The Severed Cortex

I'm overdue on writing about Robert.

Hangin' and Chillin'

I asked Robert what he wanted to do and his reply was that he wanted to make pizzas and play Guitar Hero. That's an easy one. Before picking him up in the late afternoon, I kind of goofed around all day reading and stuff. I even hung out in the hammock for awhile sleeping in the breeze. Very lazy stuff and I highly recommend it.
I picked Robert up and we headed back in the general direction of the house, but we had one stop to make before returning to the homestead. Nancy thought we should watch a movie so she recommended we stop at Blockbuster, which we did. I told Robert he could pick out any kid movie he wanted, and even though there was a decent selection, we had a heck of a time finding one. It wasn't because there was too many either. Robert has just seen a lot of kid movies. Finally we settled on Monster House because it was about the only one he hadn't seen. Or so we thought.
We got back to the house to find Nancy with all the pizza fixin's ready to go including some chopped green peppers from our salsa garden. Robert and I loaded ours up with pepperoni and for good measure added some green peppers too. While the pizzas cooked we went outside to set the picnic table and to hang out in the hammock. Once the pizzas were cooked, Nancy called us to eat. They were delicious and eating outside made them taste even better.
Full of pizza, we settled down to watch the movie. I queued it up while Nancy dished out brownies and ice cream. There's something about melting ice cream on homemade brownies that makes your stomach say hell yeah. Once the movie started, the following conversation occurred.

Robert: I'll know if I've seen the movie already by just watching the first couple minutes.
Nancy: Well, if you've seen it don't tell us.
Robert: OK.
(a few minutes pass)
Robert: Oh! I have seen this movie.
Drew: Don't tell us the story.
Robert: OK, I won't.
(a few minutes pass)
Robert: Can I say one thing?
Nancy: Does it have anything to do with the movie?
Robert: No.
Nancy: OK, you can say what you want to say.
Robert: The house is his wife.
Drew: I'm pretty sure that has something to do with the movie.
Robert: Oh yeah. I guess it does.

Monster House turned out to be pretty good despite the plot being spoiled for us. It's actually a Steven Spielberg movie so there's no surprise it's a solid flick. After the movie Robert and I played Guitar Hero until our fingers hurt. As a team, we rock pretty hard.

I Am The Godfather

Robert's mother had a baby, Cristefer Marlin Jones, back in February. He was born premature, but he's a fighter and it wasn't too long before Robert's mom got to bring him home. Not long after that Tina asked me if I would be willing to be Cristefer's godfather. My first question, seeing as how I grew up in a Protestant Presbyterian USA church without godfathers and the like, What exactly is expected of a godfather? Turns out you just need to be there for the kid, and since I think I've proven myself capable in that capacity I accepted.
Last Sunday was the christening. I was told to report to Webster Temple Church of God in Christ at 11:30 (or so). Now this may surprise some of you but I actually have attended a predominantly black church before. Granted it was a very long time ago, (it has been a long time since I set foot in a church for that matter), but I did attend a service at Pentecostal Power Church with Bishop James Lane presiding back when I was a teenager. I don't remember what the occasion was that brought me there though. Perhaps it was a community Thanksgiving service. I do remember it was quite different than the uptight white folk church I grew up in.
Back to the story.
As it turns out, the or so meant we showed up at Robert's house at 11:30. Once everyone was ready we arrived at the church at 12:00. Services were already rocking. There was much singing, and much praising, and much feeling, unlike the church I grew up in. Perhaps if I had grown up in a church like this I would have a different view on religion. Probably not. The service went on for awhile, even though the pastor said he was mindful of the time. At one point he said, We're going to have a prayer, and then I'm going to call on someone to lead us in a song. It's going to be a surprise. I might even call on that lady sitting there in the green. He was pointing at Nancy. She replied back, That would be a surprise.
But, the last order of the day was to baptize young Cristefer, and baptize we did.
After church, a large contigent of us went to Golden Corral to eat. I have to admit I was really kind of dreading the day, although dread is not really the word I'm looking for. I guess I wasn't really looking forward to the church part. But, I have to say that it turned out to be an absolutely incredible day. The church members were very kind to us, as was the pastor, and I can't thank Al and Tina enough for letting me be a part of it.
The day before I spoke at my friend Al Hicks funeral and it was indeed a sad day for me. Military honors at his grave site tore me up. When they play taps in the background I don't know how anyone can not cry. I know I had tears. But, as painful as it was to lay a friend to rest, I feel that a new beginning started this day. I am very thankful that I now assume that same role for Cristefer that Al held for me. I can only hope to do half as good a job as Al did.

Here's some photos of the event. You have to be a Facebook member to see them.