My introduction to computers and caffine happened nearly simultaneously, when I started my first real job, many moons ago. The graphic artist’s position I landed led to long hours and a neverending flow of free coffee. Before long, I was hooked on both the computers and the coffee. These were the days before personal computers and Starbucks. The Apple IIs were as rare as Dunkin Donuts.

It wasn’t long before I worked my way up to five or six cups of coffee per day. It wasn’t tough to do, considering the long hours we’d work and the small sum we were being paid. There was no charge for the coffee, so we’d drink it like mad.

Ink may have printed the paper, but it was coffee that greased the press.

When I realized that the excessive amount of coffee was causing me to get the jitters, I decided not only cut back, but to cut it out entirely. That’s right my friends … coffee cold turkey.

Lets not make any bones about it. Coffee is an addictive subtance. It’s not unusual to go through withdrawal symptoms of one form or another when attempting to kick the habit. In my case, it was extreme headaches … “a freight train running through the middle of my head.”

I simply could not function without the caffine boost. I was drawn back to the coffee urn, like it or not.

In the twenty or so years hense, I’ve never been able to kick the coffee habit. I’ve cut way back, however, and now only indulge my coffee jones each and every morning. An afternoon coffee is a rare treat, reserved for special occassions.

In my earlier days, six cups of coffee per day proved to be too much. Working from home, there’s no camraderie hanging around the coffee pot. These days, I max out at three cups and I shut off the coffee maker by noon.

Come to think of it … this evening might be one of those special occassions … I’ll be driving past two Dunkin Donuts, a Starbucks, and a WaWa …

[tags]coffee[/tags]