Monday, September 28, 2009
A Visit to the Kiwi Snow Cave
Over the winter two kiwi folk (otherwise known as New Zealanders) decided to build a snow cave and live in it. They spent over 100 hours digging out the three-room dwelling in a snow drift behind the main building at Scott Base. I was lucky enough to get to visit the snow cave on my first visit to Scott Base this season. My coworkers and I were invited for dinner by their station's science support staff, and Paul the electrician was hanging out with us post-dinner. We asked for a tour of the cave he built with his friend Gav so he walked Pat and I out back and before we knew it he dove face-first through this tiny little hole into the snow cave. Not thinking things through, I decided it would be better for me personally to go in feet first. Well, of course this snow cave was built to keep the wind out so once I got down to the lowest point, I needed to go up and into the first room of the place. This turned out to be quite a problem since I couldn't really see "up". Luckily Paul was there to rescue me and pulled me up through the tunnel by my feet. He did say it was one of the least graceful entrances he had ever seen to the place. Thank you, thank you. Once Pat made her way in, we hung out in the bedroom for a little bit. It consisted of two flat carved out spots where they had air mattresses and sleeping bags with a handy light on a stand near by. Then we crawled into the guest room aka the party room. There is a giant snow post in the middle with a light inside it, and this room is a working power point (as you'll see in the third photo). I decided to just peek into the third room instead of falling through another hole to get there. This room was the movie room where they had attempted to show a few movies. The only problem with it is that the projector kept freezing on them. Go figure!You can buy the snow cave by clicking on this link. All proceeds go to charity. Also, you can check out more photos of this piece of prime real estate.
On our way in...
Pat and Paul in the guest room.
A real working power point. In a snow cave. In Antarctica.
I took this photo without my flash to give you an idea of the ambience of the place.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Hand-washing Police
Someone came up with the brilliant idea two weeks ago to make each department volunteer, or as we like to call it "voluntold", to stand guard by the hand-washing sinks outside the Galley to make sure everyone scrubbed up before entering. There is a big concern about spreading germs on station, and one way to minimize (supposedly) is to wash your hands before entering the Galley.
My department had a PM shift standing out front of the Galley for dinner. It was also the last time they made anyone stand guard.
My sign says, "The CDC recommends 20 seconds of scrubbing with soap to avoid spreading germs. Don't hate me because I'm clean. Hate me because I'm beautiful." And I obnoxiously timed people as they washed their hands.
This is my friend... we'll call him T. He let one guy pass by without washing his hands and one of the head honchos saw. He yelled out, "T, cut off his head!" Um, I think that's a little extreme.
Friday, September 11, 2009
First Flight Photos
All of these photos were taken by a talented winterover photographer named Chad Carpenter. He put them on the I: Drive so I grabbed them to show you our arrival. Click on them to get a better view!
You can sort of see me in the last photo where we're all crammed into Ivan the Terra Bus. Look on the right side of the bus. Count back three men down the aisle. I'm the one peeking out behind the third guy. You can really only see my glasses and my hat. I had my overstuffed carry-on smooshed on my lap and could barely see over it.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
IceCube is Helping Stimulate Wisconsin's Economy
"One of the longest and deepest traditions surrounding the University of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Idea signifies a general principle: that education should influence people’s lives beyond the boundaries of the classroom."The Wisconsin Idea made this neat little interactive map of Wisconsin that shows how much money IceCube has generated in the state of Wisconsin. IceCube is a project that is headed up at the University of Wisconsin - Madison but is based at the South Pole and focuses on the study of neutrinos.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
9.9.09
Last night I was itching to get out of work so I could run home and snap some photos of the sky. The wind was really whipping the snow around, but you could still see the nacreous clouds in all their beauty, perhaps enhanced by the blowing snow.I took a round of photos at 5:45 or so, and this was one of the best.
I had dinner and then bundled up for another round of photos about 45 minutes later.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Freakin' Freezin'
This is getting a little ridiculous. It's so cold outside, that we're almost freezing inside. My office never got above 52 degrees today. I came prepared with a full set of long underwear, two pairs of gloves, a stocking cap, and my lap blanket. Everyone makes fun of me when they walk in the office, but I stay as warm as possible. I even got smart after lunch and put some toe warmers in my shoes.
It was so cold today that the janitors had to stop mopping our building as it would just freeze on the floors within 10 feet of an outside door. It was so cold today that the carp shop barometer read below -100 with the windchill. It was so cold today that the toilet at the Chalet stopped working, and they had to come use our bathroom.
Tomorrow we're forecasted for -65 windchill... almost tropical compared to today.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Brrr... It's Cold In Here...
I've been freezing in the office lately. Right now I'm sitting here typing this with little half-mitts on my hands and a blanket wrapped around my legs.Wish you all were here!!
