The first soda of the day is always the best, I prefer ice cold coke from a can. After several hours of fitful sleep, and the possibility of some sort of poisoning from whatever I have eaten the day before, I'll struggle out of my lopsided bed and stagger into the bathroom for the usualy morning ablutions, much the same as anyone.

Making my way to the kitchen, I will absentmindedly , or subconsiously open the refridgerater with the light that does not work, and reach for my cola.

I prefer Coke in cans.

Wandering from one room to the next, maybe lighting the incense to get rid of the sock smell, I'll end up in from of one of my two boxes, the TV or my computer. Both of them call to me, wanting to be used like the alarm clock thats you always have plugged in, but never turn on.

But my moods change like traffic signals. One day I'll lounge in my underwear watching some inane movie that I've seen before, but thought was interesting at one time, but soon realize that seeing some things for the first time is always better that seeing them again, unless it is a loved one, or someone who owes you money.

Or, I'll boot my computer, and stare at some wallpaper which I've put there at some point, because I thought it was interesting, and it hasn't worn off yet, usualy somethign to do with a movie, of a woman, my moods change like we change radio staions on a long drive.

All the while I'm sitting at one of my boxes, the Coke in a can is not being neglected.

Now there are many attribute to a can of soda, not all of them are the same, it depends on the soda. I know that orange soda, while carbonated, does not have the same hiss and cola, and even Pepsi has a weaker hiss than Coke in a can. If you are speakig plastic bottles, the sounds are very similar, and therein lies a topic for a future assesssment of soda and snacks.

But sittign on my sofa, holding the ice cold Coke in a can, there is almost a refreshing quality that resounds when the metal ring is pushed into the retaining slot, and the metal is forced open, to let escape a small, but quite noticable hiss, and a very faint scent of cola nut. Also, the air is humidified with whatever small amout of soda is ejected into the air as a result of the pressure that has built up by the ordinary bottling of the soda in a can.

Is a can of soda bottled?

Now that the can is open, there is a certain amount of etiquette involved in drinking the Coke in a can.

First rule, always use the right hand, if you are right handed, left if you are left handed. This is a normal thing which should be adhered to at all times. It is the only decent thing to do. Far be it from me to upset the natural balance of the universe but drinking soda off handed.

Now in the drinking of the soda, you cannot just take a sip. Like testing the water at the communal pool, you must dive in head first, letting the wave of temperature variance take control of your system, shocking you into a state of awareness that is only reserved for those giving birth or skydiving.

I have done neither, but I'm just assuming.

Now when the Coke from a can hits your mouth, and makes its way down your throat which has felt very little since you have been sleeping for several fitful hours, it is awakened by the sudden influx of bubbles, caffine and the secret formula that makes Coke...well, Coke. The burning that occurs in the first few moments is like nothing on the planet.

Now I have drank Pepsi in the morning, and I must say that the sensation is totaly lost with anything other than Coke. Pepsi has a tameness to it that just sceams pastels.

Coke is a hammer hitting your car windshield.

And now we come to the core of the experience. The Burn.

Now I have only been on fire a few times in my life, nothing serious, thank you for your concern. But thats bad burn. We are talking ice cold Coke in the can burn. This is the feeling that every fiber of your being has been struck by a match. The feeling you get when you touch a hot iron. It doesn't hurt until you realize "Oh my God, my hand is burning". It is a fleetign feeling, otherwise it would become casual and we would develope a tolerance to it. That's why they invented The Burn to be short and powerful. Like a moth to light, the desire to feel the liquid fire coursing down our throats may seem a little odd, but so is that small cut on your lip that would heal if we would just stop playing with it. People need diversion and excitment in their normally dull lives, and The Burn is a good way to start the day. If I could harness the power and feeling of The Burn, I would never leave the house.

So after the initial drink, which should consist of at least twenty five percent of the 12 ounce can, you can sit and reflect on life, and you may flip through several channels of TV, for you are now awake, and after the experience of your first Coke of the day, nothing else in normal daily life will be as thrilling or as satisfying. Of course, there are things more thrilling than Coke, but not in the normal course of a day. Gunfire, nuclear war, really good pizza are not common things that happen all the time.

Well, maybe gunfire.

But it has been my my experience, the day begins with a snap, a hiss, and a feeling of wonderment when my parched overnight throat is invaded by the searing feeling of something so cold, yet so refreshing, it is almost as if someone were sitting next to you slapping your face, and then you realize it is the most beautiful person your have ever met.

I will forgo the first Burp of the day. It does not neeed to be discussed.

So drink up freinds. and when you hear the hiss of cold Coke in a can, remember to smile.

Coke is your friend.