Caffeine

The first time I had a coffee was on some early morning fishing trip with my dad and some of his friends. It  must have been 7 am, but it seemed like 4, and maybe it was. We were at a diner and they all ordered coffee, so I ordered some too and when the waitress asked "Black?", I said "Yes" because it seemed easy and I didn't want it to be complicated. I've drunk it black since. But I must explain here: Restaurant, diner, work, home, coast - it's always black. I love strong flavors and without the dilution of cream or milk or whatever else may go in there, it's tasty. When I go out to get coffee; it's always a soy latte, or a mocha or a mexican mocha. I never order straight coffee. Getting a coffee is a treat for me. It's not something I do regularly. It's like ordering ice cream on a summer day, or popcorn at a movie; it really is special, whereas when I pour a straight cup of brewed coffee into my mug at school, it's not special; it's almost a necessity, a ritual, something that has to be done. It's not even very good coffee, yet I drink it black.

I have recently re-discovered the joys of caffeine. Because I drink coffee in moderation (about a mug at day - not on purpose, it's just how it is) I don't feel the full effects of the caffeine. On weekends when I have a latte or mocha and if I'm on an empty stomach, caffeine hits me hard and gives me a buzz that I don't like. I'm fond of telling people that I prefer depressants rather than stimulants. But it's true: caffeine can make me sweaty, jittery, jumpy and difficult to be around.

However..

Recently I've been experimenting. On a full stomach and with a few full mugs of coffee, it's perfect. I have a nice amount of caffeine and it keeps me going. I tend to talk a lot more and talk about things that may or may not be important, but it can be a nice buzz. Coffee....

and I still drink it black.