Let's Have Another Cup Of Coffee

A recent study, conducted by the discount health care service HealthSaver, revealed the coffee consumption and caffeine consumer habits in 20 major American cities, placing the Tampa Bay (Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater) area second in the nation, behind Chicago.

I was born and raised in Chicago and have lived in the Tampa Bay area for nearly ten years. Although I had in the past, I do not consume any products containing caffeine on a regular basis.

The study considered numerous sources of caffeine, including coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks, chocolate, pain relievers and caffeine pills. Not surprisingly, the Seattle/Tacoma area, home to Starbucks, ranked tops in the most coffee consumption. Starbucks coffee must be a lot less expensive there.

I like caffeine but I have to limit my intake to a bare minimum (an occasional sip or two). The other night I pushed the limit by consuming two whole cups, laced with coffee brandy. The good old double caffeine whammy. Boy, did it taste good. The next day I was in pain; my hiatal hernia retaliated. It was my first attack of the New Year.

The study also states that responsible caffeine intake can have positive effects. Health benefits range from protecting against cirrhosis of the liver to preventing Parkinson's disease.

According to the AGA (the oldest medical-specialty society in the United States) – “Coffee and caffeine consumption reduce the risk of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase activity.” I’m not a Doctor, (however, I did spent 2 nights at a Holiday Inn Express one time) but this sounds like I should endure the pain and start drinking caffeinated coffee again. Plus it’s a lot less expensive than decaf.

The Beach Bum

TV Commercials

I spent an inordinate amount of my time on the telephone yesterday afternoon. I spoke to two of my children, my Cable company (Bright House), an old friend from Chicago, GEICO automobile insurance, my former boss and a friend here in Florida. I usually do not spend this much time on the telephone. But I had some issues that needed to be resolved before going to my daughter’s house again, for another dog sitting assignment.

During most of the time on the phone I was also watching the Devil Rays being slaughtered by the LA Angels. Lo and Behold while I am on the phone with GEICO, up pops the GEICO Gecko on the television screen. Is this just coincidence or happenstance? I don’t know. I remember when the Gecko made his debut some years ago. Originally these were silly but good commercials. Now he has an Aussie accent and they have taken him to a level of incompetence via the “Peter Principle”. GEICO’s “Cave Man” commercials are even worse than their Gecko commercials. I would strongly suggest that GEICO change Ad Agencies.

As I have said before in my blogs, I like some commercials and occasionally enjoy watching them more than some of the network programs. However, with the exception of Miller Lite beer, a television commercial has never affected any of my purchases. When I decided that I needed to switch to a light beer (I had been drinking ales and Canadian beers) it was the Miller commercials that made me try their brand first. The beer is as they say “less filling”, but I don’t agree about the “tastes great” part.

I’ve been set in my ways and purchasing habits for over 25 years. I’ve been using the same bar soap, the same toilet tissue, the same shampoo, the same laundry detergent etc. etc. from the time that Jimmy Carter was our President. What I am trying to say is that no matter how good a television commercial or magazine advertisement is, it will not change my buying habits. My Mom and Dad were the same way with there purchases; as I do, they bought the same old stuff. You find something that you like and you stick with it. If a new and improved product comes to the marketplace you can bet that the product that you are currently using will soon be new and improved.

The Beach Bum