the continuing battle

[rm]

I did eat Chipotle yesterday, and I am fine. Today breakfast is a gluten-free lemon cookie. I've said this to Jaida, and have avoided saying it here because I thought it was too dorkish, but what I want to know is why, in the list of all the terrible Snape-fic Mary Sue's out there (Snape as sexual abused, Snape as a cutter, Snape as anorexic, etc.) no one has done celiac-Snape yet. Won't be me, but I'm just wondering.

It's funny, when this first became clear as the diagnosis, a coworker said she could never deal with it because she hates conflict or being difficult, and asking all these questions in restaurants would freak her out. I did my usual, "oh, see, that's no problem for me," carefree sort of growl on the whole thing, but you know what? I do hate it. I hate the lack of ease, and I hate the way it must surely make me seem fussy and fearful as opposed to someone with a legitimate, serious medical concern. Even the notion of being viewed as "one of those women" gives me hives, and I have enough problems right now.

Anyway, I didn't get as much stuff done as I wanted last night, but I did write a bunch of new AC articles (typo free!) on some topics I think are pretty interesting. I also picked up a freelance web-based proof-reading gig courtesy of Amanda.

And I caught the episode of Big Love I never saw.

Meanwhile, NYC's anti-terror budget has been cut by 40%, because apparently we're just not a target. This outrages me, eventhough I oddly don't get all worked up about the fear of terrorism thing in general. Shit happens, life is a statistical crap shoot, and I for whatever reason, prefer more concrete and personal fears. That said this is so insulting, and so strikes me as just one more "fuck you" that it's hard for me to speak. Maybe I'm paranoid, maybe it's a sense of victimization, but you'd have a hard time convincing me that our funds didn't get cut not just for political reasons, but because we have an administration that doesn't believe NYC residents are as deserving as safety as other Americans because we're more like to be liberal or queer or want Bush the hell out of office. It makes me sad. Go read zarq's tirade about it. The one over at ABC is pretty thorough too: http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/06/no_icons_no_mon.html

Also check out shayguevara on more bad behavior at the theatre, and actors fighting back. http://shayguevara.livejournal.com/5637.html
Civilization really is coming to an end.

Comments

[abnormal-apathy.livejournal.com]

Well, if you have celiac, then you DO have a legitimate medical reason for asking questions when you order food. Let the waiter/ress think what they want...I don't see the big deal about asking questions about what one is ordering. I HAVE to do it because I'm highly allergic to fish and I can't even have something fried if it's been in the same oil. But, really, you are paying for a service and you have every right to ask whatever questions you want.

[chite.livejournal.com]

I hate the lack of ease, and I hate the way it must surely make me seem fussy and fearful as opposed to someone with a legitimate, serious medical concern.

I live with someone who has a serious food allergy and so asking questions in restaurants has become the norm. In fact, he sometimes forgets to ask and it is usually those times that he gets presented with something that sends him into anaphalaxis.

We find that simply coming out and saying "I'm highly allergic to nuts and beans. Can you tell me which items on the menu are safe for me? (or, is this item safe for me)" will usually get a better response than "does that have nuts or beans in it?" The first presents as a medical problem, the second presents as picky. We have even had certain restaurants send out the head chef to work with us on what items Adam could eat if the menu seemed particularly dicey. And we usually will ask each time because sometimes recipes change without notice.

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

The best Snape-disease I've seen was Poriphyra. Not even kidding.

[rm.livejournal.com]

At least that requires a vocabulary.

[rdc-referent.livejournal.com]

I was embarrassed to ask when I first figured out I had CD also. It gets better with time. Most places I've been to have been really good about asking the chef and such when I let them know the deal. You can either get sick or risk irritating your server. I'd much rather have a pissy waiter than a night of stomache pains and everything else :)

[heron61.livejournal.com]

I hate the lack of ease, and I hate the way it must surely make me seem fussy and fearful as opposed to someone with a legitimate, serious medical concern.

Gods, I know exactly how you feel. I loathe restaurant patrons who patrons who send food back for trivial reasons worry that I will be seen as one. I also hate the lack of ease every time I go out to eat.