Martian

This sort of attitude seriously bugs me. Granted, I get it more for smoking than I do for coffee, but all the same.

I've made the decision I've made for a reason. To be perfectly frank, so long as it doesn't affect you it's no business of yours what I do or why; my life is my own to fuck up as I see fit.

I don't try to make anyone partake of my vices. I do not force my decisions on anyone. I can respect that you don't enjoy the things I do. Is it so much to ask that I get the same in return? And what I mean is, don't just pay lip service to that respect, actually do it. That means you don't take that 'fuck up your life if you want' sort of attitude that I get so freaking often.

So long as I'm not blowing smoke in your face or pouring my coffee down your throat, why do you have to care?

Sorry for the rant, but things like that rub me the wrong way. Yes, I made my choice. Yes, I am fully aware of all the consequences and side effects. If you don't understand why I do what I do now, you're probably not going to.

And on the preview, I've decided to add this in in case you're interested. I have Crohn's Disease. This illness hit me without rhyme or reason and it seriously fucked up my life. It almost killed me and I have had several near-death experiences since. All of that drove home to me the frailty of life; therefore, I partake in a form of mild hedonism. I realize that what I'm doing is hazardous to my health. Living is hazardous to my health. There are more ways that I could die in any given day than I care to count; adding a couple more doesn't particularly concern me and I like the effects that my drugs of choice have on me.

If that makes sense to you, fine. If it doesn't, well.. just know that I made informed decisions and don't fucking look down your nose at me for them.

EDIT to avoid a dobule post.

Zeraph, the reason people seem to be irrational about their addictions is because (for me, at least) people who have these vices are often treated as if they don't know any better. It's belittling and it's irritating. After enough of that, you just get tired of it and when person X decides to raise what to you is a very tired old argument, you tend to get a bit aggravated.

I realize your question was meant to be rather innocent, but I'm going to leave the above ranting in place, because it explains my position quite aptly.

My reasoning is much more direct than maleficent's. I drink coffee because caffeine has a number of pleasant side effects. I'm aware of the pitfalls and have decided that the benefits are worth the risk. It's as simple as that.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame