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The Screaming Moderate

The next chapter

5/25/2014

13 Comments

 
After 33 years and three months, I have officially moved out of Washington, D.C. Clichés come to mind (“it’s been a good run/ride” seems the one most popular lately. But I hate that cliché. So, let me go with the “it’s a new chapter” cliché.).

I don’t mean to make this all about me, but then again what is a blog if it isn’t all about the person writing it? So, indulge me. I moved to DC in March 1981 to work for Malcolm Baldrige when he became President Reagan’s secretary of commerce. I leave DC in May 2014 in the process of co-authoring, with my wife, a book on Malcolm Baldrige. Bookends in a way.

In between were a few different, and great, jobs. Many good, and many great, friends. Some once-in-a-lifetime experiences.  Much fun. Some sadness. No major regrets.

But indulging me is one thing, turning totally narcissistic is another. And I’ve known a few of those types in DC too (put them under the “some sadness” category). Now we live in a home we’ve been making ready for 10 years in Marion, Mass., a lovely little town on Buzzards Bay which is close enough to Cape Cod that some think we live on the Cape, but far enough away that we have none of the traffic or over-pricing.

Retirement, a place I’ve been for nearly six months, has been busy enough. The move is one piece of the busy (and when the boxes arrived with the movers yesterday the myth that we live minimally was busted. Now, though, that is an aspiration. So, unpacking is now another task to be done.) I’m doing some writing though not enough in this space lately largely because of move tasks. I’m on a board that’s been busier than I anticipated. I play my first-of-the-year round of golf tomorrow, weather permitting. There are six grandkids within two hours of here, and three daughters. All people I hope to see more often now.

Life is good. And, I must admit, it has been a good run/ride. And I’m hoping that continues for many years to come.

13 Comments
Jess P
5/25/2014 01:32:41 am

Can't wait to see you two once you're settled and unpacked! I'm headed to the Cape next weekend for a wedding. Maybe I can stop by??

Reply
B. Jay
5/25/2014 01:35:03 am

Jess, email me the date(s) so i can make sure we're here..but yes! please stop by.

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Bonnie W
5/25/2014 01:47:35 am

Best wishes! Looking forward to your MacBook. As he said, he was a "tough old bird," but just a wonderful guy. Plain English!

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Roger Bolton
5/25/2014 03:25:12 am

Congratulations and best wishes to you and Chris. Maybe see you this summer on Nantucket???

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B.Jay
5/25/2014 03:30:31 am

I hope so, Roger!

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Liz Bleau
5/25/2014 04:32:23 am

Best to you and Chris on your next adventure

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Debbie Guilfoile
5/25/2014 09:08:33 am

That's great. I wish you all the best in the home you've been waiting to occipy all this time. Love that you are in driving distance to the kids and grand. enjoy yourself. If I ever get to you area I will be looking for a couch to surf.

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tom griscom
5/25/2014 09:59:08 am

Best to you. I have enjoyed the retirement from the fulltime, scheduled work schedule for 3 years. Found a lot to stay connected but on my time. Let me know when your book is published.

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mike johnson
5/28/2014 10:33:29 am

Griscom, contact Johnson

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Terri Lukach
5/25/2014 11:26:49 am

BJ, All the best of luck to you. Those were very good days. We came, in Reagan's words, to do a job, not to have a job. And we did.But there are still many days ahead. May yours be blessed.

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Cindy DeVore link
5/26/2014 06:37:05 am

B. Jay, think of all the lives you've positively influenced during your career. We all have a purpose, and yours most certainly goes on. Can't wait to read the next chapter! Much happiness to you and Chris.

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mike johnson
5/28/2014 10:32:01 am

Thalia and I are envious, not of the unpacking, but being of such leisure you never use what you unpack. we miss you already, but I'm so forgetful I fear that won't last long. come back often

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Bill Lees
5/30/2014 12:16:36 am

BJ,
Congratulations on your retirement! You won't miss DC, can't beat the Cape! Go Soxxxx!
I will be up that way in Harqich for a wedding

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    B. Jay Cooper

    B. Jay is a former deputy White House press secretary to Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He also headed the communications offices at the Republican National Committee, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Yale University. He is a former reporter and is the retired deputy managing director of APCO Worldwide's Washington, D.C., office.
    He is the father of three daughters and grandfather of five boys and one girl. He lives in Marion, Mass.

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