Good Reads

I warn you that once you visit goodreads, you may be there for hours. Many thanks to my friend Audrey for turning me onto this addictive website.

Namaste!

Let me preface this post by saying that I'm exhausted...more exhausted than probably this guy here who has been acetoned and polymered and holding this pose for months. I had to go out of town for a couple of days on business, but it provided an opportunity for enlightenment that I would never have had otherwise. The Bodies Exhibition.

If you haven't heard about it...

"Bodies... The Exhibition examines the intricacies and complexities that lie beneath your skin through the use of a unique polymer preservation process applied to real human bodies."

It was absolutely amazing. When I returned home and attempted to relate this amazement to my daughter, I kept saying "They were real live dead people!". The simple word "cadavers" just couldn't quite impart the weight of the situation like that ridiculously improper statement could.

The exhibit begins with the skeletal system and builds (literally) with each turn of the corner, packing on more anatomical systems and more incredible body facts until it ends in a huge encased pile of skin at the end of the tour. This, incidentally, was the one thing that gave my digestive system a whirl. Strangely enough, although I was looking at cadavers and seeing "live dead" organs, I was so intrigued that it simply didn't register until...

Me to the tiny white coated bouncer-lady with the conspicuous lapel pin 'Ask Me About BODIES' : "Where did all of these cadavers come from, anyway?"

Bouncer/lady: "If you'll notice, all of these cadavers are Asian. [Chinese Dr.] gathered all of them in China. You see, China has the same law that we have. If remains are not claimed within two years of death, they become state property and are used for research. (dramatic pause) Believe it or not, [Chinese Dr.] began this project almost 30 years ago!"

First, I knew these models (may I call them that?) were small, but I simply didn't get the Asian thing. Obviously I should have.

Secondly...unclaimed remains?? UNCLAIMED REMAINS??!! I thought about unclaimed remains for hours after the tour and, frankly, I am still thinking about it. Could anything be more dismal, more disparaging than being the cadaver that time (and blood relations) forgot?

Yes, because not only were these cadavers unclaimed, but they all appeared to be unbelievably heavy smokers up to their timely (yes, all natural causes) deaths. Model after model sported perfect muscles, trim bodies, and black as coal lungs. With each turn of the corner, more dark gray lungs until it became almost comical. Were these models plucked from cancer wards? Was this an unfortunate anatomical coincidence? Did they somehow know that they would eventually be models? Or do ALL Chinese chainsmoke?

Lastly...the cardiovascular system. Walking into the room with the hearts made me sadder than anything I could ever have imagined. There they were...little hearts in their little glass encasements, shamelessly posed and paraded, the color of pre-packaged grocery store tripe. They were separated, each in its own singular side-by-side case. No other organs within three feet. I don't know how to explain the sadness of the hearts. All I can say is that you must see it yourself. There's more to discover at the BODIES exhibit than the simple truths of anatomy.

Namaste

Paris Je T'Aime

Last night my friends Brad, Justin and I took in Paris Je T'Aime at the MAC. The film was pretty cool and perfect for moviegoers with ADD since it was actually 18 movies in one. Being fluent in French, Brad kept me updated on the subtitle failures and provided a guided tour of the city through each of the vignettes. The last installment provided us with insight as to what quilters might feel in our own City of Murals. (So much to see, so little time.) It was hilarious, but Brad, Justin and I seemed to be the only people giggling. I think we were supposed to be feeling her loneliness, but I guess we're way too cynical for that sort of thing.

I need to take a moment here to tell you about my infatuation with Gerard Depardieu. He played a tiny part in one of the vignettes, but during the entire five minutes I just wanted more Gerard. What the...? Brad says it's just that I have a thing for big, round bellies, but it's more than that. It goes beyond his basketball-sized waist, enormous nose and unintelligible French accent. Something about his on-screen diffidence makes him incredibly endearing and quite sexy. I also can't get enough of Rufus Sewell (who also starred), despite his propensity to wall-eye on occasion. But that's much easier to see (no pun intended). Gerard seems to have a commanding presence that most actors do not have, something mysterious. Is this what is meant by je nais se qua?

Namaste

Tom Colicchio Rocks

Got it, in case you were wondering. Good stuff, in case you were wondering.

Tom covers roasting, braising blanching, stock-making and sauce-making, explaining the hows and whys of each technique in depth. From there he explains how to use these techniques as tools for creating your own culinary masterpieces. He also provides tips on how to choose ingredients, the best salt to use for cooking, use and storage of herbs, and how to "listen" to the food as it cooks.

Don't forget that the new season of Top Chef is now off and running. Catch Tom each Wednesday night at 9 p.m. CST on Bravo giving those punk chefs what for.

Namaste

Nickel Creek

Nickel Creek is coming to The Carson Center! My friend Brad just sent me this link that I think you will enjoy. I especially liked the clip of Nick Thile as a kid (even younger than now). Their music is hard to describe. (Is there such thing as bluegrass jazz?) A lot of their music is free form, with long musical diversions highlighting the talent each has with his or her preferred instrument (The Smoothie Song). But they also dance along the folk genre as in the songs Green and Gray and The Lighthouse's Tale.

Tickets are on sale now (and are cheap, cheap, cheap) for the event in Paducah on July 13. I believe that you will not be disappointed in what promises to be a phenomenal show.

See you there!

Namaste