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Having 'the dream'

I hate to admit it has been about 38 years since I received my bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University. I awakened in a sweat Monday morning, relieved that the very vivid dream sequence, in which I was still enrolled in classes, was indeed just a dream.
It was quite a relief, as I spent the night first, attempting to figure out what my class schedule was supposed to be, and then searching all over campus for a steno notebook with class notes. In the dream, Midwestern had a brand-new, mammoth political science building, further confounding me as I attempted to find which desk in which classroom had my notebook!
A similar recurring dream, which seems to be fairly universal, is that it is time for finals. It is too late to drop, but I haven’t been to any of the classes and yet must take the final exam.
I’ll bet you’ve had it, too, along with the dream of being in a very public place with only your tighty-whiteys on.
An article in Psychology Today said that in cultures where there is no end-of-course “make-it-or-break-it” testing, there are no such dreams. Further, it is conjectured that “the dream” tends to be associated with something undone or unfinished in your current life. For me, that could be any number of things!
It remains to be seen whether, with the completion of this column, I will have “the dream” tonight!
As a magician, I often have another version of “the dream,” in which I am introduced, the curtain opens, and I realize I have none of my props, or sometimes even clothes!
I wonder if people who are totally organized and always have their work in under deadline have such dreams?
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Okay, so, 200 words to go.
Candace Velvin, publications manager for TPA, emailed me last week asking about my column, and then again. And then today she sent another, gently asking if I could have my column in today. And I thought about the dream, and felt it could be something that might launch a good column.
But I only got about 300 words out of it.
So here we are. This has to go in the Messenger, and I’m only up to 381.
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LAC doing good work
The Legislative Advisory Committee has been doing a great deal of work reviewing and categorizing bills that have been introduced this legislative session. 
Donnis Baggett and Ed Sterling, along with committee chair Bill Patterson, are providing an invaluable service. Please take time to thank them, and to follow up when requested to call your legislators.
On a similar note, Jerry Tidwell, Laurie Ezell Brown and I attended the National Newspaper Association Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. a couple of weeks ago. It is always a rewarding experience, and one I wish more publishers would avail themselves of.
I have found that the congressional staffs are always open and receptive to our message. Nothing beats person-to-person contact.
Finally, I encourage you to attend at least one regional convention this year. (NETPA had theirs the same time as the NNA Summit.). Involvement in the regional associations is like a family reunion. If you are new to the TPA “family,” your participation in your regional association can pave the way for leadership roles in TPA.
I look forward to communicating again in May, and hope to see you at the TPA Summer Leadership Retreat, June 15-17. 
Registration information is on the TPA website.