The marathon begins Ö

Dateline: Continental flight to Houston TX, 17 October 2005

Bid my family good-bye yesterday, after my wife and I spent the afternoon picking out (basically designing from scratch) a slew of new furniture for the house. I spend money so fast I think I really should consider a run for Congress some day.

Up at 0400 today to catch a flight to Houston, then to Albuquerque, then to Roswell NM, where I'll be briefing a contingent of extra-terrestrials assembled by the highly secretive World Government Assocciation at the location known euphemistically as "Area 51."

Okay, I'll just be talking at the New Mexico Military Institute, in what we will be last time I ever deliver the PNM brief, so some real personal history today.

Yup, from here on out it will be the combined PNM/BFA brief, to be unveiled at National Defense University on Wednesday.

First order of business today was writing quick 800-word op-ed for journal "Homeland Security." Hope is to get it into the December issue.

Second order (since #1 went so fast) is three (make that more) quick blog posts I just couldn't resist making.

Then I need to sign a load of book plates for an appearance I'll be making on behalf of Oak Ridge National Lab in my new capacity there (can't remember the exact title, except to note its vague loftiness).

Finally, whatever time I have left before my speech tonight in Roswell I spend on working the Bradd Hayes package of 194 slides into shape for the NDU unveiling. Fortunately, I shift only one time zone today.

Here's the daily catch:

■ The Iraq vote looks awfully good

■ China will outsource all rightóto it's interior!

■ Big WSJ section on corporate governance

■ My problem with game theory

■ Qaddafi reminds us yet again why he should be toppled

■ This ain't your daddy's G-7!