I'm so remiss in updating this thing.
Actually, truth be told, I use it to food porn on. And to keep up on some of my favourite writers.
2011 so far has been epic.
Details maybe later.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Where does the time go?
It seems to me, since I have been working in Antarctica, time never just drags anymore. It passes by quickly, year after year. To me, 9 seasons ago does sort of seem like yesterday. Here I am, now seeing the light at the end of my deployment tunnel, knowing full well that 2011 will go as quickly as any of the seasons have.
I bypass resolutions usually all together, but this year, I'm going to make it my best year ever. I have a lot of good things going on, and I'm standing on the edge of having close to a perfect life. I mean really, I am lucky, and if you would have asked my 10 years ago if I ever thought my life would be this good, I would have said no. Anyway, that is what I intend for 2011, and I suppose we will see how that goes. It means a lot of things, and for those that know me personally, and how rough 2010 ended up being for me, I'm not hoping for things to get easier (though I would take it if it presented itself), but for me to take it all in stride and in grace. Keep your hands and feet in the ride of life until the ride has come to a complete stop...
The season here has been good. I did get to see some of the more remote camps on my great continent. Yeah, it sure is white and mostly flat out there. But that being said, I have gotten to ride on flight decks of airplanes and bounce around in helicopters, even on my whirlwind work tours. One of the load masters on the LC130's recognized me, and we laughed about my getting some serious frequent flier miles. I told him I was in it for the upgrades. So he sat me up top in the cockpit. Yep, THAT was an upgrade for sure. He even made me a ghetto mocha.
I feel the rush of the end of season pushing down on my ears. I actually was up most of last night with anxiety, (not to mention my ribs are out of place, yet again. Thanks boxing!) and the feeling like I'm just not in control enough of this job of mine. This is the first job I have ever had that is this brainless, and seems impossible to get on top of on most days. Herding penguins across the airfield has got to be easier. Anyway, I'm feeling the pressure. Not in a good way, and I think my resolve to quit drinking for the month of January just got pushed back to Feb.
Boxing takes up a fair bit of my time, and has pushed my physical limits further than a lot of activities I have done in my life. I box 3 times a week now, and am completely addicted to it. I would like to continue once I get back to the states, but because of my work travel schedule, I'm fairly dubious that will happen. Yet, I'm hopeful that I will get the chance. I have popped my ribs out twice now. Once was just a fluke, I twisted bad while hitting the heavy bag, and the other was a direct result of my sparring buddy landing an odd punch on my back. Not something that usually happens, but as soon as he nailed me, I knew it. Yeah, so hopefully this will not take weeks to get back into place again. I did end up in medical, much like Oliver Twist asking for some meds to help me get through the night. Taking said meds made me barfy and unable to work the next day, so that was a bust. Yep, I usually power through the pain anyway....so I feel sort of stupid for even asking the doctor for meds in the first place.
I also asked for ambien this year too. A few firsts for me down here in the 2010 season. Usually I power through the insomnia. *sigh* Maybe I'm just getting old. This is also the first season (knocks on particle board) that I have not been down with the crud. I'm exposed to a lot of work places, but not necessarily to high concentrations of people. Couple that with a desire to avoid social situations this season, and I think I might...might actually make it without getting sick.
Anyway, here is to hoping all of our 2011 is the best year for us. Whatever that should mean.
I bypass resolutions usually all together, but this year, I'm going to make it my best year ever. I have a lot of good things going on, and I'm standing on the edge of having close to a perfect life. I mean really, I am lucky, and if you would have asked my 10 years ago if I ever thought my life would be this good, I would have said no. Anyway, that is what I intend for 2011, and I suppose we will see how that goes. It means a lot of things, and for those that know me personally, and how rough 2010 ended up being for me, I'm not hoping for things to get easier (though I would take it if it presented itself), but for me to take it all in stride and in grace. Keep your hands and feet in the ride of life until the ride has come to a complete stop...
The season here has been good. I did get to see some of the more remote camps on my great continent. Yeah, it sure is white and mostly flat out there. But that being said, I have gotten to ride on flight decks of airplanes and bounce around in helicopters, even on my whirlwind work tours. One of the load masters on the LC130's recognized me, and we laughed about my getting some serious frequent flier miles. I told him I was in it for the upgrades. So he sat me up top in the cockpit. Yep, THAT was an upgrade for sure. He even made me a ghetto mocha.
I feel the rush of the end of season pushing down on my ears. I actually was up most of last night with anxiety, (not to mention my ribs are out of place, yet again. Thanks boxing!) and the feeling like I'm just not in control enough of this job of mine. This is the first job I have ever had that is this brainless, and seems impossible to get on top of on most days. Herding penguins across the airfield has got to be easier. Anyway, I'm feeling the pressure. Not in a good way, and I think my resolve to quit drinking for the month of January just got pushed back to Feb.
