Visit and Sailing Corsica

 

Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and politically one of the 18 regions of France. It lies southeast of the French mainland, west of the Italian Peninsula, and immediately north of the Italian island of Sardinia, the land mass nearest to it. A single chain of mountains makes up two-thirds of the island.  The island is a territorial collectivity of France. The regional capital is Ajaccio. Although the region is divided into two administrative departments, Haute-Corse and Corse-du-Sud, their respective regional and departmental territorial collectivities were merged on 1 January 2018 to form the single territorial collectivity of Corsica. As such, Corsica enjoys a greater degree of autonomy than other French regional collectivities, for example the Corsican Assembly is permitted to exercise limited executive powers. Corsica’s second-largest town is Bastia, the prefecture city of Haute-Corse.  Corsica was ruled by the Republic of Genoa from 1284 to 1755, when it became a self-proclaimed Italian-speaking Republic. In 1768, Genoa officially ceded it to Louis XV of France as part of a pledge for debts and in 1769 France forcibly annexed it. Napoleon Bonaparte was a native Corsican, born that same year in Ajaccio, and his ancestral home, Maison Bonaparte, is today a significant visitor attraction and museum. Because of Corsica's historical ties to the Italian peninsula, the island retains many Italian cultural elements, and the native tongue is recognized as a regional language by the French government.

                     Alain's 35' BENETEAU sail boat.  

Porto Vecchio

Midway up the western coast of the island, the town of Porto is a tourist hub a short distance from picture-postcard beaches, the stunning red rock formations of Les Calanches and the pretty village of Piana. It is also the gateway to the dramatic interior mountains.

 

                        

2004 Year in Review

 Highlights

• FSC Director's conference in Paris January 6-9, 2004 followed by FMO conference in London January 12-16.  Superior honor award presented by the Comptroller, Chris Burnham.

 

• Jeffrey accompanied me on this trip to London.  Besides limited sightseeing we attended a rock concert.

• Worked with the American Battle Monuments Commission to begin payrolling their staff.

• Inter Agency meetings and USDO conference in March.

• Weekly conference calls at 9:00 p.m. EST with FSC/Bangkok.

• Continual efforts to convert not only FSN payroll but disbursing by Electronic Funds Transfers as opposed to checks.   

• June 28 - July 2 meeting with U.S. Treasury in June on Government Wide Accounting, Electronic Payments.   

• In July and August started participating in the committee meetings in Washington to review proposals from companies for the new Employee Travel System (ETS) which led to the award of the contract to Carlson-Wagon-Lit and the E2 program.  

• Spearheaded major revisions to the Foreign Affairs Manual and Handbook (4 FAM and 4 FAH). 

• Tim Wildy, OIG Management Inspector consultations September 23rd and lunch at Aunt Bea's in North Charleston.   Tim is still working with OIG/ISP as a senior level inspector. 

• Ongoing meetings with Citibank on banking services for overseas embassies.

• Continued conference calls with Treasury.

Favorite Memories:

• Jeffrey and I in London attended a Queen concert.

• Learning to Shag dance at Pivots Beach Club in West Ashley.  Meeting the owner Harriet Grady.  Also, Steve Miller and his girlfriend Becky.  Eventually learned that Steve was living in the same neighborhood, Ivy Hall, as Doris.  

• Wild weekend nights at the Soda Water Grill on Daniel Island singing Karaoke provided by Aaron's Productions. 

• Winter league tennis with the Viagra Boys.

• JR's Sports Bar Belle Hall Shopping Center Sunday afternoon football to watch the 49'ers. 

• Reception at Mills House for new FMOs. March 7.  Interagency conference followed by USDO meeting March 8-12.

• Got involved with Toastmasters but didn't last after a few months.  Just couldn't get into it. 

• Started volunteering as an usher at the annual major WTA tennis Family Circle Cup tournament in April that  2004 saw Venus Williams defeat Conchita Martinez 2-6, 6-2, 6-1.   Also, Virginia Pascual and Paola Suarez defeated Martina Navratilova and Lisa Raymond in doubles.

• Went out to California May 21st to attend nephew Greg's wedding.

