blue artichoke

I've got some issues with water. I'm trying to drink more of it, but I usually find it so boring. I can fill a pretty plastic cup, a tall glass or water bottle and it will remain full for the rest of the day. But I've found that the Smart Water bottle appeals to me, be it the size, shape, feel in my hand or the happy little goldfish that peeks through the bottle; whatever the reason, I'll chug down any bottle within my reach. Buying water is ridiculously expensive, though, so I usually refill the Smart Water bottles several times, until they start to smell funky. When I'm traveling, however, or thirsty out and about town, I balk at paying $1-$2 for something that comes free (ok, very cheap) from the tap. I need to buy something when I pay for a drink -- caffeine, artificial flavors, synthetic dyes... something. As with the Smart Water, I think I may have found a solution to staying hydrated and getting economic satisfaction: Crystal Light On-the-Go Energy. A little pouch of powdered caffeine and vitamins that you dissolve in a bottle of water. Sounds good (and, yes, I'm perfectly aware that I'm actually paying more for a bottle of water by adding in the cost of the caffeine packet, but paying more allows me to buy water when I need it, so back off!). I tried my first Crystal Light Energy in Vegas. It's so hot and dry there that hydrating was difficult. I couldn't even drink much alcohol because I was craving water, but I needed the caffeine to keep up with my crazy cousins all night. I added the packet to a 20 oz. bottle of water while waiting in the hotel registration line. The instructions say to add a packet (2 servings) to a 16.9-oz. bottle of water, or 20-oz. "for a lighter flavor." Lighter flavor!? I can't imagine it any more concentrated; it was a lip-smacking sweet and tart when mixed with 20 oz. Next time, I'll dilute it even more. If there is a next time, that is. For the next 10 hours, I felt speedy, jittery on the inside and exhausted on the outside. It was like I went to a rave and couldn't find any ecstasy and the mushrooms didn't work so I took a fistful of ephedrine and didn't sleep for three days. That's the feeling, that third day of not sleeping, all wrapped up in a tiny pink packet. Maybe it was the circumstances of my first drink - a lack of sleep and an empty stomach - or maybe Crystal Light Energy is the new club drink. I'll try it again under more ideal conditions, and maybe wear my cardio heart monitor to see if it truly is powdered speed. I like the idea of caffeinated water, but I never want to feel like that again. It's quite disturbing to feel like you should be moving at 100 mph but too tired to do anything about it. I may have to settle for the decidedly less stimulating but equally delicious Crystal Light On-the-Go Raspberry Ice (my favorite CL flavor).

Getting to Know All About You: So, what's up with you?