Lucky number 13

          Lucky number 13 is where you will find me.  I work in building SSMC3, cube #13437, the thirteenth floor.  This federal building is much more ascetically pleasing than the ‘borg-ship’ in Juneau.  Instead of a dozen bronze pelicans plunging into the cement, here in Silver Spring Maryland, the entrance is adorned with a huge bronze hand holding, you guess it -nothing.  Yet the sculpture is fitting – one could never find a pelican in Alaska – but here in Silver Spring there are plenty of empty hands. 

NOAA has assimilated four tall buildings to create one headquarters for all regions.  This nerve-center complex is conveniently connected to both the metro and the commuter rail, very efficient.  SSMC3 is just a fancy way to say Silver Spring Metro Center building 3.  The government has to have its acronyms. It seems the more times I pass the ‘bronze hand’ emerging from the concrete, the more fluent I become in NOAA jargon.  What can I say ‘resistance is “futile”. 

 

An average week in the ‘cube’ consists of several meetings and plenty of work.  I attend meetings that outline the priorities of each department within the consortium. It is interesting to follow projects and note how priorities change.  I attend teleconferences from each of the regional management councils prior to their meetings.  I gain insight into the hot issues and management topics around the country and Western Pacific territories.  Our department, sustainable fisheries, meets weekly to discuss our projects and weekly achievements.  New goals are discussed and targets set.  I hear about the outcomes of meetings and trips. 

I have my own projects.  I am currently wrapping up a new section to the annual report to congress on the status of US fishing stocks.  This has brought me in contact with regional NOAA officials.  I have begun training on the NMFS strategic planning for 2011-2015.  I organize video conference meetings between headquarters and each region.  I will gain a greater understanding of what each department in NMFS does and what they will be doing in the future.

My Knauss Fellowship priorities occupy much of my work week, perhaps 20%.  Besides the happy hour meetings, training/workshop sessions, and hearings on Capitol Hill, I have helped plan the Knauss class trip.  Several proposals were created to tour the marine areas and Sea Grant offices of states like California, Louisiana, Florida, and Maine.  I am working on the California proposal.  A week in Northern California in sounds nicer than a week in the Deep South in August (Maine would be nice).

So even though the hand is empty, my days are filled and busy.  All kidding aside, my colleagues here at NOAA are interesting vibrant folk, always willing to lend a helping hand. 

How are things in Alaska?  The cherry trees are blooming here; pink-confetti drifts everywhere . . .

 

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Tags: 'Borg Ship' Juneau Federal building and 'Bronze Hand' S