The Great Schlep

Sarah Silverman is a funny chick. And she's made a video for JewsVote.org endorsing the cause to vote for Obama next month. I didn't need much convincing to do so anyway, but this is still pretty awesome. Please enjoy The Great Schlep.


The Great Schlep from The Great Schlep on Vimeo.

Pres. Gabriel Foushee

This week for Exploring Cultures we had to visit Monticello, home to President Thomas Jefferson. I don't remember when exactly, but I know I've been there before. But, I have to say that this was by far the best trip to such a colonial landmark. I went on this expedition with Enrico, Sriram, Jesse and Jordan. We did a lot of looking, a lot of laughing, but more importantly, a lot of learning. For instance, did you know our 36th President was the esteemed Gabriel Foushee? Sriram and Enrico didn't, but Jesse and Jordan made sure to fix that. Enrico loved all of the new knowledge!

TJ had a really sweet place. Unfortunately, for reasons never revealed to us, we only saw the first floor of the house. But what we did see was interesting. Jefferson had a really impressive collection of art and artifacts from all over the world and he put them on complete display. But we weren't allowed to take pictures inside the house, so use your imagination. Once our tour of the house was over, we walked the grounds which included the smoke house (which bares a striking resemblance to the end of the Blair Witch Project).

It was in this same smoke house that Sriram scared a 4-year-old girl by getting on his knees to take a picture of the back of her head. She subsequently ran out of the room screaming for her father. We walked away briskly. In that same area as the smoke house was also the beer room and the privy, or shitter, as it was commonly referred to in Jefferson's time. We finished up at Monticello and then decided to explore the culture of Charlottesville. It was filled with beautiful pastels and popped collars, and adorned with McCain 08s. We got lunch at a local restaurant. It was there that Jordan taught us all about Lincoln's homosexual tendencies and asked the waitress to prove he was right by pulling up "The Google."

And that was our day. We learned a lot about Jefferson and his time, and our foreign friends especially, learned a lot about fake presidents and lies about real ones. Two other things worth mentioning, Sriram picked and ate apples, and Jesse and Jordan reenacted the DeVito/Schwarzenegger classic "Twins."

Apotemnophilia

So, I just finished watching this movie called Quid Pro Quo. It's about a paraplegic radio host who gets sucked into this underground culture of people who want to be paralyzed. It's a good enough movie, though by the end of it it becomes a little too silly, but I found myself completely fascinated by these people. Isaac, the radio host, asks himself a number of times "why would a person want to be paralyzed who wasn't?" That's the main theme of the film, trying to understand these people. The movie never really answers the question but it does do a great job in creating a desire for more information.

I was definitely interested. One of the special features on the DVD is a 10 minute series of clips from a documentary called "Whole." This film is all about these actual people and their condition, Body Integrity Identity Disorder. The scientific term is Apotemnophilia, which is a Greek word meaning the erotic interest in looking like or being an amputee. However, not each case is based on a sexual fantasy. Most of the people in the documentary say that they simply don't feel like they deserve to have BOTH legs. One guy said the only way he could make it through the day at work was by staring at a picture of himself on the couch with one leg folded underneath him. Their desire to be disabled is that strong.

The stories in this thing were unreal. So many of the subjects talk about how they search for surgeons who will amputate perfectly good limbs. One man shot off his own leg. And their reasons for doing this are mind-boggling. It's as if they're ashamed to be able-bodied. The only way they can feel complete is by removing a physical part of their body. There are even subcultures within this culture. Their are people called "wannabes" who willingly live chunks of their lives in wheelchairs or on crutches. And then there are some who claim to be a "disabled person in an abled body." Apparently this is no small fad. The number of instances of people requesting unnecessary amputations is staggering and doctors have no idea how to respond.

The clip on the Quid Pro Quo DVD was only 10 minutes. But I am so interested to see all of Whole. This is captivating stuff.

www.whole-documentary.com

The Byrd

I moved to Richmond a little over a year ago. I had a general idea of what the city would offer me. But honestly, I never expected to discover the place that would become one of my all-time favorite spots to visit, The Byrd.



I go as often as I can. I love going to the movies, and the Byrd is hands-down the best movie-going experience I've ever had. It has such a classic quality to it, from the marquee outside, to the lobby, to the seats, the balcony, the curtain, all the way to the toilets.

