next season
by Eli
talk of “next season” begins the moment you arrive on the ice. the contract cycles are arranged in such a way that you never arrive to an empty base, so new folks are always thrown in with the old (who are already thinking of next season).
next season is like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. things will be different next season: you’ll have a better job, you’ll have a better room, you’ll remember to bring that thing you forgot, you’ll hike more, you’ll have more friends, et cetera. everything will be perfect. that’s not to say that the talk is delusional; in fact, if someone does come back, the chances of the above mentioned coming true is actually pretty high.
i know that i personally started thinking of next season after only a few weeks, and not because i was unhappy or disappointed with my experience. it was the exact opposite: i was so happy that i couldn’t wait to come back; i couldn’t wait to go through all of it again. i still feel that way (after almost 2 months), and i’m about 95% sure that i’ll be back again next season.
Does next season mean this time next year, or does it mean starting as soon as this cycle is over? Do you think you would want to winter-over?
“next season” means this same time next year (oct 08 – feb 09). i’ve thought about wintering, and i think i might do that at some point, but i don’t want to push it this year.
We’re ready to believe you!
can i come?
mos def. in fact, we were just talking about that today!
It’s [a comment] from your 8th grade science teacher- can you believe it? I saw your mom at church today. She told me about your adventure in antarctica, and said I should check out your blog. Wow! What exactly do you do for your job? How long do you get to stay? I love the picture with you and the vacuum backpack – do you think you’re a ghostbuster down there?
Have a good day- let me know what you’re up to so I can brag to my students. I’ll tell Mr. Marcum about this, too…..