HotRodRacer’s HOF Speech

It’s hard to figure out exactly what to say –

I am an addict. I like (love?) the taste, feeling, and effect of nicotine on my body, Skoal Long Cut Wintergreen to be precise.

But as much as I love it, I also hate it. I hate it for having control of me in the past, for dictating what I would do when, and controlling a part of my take home pay. I hate it for the effects on my gums and mouth. I hate it, especially because, my 11 year old grandson asked when he could try it.

So it’s time to quit. 146 days into my quit, here I am writing this. I haven’t always WANTED to quit, as much as I knew I should. I grew up watching Walt Garrison on TV talking about “just a pinch between your cheek and gun”. I watched Tony Gwynn step out of the batters box each pitch and spit. My family raised burley, and it paid for many things in life, as much a part of my growing up as anything.

I starting chewing around 8 or 9 years old. I started dipping regularly at 12 or 13 – so long ago that I can’t remember what life was like without it (I am 51 now). I was never a ninja dipper, so I never had to sneak and hide. My wife never nagged at me to quit, since she knew I had to WANT to quit before I would. So I am slowly adjusting to this new lifestyle and change, with the help of KTC and the August group, and the help of Hootch snuff. Even though I don’t have nicotine cravings anymore, I still need SOMETHING packed there. Hootch snuff has been invaluable to me for that.

I don’t have any regrets in life, because I think everything happens for a reason. But if I had one do-over, it would be to NEVER start dipping. I can’t change the past, but I can fully live the future without dipping, and that is exactly what I plan to do. Live life to the fullest without dip or nicotine.

I am proud of each and every one of my August brothers who fight this battle with me every day. Keep on, keepin’ on.

-= HotRodRacer =-

NOTE: This piece written by KillTheCan.org forum member HotRodRacer