And I think to myself...what a wonderful world...

Ladies and gentlemen, if the doctor's due date is indeed accuate, then we are officially inside the one month mark. Wow, seems like just yesterday Margaret was heading out to Target for that pregnancy test. I personally think that the Bean will make his grand entrance into this world before May 29, which is the aforementioned date in question. Perhaps I should be taking bets and putting the cash toward junior's college fund. Any takers? I'm feeling good about May 19. Do I have anyone for May 19?
I went to the movies today and saw United 93, which tells the story of the one plane that didn't make it to the destination the terrorists had planned to put it on September 11, 2001. The film was very well done, but it was also absolutely brutal to watch, in part because you know going in what the outcome is going to be, but also because, at least in my case, the film took me back to that horrific day. I was producing a morning new-talk show then, and we were live on the air when things started going down. We reported after the first plane hit the World Trade Center. I was watching the television in my control room when the second plane hit live on the air. I, like most people who were watching that day, went from thinking the first plane was some sort of bizarre accident, to thinking, "wait a minute, what are the chances of two planes accidentally hitting the WTC.?" I normally got off the air at 10am (after arriving at 4:30am to begin the day), but I continued working that day until after 10pm, after which I went home, hugged my wife, and wept. The Greatest Generation has Pearl Harbor, my generation's loss of innocence came that September morning in 2001.
Anyway, if you haven't seen United 93, I highly recommend it, mostly because the filmmakers didn't try to over-dramatize the story. Actually, I don't think they could have if they tried. The story unfurls in real time, and while it is heartbreaking to watch as realization sets in among the passengers of flight 93, it is even sadder to watch the aviation officials, government officials, and military personnel attempt to react to the crisis. To say we were caught napping is an understatement.
So why all the talk of 9/11? Well, the film got me thinking about the world we are bringing the Bean into. We're at war because our president basically lied about WMDs being in Iraq, and as a result most of the world now hates us. Gasoline is hovering just below $3.00 a gallon, crooked CEOs are pillaging their corporations 401k accounts, the cost of living goes up and most people's wages do not follow suit...
It's not that I don't want the Bean to come - quite the contrary, I can't wait to meet him. But nonetheless I worry about his safety and well-being, despite the fact that I know I'll do anything in my power to make sure he is kept fed, clothed, sheltered and loved. I'm willing to bet that every expectant father wrestles with these thoughts. It just all came rushing in after seeing that movie today. I promise I'm not in a gloom and doom mood. I also constantly think about how much fun we're going to have teaching the Bean and exposing him to all the beautiful and wonderful things this world has to offer. His happiness will be priority number one. Actually, it already is.
Lately when I scratch Margaret's back the Bean wriggles around inside her. It's really weird, but I guess he can either sense that she is receiving something pleasurable, or else he is reacting to her arching her back when I scratch. You can actually see oblong bumps on her belly where a foot, hand, or perhaps even a little fetal derierre is poking out. I'll try to get a picture of that to post in a future entry.
I went to see one of my favorite bands, They Might Be Giants, last Saturday night. It was a great show, and the band played a lot of old stuff. I even got to meet one of the band members, John Flansburgh, after the show. That's him on the right in the photo. TMBG is probably best known these days for writing and performing the theme song to the TV show Malcolm in the Middle. I have been listening to the band since its first album came out in 1986. Can't wait to expose the Bean to weird stuff such as TMBG's music. Won't be long now....seriously, anyone want to place a bet?