Boxing takes up a fair bit of my time, and has pushed my physical limits further than a lot of activities I have done in my life. I box 3 times a week now, and am completely addicted to it. I would like to continue once I get back to the states, but because of my work travel schedule, I'm fairly dubious that will happen. Yet, I'm hopeful that I will get the chance. I have popped my ribs out twice now. Once was just a fluke, I twisted bad while hitting the heavy bag, and the other was a direct result of my sparring buddy landing an odd punch on my back. Not something that usually happens, but as soon as he nailed me, I knew it. Yeah, so hopefully this will not take weeks to get back into place again. I did end up in medical, much like Oliver Twist asking for some meds to help me get through the night. Taking said meds made me barfy and unable to work the next day, so that was a bust. Yep, I usually power through the pain anyway....so I feel sort of stupid for even asking the doctor for meds in the first place.
I also asked for ambien this year too. A few firsts for me down here in the 2010 season. Usually I power through the insomnia. *sigh* Maybe I'm just getting old. This is also the first season (knocks on particle board) that I have not been down with the crud. I'm exposed to a lot of work places, but not necessarily to high concentrations of people. Couple that with a desire to avoid social situations this season, and I think I might...might actually make it without getting sick.
Anyway, here is to hoping all of our 2011 is the best year for us. Whatever that should mean.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
As the ice turns....
Well we are rapidly approaching the big Halloween party here. I have yet to attend one in all of my years working in Antarctica. Call me crazy, but I'm a little paranoid about being in a huge building that only has two fire exits and no fire supression system. *shrug* The other side of the coin is a huge crowd, and drama llamas. So I suspect that I will likely be found in our coffee house playing some cribbage with a few friends and drinking some wine.
Things are motoring along here. I'm trying to get my head wrapped around travelling down here, and getting from field camp to field camp. I am actually exceedingly lucky this year to have a position that lets me do that. I have only gone into the interior of Antarctica once, over to Beardmore Glacier area. This year I'm slated to hit South Pole Station, Wais Divide, Byrd Surface Camp, and those will happen with LC130's. Then by helicopter to Marble Point, Black Island and the Dry Valley areas. Yep, colour me excited. I also have to manage all of that, with the work I have here in town. Fortunately I now have some flying monkeys at my disposal to help with my tasking.
I have also received word that my work/personal travel schedule is going to be more hectic this year than last. It looks a lot like this:
Leave Antarctica for New Zealand in late January.
Spend a few days in New Zealand and head to Denver.
Maybe head to Arizona from Denver and back again.
Leave Denver to Hawaii and back again towards the end of Feb for a week.
Leave Denver to Port Hueneme California for work and back again end of March straddling into the begining of April. Maybe take some side flights up the coast to Oregon and Washington.
Leave Denver to Punta Arenas Chile for work, around the middle of April.
Leave Chile to take a research vessel to Palmer Station Antarctica, and back again to Denver, around the begining of May.
Leave Denver to take a honeymoon. Africa? Spain? Japan? Not decided yet. Back again in May.
Leave Denver to go back to Punta Arenas to work for a month or two around June. Back again in July.
Maybe leave Denver to go to Georgia and back again July.
Maybe leave Denver to go to Vegas and back again July.
Leave Denver to go to Arizona and back again in August.
Leave Denver to come back to McMurdo Station in August.
I'm stoked for sure, but it is going to kick my ass. I really wish the science types would get a teleporter working. It sure would shave some time off in airports.
Things are motoring along here. I'm trying to get my head wrapped around travelling down here, and getting from field camp to field camp. I am actually exceedingly lucky this year to have a position that lets me do that. I have only gone into the interior of Antarctica once, over to Beardmore Glacier area. This year I'm slated to hit South Pole Station, Wais Divide, Byrd Surface Camp, and those will happen with LC130's. Then by helicopter to Marble Point, Black Island and the Dry Valley areas. Yep, colour me excited. I also have to manage all of that, with the work I have here in town. Fortunately I now have some flying monkeys at my disposal to help with my tasking.
I have also received word that my work/personal travel schedule is going to be more hectic this year than last. It looks a lot like this:
Leave Antarctica for New Zealand in late January.
Spend a few days in New Zealand and head to Denver.
Maybe head to Arizona from Denver and back again.
Leave Denver to Hawaii and back again towards the end of Feb for a week.
Leave Denver to Port Hueneme California for work and back again end of March straddling into the begining of April. Maybe take some side flights up the coast to Oregon and Washington.
Leave Denver to Punta Arenas Chile for work, around the middle of April.
