The high of chewing

I have a confession to make.

I am an addict.

No, I’m not addicted to Diet Coke. I can kick that habit at any time. And no, not to masturbation or porn. My penis can’t handle the chafing.

I’m addicted to gum.

I can trace this back to my dislike of bad breath. I’ve always hated talking to people that had bad breath, and I never wanted to be that person, so since I was a kid, I always had a piece of gum in my mouth.

In my teens, my budget was sparse, so gum had to be hoarded. I would buy a pack or two when I went to the grocery store with my mother and chew half-pieces at a time, making sure that each piece lasted forever.

As I got into college and law school, it was simple. I’d just grab a whole box of gum from the rack at the grocery store and that would last me a month or two.

Now, however, it’s a different story. I barely go to the store. We eat out for most of our meals, so our grocery shopping is something that might happen once a month, maybe. This meant that I was making specific trips to Walgreens or Publix just to buy gum.

Yesterday, though, the true nature of my addiction was hammered home. I didn’t wake up shivering having fever dreams about giant pink bubbles eating my soul, no. Nor did I find myself giving a leprotic bum a handjob for a piece of Wrigley’s. I didn’t even find myself selling our TV to the pawn shop so that I could afford the newest flavor of Hubba Bubba.

All I did was look at my receipt for the gum order that I placed.

Is there like a GCA (Gum Chewer’s Anonymous) Meeting around here that I can join?

Enjoy this post? Try these:
Happy birthday to me.
No, you can’t borrow that.
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71 Responses to The high of chewing

  1. Amanda
    Twitter:
    says:

    Jesus… If this weren’t so sad, it would be funny. But clearly you do have an addiction. I hope all the best for you during your long recovery process.

    Reply

  2. NYCWD
    Twitter:
    says:

    I don’t see a problem. The 5 gum is probably the best gum I’ve ever had since giving up the Juicy Fruit… and it has cool ass packaging.

    Reply

  3. Zom says:

    There is no shame in wanting to have fresh breath. Especially if one has been eating “chocoritos”.
    I think I speak for the world when I say “CHEW muthafucka ….CHEW”!

    and on a side note ….. I want to thank you for inspiring me to start a blog.
    May I one day be as clever and witty as you?
    probably not …. but nothing ventured , nothing gained.

    Reply

  4. Jay
    Twitter:
    says:

    You didn’t have it gift-wrapped and sent to yourself as a present?

    I don’t think Amy Winehouse spends that much on crack dude!

    Reply

  5. Shiny
    Twitter:
    says:

    I had to visit that site myself. I had no idea that they were selling lime and chili gum.

    I’ve decided on where I will be spending my check to stimulate the economy.

    Reply

  6. Karl says:

    Dude, you might want to pixellate that receipt a bit more, particularly over the part that shows your home address.

    But I totally understand the gum addiction.

    Reply

  7. Mary says:

    It’s time for The Serenity Prayer young man.

    Reply

  8. Jason says:

    Oh, my. That is a lot of money for gum. I just tried the 5 gum today for the first time, and yes, it is almost worth spending hundreds of dollars on.

    On a lighter note…last night I said to Bossy, “Now tell us about Avitable…what was he like? What was he really like?” She had nothing but nice things to say about you. Of course, we didn’t discuss 2 girls 1 cup or dolphin sex, but it was good to hear that you’re a regular kinds of guy and nice person. If I ever go on my own excellent road trip, can I stay at your house?

    Reply

  9. DaDuck says:

    your addiction aside, I have heard of the Flare flavour and tasted it, not impressed, but what is this Rain and Cobalt? I am curious if I need to have the parental units bring some when they visit.

    Reply

  10. jared says:

    I would always see the gum above the trashcan and I assumed it was a lifetime supply you were holding onto. But apparently it’s about a week’s worth..

    Reply

  11. Penelope says:

    That’s £100! Blimey!
    I really want to see what £100 worth of gum looks like.
    (I guess I shouldn’t mention my wine bill though huh?)

    Reply

  12. jordon says:

    That’s a lot of gum to buy. Addicted much?

    Reply

  13. Dan says:

    I can cut that bill right down for you with two words – Flavored condoms.

    Reply

  14. Turnbaby says:

    Mah grandmother pouned into mah head that only trashy whores chew gum in public…oh wait ;-)

    Reply

  15. Miss Britt
    Twitter:
    says:

    LMAO @ Dan.

