Who knew? Better run out and grab some Evian!

I’ll be the first to admit that I only causally watch the Sci-fi Channel’s Eureka. I never thought it was a bad show, but it just sort of happened. Before I had a DVR, I was never home when it was on. Then when I got my DVR, I kept forgetting to record it. Really I hadn’t given the show much more thought, but now I am thinking it will be one of the fun light hearted shows of the summer.

After my Father’s Day plans went completely down the drain, I found myself with no real plans. I ended up using the Eureka marathon as my background noise as I did some work from home. By the end of the marathon, I can say this may be something I will be adding to my DVR list.

Season 4 launches this summer, and I am interested to see how it goes. Eureka’s premise is that there is a town where the government puts the brightest minds to flourish. Their Sheriff Jack Carter is my favorite type of sci-fi character. He is the snarky and sardonic guy that reminds me of the early seasons of Farscape. Actually, it reminds me a lot of the character dynamics from Farscape. He’s the “normal” guy. Where John was the human among aliens, Jack is the normal guy in a town filled with scientists and innovators. Come on, he lives in a bomb shelter house run by a computer named S.A.R.A.H. How classic is that.

It is a sci-fi show, so if you are anti-sci-fi, this isn’t your show. However, it isn’t near as heavy as typical sc-fi shows. Yes there is always a crisis du jour, some type of extreme geekiness, and technospeak, but the lightheartedness is what wins my heart. So many shows have too much “emotional baggage.” A good show is going to get you with some emotional hook. It can be you relate to a character. It makes you happy. Maybe you are sucked in by the storyline. I like Eureka because it isn’t overly dramatic. My emotional involvement is along the lines of “Chuck.” It just makes me happy.

Now, my one concern with the show is the whole “Jack always knows how to save the day.” Now I get that he is the sheriff. Plus I also agree that he usually gets quite a bit of help and input from the resident geniuses. Still, I know there is that chance that might get old ala Stargate with “Dumb Jack” to the rescue. However, I’m hopeful that season four will be a nice little distraction.

Today I got a phone call from one of the guys at P3. Apparently, the owner of one of the establishments we work in has requested that we remove all pictures of his establishment from his and the owner’s Facebook account, our show video and the web site. I guess some of the patrons were upset that there were “embarrassing” (for lack of a better word)…etc pictures of them on the internet. They have threatened to not return as long as the owner allows us to use pictures from there for public viewing. We are complying; however, I just don’t get it.

Honestly, I do not have any photos of this establishment on the website. I considered using a few from a recent party, but I opted against it. I really do like this establishment. That being said this is usually the show where you are most likely to have a girls gone wild moment. They are many times over beveraged, and yes they may just be having a good time. Still, they also choose to do all the crazy and sometimes mildly inappropriate things.

I understand these are things they would not post on their own Facebook accounts or the internet. They do not want their parents, grandparents, children, employers or potential employers to see this. However, they did this in a public place where anyone with a camera could capture it and put it out on the internet.

Okay folks…here is a basic rule to live by: If you do not want it posted on the internet, then you should probably not do it. I know it may seem harmless, and you may have no intention of posting it yourself. However, if you are in public, or in any type of a group, this is a bad idea. Anyone with a camera can take a picture and post it to the internet. Anyone can take video and post it to the internet. Heck, I can take a picture with my Blackberry and have it on Facebook, my blog and Twitpic in less than three minutes.

In this particular case, we announce at shows we are taking photos for our video/facebook/web site. At the time, no one asked us not to. Now that it has apparently gotten someone in trouble, it is a huge deal. Now we can minimize the exposure, but it is has already been out there. We can’t take that back. We can’t guarantee that it hasn’t been copied and that another copy is still out there. Potential employers may still find it in a Google search. You chose to participate in that behavior, now there may be consequences.

I know it is hard to always be on guard when you are just trying to relax. However, I also like my job and I am also hopeful for advancement some day. With that in mind I am always working to ensure my “bad” photos are just ones where I look frightening. At some point you have to be an adult and know when to stop. If something does happen, then you need to take responsibility for you own actions. It was your choice to do this.

Ten years ago, you could dance with your best friend on a pool table and chances are it wouldn’t get out. Now, as soon as you are on that table at least one person has taken a picture and there is a good chance it is internet bound. In these times people need to be responsible for their own actions. If you do not want embarrassing pictures on the internet, then do not put yourself in that position.

