23rd to 25th. Trip to Newcastle

Arrived and my friend had made a Vegan curry which was great.  I was really grateful for their consideration and thanked them for this.  There were only a few questions just asking about my becoming vegan and I was able to be very cool and calm about it.  It was good that at no point did I feel I was being hassled or anything.  It was interesting how they mentioned sometimes enjoying having some vegetarian food and mentioned too how one of their parents was quite anti vegan food if they were out and it was offered as an option... a kind of but none of us are vegetarian kind of response.  It made me think again of that quite rigid thinking.  I think too of the idea that eating meat is in fact a cult.  I'm thinking this could be a topic to write more about.  My friend in NZ had this same quite rigid thinking and is dominant in meat eating.  I guess similarly without really knowing why and being closed to change.  The meat eating cult again.

The next day we had a lunch out and it was easy for me to veganise a salad I had without the cheese that would've come with it.  They had some soy milk in which was good so I was able to have some nice cereal and fruit which was cool.  I appreciated that.  My friends ate meat but I felt cool and happy that they were doing their thing and being respectful to mine.

It's interesting again though as deep down I don't ultimately respect people actually eating meat.  well I respect the people but I don't feel they are aware enough to make the best choice.  I've tried to understand this and I guess it's fair for me to understand and respect where people are at right now and that I can help them move forward.  I get upset when people are judgemental of my Veganism when I guess I'm the same about them but the thing is it isn't each to their own as I've said before.  We are leading the movement forward.  Is it self righteous? well it's certainly righteous but I think self -righteous is a negative term.  As Vegans we do guide the way forward for the way to eat.  It's something I firmly believe doesn't have a counter argument ultimately, like Feminism doesn't or equal rights for black and white people doesn't.  It's a positive social movement and we are pioneering this change.  It's that responsibility I need to keep coming to terms with and proudly take on board as part of my responsibility to the world.

On Saturday night I made a curry from the step by step menu from the Revive book which was great and I sent them the recipe when I got back.  I hope that can help them a bit.  I did say you could put other things into it as I felt that was best to be kind and not indoctrinating but hope they can make a choice to have a vegan day or to make some even minor steps in that direction.

I felt great on Saturday night to not drink alcohol and had just one the day before (more in my other blog).  I had a few dreams too which I think were linked to this. Again in my other alcohol blog.

This morning I was able to get lunch at a coffee shop and veganise their vegetarian breakfast by having battered potato rather than an egg.  Was happy I came through it all well.  I got the train back feeling all cool and calm like it had been a very pleasant weekend.

15th night and 16th morning

Had an interesting night out with 2 friends last night.  Was actually good on the whole while making me realise I'm in that phase of just becoming more strongly Vegan over time and becoming the new me more and more.  We went to 3 pubs and I have to just admit I didn't feel strongly enough in my new identity to not drink alcohol although did my best to search for Vegan beers.  Whereas I'm confortable on the whole as a Vegan I'm not comfortable in my pretty much non drinking self.  That's something that's still developing.

I had a bottle of Peroni and 2 bottles on Tiger.  I knew Tiger was Vegan and found out today Peroni was which made me happy.  The atmosphere was actually really pleasant and I wasn't drunk enough to fall into silly arguments.  I imagine if my other friend from NZ had been there that could've happenend.  I'm just a bit annoyed I didn't feel good enough to go for a run today.  I feel though maybe between now and my next visit here I will more solidify myself as a non drinker I feel and hope anyway.  Whereas I do enjoy the little buzz to some degree it is something I have crowded out and just enjoy the feeling without it more and my greater sense of clarity e.g. going for a run this morning would've felt good.

While out I was asked about if I stopped buying stuff like leather which I replied I had.  There was a bit of conversation happened to come up somehow about animals being killed and I was able to mention Earthlings.  Not in an indoctrinating way but just a passing on of information.  I said I would recommend anyone watch it once.  It seems it planted the seed.

It was interesting as I really noticed the whole thing I read in this blog 'The hardest thing about being vegan' about well meaning people just not being interested or being blinded to think it's okay to eat animals.  In a totally non narcissistic way as we briefly discussed Earthings my friend asked what animals you see being killed and I said about the cows, chickens etc.  My friend said jokingly, oh just ones that are food then.

It was really interesting.  My friend is just a really good guy and writing this now makes it sound like a deliberate cruel thing to say but I could tell from the way he said it there wasn't any knowing genuine malice at all in his voice or attitude.  He just hasn't woke up yet.

we walked around and my friends made a couple of jokes about the different shops such as the cheese shop which I would have no use for.  All of this actually felt pretty good natured humour which didn't bother me.  I was happy though I hadn't drank more and another friend wasnt there as I think I could've potentially bought into more of an argument which he no doubt would've pushed so I'll be careful when I see him back in NZ.

My friend also told me about his girlfriend having a Folie Gras burger.  I couldn't remember what it was but then remembered.   He joked about how this is made.  It really saddens me writing this because again I know he's not a malicious person at all but is just completely desensitised to this and just sees it as the norm as so many others do.  I kind of shrugged it off with a joke 'Noooooo!!!'

I hope between now and my next trip I can become stronger in me as a Vegan and in my non drinker identity.  That seems the way forward.  Although drinking isn't non vegan it somehow seems to go hand in hand to work to eliminate it due to being more conscious and spiritual perhaps.  Maybe then I can be a better Vegan advocate too and be taken more seriously.  All a step at a time I guess.

I'm happy I definitely won't be drinking alcohol today.