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Journal Entries
2005-06
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| Jump to a specific journal entry by Marianne Kaput: | ||
| August 2005 | 23 | |
| October 2005 | 31 | |
| December 2005 | 15 29 30 31 | |
| January 2006 | 1 3 4 5 7 9 10-11 12-14 15 16-17 18-19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 | |
| February 2006 | 1 2 5 6-8 10 | |
| Click here to access journal entries by Giancarlo Lopez-Martinez or Luke Sandro. | ||
January 29, 2006 — Palmer Station, Antarctica
During the week, it's hard to tell one day from the next because time is unimportant, unless it's mealtime. You get up and do what you need to do. If the weather is good, we go island hopping to collect specimens. If the wind is over 20 knots, we stay on-station. The only really important days I have to remember are Wednesdays — that's my day to do gash (kitchen cleaning duty) and it's also the weekly science presentation. Everyone around here pulls together to get done what needs to be done, and gash is a big part of that. Those are two events not to be missed.
The other big event falls on Saturday and it's house mouse. I lucked out and pulled vacuuming the hall and sweeping and cleaning the steps. On my way up the steps to hunt down the vacuum cleaner, I came across Mike who really got a great job — cleaning the men’s bathroom. See how much he likes scrubbing toilets and the sink? I think he’s smiling!
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I got done with my chores but still had a full and busy schedule. The list of things to do was posted on the announcement board.
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At 3:30 there was a station meeting that outlined the week's activities. The activity that impacts us the most is when tour ships arrive, and one was expected this Wednesday. There is also a "gentle reminder" portion of the meeting, during which people have the opportunity to speak up about any issues or problems (like remembering to refill the hand soap container if it's empty, or to make fresh coffee when it runs out). Living in such a small and close community requires everyone's full cooperation in making it run well.
The store was open and I took advantage of one of my last chances to get some Palmer Station souvenirs. I know my students will want what I bought to put on my desk — stickers!
Maria, one of our scientists, gave us all a treat and prepared an amazing fiesta style feast. We all chipped in and helped her prepare the meal; we put on aprons, turned up the music, and talked and laughed while we made this magnificent Spanish feast. As you can see, the food around here is pretty good. Thank goodness there is a gym to work out in!
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The art show was the perfect way to end the evening. Everyone showed up with their art. Some shared handmade beaded necklaces, dyed scarves, block prints, metal sculptures and paintings. Some shared their photographs in a slide show. Others sang, played guitar and told stories to entertain us. It was a wonderful evening spent with good friends.
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...And then nature decided to put on an art show of its own...
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- Kaput-on-Ice