U.S. Events:

• Bush proposes ambitious space program that includes flights to the Moon, Mars, and beyond (Jan. 14).
• U.S. media release graphic photos of American soldiers abusing and sexually humiliating Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison. Images spark outrage around the world (April 30).
• Gay marriages begin in Massachusetts, the first state in the country to legalize such unions (May 17).
• Senate Intelligence Committee reports that intelligence on Iraq's weapons programs was "overstated" and flawed (July 5).
• Democratic National Convention in Boston nominates John Kerry for president (July 26–29).
• Pentagon-sponsored Schlesinger report rejects idea that Abu Ghraib prison abuse was work of a few aberrant soldiers, and asserts there were "fundamental failures throughout all levels of command" (Aug. 24).
• Republican Convention in New York nominates President Bush (Aug. 30–Sept. 2).
• Florida hit by hurricanes Bonnie (Aug. 12) and Charley (Aug. 13).
• Congress extends tax cuts due to expire at the end of 2005 (Sept. 23).
• Hurricane Ivan ravages U.S. south (Sept. 15). Hurricane Jeanne hits Florida (Sept. 26).
• George W. Bush is reelected president, defeats John Kerry (Nov. 2).
• Sept. 11 commission harshly criticizes government’s handling of terrorist attacks (July 22).
• U.S.’s final report on Iraq’s weapons finds no WMDs (Sept. 16).

World Events:

• A. Q. Khan, founder of Pakistan's nuclear program, admits he sold nuclear-weapons designs to other countries, including North Korea, Iran, and Libya (Feb. 4).
• Armed rebels in Haiti force President Aristide to resign and flee the country (Feb. 29).
• Spain's governing Popular Party loses election to opposition Socialists. Outcome seen as a reaction to terrorist attacks days before and Popular Party's support of the U.S.-led war in Iraq (March 14).
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) formally admits 7 new countries: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia (March 29).
• Israeli prime minister Sharon announces plan to unilaterally withdraw from Gaza Strip (April 12).
• Greek Cypriots reject UN reunification plan with Turkish Cypriots (April 24).
• Sudan rebels (SPLA) and government reach accord to end 21-year civil war. However, separate war in western Darfur region between Arab militias and black Africans continues unabated (May 26).
• U.S. troops launch offensive in Falluja in response to killing and mutilation on March 31 of four U.S. civilian contractors. (April 5–May 1).
• U.S. hands over power to Iraqi interim government; Iyad Allawi becomes prime minister (June 28).
• Security Council demands Sudanese government disarm militias in Darfur that are massacring civilians (July 30).
• Summer Olympics take place in Athens, Greece (Aug. 13–29).
• Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez survives recall referendum (Aug. 16).
• Chechen terrorists take about 1,200 schoolchildren and others hostage in Beslan, Russia; 340 people die when militant detonate explosives (Sept. 1–3).
• UN Atomic Energy Agency tells Iran to stop enriching uranium; a nascent nuclear weapons program suspected (Sept. 18).
• About 380 tons of explosives reported missing in Iraq (Oct. 25).
• Yasir Arafat dies in Paris (Nov. 11).
• U.S. troops launch attack on Falluja, stronghold of the Iraqi insurgency (Nov. 8).
• Ukraine presidential election declared fraudulent (Nov. 21).
• Hamid Karzai inaugurated as Afghanistan's first popularly elected president (Dec. 7).
• Massive protests by supporters of opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko's lead to a new Ukrainian election; Yushchenko eventually declared prime minister (Dec. 26).

Movies:

" The Lord of the Rings:  Return of the King" won the Oscar for best picture at the 78h Academy Awards.   Sean Penn won lead actor award for "Mystic River”, and the lead actress Oscar went to Charlize Theron "Monster".  Rene Zellweger,  "Cold Mountain" and Tim Robbins, "Mystic River" won for supporting actress and supporting actor.  Directing Peter Jackson, "Lord of the Rings:  Return of the King"

Super Bowl:

Super Bowl XXXVIII the New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers by a score of 32–29. Game.   At the time, this was the most watched Super Bowl ever with 144.4 million viewers.

