Thread by @vaper_the

It's now hit the 3rd time @tswan40 has been tagged to make a '5 year vape free' medal for me. I feel compelled to explain why I will never change my avatar to include it.

It comes down to two reasons. 1/

1) I don't feel like I've actually ACHIEVED anything.
I read the stories of people who dual use for 6+ months and feel sorry for them. But it is sympathy rather than empathy.
I was one of the lucky few who, on 1st PUFF of vapor, realised I was an ex-smoker. 2/

.. I enjoyed vaping so much more than smoking that it was trivial for me to stop.

2) I really, REALLY like my current avatar exactly as-is.
I liked it when I first thought of it. I liked it when I hired a friend's daughter to turn the concept into an image for me. 3/

I like it so much that I even have a t-shirt of it, and a 3D printed ring of it.

But Tim, thanks for all your concerted vape advocacy, and for your tireless work as the Grand Master Medal Maker of Vape. 4/

I would have just called you the the Master Medal Maker but the very fact you've now been tagged a 3RD TIME for making one, I think elevates you to 'Grand'.

Please keep up the great work Tim, and if I see any worthy applicants for your medals, I'll be sure to tag you. 5/

But I'll keep this handy here, to refer to when people tag you (yet again) to make a medal for ME. 😉 6/6

@threadreaderapp, please unroll this thread for me.