Obsessed With, Well, Practically Everything
Posted: Thursday, April 09, 2009
by Grammy Guru
http://grammyguru.com
Don't ask me. I'm just not sure when my first obsession began, or, for that matter, what it was. But, does it really matter? Probably not to anyone except my shrink, who undoubtedly sees dollar signs when I walk through his door.
Sometimes, initially, an obsession seems rather innocuous and the catalyst is some little thing I enjoy. Then, wham! This thing that was so interesting and entertaining has become a full blown obsession. Take coffee. Now, how can anyone turn coffee into an obsession? Piece of cake. I got hooked on regular perked coffee, as well as instant, in college. In practically no time, I became a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about the brew. No one but hippies and Europeans were drinking espresso then, but since I was neither, I wasn't exposed to the world of espresso, gourmet flavored, french press, cold brewed or other exotic coffee drinks until they cost about $3 a cup and were sold only at a specialty store in the mall. It wasn't long before I transferred my obsession from ordinary coffee to espresso. That's when It seemed like a great idea to save money and buy my own espresso maker. But which one? Days, then weeks and months of research and drinking $3 a cup espresso drinks ended when a relative gave me his almost new, imported Gaggia, the Mercedes of espresso machines! He wasn't addicted to coffee, just buying espresso machines. He'd found using the Gaggia was a hassle and purchased a simple, one step espresso maker. I was in heaven, brewing aromatic espresso all day, until I happened to read an article on the possible side effects of drinking coffee made from beans sprayed with pesticides. Now the search was on to find organic espresso beans I could afford. No small thing, that. The coffee gods were smiling the day my first shipment of certified, organic espresso beans arrived. It was also the same day my doctor told me my heart palpitations were caused, in part, to drinking---yep, you guessed it, too much coffee. "Just switch to decaf. It tastes the same," he said smiling sadistically. Decaf? Surely he didn't think I drank espresso solely because I like the taste. Had he never experienced the euphoric buzz that results from an espresso overdose?
Sometimes, initially, an obsession seems rather innocuous and the catalyst is some little thing I enjoy. Then, wham! This thing that was so interesting and entertaining has become a full blown obsession. Take coffee. Now, how can anyone turn coffee into an obsession? Piece of cake. I got hooked on regular perked coffee, as well as instant, in college. In practically no time, I became a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about the brew. No one but hippies and Europeans were drinking espresso then, but since I was neither, I wasn't exposed to the world of espresso, gourmet flavored, french press, cold brewed or other exotic coffee drinks until they cost about $3 a cup and were sold only at a specialty store in the mall. It wasn't long before I transferred my obsession from ordinary coffee to espresso. That's when It seemed like a great idea to save money and buy my own espresso maker. But which one? Days, then weeks and months of research and drinking $3 a cup espresso drinks ended when a relative gave me his almost new, imported Gaggia, the Mercedes of espresso machines! He wasn't addicted to coffee, just buying espresso machines. He'd found using the Gaggia was a hassle and purchased a simple, one step espresso maker. I was in heaven, brewing aromatic espresso all day, until I happened to read an article on the possible side effects of drinking coffee made from beans sprayed with pesticides. Now the search was on to find organic espresso beans I could afford. No small thing, that. The coffee gods were smiling the day my first shipment of certified, organic espresso beans arrived. It was also the same day my doctor told me my heart palpitations were caused, in part, to drinking---yep, you guessed it, too much coffee. "Just switch to decaf. It tastes the same," he said smiling sadistically. Decaf? Surely he didn't think I drank espresso solely because I like the taste. Had he never experienced the euphoric buzz that results from an espresso overdose?
I believe coffee drinking lasted longer than most of the other obsessions, but at least it ended. Well, until recently, when I fell off the wagon and took a hit at Starbucks. Not to worry--I'm looking for a support group.
Now, if I could just stop logging on to Amazon every day to take a quick look-see.
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More commentsHa ha ha...cool dude! great article. I enjoyed it. God bless...Please log in to respond to this comment.Thanks for your feedback. God HAS blessed so abundantly! May He do the same for you.
You are on my permanent prayer list as you await your healing miracle. I'll continue to read your articles because they are inspiring and faith building for me.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Granny,That was perfect! I can so relate. And it was about coffee to boot!Your lines: "Just switch to decaf. It tastes the same," he said smiling sadistically. Decaf? Surely he didn't think I drank espresso solely because I like the taste. Had he never experienced the euphoric buzz that results from an espresso overdose?My husband and I rolled with laughter over that!You have a wonderful style and I'm envious!Thank you for a great write.NancyPlease log in to respond to this comment.Nancy, I really appreciate your comments. Before I joined the Searchwarp community, I hadn't written anything, other than email or a letter, for many years.
Searchwarp is now the first place I go to read great articles from talented writers, such as you. Everyday I find submissions that enrich, enlighten and make me laugh. I'm just delighted this article entertained you. It's a joy to be able to give back.
