Henrietta Lacks Movie--and, Oh Yeah, I'm Still Alive!

If you've missed me (or maybe you haven't), I've been busy with some writing and editing projects, which is great, plus painting and cleaning up the old house in order to get it ready to sell. My partner and I have also been spending more time together. I know I haven't posted much on that lately. It's still touch-and-go, but I really want it to work out if at all possible. I'm seeing him in a brand-new way, and he's simply a great and gentle person. We still have issues to work out, and I still have my own apartment so that I can have space when needed. Once we get through a few more house chores, I think I'll have a better idea of what our future holds as a couple. Stay tuned.

A few months ago, I posted on the novel about Henrietta Lacks (pictured) and her (unwitting) contributions to modern public health. Well, Oprah is now making an HBO feature about Henrietta's life, and she's working with one of my Hollywood favorites, Alan Ball (writer for "American Beauty"). I saw the book the other day in Target and almost bought it, so maybe this merits a return trip. Unfortunately, I don't have HBO but there's always the DVD. Anyway, fascinating story about science with a personal touch.

This weekend brings more stuff to clean out and pack--and I hope my partner and I get to take that bike ride in the park that we discussed. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to be back soon for more regular blogging!

Henrietta Lacks Movie--and, Oh Yeah, I'm Still Alive!

If you've missed me (or maybe you haven't), I've been busy with some writing and editing projects, which is great, plus painting and cleaning up the old house in order to get it ready to sell. My partner and I have also been spending more time together. I know I haven't posted much on that lately. It's still touch-and-go, but I really want it to work out if at all possible. I'm seeing him in a brand-new way, and he's simply a great and gentle person. We still have issues to work out, and I still have my own apartment so that I can have space when needed. Once we get through a few more house chores, I think I'll have a better idea of what our future holds as a couple. Stay tuned.

A few months ago, I posted on the novel about Henrietta Lacks (pictured) and her (unwitting) contributions to modern public health. Well, Oprah is now making an HBO feature about Henrietta's life, and she's working with one of my Hollywood favorites, Alan Ball (writer for "American Beauty"). I saw the book the other day in Target and almost bought it, so maybe this merits a return trip. Unfortunately, I don't have HBO but there's always the DVD. Anyway, fascinating story about science with a personal touch.

This weekend brings more stuff to clean out and pack--and I hope my partner and I get to take that bike ride in the park that we discussed. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to be back soon for more regular blogging!

If You're Healthy and Reading This, Thank Henrietta Lacks

Hmmm, I bet some racists won't like this news ("You mean some black woman's cells were in that vaccine you gave to my lily-white Aryan child?!"). Yes, and it's keeping your useless ass alive, but Lord only knows why.

Fascinating, however, how Henrietta Lacks' cells have never died. I read about this a few years ago in graduate school, but we didn't get into the actual person's name or her background. Personally, I think it's really cool--and appropriate, in a cosmic-justice sort of way--that a poor, African-American woman has had such a positive, life-affirming effect on millions of people around the world. Not that it should surprise us--just that it's all happened without anyone really knowing about it.

Of course, some will see government conspiracy or even further evidence of racism since Henrietta's cells were taken from a tumor without her knowledge. But she might have a bigger heart than all of us and simply think it's a great achievement.

Naturally, some of her relatives think that, because her cells have never died, Henrietta has some special connection to or purpose from the Almighty! I can hang with that. Thanks, Henrietta.

Here's more about "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks"--which I totally have to buy.

If You're Healthy and Reading This, Thank Henrietta Lacks

Hmmm, I bet some racists won't like this news ("You mean some black woman's cells were in that vaccine you gave to my lily-white Aryan child?!"). Yes, and it's keeping your useless ass alive, but Lord only knows why.

Fascinating, however, how Henrietta Lacks' cells have never died. I read about this a few years ago in graduate school, but we didn't get into the actual person's name or her background. Personally, I think it's really cool--and appropriate, in a cosmic-justice sort of way--that a poor, African-American woman has had such a positive, life-affirming effect on millions of people around the world. Not that it should surprise us--just that it's all happened without anyone really knowing about it.

Of course, some will see government conspiracy or even further evidence of racism since Henrietta's cells were taken from a tumor without her knowledge. But she might have a bigger heart than all of us and simply think it's a great achievement.

Naturally, some of her relatives think that, because her cells have never died, Henrietta has some special connection to or purpose from the Almighty! I can hang with that. Thanks, Henrietta.

Here's more about "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks"--which I totally have to buy.