I went last night with Lisa to see Get Smart. Decent movie, but again, the Byrd was great. We sat in the balcony. It was packed, as close to sold out as I've ever seen it. Bob Gulledge started off with his Mighty Wurlitzer like he does every Saturday. If I could, I'd go every night.

Hopefully the Saturday midnight movies will start up again soon. I swear, you can't appreciate a film like The Goonies or Evil Dead II until you've seen it at a place like this.

I'm going to graduate in May and presumably leave RVA shortly after that. I've made great friends down here and have some great memories. But I already miss the Byrd more than anything else in this city.

When In Doubt, Bet On Primer

On Friday night I went to a race. I never thought I would go to one of these events. Like I said before, I'm in no way a fan of NASCAR racing. I've never quite understood the appeal.

But on Friday night I went to a poor-man's NASCAR race at the Richmond Southside Speedway and loved it. I'll be honest, I still don't get racing and don't enjoy watching cars go in a circle, but I can finally see the appeal for some people.

The speedway, for the people in that community, is a meeting place. It reminded me of high school football games I used to go to. I never watched the games, I just hung out with friends. And for these people, the speedway is the one place where they can all go and be guaranteed a good time with their friends.

The whole event felt so personal to me. Not necessarily for me, but I could feel it from everyone else. Everybody at that speedway knew each other and all of the racers. It really felt like one of those small towns in movies like Friday Night Lights.

It was really an eye-opening experience, one I'd like to revisit.

But next time I'll make sure to bring some cash. The best discovery of the night was the in-stand betting. I had no money but I picked a car in the 2nd race anyway. It was a car that started out towards the back of the pack. But for some reason I had a feeling about it, it was the paint job. Straight primer, baby.



I knew that if a driver had the balls to go on the track with no paint job, he had to be pretty confident in his machine. I was right. Homeboy took it all the way to the top and ended up winning.

Victory!

I Love This Man

Who Would Win?

I want honest answers.

Culture Crash (Fingers Crossed)

No, I don't mean the newly-rechristened Friday Forum. I'm talking about this week's assignment for Exploring Cultures.

We're going to the Southside Speedway tonight, y'all!

We better see some flames.

It has been described to us as "NASCAR without all of the money." Sign me up.

I've never been a fan of NASCAR. I just don't get it. I don't see the point in arguing over which "athlete" can make the better left turn.

I suppose there is an added element of danger since they aren't using their signals, but still.

It seems like the most pointless "sport" of all.

But I will go with an open mind and a fully-stocked cooler.

I will mingle with the hillbillies and celebrate with the mountainfolk.

I do not expect to be converted to their yee-hawing ways but I will enjoy tonight and report back later.

Namastey.

I'm Smarter Than A Celebutard!

So, a couple of weeks ago I posted about an article my Dad sent me in June. You know, the Russian Enema Monument.

And just today, Perez Hilton decided to post about the same thing (sans the brilliantly acerbic wit).

I suppose he's a fan. It's completely plausible. I roll deep.

BTW, you ever notice how much that CHUD of a person looks like Schlitzie the Pinhead?

Woah.

The patience and dedication of some people simply amaze me. This is a stop-motion viral ad from BBDO Argentina using Post-it Notes. Behold.

Hmm, Yes. Shallow and Pedantic.

On the first Friday of every month here in Richmond we have the First Friday Artwalk up on Broad St. I've only been once before (Oct. of last year). It's right around the corner from my place so I really have no excuse.

My culture class required us to go tonight. So I did. It's rainy and gross down here thanks to Hannah but all in all it was still a pretty good experience.

I'm not even going to try to give any analytical critique on the work I saw tonight. I'd really only embarrass myself. All I know is that I like what I like because I think it looks pretty sweet. So here are some photos of things I liked:









The cops got in on the action too.



And apparently some people still really like My Chemical Romance.



Ben has been doing some art lately too. Here his latest "masterpiece."



Finally, here is a clip from the only other time I went to First Friday. It's Justin dancing to the NO BS Brass Band. Unfortunately it's also the last time I saw Justin. Justin, if you're reading this, I'm a shitty friend. We should hang out.

My Next Project Will Have Substantial Floating Heads.

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