We lost a potential legend day before yesterday. Christian Robinson is gone. He definitely reached legendary status amongst his friends, family and some industry heavy hitters. When I began my junior year at the Chicago Academy for the Arts I didn't know what to expect. I knew I was different and didn't mesh with the kids at my two previous High School and that this was my final choice. Very early on I began forming a relationship with one Christian Robinson. I relationship was so fluid and natural that I don't remember the first time we met. Not because it was insignificant but because it feels like I just always knew Chris. I don't have any memories of the Academy that don't involve him. His best friend Ryan Russ and I were a match made in hell for the school faculty as we were the originators of Jackass behavior long before the show. Chris was our "coach" if you will. Often encouraging and enhancing the ridiculous stunts, pranks and delinquent behavior of Ryan and I. We all supported each other in our artistic endeavors and finally I had found a group of people who understood me. For the record, I haven't found it since. My best friend is still the same one I found at the Academy Leigh Peeler. After High School I began attending classes at Columbia College Chicago studying Film with a concentration in producing. Instead of living in the dorms I got a studio apartment at 1229 S. Michigan Ave. Chris and Ryan rented the apartment next door and it was more like we lived together with a separate room. The year we lived there was unforgettable. Chris, Ryan and JoJo (Chris's brother) were hitting the charts with their single Hush and I was attending film school. It was a full year of partying. Jackass style pranks, hot box parties, debauchery and just an all around rocking good time. When I moved out I headed to Atlanta, came back to Chicago, went back to Atlanta, left for California and eventually settled back in the ATL. Throughout it all Chris and I (who are both very withdrawn and elusive at times) managed to stay in touch with each other. We would talk to each other like no time had past even if it had been years between our last conversation. Earlier this year we had discussed working together on some projects infusing my love of film and his of music. We never got a chance to do it. Chris never told me he was sick. I'm not surprised. He and I lived in our own little fantasy world together and in our world no one was sick, there was no sadness just us and art. I'm so glad I got to speak to him one last time and didn't know he was ill because it meant I got to just talk art with my baby love, pure and simple.Monday, May 17, 2010
Baby Love
We lost a potential legend day before yesterday. Christian Robinson is gone. He definitely reached legendary status amongst his friends, family and some industry heavy hitters. When I began my junior year at the Chicago Academy for the Arts I didn't know what to expect. I knew I was different and didn't mesh with the kids at my two previous High School and that this was my final choice. Very early on I began forming a relationship with one Christian Robinson. I relationship was so fluid and natural that I don't remember the first time we met. Not because it was insignificant but because it feels like I just always knew Chris. I don't have any memories of the Academy that don't involve him. His best friend Ryan Russ and I were a match made in hell for the school faculty as we were the originators of Jackass behavior long before the show. Chris was our "coach" if you will. Often encouraging and enhancing the ridiculous stunts, pranks and delinquent behavior of Ryan and I. We all supported each other in our artistic endeavors and finally I had found a group of people who understood me. For the record, I haven't found it since. My best friend is still the same one I found at the Academy Leigh Peeler. After High School I began attending classes at Columbia College Chicago studying Film with a concentration in producing. Instead of living in the dorms I got a studio apartment at 1229 S. Michigan Ave. Chris and Ryan rented the apartment next door and it was more like we lived together with a separate room. The year we lived there was unforgettable. Chris, Ryan and JoJo (Chris's brother) were hitting the charts with their single Hush and I was attending film school. It was a full year of partying. Jackass style pranks, hot box parties, debauchery and just an all around rocking good time. When I moved out I headed to Atlanta, came back to Chicago, went back to Atlanta, left for California and eventually settled back in the ATL. Throughout it all Chris and I (who are both very withdrawn and elusive at times) managed to stay in touch with each other. We would talk to each other like no time had past even if it had been years between our last conversation. Earlier this year we had discussed working together on some projects infusing my love of film and his of music. We never got a chance to do it. Chris never told me he was sick. I'm not surprised. He and I lived in our own little fantasy world together and in our world no one was sick, there was no sadness just us and art. I'm so glad I got to speak to him one last time and didn't know he was ill because it meant I got to just talk art with my baby love, pure and simple.
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Day before yesterday I lost a friend, a cousin(play cousin), a class mate and colleague and man does it hurt!!!! I may be a preacher of the gospel and I may glory in that great getting up morning but the pain that is felt when a friend and loved one beats you to the point or makes the transition before you still hurts. I made up my mind yesterday to celebrate my friend, to celebrate his successes, his gifts and his life and we know they were all big. I also celebrate his release. Chris may have suffered in silence, trying to shield us from his pain and today I celebrate that it is a pain he no longer has to endure or shield us from. I celebrate the fact that God has smiled on him and bid him welcome into life eternal and I celebrate the fact that one day, on that great getting up morning we will meet and sing and play and act together again. I LOVE HIM, but GOD LOVES HIM MORE and I would never begrudge him that. To my academy family, stay strong and lets stay connected!!!! Today we are connected by the pain of loss but I want to share in your joys, I want to connect with you and share in your successes. I am in Spain now, but love knows no bounds!!!! Can we do that? Love you guys and love you Chris!!!!!
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