Day 18, 19, 20, 21 - I am now a vegetarian - for the most part anyway...

Well, it looks like I will be lumping days together from now on, since pesky little things seem to get in the way of 'blogging' (man - that word sounds goofy). Pesky little things like LIFE! Yes, family, work, play and a little sleep seem to take up a majority of time. And then there's the little guilty pleasure one is almost embarrassed to admit - which generally always seems more attractive than 'blogging' - for example HBO's series 'True Blood'. I watched the season finale instead of reporting what Day 18 through 21 was like. I was correct by the way, the finale was much more interesting than blabbing about oatmeal, tortilla's and eggs.

(Left - I think True Blood is better than Buffy was!)

So, last Friday was Day 18 and also September 11Th, which we all know is the date of the twin tower attacks. I pray that life has become easier for the families who lost someone...

Otherwise, my diet that day included oatmeal, ramen noodles and egg fortatas (sp?), which my gracious wife taught me to make. I still had a ton o' taters and new they had to be cooked soon - so, I made french fries, mashed potatoes and cut potato squares for the fortatas. The boring all-spice I had purchased in the beginning came in very handy with french fries - transforming them into very tasty treats. The mashed potatoes became my dinner the next evening following the usual oatmeal and something new and exciting!!! -a hard boiled egg.

Strangely, I still like oatmeal...

(I still like Potatoes too...)

Saturday, post oatmeal, was a fun day spent at the Germantown Festival which luckily is just a minute or two from our house. That reminds me what a pain it was to get to any festival in Atlanta, basically taking up the entire day - and how fortunate we are now living with less commuting time and much more convenience. The Germantown Festival was really no different than festivals we attended around Atlanta, except for maybe the Highland Festival, which has the funkiness Germantown will never have. I would have appreciated a bit more 'funkiness', but can't have everything, right? Right. Again, I am reminded of how good we have it here.

Another bit of importance I've notice lately is my wife's growing irritation with this 30 Day 'adventure.' It has been difficult for me to sit down and have dinner with the Family since my most powerful weapon against hunger has been to avoid the kitchen and a majority of the goodies it produces. Sitting at the dinner table makes it very difficult for me not to graze - and grazing has been one of my leading arch nemesis'. The Nut (Ben), eats soooooo slowly, like most kids his age, and it's all I can do not to reach over and grab something off of his plate... Of course, I understand Laura's argument and wouldn't love anything more RIGHT NOW than to screw this whole bag-o-fun in order to sit down and eat a properly cooked meal - this is one more thing I didn't take into account in the beginning....just another thing to think about.

To continue on, Sunday consisted of more of the same gourmet fare - and a short fall from grace - a Coke, or as they say up North - a Soda Pop. I'm completely okay with it, since I am very far from perfect and already struggling with the whole idea of what began this in the first place. So, in my mind, a small slip up here and there is not a failure, but another experience to learn from. What did I learn? Coke tastes damn good - better than it has in a long, long time... Also, when something one has every day becomes a treat, as it was originally intended, then it's much less likely taken for granted (did I mention it tastes damn good?).

Monday, Day 21, was a work day, which definitely makes this easier... I ate oatmeal for breakfast, ramen noodles with sides of cucumbers, carrots and tomatoes. That evening I munched on mashed potatoes and visions of ham and pineapple pizza floating around my head. Also, I finally looked at a calendar and figured out the date of my last day on this quest - Sept. 22nd? I think - I know it's around there but do not have the calendar in front of me - and since I'm not being very scientific, I just don't really care how accurate the date is.

Anyway - have a nice week.

Next time - How to yodel with your mouth full and other party tricks.