“Who is it?”
The buzzer had scared Sir Hal half to death. It’d scared me nearly as much; it hadn’t been working for weeks. I pushed the button and let the visitor in and then waited by the door until I heard the elevator open.
“Kinda late for you, isn’t it?”
“Nah. We have to come when we can catch you guys at home.”
At half past seven, the UPS man slid a large box across my threshold and handed me a pen for my electronic signature. I wondered out loud about what could be in such a big box. I’d already gotten my mom’s disgusting* care package a couple days before.
“Whatever it is, enjoy!”
“Thanks. And happy New year!”
The UPS man disappeared back into the elevator and I fetched the scissors. No sooner had I slit the tape and read the packing slip than I was at my desk writing a thank-you note. The gift was still in its box, tucked in yards of bubble wrap.
Ten minutes before, Ari and I had been making a movie-date. A late movie date. While we were on the phone, she’d put coffee on (yawn suppressant) and I thought about the cup sitting on my counter.
“I guess I’ll reheat the one I got at Barnes & Noble this afternoon.”
It had tasted burnt and disappointing, but it was better than falling asleep in a movie I paid way too much to see.
Ten minutes later, I am sitting in my club chair, a warm and yummy cup of coffee in my hands, deliriously excited about the new, beautiful Senseo coffee maker on my kitchen counter. I am filled with glee (and caffeine)! All thanks to Stephanie for the wonderful surprise.
Now, if I fall asleep in the movie, it will be because of Kevin Costner’s lack of talent, and not for my lack of energy.
Yee!
* And by disgusting, I mean, I could eat myself into one hell of a disgusting food coma with the goodies that blessed woman sent. Cookie mix, popcorn, cocoa mix, chocolates, nuts, candy canes. Gift certificates for books, coffee and pajamas. Try to pry me off my couch. I dare you.
The box from your mom sounds like quite the Winter Break survival kit. Enjoy!
heather- damn, I want one of those too. guess I’ll have to get some friends and hope for the best
The Senseo is HUGE in Holland, which is where I first sampled that miracle. The Dutch take their coffee very seriously…
What a kickass gift!
The coffee is excellent! I should go a little lighter on the Splenda, but all in all, really yum.
Yippee! Sooooooo glad you like it!Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!
The unexpected things always feel the best! And when it’s combined with caffeine, even better!
pry you off your couch? You’ll be too buzzed to sit still there! What a wonderful surprise, enjoy!
splenda is not good for you. it is made with chlorine which is left behind in your body. a little sugar doesn’t have that many calories anyway. maybe you would like stevia, which is a natural plant sweetener, only sold in health stores in the US… the FDA won’t allow it to be called a sweetener even though it is sweet, and has been in use in South America and Asia for many years. i don’t like stevia that much, but if you are looking for a healthy lo-cal sweetener, it may be for you.
Whole Foods won’t sell anything with sucralose (splenda)… see what they say:
http://www.wholefoods.com/healthinfo/sucralose.html
http://www.mercola.com/2004/jan/10/splenda_questions.htm
Oh Jesus. Next you’re going to tell me huffing paint fumes is bad for me.
(In other words, save it. I know. I’ve read all that before.)
Ha! I got one too and i thought of you as soon as I got it.
Have a happy New Year Heath. Miss u.
Oh, and I wish someone would have told me huffing paint fumes is bad for you. Now I guess I’ll just have to stick with good ‘ol airplane glue.
I think you should change your diet to consume nothing but splenda. Since you have heard it/read it all before, and are consequently an expert on artificial sweetners, i am sure you will be ok. How dare anyone try to give you any unsolicited (although what seemed to be intended to be helpful) advice. I think Romani should be drawn and quartered for dispensing such information.
heather- Don’t use splenda. It does terrible things to you. Ever since started using it at age 13 I’ve been growing hair on my face, chest, and tummy.
Yes, this was a glutonous holiday around our house. I think my wife is getting me one of those “cranes” that Sea World uses to move whales, so that I won’t damage anything when I try to get out of bed in the morning.
Ahh, at last we learn the true value of a blog: to publicly display your chrismas wish list so you get the cool things you want. I don’t have a blog, so my parents sent me the two most horrendous shirts to have even been made. But it wasn’t a complete waste, I finally got a PS2 from one of my friends
I’m making a fresh cup of coffee right now to celebrate!
hold up. you mean you consume splenda, and also tylenol pm with a shot of bourbon?! how dare you try to live like me!
sucka’s for believin’ ya. they have no idea that this blog of yours has a bit o’ creative license mixed in. don’t tell ‘em though, ya hear? 
Heh. Actually, I do take Splenda with my coffee. Anything artificial is gonna be bad for you somehow. But I think you’d have to eat a shitload of it to do any real damage. And if not? Eh.
Wait…a UPS man who actually delivers packages during the hours when you’re home?!? I thought he was an urban legend!
Sadly, stevia tastes like ass. Personally, I’d rather have chlorine in my veins than get fat.
For someone who just got an espresso machine/coffee machine, you aren’t writting many jittery posts. We miss you Fish.
D’oh! Writing.
I certainly feel as if I’m missing out on a lot by not drinking coffee.
I’m experiencing some technical difficulties… But with all luck, I’ll be back up and running tonight!
I have lately been reading your posts from 2002 on and must tell you that your writing has improved v. v. much. I love reading about your adventures. Good luck and keep up the good work.
Hey!I have just joined your blog and though i didn’t keep up with your previous posts,still i think you are doing a great job writing about your experiences……..you’ve definitely got a flair for it!From now on whenever i need a good read i’ll know where to look for it.Thanks loads!P.S.you should write a book.
Fish, I know it’s a bit late to comment on this post now but since I’m also in love with this appliance I felt this should be the one.
I’ve just caught myself up to present day after reading through your archives and I must say I’m definitely a fan of your blog & of your amazing writing style. Yours is one that I read every day while at work (you know, when I should be doing some WORK or something, heh) but as I have a monkey job I need some sort of motivation to get through the day and your blog makes me smile (sometimes laugh out loud at my desk but that’s alright, co-workers already know I’m a tad strange!). I’m addicted!
Cassy