Monday, February 16, 2004
I’m trying to give up coffee again. But she won’t let me go.
First it’s the routine thing. I’m into work, just checked my mail, time for a nice cup of coffee. It’s how I (used to) mark my morning. So I’ve dodged that one by bringing tea bags and brewing up as soon as I get here.
Then there’s the withdrawal headaches. I normally only drink one cup a day, but if I haven’t had it by lunchtime my head starts to ache. Fortunately, that’s only for the first day or two, so I’m past that now. Not exactly Trainspotting as a cold turkey experience, but it underlines how much caffeine gets to you.
Then there’s the culture thing. I love sitting in cafes, and they’re not called that for nothing. I know there are plenty of other things I could be drinking, but none seem quite right.
Finally it’s the taste. Except for a few exceptions, decaff coffee tastes terrible, and few enough places in Dublin have more than a jar of instant tucked away for visiting Americans.
So why am I even bothering? When I’m not drinking leaded coffee I sleep better, my joints stop being sore and I’m less agitated. I was in the Motor Tax Office on Friday after a couple of great coffees, and I was a wreck, dropping cheques, photographs, forms and stuff all over the place, my heart racing.
Coffee is great for loads of people, and causes them no real problems. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m one of them. I’ll try being off it for a week and let you know how I get on.
But it just tastes so good.