The Panthers were making their first ever Super Bowl appearance after posting an 11–5 regular season record. They also made it the second straight year that a team from the NFC South division made the Super Bowl, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers winning Super Bowl XXXVII. The Patriots were seeking their second Super Bowl title in three years after posting a 14–2 record.  The game was scoreless for a Super Bowl record 26:55 before the two teams combined for 24 points prior to halftime. The clubs then combined for a Super Bowl record 37 points in the fourth quarter. The contest was finally decided when the Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri's 41-yard field goal was made with four seconds left. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for the second time in his career.

The game is also known for its controversial halftime show in which Janet Jackson's breast, adorned with a nipple shield, was exposed by Justin Timberlake for about half a second, in what was later referred to as a "wardrobe malfunction". [7] Along with the rest of the halftime show, it led to an immediate crackdown by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and widespread debate on perceived indecency in broadcasting. 

World Series

The 100th edition of the World Series, it was between the American League champion Boston Red Sox and the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals; the Red Sox swept the Cardinals in four games. The Red Sox's World Series championship was their first since 1918.  

Mark Bellhorn helped the Red Sox win with a home run, while starter Curt Schilling led the team to a game two victory by pitching six innings and allowing just one run. The Red Sox won the first two games despite committing four errors in each. The Red Sox won game three, aided by seven shutout innings by Pedro Martínez. A home run by Johnny Damon in the first inning helped to win game four for the Red Sox to secure the series. The Cardinals did not lead in any of the games in the series. Manny Ramírez was named the series' Most Valuable Player.

2003 Year in Review

 Highlights:

• Completed the major undertaking of transferring accounting data for 109 embassies from a home-grown WIN/DATEL and conversion to the new overseas Regional Financial Management System (RFMS) to be serviced by Comptroller Global Finance Services (CGFS) in Charleston, SC and the Financial Service Center (FSC) in Bangkok.. Many hours of conference calls with individual embassy financial management staff were required to not only effect the transfer of data to RFMS but to train local staff in the new system and tracking individual post progress in making the initial countdown to conversion with data and transaction cleanup the weekend of March 29th followed by others May 3rd, 31st and June 28th and final wrap up August 2nd.

• Closed FSC operations in Paris and moved to Charleston for an assignment at the Comptroller Global Finance Services (CGFS) center on the old Naval Base.  Paris was the second finance center to move to Charleston after Mexico in 1995 to provide accounting, disbursing, payroll and systems support for our embassies overseas not only in the Americas but also then Europe and Africa.   

• Thanks to our Director, Rob McAnneny, 16 senior Foreign Service National (FSN) employees, including Accountants, Cashier Monitors, FSN Payroll and Systems staff were retained and established the Financial Support and Training Office (FSTO) office.   

• In late January we were visited by CFO Chris Burnham (January 2002-February 2005).  Actually his title was the Assistant Secretary of Resource Management who did a walk through of our facility.   Chris was previously a three-term member of the Connecticut House of Representatives.  After the Department he went on to be an executive with Deutsch Bank.

• The Managing Director of RM/Financial Management Systems, Alan Evans, visited us May 8-9 and I accompanied him to the embassy where he could see first hand how RFMS was working with initial input of payment vouchers and accounting.   Alan an I came into FMP, RM (then CGFS) about the same time and stayed in touch on systems issues.  I participated with Alan on the review of the proposals for the new travel management system that ended up being awarded to Carlson Wagon-Lit Travel and the implementation of E2 Solutions program for official travel authorization and voucher claims..  

• The new associate Comptroller to DAS Jim Millette, Charlie Grover, visited us July 7 for consultations.  Charlie came from London where he was FMO and before that Brazil.   His last tour was as the U.S. Olympic Coordinator in Rio de Janeiro.  Following retirement he went to work for the Organization of American States as the Secretary for Administration and Finance.   We still stay in touch and has a house here on James Island.  

• September 20-24 I was in Washington D.C. according to my Day Timer calendar but don't recall the reason. 

 

Favorite Memories:

• I loved my apartment in the 17th arrondissement on Avenue Colonel Carnot just down from the Arc de Triomphe but not as much as when I lived in the 16th, but I did get used to the market on Rue Poncelet.

