When your official government travel orders authorize advanced seating to guarantee a seat beside your child during an international move---old home packed, new home empty... ...but the airline won't confirm your seat more than 23 hours before you fly... ...and you spend hours on the phone... ...talking to the travel agent... ...and talking to the … Continue reading Fly America… Call the Philippines
Month: June 2018
Rhymes with Fake Gnus
1. Fake shoes. Also called flip-flops. 2. Fake brews. Non-alcoholic beer. Avoid at all cost. 3. Fake dues. No payment required. 4. Fake flues. Actually, you feel quite good but call in sick. 5. Fake ruse. This is the same thing as telling the truth. 6. Fake rues. Actually, you don’t care. 7. Fake poos. Better smelling than the real thing. 8. Fake … Continue reading Rhymes with Fake Gnus
Diplomatic Training
Sixteen years ago I spent ten months at the Foreign Service Institute training for my first diplomatic assignment to Saudi Arabia. This week I returned to campus with my sons, eight and ten, so they could begin their own indoctrination to the diplomatic life. They were enrolled in a course called Young Diplomats Overseas Preparation. … Continue reading Diplomatic Training
Can He also Ride a Porcupine?
Two weeks ago (yes...) I visited my son's class. I read to them from my current work in progress, a novel soon to be presented IHO Mohan's eighth birthday. Before I finished the hands were up and all the mouths were saying 'Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!' They had plans for my principal foil, a character named … Continue reading Can He also Ride a Porcupine?
Ben East Books 