Guest Columns

Earlier this year, as the General Assembly was putting together the budget to run state government, it was becoming increasingly clear that the state was finally beginning to see some lasting growth.

That was further confirmed several weeks ago, when one of the state’s economists said that “all signs are pointing to the likelihood that the recovery is here to stay.”

I’m not a huge fan of birds.

One time I told someone birds are the reason God created BB guns and sling shots.

Kidding. Just kidding. Don’t send me letters.

I am notorious for my lack of a sense of direction.

Just the other day one of our photographers at the newspaper caught me going south when I should’ve been going north to an assignment.

He laughed about it, as did I. But there have been many times I’ve given him wrong directions to an assignment and he hasn’t laughed.

Even with a GPS and written directions I still get it wrong six out of 10 times.

Have you ever met someone who seems to enjoy talking just for the joy of hearing themselves speak? They go on and on and don’t seem to need a response, or allow time for one. It is as though they are filling the space around themselves with their own words. Time goes by and you find yourself wanting to get away from them. Perhaps this person just never learned good conversational skills which are based on listening. Everyone wants an opportunity to have their say and to be validated.