In honor of National Slayer Day yesterday, I sent this email:
The email was (I am hoping it is obvious) supposed to be facetious. A lighthearted response to the overt seriousness of an Embassy. 30 minutes later, my wife and head of the Public Diplomacy section sent me this reply:
I have long claimed that diplomacy is the death of humor...above is the truth.
N.B. Shayna was actually kidding around, but I have recieved emails about equally trivial things a la Shayna's email.
Hey Everybody,
I just wanted to take a few minutes of everyone’s time to point out how PD a missed huge opportunity to spread American culture today. As most, nay, all of you know, it is International Slayer Day, a day set aside to honor the true kings of Thrash Metal from the 80s. However, in what I am sure is a tragic oversight, I see nothing in the PD calendar which will honor our most visible proponents of bombast and awesome riffage. Don’t get me wrong, I can totally understand how, with our busy schedules, one might forget such a momentous occasion. Unfortunately, it is too late to commemorate today as it should be, however I do have some handy suggestions for next year:
1) During times of mourning we have the flag at half-mast. Thus, since International Slayer Day is a day of grand celebration, it follows that we should have the flag at double-mast. I am pretty sure FM could work something out.
2) Problem: we hardly every use the loudspeaker; solution: blast Reign in Blood from the loudspeaker at incredible volumes during the workday.
3) Hang out in Camaros in the parking lot all day…
Any other suggestions are welcome. I think we can all agree that if we start planning now, International Slayer Day will be a huge success next year.
Yours in rock,
Colin
The email was (I am hoping it is obvious) supposed to be facetious. A lighthearted response to the overt seriousness of an Embassy. 30 minutes later, my wife and head of the Public Diplomacy section sent me this reply:
Colin,
Seriously. This is like Robert, a trained plumber, getting upset we did nothing for international toilet day. While we’ve missed the train on this event, you’re still invited to discuss metal music in great length with Villa Washington English Club members before we leave. In fact, I think it would be a missed opportunity not to do so since they will likely not find anyone with this knowledge in Brazzaville for years to come.
Shayna
I have long claimed that diplomacy is the death of humor...above is the truth.
N.B. Shayna was actually kidding around, but I have recieved emails about equally trivial things a la Shayna's email.
You have officially earned a gold star in this PD Barnum's book of public diplomacy. As said by the prophets of Australian cultural diplomacy AC/DC: "For those about to rock, we salute you."
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Dude. I miss your face. My bathroom is always open to you, as long as I'm not in it. See you in a few weeks.
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