Remember babysitting for fifty cents an hour?

The post about Johnny Carson, test patterns and The National Anthem reminded me of babysitting.

Oh my gosh. I babysat for this one couple and they were night owls! The test pattern would run across the television, I'd hunt for something to keep me awake, and would always end up falling asleep sitting upright on the couch. That was such an embarrasing thing for me. But now that I think about it...it's not like parents stay awake all night to be sure nothing happens to their kids.