Young Minds that want to learn.

Hi,

Things have gotten so busy for me that I'm about three weeks overdue with my last update.

What I wanted to explain this go around was how along with my regular job, that I have been explaining schoolchildren around the world by various means what I do at the South Pole. Thus far, I've answered some questions for a co-worker's sister, contributed to a Wiki Page (http://januaryweather.wikispaces.com) and shot some video for a local teacher that I know.

It's always a good feeling that there are students out there who are curious about your work, so I did what I could to provide the answers that were needed. It may have taken more time that I would have liked, but I did what I needed to do to help fuel the minds for the next generation. With any luck, some of them might even make it down to the ice themselves.

A somewhat short post.

Hey,

I've just been super crazy busy over the past two weeks trying to be the responsible one. A lot of paperwork, reports and reviews have been on my docket. The only relief so far has been a party that our department hosted. It took some time to put it together, but it turned out to be a lot of fun for everyone on station. Here's a toast to you and myself that things slow down just a touch before the end of the season.

Merry Chris...Happy Hanna...uh. Festivus!

Hello everyone,

I guess I saved the best entry of the year for last (or so I think), but I want to wish you all the best during this time of year, whichever holiday that you celebrate. As for my Chirstmas, vindication feels good as I recovered from some breathing troubles last year and I did great in the Race Around the World. I finished a 2.1 mile trek in 19:28. Overall the run went well and I've been thinking doing something more with the running side. A couple people I've ran into think I have that runner's build, but I've never really tried to do anything about it. I did five miles on a treadmill earlier in the month and one of the goals that I'm looking to do before I depart this world is a marathon. After the 5 mile stationary trek in high altitude, I think that a half marathon isn't out of the question. So in the meantime, I better eat my Wheaties, vitamins and say my prayers.

I hope that 2011 goes as good if not better for you than 2010.

Peace

*pant, *pant. I'm...still around.

Greetings,

It has been some time since I've been back. Even though things have been generally quiet, that means that I had more time to take care of pressing matters around the office among other things. The Met crew and I have been adjusting to our work life fine; some things to work out here and there but generally fine.

After Thanksgiving weekend (which went great), I had one of my new experiences as a manager...Manager's Cook Day. Traditionally, we say thank you to the kitchen staff who prepared our Thanksgiving dinner by giving them the day off the week after. At that time, a lot of the managers from other departments chip in and prepare meals for that day. I was part of the Science and IT group for lunch which consisted of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. I helped out on the vegetables and fries. I had a lot of fun and people seemed to enjoy what we were able to do for one day.

The spirit of volunteerism still burns bright. Take care everyone!

Breaking News!!

We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog post to bring to you this update. The Death Claw, yes the Death Claw has been spotted at the South Pole. This Claw has been known to bring visibilities down to a quarter of a mile and wind speeds as high as 40 mph. The Death Claw has ruined a number of rescue flights to the South Pole, leaving our hearty Polies to fend for themselves for a couple of days. We can only pray that the perpetual winds and whiteouts have not robbed everyone of their sanity, especially the winterovers who were due to leave about a week ago. Snow drifts have been known to reach four feet high in narrow spaces. There is no escape! So please, take extra care. Bar your doors and steer clear of the clutches of the Death Claw!!

Okay, maybe not the best H.G. Wells impression, but an austral spring storm the likes of which that hasn't been around for about 20 years needs to exaggerated...uh, I mean explained. At least we have blue skies for now and things are getting back to normal after a hectic first part of the week.

Transitioning back to Pole and to work.

Salutations,

I arrived at South Pole to take on my added role a couple of days ago. I stayed in McMurdo a little longer than I would have liked, but I'm glad to get going to Pole and get down to business. Right now, I'm in the process of turnover with the winter overs so that I can remember how to do my job and transition smoothly.

While I was staying in McMurdo, I decided to take on Ob Hill again just so that I could get my head clear that day and get some exercise. I hiked the hill two years ago, but they didn't have wind turbines on one of the neighboring hills. After thinking about it, seeing those turbines on the seventh continent reminds me of my job position. The transition from fossil fuels to greener forms of energy and me going from Met to Senior Met has some parallels to it.

If they take care of the energy transition here, they could do it anywhere. Also I feel that I would do a good enough job with the added responsibilities if the transition goes well. So far it has been, but other things on station are making things a little more difficult. On that note, things should be more exciting when I get my two new workers down here sometime next week. Expect an update then.

Until then, toodles.

What? You're back for more!?

Hello everyone,

It's about that time of the year when my thoughts turn south, in a good way of course. I've returned to Antarctica and have resumed my weather duties at the South Pole. This time, I would be in charge of said weather duties and it would be a case of same duties as before, just more responsibilities that go along with them as well as making sure everyone else does what they are supposed to do.

That said, I will be the good soldier and not bash or throw anyone or any department under the bus on this page. I will do my best to focus on the ups and downs and learning experiences that I encounter.

Before chilling in McMurdo, I was in Christchurch, NZ for a couple of days, the first since an earthquake rocked the Canterbury region last month. I did see some off what nature's wrath can offer. While I have experienced some rumblers in my time in Reno, NV, this was clearly the first time that I have been in a spot where a 7 had hit in a very recent time. Even though this is a bad sight of a building being scaffolded and taken down, Christchurch had done a good job getting things back together and still it's a wonderful place to visit.

With that, I'll leave for now and hope to bring to you more tales from the ice in the near future.