I'm awake... I'm awake! (Stupid Alarm Clock)

Wow, looks like I overslept... for a few months. Sorry about that faithful readers. Change of job, lots of traveling, family growing up quickly - all have lined my coffers with valuable material for this publication.

You know how you get into a groove, have a routine. Do certain things which at one time had a purpose, but then just became part of the day? Yeah, same here. So I thought I'd change it up a bit. Those of you who know me rarely have seen me in recent years without a Diet Pepsi in my hand - typically being emptied into my skull. Diet Pepsi has also been running a "Pepsi Stuff" promotion with Amazon.

Good news: I get "stuff" for my loyalty to a product and diligent entering of online codes.

Bad news: I get to see a fairly accurate tracking of just how much of this stuff I'm ingesting.

How much? Seriously? Yikes!

So I had a self induced Diet Pepsi ban - took two weeks off from all caffeine. No ill effects, no real change in sleep habits... so what's the big deal. For those of you with stock who had to endure the 21% drop in value: My bad. Take the long view. You'll be fine.

Enter Monday Night Football... and a sick daughter. Somebody needed a wake-me-up this AM. So I decided to figure out what the deal was. How does Caffeine actually pop these droopy lids open at 6:30?

Check this out.

Excerpts:

"... Caffeine is believed to work by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain and other organs. This reduces the ability of adenosine to bind to the receptors, which would slow down cellular activity. The stimulated nerve cells release the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline), which increases heart rate, blood pressure, and blood flow to muscles, decreases blood flow to the skin and organs, and causes the liver to release glucose. Caffeine also increases levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Caffeine is quickly and completely removed from the brain. Its effects are short-lived and it tends not to negatively affect concentration or higher brain functions. However, continued exposure to caffeine leads to developing a tolerance to it. Tolerance causes the body to become sensitized to to adenosine, so withdrawal causes blood pressure to drop, which can result in a headache and other symptoms. Too much caffeine can result in caffeine intoxication, which is characterized by nervousness, excitement, increased urination, insomnia, flushed face, cold hands/feet, intestinal complaints, and sometimes hallucinations. ..."

Well, now you know.

Welcome back readers.