That Girl, pt. 2

How can one be a vegan and not be a crazy rabid vegan? This is the question that has arisen for me lately. I have always viewed with contempt those who make extreme changes in their diet (i.e. DAD) and then insist that everyone else should do the same--that, in fact, it is the only way to go. Nevertheless, I was recently surprised by my own reaction against this stupid Internet meme picture contrasting this woman (Gillian McKeith, about whom I actually know nothing) who apparently eats a restrictive, plant-based diet with Nigella Lawson, monger of delicious rich foods and gorgeous sexiness, and saying at the bottom, "I rest my case."

I could not restrain my ire on Facebook that anyone would actually find this a valuable argument, and I can't help but think it's because I AM eating vegan now and I am getting tired of all the, "Oh, being vegan is unhealthy because it's low in X, Y, and Z" or "Why deprive yourself?" crap I'm getting. So maybe it's more a defensive than an offensive position (and maybe, in fact, that's why so many people who eat on alternative diets seem so militant about them--the best defense is a good offense). But also: I really do feel great. Unlike every other "diet" or "fast" I've ever been on, this vegan thing really does not feel like deprivation. I haven't gotten cravings for butter, eggs, or cheese. I haven't even been tempted to cheat. This phenomenon, besides being truly remarkable, also makes it hard to relate to others who see (as I myself not so long ago saw) veganism as a tremendously difficult undertaking.

And so it probably is, unless you really want to do it yourself. I have to remember that any change anyone makes, to be effective and long-lasting, has to come from internal motivation and not from external pressure. In effect, it is as useless to provide external pressure on someone to change his diet as it is to continually pester somebody else to convert to Catholicism. Good example is the best one can hope to provide, especially a joyful and positive example. I don't have that much invested in others becoming vegan--even though I am starting to think this might last more than just a year for me--but I can't help but think it would be nice to see some friends try it and probably feel better and more whole.

I don't know. I guess I'm just writing this so that I don't become that militant vegan who sneers at animal fat consumers as the Less Enlightened. I do understand it's controversial and counter-cultural to be/eat vegan, but I'm ok with that. If it does cut down the length of the common cold (that I am currently experiencing), though, I'll be hard-pressed not to tout its benefits! :)

That Girl

I never thought I'd be that girl. That loud soprano who saunters into practice a half hour late and drowns out everyone else from her position in the back. One of my fellow sopranos told me last night, "I like having you in the back because you're so loud, I can really hear you!" This was not meant to be sarcastic, but it nevertheless gave me pause. Am I really singing so loudly? I still have this image of myself as the inexperienced, wimpy voiced soprano trying to blend with the girl next to me. I suppose that image is just out of date! I'm a diva now.

And there was never a truer or funnier YouTube video about choirs than this one!

A Word to the Healthy

For those who may be interested, though Ezekiel bread is good, Ezekiel "Pocket Bread" is NO GOOD. In fact, it is gross. It tastes like a gross, decroded whole wheat pita. Also in the No Good category is Earth Balance margarine; never was the word "buttery" so misapplied. If you have the Ezekiel pocket bread with some Earth Balance, like I just did, the gross flavors somewhat complement each other, forming a fusion of grossness and icky health food flavor that you'd better have some really strong curry to cover up. Luckily, my black beans with Indian simmer sauce did the trick. And salad greens with dill-infused vinegar. Does a body good!

What Kind of Texter Are You?

A breakdown of texting habits by generation

Telegram Texters - the Silent Generation
You see a text as a sort of telegram, and prefer to send them by dictating what you want to say to an available grandchild. As the features of a standard cellular phone continue to baffle you, you not-so-secretly wish people would stop sending you these "text messages" and make sounds of annoyance whenever your phone gives some indication of having received one. If you do send one yourself, you refrain from adding "STOP" to the end of each line, because that would double the length of time you already take to hunt around on the numpad for each letter you need.

Telephone Texters - Baby Boomers
You mistakenly believe that texting can work as a substitute for actually talking to your children. In fact, you are under the impression that teenagers respond better to texts and you are reaching them "on their level" by sending copious conversational text messages. Though unlike the previous generation, you have mastered the ability to enter words into your phone, autocorrect sometimes betrays you and your texts are featured on WhenParentsText.com.

Email Texters - Generation X
To you, a text message is a short form of email that you can send from anywhere. Look, you can attach a photo! So you do. All the time. In fact, many of your texts consists solely of pictures. You have been known to forward text messages. Ah, the amazing power of the Internet . . . ok, now back to Angry Birds or Farmville.

IM Texters - Generation Y
You grew up on the Internet and probably had more than one different instant message account in your formative years; perhaps you still do, and perhaps you still use ICQ--well, what's wrong with that? Anyway, texting is a way of continuing the instant, text-based conversation you were just having on your laptop in Panera. You use texting conversations to keep yourself amused in boring meetings and gatherings and to avoid that awkward person you don't want to talk to, because your attention is legitimately diverted from real life when you text. If you are honest with yourself, however, you'd rather type out your convo on a full-size keyboard.

Adaptive Texters - Generation Z
Texting is almost another bodily function for you. Your brain has evolved to be able to shift its attention so smoothly and seamlessly between texting and other things that (you think) no one can tell you're doing it. You think the kinds of texts that people older than you send are amusing, but not funny enough to laugh, just maybe smile ironically. If you can't send a text, play a video game, and talk back to your mom, all at once, your peers will label you a "noob."

At Least It's Modest: Leven Rambin

The gray lace--she is not wearing it, it is wearing HER. Or eating her? Scary.

Life Is Better with Makeup

Today I took the time to put on a little makeup, and it's amazing how nice it makes the world seem. I don't know, I guess I feel more in keeping with the prettiness of things. I even brought my illume soy candle to work today, to make my desk more festive and better smelling. I'm still celebrating Christmas, though I am taking a break from Christmas tunes to play Pure Moods on grooveshark! Talk about a blast from the past . . .

What You Really Want

I was discussing--ok, pontificating--with my friend Kathleen the other day and musing on the amazing power of advertising. They get you by appealing to your desires, in an insidious way. What you really want is not the product, but the lifestyle, the dream, the glamor, the shininess. Advertising is everywhere, in everything, including those craft sites that make the most inane nonsense look ever so cute. And maybe it's not the finished pot-holder you want, but the color or the idea or the wine glass in the background. Who knows. It's up to you to decide and realize what it is you want, before someone tells you.

At Least It's Modest: Maggie Gyllenhaal Edition

This outfit looks like something I would try to wear in my pre-teen years, only my mom would not let me out of the house like that. There is a reason she is one of the best moms ever.

Also, I find it somewhat startling that I was able to spell "Gyllenhaal" correctly on the first try . . . who knew I was so in touch with the celebrity world? :-/

Vegan for 2012

For those 1-3 of you who are still following my dieting saga, you will be pleased/aghast to note that I have decided to go Vegan for 2012!! I am not the only one, however, to make this drastic nutritional choice: the Williams sisters are also going vegan this year.