Dancing at the Zombie Zoo

I have had that Tom Petty Song stuck in my head ('Zombie Zoo') for about a week, but it is fitting for today's post.

On Thursday, I received a phone call from my cousin asking if I would watch my godchild for a couple of nights. Fortunately for her, my social calendar has been a bit barren. As I don't spend nearly enough time with my godchild, I thought a couple of days would be great. Being a godfather is akin to being a grandparent. I get to take the kid for a determinable length of time, spoil him, and kick him back to his parents. The difference is I didn't have to raise a child of my own to get the privilege. I was asked.

I am not a religious person, which makes the title godparent somewhat interesting. It's origins are Christian in nature. Two individuals are chosen to sponsor a child's Baptism. These individuals are bestowed the responsibility of the child's spiritual development. I view it more for me as taking an interest in my godchild's cultural development, which is why I introduced him to Monty Python.

I have a couple of their records, and played one for him as we devoured some Pinkberry frozen yogurt. The mead in the picture was not shared with him- that comes later in life. He was laughing. He genuinely seemed to be enjoying the songs and silliness. Of course, he didn't understand all the references, but on visceral level it was funny for him.

Next in his cultural lesson was Risk. I taught him how to play, but he schooled me on how to dominate. The little bugger was hitting some great roles and generally destroying. We played it off and on for two days. This is a picture early on, but he ensured that we have a picture of our final turn of the weekend to set it up exactly for when he comes back. He is yellow.

Saturday we got up relatively early for 10 year old and 32 year old males. Had breakfast and went to the zoo. The zoo was very fun. In the spirit of adventure, we explored without a map. No plan, just exploration from one exhibit to another. My godchild commented, "Why do you need a map? There are signs and every where you go there are animals." Sometimes his mouth is a fountain of hilarity. Speaking of fountains.

My godchild enjoyed the primates the most. He seemed to stay longer, showing fascination with each of the different primates. He was less impressed with the animals that were just laying around. He was more interested in the monkeys moving. My 'Sprockets' joke did not work on him, and in retrospect, should not be uttered in a public that is kid friendly. For me, I have a special place of fondness for orangutans- right next to Buffy and just below alcohol. I always think of the Librarian in Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels when I see an orangutan. One person understands this line of thinking. . .

I think the most fun was had in the reptile area. My godchild would walk up to a vivarium and search out for the specific reptile or amphibian noted above. When he would find the creature of his search, he would move on to the next vivarium. At one point, he found a snake easily and another child of about equal age walked up and whines, "Where is it? I don't see it." My godchild turned to him, rolled his eyes, and stated, "There." The subtext was 'duh'. 

The weirdest thing was the two-headed snake. The sign above the vivarium was emphatic that it was an anomaly not a natural occurrence. Here he is to creep you out now. You're welcome.

  

We saw much and enjoyed soda, roman candy, and trees (oaks are made for climbing). I think it was a successful cultural weekend. We covered foreign countries, history, and nature in the forms of British humor, 90's references, board games, dinosaurs, and lazy primates. You are welcome world, cultivating another geek/nerd one weekend at a time.  

Until I ramble again. . .