Elections often bring surprises, but the upset victory of retired Omaha businessman Scott Petersen in the Republican primary for Secretary of State wasn’t that surprising. Sure, he defeated an incumbent, Lincoln attorney Bob Evnen, who was seeking a third, four-year term.

Every so often, you’re reminded that people are generally good. And, you get some idea how important the media is in helping generate good news.

On Sunday, I did something that I hadn’t done for many, many years. I walked into a graduation ceremony, not as a reporter looking for the perfect story or the perfect photograph, but as a graduate’s family member, there simply to celebrate a major milestone in a relative’s life.

Out of context, it may seem a little comical, but if you know, there is a chance that when you walk into my house and see the photograph of my dad and me sitting on the table in my entryway, you understand.

Rumors are as common around the state capitol as brome grass in a roadside ditch.

Back in the day, twice each year, a debate would break out at the news bureau where I used to work: “Who is going to write the gas tax story?” It was a story you could write in your sleep. “Nebraska’s variable gas tax is rising/dropping to … blah, blah, blah.” But it was kind of important.

In January, when I had the opportunity to join members of the Nebraska Press Association for breakfast at the governor’s mansion, one of my older brothers gave me two pieces of advice: make sure your shoes are tied and don’t spill any food on your shirt.

Almost every time I head over to the local work-out joint, there’s some petition circulators waiting. They scurry up and ask for my signature on a proposed ballot initiative that would make it harder for state legislators to change laws that voters have passed at the ballot box.

You are not going to believe this, but some guy recently offered me $200 for my high school football jersey. Considering I likely didn’t get $200 worth out of it while standing on the sidelines at Palmer High School, you have to think I should have marked it sold.

If you were one of the critics and, like me, thought that Scott Frost preached the importance of culture too much, then there is a good chance that you know that in my writing I have a word that starts with the same letter that I often use as a crutch.