First day of internship

The internship itself seems interesting. Today was mostly involved in research and writing up reports for a mailing list. I'm actually working in Moyock, with the logistics division (and a bunch of ex-Blackwater guys). The people are awesome, and the work looks like fun.

The big drawback is definitely the drive--turns out my office is 1 1/2 hours from where I'm working. I'm looking into ways to make that easier, but we'll see.

Also--I received word today that I will not be going to the oral test for the Foreign Service. Therefore, I am definitely spending the summer dieting and working out and getting ready for the Navy. Please, guys, wish me luck.

Tell me you guys saw this...

It's a proud day for Puntland as pirates met with local officials in Eyl and renounce piracy.

Greetings from Virginia Beach

I just got in last night, and this weekend will be all settling in and getting ready. Tuesday will be my first day at the office at SCG, where I'll sign all the necessary paperwork and blah blah blah.

If anyone is looking for some real vacation time, feel free to drop in here and we'll go to the beach. I'm already missing my Patterson peoples.

The only downside that I can see to everything is that I'm going to be doing a hell of a lot of driving. I'm staying pretty far out in the country, and the two different offices I'll be going to are pretty far from each other (and one of those is ALSO out in the country, but in a slightly different direction.) On top of that, any side work I pick up won't likely be in VA Beach itself either. Maybe, though, I'll eventually get used to it.

Remind me again why I'm in Senegal

This place is nothing if not interesting. I got in at 440am Wednesday, just in time for the first call to prayer, stayed at a decent hotel in the bustling, dirty, polluted, very hectic downtown. I've not been pickpocketed yet. Now I'm out in the 'burbs, holing up with an embassy staffer. It's very nice- next to the Indonesian embassy. I'm practicing French, sweating a lot, and will get started at work on Tuesday. I already tried posting once, but as I finished the power cut out. Usually the power stays on, there's no violent crime, there's Internet. There are many people with polio and disfigurements hanging out downtown, and make-shift buses that have a lot of people hanging off of them.

I think I'll get a decent experience at the FCS office (in a "challenging business environment", according to the ambassador) and it is pretty cool meeting a bunch of diplomats. I got to meet the ambassador on my first day. I talk to ya soon

HOMO CUBICLEUS

So, I've successfully settled into my office work routine.
Every morning I mingle with the crowd of other white-collar D.C. commuters, dressed according to the general office dress-code and clutching at their packed lunches. 1 hour travel to work, 8.5 hours in the office, 1 hour back home...

At work I do the evaluation of several projects combating human trafficking in the Caribbean (Becca, be careful there!). The office is not too big (only about 20 people) and extremely international - there are people drom Germany, Japan, Bosnia, Moldova, Costa-Rica, Haiti and that's definitely not all - I'm still getting to know everybody.

Miss Pattersonites terribly! Stay in touch :)

Best Things About My Summer Internship So Far

1. Free snacks & drinks!

2. I get to study the Somali piracy issue more.

3. Actual quote from my boss, first day of work:

I'm a big believer in naps. So if you get tired, feel free to go in and office, shut the door, turn out the lights and rest a while.

Good times on the Rich Coast...

Hey guys, I'm heading back to Costa for the summer. I'll be hanging out in downtown San Jose for a couple months, relaxing and working for the man. So, if anyone is planning a vacay to the rich coast, let me know. Will miss you all! See you in August.
bec

Hola

I switched to Spanish at the last minute. I dig all the movie submissions.

Ohio

I don't mean the state. After recalling fond memories of my 1997 trip to Kofu, Japan, I've enrolled in Japanese I and II this summer. Should be fun. Also this is a second call for suggestions for this summer's Bad Movie/Good Beer series to be hosted once I move to a place with windows.

Gettin' My Intel On

I'll be doing OSINT analysis at Total Intelligence Solutions in Arlington, VA. So all you D.C. people keep in touch.

Lost a jacket?

If you were toasty when you came to my house on Saturday and a little colder when you left, it's probably because you left your jacket at my place. It's brown and Docker's brand, so if this is yours- claim it!

Building Business Skillz

Hey all!

I, too, will be in Lexington all summa long. However, one of my goals for the season is to improve my golf game. So just throwing this out here early: are there any other golf-going Pattersonites in the city this summer? I'd love to get a few games going.

To answer a few other propositions: I believe a few field trips to the outer parts of the state are warranted, especially if they involve distillery tours and all that accompany them.

Cheers and good luck with finals!

Fear and Loathing in Lex Vegas

Hello, all.  I'm staying in Lexington this summer (at least through July 1st... maybe longer if my employers find more funding).  I don't have any big plans, so anyone who finds themselves in town feel free to give me a call.  I changed my blogger name from my Defense Statecraft alias ("The Dude" in case anyone didn't know that already) to my callsign just to keep things simple.

I've heard a suggestion that we all split up the summer reading and then post summaries on this blog whenever we finish.  Whoever thought of this idea is a brilliant person.

More updates as events warrant.  Good luck to everyone on thier finals and summer internships!

Gettin my trade on in Senegal

Or maybe I'll just be making copies. But I'll be interning for the FCS in Dakar from May 20 til the end of July. It's going to be very hot and muggy from the looks of it and hopefully I don't get yellow fever cos I didn't want to pay the $200 to get the vaccine. But I look forward to lounging on the beach, speaking French, and eating food. I will try to make it to Timbuktu.

Hello all, 

D. Riley here.  I'll be summering in the fabulous Paducah, KY getting my law on at McMurry & Livingston.  www.lawyersforyourlife.com.  If you have any legal problems, look me up.  I'll help as long as it involves a good story. 

Whats up I'll be in Bourbontown, so if yall wanna come visit that'd be great, just let me know.

School's out for summer

As exciting as finishing 2/3's of a Masters Degree can be, summer means our proud students will be spread about the globe. Watch this space for updates on their trials and successes.