Q TRADITIONS


Written by Lev on 10/14/199 at 4:15:38PM
(with some additional information added by Sir Walter and other Q members.)






Some Quitnet Traditions -- Part A -- To Elderhood

As you first straggle in here, a refugee from the attacks of the nicodemon in your life, you join a community. This may not be immediately obvious--it doesn't have walls and walkways, there is not a lot of decoration if you ignore the life preserver Tools & Mike&Ike Talk etc... The Q'munity of people you have found is drawn from many different countries, many walks of life, and we come in all shapes, sizes and colors--or, at least we think we do! Some may be veterans of computer and internet, some just starting. Tell us what you can about yourself in your profile. You can check other's profiles by clicking on their (underlined) name. There are acceptable use policies, etc that you have probably already checked out. But, as the generations of Quitsters come and go, traditions and holidays have grown, vocabulary and 'slang' has developed--these are not in the Policy. I'll try and capture just a quick overview, and ask others to cover what I miss as the thread grows.


The Quitnet (AKA The Q) is about peer support. We all like praise and congratulations. In RL (real life) or 3D, as enthusiastic and supportive our friends and relatives may be at the **Idea** of quitting smoking, they don't always keep offering the ongoing praise, encouragement and support that will help us keep going. It is especially hard for non-smokers to grasp that we are struggling (HARD!!) for a very long time to beat the nicotine addiction. So, within the Q, anniversaries are A Big Deal. We post congratulations whenever we can to whomever is celebrating in the Milestones forum, mostly.

ADD 1/00 -- be sure to see Resources/ToddL's Quiticisms for definitions etc.


Getting through that first week, known as HELL WEEK, is a Big Milestone for your Newbie self. Day Three is particularly rough for many. Heck Week, which follows, is not fun either, but a celebration and congratulations are definitely in order for making it through. You want to be wary of "the Threes"--just like Day Three is rough, many Quits falter at Week Three--for reasons unknown, but noticed frequently. By the end of week 3, you are too close to a Month to give up and light up. Post, don't smoke as needed. You can do it (WTG--way to go) and your Quit-Bud(die)s will be cheering you on. By now, hopefully you have posted, read, posted, read, q-mailed and received q-mail from others. The yellow "messages" and "people" are warm welcomes when you log in. You may have "met" Nate (aka, Nathan Cobb), Eric, Kerry and or Chris -- the Q creators & maintaining wizards. You may have hung out in Chat, made friends. Hopefully you've begun to realize you aren't alone in all of the crazy rollercoaster of that this Quit causes. You might want to dabble your keyboard in your first RAMBLE--a verbal snapshot of your Quit to date - cover what you've learned, what you think, what has helped you get this far. We all know you have a bad case of CRS (can't remember Sh*t) so we aren't expecting Pulitzer material.


You have survived 50 days as an ex-smoker!!! WTG, KTQ (Keep the quit)! You are no longer a newbie--that disgusting term. Now having done your Half Century (half of 100 Days -- more on this later), you are a Tweener. I know, this term is worse than Newbie --- but, hey --it means you haven't had a cig for 50 days. Congrats. You may even want to sneak a cyber cig in chat ---- =======~~~~~~~~~~ ahhhhh.


By now, you probably have a regular group of Quit-Buds, and/or other Quitsters whose posts you follow. You find that it is perfectly comfortable to post to ask if all of the flatulence you are experiencing is normal (yes!), and catch yourself saying Ah, ha! when someone else notes their libido is roaring as a side-effect of Zyban. You are remembering to cut&paste jokes and stories to bring over to TnT to share. You have checked out ToddL 's website and LOLd (laugh out loud) at the Quiticisms posted there. You may have worked on some bad poetry and even posted it. Maybe you have slipped, and can't believe the outpouring of support to get up, dust off and climb back on. Maybe there has been a flame war or two--tempers are soooo short with all the energy is going toward fighting off the nicodemon.


