The Modern Day Pandora's Box ( posted on 27/04/2011)

Pan·do·ra's box

noun \pan-ˈdȯr-əz-\ 

Definition of PANDORA'S BOX : a prolific source of troubles

 Origin of PANDORA'S BOX

from the box, sent by the gods to Pandora, which she was forbidden to open and which loosed a swarm of evils upon humankind when she opened it out of curiosity

ref. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pandora%27s+box

The picture on the left is that of  "my very own Pandora's Box". It is basically a 'make it yourself'  kind of box made out of your normal cardboard box.(perhaps, one can make an attempt to be a little more creative and funkier than this!)
The whole idea is to put in 'evil money' ( coined by dro, meaning- money you spend normally to do what you consider are bad habits). Say, for example you spend  Amount X everyday on your smoking ( which at the back of your mind you want to quit!). So, if you don't smoke for one day, you have to put in Amount X in the box.That way you don't feel that you are taking money from your pocket. You are puffing the same away anyway. The good thing about this box is that the more bad habits you have the more that you put in! This can add up to a lot, trust me.

Personally, I (used to)spend  a lot on drinks and cigarettes.

Cigarettes: 

One pack Gudang Garam Rs.70/-, 2 packs (10 Nos.) Goldflake Lights. Rs. 100/-

Drinks: 

No hard data.Expensive when you drink out! Easily about Rs.15,000/- per month. or Rs.500/-a day.

Anyway, its been a total of 64 days of not smoking & 60 days of not drinking ,since I have started to give both up ( ref. blog entry down " The Truth About 'A' & 'C')

This adds up to Rs. 10,880/- ( Rs.170 x 64 Days for cigarettes)

And, Rs. 30,000/- ( Rs.500/- x 60 Days for Drinks)

A total of Rs.40,880/- ( US$ 916/-) in about 2 months.

If you have any other bad habits please put in more 'evil money' in Pandora's Box for each day that you can resist. This amount can be used for other positive purposes like say, Gym Membership. A good thought is to use it for charity. But seriously :)  I have started buying shoes as the link will suggest ......
http://mockdressing.blogspot.com/

Talk about converting Black Money to White ! Lol!

the truth about 'A' and 'C'

Yesterday marked the end of one week  without Cigarettes and Alcohol.
Resolution 01 - Give up smoking in totality.
Resolution 02 - Give up binge drinking.
Normally this was not the case as the charts clearly demonstrates!
I have made the charts and pasted them on the wall for everyday visual connection.I feel good to mark each 'Vice Free' day with my GREEN and ORANGE marker.The PINK  marker of course means trouble. A small step for dro but a big step towards life! People in similar situation can give this a try.Watch out for updates on this.

07/03/2011
Report Card:  Second week without the 'A' & 'C'.
New High : one you get when you can resist that urge.
This is good development cos' at the end
one is smiling that contented smile ( read 'stupid grin') of victory. Yippee!

03/04/2011
Report Card:  40 days without the 'A' & 'C'.
Exception : 26-27/03/2011- Glenlivet 15 yrs with my brother ( outstation visit)- Bad reaction from body next day, got sick! No cravings absolutely for both  'A' & 'C'. I wonder what's the big deal about quitting  A & C .


02/06/2011
Report Card:  100 days without the 'A' & 'C'.
Exception :
17/04/2011- Martini mixed by Mr. Ra
18/04/2011- badly mixed cocktail at HARDROCK CAFE, hyderabad.
25/05/2011-hoegaarden beer, blueFROG, Louis Banks night.
06/06/2011-gin, friends place.
08/06/2011- red wine/martini @ Novotel

19/06/2011- Brazilian Cocktail Caipirinha mixed by Mr.Ra. ( left)
23/06/2011- Martini/Beer @ Hard Rock Cafe ( Bad Day !)
26/06/2011- One Glass of Australian white wine (Chardonay)

03/07/2011- Gin Tonic (friend place)
06/07/2011- Gin tonic, Beer ( friend's place)



This has become a normal day for me now. The spicy and piquant taste of Virgin Mary  has turned out to be my favorite at night outs. No smoking in absoluteness since this experiment began. Well, this looks like a teetotaler putting up non drinking chart - so I don't see a  point in updating the same. Updates only when something interesting turns up. For the readers who are still struggling to quit - JUST DO IT, especially the smoking. It makes life better to know that you are in control.

July 2011.
A Roadtrip to Goa & Bangalore followed by trips to Delhi & Imphal ( 13th to 30th.July) have slightly put the drinking schedule out of gear. Though the actual consumption is at a minimal ( ranging from a can of beer to a few), the number of days in this holiday environment are many. I will add 10 effective drinking day on my chart. This will tally to a total of 12 drinking days for the month of July! This is high considering the average per month is 4 to 5 days. I will try to average this out by reducing the number of drinking days in August & September.

UPDATE 

NO.OF SMOKING  DAYS  SINCE  22 FEB.2011 : 0 DAYS/ 160 DAYS

NO.OF DRINKING DAYS  SINCE  22 FEB.2011 : 22 DAYS/ 160 DAYS( Once Every 7.27 Days)