As part of the mom's club lecture series "Know Your Public Servants," I got to go on an exclusive tour of the local fire station. Dad came along in part because he's on spring break and in part to make sure Mommy wasn't "seduced by any muscular pieces of firefighting man-meat." (his words-- not sure what he meant there)

I came prepared in case they needed an extra hand to man the hook and ladder:

Fireman Dave demonstrated proper use of a gas mask in case of a terrorist chemical attack, a deadly viral outbreak, or when daddy cuts loose with a "silent-but-deadly." The key is not to panic.

All in all, one of the greatest experiences of my life. Which reminds me-- I was featured in The Onion a few weeks ago (under an alias) waxing eloquent about my love of all things fire-related. Check it out here.

Next week-- the good folks at the sanitation department lecture us on the topic "Out Of The Butt, Into The River." Stay tuned.