Get Up In It

Recently, I observed a friend eating a luscious, drippy pulled pork sandwich, and as he bit into it, I instinctively uttered, "Aw yeah, get up in it." There was little thought in the statement; I blurted it out, almost a reflex to seeing someone do the Hunch over a sandwich and be Le Resistance in the fight between Gravity and Viscosity. Upon hearing my statement, I realized I had stumbled upon a great divining rod, a trustworthy bellwether, of attaching value, importance, or appreciation to a multitude of objects, concepts, and actions in my life.

It became remarkably clear that I want to Get Up Into anything that can be gotten up in.

I realized that anything you could say "Aw yeah, Get Up in It" while consuming, doing, or thinking is a worthwhile and usually savagely-enjoyable action. The phrase always has a joking tone, but it is built upon a strong foundation of respect and understanding that this moment has importance and value. It's an understanding between all parties that said thing is awesome and we're all intensely gratified. Also, in most instances, this line is said in a Barry White-type of voice or something between normal human tone and Barry White.

Barbecue is a prime example of something to be gotten up in. The juicy, meat-laden, sweet and spicy concoction ignites the senses but more importantly, it gets you a little amped up inside. It makes you swoon, salivate, like Homer Simpson with donuts. This is not just about the food itself. It's the act of consuming, on being one with this mass of meat as a spiritual being. That's why you wanna get up in it. Additionally, the consistency, almost the soul of barbecue is integral to getting up in. It can get All Over Your Face. Aw yeah.

Now I don't want anyone to think this just about barbecue. That is only one shining canon in the realm of things to be Gotten Up In. Gettin' up is a joy to life; it's the gold-tinged sunglassed that color a summer afternoon. Gettin' Up In stirs the soul. You don't get up into Existentialism, but you do get up in Transcendentalism; I do at least. If in looking for a suitable mate, you find someone who's mind or soul can be gotten up into, something that you can really spend some time and take a vacation in, then you win. In fact, it should almost be requisite in mate selection. Another good point to recognize that fat/alcohol/bad-meaning-good content is not a determining factor in Gettin Up Into anything. I could see someone gettin' up in a salad or even a smoothie. But that salad better not just be a house salad. We're talking a myriad of ingredients; gimme some avocado on that.

Getting up is a tough sensation to tie down and define, simply because it could happen in so many different variations. I'm compiling a list of Gettin'-Up-able things. My hope that it grows ever so fruitful and abundant.

Base List of Things to be Gotten Up In:

• the aforementioned barbecue
• Any type of pie or cobbler
• feminine anatomy
• dumplings
• a good scotch
• sloppy joes (say it a'Slawppy Johe)
• writing a compelling article (gettin' up in this right now)
• a dj killing a set, bringing in nasty tracks and really cutting it up
• ill freestyling (pretty much anything that can be done with a beat)
• odd fandoms - say the study of the aesthetics of sports uniforms
• nuanced histories - French occupation of Vietnam and its cultural impact in today's world
• Zoroastrianism
• any and all soul foods from every culture
• a classic album - ATLiens, Paul's Boutique, Dark Side for starters
• brewing beer

A life that maximizes gettin' up potential is the life I desire to lead. Surround yourself with people who get up in random activities and events. Get up in food and drink; simply, Get Up In It.

-MC Squared

Feel free to add your favorite things you Get Up In. Put it in the comments or send me an email at itsmcsquared@gmail.com. We'll maintain the master list somewhere on the site.