Leave Chile to take a research vessel to Palmer Station Antarctica, and back again to Denver, around the begining of May.
Leave Denver to take a honeymoon. Africa? Spain? Japan? Not decided yet. Back again in May.
Leave Denver to go back to Punta Arenas to work for a month or two around June. Back again in July.
Maybe leave Denver to go to Georgia and back again July.
Maybe leave Denver to go to Vegas and back again July.
Leave Denver to go to Arizona and back again in August.
Leave Denver to come back to McMurdo Station in August.
I'm stoked for sure, but it is going to kick my ass. I really wish the science types would get a teleporter working. It sure would shave some time off in airports.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
lazy susans....
Well I'm back on the ice. Already off and running, and over complicating things that I probably should not.
Ah well.
Ah well.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Trap door spider....
It seems to me as if this blog sits in a dusty corner. I come across it from time to time, like a old cookbook to peruse through, and put away.
I have been working like a mad woman, getting more and more frequent flier miles. Currently I'm sitting in my hotel in Punta Arenas, where I will be wrapping up a two month stint of work on July 20th. Immediately following is a weekend in Vegas to thaw out, and then off to Antarctica in early August. This is my second trip to Chile this year.
New word of the day, Antiopdal. I haz it.
Anyway, things are motoring along. I'm engaged as of my trip to Iceland, though only heaven knows when we will get the time to actually get married. This time back home, I think he and I have only really seen each other...maybe 2 months. We have both been traveling so much. I definitely do not see next year going down this way, but you never know. Though I know it is said absence makes the heart grow fonder, I really wonder if that statement is true. I certainly believe that it makes me harder to deal with when I get back home. Independence may be a good thing, but sometimes it can take the shape of overbearing.
Hm. I wonder if I had a point to make. All arrows point to no.
I have been working like a mad woman, getting more and more frequent flier miles. Currently I'm sitting in my hotel in Punta Arenas, where I will be wrapping up a two month stint of work on July 20th. Immediately following is a weekend in Vegas to thaw out, and then off to Antarctica in early August. This is my second trip to Chile this year.
New word of the day, Antiopdal. I haz it.
Anyway, things are motoring along. I'm engaged as of my trip to Iceland, though only heaven knows when we will get the time to actually get married. This time back home, I think he and I have only really seen each other...maybe 2 months. We have both been traveling so much. I definitely do not see next year going down this way, but you never know. Though I know it is said absence makes the heart grow fonder, I really wonder if that statement is true. I certainly believe that it makes me harder to deal with when I get back home. Independence may be a good thing, but sometimes it can take the shape of overbearing.
Hm. I wonder if I had a point to make. All arrows point to no.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Timing...
Is everything.
Iceland was epic, and I left before the eruption. Just like Tonga last year. I'm one for leaving places with eruptions.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Iceland was epic, and I left before the eruption. Just like Tonga last year. I'm one for leaving places with eruptions.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Food...
I am such a food porner.
Granted, much of it is my current location, but as you can see from the list of who I follow, I'm really, really serious about my food porn. As the end of the season here on the ice draws to a close, I'm getting worse and worse. I take comfort in the fact that I'm not the only one that does it, but when you factor in that I'm sending recipes to myself, and that I'm already a cookbook junkie when at home....yeah. I have a problem.
I think I'm going to need intervention.
Granted, much of it is my current location, but as you can see from the list of who I follow, I'm really, really serious about my food porn. As the end of the season here on the ice draws to a close, I'm getting worse and worse. I take comfort in the fact that I'm not the only one that does it, but when you factor in that I'm sending recipes to myself, and that I'm already a cookbook junkie when at home....yeah. I have a problem.
I think I'm going to need intervention.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Is it just me...
But has anyone else noticed, that recently in the light of the Haiti earthquake, celebrities are flooding in with donations?
What I want to know, is where were they with those donations, BEFORE this happened. Where were their funds, to help mitigate the problem?
Someone said it very well down here, that safety is an after thought to the accident. I think that sums it up rather well.
What I want to know, is where were they with those donations, BEFORE this happened. Where were their funds, to help mitigate the problem?
Someone said it very well down here, that safety is an after thought to the accident. I think that sums it up rather well.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Long days night...
