Well, I must have fallen asleep at around 3.30 last night, after all the caffeine I had yesterday. It must definitely be having a non-soporific effect on me, because even though I am extremely tired, I could not get back to sleep after The Hubster left for work this morning, which is extremely unusual for me indeed.

No more coffee for me today. I’ve had eight cups, seven of which were milky espressos and one of which was ordinary instant. There’s no way I’m particularly sleepy - tired, yes, but I was tired to start with, if you’ll recall.  Oh, and I had a cup of tea, first thing, as well.

So, given the evidence of my experience, I’d say the Scientology view of drugs is nonsense. But then, I already knew that.

Fourth cup of coffee finished.  I’m still tired, through lack of sleep, but I have perked up a bit.

I’m having espresso after all.  There’s no way I can drink 10 cups of instant coffee in one day - the volume’s just too much.  I reckon a milky espresso’s the way forward because there’s so much less to drink.

Cup number 2 is being consumed right now.

Today, I start my coffee experiment that I told you about last night. I’m feeling quite tired at the moment, so I should be a bit more perky after another couple of cups.

I’m on cup of coffee number one. It’s instant, because I can’t face espresso at this time of the morning.

Does it count that I’ve had a cup of tea (my favourite caffeine-containing beverage) already?

After this week’s episode of Panorama about Scientology,* I thought I’d have a look at the Internet to see what’s there about Scientology. I discovered they have their own Web site and another Web site has excerpts from their handbook (by the man himself) where you can buy a book on how to bring up your child as a Scientologist for $5 - no doubt Tom Cruise has a copy to bring up his and Nicole Kidman’s children. It also tells you about their ideas about drugs. They say drugs are poisons. The OED says a drug is “[a]n original, simple, medicinal substance, organic or inorganic, whether used by itself in its natural condition or prepared by art, or as an ingredient in a medicine or medicament. Formerly used more widely to include all ingredients used in chemistry, pharmacy, dyeing, and the arts generally, as still in French. In early use always in the pl.”

Scientologists say that caffeine is a drug, which I’d agree with. They tell you that “[t]he degree [to which] they are taken determines the effect. A small amount gives a stimulant (increases activity). A greater amount acts as a sedative (suppresses activity). A larger amount acts as a poison and can kill one.” This means that “[t]wo or three cups [of coffee] stimulates” someone, whereas “[t]en cups would probably put him to sleep.” Tomorrow, I shall drink 10 cups of coffee, and see how sleepy I am then. I’ll let you know.

* You can also see the Scientology version of the documentary.

Right, sod it. It’s supposed to be healthy for to not ingest caffeine, right? Wrong. It makes me sleepy, headachey, grumpy (more so than usual, I mean) nad lethargic.

So I’m back on it. I have had one cup of tea this morning, and didn’t it just taste nice? I feel better already.