Hi. My name is Phil. I am a coffee addict. That’s my drug of choice. Acceptable societal vice. Want it, NEED it. N0W!!! Each morning, my eyes barely open, the craving begins. I toss back the covers, then throw my bones out into the world. Stumbling in the early morning darkness to the bathroom, I grope for the light switch. Yep, it’s the room with the shower. One morning I found my way into the hall closet by mistrake. I did find my missing ’88 Dodgers World Series hat before exiting, then found door #2 a few paces down.
Once in the shower, I LOVE the feel of hot water spouting onto my head and wending its way down to the rest of me. Early mornings and cold mornings, this is ALMOST the highlight of my day. I’d stay in there forever, maybe longer, if it weren’t for 2 things: body “hurtin” for a coffee fix, and my dad’s voice echoing in my water-drenched noggin that, “There are six other people that have to shower!”, and “Money doesn’t grow on trees!”. I’m done when I’m somewhere between squeaky clean and waterlogged.
Never been a brew-it-at-home guy. Instead, I’m off to my bean dispensary. It used to be Starbucks. Now it’s McDonald’s. Been “using” at Mickey Dees for over a decade. Less bitter, tastes better. Senior discount and free refills. I get anxious if there is a line or a slow McD’s server. I panic when it’s both. I dare not speak to anyone, afraid of what decibel my tone may reach. Hot cup of joe finally in hand, I retreat to my car and begin sipping. THE highlight of my day! Dark outside, this hot liquid bathes my innards, slowly bringing me back to life. Akin to the shower erasing the night from my eyes, java expunges the passing time from my joints.
Refill time, then back to the car. Reading or writing, meditating or planning for the day, all seem to go better with coffee. So, too, does just sitting in stillness waiting for the sun to throw back ITS blankets. Savoring the flavored brown water, I ease into the morning. Gently greeting the new dawn, I NEVER look at my watch. Time does not exist in THIS world. Coffee does. Slowly I drink in the new day. Peace and quiet. Ahhhhhh!
Tried doing this at the office. No can do. Commotion, people, phones, computers. More people. Too early for distractions. Thinking organ not yet drenched and saturated, completely, with caffeine. I will join the others in the fray soon enough. Prior to that reality……coffee, coffee and MORE coffee!
I need 30 minutes to an hour of alone time sipping myself awake. Not just eyeballs open…..mind, body and soul open. Mud poured over them all. Two or three coats. The bolder, the better. High octane. Thought about an IV. A bottomless cup. Unlimited ounces. I know my limit and, once reached, I am able to go forward. Primed and poised for whatever today offers up.
Eyes wide open. Bounce in my step. Mind racing. Amped, I am fully caffeinated. NOW bring on the people. Go ahead, phones…ring! I dare ya! Fire up the PC and schedule lots of meetings. Come on, world….let’s go! And I do go, go and go some more. No panic, no fear, no anxiety. No silence, no slowness, no easing. I am good! Energized for the rest of the day until head and pillow are reunited. Exhausted, I take slow, deliberate, deep breaths. Closing my eyes, I count coffee beans jumping into a grinder at a Columbian plantation until full-blown slumber arrives. Hot espressos, lattes and large cups of java percolate my dreams up till the electronic rooster crows. The craving begins….