For my Greek friend:
Αγαπώ τις παλαιές φωτογραφίες, ιδιαίτερα των παλαιών ημερών της εξερεύνησης εδώ στην Ανταρκτική. I' μ που λειτουργεί ως συντονιστής φορτίου για το στρατόπεδο επιφάνειας Byrd, ποια μέσα, εγώ παίρνουν το φορτίο και το προσωπικό σε και από το μακρινό στρατόπεδο τομέων. Είμαι έξω εκεί ο ίδιος, και είναι, στο μυαλό μου, ένα από τα πιό prettiest μέρη εδώ στην Ανταρκτική. Κατόπιν αυτού, πραγματικά δεν έχω κάνει πολύ να ταξιδεψω εδώ. Εν πάση περιπτώσει, Byrd έχει μια μεγάλη ιστορία, και εάν έχετε οποιοδήποτε ενδιαφέρον, μπορείτε να ελέγξετε έξω το άρθρο Wikipedia ότι έχω τοποθετήσει τη σύνδεση με. Σκέφτομαι ότι έχω μια μικρή συντριβή σε Richard Evelyn Bryd. Εκείνο το άτομο είναι πράγματι όμορφο σε έναν ομοιόμορφο και καλύπτει κάτι ότι δεν μπορώ ακριβώς να βάλω ένα δάχτυλο επάνω. Παλαιοί εξερευνητές. Έχω βεβαίως ένα μαλακό σημείο στην καρδιά μου για τους.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Evelyn_Byrd
Translation for the English folks:
I love old photos, particularly of the old days of exploration here in Antarctica. I'm working as a cargo coordinator for the Byrd Surface Camp, which means, I get cargo and personnel to and from the remote field camp. I have been out there myself, and it is, in my mind, one of the prettiest places here in Antarctica. That being said, I really have not done much traveling here. Anyway, Byrd has a long history, and if you have any interest, you can check out the Wikipedia article that I have posted the link to. I think I have a little crush on Richard Evelyn Bryd. That man is indeed handsome in a uniform and encompasses something that I just cannot put a finger on. Old explorers. I certainly have a soft spot in my heart for them.
Αγαπώ τις παλαιές φωτογραφίες, ιδιαίτερα των παλαιών ημερών της εξερεύνησης εδώ στην Ανταρκτική. I' μ που λειτουργεί ως συντονιστής φορτίου για το στρατόπεδο επιφάνειας Byrd, ποια μέσα, εγώ παίρνουν το φορτίο και το προσωπικό σε και από το μακρινό στρατόπεδο τομέων. Είμαι έξω εκεί ο ίδιος, και είναι, στο μυαλό μου, ένα από τα πιό prettiest μέρη εδώ στην Ανταρκτική. Κατόπιν αυτού, πραγματικά δεν έχω κάνει πολύ να ταξιδεψω εδώ. Εν πάση περιπτώσει, Byrd έχει μια μεγάλη ιστορία, και εάν έχετε οποιοδήποτε ενδιαφέρον, μπορείτε να ελέγξετε έξω το άρθρο Wikipedia ότι έχω τοποθετήσει τη σύνδεση με. Σκέφτομαι ότι έχω μια μικρή συντριβή σε Richard Evelyn Bryd. Εκείνο το άτομο είναι πράγματι όμορφο σε έναν ομοιόμορφο και καλύπτει κάτι ότι δεν μπορώ ακριβώς να βάλω ένα δάχτυλο επάνω. Παλαιοί εξερευνητές. Έχω βεβαίως ένα μαλακό σημείο στην καρδιά μου για τους.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Evelyn_Byrd
Translation for the English folks:
I love old photos, particularly of the old days of exploration here in Antarctica. I'm working as a cargo coordinator for the Byrd Surface Camp, which means, I get cargo and personnel to and from the remote field camp. I have been out there myself, and it is, in my mind, one of the prettiest places here in Antarctica. That being said, I really have not done much traveling here. Anyway, Byrd has a long history, and if you have any interest, you can check out the Wikipedia article that I have posted the link to. I think I have a little crush on Richard Evelyn Bryd. That man is indeed handsome in a uniform and encompasses something that I just cannot put a finger on. Old explorers. I certainly have a soft spot in my heart for them.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The not so frozen Tundra
Well, the weather certainly has been warm this year. Warm and wet. Not nearly as chilly as in previous years, but life is like that sometimes.
The icebreaker Oden has finally made it in. Much to our delight penguins, both Emperor and Adelies are close to town. I need to take a walk out to roll cage Mary, but my health has been less than optimal.
This year has been bad for me, as far as a crud season goes. Oh sure, normally I fall really bad once, get the crud briefly, and it's all over with. Not this season. Far from it. I've not only fallen multiple times and badly, I've also had various infections multiple times, simultaneously. I'm a hazard to my own health right now, and so not amused. The good news is, we are coming up on the end of the season. The bad news is, I'm still freaking sick. And preparing to travel internationally. Not a good thing. I have found traveling when you're sick is hard on a body. Ah well.
Other than that, just getting excited for the trip to Iceland. Here's to hoping I'm well for that!
The icebreaker Oden has finally made it in. Much to our delight penguins, both Emperor and Adelies are close to town. I need to take a walk out to roll cage Mary, but my health has been less than optimal.
