(backlogged on 10/26 - out of town)
Got up early, primped myself into almost a suit - full regalia for my neice's Christening. Drove with my parents from the lake house to the church (an hour) for the Christening - it was a really amazing ceremony. I have not been to a church service in years - what an odd reminder of how ...um..ODD it is. Granted, my brother's church is incredibly liberal, in fact - almost too down to earth for me to fathom joining (gasp!). I was still struck by all the formality of it all. Not to mention for the reason we were there. I was proud as an uncle to be involved as a witness to the event - or rather custom. Made me think too much. And what it meant. It obviously meant more for the parents and the family. My neice - who still has a soft skull, cannot think for herself. All she "thinks" is "I need boob!...I am HONGRY!..." "Whaaahhhh! I soiled myself....clean me...." and "what are you making a messed up face for?" So now she is a Christian - unbeknownst to her. (get them hooked while they are young). All kidding aside - I found out this day that I was never Christened (only one in my immediate family that wasn't). Still wondering about that - and why.

Anyhoo, afterwards - I made an attempt to have a formal picture session with the entire family. Proved difficult and challenging with 15 adults and seemingly twice that in children under 10. But since we were all gussied up - and it was a fall day - perfect kinda day to take pics in front of an Ivy Leaguesque setting. It was quick - hopefully all smiled...will find out next week when I develop them.

We went to my brother's mansion and had a lengthy reception - great food! Lotta kids running around, in formal wear wanting to jump on the enclosed (totally wet and full of leaves) trampoline all hopped up on sugar - ADD whining of Gameboy this, Pokemon that...arrRRRggg (does my best Charly Brown impression). I took more pictures, chatted with all the family, the minister, then we all said our farewells.

Drove with my parents back to the lake house (another hour) I was hankering for a bike ride. Afterall, I missed taking one Saturday.

I geared up and drove away from the lake to an area pocketed with old country roads. I parked (ironically) in a church parking lot. Changed into my bike shoes, assembled bike (with many onlookers wondering - what the H-E-L-L is this?). I biked up and down a series of these roads - basically putting together about a 20 mile ride. It was definately hilly - and backroadish. Beautiful countryside, sans the confederate flags, trailer homes with Bud cans littering their properties. I encountered a nasty dog on the way back - I musta wizzed by him on the way down past the airstrip going 45mph...but huffing it back up.....this dog...growled and showed teeth. He circled me 6 times ready to chomp my leg...I said "NO!" he backed away - was odd. He was both wagging his tail and growling at me. Damn ambivalent south - like people driving Volvos with a gun rack. Finished my ride, and then drove back to the lake house. On the way, I came .00000001 inches of hitting a deer that lept in front of me. Came to a skidding halt as the last hoof hit my bumper.

Hung out with the folks for a bit making dinner n such - we all fell asleep to tv. Exhausted.

One odd thing about this church experience - was the sermon, delivered by this young guy - with a goatee. It was fantastic how liberal, unconditional and welcoming it was. Down to earth - "...we are all here together, under god - let's make the best of this...lt's hope the Redskins win today...." kinda delivery. Ironically, it was precluded by this woman who did this quip with all the children - the children's sermon (before they were all excused to go to the equivalent of bible school). It taught the children how to be "tolerant" - and warm with all people..all god's children and people - including those who are white, black, brown, yellow, red........ I sat there in the chapel - looked around. Of all 100+ people, not ONE person of color. It was all white. No asians, not one african american, et al. I was speechless in my mind. Then I figured it out when the latter part of the service included a 20 minute almost corporate boardroom presentation by this anal retentive woman "reminding" the congregation of their duty to god - that between 5-10% of their annual income was expected to fulfill their entry to the gates of heaven or some bs.... If I wanted to join that congregation, hell - I'd have to make a decision whether I wanted to make a second car payment or join heaven. OY VAY!

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