A vegetarian.
That is not even a question. Whether tis’ nobler in the
mind to suffer...
Nevertheless, I
don’t suffer. A happy vegetarian is what I am. I've often been asked why I'm a
vegetarian, whether I've ever eaten meat or seafood, and other questions in the
general nature of the entire purpose of my existence if I won't eat meat.
There are all
kinds of vegetarians. Some people are vegetarian only on Tuesdays and
Thursdays, others are vegetarian but eat fish, and yet others are
almost-but-not-quite-vegetarian, non-vegetarians. I am a lacto-vegetarian,
meaning I have milk and milk products along with my veggies. Not egg mind you,
thats an ovo-lacto-vegetarian.
And I'm happy.
I've never, not once regretted it. I'm a little overweight because I eat too
much and don't exercise enough. I eat too much because there's a lot of nice
veg out there and I like to experiment with my food. I don’t look down on others
who arn’t vegetarian and don’t force my views upon anyone. In return, I don't
like being scoffed at for my dietary choices or having non-veg pushed upon me
inspite of my vehement protests. I'm not going to turn to meat or fish unless
I'm stranded on a deserted island with nothing but my wits to keep me alive
(and even then, I'd like to think probably).
And I'm ranting
(or venting) because my favorite restaurant served me chicken momos instead of
veg momos tonight.
It doesn't sound
like a big deal. Why the fuss, after all? Its only once. But think of it from
my perspective. Put yourself in my shoes. I've always been a strict vegetarian. After
all the explanations I've given people, the countless times I've turned down
non-veg (and it can get very awkward at peoples'
homes, inconveniencing those who prepared a meal), the endless discussions
on the subject and my own philosophy on life, vegetarianism has become a part
of me and my identity. You could almost say I'm proud to be a
vegetarian. That was probably the first time I had any proper meat in my
mouth.
Always look for a silver lining though. Now I know what it
feels like in my mouth. And I'm certain I've never had it before. I knew the
difference immediately, before biting it. It was too hard. That's not something
I've ever eaten before. I wonder, is all of meat that hard?! No wonder meat
eaters have such sharp teeth!
---X---
Dogbert: You
mean, why don't I take dead animals, cook them until they become carcinogenic,
then eat them instead of something nutritious? Is that your question?
--Scott Adams, Dilbert
