I didn’t start drinking coffee until I was older. And then, only on Saturdays because it would help me get lots of stuff done by working all day. These days I start everyday with a hot cup of coffee. I can’t believe how much I look forward to it. I think about it the night before. I set the pot up and get everything ready in anticipation of the next morning when I will have my first comforting sip. And I wonder why it took me so long and how I made it through college and graduate school without coffee. But coffee changed somewhere along the way. It got luxurious and wonderful. Back in the day I never heard of cappuccino, latte, espresso, macchiato, cafe mocha, frappuccino, etc. It’s like a whole new language has developed around this drink. How long has this been going on? I was late to the scene and still have to ask my barista a lot of dumb questions. Questions laced with anticipation-drool and drug-induced brain-fog and wonder at what an iced pumpkin macchiato with caramel and whipped creme will taste.
I wonder at how much affection I feel for this new habit. So, have I become addicted? I have a lot of self-control and I’ve always been careful not to get hooked on things. But, now I just indulge myself. Sometimes I have a second cup. I never stop because I’ve had enough. I’ve never had enough coffee. I only stop because I don’t want to become a person who doesn’t stop when it’s time to stop. So, if I’m an addict, I keep it a manageable addiction.
But I find that coffee is a designer’s best friend. I use coffee like I used to do. To get things done. Only now I use it everyday. And maybe I get more things done. And that’s what I will keep telling myself, because then my habit is a good thing that helps me with my work. Even if I’ve become a little too dependent on a chemical substance to get me going in the morning. And early afternoon sometimes. And occasionally the early evening, but only once, maybe or twice. But not often. I have self-control and I know when to stop. Even when it’s a good thing.
Another weird thing is I’ve started liking the taste of coffee. Not just the sweet stuff you put in it to kill the bitterness. I even like the bitterness, especially the bitterness. And the sweeteners just cover that up. So, my latest way to drink coffee at home is with just a little heavy whipping creme. No sugar, no flavored creamers. It’s coffee that I love. It’s funny how our tastes change with time.