One of my pet peeves is when television series reuse guest actors. It is one thing to bring a character back for another story line. It is another to bring back an actor to play a different role. I know soap operas do it all the time, but prime time shows should really know better.

My gripe is that they bring back a person and they expect us to forget that we saw them before as a different person. The worst offender in this the Law and Order franchise. I will be the first admit, I’m pretty much over Law and Order at the moment. I liked it. I really did. Now I just want “Classic” to fade away. I do sometimes enjoy SVU, but lets be honest folks and just start calling it the Olivia and Stabler hour. Criminal Intent…Goren and Eames weeks are my guilty pleasure. I can’t even stomach the off weeks. I’m just amazed at how a series monopoly could get so sloppy with their casting.

It was one thing when they were rotating guest stars from L&O Classic, SVU and Criminal Intent. Yes it was kind of confusing when reruns of the episodes with the dad from Family Ties all aired around the same time: “Wait, I thought he was doctor that killed his girlfriend’s ex-brother in-law after convincing her niece she was molested…oh no that was on SVU.” Then there is the male nurse who let conspired against his employer and let the man die on Criminal Intent, who turned out to also be a rapist on SVU. I get it. They play a good bad guy. Lets use said actor to the fullest extent of the law.

However, I have caught them bringing back villains from seasons past and recasting them as new villains…or in some cases recycling victims. This recently really hit home with me. I forgot it was a non Eames/Goren week and made the mistake of flipping on to Criminal Intent on a Wheeler…whatever Goldblum’s character is week…and I saw a very familiar face. It was Arija Barekis. She is a great actress who never gets enough screen time or credit (you may remember her from FOX’s short lived gem The American Embassy). I pains me to see her relegated to the victim on Law and Order Criminal Intent.

Then I remember something…she was on Criminal Intent before. Now I get that she isn’t a huge A-List actress, but she has been successful. Not everyone knows her by name, but most loyal viewers will recognize her. That is because she played Logan’s girlfriend on the Criminal Intent episode that usher Chris Noth’s return to the Law and Order franchise. Sure she was made to look less pretty that time around…and sported a horrible accent. However, how could most fans totally forget that?
This is just more proof Law and Order needs to hand in its badge. Using tired old storylines, a revolving door of main cast and moments where suspension of my disbelief is stretched to the limit is enough. Thinking the viewer is too dumb to notice your recycling is another.

Welcome to the summer television season. In the past summer has been home to reruns and reality programming. I didn’t watch the first season of SCRUBS, but I fell in love with it when NBC featured it in blocks over the summer. Now things are changing. Cable networks and even some of the regular networks are bringing back some new blood to the airwaves. Plus there are a few great returning summer series to keep us watching until the fall.

Admittedly, most of the “summer” shows are on cable. TNT, USA, BRAVO and HBO are my best bets for new enjoyable programming. It looks like NBC and FOX are trying some non-reality programming that may be worth a look. My new summer show “what were they thinking:” ABC Family’s Ten Things I Hate About You. It was a cute movie with Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger when I was in college. Bringing the whole modernized Taming of the Shrew idea now is too late and just doesn’t sit right with me.

The new show I am most interested in seeing is Warehouse 13. While I am not as bad as my father (who will watch the sci-fi channel 24/7 if left to his own devices), I am a sucker for quirky sci-fi series (yes I still miss Firefly). Ever since The X-Files, I have had a soft spot in my heart for the supernatural crime dramas…with the exception of Millennium.

I think USA is probably my favorite with summer programming. Maybe I’m biased by my fond memories of the USA cartoon express. Well that and my love of their NCIS and House reruns and keeping Goren and my snark twin Eames alive and well on Law and Order Criminal Intent. There is Burn Notice. This show isn’t the best acted. However, the writing has moments that are pretty classic. Plus it has Ashe from The Evil Dead, and Michael’s  “How to” voice overs are hilarious.

They also have Monk returning for it’s last season and it’s Friday night buddy Psych. Psych is so funny at times it is wrong. It is pretty much perfectly cast and it makes me laugh every time. I am a little apprehensive about their new Royal Pains. I’m not so sure that the guy from Good Morning Miami can bring the funny. That being said, the commercials with Michael from Burn Notice sending him the care package with the block of C4, “because you never know when you will need a stable plastic explosive,” crack me up (a la the how to voice overs). Who ever thought of that was a genius.