Three Months! You did it and you can't even believe it. YES!!! And that means it is time to start dreaming of your Elder Hat -- a virtual symbol of your upcoming Elderhood. You will shortly have a Quit that is 100 days long. This is a major accomplishment, and all of your Quitbuds know it -- even if your RL friends are saying, 'oh, yeah, you quit a while ago, huh?' Now, it is another of the dreaded Threes, and most of us are still battling craves, maybe just coming off of Zyban, etc. But for many, 100 days smokefree will be their personal best time. And, the learning and growing strength and knowledge that has happened deserves celebration! There are all kinds of traditions that have grown up around the virtual celebration of 100 Days and becoming an Elder here. We had a particularly extravagant one for those that Quit on 4/1/99 and most of the virtual traditions are covered in this post of Demelza's --


Demelza wrote:
Time of Ceremony: Lars, Head Elf at the Elders' Lodge asks that the Quittin Fools elders be present at noonish sharp for tomorrow's induction ceremony. Makeup ceremonies at the convenience of the missing elders, but the dancing bear parade cannot be repeated.


Place of Ceremony: The induction ceremony takes place in the Great Hall of the Lodge. Please approach the grounds to the Lodge from the Grand Entrance on East Roller Coaster Drive. Parking is by permit only so following the dancing bears' parade is usually the best way to proceed.


Names: The gardening elves tried desperately to spell all of your names correctly in ivy. Please note their work even if they are incorrect. They've worked hard to celebrate this grand event and are known to have crying jags if they feel slighted. They ate all of the St. John's Wort with the January 1 quitsters and are awaiting a new crop. So, be gentle with them.


Elder Hats: May be picked up in the conference room. Several design elves will be there to make last minute adjustments if something came loose during shipping or if you forgot to order your chapeau. Fortunately, they are used to CRS being quite prevalent among new elders. If the hat is not silly enough, you may have to wait for additions to be made.


Kites: May be picked up in the kite room which is down the spiral staircase on your right as you enter the Great Hall. Lars and Olaf both have keys. Choose any kite you want for your freedom-flying ceremony. If you've brought your own, that is fine. Should the weather be inclement or there is no wind tomorrow, please proceed to the kite dome. Again, Lars and Olaf have keys. If you use the South exit of the Lodge, the dome is down in the valley to the left and behind the lodge. Full winds will be available for you to fly your kite. Do not ask the source of the wind in the kite dome. Please note that the 100 day mark kite flying requires clothing. It is the 200 day event that is clothing optional. We've had some over eager elders lately. Finally, please do not cross the bridge over the moat holding Grampy's viking boat. You need special sailing lessons to proceed there.

Secret Code to the Palace of Wonders: ToddL has the secret code. I'll write it here, but the ink is invisible unless your heart/mind/body are free of Nic.______________ Got it? Great!!! Sometimes it disappears on its own to keep Nic from reading it. Ask ToddL for it when you see him.


Front Row Seats: Everyone gets a front row seat. Ages ago lev ordered barcoloungers and we love them. Just look for the one with your name in needlepoint on the headrest. Lean back and enjoy the celebrations, kudos, and cheers coming your way.

New Orleans Wing: This special addition to the Lodge is the creation of elsmo. Please observe the rules of conduct so that the wrought iron railings do not get rusted or bent out of shape when you hang over them to scream in delight that you've made it this far. The view from the balcony is marvelous and all are welcome there for elder drinks at sundown.


Buffet Table and Open Bar: For your dining pleasure, the food tables will be stocked all day by caterers who have taken all calories out of our favorite foods. Just ask a waiter for chocolate with or without calories. For your drinking pleasure, the bar is fully stocked from sparkling ciders to champagne.


Music: The band will play anything upon request. It may or may not sound like the song you wanted to hear. Be patient. The elves are still learning Motown among other things.

Finally, please do not annoy the elves if possible. We just renegotiated their contract, and we were not able to reach an agreement on the anti-snit clause.

Have a wonderful Elder Day Celebration.
[end of Demelza's post]


There are ongoing building projects in the Q'munity — the Tequila Pond with its pure salt beach and lime tree grove have been enthusiastically used since built by Brigitte_Ne in November 99.
Still here? Ah! Quitnet Elderhood. What a goal. It is such an achievement to go from the near-hysterical newbie to the accomplishment of 100 days smokefree. Explaining this to those in your RL can be difficult. The celebration makes perfect sense to your Quitbuddies, tho. The whole virtual celebration is a joint effort tho, and continuing this tradition needs the participation of the Q'munity — it is not a play created and performed by only particular members. I posted Demelza's post of one as a sample of past celebrations that captures many of the Q traditions -- the management by the elvish supports, the hats, kites, front row seats in the hall, etc.

