Bodies…The Exhibition

Wednesday night, Sarah and I braved the supposed onset of Snowstorm 2007 and ventured downtown for Bodies…The Exhibition. I’ve been dying (Ha. Ha) to check the exhibit out, given all the hubabaloo and controversy surrounding it. While it was supposed to be over in December, and I feared that I had missed the chance to look at the preserved Asian men, the exhibit now has been extended through April 1, 2007. So I finally got my chance.

Not gonna lie, I was a little nervous about what the exhibit was going to entail. A friend of mine had mentioned that it included baby fetuses that made his stomach turn. Now, I’m not much of a blood and guts kinda person. It all makes me want to puke my breakfast up. So, when I realized that I was about to spend an hour, willingly walking through an exhibit on the insides of our bodies, I wondered if I’d really lost it.

If you too have a weak stomach for gore, never fear. While the entire exhibit features real bodies that have been scientifically preserved and dissected, the still really just look like wax figures. Conclusion: it’s bearable for us weak-stomach types.

When observing the wax-like figures, it’s definitely the process that is the most fascinating. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that the tendons, muscles, and organs you are seeing are real. According to the official Bodies exhibit Web site, the human specimens are, “first preserved according to standard mortuary science. The specimen is then dissected to show whatever it is that someone wants to display. Once dissected, the specimen is immersed in acetone, which eliminates all body water. The specimen is then placed in a large bath of silicone, or polymer, and sealed in a vacuum chamber. Under vacuum, acetone leaves the body in the form of gas and the polymer replaces it, entering each cell and body tissue. A catalyst is then applied to the specimen, hardening it and completing the process.”

The bodies, on display with missing skin, exposed genitalia and other bodily organs, and sliced into cross-sectional pieces for our mere gawking pleasure, are created from a collection of more than 250 unclaimed Chinese men and women. The exhibit has become controversial, with one group of people shouting, “In the name of science!’ and the other claiming, “Violation! Human rights!” Whichever side you choose, Bodies is still worth seeing. Some could say, “Curiosity Killed the Cat.”

I was more than curious while wandering through the exhibit’s nine rooms, each split into different bodily functions such as Nervous System, Circulatory, Reproductive, and perhaps the most interesting, the Fetal Development room. I found myself actually taking the time to read all of the signs on the different body parts, and enjoying the facts posted on the walls, such as “The total surface area of the alveoli (tiny air sacs in the lungs) is the size of a tennis court” and “Babies are born with 300 bones, but by adulthood we have only 206 in our bodies.” Thankfully, I was walking my way through the exhibit with all my 206 bones covered and still working.

The lighting throughout the exhibit is somewhat dim, allowing each human cadaver to illuminate and become the focus of each room. Next to each exposed body, is a sign indicating what you’re looking at by pointing out where the liver and stomach are, etc. A few details that surprised me the most…the entire nervous system basically sucked out of a body and lying on a table, what a fetus looks like when it develops a birth defect such as Spinal bifida or Anencephaly, and the appearance of a healthy lung vs. a smoker’s lung. (Yes. Jerks. The thought did cross my mind.) Sarah and I laughed like third graders at the balls, which weirdly hung lower than all the penises. Amazing and fascinating stuff if you ask me. One general theme seemed to follow us through each room though—How in the hell did they do that? It is definitely a scientific feat and not something you’d see everyday, so if you feel like you have the stomach for it, head down to 800 Pike Street and spring for the ticket. Trust me, it’s worth it.

B-I-N-G-O!

I’ve added a new week-time ritual to my repertoire—Bingo on Thursday nights. Frankly, I’m starting to scare myself…book club, bowling league, bingo…is anybody seeing a scary pattern here? Have I suddenly skipped from being super popular to being an Old Maid? Fuck, I’ve even purchased a cat.

Maybe I’m just figuring out early what it takes years for everyone else to realize—activities such as Bingo, Bridge, Bunko, and all other events that usually have “60-years-old and over” attached to them, are really the absolute best ways to spend any free time. God, I’m so progressive.

