I hate to do this to you guys, but it really was a nice event. It was a glorious afternoon- sultry but not overwhelming- and we had just buried The Judge a couple hours before at Arlington. Too many people passing these days. I was unsettled. The company I abruptly quit after almost nine years was seething at me, and muttering about doing something legal. That was my personal backdrop as the Third Thursday crowd showed up at Sonoma Cellars.

The point was to share in some professional discourse (and a few glasses of wine)! I had started a series of these things back in the day, when we would meet in Shirlington at the Capital City Brewery and act like sailors again.

The social was a refreshing change of mood. I had left the company where I spent more (continuous) time than any other that week, so I was keenly interested in what Mara Motherway had to say about it.

It doesn’t seem to matter how old you are, the transitions keep coming at you. I am hoping the next one is retirement with enough time to enjoy it before the Big Transition!

In the crowd were at least two former Directors of Naval Intelligence, some amazing retirees and a cast of bright young officers doing the mission on the deckplates!

That is Mara in the upper right, along with a brief curriculum vitae above. She is as observant about corporate life as she was on active duty- she has some points to ponder in all this:

They came in all flavors- LT to Vice Admiral, and everyone had a few sea-stories to share. Overheard was one graybeard who announced: “I am going to mentor the bejeusus out of you guys!” to
the sound of raucous merriment.

Mark your calendars now for the August Social on 18th at Sonoma Cellars, 207 King Street, Old Town Alexandria! There is sure to be something of professional interest and it is a fabulous way to keep up with The Fleet! Plus, the wine is Fine!

Copyright 2016 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com