Sometimes I think I learn everything the hard way. The other day I received an email from the mother of one of my daughter's friends saying she wanted to connect with me at Reunion.com. "No thanks," I thought when I read the message. But, then, I didn't want to snub this woman, either. After a few days of feeling like an oaf for leaving the message in my email inbox, I followed the link to Reunion.com and set up an account so I could reply. Before I realized it, the site scarfed my entire address book and sent an automatic message to everyone asking them to "connect" with me. I am more than a little burned because I had professional contacts in this address book.

Nevertheless, I have heard from friends and associates I haven't heard from in a while--including professional contacts who have offered me more work. Go figure. And here I was about to die over this stupid mistake. I'm glad to know a lot of good and gracious people, though I'm sorry this happened.