There's a Starbucks located inside the grocery store by my house. Since it's the only coffee shop anywhere near the house, this is by default my regular coffee spot. Which means, by default, I've also become a regular at the grocery store itself. (Is this how to be a hipster?)

The girls that work at the grocery store Starbucks know my name, know my order. Most of the time they ask, "the usual?" and most of the time I say "yes, please" (because, manners). This exchange is the fulfillment of a life-long dream, in some ways, as I've always wanted to be the guy that walks up to a counter and -- without asking for a thing -- picks up his "usual" to the awe and admiration of fellow customers. (In truth, it's actually the penultimate dream, as I'd consider getting a breakfast dish at a diner named after me the pinnacle of life's "regular" achievements, but there's time yet, and that's for another place and time.)

Anyways, my usual is the doppio espresso machiatto: a couple shots of espresso with a touch of milk and foam to cut the acid. I'm a simple man, but I'm not going to say no to a little flair.

Today, the girl asked if I'd noticed that my drinks were heavier, lately. In fact, I had. I had assumed they'd gone lax on the measurments and were pouring more milk than foam, resulting in a proportionate increase in overall beverage weight (OBW). The hypothesis, however, was to be quickly disproven.

"I've been hooking you up with extra shots," she told me, with a look of pride.

There are certain instances in life where getting a "little extra" is a great thing. Donut holes and whiskey are the first things that come to my mind -- which may or may not say a lot about me -- but I'm certain there are others.

Caffeine, however, is a different deal.

And so I immediately started thinking about how earlier this week, I felt especially wired after a cup of "the regular" and thought perhaps I was becoming sensitive to caffeine (showing how very little I know about science and biology) and shrugged it off right before I CLEANED THE ENTIRE HOUSE.

And I thought, MAN MY HEART IS REALLY MOVING THIS MORNING. And NEAT HOW MY VISION IS BLURRY. And then also, AM I GOING TO DIE WHY AM I CRYING.

Anyways, take care of people and they'll take care of you. Even when you don't expect it. Even when you don't realize it.

Even if it kills you.