This year has been bad for me, as far as a crud season goes. Oh sure, normally I fall really bad once, get the crud briefly, and it's all over with. Not this season. Far from it. I've not only fallen multiple times and badly, I've also had various infections multiple times, simultaneously. I'm a hazard to my own health right now, and so not amused. The good news is, we are coming up on the end of the season. The bad news is, I'm still freaking sick. And preparing to travel internationally. Not a good thing. I have found traveling when you're sick is hard on a body. Ah well.
Other than that, just getting excited for the trip to Iceland. Here's to hoping I'm well for that!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
hell yeah
And the count down starts...
As of tomorrow, it's 30 days, and I'm out.
Tickets to Iceland are purchased.
The difference between Ice people and the rest of the world...
I tell an Ice person I'm going to Iceland for my vacation. They say Oh COOL!
I tell someone at home I'm going to Iceland for my vacation, they say, what the hell? Shouldn't you be on a beach somewhere??
Just something I noticed.
As of tomorrow, it's 30 days, and I'm out.
Tickets to Iceland are purchased.
The difference between Ice people and the rest of the world...
I tell an Ice person I'm going to Iceland for my vacation. They say Oh COOL!
I tell someone at home I'm going to Iceland for my vacation, they say, what the hell? Shouldn't you be on a beach somewhere??
Just something I noticed.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Of weather vanes...and your vanities
Well if I thought for a second things would slow down after I arrived here, I was SADLY mistaken. Not that I mind being busy, but sometimes, life throws you for more curves than seems possible. Fortunately these were not insurmountable.
Mine have taken a few different forms.
The first few months were such a wild ride, and while at the time it seemed like everything was coming down around my ears, now it still seems crazy, but tolerable. The past always rears its head in unusual ways, and while once upon a time, someone said to me that you are not that person anymore, be that as it may, that person helped shape the one standing today. No matter how much I try to shove it into pine box, and hammer the nails in, it always seems to come out in the most odd moments. Whispers in the hallways and stolen moments in broom closets. This is who and what you are, as it so happens.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Anyway, I'm standing on the cusp of the season almost being over. I'm relieved for sure. I have also asked to leave very early this season, so I can take a trip over to Iceland. I'm not sure what I'm going to be doing for work this off season, but I'm guessing it will all work out the way it should. Sometimes I have to let go. Give control over to the divine influence (more like the voices in my head), and let them do the negotiating. Let them do the driving.
My sweater puppies drive a lot.
Work is interesting. I have really enjoyed my co-workers on an Epic scale. At times I have not enjoyed the stress, and I certainly do not enjoy it when my pager goes off, and it has nothing to do with a booty call. But overall, it really is not bad, and will keep the doors of opportunity opening, provided I keep my temper in check. This season is was a test for sure.
Well, Happy New Year to the masses, and as always I'm hoping for peace on earth and lobster tails for everyone.
Mine have taken a few different forms.
The first few months were such a wild ride, and while at the time it seemed like everything was coming down around my ears, now it still seems crazy, but tolerable. The past always rears its head in unusual ways, and while once upon a time, someone said to me that you are not that person anymore, be that as it may, that person helped shape the one standing today. No matter how much I try to shove it into pine box, and hammer the nails in, it always seems to come out in the most odd moments. Whispers in the hallways and stolen moments in broom closets. This is who and what you are, as it so happens.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Anyway, I'm standing on the cusp of the season almost being over. I'm relieved for sure. I have also asked to leave very early this season, so I can take a trip over to Iceland. I'm not sure what I'm going to be doing for work this off season, but I'm guessing it will all work out the way it should. Sometimes I have to let go. Give control over to the divine influence (more like the voices in my head), and let them do the negotiating. Let them do the driving.
My sweater puppies drive a lot.
Work is interesting. I have really enjoyed my co-workers on an Epic scale. At times I have not enjoyed the stress, and I certainly do not enjoy it when my pager goes off, and it has nothing to do with a booty call. But overall, it really is not bad, and will keep the doors of opportunity opening, provided I keep my temper in check. This season is was a test for sure.
Well, Happy New Year to the masses, and as always I'm hoping for peace on earth and lobster tails for everyone.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Cover the ears...
Or not.
I start the long process of flying back to the Ice on Friday.
All I can say, is what a weird fucking ride this season home has been.
I start the long process of flying back to the Ice on Friday.
All I can say, is what a weird fucking ride this season home has been.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Of line drives and Anubis...
Kind of in a funk today...
Actually more like a melancholy. I'm not sure why. Not like I have much on my mind, or really my plate, but this season stateside has been nothing short of insane.
The breast lump scare, the basement flood, my parental units, his parental units, our work. All of it made the time fly like a blur, and not necessarily in the best of blurs. I'm ready to go home to the Ice.
