Frozen Dishes : life after the ice
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Yesterday I had a moment of vanity. Something that I rarely experience. Of course when one works in Antarctica, vanity doesn't really enter the daily equation too much. Especially at the south pole, a place where people take two two minute showers a week. Anyway, as I was heading out to mail away my passport application I looked at my photos one more time. They were truly horrible, even worse than I had remembered. When I first got them back I thought who cares, what do I care what I look like in my passport? I mean I'm not a vain person right? Then it dawned on me that I'm going to have to look at this picture for ten years and I just couldn't do it. Plus, it seems like when people are bored at the airport they often compare passport photos. I just couldn't bust out my passport knowing what was awaiting to be viewed. So, I took another round of pictures (at a different store so as not to look like a fool) and the results were better, at least in my eyes. Good ole vanity.
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Today is the first day since I got here last Sunday that I have the house to myself. It is blissfully quiet. I love my family with all that I am, but I also appreciate these alone times dearly. Yesterday I picked up the forms to renew my passport, so I'll fill them out and get that ball rolling today. Then I'll swing by Blockbuster to search out some of the movies I missed whilst being at the pole for a year. I've got a few titles in mind and will hopefully pick out some quality flicks. Movie suggestions are quite welcome.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Happy Holidays to all. I'm back in D.C. with the clan. Good to see everyone. My niece had a fun Christmas morning and really cashed in from Santa. It seems like she got just about every type of Barbie toy offered. Just discovered that my passport expires on August '05, which means it will be no good to me once I get off the ice next October. So, today I'm heading out to get it renewed. I've got some other random errands to do as well. First time since I've been on vacation that I actually have serious business to atttend to. Went to "Meet the Fockers" last night. A good flick with some laughs.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Well, I ended up losing 2 out of 3 games of gin today. Nothing like being on grandma time. I meet up with her around 8am, then we hang out and chat. Eventually we grab some lunch and play cards. Then we eat dinner at 5 o'clock. Which means I always need to eat a snack before going to bed. But, I wouldn't pass up this time with her for anything. I think I might go out and buy a backgammon board, so that we can play that next. Plus, that's my game.
My long flight from NZ over wasn't too bad. Watched "Anchorman" again. That movie makes me laugh a lot. Long Beach was fun. I saw the ocean, but everyone told me not to swim in it. I have a friend from McMurdo living there now, so it was good to see him again. He kept telling me how much his friends out there partied, but only a few of them could keep up with me. The south pole has trained me well. Arrived in AZ last Thursday. I spent the weekend with a college friend and am now hanging out with my grandma. She just beat me in a game of gin. Unfortunately that's nothing new around these parts. I don't know how she always gets the cards she needs. It's pretty hot here, but that's alright. Soon enough I'll be back to the cold. I leave for Chicago on Thursday. Then it's to D.C. to see the family and finally to Denver for a few weeks before heading to Antarctica again in January. Plenty of cold days ahead after that of course. I'm off to avenge my gin loss.
Friday, December 03, 2004
Currently I'm at the Auckland airport awiting my 12 hour flight to LA. Hopefully I'll get some decent movies to watch. I miss the lazy beach days already. I'm definitely returning to Coogee Beach after my next stint on the ice. My friend and I went to see Bridget Jones II my last day in Sydney. It was so hot, 100 degrees at least, that I agreed to see that silly film. During the movie a guy sitting in front of us had a seizure. The movie was stopped as he was cared for. He was okay and laughing afterwards, as was his girlfirend. This might sound callous, but I think that guy got a good deal. At least he didn't have to sit through the rest of the movie. Well, I guess I'll head up to the arcade and play some Galaga, a classic game.
