Frozen Dishes : life after the ice
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Started my weight lifting program today. Four hours later and already I am sore. Tomorrow is going to be a rough day for sure. My workout routine is thus: in the mornings I've been doing aerobic activities such as bike riding, running or rowing and now during my afternoon hour break I'll be lifting weights. Our workout room is pretty small, but it's got plenty of things to make me sore. Happy to report the yogurt turned out nicely. Speaking of nice things, the ice cream machine has been a superstar lately. Don't know what to make of that, but it's definitely a good thing.
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
As I stepped out of the dome today I saw a spiral shaped bright green aurora shimmering overhead. There were a bunch of other ones filling the sky as well. Awesome walk to work. As I stumbled toward the new station in the dark, falling down a few times I also spied a shooting star. The wind was mild, so I could breathe pretty easily as well. Made some cookies and some yogurt today. The cookies turned out great, time will tell on the other creation. Need to get some sleep tonight. Haven't been sleeping all that well lately and I'm getting a tad run down.
Friday, April 23, 2004
imagine this: the time is sometime after midnight not quite 1:00, you're wearing the finest government issue extreme cold weather gear - or ECW disregarding the "g"- (my choice of ECW this eve was; a heavy parka, neck gator, mittens, carhart overalls & rubber boots called bunny boots) the ambient temp lingers around -85 / -107 wc. You are actually feeling pretty toasty, because the wind is failry subdued. (say 8 knots) You're out hiking with some solid friends & around you is a 360 degree aurora show. The only way I can think to draw it out for you is thus: it's like being an ant, in the dark, underneath a punch bowl, looking at a star filled sky whilst variuos colored flashlights shine up the sides of the bowl. There is a hint of a sun that set weeks ago to your back, but other than that he nearest light pollution lies 800 miles north in the sleepy vale of mcmurdo. Having all the auroras meet at the meridian was a nice touch as well. Really no description can do any justice to the evening's spectacle, but I had to attempt something. Re-reading that description I realize it truly sounds rather hoaky. But believe you me I feel lucky to have been out and about tonight. I was hoping to find a robe on our travels tonight, but to no avail. The weekend is afoot.
Thursday, April 22, 2004
-82, -122 w/c. Not too bad out seeing as the wind is minimal. 8:00 and I'm off for the day. Feels good, just two more days then the weekend will be here. We are having a sangria party coupled with bingo this Saturday night. I'm not a huge bingo fan, but copious amounts of sangria will certainly spice things up. This past weekend we had a texas hold em poker tournament in the bar. 18 people entered. I came to play dressed as Boozy. Much fun was had even though I didn't make it to the winners table. Later in the evening a gal came behind the bar and started to kiss me. The charms of a clown once again prove too much to ignore. I've been blessed lately with a morning helper in the form of our station trash man. He has been doing the breakfast pots & pans for me for a few weeks now. It's been great to have that extra time to make cookies or take care of other loose ends. Of course now I'm totally spoiled and the day he doesn't come in will seem like the longest day ever. Dare I say the ice cream machine, the bane of my summer season, has been very well behaved as of late? Hard to believe but true. I probably shouldn't discuss it anymore or the next time I come to work I'll find a smoldering pile of circuits where it used to stand.
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Aloha. Sorry to be so out of touch as of late. Must admit I've been in a little of a funk. Nothing serious, just haven't felt like writing much. Not sleeping so well & a little bummed about the realization of not having any romantic prospects to look forward too. Both were enivatable, but nonetheless takes one aback. But, that aside here is the good news: I gazed at my first aurora yesterday. Beautiful and breathtaking. The reason I come here, to have my breath stolen at such sights. Cheesy sounding I know, but such an amazing thing to be staring at such a lovely light show, especially knowing your ass is at the bottom of the world. It is hard to describe.
Saturday, April 10, 2004
Today was a grand day. Spied the southren cross three times. It greeted me as I stepped out of the dome in the morning, again at afternoon break and finally late this eve on my way home. After work I joined a few friends watching a PBS special on chickens. Very entertaining. I had no idea some people loved chickens that much. Then as we took the long way home we were treated to an amazingly colorful horizon. Unfortunately having come dircetly from work, I was weraing only my work pants and hiking boots. I had to head in after about 15 minutes becuase I got a tad chilly in the -80 / -108 weather. My legs and feet started to ache. Nonetheless a peaceful & unforgettable stroll. The pole is truly a beautiful place.
Thursday, April 08, 2004
Saw my first star yesterday. Very exciting. The last time I saw a star was in October, so I was due. The full moon has also been quite a sight. Casting some nice shadows on the snow drifts. It's still not 100% dark yet, so no auroras have come out. Can't wait to see those dancing lights in the sky again. So very beautiful are they. Tonight I got together with a few guys to play some music. I'm playing my trusty theremin, one guy strums the ukulele and the other chap plays various beats & samples from a program on his computer. An interesting sound and eventually we'll get some songs down.
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
Fantastic weekend. Friday I chilled at the bar playing bartender and listening to tunes. The BBQ Saturday night was very tasty. After the meal the band played and hearing live music again was great. Then off to the bar. Towards the end of the night I had the joy of checking out a girl's tattoo, which was on her butt. A cool tattoo and an even nicer derriere. Later as we were dancing she gave me a quick smooch. This isn't leading anywhere, because she has a man back home. But nonetheless it was fun. A banner night indeed. Spent all Sunday just relaxing. Played some video games with a bud and went to bed early. Today the ole ice cream machine gave me a scare. Just as I had turned it on and was getting ready to fill it up I was greeted by a loud beeping noise, one that I hadn't heard before. So, I called the trusty techs. Apparently it was beeping because they had unplugged it earlier in the day to do an inspection. A close call.
Thursday, April 01, 2004
This weekend we get a two day weekend. Everyone is quite excited let me assure you. Big BBQ Saturday night, should be ultra yummy. Plus, that same night the band is playing its first show of the winter. Can't beat live music. I had thoughts of being in the band, playing my saxophone (alto) that I had mailed down to me, but so far that hasn't panned out. I played it one night and it sounded it horrible. One of my pads was sticking, so I got a quick tape job to fix that. But, it still sounds really flat. I know I'm way out of practice, having not played for over ten years, but this is really sad. I mainly had it mailed down here so that I could donate it to the station. Currently we only have a tenor in the band room. So, I think I'll just stick to my theremin. A fun instrument to play and I don't have to worry about breaking any reeds. My last winter in McMurdo I was in a band with a guy that played a ukulele. A good sound. That same guy just found a ukulele, so we might get back together and possibly even add a new member.
Today I played two April Fool's day pranks. For the first I placed rice in the shoes of the head chef. Either he didn't notice or he just didn't want to tell me I got him, because he never mentioned the rice all day. The other prank was more successful. I filled the right hand dish glove of my afternoon helper with lotion. I made sure I was around when she put it on. She slipped it on and then said "oh gross". I got smacked with the tainted glove a few times and lotion was rubbed onto my shirt, but it was well worth it. I guess I'll have to ask the cook about the rice tomorrow. I must admit my mom has gotten me the best on this day of pranks. Way back when I was in high school she replaced the sugar in the sugar bowl with salt. I heaped it onto my morning cheerios and got a nasty surprise my first bite. That was truly a good one mom.
