I'll raise my glass to this research

I have a favorite place to purchase my caffeine fix: Taco Villa. It’s nothing like Taco Bell or Taco Bueno. This fast-food phenomenon is a must stop for anyone who has ever spent any time in Lubbock (they are also in other markets across the South Plains, but the best ones are still in Lubbock).

That's because their soda barista (OK, so it's a minimum-wage worker just hooking up the machine) mixes a mean combination of carbonated water and syrup that gives you a jolt of pleasure on the very first sip.

Last night at dinner (we’re Wednesday night regulars), I was enjoying the euphoria, aka a bean burrito and 32-ounce diet Coke, when my cell phone alerted me with this message from a caring co-worker: “Thought you might find this article interesting,” which was then followed by a link to an MSN article Daily diet soda tied to a higher risk for stroke, heart attack.

Given that I had already ingested at least 32 ounces of the aspartame-laden syrup earlier in the day, I had to click on the link. After the second paragraph, I quit reading ... the data was based on New Yorkers! Artificial sugar-laden sodas are not the problem. Ever heard of smog? Overcrowding?

Even the report’s leading author isn’t totally convinced diet soda is at fault saying, “I don’t think that anyone should be changing their behaviors based on the study.”

Sheesh! Pour me another round, and yes, make it a diet Coke.