So, Bingo at Jabu’s on Thursdays has become the place to be. Formally 25-cent PBR night, the local Queen Anne dive has switched to now offering free bingo, starting at 8. That’s right, I said FREE! For the last couple weeks, I’ve met some college friends of mine, Brett and Angie, for an all night drinking and bingoing funfest. I know what you are all thinking; with Bingo comes the crazies. The lucky troll dolls, tokens, bingo daubers, rituals, etc. This isn’t quite like that kind of Bingo. It’s actually pretty low key; the Bingo boards are paper punch-outs, and there’s only four or five rounds with prizes such as Sonics or movie tickets. Plus, there are many, many pitchers of alcohol involved. I’m not sure why, but each week as the night progresses, the bingo caller seems to call things faster and it becomes way harder to keep up and check all four cards in front of me. Watch out for that.

Not only have I had a fun drunken time each week, but I’ve managed to learn a few things too:

Currently Feeling: Slight withdrawals, but better.
Currently Anticipating: The weekend’s birthday festivities.
Currently Loving: Friends who know how to handle their alcohol.

GO LUCKY STRIKES!

Tonight is the final tournament night for The Lucky Strikes.
We managed to make it to the playoffs, even though half the time Butter Cream and Cheesecake were drunk, and Sizzle and Tootse could barely stay awake.
Unfortunately, we won’t be playing Nine-Pin tonight for 20+ free beers, but that’s probably a good thing since I drank my maximum in beers last night. However, maybe we’ll come out on top and will be able to sport new Underdog Bowling t-shirts.
Either way, I’m just excited to play Dance Dance Revolution.
D-D-R!!

Currently Feeling: Like I think I might die from back pain.
Currently Anticipating: Pyramid Snowcap party this weekend with the ladies.
Currently Loving: My karaoke serenade from Trebaby last night.

Proof that Success Really Does Exist

Ok, for motivation or proof or whatever, here are before and after pictures of Larisa’s friend who has found success in SBD…

Brynn and Jarrod pre-South Beach on a vacation in Mexico

Jarrod enjoying an SBD off-limits treat

Jarrod after

Brynn after

Shake Those Hips for Me

In an effort to increase my fabulousness (even though I’m already pretty freakin fabulous), I’ve started belly dancing on Monday nights with Larisa and Vanessa. (Sarah to join soon.) Last night was the first night of our training as Shakira back-up dancers, and my hips didn’t lie—belly dancing is a lot harder than it looks.

It isn’t that I can’t shake my groove-thang because I’ve been known to do that on more than one occasion, I think my belly might lack the muscles that were required for some of the moves last night. I might be rethinking this SBD diet thing if it’s going to eliminate my perfect belly dancing beer belly!

Typical of an aerobics class, the instructor started off with some warm-up moves before we went right into learning how to bump our hips, squeeze our glutes, roll our bellies and moves our “snake arms.” The women attending were all sorts of shapes, sizes and ages, so the three of us were pretty comfortable in the relaxed environment—maybe a little too relaxed since someone next to Larisa kept letting out farts between her hip bumps. Larisa, Vaness and I were the only three who hadn’t taken the class for weeks on end, so it was painfully apparent that we had no idea what we were doing. Let me tell you though, those little belly sashes with coins that jingle really add to one’s perception of performing perfect belly dancing moves. It’s fun to listen to yourself sashay around and pretend you’re wooing the masses even if you look like someone with cerebral palsy, which I’m sure I did. I thought I was bumping and shimmying perfectly until the instructor came over and said, “Hold these still, stop bouncing up and down, do this…” I was wondering why my boobs were bumping faster than a D cup sprinting without a sports bra. It turns out belly dancing is more about how one moves their knees rather than their belly, and this is kept hidden by the long skirts belly dancers wear. After the continuous jiggling, I finally got the hang of “keeping your upper body still” and perfected my shimmy. I’m going to shimmy my way all around Seattle this weekend. We’ll see if the men can resist me now!

