T minus 4 to Transition - Monday

Art asks if I'm counting the hours - no need, they're flying by!

Today John Kerry held a "town meeting" where the working stiffs can come to big auditorium and the Secretary gives a pep talk and takes questions.  I usually don't go, but since this was my last chance I did attend and it was fun.  He looks better and younger in person than under the TV lights, and spoke fluently without notes on what's going on in the building and around the world.  He has a more laid-back manner than Hillary.  He spoke rousingly about defending our budget from the crazy sequesterers on the Hill, and how well our people deal with multiple crises every day around the world.  Many of them aren't that important to us, but without US involvement nothing gets settled. He said he doesn't listen to the pundits, like the columnist in today's Post, who says he's just indulging in fantasy about Middle East peace - you could tell it needled him a little.  But my biggest takeaway from the talk that fits perfectly in my almost-out situation, is that every step we take helps move us toward the goal.  As he said, "we may not see it in our time here" but it all counts.  So that's a nice feeling to get from your big boss!

I've told some of you that I took as my "mission" in this job that we would not have a war in the Taiwan Straits - and you can tell I was successful!  Seriously, that informed a lot of how I operated here.  Now I'll pass that goal onto some worthy young successors.

One of those worthy successors, my "legacy" Oliver, whose fluent Chinese skills have earned him superstar status since I hired him 3 years ago, insisted on hosting a retirement celebration at his house this weekend.  I'm touched that he wants to, especially since I'm having an office party, but I guess I made a good impression on him too.  Here's the link to the evite he sent around.  If you click on it you can go to the URL. 

http://www.evite.com/event/0134TNU7ONHFREIEIEPDHWQR5VCAUM?gid=01346HEIXQEDLU7IGEPDHWRVXOHDWA

This afternoon I had my "exit call" with one of our senior people, who is 15 years younger than me at least but I've gotten used to that.  We had a good talk about what State and INR could do better--more diversity, flexibility, and IT would help--but I told him honestly that most people there loved it.  That's why they stay 3-4 decades sometimes.  Getting secure pay and a pension to think and write with dedicated colleagues - there can't be a much better deal.  I wish I'd traveled more; maybe I'll make up for it now!

Tomorrow, a Chinese lunch out with China colleagues, and then my party Wednesday afternoon.  Whew - how do celebrities stand all the attention? :-)