After basically not eating anything all day, in a moment of weakness, I succumbed and ate a chicken tender, 60 hours after starting my vegetarianism. I'm sorry Aneesh--without your guidance, I was unable to stay true to the path.
Though I knew that this moment would come, I had not imagined it would come so soon. I had thought I could at least last the weekend, but given the circumstances, this was not a particularly good weekend through which to last. I know nobody was foolish enough to bet I would last the whole time, but I take great pleasure in proving certain people wrong (e.g. Joe Oh, I lasted more than 24 hours and did not throw up after 48).
I will say also that 60 hours is twice as long as my last vegetarian stint, which was 30 hours. I consider this an achievement.
Also, those were the best damn chicken tenders I've ever had.
In these 60 hours, I've learned a lot. First, is that even if certain vegetarian foods look like crap, they can taste good (e.g. the soup on Day 1). Second, sometimes the food doesn't look like crap and also tastes good (e.g. Thai Food cart from Day 2). And often, food that looks like crap, will taste like crap (e.g. the tofu parmesan. wtf.) Though I have not reached enlightenment, I have learned that it was actually not that difficult to resist eating meat as long as the meat was not right under my nose. And I also realized it's not so much the meat that is irresistible, but rather the coating on it (I will eat anything deep fried.)
My first experiment has fallen short of my expectations, but I have learned. I've a much greater appreciation of non-meat foods. And I know that, whatever it is that makes Aneesh eat vegetarian, I was unable to discover in 60 hours.
As I wallow in the shame of failure, I take comfort in knowing that, despite my weakness, I am now twice as strong as I was before. And also gives me some ideas for some possible future explorations. Stay tuned.
