Diamondback Online - The University of Maryland's Independent Daily Student Newspaper

I'm sitting at a nice Italian place with a cute brunette waitress taking my order when I hear the words.

"Is Pepsi okay?"

I wanted to burn the place down. This is America. And no, Pepsi is not okay. I tell my friend, "If I had known, I wouldn't have come here."

Coca Cola, to me, is a symbol. It's a sign I don't have to take that tasteless sugar water known as Pepsi. It reminds me I'm in a land where I can make my choices based on quality. And every time I hear those three words, I want to scream.

Overreaction? Perhaps. But I'm not drinking Pepsi. It's a matter of principle. Your competitors (and all decent restaurants) serve the better product. Just hearing you don't makes me wonder why you're still in business.

Granted, it's worth noting my fettuccini alfredo with shrimp was pretty damn good. And the garlic bread was superb. But the minute we start taking the little things for granted is the minute we lose sight of who we are.

My name is Adi Joseph, and I drink Coke. Sometimes with vanilla. Maybe even cherry.

Life is full of small choices. These are the types of decisions that hold no relevant impact on you tomorrow. You might not even realize you are making a choice. But it is my principle to avoid settling at any reasonable cost.

At times, particularly with the more important, world-altering decisions, we must settle. We must deal with the two-party system America has set up, even though none of us can truly believe Barack Obama or John McCain is the ideal candidate for the job. Every man has imperfections; we are forced to decide whose are smaller.

But sheep don't think for themselves. They end up as mutton and jackets. Serves them right. Me? Maybe I'm an idealist, but I like to think my refusal to simply bend to the oppressions of society might one day allow me to not have to deal with them at all. Maybe one day, I'll get to legitimately choose between Coke and Pepsi.

We can make change. It takes baby steps, though. Yes, your mother told you patience is a virtue. But it's only a virtue because we all want to fulfill our desires, which sometimes takes longer than expected.

Every day I read a newspaper talking about how the price of gas is forcing its consumers to make new choices. Frankly, I don't care much about the price of gas - I can deal with the inconvenience of the $3.99 the companies have decided to stall their increases at (as if people don't realize it's basically the same as $4).

But when I read about people cutting their lawn with old-fashioned push mowers or riding their bikes to work, it makes me happy to see people taking a stand. Even if it comes down to baby steps.

We are who we are because, as humans, we have the ability to shape our own personas and environments. I make a point in life to deal as little as possible with people, places and things I don't like.

And I don't like Pepsi.

I responded courteously to the waitress - it wasn't her fault. Hell, maybe she was on the same boat as I am.

"No, I'll take water."

I made my stand.

Adi Joseph is a senior journalism major and The Diamondback's sports editor during the school year. During the summer, he spends his time drinking Coca Cola, though he has been known to enjoy the occasional Mountain Dew. He can be reached at ajosephdbk@gmail.com.

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