Dateline: SWA flight from BWI to PVD, 14 April 2005

Long but energizing couple of days. Didn't check in last night because last night the only motel Esquire could get me was a "Quality" Inn where the bed broke when I sat on it and there wasn't any Internet.

On Wednesday spoke before 250 Navy Senior Executive Service officials in the morning, going about 50 minutes on the brief starting at 0800 in a hotel ballroom in Falls Church, plus doing 20 Q&A. Then another hour with a handful that just wouldn't let go without further information. Then an hour or so back in my hotel room working endnotes on BFA before checking out.

Then I drove to Pentagon City, did a bit o' shopping (DVDs for kids: anime movie for Em and "Dirty Dozen" and "Great Escape" for me and WWII-obsessed Kevin). Then more endnotes, then a lengthy taped interview with a very personable independent segment producer for network news programs that may lead to something down the road. Then drinks with partner Steff Hedenkemp and New Rule Sets Project angel advisor Kevin Billings at a cool DC restaurant. Then the drive to Quantico for an early interview today at the Marine base.

Then the drive back to DC, more endnotes work at the Pentagon City Mall, then two interviews in the Pentagon (Navy 4 star who prepped on me personally by reading my blogósly sea dog he; plus a senior civilian whose analytic skills regarding bureaucracies were matched only by his incredibly vibrant storytelling skills). I have stopped worrying about having too little for this story and now wonder how I'm ever going to get it all in one article!

Also learned something today: you can learn to give a good interview by watching adept interviewees perform. Before today, I wouldn't have said that, but all three of these guys (Marine general, Navy admiral and senior civilian) were downright masterly. You couldn't walk away from the day not being impressed at the quality of senior people in the Defense Department. But then I always am (not uniformly, mind youóand no, no pun there), and that admiration doesn't change with parties or administrations.

Then to BWI and home. Good to see my love and the offspring.