Dr. Metablog

Dr. Metablog is the nom de blague of Vivian de St. Vrain, the pen name of a resident of the mountain west who writes about language, books, politics, or whatever else comes to mind. Under the name Otto Onions (Oh NIGH uns), Vivian de St. Vrain is the author of “The Big Book of False Etymologies” (Oxford, 1978) and, writing as Amber Feldhammer, is editor of the classic anthology of confessional poetry, “My Underwear” (Virago, 1997).

The Entirety of My Career as a Nude Model

A friend of mine was teaching a course in life drawing and was having trouble finding models. He asked me if I'd be willing to donate an hour. Hey, it was the drug-crazed 1960s (or perhaps early 70s) and I had long since put modesty behind. So I agreed.

It was odd to be naked  among a roomful of the clothed. I was more sensitive to drafts than I would have guessed. It was difficult to remain motionless, especially with all the houseflies a-lighting on the sensitive areas. It was peculiar and a little flattering to have so many pairs of eyes fixed upon me. However, my clearest memory is the student, a young woman, who at the end of the hour, asked the teacher, "Next week, could you try to find someone with a more interesting body?"

December 20.  I now realize that, bodywise, I have become more interesting over the last forty years — if interesting means lumpy, wrinkled, and asymmetrical. 

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