• Celebrated my 60th birthday with cousin Bob Porter who was visiting Paris at the time.  Had an excellent dinner of leg of lamb at Restaurant George.

• Annual leave April 11-21, 2003 to visit family.

• Jeffrey stayed for a couple of months with me in the summer and worked with the Public Affairs office.  Fond memories of cooking dinners and rotating meals between pasta, chicken and fish.  My wife and Patrick visited August 8-18

• Continued excursions outside Paris on my bike on the weekends.

• Playing tennis with Laurent Potash at the tennis club in the 16th.  Laurent had his own Land Rover dealership from his father and then went to work for Cartier. 

• Travelled to Washington D.C. April 10-21 to visit family. 

• Diana Krall live in Paris at the Olympia.

• The French Open at Roland Garros had Justin Henin defeating Kim Clijsters after defeating Serena Williams in the semi final.  

• Jim and Judith Paravonian wedding June 22, 2003 on board one of the tourist boats along the Seine.  

• July 5 saw Wayne Shorter and his band at the Paris Jazz Festival at Parc Floral at Bois de Vincennes

• July 9th we were invited to the Ambassador's residence for a reception.  Howard Leech was the Ambassador from 2001-05.  Originally from Salinas, California, he was a major shareholder in Tejon Ranch Company, invested in Royal Packing Company and President of Foley Timber and Land Company.  According to Wikipedia he refused to learn a word of French.  I did have an exit briefing with him October 10th.    

• July 12 saw Jazz Diva Diane Reeves at the Paris Jazz Festival at Parc Floral at Bois de Vincennes

• Friday, July 18 we had TGIF with the Brits at the Embassy.

• August 23 Catherine Berriane singing "Songs of Love" at the Theater de la Vieille Grillesaw Wayne Shorter and his band at the Paris Jazz Festival at Parc Vincennes

• September 11 saw the Archie Shepp Quartet with special guest Mina Agossi at New Morning jazz club.

• Ordered my 2004 Ford Mustang through Diplomatic Auto Sales at the SHAPE headquarters base in Belgium.  Special order including five speed transmission and custom leather interior and upgraded sound (40th Anniversary model). Scheduled delivery from factory to Charleston.

• September 28 attended a Petula Clark concert at the Olympia concert hall.

• Departed Paris October 21, 2003 to Charleston and had my first staff meeting October 31st.  I received a Superior Honor Award from the Comptroller for my work on the RFMS conversion.

Superior Honor Award 

• Purchase of Townhouse on Daniel Island (DI) and delivery of household effects November 19 followed by installation of window coverings by Blinds Plus.

• Joined the Family Circle Tennis Center on DI and started playing tennis after work and even joined a team the "Viagra Boys". 

   U.S. Events               

·         Bush signs ten-year, $350-billion tax cut package, the third-largest tax cut in U.S. history (May 28).

·         In California Governor Gray Davis ousted in recall vote; actor Arnold Schwarzenegger elected in his place (Oct. 7).

·         Space shuttle Columbia explodes, killing all 7 astronauts (Feb. 1).

·       One of the most important rulings on the issue of affirmative action in twenty-five years-the Supreme Court decisively upholds the right of affirmative action in higher education (June 23).

·        Investigation into the loss of space shuttle Columbia cites egregious organizational problems at NASA (Aug. 25).

·         Congressional Budget Office predicts federal deficit of $480 billion in 2004 and $5.8 trillion by 2013 (Aug. 26).

·         President Bush signs $87.5 billion emergency package for post-war Iraq reconstruction; this supplements $79 billion approved in April. (Nov. 5).

·         John A. Muhammad, convicted in the 2002 Washington, DC, area shootings, receives death sentence (Nov. 24).

·         President Bush eliminates steel tariffs after WTO says U.S. violated trade laws (Dec. 4).

World Events

·       U.S. Secretary of State Powell presents Iraq war rationale to UN, citing its WMD as imminent threat to world security (Feb. 5).