I head out to Chicago this coming weekend for a surprise birthday party. I'm excited. I have never been to Chicago, so it should be quite the adventure. I'm only there for a few days though, and I'm sure taking in a town like that, one should expect to stay longer. After that I'm on to Arizona, to see my family. I try to go at least once before I redeploy. Usually there are construction projects waiting for me, but I get the sense that I'm going to probably make up my own projects. I have some planting in their yard I would like to do, and if I get really frisky, I want to build a awning for their porch, and maybe find a grill.
I'm food porning a ton. Not that it is necessarily a bad thing, but it does lend itself to me cooking a lot of things, and not necessarily eating them, particularly when it comes to sweets. Fortunately I can pawn them off on unsuspecting people. But in the case of some soup I made, if I'm not willing to really it eat, I'm definitely not interested in pushing it off on others. Of course, I will not get the chance to cook once I'm on the Ice, so I'm trying to get in what I can. Once upon a time I used to shoot guns for therapy and relaxation. Now I cook.
I did get the job I had hoped for this season. I'm excited. Nervous as hell of course, but excited.
All right...I'm boring myself to tears.
Actually more like a melancholy. I'm not sure why. Not like I have much on my mind, or really my plate, but this season stateside has been nothing short of insane.
The breast lump scare, the basement flood, my parental units, his parental units, our work. All of it made the time fly like a blur, and not necessarily in the best of blurs. I'm ready to go home to the Ice.
I head out to Chicago this coming weekend for a surprise birthday party. I'm excited. I have never been to Chicago, so it should be quite the adventure. I'm only there for a few days though, and I'm sure taking in a town like that, one should expect to stay longer. After that I'm on to Arizona, to see my family. I try to go at least once before I redeploy. Usually there are construction projects waiting for me, but I get the sense that I'm going to probably make up my own projects. I have some planting in their yard I would like to do, and if I get really frisky, I want to build a awning for their porch, and maybe find a grill.
I'm food porning a ton. Not that it is necessarily a bad thing, but it does lend itself to me cooking a lot of things, and not necessarily eating them, particularly when it comes to sweets. Fortunately I can pawn them off on unsuspecting people. But in the case of some soup I made, if I'm not willing to really it eat, I'm definitely not interested in pushing it off on others. Of course, I will not get the chance to cook once I'm on the Ice, so I'm trying to get in what I can. Once upon a time I used to shoot guns for therapy and relaxation. Now I cook.
I did get the job I had hoped for this season. I'm excited. Nervous as hell of course, but excited.
All right...I'm boring myself to tears.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Take me home Ice road
Well, I am now standing on T-11 days. Booyah!
I can see the edge from here, and it is clearly paved with no sleep, no transition time from night shift to day shift, packing, training and what? Working like a banshee during the re-deployment crunch. No time! Nada! Shit!
I'm continuing to train for the position I want next year. I still do not have any confirmation if it will be mine but from the fact they have let me cross train here and there over two weeks I think is an indicator I might be in like Flynn. Today was the first day I seriously panicked I might not be up for the task. I know I will be fine and there will always be a learning curve to jobs down here, but it was probably just being overworked, adding more work training on top of a 12 hour shift, and the drugs to try and get my lockjaw to treat me a little kinder. The jaw is doing better thanks. I'm sure my boss is thrilled that I can curse like normal again. Really.
I have to get my room packed up this week. I'm intending to do it on Weds morning and Weds night. Not that it will take that long, but being I'm on a night shift it makes my not waking the neighbors up a little trickier.
You can sleep when you're dead. You bet!
My boss was in tears today. She is having a rough time of it. I could say lots, but I'm not going to bother. I hate people hurting particularly when it all could have been avoided in the first place.
I saw some Minke whales tonight. What a treat! As I understand I may be the first person this season to see them. I had been lamenting not seeing them, and as I was at lunch around 0024 I spotted them. Fortunately my binoculars were close at hand. :)
Anyway....blah blah. I'm feeling good inspite of it all.
I can see the edge from here, and it is clearly paved with no sleep, no transition time from night shift to day shift, packing, training and what? Working like a banshee during the re-deployment crunch. No time! Nada! Shit!
I'm continuing to train for the position I want next year. I still do not have any confirmation if it will be mine but from the fact they have let me cross train here and there over two weeks I think is an indicator I might be in like Flynn. Today was the first day I seriously panicked I might not be up for the task. I know I will be fine and there will always be a learning curve to jobs down here, but it was probably just being overworked, adding more work training on top of a 12 hour shift, and the drugs to try and get my lockjaw to treat me a little kinder. The jaw is doing better thanks. I'm sure my boss is thrilled that I can curse like normal again. Really.
