http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2008-11-18T17:36:00-05:00
I enjoyed reading your posts on Iraq. Thank you for sharing your experience with us! Since I'm interested in doing humanitarian work in developing countries, it's nice to read how others manage everyday stress.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/groundhog_day/ Wed Dec 05, 2007
Well said Mr. John Matel. In any job, foreign or domestic, it's important to take time to replenish the mind in order to perform at your very best. Thank you for all of your hard work. And from me to you, thanks for putting in the overtime.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/groundhog_day/ Sun Dec 02, 2007 Dipnote Blogger John Matel writes:

@ Stu in Tennessee -- Most days I work from around 8am until after 10pm. During the day I try to take an hour to run. I blog after I get done at around 10. We work 7 days a week. On Sunday, we get to come in after lunch. Travel is hard and we might get in at 2am.

Taking time to read, regenerate and "sharpen the saw" is important. Much of that, however, I do when I am stuck someplace. If you have experience traveling in a war zone, you understand that you spend a lot of time waiting for helicopters and convoys. I can waste that time or try to use it. I apologize if I did not convey my situation to you in terms you could understand.

Let me be very simple. The taxpayers pay me for 40 hours a week. Most weeks I work about 80. In addition there is significant discomfort and physical risk. I do not think my downtime is excessive. Beyond that, I have learned from experience that it makes no sense to try to sprint through a marathon. If you are not satisfied, perhaps I can refund whatever portion of my salary I did not earn that comes from the taxes you personally paid.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/groundhog_day/ Fri Nov 30, 2007
Interesting post. I see the Colonel works, the Marines work but all you are interested in is jogging and blogging. Same Same Foreign Service in Viet Nam. Just putting in your time. What a waste of taxpayer money the FS is.
]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/groundhog_day/ Thu Nov 29, 2007
Your doing a great job... and I love the pic.

Very cool!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/groundhog_day/ Thu Nov 29, 2007