·         In State of the Union address, Bush announces that he is ready to attack Iraq even without a UN mandate (Jan. 28). (For an account of the U.S. build-up to war in Iraq, see News of the Nation, 2003.)

·         U.S. and Britain launch war against Iraq (March 19). See also Iraq war timeline.

·         The Bush administration reverses policy, agreeing to transfer power to an interim Iraqi government in early 2004 (Nov. 14).

·         North Korea withdraws from treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons (Jan. 10).

·         After Israel retaliates for suicide bombing by killing top member of Hamas, militant Palestinian groups formally withdraw from cease-fire in effect since June 29 (Aug. 24).

·         Palestinian suicide bombing in Jerusalem kills 20 Israelis, including 6 children (Aug. 19).

·         Suicide bombing destroys UN headquarters in Baghdad, killing 24, including top envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello (Aug. 19).

·         Libya accepts blame for 1988 bombing of flight over Lockerbie, Scotland; agrees to pay $2.7 billion to the families of the 270 victims (Aug. 15).

·         NATO assumes control of peacekeeping force in Afghanistan (Aug. 11). Background

·         Liberia's autocratic president Charles Taylor forced to leave civil-war ravaged country (Aug. 11). Background

·         Palestinian militant groups announce ceasefire toward Israel (June 29).

·         International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) discovers Iran's concealed nuclear activities and calls for intensified inspections (June 18).

·         Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi again placed under house arrest by military regime (May 30).

·         Terrorists strike in Saudi Arabia, killing 34 at Western compound; Al-Qaeda suspected (May 12).

·         The U.S. declares official end to combat operations in Iraq (May 1).

·         U.S.-backed "road map" for peace proposed for Middle East (April 30). Background

·         First Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, sworn in (April 29).

·         Baghdad falls to U.S. troops (April 9).

·         Nine-week general strike in Venezuela calling for President Chavez's resignation ends in defeat (Feb. 2).

·         Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi announces he will give up weapons program (Dec. 19).

·         Saddam Hussein is captured by American troops (Dec. 13).

·         Paul Martin succeeds Jean Chretien as Canadian prime minister (Dec. 12).

·         Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze resigns after weeks of protests (Nov. 23).

·         Another terrorist attack in Istanbul kills 26 (Nov. 20). Al-Qaeda suspected in both. See suspected al-Qaeda terrorist attacks.

·         Suicide bombers attack two synagogues in Istanbul, Turkey, killing 25 (Nov. 15).

·         Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas resigns; "road map" to peace effectively collapses (Sept. 6). Background

·         Ariel Sharon elected Israeli prime minister (Jan. 29).

 Movies:

" Chicago" won the Oscar for best picture at the 75h Academy Awards.   Adrian Brody won lead actor award for "The Pianist”, and the lead actress Oscar went to Nicole Kidman "The Hours".  Catherine Zetta-Jones,  "Chicago" and Chris Cooper, "Adaptation" won for supporting actress and supporting actor.  Directing Roman Polanski, "The Pianist".

Super Bowl:

Super Bowl 37 pitted the Oakland Raiders against Tampa Bay Buccaneers.   The Buccaneers defeated the Raiders by the score of 48–21.  This was the first Super Bowl in which the league's number one-ranked offense (Raiders) faced the league's number one-ranked defense (Buccaneers). The game sometimes is referred to as the "Gruden Bowl", because the primary storyline surrounding the game revolved around Jon Gruden. Gruden was the Raiders' head coach from 1998 to 2001, and as a result of a trade then became the Buccaneers head coach in 2002. Tampa Bay, "Gruden's new team", made their first Super Bowl appearance in team history after posting a 12–4 regular season record. Oakland, "Gruden's old team", advanced to their fifth Super Bowl after an 11–5 regular season. The Raiders came into the game as four-point favorites. However, the Tampa Bay defense dominated the contest. Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon threw a Super Bowl record five interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns. The Buccaneers also sacked Gannon five times, and scored 34 consecutive points to build a 34–3 lead late in the third quarter. Tampa Bay safety Dexter Jackson, who had two of those interceptions and returned them for 34 yards, was named Super Bowl MVP. Jackson became only the second safety and third defensive back named Super Bowl MVP.

