[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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Throughout the tour, 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 exhibition 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 case, and Sarah expressed that she was thankful that the 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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<span style="color: #ff00ff;"><strong>Me:</strong></span> So this would be for the rich guy who has everything.  And drives a Hummer.

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<span style="color: #000080;"><strong>Mr. Gift Shop Guy:</strong> </span>Exactly.

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<span style="font-size: medium; color: #993300;"><strong>Mr. Gift Shop Guy then goes on to taunt me with tales of The Most Controversial Item sold on the Body Worlds online store. </strong></span> (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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<strong>Warning: </strong>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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