"Blue Twister" isn't really a classic comic from the 1940s; it was
created especially for the show. In the end titles, there's a credit
that says "Blue Twister comic book created by Eric Wight." Eric Wight
is an up-and-coming animator and illustrator who has done quite a bit
of work in the film industry, as well as in comics such as "Hellboy"
and the modern version of "Weird Tales."
Here's Eric's website:
Eric Wight
http://www.ericwight.com/
"Grinding the Corn" (which, as you may have noticed, was the title of
tonight's episode of "Six Feet Under") is, as far as I can tell,
fictional also. However, the reference to a mortar and pestle (which
are mentioned as part of the technique) is a very old allusion to the
vagina (mortar) and penis (pestle). Boccaccio's Decameron (14th
century) uses these terms in a sexual sense:
"And if, perchance, they do, after all, contain here and there a
trifling indiscretion of speech, such as might ill sort with one of
your precious prudes, who weigh words rather than deeds, and are more
concerned to appear, than to be, good, I say that so to write was as
permissible to me, as 'tis to men and women at large in their converse
to make use of such terms as hole, and pin, and mortar, and pestle,
and sausage, and polony [bologna], and plenty more besides of a like
sort."
Decameron Web: The Author's Epilogue
http://www.stg.brown.edu/projects/decameron/engDecShowText.php?myID=&expand=
When you consider how the "grinding the corn" technique is described
in the show, and consider the shapes of a mortar and a pestle, it's
not difficult to figure out what was probably going on. This is what
Jimmy says to Claire:
"You know, like a mortar and pestle. You push the pestle against the
rim of the mortar, not in the bowl."
I take this to mean that the technique involves stimulation of the
vaginal vestibule ("the rim") prior to (or instead of) deep
penetration into the vagina ("the bowl"). Vestibular stimulation may
excite the so-called 'G spot.' Whatever was happening here, it
certainly seemed to make Claire want to say "GEE!!!"
This isn't the first time that a television program has created an
intriguing name for a sexual technique. In the 1980s, "L.A. Law"
created a flurry of curiosity when a couple on the show discussed an
erotic technique called "The Venus Butterfly."
Here's an account of the ensuing butterfly frenzy:
RV Acres: Venus Butterfly
http://www.tvacres.com/sex_techniques_venus.htm
Although there hadn't been any real sexual technique called "The Venus
Butterfly" up until then, there is now (along with a bevy of sex toys
and a rock group using the name). I wouldn't be a bit surprised if
"Grinding the Corn" is likewise enshrined in the language of love as a
result of "Six Feet Under." Television is a highly influential force
these days. Life imitates art.
Best,
Pink |
Request for Answer Clarification by
psychopoet-ga
on
15 Aug 2004 20:57 PDT
What excatly is the vaginal vestibule?
What did you think of tonight's episode? I thought it was a little
dull but it had it's moments The return of Billy; Claire FINALLY
having an orgasm (who was that guy she slept with?) Nates crazy dream
(what do you think it means?)
ONLY 3 EPISODES LEFT!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Clarification of Answer by
pinkfreud-ga
on
15 Aug 2004 21:55 PDT
"Vaginal vestibule" is a general term encompassing the opening of the
vagina, the inner portions of the labia, and the portion of the vagina
that is nearer to the opening than to the cervix. Basically the term
just means the shallow areas.
I enjoyed tonight's episode of "Six Feet Under." It wasn't the best,
but the show is always one of the most watchable things on TV. I can't
help speculating about what's ahead. The tension that's building
between Keith and David is probably leading somewhere (could Keith be
headed toward being actively bi?), and Nate's dream was a bit of a
shocker. Seems as if Nate thinks his dead loved ones want him to die,
too. Not a very good thing to dwell upon. Is Nate becoming suicidal,
but he doesn't know it yet at a conscious level?
I'm getting sick of Brenda's tendency to mess up every good thing
about her life. I guess I've just had enough of that sort of thing in
real life. I just want to grab Brenda and holler at her to straighten
out. Of course, that wouldn't fix the problems. My mother has hollered
such things at me for decades, and I am still a bit of a mess. ;-)
~Pink
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Request for Answer Clarification by
psychopoet-ga
on
15 Aug 2004 22:29 PDT
Ya know,
I happen to be an aspiring therapist, so if you ever want to talk let me know :-)
Edi seems to be stabbing Claire in the back
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Clarification of Answer by
pinkfreud-ga
on
15 Aug 2004 22:39 PDT
As an aspiring therapist, I imagine you are getting lots of ideas from
"Six Feet Under." Seldom has a television show had such a focus on
people's neuroses. About the best-adjusted person on the show, IMHO,
is Bettina. And you know you're in trouble when the sanest person
around is played by Kathy Bates. :-D
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Request for Answer Clarification by
psychopoet-ga
on
16 Aug 2004 08:13 PDT
Indeed,
I paying close atention to the scene where Brenda is helping the guy
with the Bridge phobia. (I Completely agree with her stance on his
treatment) I've been thinking about writing to Allan Ball to tell him
about EMDR--a revolutionary therapy. They all need it I thought
it'd be cool if the show would showcase it's amazing effects.
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Clarification of Answer by
pinkfreud-ga
on
16 Aug 2004 12:30 PDT
Mike,
Thanks for the five stars and the tip!
Good luck in your professional aspirations. The nature of mankind
ensures that psychotherapy is one line of work that will never go out
of style.
~Pink
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Request for Answer Clarification by
psychopoet-ga
on
16 Aug 2004 14:16 PDT
"The nature of mankind
ensures that psychotherapy is one line of work that will never go out
of style."
This statement is simultaniously very true and very sad
|
Clarification of Answer by
pinkfreud-ga
on
16 Aug 2004 15:29 PDT
The only way that I can think of that psychotherapy could "go out of
style" would be if the profession was gradually taken over by
computerized "therapists". Artificial intelligence still has a long
way to go, but the day may come when patients will sit at a keyboard
telling the computer their dreams, fears, and anxieties, and the
computer will conduct therapy and treatment using its own "judgment."
There's an interesting article here about "computerized psychotherapy":
http://www.rider.edu/~suler/psycyber/eliza.html
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
psychopoet-ga
on
16 Aug 2004 16:52 PDT
When I said the statment was partially sad, I meant that it is sad
that our scocity needs such a profession to exsist. I find extremly
sad that huamans can't naturaly raise, nurture and interact with one
another without causing emotional damage.
That article is interesting, however, I don't think computers will
replace humans in this field. For many people in therapy, they have
never had somone in their lives who truly listened to them.
|
Clarification of Answer by
pinkfreud-ga
on
16 Aug 2004 17:06 PDT
I agree that it is sad that we humans are so inclined to hurt even
those whom we love. Even people who do not hold religious beliefs have
got to acknowledge that there's a certain brokenness to human beings.
But, sad though it may be, the brokenness and the pain lead us to seek
healing, and in that quest we may find our true destiny.
As the poet and singer Leonard Cohen has said, there is a crack in
everything. That's how the light gets in.
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