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October 15, 2008

I have arrived

It’s day three. I know that I keep saying this, but it keeps getting more and more surreal while at the same time getting more and more normal, like, why wouldn’t I be in Antarctica right now? Things are settling in nicely, and I can see a wonderful season laid out in front of me.

One source of concern for me before I arrived was my living situation. Last season Meredith and I lived in MMI and I totally took that for granted. It was so awesome having a window and only 1 roommate to deal with rather than 3, which would have been the case if I lived in 155. This year I’m flying solo, so I thought for sure they would throw me in 155 with the rest of the rabble rousers. When I finally got my room assignment after the arrival briefing, I sorta freaked out a bit: I was SO excited. The craziest part, though, is that I don’t even have a roommate. MMI is usually reserved for couples, and they threw me in there by myself, at least for now.

Another thing I wasn’t to sure of until the day I arrived was what I’d actually be doing this season. Sure, I knew I was gonna be an FEMC GA (Facilities-Engineering-Maintenance-and-Construction General Assistant), but what exactly would I be doing? Turns out I’m gonna be a plumber (at least for now), and it’s awesome. I’ve had 2 days of work so far: it’s really laid back and the rest of the plumbers are a bunch of hilarious, crusty old men (Walter, Doug, Tim, Tom, etc). I’m really enjoying being the new guy.

They should have sent a poet.

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October 13, 2008

I’ll see you again in Antarctica

I have to get up in about 4 hours to catch a shuttle to the airport, where I’ll get on a plane that will fly me to Antarctica where I will live for the next 4 months. Wow… 4 hours, 4 months. I did not do that on purpose, I swear.

Also, I think I had an epiphany tonight: we are science-fiction. It ties together so many of the thoughts. I really think that THIS is the book that I will right. I know that I’ve said that before, and I really hope I’m not calling sheep here, but this time I feel a closer connection with this concept because it is one that is based in reality. It’s not a story of make believe, it is a look at truth from a different perspective.

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October 11, 2008

Pit Stop in Christchurch

It’s so surreal to be back here; it almost feels like home: the airport, the YMCA, Dux de Lux, Whittaker’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Slab, Lisa’s Hummus, Cathedral Square, the Botanic Gardens… I could go on forever. I’ve only been here for about 6 hours and already I feel like I never left. How does that happen? How does my mind and body remember something so vividly? I have a feeling that this sensation won’t be going away any time soon.

We arrived around 11am this morning and we’ve got the rest of the day to relax and let some of the stress out. I unpacked a bit at the YMCA, took a shower, and then got sushi with 2 deployment buddies. From there we stopped by New World to get a few groceries and I ran into Evan (you know, from before), and he and I walked back to the Botanic Gardens and had a picnic by the river (hummus, avocado, and tomato sandwiches; apples; tangelos).

Tomorrow afternoon we’ll all shuttle back to the CDC (clothing distribution center) to be outfitted with our ECW (extreme cold weather) gear. The rest of that day is ours as we see fit (maybe we’ll hit up Sumner Beach), and then, if all goes as planned, we’ll be shipped off to the ice the following morning (the 13th).

It’s a short stay here in CHC, I’m gonna do everything I can to appreciate the stars while I still have them.