I did enjoy season 3, but I do have one gripe about the production of the season 3 DVD. When you select an episode on the DVD menu, it takes you to an alternate menu designated to that specific episode. However, the background pictures of the episode menu often reveal key plot information. For instance, in one of the episodes a key character from past seasons makes a “surprise” appearance. However, the surprise is ruined because his or her picture appears in the background of that episode menu. Since he or she had not appeared in any previous episodes in season 3, it totally ruined the element of surprise. In another instance, the menu pictures showed a key character lying (clearly) dead on the ground…Yet another surprise ruined!

• Kim is starting to seem like less of a total moron.
• Chase ruins everything when he tries to be a hero.
• I enjoy Chloe.
• President Palmer finally found the snag in his moral fabric.
• Why does the President still view Sherry as an asset?
• Sherry Palmer’s bangs look awful.
• I don’t like Ryan Chapelle, but you know…
• Tony is a beast working in his physical condition.
• President Palmer has the worst secret service detail…they’re never around.
• Michelle is the man in this season.

As you approach the intersection, you see a black GMC idling outside one of the housing complexes. “That’s got to be it, Toby. Come with me”. Toby has been your faithful camera operator from day one. In fact, you both started work at GNN on the same day and Toby even turned down a promotion to stay on your crew. He tries to keep up as you sprint toward the black vehicle. You set up just outside the complex when suddenly the door swings open. Sure enough, the senator is bidding his new-found-friend farewell when he spots you. “What is this?” He asks nervously, trying to cover his uneasiness with his million dollar smile. This is it. Your moment. The whole way here you’ve been crafting the question you would ask. You know you only have one shot so you have to cover all of the salient points in one perfectly worded question.

“Is it true that you’re here accepting drug money in order to sway the votes of minority senators who have yet to voice their support for the controversial bill you intend on presenting when congress re-convenes tomorrow morning?” The loaded question knocks the smile off the senators face, but only briefly. After mere seconds his confidence returns along with the color in his face. He condescendingly pats you on the shoulder and looks you straight in the eye.

“No comment.” The words left his mouth with ease and confidence, and before you know it Toby is asking if you want him to keep filming the black SUV as it pulls away.

All of your hard work was over in 2 seconds. The rush of excitement when the question left your lips…The excitement of putting it all out there with one of Washington’s heavy hitters…The brief thought of being interviewed on every national network and all of the Sunday morning shows…Gone. With silence the senator had stolen all of those opportunities. Sure, the clip will be run nationally, and you may even be recognized for your courage and quick reaction. But the moment was lost with two simple words. “No Comment.”

This little parable tells the story of a blogger. A blogger who spends time and resources posting for the enjoyment, enlightenment, and entertainment of others. But his readers choose to be silent admirers. At the end of the day, his posts still say, “No Comments.” His blog is supposed to be about interaction and opinion, and he is trying to remind his readers through this story to leave comments. Don’t be silent. Comment.

THE END

It doesn’t take long for you to realize that this phone call is different. “Pack Up” Ed says. “Pack Up? But we’re right in the middle of…” “I don’t have time to explain everything right now, just tell your crew to pack up. You’re heading to 44th and Central.”

44th and Central isn’t the place you would usually find a “fluff” reporter. It is the epicenter of drug trafficking and gang violence. “What’s going on at 44th and Central?” You ask. “It seems our beloved senator was just spotted entering the apartment of one of the cities top drug dealers. We have an informant inside his campaign who suspects that he’s taking drug money in order to pay off senators who have not yet voiced their support for his new bill. This is an exclusive. You’re the closest reporter we’ve got.”

You and your crew dive into the van and hope that this time it will start on the first try. As if it knows the importance of your current situation, the van turns over with the twist of the key. For the second time today, fate is on your side.

To Be Concluded…

Imagine you’re a reporter for a major news network. You’re mostly just reporting puff pieces to fill in the gaps that are ever-so-frequent in 24 hour news networks, but today is different. Today fate has brought you to a nearly forgotten neighborhood in a dangerous area of the city. You’re assignment is less eventful than the drive across town. You’re covering the 115th birthday of the oldest woman in the world, Edna Pyle. But then, just as Edna’s great-great-great grandchildren gather around her wheelchair to “help” her blowout the candles, your cell phone rings. Your caller ID informs you that it’s “The Station”. You’re almost too horrified to answer, in fear that they could actually be calling you to cover a story less interesting than Edna’s. Against your better judgment, you take the call.

“What is it Ed, I’m right in the middle of the cake shot.” You growl. Ed’s voice is more urgent than usual. Of course, a program manager doesn’t usually sound too anxious when he’s talking to the third string of his news team. Ed’s calls are usually short and to the point. He’s generally calling to ask things like, “Were you able to get a canoe to shoot the winner of the 5th grade sailing contest from the water?” Or on a “busy” day he may scream, “I NEED YOU TO STREAM THE VIDEO OF THE LOCAL PIE EATING CONTEST NOW, THE MAYOR DIDN’T SHOW UP FOR HIS INTERVIEW AND WE GO LIVE IN 10 SECONDS!” But as I said before, today is different.

To Be Continued…

Today I went to see the super bowl winning coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Tony Dungy. He was at a local bookstore promoting his new book, “Quiet Strength”. The place was packed since “The Dunge” is the former coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

I’m not a huge pro football fan myself, but my dad is a huge Bucs fan, which makes him a big Dungy fan. Since his birthday’s coming up, I waited two-and-a-half hours to snag a signed copy of the new book…However, that was not possible since Books-A-Million was completely unprepared to host such a large event. It was a mess to say the least, but I did get a (regular) copy of the book, and snapped these sweet pics.