That's right...

I go to the big events and report on them...so you don't have to.

Like tonight.

I went to an exciting event kicking off a 3 day Forum on National Plans as Poverty Reduction Strategies in East Asia.

It was awesome! AWESOME!

Xu Lin was there.

That's right, Director General, Development Planning Department, National Development and Reforming Commssion, People's Republic of China Xu Lin.

Yes...him.

And y'all know that when Xu Lin comes to town, he takes no prisoners. Yes, his keynote address, entitled Developing a national plan with a poverty focus: China's Experience brought the house down.

I'm not going to be able to sleep for a while. I need to come down off this high.

In other news, I start Russian training at FSI back in Virginia April 30, 2007. It's official. I've been paneled (means confirmed for the position in Kiev. Seriously though, I really just phoned in my Senate confirmation hearings. And why not? C-SPAN wasn't even there to cover it. C-SPAN 2 was there, sure, but you all know how I feel about C-SPAN 2). Anyway, working backwards, we'll probably leave Laos around March 20, 2007 or so, then spend a week or so in Rensselaerville, followed by two weeks in Vieques (tentatively looking at April 1 to 15) and looking to lock up this place, which as you can see has 3 bedrooms.

So we'll be looking for people to spend some time with us again down on Vieques and fill those bedrooms.

Who's up for it?

Update: Well, that was fast...

Hi,

Eli is unavailable at this time. I am his partner. La Luz is rented on a long term basis next year and that will include the time frame you are asking about. We can recommend other villas, however, or you can check out our website www.crowsnesterealty.com .

Thanks for writing.

Back to the drawing board.

Further Update:

Subject: Re: Hacienda La Luz
To: phil
Everything else that is being rented is available a year in advance - but the price may go up slightly.

Sky's the limit. Except for La Luz, of course.

Suggestions? Do some research for us at www.crowsnesterealty.com or http://www.vieques-island.com/rentals/. We want to be on the Esperanza side (Inn on the Blue Horizon side) of the island. GO!