Currently Feeling: The ab work from the class last night
Currently Anticipating: Dinner and a walk on the waterfront tonight with Bri and Kristen…college reunion!
Currently Reading: My Dream of You by Nuala O’Faolain

My Summer Calendar

May, May, May! April showers bring May flowers…so far the weather has been great, wonderful, fabulous. It puts everyone in a good mood, and I love it. Instead of driving home in dismal rain and traffic every night to curl up on our couches and lying indoors on the weekends, everyone is out and about! It’s great. Greenlake is packed with people walking, jogging or rollerblading after work and my calendar is filling up. My goal is to have something planned or something to do every weekend this summer. No lazy summer days for me. I want to be active, active, active! I don’t know if it’s the cubicle job that is making me manic, or eight months of talking about how I can’t wait for summer, but I’ve been planning things like crazy. I love summer in Seattle. Seriously. Top three favorites EVER. I think it might even top my obsession for marshmallows. Here is what I’ve gathered today about events happening around Seattle this summer that I need to attend. Please mark your calendars; I always need companions!

May 5th: Cinco de Mayo! The last drinking holiday of the year. I missed Mardi Gras and my mind sort of forgets St. Patrick’s Day, so I’m going to make this last drinking holiday a day to remember! Let’s hope for sunny weather. I’m skipping out of work early to drink margaritas and Corona with friends. Destination: Perhaps Peso’s.

May 20th: The University Street Fair! It’s been awhile since I’ve attended this, however, from what I remember it is an eclectic array of art booths up and down The Ave. I’m a sucker for street fairs, markets etc.—anything that includes funky, homemade art and trinkets like soap and jewelry. Plus, I never like to miss any festivals in Seattle that include greasy food booths!

May 26th-29th: FolkLife Festival! One of my all-time favorites. I’m usually always out of town during Memorial Day weekend, but I’m planning on attending this year on Friday. While I won’t be getting high and sitting to listen to the drum circles like years gone pass, I will be wandering around the center since it is like 2 minutes away from my house! Breakfast, lunch and dinner!

May 27th & 28th: Sasquatch Festival! I’m so excited I can hardly stand it. I have tickets for both Saturday and Sunday’s show and will be getting to watch bands such as Ben Harper, Beck, The Flaming Lips, The Shins, Death Cab For Cutie, Queens of the Stone Age, Matisyahu, The Decemberists, Nada Surf, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Blue Scholars, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and the Arctic Monkeys. It’s the best line-up I’ve probably seen in all of my concert-going years, and I’m planning on being drunk all weekend while camping at The Gorge. Yippee!

June 3rd: Pike Place Market Street Fair! Never actually been to this one, but I love the market and am always looking for a good excuse to go. I figure this will be a good opportunity to buy those fresh flowers for my apartment and knock something off my summer to-do list.

June 17th: Fremont Summer Solstice Festival! The best festival all summer. I love it. Nothing will compare to the year when I lived with Amanda and we woke up, drank mimosas on our deck overlooking Fremont Ave and spent all day in the beer gardens. But, I’m looking to try to come pretty close to this comparison every year. If nothing else, the naked bicyclers never get old.

June 30th–July 2nd: International Beer Festival! So you only get a 40oz plastic cup and five drink tickets, but I love the chocolate, raspberry and other good flavored beers that I don’t get to drink all the time. Besides, it’s just nice to sit outside in the sun and drink beer with friends.

July 8th & 9th: Hike with my old college friend Noah! So, I told myself that I would go on a hike this summer and enjoy it. Then, I got a bulletin from my old college friend saying that he’s looking for hiking partners this summer. Apparently he’s a big fan of hiking and has all these hikes planned out to different places in the area. With motivation like that, I didn’t hesitate to sign up!

July 15th: Labyrinth as the Fremont Outdoor Movie! One of the best movies ever. No explanation necessary. Well, if you need one—David Bowie in tight purple spandex pants.

