Ichthyophobia: The fear of fish. It’s not something I want to be public knowledge. I only share it here as only 2 or 3 people will read it and I need to get it off my conscience.
I ordered the Trout Almandine. The server set it in front of me and then flashed what I now realize was a glare of disdain. The fearsome fish was served on a bed of soft rice pilaf that looked eerily similar to the silky limning of a polished mahogany coffin. The trout was whole with a glassy green eye staring at me, cutting deep into my souls. Although silent to others its voice was clear in my head. “How can you take pleasure in dining on a life, perhaps a mother, taken all too soon from her family. It was at that moment I realized I was truly afraid and would never again put myself in that position. The only remedy was veganism and, at that moment, I vowed to adhere to a strict vegan diet.
In a fortunate turn of events, the fish was delicious and I had to slightly adjust my resolve. I would never again order trout almandine and assure if I did order fish, it would be a fillet; no heads please. And, of course, I never have had that problem with beef, pork or lamb.
Being a vegan is easier than I imagined. Some take issue with my brand of veganism but I simply recite the age old truism: “Veganism is in the eye of the beholder.”
(Mic Drop)