have an ICE day

Monday, January 01, 2007

Party 'til the Sun Goes Around

The end of 2006 came to a close with an annual event called Icestock here in McMurdo. Think hippies, ECW gear, hula-hoops, togas, crazy people wearing wigs, and alcohol all jamming to a soundtrack of the talented musicians in this town and the scents of chili from the cook-off wafting in and out with the winds. I was a proud member of Team Nick in the chili cook-off. There were eight teams in the cook-off, and each team called a milvan their kitchen. There was an award for Best in Show, and then three teams placed for the actual chili itself. I scrounged up some decorations very last minute including the gold tinsel and the blue tablecloth you'll see in the photos. I "made" the t-shirts that morning too. Our friend Michelle brought us some party hats and aprons. My favorite part of the day was just watching the uniqueness of the crowd. It seemed like every time I turned around there was someone wearing a crazy outfit. I didn't even really feel like I was in Antarctica. It almost felt as if I was tailgating back home.

Our competition decorating the milvans.

More competition setting up.

Cooking up the meat and veggies. We made a Turkey Green Chili and a Loaded Veggie Chili (the only vegetarian option that was made).

The Ross Island Yacht Club milvan. One girl actually wore a bikini top and served chili for awhile.

Nick and me, the original members of Team Nick.

Me and my buddy Omar. He's a Canadian pilot working here for Kenn Borek Air, and we play volleyball together. Oh, yeah... and I kick his butt at backgammon.

Youssef and Andy, our happy customers. Andy is a Wisconsinite!

Omar and Ben, another volleyball bud, in front of the Icestock stage.

One of the bands, Condition Fun, who sing songs about the vehicles of McMurdo. Ralph played the trombone for a song or two... I don't think he really plays.

Ruth showed up to help out Team Nick... thank goodness. She's Irish but has lived in New Zealand for quite awhile. I think she went home to get this black shirt so we could make her a Team Nick shirt too.

Terri on her 3 foot tall stilts handing out reminders for the MAAG (the McMurdo Alternative Art Gallery, which is this Saturday night).

Some friends of mine in their band called "A Guy, A Girl, Another Guy and Another Girl". They had a major brainstorming session to come up with that.

Ruth and Nick stirring the chili.

Bill, the IT guy, recording the show from on top of a milvan.

Sawbucks Coffee stand, set up by the carpenters of McMurdo.

The Kiwi Cargo guys, who weren't allowed to drink, showed up in togas anyways and drank lots of soda.

Mike in his Mongolian hat smoking a pipe.

The winds really picked up later in the afternoon, as you can see in this photo. It was so dusty, I picked up my Nalgene water bottle and had to wipe off the layer of dirt before I could drink out of it (and it was only sitting on the front table for about 15 minutes).

Five people got up on stage and played harmonicas... it was really great!

Paul, Carrie, and I were watching the beard contest.

The beard growing competitors. I think they've been growing them for about a month. One of our janitors won worst beard, it really just looked like his face was dirty, but he was a really good sport about it (and he couldn't wait to shave after the judging).