    Why didn’t you get overnight shipping???? What are we supposed to do about not having gum TODAY?!?!?!

    Reply

  16. Poppy says:

    I like Flare the best of the 5s. (I’m a cinnamon junkie.)

    My brother and I are both gum appreciators. His collection is much more vast than mine. I tend to be quirky about mine. If I am ever somewhere else than where I live I *need* to sample the gums of that region. Canada is my favoritest place to shop for gum.

    Reply

  17. Mr. Fabulous says:

    When you finally do enter into therapy, you will never be able to get out.

    Reply

  18. Em says:

    Holy crap! That’s a lot of gum. I can relate in a way though. I, too, can’t stand bad breath and try to be sure mine is always minty-fresh. I’ve never been without a mint or a piece of gum or something since I was young.

    Reply

  19. Avitable says:

    Amanda, is there gum rehab?

    NYCWD, yeah it does.

    Zom, dude. Livejournal?

    Jay, I chose not to have it gift wrapped, although it’s always nice getting presents.

    Shiny, they’ve got all different cool types of candy and gum.

    Karl, everybody knows where I live already.

    Mary, does that have something to do with Firefly?

    Jason, whatever Georgia said – all lies, I tell ya. And my house is always open to guests.

    DaDuck, I only got one case of Flare because I haven’t tasted it yet. Rain is spearmint (I think) and Cobalt is normal?

    Jared, I let it run out without refilling it. Argh.

    Penelope, I like to pour it out on my bed and roll around naked in it.

    Jordon, I have no ability to resist temptation.

    Dan, tried those – they’re even more expensive!

    Turnbaby, I bet her breath smelled like tobacco and coffee, too.

    Britt, I had to break into my emergency stash, but I’ve got some. And overnight shipping was about $80.

    Poppy, I’m hoping that I like the Flare. You should check out Candy Direct – they have a ton of different flavors.

    Mr. Fabulous, ain’t that the truth!

    Em, see? So it’s not something I can avoid. Might as well embrace it.

    Reply

  20. Sandi says:

    Eh, gum addiction is not that bad. Way better than smokes!

    Reply

  21. Paticus says:

    Yikes !!
    I thought I chewed a lot of gum, but you have me beat hands down. Lately I’m a big fan of the Trident Watermelon Twist(with Xylitol!), but the 5 is some damn fine gum, too.
    didja ever try the Citrus with Blackberry Trident Splash ? I only found it last week, but apparently, it’s discontinued.

    Reply

  22. golfwidow says:

    What, am I going to point fingers? Your gum addiction is more cost-effective, less dangerous, and less offensive, breathwise, than my cigarette addiction ever was, and if you drop a piece of chewed gum on the tablecloth, you can just pick it up and throw it away without having to explain to your mom how that burn hole got on there.

    Reply

  23. Robin
    Twitter:
    says:

    You and your gum and dolphin porn.

    Reply

  24. Jordon says:

    Temptation certainly is a worthy opponent. I find it hard to resist most of the time as well.

    Reply

  25. DutchBitch says:

    Holy Mother of the Church of Avitableness!!!
    TWOHUNDRED DOLLARS worth of gum!?

    :sex023:

    That better fucking tie you over till the next century!

    Can I have one?

    Reply

  26. 1) Thank you for not making me gag on my breakfast, like yesterday.
    2) I was going to suggest gum buying at Costco, but I see you found a way to do it without leaving home.
    3) Have you thought of a way to count it as a business expense?

    Reply

  27. Finn
    Twitter:
    says:

    Wouldn’t be easier to go to Sam’s or Costco or BJ’s to get your gum? No shipping.

    I :heartbeat: your taste in gum though.

    PS – Do you know your address is showing in the screenshot?

    Reply

  28. Poppy says:

    Finn, he’s trying to invite young girls over for a chewing party.

    Reply

  29. Karl says:

    Ah, but Finn, then you have to actually leave the house and go to Sam’s, which is a freaking madhouse. I can totally see ordering my gum online.

    Reply

  30. Trishk says:

    A true addict would have had the gum overnighted. You are just a pretend addict.

    Reply

  31. Avitable says:

    Sandi, this is true.

    Paticus, I was not able to find that Citrus with Blackberry gum. Oh well.

    Golfwidow, your mom still nags you for smoking?

    Robin, well, yes, we can’t forget the dolphin porn.

    Jordon, why bother, right?

