Hang in there, DC! (And the gum does work to prevent you from smoking - it just doesn't wean you off nicotine - nicotine replacement is a gradual cutting-down process, but at least safer than actually smoking...)
I studied Italian for 2 semesters. Not once was a "C" pronounced as a "G", and never was a trailing "I" ignored! And I'm from Jersey! lol
Whaddaya want me to do? Whack a guy? Off a guy? Whack off a guy?--Peter Griffin