I’ll (probably) never be a vegetarian

I’ve thought about becoming a vegetarian, but the idea wafts away whenever the I encounter vinegary, spicy buffalo wings (the kind that make your eyes water when they’re delivered to your table).

I lived with a vegetarian for a little over a year. He boycotted meat for moral reasons (he’s the guy on the left with the salad). When we moved into our house, my meat-free roomie plastered my leather boots and some meat I placed in the fridge with stickers saying something about saving a cow. I respected his vegetarianism (I like how that sounds like a disease). When we fired up the grill, I didn’t flip his veggie burgers with the same spatula I used for my beefy burger. I also always tried to suggest restaurants that offered meatless options beyond the standard salad and cheese sticks.

I doubt I could ever eliminate meat from my life because of buffalo chicken and pork BBQ. Even after reading the graphic description of how pigs appear on my plate in this N&O series, I still can’t help but crave pulled pork ALL THE TIME.

But I do not have any major issues with your personal choice to be a vegetarian. So if you’re planning to chow down on tofurkey instead of turkey Thursday, I’m not going to judge. In fact, I want to help maximize your sans turkey celebration.

Turns out the country’s largest vegetarian Thanksgiving Day feast is right here in the Triangle. The meat-free meal is hosted by the Triangle Vegetarian Society and sounds pretty tantalizing, even to this meateater. The gourmet menu includes oyster mushroom croquettes, roasted garlic olive oil mashed potatoes with chives, mushroom gravy, apple-pecan stuffing, and fresh raspberry-cranberry relish.

The only catch is the meal is so popular it’s already sold out. But you may still be able to snag a plate. The society is taking names and will contact fellow vegetarians if anyone cancels their reservation.

Whether you’re a meat eater or not, I hope your Thanksgiving is truly special. I know the holiday is a favorite for many because it’s a chance for family and friends to come together and unite around food. You don’t have to buy presents, flowers or cards. Just eat and be happy. Now that’s something I can appreciate.

Blow bubbles or march to protest Prop 8 in downtown Raleigh this weekend

Whether you’re in the mood for whimsy or revolt, there are a two different but interesting events happening in downtown Raleigh this weekend that you might want to check out.

If you want to have plain, good ol’ fashioned fun, then you should head to the Bubble Blast that I’m organizing with Brandy. We’re going to stand in front of the Brewery on Hillsborough Street and blow bubbles at passers-by. It’s that simple, and you can help. Meet us out there at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, grab a bottle of bubbles and start blowing. You can RSVP here (if you’re on facebook). Bonus points for anyone who brings big bubble wands, bubble guns or other bubble blowing accessories.

I love blowing bubbles. I bought some for my birthday party this spring, but no one blew any with me. Not to be let down, I tossed them in my bag and carried them around with me, periodically spreading bubble love to strangers.

Turns out Brandy loves blowing bubbles too. She suggested we get a bunch of peeps together so we could shower bubbles on the city. I thought it was a great idea. So, if you are reading my blog and you can make it to Raleigh at 4 p.m. Friday, bring your lungs and be prepared to blow (yeah, I said that). The Bubble Blast is not sponsored by anyone. It’s just me and Brandy trying to have some fun on a Friday afternoon.

OK. Time to put your serious face on.

Local organizers have announced plans for a downtown rally to join the national protest against Proposition 8.

The protest starts at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, the spot where president-elect wooed thousands of supporters just before the election. Speakers include former U.S. Senate candidate Jim Neal; Jimmy Creech, the former pastor who lost his post in a church after performingd a civil union, and “One Tree Hill” star Sophia Bush.

The facebook invite has more than 500 RSVPs already. Check it out for more information.

I know the differences in these events are stark, but I want to make sure you have plenty to do this weekend. Let me know if there are other Triangle events we should be checking out this weekend.

Duke women’s rugby team wrestles in chocolate pudding

I was having a beer at the James Joyce in Durham a couple weeks ago and I noticed a stream of Dukies filing into the bar, yet the bar wasn’t getting more crowded. I didn’t realize there was a patio out back, where the Dukies were lining up to see the Duke women’s rugby team wrestle inside a baby pool filled with chocolate pudding. It was a chilly night and these young, strong women were in T-shirts and shorts, coated in chocolatey mess.

I have never participated in any type of wrestling match, but if I did I would definitely prefer chocolate pudding to jello. What would you be willing to wrestle in?

Watch local election coverage online at 7 p.m. Tuesday

In the true spirit of MyNC.com, we’re trying something new on Election Night. I’ll be co-hosting an online video show with Page Crawford that will feature interviews with reporters who are stationed throughout the Triangle, witty banter, your election day photos, videos and even some comic relief from local improv comedians.

The show runs from 7 to 11 p.m. on MyNC.com keyword election. I hope you’ll tune in, log into the chat room, and check out our first efforts to cover Election Night in a new way.