Near as I can count, the flight from Sydney was the thirty-eighth time I’ve flown across the Pacific. Depending on the direction and wind, it takes around fourteen hours, give or take. Hours nine to eleven are reliably the worst, when it seems it will never end, when I resort to counting trans-Pacific flights instead of sheep.
If you are smart or lucky, the eastbound flight will leave you in Vancouver, or San Francisco, or even Dallas. But most of the time it will dump you at LAX, which is reliably unpleasant yet entertaining. Stepping off the plane in LA I revelled in my first American greeting being a cheery “Hola!” from the first ground service agent. Continue reading 04. On The Campaign Trail →
On Tuesday the eighth of November in 2016 about seventy million Americans will vote for the next President of the United States. With that mandate, 22% of the population, the winner will celebrate long into the night, blathering about unity, promising to govern “for all Americans”. It will be the realization of a lifelong dream. It will go downhill from there.
When he sobers up, the President-elect will get his first security briefing. This entails that poor soul having a meeting with both the Director of National Intelligence and the CIA Director.
It’s a tough meeting for all involved. Continue reading 03. The 22% Solution →
“I know what you are thinking.” I was speaking to an auditorium of MBA students, trying to entice the best and brightest to consider working for government. “Everybody thinks public servants are lazy, corrupt and incompetent. Why, you ask, would I want a job that labels me as lazy, corrupt and incompetent?”
There was a gasp. Someone blurted a stern “No!” Was it my boss? But mostly, eyes widened, heads nodded.
Explained properly, it is an attractive proposition. Twenty minutes later I was mobbed by those eager to know how they might enjoy the lifelong benefits of laziness, corruption and incompetence. I ran out of business cards. Continue reading 02. A Public Service →
The Committee On Considering Kodiak’s US Presidency (COCKUP) came to order after the fourth bottle. The Chair moved another bottle, which was PASSED without objection.
COCKUP ACCEPTED the Terms of Reference, noting the primary objective was to explore the feasibility of a run for the Presidency of the United States by Smiling Kodiak. Continue reading 01. Minutes of the COCKUP →
Tumbling through the infinite void