World Series:

The 2003 World Series was between the National League champion Florida Marlins and the American League champion New York Yankees; the Marlins upset the heavily-favored Yankees, four games to two. The series was played from October 18 to 25, 2003. This is the most recent Series in which the losing team outscored the winning team; the Yankees lost, despite outscoring the Marlins 21–17 in the Series. This was the Marlins' second World Series championship win, having won their first in 1997. As of 2019, this is the last time the Marlins have appeared not only in the World Series, but in the postseason at all.  Josh Beckett was the series MVP who retired after.

Street Market Rue Poncelet in the 17th 

FSC Paris Staff Hollaween Party 

Justine Henin beat Martina Hingis in the final after defeating
 Serena Williams in the Semis at Roland Garros 

Diana Krall live in Paris at the Olympia

2002 Year in Review

Highlights:

• Winter OIG Inspections in Angola, Luanda; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; and          Windhoek, Namibia 
• Consultations at FSC/Paris in route to posts January 31-February 4, 2002.
• In Kinshasa excursion to Lac de ma Valee equatorial forest and Lola Bonobo sanctuary. 

• In Namibia visited Etosha game park, Kenpinski Mokuti lodge    Variety of animals including Springbok, Impala, Wildebeast, Oryk, Jackals, Antelope, and Black Rhino 

• Trip to Swaakopmund, on the Skeleton coast
• Sand dunes at Sossusvlei in the Namib desert (See Namibia photos in separate Blog)
• View the site for filming of Angelina Jolie movie “Beyond Borders”.
• Visit to Capetown, South Africa, Waterfront,  Panama Jacks Restaurant, Cape of Good Hope, Penguins and Stellanbosch Winery  (See photos in separate Blog)

• Spring OIG Inspections in Slovenia and Croatia
• Consultations at FSC/Paris May 15-17, 2002.
• Embassy in Ljubljana and the quaint town
• Side trips to Lake Bled,  Ljubljana Castle and train trip to Trieste in Italy and visit to Miramare Castle.(see separate blog)
• In Zagreb the capital of  Croatia visited the Cathedral, central market and took a bus out to Plitvice National Park, a UNESCO site.  

• Fall inspection of WHA/EX Bureau

• Attended Leadership and Management training at FSI August 19-23.

• OIG wanted me to stay on and extend for another year and even had me scheduled to go to Australia if I stayed.  However, Jim Millette, my former colleague back in the days of M/COMP,  and now the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) at Comptroller Global Financial Services (CGFS) in Charleston wanted me to go to Paris and help with closing to coordinate the transfer of the new Regional Financial Management System (RFMS) and assist in the closeout of the WIN/DATEL system and drawdown of staff.      

• After one week of training at FSC/Charleston October 15-18, I transferred to FSC/Paris.  My job was RFMS Coordinator and I had taken over from Bill Chiplis who really set in motion the whole process.  I met with Bill before going out to Paris.  Bill retired to Southern California.   

• The conversion to RFMS was a major undertaking and a significant achievement.  Heretofore, there were two legacy financial systems for processing payments and accounting overseas.  About 60% were serviced by FSC/Bangkok under a system called LAN/SPFMS and the other in Paris with WIN/DATEL, and needles to say they talked to each other.  Until finally RFMS came along to integrate the financial systems into one.  Converting posts was a major undertaking, not only for the change in systems, but some posts (e.g. former Soviet Union) ended up transferring  servicing from Paris to Bangkok.   CGFS/CHS set up the calendar for conversions month-to-month and a checklist to follow for each post conversion.  We had a schedule for virtual contact with each post FMO and staff and FSC/Charleston to execute the conversion to RFMS.  The whole process lasted  into the beginning of 2003 with the final countdown to conversion.  RFMS was the product of Computer-generated Imagery (CGI) Momentum that still operates and supports the program today.    

Favorite Memories:

• After leaving Zagreb and transiting through Paris I connected to a flight to Corsica to meet up with my former colleague from RAMC/Paris, Alain Bouguan, and visit the island.  

