Angstgiving Prep

I haven’t been cooking much in the past several days. I’ve been eating pretty much what is on hand. I think this might have something to do with the subconscious knowledge of what a hassle the upcoming food “holiday” was going to be.
I often bow out of large family gatherings, preferring my own company to the complex drama of multi-family get-togethers. But I’ve been trying to force myself to be more social in the past couple years. Not because I have a desire to change my personality, but because success in life hinges on the ability to at least feign social tolerance. And like with most things in life, family is the proving ground.
As a result of attempting to hide less from my extended family I have silently agreed to attend Angstgiving at my cousins’ house. Silently because I voiced no objection. Implied acquiescents through omission is my slacker way of hefting the blame off my shoulders. I never agreed to it, so I’m not at fault for any travesty that results. I know. I’m a slacker.
What has all this to do with cooking? Well, obviously Thanksgiving is a huge food holiday. But I could count the vegans in attendance this year on one finger. My finger. My middle finger. I’m flipping myself off. Which is awkward unless you happen to have a mirror, which I do. So, it seems, the work that is usually avoided in the kitchen by going to someone else’s house for Angstgiving is not something I have escaped.
I bought a small Tofurky Roast a few days back and it has been silently mocking me from the cold recesses of my darkened freezer. Well, tonight I took it out to place in my fridge and read the cooking instructions. It certainly isn’t as difficult as cooking a Turkey, but it’s not something I actually want to do. I don’t have a problem with Tofurky. I don’t think it’s horrible. The last time I had it though was a handful of years ago, and I did not find the citrus-y baste very appealing. SO this year I’ve been looking around for other basting suggestions. But aside from the “main” dish I also need to make sides for myself. It’s far too late in the game to call up my cousin (as I should have long ago) and told him and his wife that I am vegan. The hassle of them veganizing what sides they can is just too much to ask. So instead, I’ll be making my own sides. There won’t be much. I have never been a Thanksgiving overeater. So I’ll probably just make a couple simple sides. And that will be the end of it.
Yule (Christmas) will be tofurky free. I think I’ll try my own tofu roast, which may sound gross the my meat-eating friends, but is far less bland than they think. Or I’ll justdo what I should have done for Angstgiving and make a pizza. It’s not too late, you know…