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Yeah, I know, it's been a while since I've done anything with this page, but I'm happy to report that I'm doing very well, down here in the deep, dirty south -- land of a thousand Daiquiri shops. I've been working out, walking on the treadmill that I got for myself as a gift for my fortieth birthday last year, and I finally quit smoking cigarettes! For real, this time!

July 8, one year ago (Dad's birthday), was my first day as a nonsmoker and, for more than the obvious reasons, this became a major turningpoint for me. You see, I never believed in exercise just for the sake of exercise. Why ride a stationary bike when you can ride a real bike to the bar to get a beer? As many old friends and family can tell you, I used to be very much against routine physical exercise. But, then again, I used to be against writing, too. And, as my vision faded, I slowed down considerably, becoming more and more sedentary.

I've tried to quit smoking many, many times over the years. Hypnosis, Pipe, cigars, chewing tobacco, you name it; I chewed Nicoret gum for 2 years, until my jaw hurt so badly that I had to start smoking again to get off the damned gum!

Since it's most often been when I'd been drinking that I've given in -- beer and cigarettes just go together, like a fine cigar and a fine cognac -- this time I decided to quit drinking, at least for a while, at the same time. But that was just the beginning.

I also decided that, since I'm trying to improve my health, I should also work on my diet. I'm still not really eating right, but I'm definitely eating better than I was. This is going to become more of a priority next year, but the reasons for this won't become apparent until next week. :)

Then, I needed another morning routine to replace my normal, first thing in the morning cigarette, so I decided that I'd put the coffee on and then stretch out and prepare for a walk while it was brewing, then take a nice slow walk on the treadmill with my morning coffee... Funny thing about exercise. The modest activity each morning began to make me feel more energetic and I found myself with a desire for more physical activity. Soon I was doing pushups at the office, swimming laps in the pool, and working out with dumbbells. After a workout or a fast walk, the cravings for nicotine disappeared; the key, and the reason that I will never need nicotine again, is exercise. But so much more than at long last kicking the habit, is the increase in my energy level that comes from getting off my ass and doing something. Yeah, Julie, I know. You told me so.

So, to sum this up: I'm looking good and walking tall here in The Big Easy, drinking more water than beer these days, but at least now, I can enjoy a nice cold Beck's without creating a fire hazard. And all of this has been mere preparation -- training, if you will -- for the piece de resistance, the biggest, most life-changing event in my life to date.

In my last column -- the only thing I've written since moving here, nearly three years ago, now -- I wrote about persistent friends who've kept in touch with me. One of those people has been far more relentless than the rest, but you'll have to come back next week to read about that, because Butch is here with the beer -- Beck's, of course.