• A favorite pastime during each inspection was the first  priority to find a laundry and dry cleaners.  One inspector usually found the most convenient and reasonable laundry to use as opposed to using the hotel. Another activity was visiting the Marine House, usually on Friday nights for beers and to socialize with the Marines and guests.  Lastly, buying gifts.  In addition to MSG polos and t-shirts local crafts or jewelry were always a a good buy.

• My calendar on September 13 noted Virginia Tech which, if I remember correctly, Jeffrey and I visited as he was considering going there for college which he did end of doing.          

• Back in Paris I had many memorable bike rides on the weekends.  The route along the Canal St-Martin is one section of a 130-kilometre canal network (including Canals St-Denis and Ourcq) that Napoleon built in the early 1800s to provide Paris with drinking water.  

• Tennis with Laurent Potash at the hard courts near Porte Dauphne.

• Watching NFL football at the British pub in the 6th, The Frog and the Princess, on Sunday evenings.  Watching British soccer at the Bowler in the 8th and favorite team Arsenal.    

• In the the Foreign Service, with staff rotating from embassy to embassy around every three years you meet a lot of other officers and run into the same people from time-to-time.  Paris was no exception.  I have stayed in touch with all the colleagues I worked with and some I had met from the embassy.   My boss and good friend, Mark Young, took a job with Consular Affairs and was assigned to a Latin American country.  Mark considered a job with OIG but didn't like the idea of having to pay for lodging while in D.C.  He retired and I lost contact but believe he is up in Cape Cod.   I'm sure if he ever gets down to Charleston he will look me up as he is known to do.    Our USDO Richard Boohaker and his wife Tacla (IMO) ended up in Rome and I still talk to Richard on TEAMS from time to time.  Jerry Helmick (IMO) retired and moved out to San Francisco and we try to get together with he and his wife Margarita whenever we are in the Bayt Area.  Jim Paravonian and his wife Judith are in Los Angeles but have lost track.  The Management Counselor at the embassy in Paris was Jim Melville who we had meetings with on the staff drawdown.  Jim ended up as Ambassador to Latvia and retired to Charleston and is at the College of Charleston heading up their School of Languages, Cultures and World Affairs.             

    U.S. News:

·        President Bush's first State of the Union address vows to expand the fight on terrorism and labels Iran, Iraq, and North Korea "an axis of evil" (Jan. 29).

·         Kenneth L. Lay, chairman of bankrupt energy trader Enron, resigns; company under federal investigation for hiding debt and misrepresenting earnings (Jan. 24). Background: 2002 News of the Nation

·         U.S. withdraws from International Court treaty (May 6).

·         FBI lawyer Coleen Rowley criticizes FBI for thwarting terrorist efforts in a letter to the FBI director (May 21).

·         U.S. abandons 31-year-old Antiballistic Missile treaty (June 13). Background: 2001 News of the Nation

·        Bush announces change in Middle East policy: U.S. will not recognize an independent Palestinian state until Yasir Arafat is replaced (June 24).

·        Bush signs corporate reform bill (July 30) in response to a spate of corporate scandals: Enron, Arthur Andersen, Tyco, Qwest, Global Crossing, ImClone, and Adelphia, among others, were convicted or placed under federal investigation for various misadventures in fraud and crooked accounting. Background: 2002 News of the Nation

·         Pennsylvania miners rescued after spending 77 hours in a dark, flooded mine shaft (July 28).

·         Bush addresses United Nations, calling for a "regime change" in Iraq (Sept. 12).

·         Bush signs legislation creating cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security (Nov. 25).

·         Boston archbishop Cardinal Bernard Law resigns as a result of the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandals and cover-up of priest-child molestation. (Dec. 13). Background: 2002 News of the Nation

·         Republicans retake the Senate in midterm elections; gain additional House seats (Nov. 5). Background: 2002 News of the Nation

·         Snipers prey upon DC suburbs, killing ten and wounding others (Oct. 2–24). Police arrest two sniper suspects, John Allen Muhammad and John Lee Malvo (Oct. 24).