July 21st-23rd: Bite of Seattle! Last year I stuffed my face w/ a crepe, Philippino dessert, corn on the cob and strawberry shortcake. On account of my new way of life, I won’t be eating quite as much, but it’s always fun to nibble here and there on the delicacies with friends!

July 22nd: Pearl Jam at the Gorge! Can’t frickin wait. Those of you who know me know the caliber of my obsession with Pearl Jam. Favorite band ever at the Gorge. Can’t compare.

July 24th: Drinks on the Links Starts! So, attentively I am trying to put together a mini golf league with some friends. It will be through the same people that we did our bowling league with, but this time you can win drink specials from different mini golf holes. Plus, it will be during the summer. I’m really looking forward to this!

July 29th: Ballard Seafood Fest! Last year I worked at Tully’s during this and we were ridiculously busy. I didn’t really care then, but this year I’ve taken an affinity toward seafood. Weird. If they have a sushi booth, I’ll plan on spending my entire weekend there! If not, shrimp cocktail or salmon will have to do.

August 4th-7th: Mini Road Trip to Coeur d’Alene! So, after Sarah, Lacey and I brainstormed of all the possible places to take a mini road trip, I’ve come up with Coeur d’Alene. I’ve already been up and down the California coast on a road trip, to Arizona and to Vegas on a road trip, so that left East. Apparently, this weekend the Bite of Coeur d’Alene, a street festival and an art show will all be happening. Coeur d’Alene also has a water and amusement park and tons of fun lake activities. I just want to bask on a beach for a bit!

And that so far ends my summer calendar. I have August almost completely open. Any suggestions?

Currently Feeling: Like this healthy eating and manic exercise program is really paying off. I already feel a lot better!
Currently Anticipating: Buying the new Pearl Jam CD when I get off work and relaxing at home.
Current Plan: To apply for the Seattle Magazine internship this summer. I really need to break into the magazine business!

Spring/Summer To-Do List

Oh my. It’s sunny and oh so beautiful outside. This weekend was amazing and gorgeous, and I believe we have a whole week of sun and 70-something degrees ahead of us as well. Of course, it automatically puts me in a good mood to wake-up to the sunshine peeking through my pink curtains. Why is it so much more fun to put on capris, sandals and sunglasses in the morning? I’m jealous of those who live in sunshine states and get to relive this feeling every morning for three-fourths of the year. It makes me automatically start creating a list in my mind of all the things I want to accomplish this summer. My best friend Amanda and I did this one summer when we lived together, and we hung it on the fridge in order to refer to it each time we were bored. It felt exhilarating to cross something off that list every time we completed it and plan what we wanted to do on our next days off. While she doesn’t live in Seattle anymore, I’m going to carry on our tradition. I plan to make the most of my spring and summer this year, so here’s my list so far:

1. Go Kayaking. (I’ve never been.)
2. Buy a cruiser bike and ride at least once from Seattle to Redmond on the Burke-Gilman Trail.
3. Try to jog or walk on my lunch hour three times a week.
4. Take a ferryboat to the San Juan Islands.
5. Camp in Wenatchee or somewhere I’ve never camped before.
6. Have a BBQ and bonfire at Golden Gardens.
7. Play catch.
8. Walk through the Aboretum’s beautiful gardens.
9. Play Frisbee at least once, and learn to throw the damn thing right.
10. Play tennis.
11. Buy a kite and fly it.
12. Find some dude with a boat and get him to take me and some friends out on it.
13. Take a mini road trip.
14. Attend as many summer Seattle festivals as I can, including Folk Life, Summer Solstice, Bite of Seattle and Seafair.
15. Go to at least one outdoor summer movie.
16. Get a pedicure.
17. Walk barefoot through soft, green grass.
18. Play a Game of mini-golf at Interbay Golf Course.
19. Drive to the Oregon or Washington coast.
20. Spend a weekend in Portland.
21. Go to hot springs. (Another thing I’ve never done.)
22. Take a hike and try to enjoy it.
23. Picnic!
24. Buy fresh flowers at the Market to put in my apartment.
25. Lie in the sun and swim at Madison Park as much as I can.
26. Sit on a dock, with my feet dangling in the water and feed the ducks.
27. Rollerblade as much as possible.
28. Float down a river in an inner tube.
29. Read outside on a blanket.
30. Tour wineries in Eastern Washington.
31. Hot air balloon ride?
32. Hit a bucket of balls at the driving range.
33. Go to the fair.
34. Mariner’s Games!
35. Swing on a swingset.
36. Water ski or various other water sports.
37. Rent a paddle boat at Greenlake.
38. Play Bocci Ball.
39. Play horseshoes.
40. Soak at night in a hot tub.

