Monday, March 28, 2005

Fatherhood, Wallenda Style

Good News and Scary News With Regards to the Lad!

(And all in one day)

First, the good news:
The Feared Redhead called from The Lad's pediatrician's office. The good doctor has DC'ed (discontinued) use of the apnea/bradicardia monitor.

Now, the scary news:
The Feared Redhead called from The Lad's pediatrician's office. The good doctor has DC'ed (discontinued) use of the apnea/bradicardia monitor.

I feel like the last two months (as of yesterday) have been practice, and suddenly I'm stepping out onto the high wire without a net for the first time. It's exciting, and thrilling, and absolutely terrifying.

Mutual of Omaha Vs. Soylent Green:

They're BOTH people, you know....

Thanks for the Memory (and memories) to the Llama Butchers.

Apparently today marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Marlin Perkins, one of the men who helped define my childhood tyelevision viewing experience. He was the host of the TV series Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, which was iconic for many of us. As Robbo points out, it was commonplace to the point of cliche for Marlin to pose as the host and hero of theshow while his younger, humbler, and more virile assistant, Jim Fowler, did almost all of the hard, dirty, dangerous work. I also remember Marlin's uncanny ability to use any situation they encountered as a point from which to seque in to a plug for their sponsors:

"Jim is attempting to circumcise the Cape Buffalo. It looks like the big fella is trampling Jim into a lifeless mush. When life leaves me feeling trampled underfoot, I turn to my good friends at Mutual of Omaha."

Happy Birthday, Marlin, and Rest in Peace.