World News:

·        Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankan government sign a cease-fire agreement, ending 19 years of civil war (Feb. 22). Background: World in Review

·         India's worst Hindu-Muslim violence in a decade rocked the state of Gujarat after a Muslim mob fire-bombed a train, killing Hindu activists. Hindus retaliated, and more than 1,000 died in the bloodshed (Feb. 27 et seq.). Background: World in Review

·         U.S. and Afghan troops launch Operation Anaconda against remaining al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan (March 2). Background: Taliban Timeline and Afghanistan

·         International Criminal Court wins UN ratification; U.S. refuses to ratify (April 11).

·         Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez ousted in coup, then reinstated (April 12, 14).

·         U.S. and Russia reach landmark arms agreement to cut both countries' nuclear arsenals by up to two-thirds over the next 10 years (May 13).

·         East Timor becomes a new nation (May 20).

·         Terrorist bomb in Bali kills hundreds (Oct. 12).

·         Government suspended in Northern Ireland in protest of suspected IRA spy ring (Oct. 14).

·         North Korea admits to developing nuclear arms in defiance of treaty (Oct. 16).

·         Chechen rebels take 763 hostages in Moscow theater (Oct. 23). Russian authorities release a gas into theater, killing 116 hostages and freeing remainder (Oct. 26). Background: Chechnya Timeline

·         China's Jiang Zemin officially retires as general secretary; Hu Jintao named as his successor (Nov. 14).

·         UN Security Council passes unanimous resolution calling on Iraq to disarm or else face "serious consequences." (Nov. 8).

·         UN arms inspectors return to Iraq (Nov. 18).

·         Israeli tanks and warplanes attack West Bank towns of Nablus, Jenin, Bethlehem, and others in response to string of Palestinian suicide attacks (March 29–April 21). In the first three months of 2002, 14 suicide bombers kill dozens of Israeli civilians, and wounded hundreds. Background: World in Review

·         Former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic’s trial on charges of crimes against humanity opens at The Hague (Feb. 12).

Movies:

The 74th Academy Awards ceremony was hosted by Whoopi Goldberg hosted for the fourth time.  A Beautiful Mind won four awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Ron Howard.  Denzel Washington won best actor for “Training Day”.  Halle Berry won best actress for “Monster’s Ball”.  Jennifer Connelly in “A Beautiful Mind” and Jim Broadbent in “Iris” won best supporting actress and actor respectively. 

Super Bowl:

 Super Bowl 36 was between the St. Louis Rams and New England   Patriots.  The Patriots defeated the Rams by the score of 20–17. It was   New England's first Super Bowl championship, and the franchise's first   league championship of any kind. The game was also notable for snapping   the AFC East's long streak of not being able to win a Super Bowl   championship, as the division's teams had lost eight Super Bowls in total.   It would be the last time the Rams reached a Super Bowl during their time   in St. Louis; the team would return to Super Bowl LIII in 2019 as the Los   Angeles Rams 17 years later, where they would again face the Patriots,   only to lose 13–3.  Tom Brady was MVP.

World Series:

The Anaheim Angels defeated the San Francisco Giants, four games to three, to win their first, and, to date, only World Series.  In Game 6, the Giants looked to be on their way to winning the World Series with a five-run lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, keyed by homers from Shawon Dunston and Barry Bonds, only to see the Angels make a memorable rally. Scott Spiezio got the Angels back into the game with a three-run homer off Felix Rodriguez in the seventh. In the eighth inning, Darin Erstad led off with a home run off Tim Worrell to get the Angels within one run. World Series MVP Troy Glaus gave the Angels the lead with a two-run double off closer Robb Nen to complete the unlikely comeback. 

The Angels turned to rookie John Lackey in the deciding Game 7 at home and he delivered by allowing one run over five innings. The lone run he gave up came in the second inning on a sacrifice fly from Reggie Sanders. The Angels tied it in the bottom of the frame on an RBI double from Bengie Molina off Livan Hernandez.  Garret Anderson provided the big hit in the third inning -- a three-run double off Hernandez to give the Angels a 4-1 lead. After Lackey departed, rookie Brendan Donnelly threw two scoreless innings, fellow rookie Francisco Rodríguez threw a scoreless eighth with three strikeouts and Percival closed it out in the ninth.