The Elder Ramble is as close to Required as any. Just HOW did you do it?

Meanwhile, the Q continues to evolve, and individual members become less involved as their Quits become more lifestyle than ongoing effort. It will be fascinating to see how Elderhood is celebrated in coming months and years. The combination of need for distraction and appreciation for all the support we receive here seems to promise that there will be celebrations. What form they take will depend on the planners. Perhaps, you can start planning one now for someone!

The patterns of Q traditions slow and settle after Elder Day. Each month of mid-Quit time is a triumph. Each anniversary is a celebration of winning. Some Ramble on each is nice, and provides a sense of continuity, sometimes it turns into a Whine, and Quitbuds bring cheese to go with; sometimes some sour grapes make an appearance.

Reaching 6 months and then 200 days (sometimes referred to as Double Triples) is a remarkable success. The 200 Day Clothing Optional kite flight can draw some comments, of course--mostly mutual sympathy over the pounds gained.

The 8 Month Ashtray Toss is a mid-quit Q milestone that has less attention than in the past. Perhaps, if there were more emphasis on reaching this goal there would be more celebrants.The achievement of pushing on from 6 months to 8 months without a slip moves Q-sters into a very strong group of members.

The Re-birth Day of the Ex-smoking Self the 9 month anniversary --is such a major one. The labor pains are over. There may be twinges and tweaks, but the Q has witnessed the birth of another success. Rambles from members who have succeeded this far are particularly helpful, welcome reflections.

The 10 and 11 month anniversaries build to the conferring of the Doctorate of Quitology 1 year smoke free. You can do it!!

Supershe:
And I have discovered that there is a 500 day celebration.. and Clubhouse... the Q-500 Club, as posted below from Sir Walt......

Welcome to the New Q500 club

We need another goal for all of us old timers who refuse to leave the Q after our 1 year celebration. We need to have something to look forward to besides helping other quitters and give us an excuse to hang around. We are adding the New Q500 club to the Big Q (If there are no objections) and hope it does not offend anyone. As of this moment all Q members with 500 days or more quit are automatically full fledged Charter members of the New Q500 club and are now allowed to add Sir or Lady in front of their name in gold letters (If you can find them) This new Q500 club has no membership dues , no rules or regulations except those already outlined by the Big Q. We Welcome all Charter Members and Honor all future upcoming members with hopes this Q500 Club will keep growing (FAST) (STRONG) and forever.

Your Q Servant
Sir Walt day 502



A little about the Q500 I have had some requests for some facts about the Q500 Clubhouse and what it looks like. so here is an explanation of some of the things to expect when you become a Q500 member. All members will have there own private No Smoking room with a view to be decorated by the member to their taste for private parties or whatever, There will also be a large No Smoking Lounge equipped with a piano Bar on one end and a large 24 hour free bar , Stage and dance floor on the other end of the lounge. The center area of the lounge is plush carpet with plush upholstered chairs, couches, recliners and coffee tables. Drinks will be served on request at any location in the clubhouse including the dinning room area. The Slot machines around the walls will accept Qscript and cyber money and the free valet parking area is located next to the Grand Entrance by the indoor swimming pool close to the Golf course entrance. All members will be issued a gold card that will get them into any of the clubhouse areas free. There will be additional information on the clubhouse at a later time.

Sir Walt day 503


From Pisa on 6/18/2001 2:37:06 PM
Since that time, we've added TODDLER WEEK, which come directly after Weak Week. There have been many variations to that...some people feel that on day 25 one becomes a Toddler...whatever. It just seemed, back in November 2000 when this concept was developed, that something was needed immediately after Weak Week, which many have found to be the hardest of all. The idea was that we're very wobbly at first, but then, we start to run off giggling on our own.
On Toddlerweek, you get to chose and wear big boy/girl pants in whatever design you choose.

From WaltC on 07-10-01 It just keeps going and going and going and going and--- Hummmmm will there be a 1000 club?
Sir Walt at c-turkey day 934

As it turns out, there is a celebration for 1000 days... those people being addressed as.. Qurus!!!



Neat the end of 2004, Titotiger proposed a few recognitions for Veteran Quitsters. He said: "I'm a firm believer that people should receive special recognition for a job well done. I also believe that if you give someone a goal to shoot for they will go after that challenge. Maybe then we can keep more of the Veterans here on the Q where they are needed."



