There’s probably not a lot (positive wise) you can say about your dad without seeming schmultzy. I mean, Father’s Day is full of cards, books, mugs, ties, inspiring calendars and various other dust-collecting knick-knacks that experess deep sentiment in new cliches. Sometimes that makes it hard to really get to the heart of why one man deserves the respect, honor and admiration of his offspring. The dad job isn’t an easy one, for all of their life (or more) you’re the hero your child looks up to.

Dads have a profound impact on their kids. Look at the various TV shows, movies, books and songs written about this phenomenon. Daddy issues or Daddy legacies shape most of those stories.

So when I sing the praises of my dad, know that I do so with the full realization that it might (at times) seem very Halmark-ian. I can’t help myself. For all his faults and all my faults, for all of the times I’ve been frustrated or disappointed, for all of the fights and friction: I adore my dad.

There are a couple reasons for this I believe. One is the universal truth that fathers and daughters have a special bond. Dad was always my “safe place”, when the world around me seemed utterly scary - Dad was there. I was his princess in a kingdom that seemed amazing and full of imagination and life and fun. And it seemed that way because my dad was always around. Dad was not afraid to play with us, hold us, hug us and tuck us into bed at night. He loved being with my sister and I. Even when he had worked a long, tiresome day at construction I remember him coming into my bedroom and kissing me goodnight. He never forgot.

The other reason I adore my father so much is that we are very much alike. Which of course also leads to most of the friction and annoyances with each other. We’re both veracious readers, we enjoy technology, we love to write, we’re both geeks (though our geekdom takes different forms) and we both have a natural leadership quality that can drive other people nuts. Of course, the one area we were fairly polar opposites on was my intense love of cats — but Tigger won him over (slightly) in the end.

Dad bought me my first Sherlock Holmes collection when I was 9 (my first fandom which lead to inspiring me to be a writer), he and my mom edited my first novel, they sent me to college and they continue to help make my dreams come true even as an adult. Recently my dad and I went to a WGA Writers on Writing panel together and enjoyed the entire evening together. Looking back I can see how special that is - being able to talk and interact without it being a weird situation (like a lot of adult children and their parents have).

My dad is still my hero. He works multiple jobs, loves my mom with an intensity that most married couples lose early on, and he strives to be a man of God. There’s a reason his Starbucks card says “Dr. Dad the Incredible”.

So, awhile back my good friend Clay got me this awesome photo of one of my all-time favorite authors - Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket of “A Series of Unfortunate Events”). I love it so much and I dug it out the other day to show someone and realized that I totally want a collection of famous folks with a napkin that says “Hi Tabz!”

So, if you are (or know someone famous (for whatever reason). Can you snag a photo of them with a napkin that says “Hi Tabz!” It would make my day.

Bonus points if you have -them- write “Hi Tabz!”

You can email the photo to me at supcomtabz-at-gmail.com or just post it here.

Most of you know I’m a geek girl with a love for all things, well, geeky! So when I heard one of my favorite artists - Jody Whitesides - was doing a song inspired by the TV show Heroes I was ecstatic!

Now let me explain, I’ve loved Jody since I heard his music on the Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd, but this song really blew me away. It’s probably the best song he’s done to date. The mix, the vocals and the song all come together to tell an awesome story and it’s fun to sing along to.

It’s also a great song even if you’re not a Heroes fan. It’s been on repeat in my iTunes lately simply ‘cuz it’s a great pick-me-up song. If you dig the song, buy the entire album with the different remixes.

It’s hard to find good pop-sounding music that is not only well produced but also well-written. Jody’s music has a depth not found in traditional pop music. I really think you guys will dig it.

Want to hear it? Check out Jody’s Blog Post: A Hero Unexpected http://bit.ly/LaXm5

To celebrate the song being available on iTunes I’m going to be giving away stuff! There are TWO different contests to enter.