I am glad that reality television is not the only option for new programming over the summer. Just like with the regular television season, it should be interesting to see who makes it through the summer.

Every season the networks crank out a new batch of new shows. The 2009 season has some interesting prospects as well as a few that just don’t sit right with me. Of course only time will tell if these shows have what it takes to make it to their sophomore year.

Highlights:

The Forgotten: I am a quirky Crime Drama addict. That is why I am drawn to The Forgotten. The show focuses on a group a amateur sleuths who investigate cases involving identified victims. It is a Jerry Bruckheimer project. I’m hoping that the quirky vibe stays and there is enough Bruckheimer magic to keep the show from becoming the next The Unusuals.

Three Rivers: I am still mourning the cancellation of Moonlight. I loved that show and the chemistry Alex O’Loughlin had with Sophia Miles. I miss seeing Jason Dohring in all his snarky wonder…but I also know I just have to be happy with my recorded episodes on sci-fi. However, there is a little glimmer of hope. I do get to see Alex O’Loughlin again. He’s returning to CBS with a new medical drama Three Rivers. It focuses on a transplant team, their work and their lives. I’m hoping this show brings the goods to keep Mr. O’Loughlin employed for a few seasons.

The Maybeish:

NCIS: Los Angeles: I am a HUGE NCIS fan, but the thought of a spin off makes my eyes twitch. They did the whole two episode pilot during the regular run of NCIS, and I was less than impressed. Although, I said the same thing about NCIS when it first aired. I liked Gibbs because I love Mark Harmon, and I thought the Abby character was pretty interesting. Tony was okay, but that Liv Blackladder character was awful and annoying. I can see why that character was scrapped and Tasha Alexander came in as Kate instead. I thought the writing was mediocre at best, and I just couldn’t get into it. Then I fell in love with the show. I do like Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J. I’m sure they will do a great job. I’m also sure the technology they use on the show will be fabulous, but will it be enough to keep viewer’s attention? I don’t know. Oh and CBS are you really too lazy to name your shows?

Has Potential:

Eastwick: Remember that movie “The Witches of Eastwick?” Well this one is based of that same book. Three women discover they have magical powers. I’m thinking Desperate Housewives with magic. It might actually make it, but it really depends on the cheese factor. Oh yeah, it also has Rebecca Romjin in it for extra sex appeal…and well geek appeal thanks to the X-Men movies.

The Ugly:

Vampire Diaries: The CW has decided to cash in on the Twilight craze. They have created a series based of on a YA novel based on vampires. They didn’t do such a great job with making Privileged work, but this might just work in their favor. I am not a Twilight fan. I can’t bring myself to read the books, and I heard from people who loved the book that the movie was awful. However, the target demographic is still obsessed. Is this a blatant attempt to profit from a current trend? Yes. Will the average CW viewer be more apt to get “sucked” (sorry I couldn’t help myself) in by this than another random novel adaptation? Yes. This whole idea triggers my eye roll reflex, but it may turn out to be a good business move for the CW. It just depends on how they proceed and how long the Twilight obsession sticks around.

I hate going to the DMV. It has been a place I have dreaded for as long as I remember. The one in Fremont, Ohio shared space with the union hall for years. They have their own building now, but my memories of the place will always be a run down building that had the lovely smell of urine. The workers were usually less than pleasant. The one in Bowling Green was nicer, and the employees were nicer, but it was still painful to go there.

When I moved to Indianapolis, I avoided my trip to switch my plates and license. Finally, I had to change my plates and I figured I should change my license at the same time. I found myself stuck in a long line, after the line sitting in a metal folding chair for over an hour, having to take the written test, and at the end of the day I managed to only get my plates changed. I had a birth certificate. It was printed off micro film on that waxy paper. As the paper aged, it became darker. Apparently, it was too dark for them to use. Instead of just telling me that, they treated me like I was an idiot. I had my birth certificate send over night, and I returned back to get my new license.

I know that the DMV is notorious for being a very painful place to visit. Sadly, it is one of those places where the stereotype is proved time and time again. I know most people have their “nightmare” DMV stories. Over the years things at my branch have gotten better, but still it is a chore to make the trip. I’m not sure why it is one of the few things I hate more then the dentist, or why it is that way for so many people.

