In 1999, I took the State Department's Foreign Service Exam, because I thought I might enjoy working in an embassy overseas. I also thought I'd be really good at it. I failed the exam by one point, and had the unusual opportunity of looking into an alternate universe.
That vision is what prompted me to go to seminary, where I met my spouse who eventually brought me to Silver City. But, every once in a while, I wonder what that Alternate Tyler is doing in his alternate universe these days.
Alternate Tyler correctly answered the question about the shape of the European map between the World Wars, ended up being interviewed by the State Department, was hired, and was working at an embassy on September 11, 2001. He's also been a victim of the demoralizing and diminishing of State Department personnel carried out by the Bush Administration ever since 9/11. If you think the real Tyler has hard feelings toward George W. Bush, you can't imagine how angry Alternate Tyler is.
Today, I wonder if Alternate Tyler is one of the 250 State Department employees told they're being assigned to Iraq and not allowed to volunteer. If he hasn't resigned yet, I'll bet he has his resignation letter written. I wonder where he'll be going from here?