For those who don’t know me, I’m Leaford,

I was a one to two pack a day smoker for over 15 years. I never really tried seriously to quit, I enjoyed it too much. Not everything about it, no. I hated the constant hacking and wheezing. I hated the smell on all my clothes, my drapes, my skin. I hated my smokey room, and all the dust, and ashes, and butts, and dirty ashtrays. The yellow film on my teeth and my TV. And I hated the fact that I KNEW it could kill me someday, and some mornings felt like it would right then.

But I loved the quick pick-me-up in the mornings, the increased alertness, the decreased stress, and slight buzz of the nicotine. I loved the feel of the smoke rolling down my throat, filling my lungs, and then the satisfaction of the exhale, seeing the cloud of smoke billowing away into the air. I loved seeing the smoke curling around in the air, illuminated by stray shafts of early morning sunlight. I liked the flavor of a menthol, and had learned to like the taste of tobacco.

I loved smoking, and didn’t really want to quit.

But I was also a loving owner to two wonderful Parrots, Mike, my 14 year old Timneh African Grey, and Jamie, my 13 year old Peach-Faced Lovebird. And then, one heart-breaking morning, I got home from work, and found Jamie dead at the bottom of her cage.

Lovebirds live up to 15 years, so she was getting up there, anyway. But I couldn’t help but wonder if my selfish habit had stolen the last couple of years from her life.

I didn’t want to keep taking that chance with Mike. African Greys have been known to live up to 70 years. 40 years is more common. I was determined to give Mike a better shot at outliving me.

But I still loved smoking and dreaded quitting. I tried cold turkey, but failed. I am a chronic insomniac, and the inceased insmnia from withdrawl was crippling. I discussed nicotine therapy with my doctor but they were more expensive than cigs and didn’t sound worth it. She told me about Chantix causing hallucinations (sounded fun!) and suicidal tendancies (less fun).

I decided to see if I could at least address the second hand smoke Mike was breathing, and which was stinking up my clothes. So I searched on Froogle for “smokeless ashtray” to see if those had improved since the late 70’s. And among the results was an electronic cigarette Supermini from Heavens Gifts on E-Bay.

I ordered that, and less than a week later an E-Cigarillo from E-Cig.com, and then later a Crown7, before I found http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com and found info on some GOOD e-cigarettes. I was always a gadget junkie and a shopaholic anyways, so it wasn’t long before I had several more.

And soon after that I started I began doing reviews.

It’s been almost 10 months now, and around 8 months since I started reviewing, and I’ve done around 2 dozen, most with video demos.

Those who know my work can attest that I have earned a reputation for being very thorough, comprehensive, honest, and unbiased. The suppliers who have dealt with me can attest that I can be very demanding of my devices. I insist it work well by several standards of performance measurement. And I have zero brand loyalty. My favorite product today will be cast by the wayside as soon as something that performs better comes along.

I have lost track of how many devices I have tried. Dozens, at least. Many more than I have had time to review. And I have shared freely all that experience with you; from e-cig beginners, to e-cig veterans and community members.

Now, at long last, this journey has led me to the blogosphere, and this website.

I am trying my hand at this, and one goal will be to generate a revenue stream to help me fund the purchase of more new devices, upgrading my video and photo equipment, and hopefully some surplus for myself.

I have signed up for affiliate accounts, and will make those codes and links available in my reviews and posts. All I ask for all the work I do to do these reviews and bring them to you is that if you choose a product based on one of my reviews, please use my link or code to buy it.

I am commited to maintaining my reputation for honesty and impartiality, and for comprehensively evaluating all the pros and cons of each device, and giving all that information to you. I will make my best, honest recomendations, regardless of affiliate status. And I will openly label all reviews and posts featuring products from sellers I have an affiliate account with.

And, as a check on my honesty, I will keep my reviewing history intact, so you can always compare what I am saying now against what I said before I had financial interests.

Money is nice, but I did this for a long time, at my own expense, for no more reward than the respect and credibility I earned in your eyes. And I find that means more to me than money.

So if you like my reviews, and decide to purchase any of the devices, please use the links or codes I provide. In return I am trying to arrange for discounts on your purchases. And I will be devoting even more time and effort to these reviews, and a lot more, to repay the entire e-cig community.

So to my old forum and Youtube friends, I am confident nothing will change in your eyes. Except for the better. And to beginning e-smokers, or the curious, welcome! I hope you will find my reviews and advice helpful.

Great things are coming, and I hope you’ll all be along for the ride!