    DB, it might last nine months.

    Sunshine, well, I do share it with my employees . . .

    Finn, I only go to Sam’s as a last resort. And I have my address everywhere.

    Poppy, why do you always have to ruin my nefarious plans?

    Karl, especially because this website has a better selection, too.

    TrishK, that would have cost another $60 or more. I’m not THAT addicted.

    Reply

  32. Poppy says:

    I don’t see how I ruined them…

    Reply

  33. Grant says:

    I’m something of a gumaholic myself. I don’t always keep it around, but when I do I can’t stop chain-chewing until the whole pack is gone. I’m starting my own 5 step program which will eventually replace this habit with shooting heroin.

    Reply

  34. Christie says:

    Wow. I thought I loved gum too (if not for chewing gum I’d definately smoke, I have such an oral fixation….).

    Reply

  35. I guess I just don’t see the problem.

    Reply

  36. Crys says:

    i appreciate any and all attempts a person makes to have fresh breath. nothing is more gross than a funky mouth, i’ve gotta say.

    Reply

  37. OMG! I heart Candy Direct! But I swore never to visit it again after I found myself ordering 5-lb bags of Brach’s Starbrite mints (the red kind, DUH) only to find out it would only last a week (if that), and who wants to keep paying the shipping on repeat orders? Sure, I could stock up for like a month but that would be admitting I have a problem.

    Reply

  38. nudeman40 says:

    You don’t need a GCA meeting. All you have to do is get down on your knees and ask a power grearer than yourself( Britt??) to keep you away from a stick of gum for ONE day.. Thank that higher power at night In time the cravings will subside. Either that or you will be homeless, in a mental institution or in jail. If so maybe then you might need a meeting… On second thought you could go now and save yourself a miserable five years…

    Reply

  39. Tug says:

    I have cobalt in my desk drawer, purse, car, and at home. LOVE.IT.

    Reply

  40. othurme says:

    I think if Britt wants gum today, she needs to hit the street corners. Remind her 65% goes to the house.

    Reply

  41. metalmom says:

    I may start keeping tabs on how much I chew. I have it in my mouth constantly. Once I ran out of Winterfresh and had a piece of Big Red and Babygirl noticed RIGHT AWAY! That’s when I knew I had a problem!

    Reply

  42. Tracy Lynn
    Twitter:
    says:

    Dude, even your addictions have a vagina. :loser:

    Reply

  43. Mindy says:

    Have you tried breath mints? Maybe alternate between the two?

    Reply

  44. Janna says:

    Cool, your address is there.
    This means if Fab should (*ahem*) ever mysteriously disappear, (*cough*), then I can start stalking you instead.

    C’mon. It’ll be fun.
    I can leave boob prints all over your windows while you sleep.
    Fab always liked it if I covered them in Crisco first, mixed with a few drops of blue food coloring.

    Once he wanted them covered in macaroni & cheese, but that’s kind of an embarrassing story.

    Reply

  45. AmyD says:

    I fucking got out of bed for THIS?

    Reply

  46. tab says:

    I love that 5 gum! I’ve got some right now actually.

    Reply

  47. Avitable says:

    Poppy, now everybody knows!

    Grant, I still chew sparingly and only use another piece when the taste and freshness are gone.

    Christie, you’re a blowjob queen, too, aren’t you?

    TMP, and now you’re my favorite blogger ever.

    Crystal, but what if it’s funky like P. Funk?

    Lion and Magic Boy, I also ordered a case of Strawberry Milkshake Whoppers!

    Nudeman, there’s no power greater than myself, though.

    Tug, chewing regular gum after that is just sad.

    Othurme, shhhh – at my house, it’s 75%. Did you get your iPod?

    Metalmom, I used to stick a piece behind my ear when I was eating food.

    Tracy, what about my addiction to Gimore Girls? Shit.

    Mindy, I don’t like mints, and there’s usually more sugar in them.

    Janna, I’ve posted my address multiple times. Stalkers can apply by sending a resume and portfolio to my first name at my last name dot com.

    AmyD, hopefully you got of bed because you had to pee because otherwise, ew.

    Tab, I just ran out yesterday. I have the shakes right now.

    Reply

  48. Stephanie says:

    The true test of whether or not you are an addict:

    How long will that much gum last you?

    Reply

  49. Maria
    Twitter:
    says:

    That’s just a teensy bit nuts. But nuts nonetheless. Although, I used to spend almost $1000 a month on weed, so who I am to talk?