Now with more and more locations giving people options to avoid the annual car registration trip, I’m not sure why more people are not taking advantage of it. The state of Indiana now has a couple options available. You can order your new registration online, or you can use a 24/7 kiosk instead of playing the waiting game in line. Sure the online ordering means you cannot procrastinate. You will need to order your tags at least three business days before your deadline. Even if you wait until last minute, the kiosks were still an option. You can go the day your registration expires and get a new one. It prints it for you, and you walk away with it in hand. You can go any time you want. There is no worrying about getting to the branch before it closes. Plus there are no lines.

Why is it then that more people are not taking advantage of this? In Indiana, we have a registration renewal deadline tomorrow (for parts of the alphabet). Today, I went by the DMV to use the kiosk and there was no one in line. I stuck my head in the actual branch just to see the damage. It was about ten minutes before closing time and the place was packed. I had just renewed my tags in under five minutes, and these people were going to be there for at least another hour. I couldn’t see why they didn’t just save the time and annoyance.

The dust is finally starting to settle on the network television series Fall 2009 schedule. It is time to take a look at the ones we’ve lost, the ones given a new life, and where some of our favorite shows were moved.

First and foremost: As may of you know I am a HUGE Chuck fan. I’ve written before about how I was upset it was “on the bubble.” As it has bee posted on this site before, Chuck was picked up for another season. When I read this on Twitter, I was just short of doing the Kermit the Frog arm flailing happy dance. Now there is a down side. Because Jay Leno is hogging up the 10:00 time slot, they will be timesharing the 8:00 time slot with Heroes. Heroes will start airing in the fall, and Chuck won’t return until the spring. This makes me a little sad, but Heroes is an okay filler show. Plus, I’m not going to take the third season for granted. It will still be up against House, so I foresee the same ratings issue. I’m probably one of the freaks that actually records House and watches Chuck live.

Ugly Betty: Okay, what is ABC thinking? Why move a show that consistently gets great ratings to the Friday Night Time Slot of Death. I’m not a huge Ugly Betty fan, but I do agree it is a quality show. I watch it occasionally, and I’m never wishing for that hour of my life back. However, for some reason ABC has felt the need to move it to the Friday Night 9:00 slot. Yes, it will be sandwiched between Supernanny and 20/20. Usually  getting moved to the Friday night time slot means that show is one season away from being cancelled. I hope this is not the case for the Suarez clan. I’ve heard theories that ABC is thinking back the whole TGIF line up idea (for those of use old enough to remember the Perfect Strangers, Full House and Step by Step line up on Fridays), but I’m not convinced.

SCRUBS: Being resurrected with a new cast = bad idea
Law and Order: I get they are going for a milestone here, but really this one should have been put out to pasture.
The Mentalist: It was a no brainer that this one was picked up, but it has been moved to Thursday night at 10. It is the time slot after CSI, and usually a good place to be on the grid.

Bones: Has actually been picked up for 2 seasons. This is also a no brainer. It is a strong show for FOX. Yes they have House, but they are losing 24, Fringe is okay, Dollhouse is a great show, but it was on the bubble, and they really don’t want to become the Reality TV, Simpsons and Family Guy network.

Cold Case: Barely made the cut, but it will be back. I did like the Pearl Jam episodes at the end of the season, and hopefully they will start getting a younger demographic.

NCIS: Ziva fans, do not despair. The cliffhanger looks bleak for your favorite, but it also gives her a “get back to NCIS” clause.
House: It should be interesting to see how they are going to get House back to work….

On a reprieve:

Medium: Axed by NBC and picked up by CBS. Maybe they are thinking they will have the same magic they did when they saved JAG back in the day (after it was axed after the first season).

Now for our friends who will not be returning in the Fall:

The Unusuals: Was a smart, funny, great drama. It was quirky and well written. Yes, I know that by definition it did not stand a chance…especially on ABC…but it made me happy for a few weeks. It will be missed. I’ll be watching it up until the final episode June 17.

Without A Trace: I loved this show in the early seasons. It was my Thursday night at 10 go to until it just stopped working for me. I still watched it occasionally after that. I knew the ratings were slipping, but I wasn’t aware it was that bad. However, I think it was taken out of the races at a good time. It didn’t pull and ER or Law and Order.

Earlier this year, Ozuna Publications, in conjunction with Artist First Radio Network, launched an Internet talk show designed specifically for the independently published author, also known as self-published authors. If you take into account the vast array of new publishing houses and books released each year, it is no wonder why so many are swarming to get in line for a full feature interview on a program that in less than six months, has made headway and is impacting and representing the world of indie publishing on a grand scale.