FIRST GIVEAWAY

5 Winners will Win a $5 iTunes Gift Certificate
How to enter:
1. Blog about Hero Unexpected, Jody Whitesides, this giveaway and leave a review of the song and link to it on iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/qktzns (your entry MUST have a link to the song on iTunes)
2. Come back and leave a comment on this entry with a link to your blog post (include your email in the comment information so I can send you your gift if you win)

Additional Entries?
Leave a review on iTunes and leave a comment with your username, please leave a separate comment for each entry).

SECOND GIVEAWAY

5 Winners will Win the single “Hero Unexpected” via iTunes.
How to enter:
1. Twitter/Facebook/or Share the link to Hero Unexpected - http://tinyurl.com/qktzns
2. Come back and leave a comment with a link to where you shared it (if it’s on Facebook just tell me where and how, I trust everyone to be honest).

Additional Entries?
1. Twitter/Facebook/Share the link to THIS post. Come back and leave a comment with a link.
2. Subscribe to this blog (via email or RSS). Leave a comment.
3. Leave a review on iTunes for Hero Unexpected. Leave a comment with your username (on iTunes) to enter.

BOTH CONTESTS END 5/25/09

Entries will be thrown into a hat and picked randomly. Winners will be notified by June 10th, 2009.

- No purchase necessary

- All prizes will be awarded via iTunes.

- No entry accepted without a comment on this blog post with a valid email address

Sometimes I realize why it’s awesome to be me. And that sounds so superficial and egotistical (and I’m sorry about that). But honestly - there are just moments I sit back and go… “Oh wow. It’s awesome being me.”

I live on the fringes of celebrity. I’ve called it in the past a micro-celebrity status. It’s the “I’m so much cooler online” effect. Obviously I’m not a household name. I don’t get into great tables at fancy resturants. I barely even get any substantial perks for being Tabz.

But sometimes… sometimes… it’s awesome being Tabz.

Today at barcampLA (an un-conference about all things tech, web and so much more) my friend Megan was telling someone, “You don’t follow Tabz?” Both Megan and another guy (Steve) started ribbing on the third person who hadn’t been following me on Twitter. The resulting conversation was jestful and witty, but the underlying reality was that both of them were kind of surprised that the third person didn’t know who I was.

Why? ‘Cuz, according to Megan, I know everyone.

I had a similar conversation with my parents after they attended Podcast and New Media Expo (back when it was still in Ontario). They went around saying “I’m Tabz’ dad!” or “I’m Tabz’ Mom!” and had a grand old time of it. At the end of the afternoon they said to me, “you know EVERYONE”.

Don’t get me wrong, I have a pretty normal life. There’s a lot of stress, and bad days, and times when being Tabz is not so awesome. But if I really stop to think about it. I mean really stop and evaluate where I am. I have a pretty fantstic life.

One of the other subjects of conversation today was my “minions”. I won’t lie, having a team of people around the world who work on my podcasts is fan-tabz-ulous. I felt compelled to explain that not only do I have minions but I have cult members. Now, minions are people who work on specific tasks because they like the project I’m doing. Cult members will work on anything I’m doing ‘cuz they like me and they’re super crazy awesome.

This isn’t something that just happened. It’s taken work, building a community where people are respected - given credit - allowed to have power/authority/responsibility. It also comes out my deep desire that every project I head isn’t “mine” - it’s “ours.” Now, I’ll always exercise some kind of leadership control, but I never think that projects are “my babies” and you can’t touch them. I believe in the power of co-creation.

And that also makes it awesome to be Tabz. I can’t imagine Buffy Between the Lines without my co-producer Kim, or our talented group of writers. I can’t imange it without Austin’s music or the directors’s and actors’ interpretations of scenes. I can’t imagine BBtL or ABtL without the people that have worked on it - no matter how small their role.

It’s also awesome to be Tabz ‘cuz I have awesome friends. Both on- and off-line. Just before I started writing this I said good night to my friend and he said, “I love you.” After I responded, “I love you!” I realized how rare that kind of platonic, amazing friendship is. And yet, I have that with a core group of people who I trust with everything. (And trust me, they know the dark side of Tabz and still love me).

