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See what I did there.

Trying to surprise somebody is an exercise that usually fails. There are just too many variables in the mix that usually play out not in your favor. Something always goes wrong. Surprises get spoiled. They figure it out or something doesn't quite go according to plan or it doesn't have the impact that you thought it would. And then, when it's all said and done, you come away from the whole experience a little disappointed and discouraged.

Most of the time.

But when it works, it's great. Watching the gears turn in their heads while they piece everything together and then watching their eyes go wide in a slurry of confused responses makes it worth it. The big plans never work out. It's all about the subtlety.

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