What started as a means to promote my own work has taken on a life of its own. After my humble beginnings in book promotion here with the CultureFeast family and my work to help others via my blog, Drawing Stories…With Words , I received a blessed opportunity to begin sharing some insight via Artist First Radio Network. Having no real radio background but many vast years of experience talking out of line, I managed to conjure the attention of some 3,200 listeners on my very first show. In the early stages the show was called, The Soul of Humanity and it was originally designed to feature indie artists–musicians and authors alike–and has since featured some literary experts. As I have labored to build a brand for my name and establish true identity and credibility with the literary world, I have since changed the name of the program to: The Bobby Ozuna Show .

Every week we feature a new indie artist or field expert. The shows stream live for one full hour, commercial free, and during that time we discuss various aspects of the person behind the art. The Bobby Ozuna Show streams LIVE every Wednesday night at 7PM CST via Artist First Radio Network and is staking its claim with the online listening community, collecting an average listening audience of 10,000+ listeners per show. Every show is archived for later listening, which offers both the guests and the sponsors to have their shows and ads run continuously as each guest can post links back to the archived recording.

Get Exposure through Advertising

The Bobby Ozuna Show offers help to those not ready for the full-feature interview. “The Author Book Plug” feature is a low-cost marketing alternative available to anyone wishing to promote their work online. Everyone who signs up for this feature gets their book’s Amazon widget featured on Bobby’s blog: “Drawing Stories…With Words ” and during the live broadcast they get their name, book’s title and a brief 2-sentence description read during the opening monologue session of the show. In one month’s time an author can get air exposure for their book to some 40,000+ LIVE listeners.

Because the demand for exposure and guest appearances is growing, Ozuna Publications will launch a second show, a spinoff dedicated entirely to independent publishing: The Independent Author . This show will stream via the Blog Talk Radio Network and will feature articles written exclusively by indie authors, about indie publishing, marketing and book promotion. We will discuss the aspects of the article with each week’s guest, offering them an archived recording to help build their credibility as they work to create success with their careers.

This week Bobby Ozuna will feature marketing guru and literary expert,  John Kremer, author of “1001 Ways to Market Your Books.”

For information or to book your author interview, have your book plugged LIVE on the air or gather details about corporate sponsorship, you can query Bobby Ozuna here.

Today my co-workers were going on and on about the Indy 500. I’ve lived in Indiana since 2001. You would think by now I would be all about the race, but eight years later I barely recognize drivers’ names.

I’m not sure why, but I just can’t get into the race. I know I have friends who live and breathe it the whole month of May, but I just don’t care. I couldn’t tell you who won on pole day. I couldn’t tell you who won the race last year. I have an idea of where the track is, but I couldn’t tell you who to get there from here. I have no real inclination to go to the race. For all I know Carb Day is just an excuse for people to take the day off and drink. I have nothing against the race or its fans, but I am just indifferent.

You would think that after I learned to follow the Colts out of a survival instinct, this would be a no brainer. When I first moved to Indy, it was football season. In order to keep up with office small talk, I quickly learned that I needed to watch every Colts game even if I was not a fan. After a few years of just being Colts proficient, I slowly became a fan. I just can’t be that way about racing.

I’m not sure what the issue is. Maybe if I grew up with this as a tradition, it would be different. If this was something my family looked forward to every year, I would be more apt to care. For example, I grew up with football. I watched it every weekend with my dad. We are Ohio State fan and we were Browns fans (until they went to Baltimore) and then we were split between Detroit and Cincinnati for years. That made making the transition to being a Colts fan easier.

Now it isn’t like I dread the month of May. Okay, I do dread the unending drunk texts on Carb Day, but aside from that I sometimes wish I could just get into the whole festive mind set.

As the end of the”regular” television season comes to an end, my inner media degree can’t stop from doing the final inspection and comments. There were some awesome things, and there were things that just didn’t work. Shows I love made me annoyed. Shows I didn’t think I’d like surprised me. I even actually liked a few mid season replacements.

