So there I was, walking bleary-eyed down L Street this morning, when I stopped to get some breakfast- a bagel and a Diet Mt. Dew. (Shut up, it’s what I drink instead of coffee.)

I got my bagel without a problem at the shop I frequent for this morning ritual, but when I reached for my liquid refreshment… Denied! Not a single Diet Mt. Dew in the case.

I paid for my bagel and headed for the CVS next door- they usually have what I need. But no love there, either. Crap. It is at this point that my uncaffeinated brain started plotting to explore every shop in a four block radius until I found the electric yellow-green crack I needed. But I was already running late for work, so I headed to the office instead.

Once I had finished my bagel, I felt fortified and resumed by search. Off to SoHo, my back-pocket option. Surely they would have what I craved. But no, thwarted again! The reptilian part of my brain started to panic at the prospect of a Diet Mt. Dew shortage in DC. What would I do?

As a last resort, I headed to the Au Bon Pain I pass every morning on my way to the office from the garage. I knew I’d overpay for my sweet elixir there, but it no longer mattered. And yes, they did have it.

But it was warm. Dammit.

As I trudged back to the office to put my hard-won soda in the freezer, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the Chocolate Chocolate window. I had a realization.

Not only am I apparently a junkie, the reason I was jonesing so hard today for Diet Mountain Dew is that I stayed up late last night to play World of Warcraft.

Oh god, I have become a cliche.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs