I drink a lot of Diet Coke.
I consume an unholy quantity of Diet Coke.
All right. All right. My body is comprised of approximately 97.3% Diet Coke 
(the other 2.7% is pie, aged Gouda, and movie popcorn), and at night, I sleep suspended in an aquarium tank filled to the top with the stuff so that my BDCL (Blood Diet Coke Level) doesn't fall below the necessary levels for me to remain functional as a human being. I drink Diet Coke before coffee in the morning. I could build a large-ish aluminum shed from the empties that build up on my desk. I've been known to tote 2 liter bottles along to parties (along with a nice bottle of Lillet or rye whiskey – I'm not a savage) where I fear there will be none at the bar. I'm not saying this is a sane or healthy way to be, but I also know I'm hardly alone in my obsession.
I can spot a Diet Coke addict from a mile away. There's something in the protective cradling of the can, the timbre of the satisfied sigh upon first sipping from the glass that's arrived at the restaurant table, and the touch-too-emphatic "YES!" when asked if they'd care for a glass. And while we don't tend to speak of it, we do generally watch out for one another's well-being and hydration. For instance, I won't show up in my boss's office for a lengthy meeting without an extra, chilled bottle in hand for her, and my husband (an ardent drinker of regular Pepsi, but he understands) has the forethought to bring home 1.5 liter bottles from the supermarket for me if he notes the supply is low (fewer than 3 liters in the house). My similarly addicted grad school roommate and I had an unspoken agreement that we'd stop at the deli on the way to campus in the morning, no matter how late we were running. She's now 10 years married to the handsome gent who'd sell it to us with a smile each and every school day, so it can't be all bad, right?
Why this public confession? Well, 'cause
More about the 25th anniversary of Diet Coke
16. I, too, am a Diet Coke addict! I justify the amount I drink by using the code on the 12 pk carton and donate some of the produts. I also donate my cans to a local church that recycles them. The money goes to feed needy families at Christmas. At leas it makes me feel better about it!
Billie at 5:07PM on Sep 8th 2007