I stood on the shoulders of giants. ..

[Capt. Sir Mick Preston]

and now it's time to step down off those shoulders.

I have had the astounding honor to hold the office of Secretar d'Estat since April of 2007. I was appointed Deputy Secretary of State in Nov of 2006.

It's been a most humbling time, and one that - while it may not have been obvious- was a great time. I have no regrets, and have been proud to work with all the MC's and Senators that have sat in the Chambers during my time in the Chancery. Look at these grand men and women. Which of you wouldn't consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day?

I need to also thank King John for having the faith and confidence in me to allow me to stay in office as long as I have. His assistance has been invaluable. His advice has been timely, and his friendship has been truly a joy. I owe him a debt I can never repay.

So, my good friends - this will be the last time I post as SoS. I thank you again for putting up with me, and I hope you give your next SoS as much patience as you have given me.

I thank you all.



Done by my hand in the name of King John and under his Royal Seal this 6th day of June in the year of salvation 2010, in the 4th year of the reign of our gracious sovereign King John, and of the independence of Talossa the 31st.

Capt. Mick Preston, Secretár d’Estat

[Hooligan]

As the person who first approached S:r Preston about the job from which he takes leave lo these many years later, and who happily found him drunk enough not to know what he was getting into, I am proud to be the first to offer the thanks of his grateful nation to this man, who has served as Secretary of State for more than 10% of this Kingdom's independence.

He has served us well, and his retirement is as well-deserved as any in the annals of Talossa. May the rest he has earned reward him half as well as his tireless efforts have rewarded us.

I ask my fellow citizens to lift their glasses with mine — To The Honourable Mick Preston, Secretary of State ex oficio!

Hooligan

[Breneir Itravilatx]

I join Hooly in giving thanks for your service to the nation Captain Mick. You will be sorely missed in this capacity.

[Eðo Grischun]

I would like to thank Captain Mick for his service also. Although we have clashed many times and disagreed on just about everything ever discussed, I find you to be a truly honourable and great man.

You have stood on the shoulder of giants. One day in the future another SoS will say he stood on yours.

[Sir Alexandreu Davinescu]

Mick Preston is an amazing man, and has been a great Secretary of State. I am proud to call him an exemplary statesperson, a fine Talossan, and my good friend.

Being Secretary of State is one of the most demanding jobs in our great nation. Rather than the periodic bursts of activity that so frequently flash in Talossa, burning fiercely before guttering out like a snuffed star, the job of Secretary of State requires continuous diligence and long devotion. While each house of the Ziu has its own ceremonial leader, it is the Secretary of State in many cases who runs both chambers, working to make the efforts of our legislators into a workable reality. He is given discretion to decide what is unworkable and inorganic, and carries through the voting on each bill, each month. He sorts through confusing or confused votes. And our national elections are one of the biggest burdens a statesperson can shoulder.

On behalf of a grateful nation, I would like to thank Mick Preston for his years of service to the crown and his country. S:reu Preston has been scrupulously just and cautious in fulfilling his duty. Always careful to examine a piece of legislation, ferreting out those items that he could not accept or that came to him unready to be considered, he nonetheless stinted no bill in his treatment, regardless of his personal opinion. And in collecting votes and tabulating them, he was swift and capable. S:reu Preston says truly that he has stood on the shoulders of giants, but I think it is no exaggeration to say that future Secretary of States will sigh to themselves and say, "That Preston leaves some big shoes to fill."

[Deleted]

Having served as Mick's deputy, I can attest to his devoted service and the complicated nature of the job.

Thanks for all of your service, my friend.

[Deleted]

Than you for your great service to our country, Mick. It is a shame to see you leave your post but I can understand why. I imagine you will now have time to do those things you've been putting off, like learning a new language or taking up pottery. :-P

[King John]

"Taking up pottery" in the sense of "lifting a jug", yeah, maybe.

Wow, Mick, what can I say? You're the best, absolutely. Talossa has had some good Secretaries of State — heck, I even gave it a whirl, and can attest that it's a really demanding job —, but never (seriously, *never*) one as good as you.

It's an honour and privilege for all of us, to have had a chance to work with you.

— John R

But don't think you're going to get away from working for the Kingdom. No way. We'll just have to find other jobs to smack you with.

[Flip Molinar]

Thank you for your exemplary service to our nation.

[Trotxâ]

Jun 5, 2010 23:36:59 GMT -6 Capt. Sir Mick Preston said:

So, my good friends - this will be the last time I post as SoS.

Good friend - your service to King and country has made our great nation a better place. You can rest well, good and faithful servant. The next Captain Mayday will have some large shoes to fill.

Jun 5, 2010 23:36:59 GMT -6 Capt. Sir Mick Preston said:

I thank you all.

No, good Captain - it is the Citizens of Talossa that thank you. Thank you for your service, for your patience, for your level head and for your dogged persistence. Thank you also for your vast organizational skills. Our elections have so run smoothly for so long, thanks to your efforts and energy. Good job!

We salute you!

With gratitude,

T

Update: fixed typo that Capt. Mick would never have made!

[Glüc da Dhi]

Thanks Captain, for your service to Talossa.

[Dame Litz Cjantscheir, UrN]

Though I haven't been a citizen of Talossa for long, from what I have witnessed, heard and seen on and off witt, you have done a truly amazing and monumental job as SoS of a fair Nation and I join with my fellow citizens in thanking you for the outstanding job you have done!

I wish the new SoS the very best of luck in his new job and to our old SoS, Capt. Mick all the best in whatever venture he chosen to partake in, in his new retired life!

[Iustì Carlüs Canun]

Jun 10, 2010 15:03:16 GMT -6 Dame Litz Cjantscheir, UrN said:

to our old SoS, Capt. Mick all the best in whatever venture he chosen to partake in, in his new retired life!

Oh, worry not. We have... plans for him... Muahahahahaha!

[Baron Fritz]

"Free at last, free at last, thank god almighty I am free at last" eh Mick? Well, this is just plain wrong. You can count on me to start working on a law that will make you SOS forever. No, no, don't thank me, you deserve this. (smile) Your one of the greats Captain! Thank you for your service.

[Trotxâ]

Jun 12, 2010 16:22:06 GMT -6 Baron Fritz said:

You can count on me to start working on a law that will make you SOS forever.

Second!

Jun 12, 2010 16:22:06 GMT -6 Baron Fritz said:

don't thank me, you deserve this.

That quote works two ways, Sir Fritz!

T