5-1-11

This is Bob, or, Bobby as he was known until he left Navasota for college. 

This is, in many ways, still Bob.

My friend Jennifer left Bob a note on facebook the other day that amused me. He'd posted a picture of the mountains from his office, which included the parking lot where his Jeep, with its Batman tire cover, faced the viewer. Her reply: "Bob, I love that you are a perpetual child. Gives me a whole new, fresh outlook on all of humanity (emphasis on MAN). Rodney [Jennifer's husband] was born a grown-up, I think."

And it's true. For twenty years Bob has had this childlike quality that can charm anyone, this impulsive, excited spirit and energy. On the flip side, that brings with it impatience, frustration, and irritability where you just want to make him go take a nap. 

Yesterday I blogged about why I love facebook because of all the memories I can share with people from throughout my life. Bob has a slightly different take. What has delighted him lately is finding all these new friends who share his passion for DC superheroes and Comic Cons, drawing and costuming. Finally, he has some friends who can appreciate his interests and encourage him as he takes up drawing again after so many years. 

It has led to some additional wardrobe considerations that make me laugh . . . 

But in return, Bob has loved having some real life models to sketch who help him refine a long dormant skill. And they have been so kind and supportive. He's taken a number of photographs as inspiration his sketching and his models have really enjoyed them, so much so he's sent them the sketches to hang on their walls.

What really got him out of his dormancy?

That would be Sammi. 

Some of her recent work:

She would come to him for advice about drawing and always, without fail, he would encourage to keep at it, keep practicing, show her some of the tricks of the trade. And she would, without fail, turn it back on him and ask him why he didn't practice what he preached.

So now? They're both sketching up a storm and making plans to finally attend a Con together where they can meet some of Bob's new friends in person.

Behold, the power of Facebook. :)