I like to think I’m a smart person who makes good life choices, but there’s considerable evidence to the contrary every time I go to Tim Hortons. I’m not a regular and not really a coffee drinker, but when I do go, I usually order a hot chocolate. And when I do, I burn my tongue. Not sometimes. Not usually. Every time.
Why do I have no control, no ability to hold myself back? I know I’ll burn my tongue, I know I should let it cool a little first, or ask for it with extra milk. But do I? No, I say “Hey, maybe this will be the time it’s not so hot!” Spoiler: it’s always that hot. I always burn my tongue. I always curse my impatience for the subsequent week.
I say afterwards that it was dumb of me, that I should know better, and that I’ll remember next time. And I do remember next time, but it’s been a few months and hey, maybe I’ll chance it. Maybe this time it’ll be cool enough to drink right away.
Image: Amara Gelaude/The Cascade
Jeff was The Cascade's Editor in Chief for the latter half of 2022, having previously served as Digital Media Manager, Culture & Events Editor, and Opinion Editor. One time he held all three of those positions for a month, and he's not sure how he survived that. He started at The Cascade in 2016.