2 Years Quit - "The moppet Award" -- This would be the Q's version of the Oscar or the Emmy. It is a special award given in recognition of 2 years of some serious Nicodemon Butt Kicking. This award was named after Moppet who's passed away on 1/25/05. She was loved by many and there is even a Moppet Club that was formed after Barb's death by Purplkoala,
If you have not read her profile......it is a must.
In memory of moppet (1939-2005)




3 Years Quit - You Receive "The Keys To The City" and are proclaimed an honorary Mayor of Quitstville.



4 Years Quit - You get a "Star on The QuitNet Walk Of Fame". We also put your handprints in cement. (note: someone suggested butt print - LOL) Now everyone who walks down Quit Boulevard will recognize you as a Super Star on the Q



5 Years Quit - Automatic induction into the "Quitnet Hall Of Fame." An acceptance speech is required for this auspicious occasion.




An important tradition is Tillie's Bonfire where we gather at the end of each day to be with our fellow Qsters. We continue it in memory of our brave friend, tillietoiler. If you have not read her profile......it is a must.
In memory of Tillietoiler (1933-2001)



Quick Reference Guide for your quit celebrations..

Day 0-24 Title: Newbie
Day 0-7 = Hell Week
Day 3 = "I survived day 3" bracelet" - you make yourself a bracelet and model it for the room.
Day 7 = Cyber Trout - Qmail troutnut
Day 8-14 = Heck Week....hang on!
Day 10 = Socks - you model the quit socks you made.
Day 14 = Design Quippers
Day 15-21 = Weak Week...watch out!
Day 25 = 49 Title: Toddler
Day 25 = Big Girl/Boy pants - ...design your own and post a strut
Day 30 = Spurs - Automatically get a pair of official quit-spurs from cwt
Day 50-100 Title: Tweener - post your anny on day 50 & get a weiner roast celebration
Day 50 = weiner roast
Day 60 = T-shirt - ...design your own and post a strut
Day 75 = Virtual Pet - what does your pet look like?
Day 100-365.25 Title: Elder - design a silly hat. Design a kite and fly it. Write an elder's ramble and post it ..... enter the Elders' Lodge.
Day 100 = Kite flying, Admission to the Grand Lodge.
Day 200 = Clothing Optional Kite Flight
8 mo. = Ashtray toss
9 mo.= a full term quit.
10 mo = a perfect ten
Day 365 = Ph.D of Quitology...... you become a doctor!
Day 500 = Admission to Q500 and beknightment.
Day 1000 = Grand Staircase.
2 Years Quit - "The moppet Award"
3 Years Quit - You Receive "The Keys To The City"
4 Years Quit - You get a "Star on The QuitNet Walk Of Fame"
5 Years Quit - Automatic induction into the "Quitnet Hall Of Fame."



Thank You windsong for re-posting this.And Thank You Pisa for finding lev's post in your library.

8/22/2002

A brief explaination of some of the above terms:

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day 30: spurs:
cwt started the Quit-spur tradition in an attempt to make the first month's achievement have more meaning since it is such an important milestone. She chose spurs because down in Texas they often use the phrase "earning your spurs" as having achieved something that was tough to do.....kinda like "paying your dues" ie. having gone through hard times, but came out a winner. Spurs are used by the horseman to dig into the sides of his horse and "spur" him on to run/try harder. Hopefully, these spurs will "spur on" our quits by making us even stronger.
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60 days: T-Shirts
A competition was held in July 2004 to decide what reward should be given at 60 days quit. The reason according to Gryffindor was: "It's the first time one can actually speak of being quit in terms of "months", in the plural, and yet it is still a slippery slope between the famous wiener roast and the virtual pet." donna135 was the first one to suggest the T-shirt and others agreed with her. And a new tradition is born. *****************************************
Celery under the tire:
leejay started the celery thing. she said, "I just felt silly and felt we needed a 'code phrase' to summon the HTB committee. If you look in the Classic Celery club, there should be a post there about the 'Butterscotch Pudding Story', which I totally made up. The celery thing is mentioned in there also. Maybe that will help explain it! Leejay"
thanks cwt and leejay

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More explainations of the above terms will follow as they are explained to me.