    Reply

  50. Maria
    Twitter:
    says:

    And how do I get my own damn avatar picture?

    Reply

  51. Poppy says:

    What is this, everyone else’s first day on your blog?

    Give everyone else a little more credit! They know you like young girls! You TOLD them several times before!

    omg i am tired. stop kidding-fighting with me.

    Reply

  52. Kris says:

    I’d be mad about that $30 shipping charge. You got hosed, dude!

    Reply

  53. Jennifer says:

    Holy smack (as the shorter people in my house would say); you have 53 comments on a post about chewing gum…

    Reply

  54. Avitable says:

    Stephanie, probably about nine months. Maybe.

    Maria, go to Gravatar.com and sign up for a free account.

    Poppy, go sleep, Poppy!

    Kris, it’s a big heavy box.

    Jennifer, what? You don’t find it fascinating?

    Reply

  55. Jennifer says:

    Fascinating, indeed. The whole thing. Quite remarkable…

    Reply

  56. Jennifer says:

    P.S. Mostly I just wanted a chance to use “holy smack” and several ellipses today…. I’d add one of those smiley things but they all kinda scare me.

    Reply

  57. Hey, it’s just gum. At least it’s not meth or crack or masturbating… wait. Ignore that last one!

    Lately, I’ve found myself chewing a lot of Ice Breakers Ice Cubes, in particular the raspberry sorbet flavor. YUM!

    Reply

  58. Sybil Law says:

    I love gum. Your total was pretty preposterous, but still – I totally get it. I have a real oral fixation myself, as several people have pointed out to me.
    I do like the sugar free gum, though.
    When you get it, are you going to post pics of the huge stash?!
    Oh – you need a blowing bubblegum smiley!!

    Reply

  59. Bec says:

    What flavour are Cobalt, Flare and Rain?! What happened to Spearmint, Peppermint, JUICY FRUIT?!

    Reply

  60. DaDuck says:

    The Flare is cinnamon but not very cinnamony. “normal” so it tastes liiiiiiiike….? gum?

    Reply

  61. Dude! That’s a fortune in gum. AND you posted your email address. Aren’t you afraid of gubnam gum-nappers gum-jacking you?!

    Be safe, my friend. Be safe.

    Reply

  62. Errr…WTF! For loving gum so much, how come you don’t have a bubblegum popping emoticon?

    Get on that, k?

    I’m sure you can find a gum snappin’, blow job giving emoticon? I can just see the “pop” and sticky stretch of gum.

    Geez! Do I have to come up with everything. :)

    ~Scout’s Honor
    Another gum-addicted blogista

    Reply

  63. Stacey says:

    I gave up on gum when every kind I tried went flavorless in less than a minute.

    I often tend to have a mint in my mouth though. Lousy gum quality is no excuse for stinky breath.

    Reply

  64. kapgar
    Twitter:
    says:

    Dude, how much gum does one man need?

    Chew party at your house?

    Reply

  65. Krystle says:

    Holy Shite! Well, at least you’ll have fresh breath?

    $200 on gum. Fascinating! Are your teeth worn down yet?!

    Reply

  66. Marissa says:

    I thought I was horrible spending that much on eco-friendly soaps and stuff.

    Or the dog.

    Good to know I’m the only one who spends untold amounts of dollars being happy.
    :woohoo:

    Reply

  67. and i thought i loved gum! damn, you do have issues. don’t worry, i like that about you!

    Reply

  68. Avitable says:

    Jennifer, since you’re so fascinated, you’ll love to hear that my gum arrived today. Woot!

    Heather, the ice breakers are good, but I think the flavor disappears too quickly.

    Sybil, my stash arrived today, and it looks woefully tiny.

    Bec, these are spearmint, cinnamon, and peppermint. They just have trendy names. Which means I’m cool when I chew them.

    Poppy, swell fonne boobee.

    DaDuck, I just got it, so I’ll have to try it and see what I think.

    Scout’s Honor, I’m fully protected against gum-nappers.

    Stacey, this gum tends to last me a few hours, so I like it.

    Kapgar, I can’t help it, man. It’s an addiction.

    Krystle, no – this keeps them sharp and finely honed.

    Marissa, I spend that much on BBW hand soaps, too!

    Atomic Bombshell, nah – my jaws are strong like bull.

    Hello, fresh breath is worth it.

    Reply

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