So this became a long ramble about why it’s great to be me. But seriously, if you’re feeling down or depressed - this is the quickest way to remember - sometimes, it’s awesome to be you.

I’m bringing doofus back. The 60’s slang term for idiot, dummy, whatever. I’m bringing it back.

I know what you’re thinking. It’s not a nice word. But, let me explain.

Last Christmas we went up to our friends’ house. The Mooses (not really their name, but you get the idea). They have 5 kids, and the youngest, Benji is a fairly precocious child. We were decorating sugar cookies when Ben dropped one. Being of a sensitive nature he was very upset and threw himself on one of the nearby couches and would not be consoled. As we rescued the cookie and cleaned up the icing on the floor he jabbers away at himself, bemoaning his situation. At one point he wails, “I’m such a doofus!”

Now, to this day, his mother has no idea where Benji learned the word “doofus”. But it’s tickled my parents and I so much that now we quote Benji at opportune times. Such as playing Canasta and throwing the wrong card. Or forgetting something in the kitchen.

But now I’ve been saying it outside of the family. I couldn’t recall the name of one of the writers of Dollhouse - “I’m such a doofus!”

So yes, doofus is coming back, but only in reference to myself and my silly stupidity.

If you love Chuck (as much as I do, more, or at least like the show) - it’s one of those “on the bubble” shows that may not get picked for next year. If you’re not familiar with NBC’s Chuck, it’s a quirky comedy-drama starring Adam Baldwin (Firefly/Angel).

Since the show is up for renewal (along with our beloved Dollhouse) and fans are trying to be smart about getting the show picked up. Instead of sending thousands of peanuts or pencils they’re encouraging people to watch, buy, share and write to get the show continued.

I know what you’re saying “another save my show campaign?” But Chuck creator Josh Schwartz said this in a recent New York Times interview:

The difference between being a hit show and being an on-the-bubble show is so small now. The metrics have become so narrow that everything does help. If you do have a loyal fan base that really can make a difference. Now, more than ever, that kind of fan support can really have an impact. The cost of launching a television series is as high as it’s ever been. And obviously the odds have never gotten any better. If you look at NBC they’ve had a history of being patient with “The Office,” “30 Rock.” “Friday Night Lights” is a show where they’ve found a way to maintain its audience. Word of mouth is the most old-fashioned trend in entertainment and it still holds true. To sustain and hold onto our audience would be significant enough.

Part of the fan campaign is showing that the advertisements work. In a recent episode a Subway’s sandwhich was featured (quite prominently) so fans are rallying to go into Subway TODAY and buy sandwiches (before the Season Finale of Chuck). From ChuckTV.net:

To reward and incentivize Subway for their product placement support of Chuck, on the evening of the season finale, April 27th, go to your local Subway to purchase a $5 FOOTLONG. Drop a note in the comment box at the franchise letting them know you’re participating in the ChuckTV.net campaign to save NBC’s Chuck, of which Subway is a product placement sponsor. If you plan to do this, be sure to include that intent in your letters to Ben Silverman and Angela Bromstad at NBC.

For a full list of what YOU can do to help Chuck (and Adam Baldwin) please visit ChuckTV.net’s page.

Also check out #savechuck activities on Twitter - http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23savechuck

Photo I took at the beach by my house in San Pedro, CA - December 2008 (tre gorgeous no?)

a guest post from CelebrateGreen.net

Easter brings thoughts of spring and rebirth, so there’s no reason not to celebrate it with the Earth’s best interest at heart. Since for many families, Easter wouldn’t be the day without the basket, here’s how to transform this traditional hit, into a gift that truly is worth celebrating.

Instead of buying a new plastic or woven basket made in a country far away, this year, how about using your imagination? Choose an item that can hold the goodies, decorate if you like and you’ve got a unqiue, no-cost container. How fun would it be for your kids to go on the hunt with one of these?

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