I have to admit when Byron King made his “silent spring” prediction last month — a severe curtailment in air travel as early as next spring because of fuel prices, including an estimate that 70% of U.S. airports are at risk of losing commercial passenger service — I was a bit skeptical.

It can often be quite a lonely place and the investment crowd may call you all kinds of derogatory names – but when it comes to stock picking, nothing beats the feeling of striking out on your own, going against conventional wisdom and being proved correct.