I have to get my room packed up this week. I'm intending to do it on Weds morning and Weds night. Not that it will take that long, but being I'm on a night shift it makes my not waking the neighbors up a little trickier.
You can sleep when you're dead. You bet!
My boss was in tears today. She is having a rough time of it. I could say lots, but I'm not going to bother. I hate people hurting particularly when it all could have been avoided in the first place.
I saw some Minke whales tonight. What a treat! As I understand I may be the first person this season to see them. I had been lamenting not seeing them, and as I was at lunch around 0024 I spotted them. Fortunately my binoculars were close at hand. :)
Anyway....blah blah. I'm feeling good inspite of it all.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
tickle the rabbits ass
and make it all for naught.
I had not counted the days until this very moment, but I'm out of here in T-18. Oh yes. Then I will be on vacation and not giving a hoot.
So what am I doing about the frustration? Calling passengers on their bullshit for one. Stick a fork in me, I'm done. I have never understood how people, who are just people can think that because of status, anyone should be required to respect them or be afraid. (Now granted, if said person has a gun, the gun is respected and I would surely fear the person, because ultimately it really is not guns that kill people. It is people, and people would still kill people if guns were not available. Anyway, I digress.) I'm toeing off with people, and my poor Director is dealing with some of the aftermath. I'm not going to continue to allow people because of position or title push my co-workers around, and certainly I will not allow them the ability to push me around or try to tell me my job. I know my job. Most days it really is like herding cats truth be told. My Director in spite of having to do clean up though, really is not having to do too much battle. I can fight my own, and I pick and choose them as best as I can. I think he's more amused than naught. I'm doing a lot of toeing off though with various agencies, and while toeing the line is okay, I'm very aware that if I'm not careful, I'm going to crash into the line.
What else am I doing? I'm looking for a new job, and now I'm cross training on a position I hope to obtain before the hiring manager leaves the Ice. There are multiple reasons for this. I am slightly burned out on my job but due to work related issues.
The job would be a field camp cargo coordinator. It would be one of two positions being hired for this next season. The pay raise is about 100.00 per week on the low side, with a different kind of stress, and I would be pretty much working alone. I'm either going to suck or bloom in the position, and being that I have pretty much done most of the tasking of the position in jobs past down here, I'm opting for the blooming variety. It would make me more marketable on international contracts to boot. I would also not be required to pull a night shift for half of the season, and while I would be working close to the same amount of hours, it would be for 6 days a week instead of 5. Which in a place where the environment has a horrible toll on your body, is something to consider.
The caveat right now though, is I'm training for this position after my 12 hour work days. I'm ready to keel the fuck over. All in all though, I'm confident I will get one of the positions. The person I'm cross training with wants me to take the position, and the hiring manager is someone I know as an aquaintance, and she seems thrilled at the though of getting me.
What am I doing about work in the U.S.? Well, of all absurd things, I'm currently in negotiation with Rocky Mountain Festivals. I worked for them in the past, and they are fairly begging me to return. So I'm negotiating them providing me with an apartment, amongst other things. We will see what they come back with. I know they want me on a multi year commitment, but I'm not sure I can give it. Life is too unsure, and there are always new things to opt for.
Anyway, I guess we will see what shakes loose.
I spoke with my family this week. It produced a knee jerk crisis reaction. So I will be heading to Arizona immediately after my vacation. My father says my mother is getting worse, and my mother says she is getting worse. I need to see it, try to understand what is happening before I can even hope to help. I am looking forward to going home, I'm not looking forward to the sadness it will bring to see her as she is now. The disease is cruel, that I can definitely say. I'm already pondering recipes to bring down with me, so I can do some massive cooking while I'm there, and pretend like everything is okay. Cooking while I'm there I have noticed is my way of being able to cope with the reality that the 3 of us face together. I had not realized it until I started thinking about how many dozen tamales I should make so that my parents would have left overs. Last time I flew, I took frozen tamales in my carry on. This time, we make them! Together.
I will still be able to work on my project for the home/orphanage in Cape Town, so that is awesome. I will be glad to cuddle with my dog again, and I will be glad to be put to work doing more construction for my parents. In September I was building, pouring concrete, and doing general labor in 100+ temperatures. I'm hoping for more of it. I reveled in the heat of Phoenix, and I reveled in the place I still call home. I reveled how good I felt working so hard, and that my body did not let me down, in spite of itself.
I'm looking foward to being in Colorado for Easter. Another tamale festival to be sure. Last year I missed Easter because of being in Cabo Pulmo on the Baja coast. This year, I'm doing tamales and a fairly large-ish party again. I usually do insane Easter baskets for the guests. The only thing that would make it awesome would be to fly my own parents out for the event, but I doubt very seriously my mother could handle the stress of flying anymore. :( I'm trying to already work on a guest list, and getting the gifts of the baskets purchased. I have some ideas, but if I'm not careful I could go nuts on the spending. Feeding that many people in the manner I love to is expensive, much less all the accessories to go with it.
