Bidding Preferences--Done!

Tomorrow morning at SOB (that's start of business, or 8am, for you acronymically challenged individuals), our bidding preferences are due to our CDOs (career development officers). My priorities are (1) traveling with pets, (2) using a language other than English (I'm hoping for French, Turkish, Swahili, or Arabic), and (3) not leaving DC before D's ready to leave Hawaii. Other people might prioritize having opportunities for their spouse to work, working in their field (mine is public diplomacy), going to a post with high pay differential (that's the hassle factor, which might reflect disease, crappy Internet, danger, and lack of access to great beer), or a custom-designed preference. About the only places that are really off the table are ones D couldn't accompany me on (only two jobs, in one city), although places that don't allow the full complement of 4 pets are not the slightest bit interesting. We all signed a page that indicated we're worldwide available, so if push came to shove, I'd need to take one for the team. I just don't think the team wants to test us that way. [fingers crossed]