I look forward to each and every one of you partaking in this spring and summer to-do list with me! Seattle Summer…here we come!

Currently Feeling: Excited about my new eating healthy/less drinking/more exercise plane!
Currently Anticipating: My sunburn fading into a slight tan, getting more tan, and Amanda coming back home this week!
Currently Wondering: If I’m going to pass-out on the jog during my lunch hour today. It’s been awhile since I’ve ran outside!

Someday I Will Be a Housewife, Minus the Desperate

Saturday Vanessa had a Bunko party. “What is Bunko,” you ask? I asked myself the same question. And I think the other 16 people at her party did to. I’ve always associated Bunko with old people who get together to play Bridge and eat peanuts out of a bowl. (If you can even eat peanuts by the time you’re that old.) When Vanessa sent out e-vites for her Bunko party, I rigorously accepted without really caring what the premises of the party were. Whether it’s Bunko, a Christmas gift exchange, or a Super Bowl party, I love eating tons of food while hanging out with everyone that I don’t get to see too often. (Although, I will never bring bean-dip again after the Christmas party when everyone who was told to bring a dish brought bean-dip. We had four dishes of the same damn dip where you heat cream cheese and chili together in a bowl. Easy, I know, but come on people! If you have not tried this version of bean-dip, it’s a must! It’s cheap, easy and can be prepared fat-free!)

So Bunko on Saturday it was. And sober as a matter of fact. I welcomed the chance to spend a Saturday night in dorkville, a place I don’t frequent too often. (Ha!) Vanessa explained Bunko to a confused room of people, and at first it looked like none of us were ever going to catch on. Bunko is a dice game where each round you compete with a partner against two other people to roll a number 1-6. Each round the number changes. It is fast-paced because everyone is trying to roll as many times as they can to get a Bunko (three of a kind of the number you are going for) or to win more points. You keep rolling every time you get the “magic” number and get a point every time until you don’t roll that number any more, then you pass the die. When the buzzer rings, the two-person team with the highest score moves up a table and the losers stay. Everyone caught on pretty quick, and it ended up being great fun. We laughed and ran up and down the stairs and teased each other for sucking (even though the game is pure chance.) It was crazy, loud and fast-paced. I even managed to come in second place and won 20 bucks! I loved it!

Although Bunko was more fabulous than I was expecting, I won’t go as far to say that I’m looking forward to a time in my life where Bunko parties are the only thing on my calendar, but I’ll embrace the housewife tradition if it really is this much fun. I mean hec, I’ve joined a bowling league; I might at well start spending my Saturday nights sober and playing games with my friends. Sadly, I suppose there will be a time where I won’t want to go to a bar every night of the week. It’s hard to imagine that now, but I’m assuming that one day I will be one of those housewife types. Albeit, I hope I don’t develop an addiction to wine and pass out in a department store, have some crazy nun fall in love with my husband and plot my demise, or have boy triplets who are absolute hellions (although I’ll take the triplets if it means procreating with someone who looks as good as Lynette’s husband), but if Bunko is part of the monthly routine, housewife doesn’t sound too bad.

