Nice things?

I can take criticism, too.

Even if you don’t want to be honest, plug some things in for fun. I’m interested to see how it works.

Back to linked lists with pointers. Oh goody.

Please keep Velcro in your prayers. This morning we noticed that she was limping terribly on her back left leg. I don’t know what’s wrong, but I’m afraid it is broken. Even though I affectionately call her my little kitten, she is somewhere close to 20 years old, and is not of the physical health or of the countenance to visit a Vet. I’m very worried for her; she is a good friend.

I experienced such heartbreak during my first semester at Lander, when the nearby Coffee & Dessert Company closed their doors for good. At the time, there weren’t any other coffee shops in town, much less any that were within walking distance of Lander, which was of great importance to me, as I didn’t have a means of transportation at the time.

It seemed though, that when the C&D closed, an entire crop of coffee shops began to sprout up around town. There was Mocha Express (the drive-thru and the location in the mall, both of which happen to be owned and run by my cousins), then shortly after there was Jimary Java downtown, and then the little coffee shop inside Jerry’s Produce. Now there’s a wireless cafe near the hospital, called The Daily Grind, and Lander has opened a coffee shop in the campus Library called Java City. This past semester has found me at one of these locations, whichever happens to be most convenient, at least once a day.

You don’t have to know me very well to know of my coffee habit. In fact, a brief skimming of my blog will reveal the truth*. Lately, I’ve started to notice my dependency on caffeine. While I haven’t gone a day without at least one cup of coffee in probably a year, if I make it until about 2:00 in the afternoon with just one or two cups of coffee, I find myself stricken with a pounding headache and an inability to keep my eyes open (even if I’ve had my share of sleep the night before). The most difficult part of my situation is that there’s only enough coffee in my house for me to have one cup before I leave. We have a 12-cup coffee maker; although I am the first person in my house to wake up every morning, I wind up with last dibs on the coffee. I pour the first of the pot into Dad’s thermos, and Amy and I split whatever’s left, which is usually about 2 cups.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are the easiest days to find coffee, as I only have one morning class at 8:00, and I’m at work by 9:20. Amy and I keep a coffeemaker in our classroom, and if I don’t have time to brew any before my first class at 9:20, I make a pot before my 10:30 class, and I’m set for the day.

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays aren’t nearly as simple. Mondays and Fridays I have classes at Lander from 9:00 until 1:50, and have to be at work to teach at 2:00. There’s not a break of any sort in those times, and many days when I am unable to pick up a coffee somewhere before my first class I wind up either skipping a class or being significantly late for a class while waiting for Emmette at Java City to make me a Caramel Macchiato with double-espresso. Emmette is a wonderful lady, but her coffee-making skills are definitely centered around quality instead of speed.

Of course, my bank account is not so happy about all this coffee I’ve been buying. Usually I just order your every-day cup of brew, which runs about $1.25 at most coffee shops. If Emmette is working, though, I can’t stand not to order a Macchiato, because they’re just so good. Those are somewhere in the $3.50 range, after the extra shot. These little coffee purchases, definitely add up, and when I look at my account balance over the weekend, I’m terribly disheartened.

I just really hope that my dependency doesn’t get much worse. I don’t want to be the girl that pawns off her dad’s Stratocaster to support her habit. I also don’t want to be the caffeine-junkie who sits in the corner and twitches if she doesn’t get 12 cups a day. So if you all notice things getting that out-of-hand, feel free to intervene.

And while I’m at it, a big thanks to my drug buddy (and my other buddy) for having me over for coffee yesterday. It’s good to have support. I love you guys.

*A search for the word “coffee” in my blog will reveal some startling observations on my coffee habits.
-“I have this strong desire to have a cup of coffee and be productive all night. I would accomplish so many things:” – Post 12
-“Usually, when things get really busy or hectic or stressful, I just sleep a little less, drink a little more coffee, and wait for things to settle.”
-”even if I drink coffee by the pot-full and as many Red Bulls as my friends’ charity will provide, there still comes a point in which it becomes physically impossible to accomplish everything on the to-do list” – Post 24
-“As for secure, I don’t really need money. Well, maybe a few dollars for coffee every now and again.” -Post 31
-“i’m sitting here at 9:06 AM drinking coffee that’s a tad bit burnt and that’s sweetened and creamed with Reddi-whip (because we have no milk).” – Post 38