[caption id="attachment_5034" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Note to self:  When posing with Mr. Fitness America who moonlights as Mr. Body Worlds, don&#39;t slouch.  "]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG00374-20110407-1837.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-5034" title="IMG00374-20110407-1837" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG00374-20110407-1837-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

I'm not sure where I've been or how this happened, but I previously was not aware of <strong><a href="http://www.bodyworlds.com/en.html" target="_blank">Gunther van Hagens' Body Worlds Exhibition.</a></strong>

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Let me clarify:  I <em>heard</em> about these exhibitions, but I didn't realize that the "exhibits" were actual dead bodies.  Perhaps I was in denial, or perhaps I had pushed this to the back of my subconscious because of the "creepy factor".

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When Sarah invited me to attend the exhibit with her and her daughter (aka Brookie P) for Shi-Shi Health Club Night at Body Worlds at the <strong><a href="http://www.azscience.org/bodyworlds.php" target="_blank">Arizona Science Center</a></strong>, I accepted.  I always enjoy the company of Sarah, Brookie P, and the <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/03/day-187-casino-night/" target="_blank">AARP crowd.</a></strong>

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I purposely did not read anything about the exhibit beforehand, but Brookie P did mention to prep myself for dead bodies.  Lots of them.

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Not researching this beforehand, I was in awe of the science behind this project.  That's actually an understatement:  I was blown away.

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It turns out (for me, at least) that there was no "creepy factor".  This exhibit is a testament to both science and the miracle of the human body.

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Certain exhibits -- the pregnant woman of 5 months, the fetuses, the letter of a man who donated his body to science (and this project specifically) -- moved me to tears.  I started to think about the souls that originally inhabited these bodies.  I wondered about their lives, their loved ones, their deaths.

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Sarah, Brookie P, and I left in solemn silence.  We were grateful for the experience, for the donors, for the scientists and the medical community, and for life.

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And then we met the goofball working the gift shop on our way out.  Goofballs of a feather flock together, I suppose.

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We were looking at the earrings in the jewelry exhibit, and Sarah expressed that she was thankful that these earrings were slices of kiwi and grapefruit and not body parts.

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<span style="font-size: medium; color: #993300;"><strong>I, of course, immediately zoned in on the earrings comprised of slices of bull testis and bull penis. </strong></span>I am not making this up.  Just what every girl wants hanging from her ears, right?

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Mr. Gift Shop Guy walked over and addressed the bull penis issue while Sarah and Brookie P were freaking out.

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At this point, I was laughing and tormenting the girls further by recounting Bella's current obsession with bull penises aka bully sticks.

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<span style="font-size: medium; color: #993300;"><strong>Dear Readers, you heard me correctly.  If you buy your dog something called a "bully stick" at your local pet store, your sweet little Fifi or Fido is gnawing on a bull's penis. </strong></span> If you don't believe me, look it up.  :-D

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When Mr. Gift Store Guy mentioned that I didn't seem too easily offended (and I agreed), he lured me over to his computer to show me something even better and more controversial than the earring made out of bull's privates!  Yippeee!!!

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What could this controversial item possibly be, you're wondering?

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A walking stick made out of a bull's penis.  For about $3000 American dollars.

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(At this point, Sarah and Brookie P are practically dry heaving.)

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<strong>Me:</strong> So this would be for the rich guy who has everything.  And drives a Hummer.

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<strong>Mr. Gift Shop Guy:</strong> Exactly.

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Mr. Gift Shop Guy then goes on to taunt me with tales of The Most Controversial Item sold on the Body Worlds online store.  (You can only purchase Gunter's wares online.)  Mr. Gift Shop Guy tells me that he can't show me in person, as it's not appropriate.

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I nearly was on my knees begging for him to show me, but he wouldn't budge.  He showed me where to find it online though.  And I will now not-so-happily share this top secret info with you.

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Warning:  This contains sexually explicit material, and you might find it offensive.  Proceed at your own risk.  You have been properly warned.

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<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">If you must see: </span><a href="http://www.plastination-products.com/index.php" target="_blank">Go here.</a> </strong>Click "Anatomy Art" and then you'll see it:  "Anatomy Glass".

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O.k.  So even <em>I </em>am officially offended.  I mean, come on.  Really???

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Why did you have to go an ruin everything with this sellout, Gunter?

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That's not science.  That's sensationalism at its worst.

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Ugh.

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