When I was a junior, I won the Pioneer High School’s Physiology Class Bone Bee. I did that by correctly guessing every bone on the human skeleton when it was my turn. I was the last girl standing.
Unlike the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is covered by ESPN and where the winner (ahem, thank you Wikipedia): ‘… receives a $30,000 cash prize and an engraved loving cup trophy from Scripps, a $2,500 savings bond, a reference library from Merriam-Webster, $3,800 in reference works from Encyclopædia Britannica, and a $5,000 cash prize from the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation,” I won a silver dollar and a trip to UC Davis for a college introductory night, accompanied by my beaming proud physiology teacher, Mr. Church. And all of the inherent glory that the winner of a Bone Bee can receive (I recall none except for accolades from my parents).
I am sure I spent the silver dollar immediately, and all I remember about the trip to Davis was that we watched a hilarious reel of Star Trek bloopers and I practically peed myself laughing. I did not attend UC Davis, fyi.
But for a span of months, perhaps years, I did know the name of every bone in the human body, and in theory could blurt out a random bone held for my inspection before any other person in the room, if there was such a person present. Sadly, I’ve lost that “name that bone!” talent but the nickname “Bone Girl” (thanks, Dad!) has stayed with me ever since.
I got to see some of my inner workings today after waiting over a week to get in to see an orthopedic doctor based on my recent falling down escapade. I have to admit, x-ray machines have really grown up and gotten damned impressive since I last encountered one at age 14 (two years before the Bone Bee win), after an unfortunate riding accident. I guess all accidents are unfortunate, aren’t they? As grateful as I was to know that I didn’t fuck up my knee (yay), I couldn’t help being pretty engrossed in the whole x-ray evaluation session in the office.
Not that I could remember what I was looking at besides the basics (patella, femur). I can’t say it’s a thrill but it’s certainly fascinating to be able to look at your very own bones within minutes of having them scanned. You get so used to looking at the outer covering, the wrapping paper, that you forget about what really keeps you together in human form for the span of several decades. And when you think about it, bones (like all the structures in the human body) are really amazing. They’re hard, yet light. Porous yet strong. They produce both red and white blood cells, provide conduits for our nerves and support for our muscles.
The doctor was wiggling my knee a bit (it’s still swollen) and it popped when he did it. He told me the popping wasn’t from the fall but “that’s how it came from the factory.” I told him I’d call the factory (my mother) and let her know about the defect. I’m just glad I’m not getting a recall.
6 Comments
Am I sensing a bit of a metaphor with the looking inward bit? Very philosophical Julie. I guess all that bed rest has you thinking up.
Sorry for the comment spam. I’m at the relatives place in the big NY, so the internet is iffy. I’m dying without wi-fi!
Hope you have a chance to glance over at my new blog house sometime next month when we’re out gallivanting across Europe. For the first time in my life, I am happy to where ‘Jesus’ called the paps. Germany, gah, I’m drooling.
=D new blog = http://www.forgottendaydream.com
Oh my god, you have the cutest kneecap.
Wonder how much anatomy helps you in your photography? I think it would be very influential. Me, being a vet tech, can’t drive by a field of cows without thinking…disease, lice, warbles…
I broke the same bone on my left foot 4 times. I don’t remember the name, wish I was smart like you. Now I gotta go and find out the name.
I’m glad you’re up & about – I assume you are? I didn’t realize how badly you were hurt. Your sense of humor is still intact, thank goodness. And Chris is right – that is the cutest kneecap and it looks to be in a flirty pose. xoxo
I’m almost a week late, but this post was really great — your bones are beautiful, although your injury certainly isn’t. I was thinking of you while I was out shooting this morning — wondering how your recovery might be going. I sent you as much of a healing-vibe as I was able to muster — hope it arrived.
The “Bone Girl”, huh…
I got a girl named Boney Maroney
She’s as skinny as a stick of macaroni
You always see her dancing with her blue jeans on
Yeah she ain’t no fat, just skin and bones.
And I love her
And she loves me
Oh how happy now we can be
Makin’ love underneath the apple tree
Whew, Yeah!
Oh, her mama and her papa too
Just say exactly what I’m gonna do
I’m gonna get married on a night in June
And we’ll rock and roll by the light of the moon.
And I love her
And she loves me
Oh how happy now we can be
Makin’ love underneath the apple tree.
Yeah, I wanna make love to you!
Come over, yeah, here we go now!
OOWWW!
So fast baby, she’s my heart’s desire
She’s a real upsetter, She’s a real live wire
Now we’re gonna get married on a night in June
Yeah, we’ll scream and howl at the light of the moon.
Now I love her
And she loves me
Oh how happy now we can be
Makin’ love underneath the apple tree.
Makin’ love, makin’ love, makin’ love, makin’ love
Whoa, yeah, Come on over baby!
Yeah, I’m coming to get you honey!
Oh yeah
Yeeaahh!