One of the first photos that my parents have of me is sitting on a sofa leafing through a newspaper at age 2. I guess it's true that newsprint runs in your blood, because that's where I've always wanted to work.

With roots entrenched in Colorado, my dad uprooted our small family and moved to the Florida panhandle in 1970. Although I was only 9, I can remember the culture shock and wondered why everybody talked funny down here.

Gradually, I adjusted and grew to love some of the traditions and mysteries of the South. Although I still think there are a lot of things that could be changed, I've adapted and learned to love my adopted home.

After graduating from high school, I went to Auburn University and survived four years of all-night study fests, middle English and yeast rolls to get my degree in mass communications.

While at Auburn, I met my future bride, Cheryl, in a debate class, and eventually married her after graduating.

Life in the real world was not nearly as fun as college.

After working in sales for several years, I finally made my way to a newspaper career. Some of you may remember me from my days across the street at the other newspaper back in the late '80s.

After running my own business for a few years, I started itching for another spin in the news biz. In 1993, I started working for The Citizen and have worked in various positions at the paper for nearly eight years.

Nearly 38 years ago, I looked at a newspaper with wonder. Today, I still have that genuine love for the written word. On most Sundays, you can catch me plowing through the Sunday papers, including the New York Times, which is the best paper in the country in my view.

To some folks, newspapers are a dying breed. But I will always believe there's still a place for dinosaurs in today's tech-driven world.