(no subject)

A woman in my office has the most fucking annoying laugh on the planet. And it's Loud. As in, the whole office can hear it when she laughs, and she knows it. But does she try to control herself? Hell no, she just disrupts every person within an eight mile radius until she is done having her social-gossip time.

Ugh. Have I mentioned that I hate my job? Because I do, hate it. Alot.
 
Anyway.....


More Journeying Towards Vegetarianism

Hows it Going? Still not that bad, to be honest. I have had a few moments in which I almost said, "to hell with it" and ate meat, but really those times have been more related to convenience rather than cravings. I have had startlingly few cravings for meat since starting this journey. That isn't to say I haven't thought wistfully of a few specific dishes from some of my favorite high end restaurants. It's just that I get to eat those so seldom anyway, I only miss them in an abstract sort of way. So, you know....

One thing I'm getting pretty damn sick of is having to explain myself to everyone. I know what people think of Vegetarians and Vegans, I've seen the way they look at my friends often enough over the years to practically read their minds. And I don't want to be thought of that That Kind of Vegetarian. I am not 'Holier-than-thou,' and I do not have some sort of crusade or vendetta against meat. I love meat, and will probably always love it. I can appreciate a well cooked steak as much as anyone. It's just now I have to appreciate it from afar. And not think about the way some slaughterhouses dismember still living cows as they send them down the processing line. ick.

Anyway, so I try not to be a bother. But it can be a bitch sometimes. Like yesterday, when my department had a meeting at 12 noon. Obviously, they supplied lunch. Awesome. I try to gently remind that, yes, I am a vegetarian now. And I know the place we order from has a Vegetarian box lunch option. But do they order a single item without meat? Nope, of course not (that's just be silly?). So I end up picking roasted chicken off my lettuce and focaccia bread while in the meeting, and it was that point that I very nearly said "fuck this" and just ate what I was given.

But I didn't. Go me.

I know these complaints are not new. Every single Vegetarian in this country has the exact same complaints, because we essentially are living in a prejudiced society concerning the consumption of meat. Oh, and double that for the State of Texas, where I live. Yes, Beef Capital of the World. Fantastic.

So far everytime I tell someone I've chosen to become a vegetarian, I always follow the declaration up with the explanation about how my father has gout and has given up meat for the purpose of no longer being in pain. And as an act of Solidarity, I did as well. And that's a great explanation, right? Plus, it's true. ....But. I don't know that my father is the real reason I gave up eating meat. I think his situation was just the impetus for the action, right time/right place sort of thing. I know myself well enough to know that I am using his story as a way to make myself more acceptable to people who do not understand. It diverts those looks of "WTF?" into exclamations over what I great daughter I am.

I am not being fair to myself, I know this. I gave up eating meat for myself, for my peace of mind and for my health. But at the same time I don't want people who have known me for years to wonder "what has gotten into me." Because, trust me, I was probably the last person on the planet anyone expected to go vegetarian. I guess I'm just not ready to handle the questions that essentially boil down to, "What is wrong with you?" 

Anyway...  (apparently my non sequitor for everything)

What's on the Menu?

Here we are, once again. It's Friday, which means I may very well be free-styling it out in some restaurant (also not as hard as I thought it would be). In the last couple of days I have eaten at Lupe Tortilla's, where 98% of the menu is beef or chicken related, and managed to both stay veg and save money by choosing their absolutely monstrous Ensalada Verde. It's a heaping mountain of spinach, tomatoes, Avocado, corn, green peppers, cheese, etc all smothered in a jalapeno cilantro vinaigrette dressing.  I'm talking huge hunks of Avocado. Delicious.

So I guess we'll see what the day brings. Here's the plan so far.

Breakfast
Kashi Strawberry Fields Organic Cereal
Soy milk

Snacking
Pears sliced in water
Prunes

Lunch
Possibly Thai rice and veggie stuffed imitation chicken from Gardein.
Artichoke and Garlic Hummus on wheatables.

Dinner
??? Veggie Burger form BK? I'm lazy.


I guess I should do work now.... except that its friday and I'm tired and want to go home. Also, I need to shop for my friend's birthday. OMG, its tomorrow!