I should get back to work. Damn. The night is not getting any younger, and I still have things I should hash out.
I had not counted the days until this very moment, but I'm out of here in T-18. Oh yes. Then I will be on vacation and not giving a hoot.
So what am I doing about the frustration? Calling passengers on their bullshit for one. Stick a fork in me, I'm done. I have never understood how people, who are just people can think that because of status, anyone should be required to respect them or be afraid. (Now granted, if said person has a gun, the gun is respected and I would surely fear the person, because ultimately it really is not guns that kill people. It is people, and people would still kill people if guns were not available. Anyway, I digress.) I'm toeing off with people, and my poor Director is dealing with some of the aftermath. I'm not going to continue to allow people because of position or title push my co-workers around, and certainly I will not allow them the ability to push me around or try to tell me my job. I know my job. Most days it really is like herding cats truth be told. My Director in spite of having to do clean up though, really is not having to do too much battle. I can fight my own, and I pick and choose them as best as I can. I think he's more amused than naught. I'm doing a lot of toeing off though with various agencies, and while toeing the line is okay, I'm very aware that if I'm not careful, I'm going to crash into the line.
What else am I doing? I'm looking for a new job, and now I'm cross training on a position I hope to obtain before the hiring manager leaves the Ice. There are multiple reasons for this. I am slightly burned out on my job but due to work related issues.
The job would be a field camp cargo coordinator. It would be one of two positions being hired for this next season. The pay raise is about 100.00 per week on the low side, with a different kind of stress, and I would be pretty much working alone. I'm either going to suck or bloom in the position, and being that I have pretty much done most of the tasking of the position in jobs past down here, I'm opting for the blooming variety. It would make me more marketable on international contracts to boot. I would also not be required to pull a night shift for half of the season, and while I would be working close to the same amount of hours, it would be for 6 days a week instead of 5. Which in a place where the environment has a horrible toll on your body, is something to consider.
The caveat right now though, is I'm training for this position after my 12 hour work days. I'm ready to keel the fuck over. All in all though, I'm confident I will get one of the positions. The person I'm cross training with wants me to take the position, and the hiring manager is someone I know as an aquaintance, and she seems thrilled at the though of getting me.
What am I doing about work in the U.S.? Well, of all absurd things, I'm currently in negotiation with Rocky Mountain Festivals. I worked for them in the past, and they are fairly begging me to return. So I'm negotiating them providing me with an apartment, amongst other things. We will see what they come back with. I know they want me on a multi year commitment, but I'm not sure I can give it. Life is too unsure, and there are always new things to opt for.
Anyway, I guess we will see what shakes loose.
I spoke with my family this week. It produced a knee jerk crisis reaction. So I will be heading to Arizona immediately after my vacation. My father says my mother is getting worse, and my mother says she is getting worse. I need to see it, try to understand what is happening before I can even hope to help. I am looking forward to going home, I'm not looking forward to the sadness it will bring to see her as she is now. The disease is cruel, that I can definitely say. I'm already pondering recipes to bring down with me, so I can do some massive cooking while I'm there, and pretend like everything is okay. Cooking while I'm there I have noticed is my way of being able to cope with the reality that the 3 of us face together. I had not realized it until I started thinking about how many dozen tamales I should make so that my parents would have left overs. Last time I flew, I took frozen tamales in my carry on. This time, we make them! Together.
I will still be able to work on my project for the home/orphanage in Cape Town, so that is awesome. I will be glad to cuddle with my dog again, and I will be glad to be put to work doing more construction for my parents. In September I was building, pouring concrete, and doing general labor in 100+ temperatures. I'm hoping for more of it. I reveled in the heat of Phoenix, and I reveled in the place I still call home. I reveled how good I felt working so hard, and that my body did not let me down, in spite of itself.
I'm looking foward to being in Colorado for Easter. Another tamale festival to be sure. Last year I missed Easter because of being in Cabo Pulmo on the Baja coast. This year, I'm doing tamales and a fairly large-ish party again. I usually do insane Easter baskets for the guests. The only thing that would make it awesome would be to fly my own parents out for the event, but I doubt very seriously my mother could handle the stress of flying anymore. :( I'm trying to already work on a guest list, and getting the gifts of the baskets purchased. I have some ideas, but if I'm not careful I could go nuts on the spending. Feeding that many people in the manner I love to is expensive, much less all the accessories to go with it.
I should get back to work. Damn. The night is not getting any younger, and I still have things I should hash out.
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