I've got over my fear of cold calling sources. I've even stopped worrying about posing tough and personal questions. However, there is still an aspect of the journalist's job that bothers me -- the inevitable awkward goodbye. Last month, I had an interview with a source who seemed pleased and eager to talk to me. After 45 minutes of chatting, I realized I got the information I needed from him and didn't have any further questions. However, he waited on the other end of the telephone with baited breath. I proceeded by saying my standard end of an interview line: "Well, I think that's all the questions I have for you. A fact-checker may be contacting you shortly. Thanks for your time. I really appreciate it." To which he responded coldly, "No problem. Bye."

I mentioned how I was disturbed by the ending of this interview to a classmate over coffee the other day. She says that she sees a journalist's relationship with a source similar to a therapist's relationship with a patient. Sources pour out information to journalists just like patients flood therapists with their feelings, and then "times up." In the patient's case, they get to meet with their therapist perhaps the following week for their next appointment. However, in the source's case, it's likely they will never hear from the journalist again.

This is the part that I find awkward. Throughout my limited experience as a journalist, I've interviewed a lot of interesting people -- people who've opened up to me about personal topics. And like always, we say the inevitable awkward goodbye; never to speak again. I know that we can't become life long friends with all of our sources. And I realize the industry is set up this way. But you have to admit, the relationship between a journalist and their source is nonetheless odd.