Weaning Off Caffeine

Starting this Saturday, I'm cutting down on the caffeine and switching to decaf coffee. Here's the deal:

Step 1: The first week to 10 days, 3/4 regular coffee and 1/4 decaf coffee.

Step 2: The next 2 weeks, 1/2 regular coffee and 1/2 decaf coffee.

Step 3: The next 2 weeks, 1/4 regular coffee and 3/4 decaf coffee.

Step 4: DECAF 100%

Yes, I am aware that decaf does have a little bit of caffeine, but it's better than the hundreds of milligrams I was consuming daily.

I really hope this works. I've tried to go cold turkey, and the headaches are AWFUL. I lived for 20 years without coffee, and then picked it up thinking that it would be a good thing (I have my uncle Tom to thank for that. Yeah, thanks, dude!). I thought it'd give me a little boost in the morning and help with those long nights of studying (or NOT studying, which I've found to be common place with me). It IS my favorite part of the morning, but I figure I can still have it, just not caffeinated. It's not fun to be so dependent on something, and it makes me way too jittery. I can't take that feeling anymore. So, here goes nothing.

Gotta Move

The monotony is getting to me.
Bigger and better things await.
One month from today. Cuenca, Ecuador.
I'm ready.

Hillary

Well, I just got back from my first Hillary Clinton rally, actually my first Democratic rally (Thanks Gott I have switched sides!), and I was completely blown away. BLOWN AWAY.

First of all, I just found out about this yesterday, so I had to drop everything and get my ass to Columbus today. I was determined. And, yes, obviously I pulled it off, once again. I always do.

As soon as I found all this out, I immediately thought of my friend, Allison, and called her to see if she wanted to go. She called off work and said she'd be there. So, off we went today at 2:30pm.

Being the awesome driver that I am, we got there in record time, 4:15pm, and stood in line outside in the cold for about 45 minutes. The dork that Allison is didn't wear a coat, but luckily, we were towards the front of the line because as soon as we got there, it went clear across the street and beyond. It was crazy.

We got into OSU's French Field House around 5pm, made it to the front row (15 feet away from the platform), and stood there for 3 hours. We had been hearing the she was going to be speaking at 6pm, so we thought, eh, not too long to wait. Well, 6pm came and went, and still no Hill.

Everyone was getting antsy, and the choice for entertainment was less than stellar, to say the least.

So, 7pm rolls around and the place is going insane. Ted Strickland, John Glenn, and two other names that are not coming to mind, came out and introduced Hillary, and she gave the most insanely on FIRE speech I have ever heard. Her speeches are electric on TV, but in person, I can't even describe the feelings. She speaks from the heart, and I believe every single word she says.

She is amazingly gracious and stuck around long after her speech to sign autographs, shake hands, and pose for pictures. I was one of those lucky people to get to talk to her, get her autograph, and get a picture with her. The picture is ridiculously blurry thanks to Allison and her wonderful digital camera skills, but it's there in black and white, nonetheless.

Hillary is the real deal. She is the one who will take this nation to new heights and clean up the mess of the last 8 years. She knows what this country needs, and she knows how to get it done. You don't succeed in this business of politics by sitting on your ass, and THAT she knows firsthand. She talks the talk, and she walks the walk. I am behind her 100%. I was before tonight, but now, I really believe she is the ONLY ONE that bring about change. We need her.

FUCK

This is pretty much how I'm feeling right about now. I don't really know how to express it in actual words, so this seems to work. Thank you, Robin, for putting it so succinctly, and saying it so eloquently.

Now, let's all take a deep breath. 1...2...3... FUCK.