Best New Show: The Mentalist. Simon Baker is awesome. I love the cast. The show is well written…what else can I say…
THANK GOD it was finally cancelled: ER. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVED ER in high school. I even loved ER in the beginning of college. After college, I tried to get back into it, but by then it just wasn’t the same show. Let’s be honest here: this show should have met its end at least four seasons ago. I tried to watch an episode last season, but it just wasn’t working. If a show can hold a record for jumping the shark…ER wins hands down.

Please…Please….don’t cancel it: I love Chuck. I love that NBC gave it a chance after it was robbed by the writer’s strike. I don’t love all the things they did this season. Some of the episodes were slow, and yes there were some miss steps. Still, this show is awesome, funny and the highlight of my Monday. I’m hoping NBC gives it a another chance.

Old favorite that still rules: NCIS Yes I admit to loving this show. It still has been consistently good. I still do not like McGee, but I doubt I ever will like him so I moved past that. My concern is what on earth are they doing with this season finale? I think it is a little much. Oh yeah and what is with their need to kill off people in the season finales any way? I’m hoping next week doesn’t leave me angry like I was when they killed off Kate instead of McGee.

Old favorite that I am okay with seeing go: Scrubs. This show is amazing, but it has had it’s run. I love that ABC let it have its last season, but I also know it is time for it to call it quits.

Show I thought was overrated, but now I actually like: Heroes. I didn’t really like Heroes at first. I didn’t watch it for a while, but then I started watching again this season. I don’t always love the show, but it has grown on me. Hiro is almost enough to get me to change the channel, but the rest of the cast and the writing keeps me watching.

Midseason replacement I like for shallow reasons: Castle. The show might be bland, but it does have Nathan Fillion…and he alone was enough to get me to watch at least some of Desperate Housewives during his stint on the show.

Midseason replacement that actually rocks: The Unusuals. It is fun, dark and quirky. How can I not like it? That definition also means it has a high probability of being cancelled.

Midseason replacement I wish would go away: Harper’s Island. I’ve tried to like this show. Actually, I tried a couple times and I just can’t.

So that is my 2 cents on the good the bad and the ugly. Now it is off to a summer of True Blood, In Plain Sight, My Boys, the guilty pleasure that is the Goren and Eames Law and Order Criminal Intent episodes and recorded re-runs of Poltergeist the Legacy. Maybe the summer line up will surprise me with another new favorite.

*UPDATE: As of the publishing of this post, Chuck has been re-signed for another 13 episodes next season.

If you haven’t yet, take a moment to reflect on the woman who gave you birth. In all her glory. In all her flaws. Picture her in your mind. Do you see her? Good. Now smile, and thank God for placing such a woman on this earth to carry and give birth to little you.

Whether you live with her, miss her, or can’t remember meeting her, God placed a woman on this earth to house and nurture the miracle of life within her body. You were that miracle. She was that safe place. No matter what your story today. She endured for you. She bore you. She allowed herself to be used by God to bring you to earth as though from nothing.

If you are not or have never been a pregnant woman, this may be somewhat more difficult to imagine. But think of it. The raw, sweaty, painful discomfort of it all. The fears. The questions. The concerns. If for no other reasons than these, honor thy mother.

Some of us are grateful. Some are wounded. Some confused. Others resentful. We each have our stories. But we each owe our lives to an amazing woman.

If your life is a bright and happy one, and you are deeply thankful for your mother, you likely won’t need this reminder. But many of us have less than perfect stories. Our lives are riddled with joys and cuts. Wounds and hopes. Hopes deferred and paths chosen. And to each of you, I say, “Honor thy mother.”

Not every woman is endowed with pre-birthing wisdom and insight into how to nurture a child’s heart. Not every woman received the same love and nurture from her parents. We all venture out into that somewhat terrifying world of parenthood with strengths and weaknesses, insights and blindspots.

Remember that the woman who gave you birth likely wished she was more than she was. We all wish for something similar in ourselves. And if you have the opportunity, I beg you to take a step. Forgive. Love. Thank. Pursue.

A woman with regrets may feel her best lot in life is to stay out of the way… to not interfere. Though you might have held out hope way into your adult years that eventually she would discover your heart and cherish you like you always dreamed, she may not believe she deserves another chance. She may feel like a failure. She may hide from the pain of mistakes long forgotten by you and your siblings.

We never know what lurks in the hearts and minds of others. Rather than assume she has withheld, seek her out. Ask her questions. Questions you’d want answered from your best friend. Get to know this woman who gave you life. Find out who she is and cherish her for what you discover. There is always time until there isn’t.

