Q Mail and an envelop. If the envelop is yellow, You've got mail. Be sure to keep your qmail box clean up as you are only allotted so much space for qmail. (25 for non paying and 200 for premium).
BUDDY
Click on your name and to the right are your Buddies. These are people that you are following. As you get to know someone, add them to your buddy list so that you can keep them straight during your stay here. With so many names, it can get real confusing ast to who is whom...
READ, READ, READ
There is so much to read at the Q... posts and profiles (mentioned earlier), journals, quiticisms - what those funny words really mean and testimony's - Share your quit story. Tell the world how you did it!. Most everything that you read will be a huge help to you as you take that journey to becoming a non smoker, or ex-smoker, which ever term you prefer. Don't forget the Anniversary page. That is one of the most special tools at the Q. You will see your name on there at different times of your quit.
Enjoy your stay!
This could be one of the most wonderful times in your life. Remember, don't look at quitting as giving something up. Look at it as a chose, and you chose not to smoke... just for today!!!
Valerie & the the people on the Q...
February 14, 2006
Updated March 4, 2015
