So, two things of note. As I don’t get to *personally* experience the pregnancy, I get to relate to some degree though the new things that are asked of me. In this case, baby shower registry. Now let me tell you, my previous policy dealing with baby goods was to ignore them. Not only because I didn’t need them, but also because I find the marketing for them completely repugnant. In case you hadn’t noticed, most baby good are marketed either overtly or covertly with a “you’re a bad parent if you don’t have this” message. So, my defense mechanism has typically been to filter baby good information to the point of ignoring it.

You might see the internal conflict developing here.

Am I nervous about being a dad? Not really. I can’t do any worse than the freaks who haul their toddler into (Wal-Mart, Meijer’s, take your pick) in the wee hours and then smack them up if they dare to cry. I’m mildly nervous about budgeting and such, dropping the kid on her head,sure. But I’m downright perturbed at the idea of having to willingly absorb baby marketing.

Now, that said, Mindy & I went out last weekend, and it really wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Mindy softened the blow quite a bit. I had fun taking pictures and making the store staff nervous. Now, I am ready to be barfed/shit/snot/god-knows-what-else on. The speech about “humans are a virus” from Agent Smith in the first Matrix comes to mind.

More pics on the Flickr control too.