Currently Feeling: A little drowsy, but satisfied.
Currently Dreading: The Brit leaving on yet another business trip for the rest of the week.
Currently Planning On: Going to the gym after work, making spaghetti for Sarah and watching The Amazing Race.

Photo Op with the Lucky Strikes

Awww. Our first bowling league night. Stay tuned for an updated photo with us sporting the t-shirts I designed!

Tootse’s Trip to the Bowling Shrink

Last night The Lucky Strikes took to the lanes of Sunset Bowl to blow our rival bowling league team out of the water, send them home packing and make them cry in their beer. (God, my journalism teachers would be so proud of my prolific and ubiquitous uses of clichés.) The night didn’t go exactly how we planned, however, it was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. (Sober) I am officially a huge fan of bowling leagues and can’t wait till next Monday night.

When Sarah and I first arrived, we started to pick out our bowling ball. Each one was color coordinated. I picked a 10-pound ball and Sarah picked an 8-pounder. When we went to set them on the round-a-bout thing (is there an official name for those bowling ball holders?!?), I was casually conversing with Sarah about the size of balls—bowling—and this lady interjected to put her two cents in. She took one look at me, remarked about my “wide shoulders” and “frame”, and said I needed a 14-pound ball. Thanks a lot lady. As if every girl in her twenties doesn’t have a complex already. I know I’ve been called “stocky” and “solid” before, (mostly by my dad), but that doesn’t mean that I need a 14-pound ball, which I can barely pick up. Geez. She acted like a big know-it-all and proceeded to tell Sarah what size ball she needed (of course smaller than the size I need) and then proclaimed, “Listen to me. I own my own ball AND my own shoes, so I should know what I’m talking about.” Please don’t ever let me turn into that lady.

Speaking of owning their own shoes, Vanessa has a fancy pair of bowling shoes that she can sport to and from the tournaments. Man, am I jealous. Now why didn’t I think of investing in that. According to her sister, “It can save you so much money in the long run.” If I didn’t have to buy bowling shoes all those times I’ve gone bowling, maybe I wouldn’t be eating ice cream for dinner this week.

Anyway, at first we really didn’t know what the hell we were doing or how we were supposed to interact/compete against this other team. (Bunch of dorks is you ask me!) We even bowled on the wrong side one time and the one pin Vanessa knocked down counted for their score. Ha. We planned that suckers. Actually, you’re supposed to switch off sides every other frame, but all of us being bowling-league rookies and not huge DORKS didn’t know that. Anyway, our team rocked the first game. The bowling skills that were bestowed upon me upon a young age (see previous post) came out in full-force and I led our team throughout most of the first game. Although, Mike pulled ahead of me during the last frame when he got two strikes or something like that.

We lost the second game pretty bad, which in turn cost us the tournament. It was our first night though and I anticipate a great season for The Lucky Strikes. We are going to make t-shirts and wear them every game day in order to keep our focus on the gravity of the night ahead. The shirts will sport our nicknames—Vanessa=Pancake, Sarah=Sizzle, Me=Tootse, Damon=Buttercream, Johhny=Ho and Mike=Cookie. All in all, the night provided endless bouts of entertainment in the form of laughing, cheering and people watching. Seriously, if you want to analyze the personalities in this crazy world, start analyzing the way people bowl. Some come in from the side (Damon), some drop the ball full-force into the wood and hope it rolls down (could be compared to some guys’ sexual techniques), some walk real slow and barely roll it down the lane (Vanessa), some have no technique whatsoever (Sarah), some do the dorky behind-you leg bend thing (Mike. Also in previous post, sorry Vaness!). If I had to analyze myself, I’d say I’m a meticulous, get-it-done-right, fuck-up sometimes but mostly perfect person. At least that’s what I’d be told by the Bowling-Shrink.

Current Anticipation: Going home, lying on my couch and reading
Current Annoyance: People who poke their nose where it doesn’t belong!
Current Worry: What to do for the Brit for his birthday and gas for my car