Waste not.

I have been a Sprint customer for six years. Two of those years I was on a family plan. The whole family plan was costing me more that a regular plan, so I ended up getting my own contract.

Now I know how many people feel about Sprint. I would probably feel the same way if I had some of the negative experiences others have had. Maybe I have just been lucky, but Sprint has not given me a reason to hate them. I’ve always had good luck with customer service. When my old phone broke, a corporate store was able to give me a new one no questions asked. Their plans seem to be fair and well priced.

About a year ago, I made the move to Blackberry phones. I bought a Blackberry Pearl, and quickly fell in love. I considered upgrading again to the original Curve. However, RIM was about to release a bunch of new Blackberries. I knew Sprint would be the last carrier to get one of the new phones, but I hoped that we would have something within a few months of my contract expiring.

My contract expired in March. Still, I was okay. In theory, Sprint would be getting some new RIM phones in third quarter. I was anxious. I mean I really would like a new phone. I wish Sprint made better choices about the phones to release. I have heard bad reviews about the Instinct, and while I am sure the Palm Pre is fabulous…I am a Blackberry person.

I did look around at other providers. I considered switching, but initially I was content just to wait it out for a while. Then the harassment started. You see when I didn’t go running out to get a new phone and sign a new contract Sprint got nervous. The first mailing was fine. I was even okay with the first e-mail. Then came the additional e-mails, letters and multiple phone calls from not just one but two Sprint stores. The employees just wouldn’t take no for an answer. I get that it is their job to get me to stay their customer. However, once I have explained my situation why must they keep trying to convince me I want an Instinct or a Palm-Pre? Again, I am a Blackberry person. Telling me you won’t have them for a while, but you are sure I would love these other phones just makes me angry.

Sprint’s inability to get the fact that I am not willing to commit to them for another two years until they have the product I want is maddening. Why would I buy something and sign a contract for a product I do not want? They are making the other carriers seem much more attractive with each attempt.

While some journalists get excited about how big a story they land, I look at news reporting as a bottom rung type position. At least based on today’s media, 90% of reported news isn’t important enough for me to know. That means there are too many people running around feeling self-important for no good reason except that something they did is earning them attention, and getting attention is what so many of us want.

But a columnist, now that’s a different animal entirely. A columnist must write what she thinks. She must share her own opinions with the world in a compelling enough way that people will be glad they read it. Especially in 2009, we’re all about advanced search. We have niche interests and we search for niche information. Nobody really searches for random opinions.

So the columnist has to establish a voice quickly and powerfully. This voice is her only sales pitch. Is her view of the world interesting enough to warrant another read tomorrow or next week? Unless she’s fabulous, a columnist will always be writing to a new audience – i.e., a group of people who wander across her column’s path. Opinion is not a news topic, so someone reading the column either happens across it and is giving it a taste, or he/she has read the columnist before and enjoyed it enough to seek it out again later.

I have no great love for journalism. I took journalism as my elective in high school for one year until I wisened up and switched to choir. I actually love to sing. I didn’t love reporting about track meets or composing yearbook layouts.

Fast forward seven years, and I was semi-dating an actual reporter. She was very intelligent and funny, but I never understood why she cared so much about the news. Whether a company launches a new store or product line isn’t compelling information to me. I simply don’t care that much about the news.

What fascinates me is people. I like to know what makes them tick. What motivates them to tell the truth, tell a lie, force a smile, endure sacrificially. I like observing people making choices, and analyze why they chose that specific option. I guess that’s why I respect successful columnists. They put themselves out there and live or die by the skill of their pen.

I am reminded of the parable of the sower. There were several types of soil that the seed was cast upon. Without overspiritualizing it, I think the immediate need to share a revelation somehow triggers the loss of that same revelation. In other words, if we don’t stop to meditate and soak up all the subtle flavors of a new truth, we have yet to own it for ourselves. And when we share it with others, we feel a premature sense of satisfaction for having helped others see something they needed to see.

Perhaps the payoff is partly image-centric as well. Each time we rush off to share some amazing revelation, we get the credit of being the source – the first person they know that knew this truth. And being the source brings with it the recognition and reputation. Where the truth itself would have made a nice addition to your inner you, you have instead settled for the appearance of a deeper and more profound you.

The bottom line is simple: We own what we know in silence. And anything shared prematurely dies. Would you rather own the truth, or act on impulse?