Archive for the 'culture' CategoryPage 2 of 9

Sevi Regis’ Eloquence

From the Midwest Christian Bodybuilding site:

“In 1969 at the age of 13, Sevi Regis began bodybuilding and powerlifting as one of the first women training in New York to gain mass and power. Her best lifts were achieved in 1975, when at the age of 18, she deadlifted 385 pounds, squated 300, and benched 185, all natural.

Two years later, Sevi ran a 4:15-minute mile, and the following year, she completed her first NYC 26-mile marathon in 3 hours 29 minutes. Sevi also played local tennis tournaments and practiced for triathlons.

Sevi Regis became one of the first professional personal trainers in New York, and owned a company called, “Physique Finesse” where she’d coach people all over the City. She appeared on several television programs and had a full calendar of clients until 1984, when she changed careers after meeting Jesus Christ in December of 1989.

Currently, Ms. Regis works as an author and independent producer/director. She has written 28 books and screenplays, with 21 books in print as of September 2006. Sevi is also an ordained medical chaplain and served in hospitals and nursing homes for ten years. Now Sevi works to unite faith and fitness in uniquely empowering ways.”

Recently, I’ve had the rare blessing of receiving a heated comment from Sevi herself, in reference to my post about the Birth of Sean Preston statue. Sevi wrote:

The statue is a disgusting and stupid choice of images geared toward a society growing more perverted and dim every day. Do we need to be educated about a bimbo’s ass? Or do we need to cure cancer, redeem the environment, and learn how to communicate properly so we can stop killing each other? Idiots! No original thinking, no worth or social value, just more of a moronic descension into the abyss. Don’t worry, you didn’t shock me; you only made me puke at the thought of you.

All that from a fundamentalist meathead. I’m impressed that the synapses are still firing.

Britney Spears Statue by Daniel Edwards

Britney Spears Statue: A Monument to Pro-Life

Photo by Justin Farrow

So this is the statue that’s been causing all the controversy. A few things to note:

  1. All of the images that I’ve seen on the internet do not show this view. Why?
  2. Note that the arm and leg are cut. What is the artist trying to say by doing this, and why has the media chosen not to show it? Or was the statue simply damaged during transport? Other photos show no evidence of the breaks.
  3. Britney Spears had nothing to do with this, save providing a well known public figure for the artist to create controversy around. The artist “admits to using references that include the wax figure of a pole-dancing Britney at Las Vegas’ Madame Tussauds and ‘Britney wigs’ characterizing various hairstyles of the pop-princess from a Los Angeles hairstylist.”
  4. I’ve read many remarks about this position being unnatural or uncomfortable for birthing. Guess again. This pose is not unusual for traditional birthing. Consider that the legs can be used to compress the belly area, assisting in the delivery process.

The sculpture is currently displayed at Capla Kesting Gallery in NYC.

There is a great discussion taking place on the Flickr page for the image displayed above.

If you’re hankering for some color photos of the pink plaster sculpture, check out Flickr user Jamfan2’s photoset.
Also, check out a podcast of an interview with artist Daniel Edwards. (via Boing Boing)

Other blogs reference this statue here | here | here | here

There have been many who believe this is an awkward, unnatural position for birthing. Please read my comment below.

What Are You Really Putting On Your Body?

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has created a safety report on the numerous substances we use for body care. The site allows the visitor to search through numerous brands and find out what poisons they are using on their bodies. It’s fascinating and (not just mildly) frightening.

EWG Report: Skin Deep

Tomatina Festival in Spain

Tomatoes in Mid-air
Tomatoes in Mid-air, originally uploaded by aaroncorey.

Buñol, Spain hosts the annual Tomatina festival, during which the streets erupt in a frenzied tomato fight. I first remember hearing about this about a decade ago, and since then I’ve always wanted to partake in this fascinating waste of food.

via Yahoo! News

Depression

I’ve been feeling quite depressed lately, and decided to do a search for Chinese Medicine and depression. What I discovered was an interesting approach. While Western head shrinks are quick to prescribe drugs for depressive symptoms (often with catastrophic side effects), Chinese practitioners suggest depression results from repressed emotions, such as guilt or anger. Their treatments seek to release these emotions in order for the patient to study them and let go of them accordingly. Acupunture, acupressure and traditional herbs are their route. I’m going to check this out, or spend an infinitude of days suffering this terrible indignity.

via Holistic Online