This week in Freelance Activity of Various Sorts…
On Monday and Wednesday, my book buddy and I audited a class about dead stuff.
Those of you that know me know just how typical this is. For the rest of you, the lowdown is thus:
Sara and I have been friends for 20 plus years. Over the past 15 of those, we’ve developed a special bond through our mutual interest in death culture – meaning the practicalities, beliefs and emotions that humans exhibit when someone dies. We’re working on a book about this concept, and hope to see it on coffee tables across the country before we’re in our 40s. It will be visually fabulous and chocked full of interesting facts.
Thanks to a good friend of ours, we’ve had multiple opportunities to observe the death culture in West Michigan first hand. Nothing like observing an embalming to remind you just how real death is… even more so than taxes. This class is just another way she’s helped us tremendously.
Without going into too much detail, I’ll simply say that we can now add “saw naturally decaying pigs” and “hung out in cadaver lab” to our list of adventures. Stenches of rot and formaldehyde aside, the experiences were truly fascinating and educational.
If you’d like to know more about the book project, feel free to contact me, or visit our Facebook page over at People Die: What Would You Like to Know? We’d love to hear any ideas and stories you have.
Have a lively weekend!
Image: Michael Wolgemut – The Dance Of Skeletons