February 10

I start working again tomorrow morning. I've enjoyed the time off, spent much time reading, writing, and taking care of the to do list during my free time. At the beginning of the season, I promised myself I would write everyone that wrote me, so I spent a good bit of Saturday writing short letters. Thanks for all the mail everyone. I think it was good for the body and soul to spend some quality time sitting around.

Went for a hike with a guy who brews his own beer on campus. I suppose it's not everyday one gets to drink a beer made with Antarctic waters. I think it's kind of cool. Saw a whale.

The weather is looking more wintery everyday and I've been told it's only going to get worse.

February 9th

I've finished nights. I have the next three days off to get my body used to being awake during the daytime.

Last night was the final janitor party. The bought $90 worth of booze with all the change we found laying on the floor while we were cleaning during the season. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

The weather has made a dramatic turn for the worse. It seems at least as bad as when I arrived in October. Winter is on it's way.

Folks are finishing their season and heading home almost everyday now.

I'm not sure why, but I find myself fascinated with the supply vessel and how all of the logistics operate. This huge boat drops off all of next season's supplies and takes home all of this years waste.

February 4th

I can't believe it's February already. Times seems to be passing by so quickly. Time also seems to be moving so slow these past couple weeks as I think more and more about what I'm going to do after Antarctica.

The vessel, the symbolic and literal end of each summer season, is scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning. Many have transitioned to nights for the around-the-clock offload of the vessel. The vessel essentially brings all of next years supplies and take all of this year's waste back to a landfill in California.

I am scheduled to transition back to days starting this Friday. Only 3 more working Antarctican nights.

Heard of a Russian sailor guy that was here today. He had his appendix removed aboard a ship in the area but then it became infected. So they helicoptered him into McMurdo, cleaned him up and sent him on the next plane to New Zealand.

January 30

I was walking past a window and saw a whale. Surely the night's highlight. My co-worker left on a morale trip for the south pole. She will be there for an hour before it's time to turn around and come back.

The last day to mail packages from McMurdo is in two days. I sent home many the things (mostly excess clothes) that I won't be needing for my travels in New Zealand.

I've started thinking about post-Antarctic work.

January 29

It's been a few days since I last posted a blog entry. Campus is packed full these days. There's a bunch of Navy guys and Kiwi military folks that are here to unload the supply vessel when it arrives. About 30 Russian folks on their way home from the Russian base are in town. There are three ships out in the bay: the icebreaker, the research vessel and the fuel tanker. All of their crews take some R&R time on campus. South pole folks are passing through here on their way home. The winter folks are starting to arrive. Most the field camps are closing down and passing through here on their way home. It's kind of exciting and kind of fascinating. Last night we were 10 people below capacity and rumors are that we will be over capacity tonight. I still have an empty bed in my room.
All is well. I am enjoying myself.

January 24th

All is well in Antarctica. It is now 1 month until I see my girlfriend again and I'm missing her so very much.

The weather has turned super windy, which is nice as it's blowing a lot of the ice (the icebreaker broke up) out of here. Many have told me that more open water = more whales.

Work continues to be routine. I attended open mic night at the bar.

Everyone is talking about their post-Antarctica travel plans. Many have plans to travel for three or more months and to all types of exotic locations.

January 22nd

This is my 100th post. Makes one realize how long he's been here.

Attended a travelogue of someones travels to the Falkland Islands. She had tons of pictures of birds, including skuas, several types of penguins and these birds with blue eyes. The rockhopper penguins have yellow mohawks and apparently jump vertically and the king penguins have such pretty colors.

Saw a penguin all by its lonesome near the boat dock.

Morning janitor meeting was about avoiding burn-out and coping with irritability.