Prunella Lives!

I apologize profusely--especially to my cherished comrade Curly--for my absence. I am glad to see that Curly has been keeping the blog alive and lively.

I can't promise that my appalling lack of posts will be changing anytime soon, but I will make an effort to appear here more regularly!

--Prunella

Ranting about Vegetarian Meals

Continuing with the vegetarian theme from the last post, I wonder why nearly all vegetarian meals at restaurants:

1. prominently feature mushrooms or peppers or both,

2. are pasta-based,

and

3. include no real protein.

Do people give no real thought to vegetarians? Not all vegetarians like mushrooms or peppers, want pasta, or happy to be protein-free. Just like carnivores, we deserve healthy, well-balanced, varied meals.

--Curly

Meat Products for Vegetarians

I always order a vegetarian meal on plane rides. Luckily, I also always read lists of ingredients rather than rely on what the airplane (or any other company, or any person, for that matter) claims is vegetarian.

On a recent flight, I was given a "vegetarian" breakfast, where the yogurt contained gelatin. Gelatin, of course, is made from animals, and is thus not suitable for vegetarians (or for people who keep kosher). I'm so glad I didn't eat this item before reading the back of the carton, but I'm sure lots of other people on the flight simply ate the yogurt.

I mentioned it to the steward and he shrugged and brought me some fruit. He didn't bother to notify any of the other vegetarians.

I complained to the airline (KLM) and they said it was not their responsibility, since they use a catering company. Well, they hire that company, so I'd say it is their responsibility. KLM really disappointed me. The representative who wrote back simply said they were "sorry [I] didn't like the meal." It has nothing to do with liking it. People are vegetarians for ethical, health, and/or religious reasons, and a vegetarian meal must respect and be truly vegetarian.

--Curly

Giving the (Ring) Finger

While getting my nails manicured, the manicurist noticed a ring on my left ring finger. It was a silver band, engraved with the name of my alma mater. The manicurist asked me if I was married. I told her I was not.

She then asked why I wore a ring on that finger. She proceeded to explain that if men saw a ring on my finger, they would not ask me, and thus, "You will never get married! Don't wear a ring there!"

Um, okay. First of all, it is none of her business what my marital status is or what I wear and where I wear it. Second, I don't like her assumption that I must want a husband. Not everyone does, not even taking into account matters of sexuality.

I would have liked to give her the (ring) finger!

--Curly

The Hunt is On

I really can’t understand why people enjoy hunting and why this is a legal practice. What is the pleasure in stalking and shooting and aiming to kill other living creatures? How is this a pastime for supposedly reasonable people?

It seems to me to be a cruel activity. We would never accept people chasing after other humans with weapons and trying to injure them, so why do we accept it when people do this to animals?

--Curly