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Nice article.I also have varying obsessions. Luckily, I currently have none.Please log in to respond to this comment.Hi Grammy, good article. I have only one obsession, I think and that is also coffee, not expresso, just delightful coffee. I have finally found a coffee that I dearly love and I am rarely without a cup on my finger. I have been a coffee lover 65 years but I've never been so addicted. Thanks for writing this article.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thanks for your comments. We coffee lovers are a loyal lot, aren't we? Juan Valdez must love you! A coffee drinker for 65 years!! I think that has to set an all time record. In case I relapse again and feel the need to indulge, please let me know what you think is the best cuppa. Best wishes!Please log in to respond to this comment.Grammy, the coffee I have found that I love so much may not be the finest in the world, but if it were any better I don't think I could stand it. It is also reasonably priced for the quality. The only thing wrong is, I have to order it.You need to go read my article "Gourmet Coffee for Coffee Lovers" it is article # 444738. After trying several of their blends, I've settled on their "Columbian Gourmet". To me it was their best offer, although they have some more expensive ones which I did not try. Don't need to.The company is S&D Coffees of Concord, North Carolina. I have, since writing the article, procured a case of their 1-1/2 ounce packets of "Columbian Gourmet" and in fact, I have a cup of it here on my desk. Man!!!!Give them a call at (800) 933-2210. They also have some very intelligent and gracious ladies who answer the phone. I may sound like a salesman for them...I'm not, but would be glad to be one if they are looking for an old coot.Please log in to respond to this comment.I'll be reading your article tonight. Thanks for taking the time to answer and advise. Enjoy your cup!Please log in to respond to this comment.
Great article. I must be quite lucky as i do not have any obsessions/addictions to worry about, but maybe i am missing out somewhere along the line.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for the response. I should think the only thing you're missing are the addictions' and obsessions' bizarre accoutrements. My obsessions give me plenty of reasons to laugh at myself. Other than that, I probably could muddle through life without most of them. Best wishes.Please log in to respond to this comment.
I thoroughly enjoyed this article, Grammy. I don't like the taste of coffee at all, but if you tried to take away my Coke Classic, we'd have to talk. Uh oh - Am I obsessed? Or just addicted?Please log in to respond to this comment.Both if you're REALLY lucky!P.S. I'm a Coke lover from a way back too!Thanks for the feedback.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Grammy, I enjoyed this very much! Love your sense of humor as it surfaced throughout this article. Am I suppose to confess now to my obsession?
Be well and God Bless! Oh, it's not coffee! *grinning*Please log in to respond to this comment.Hi, Avis,So glad you enjoyed the article.In answer to your query, you don't have to "confess", but you're a good writer, so if you do it, I know it will be a great read!Best wishes,GrammyPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Loved your story! I have the same problem with obsession about everything. My latest has been hazelnut creamer in my coffee and as weird as it sounds, onion rings at some point in the day. So bad that I have to buy them from the grocery store instead of wasting money to eat out.God bless and have a great weekend.Please log in to respond to this comment.Wow! I'm not the only crazy--there are at least two of us! Thanks so much for sharing. Actually your obsessions sound delicious. I'm feeling slightly envious.Thanks for reading my article and for the lovely complement!Best wishes,GrammyPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Very funny Grammy! I love my coffee but I'd have to say my obsession at the moment is with SearchWarp! I work out of my home so I find when I need a break I switch to SearchWarp and read some articles, if I can't sleep at night, I do the same. I love reading comments on various articles and the feeling of getting to know some of these writers. I'm addicted!Please log in to respond to this comment.Thanks for your comments, Brianna. I have to concur with you, since I've joined searchwarp, I'm spending way too much time at the computer on that one site. The good news is, just as you say, there are so many wonderful articles to read and it's delightful to "meet" so many terrific people.Take care,GrammyPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Wonderfully witty, Grammy! What a delightful take on obsessions. (if there could be such a thing?!). For the record, you may want to give this a whirl:PRETEND YOU'RE ITALIAN. Why? Because, for some reason, we don't seem to have the same reactions to coffee as some others. My aunts/uncles come over for "coffee and..." (which is to say 'dessert') and they can have espresso at 10PM, go home and straight to bed. No problem. I'm the same way. So, just PRETEND! Betcha it'll work! (giggle)Sending hugs and a whiff of espresso~Camille OliviaPlease log in to respond to this comment.Dear Camille,Quite a coincidence. My late husband was Italian. He never could understand why drinking coffee too late in the day gave me insomnia. He drank coffee all day, even had a cup holder on the riding lawnmower, so he could indulge while he worked.Thanks for the lovely complements. I gratefully receive your hugs and the whiff of --yum!Best wishes to you.GrammyPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Great article Grammy. My obsession is anything to do with my computer at the moment. Search Warp and Photoshop. My coffee obsession just went away. I go from one obsession to the next. Thanks for sharing.Linda DPlease log in to respond to this comment.Hi, Linda,Thanks so much for the feedback. I share your searchwarp obsession. But I think that's probably one of my healthier ones.Take care!GrammyPlease log in to respond to this comment.
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