not for the faint-hearted

Something of note recently came to my attention. Of all the fascinating people in Antarctica, Joe, who I met last year on The Ice, is back again this year as a shuttle driver. He is also celebrating his 80th birthday! My friend, Kris, wrote a nice post about him. Happy Birthday, Joe!

encountering encounters

I went to rent a movie (that hasn't been released yet) today. It was a bit disappointing that I left the store without it.

I did, however, notice that Encounters at the End of the World was on the shelf as a new release. It took me by surprise to see, not one, but four copies of this social documentary, and all four were checked out. This made me smile.

If you wonder why I am so fascinated by this, it is because this movie was filmed while I was in Antarctica, and I know nearly all the people featured in this film. And, I have a (probably coffee stained) copy of the Antarctic Sun with the producer, Werner Herzog's signature on it.

I know I've mentioned this flick before, but go rent it for an extraordinary and interesting look into the society at McMurdo Station and beyond.

random items about myself

My friend, Kris, posted seven random things about herself; so following suit:

one. Today my car turned 76,300 miles. No significance, just random.

two. I am currently reading 8 books.

three. I once had a cold that "moved into my eye" and caused a cataract-like fog to impede my vision.

four. It seems a bit strange when I have to run by the cemetery when there is smoke coming out the crematorium's chimney.

five. I love to surround myself with warm, inviting colors, but my favorite color is blue.

six. I never wanted to learn how to drive. But, I loved it when I finally received my drivers' license. I had to take each test from drivers' ed to the DMV written and driving tests two times.

seven. Speaking of driving, the only self-inflicted incident I have caused was running into a snow bank on my way to work ($1700 in damages). Ironically, 10 months later, I was selected to drive shuttles in Antarctica where there is an abundance of such impediments. Thanks for hiring me, Kris!

poly-what?

I recently was disgusted at myself when I realized I bought eggs in a poly-styrene carton a couple weeks ago. I couldn't believe I accidentally took a dozen of these fragile orbs home in, what is better known as, styrofoam. I am the shopper who will spend a few extra cents for the cardboard package. And, I'm the person who decided this summer that I should avoid smoothie stands that only have styrofoam cups for their beverages and pass on church coffee in styrofoam cups.

Polystyrene is one of the worst man made materials to dispose of. It is not recyclable (except in very specific places and under specific circumstances) and it does not biodegrade. It's a substance that is made for the sole purpose of being "disposable;" but the irony, is that is does not "dispose" of itself in a landfill.

Did you know that: "Polystyrene packing peanuts are banned [in Antarctica] under the Antarctic Conservation Act" (National Science Foundation). A number of cities and states are working on bans for polystyrene take-out packaging (see NY Times article on Portland below).

So, what can you do to help the situation?

one. Avoid purchasing polystyrene products. Also steer clear of items that are packaged with polystyrene.

two. Kindly suggest to your churches, businesses, and friends that they should look into alternatives to polystyrene products. Paper products are nearly as economical and much more biodegradable and there is nothing wrong with using the "real" plates and cups! It just means you might be the dishwasher!

three. Be an advocate and write companies who use polystyrene packing materials. Encourage them to use starch-based, cardboard, or paper products to cushion their merchandise for shipping.

I believe we have moved to the other side of the Information Technology Revolution and are heading towards a Sustainability Revolution on a global scale. I invite you to be trendy and do your part.

Here are a couple of links to pro-active earth-friendly companies and ideas:

Wikipedia's explanation of polystyrene.

Treehugger.com on the the best coffee cup.

The Fairmont Eco-Meet Program.

The Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (671.2, 671.3, 671.12).

Naturopack: Sustainable Packaging.

Portland, Oregon passes a Ban on Polystyrene Foam Items.

sitting in seattle

This week I have been with my sister, Sara, in Seattle. There is a lovely view of the Space Needle from her new apartment and the ferry boats floating in and out of the city; when it's a clear day, that is.

Yesterday, I met up with Tia, a friend from Antarctica who drove shuttles with me my first season in McMurdo. We had a lovely walk through Volunteer Park and then sat at a coffee shop and caught up with each other. Tia makes amazing jewelry and has been finding great places to expand her business.

Strangely, we hardly talked about our time on Ice at all; mostly caught up on life since then and where we saw ourselves going in the next months. It was really good to meet with Tia in the "real world!"

Regardless of how you voted, this has been a turning point in history. It's been fascinating being in such a democratic venue (the city of Seattle) during this time when Obama won the election. At the coffee shop, they sold Obama cupcakes to commemorate the historical event. Of course, Tia and I had to have our little indulgence in history, so we each purchased one with our coffee! Aside from patriotism, they tasted as good as, or better than, they looked, too!

not where they are supposed to be

One of the ideas my new book gave me was to find things that are out of place in their surroundings. I have taken a few notes for a few days and here are some things that I came up with.

I found this maple leaf floating in the ocean. Streams and rivers team with autumn leaves, but I never pictured a deciduous leaf changing color in salt water!

...or how about a Rock festival in Antarctica. This article made the news in a popular magazine, Blender. It's pretty cool when I know all of the bands and all of the folks quoted here! But who would think there could be such a celebration outside on the earth's harshest continent?

...or, how about sitting in a coffee shop, trying to catch up on e-mails only to hear toddlers screaming, five kids running around between tables and chairs, and babies crying. I certainly don't mean to deter parents from stopping in for a coffee with their kids in tow, but I thought my cozy little coffee haven had turned into a nursery!

...or check out this telephone pole; completely overgrown in trees and bushes. The communication here is by tweet or chirp (and I'm not referring to nextel).

...or seeing litter in bushes and grass, wrapped around vines and floating down a river.

...or this crab, who may be in the right environment, but at some point, was in the wrong place at the wrong time; no life here.

This sort of reflects my life right now. I feel misplaced, unglued, and a misfit in my environment. But, there's a reason and purpose behind this time. The only thing I can do is pick my head up, put the past seven months behind me, and continue to walk forward.

another day as a tourist

Before heading out the door today, I knew there was nothing to make me look "Brazilian." So, I accepted my roll as an American in Brazil with my capris and Keen sandals (which got all kinds of stares today). I suppose it should make me feel good that I occasionally get asked directions or approached by local folks; even though I just shrug my shoulders.

Today was another exploration day; a day to figure out the city and how things work and where things are. I slept in a little bit and eventually rolled out of bed to find breakfast downstairs. This was no normal continental affair; no cereal and apples here. I saw a dozen kinds of pastries and baked goods, huge chunks of fruit, eggs, bacon, yoghurt, fresh juice, and my favorite, ham buns. And, I had some great, rich coffee, too.

It's strange to be in a restaurant and not understand what anyone is saying. I’ve taken to a smile and a nod if anyone makes eye contact with me. Although, when I attempt to work at a few words, people get a huge grin on their face. It’s great!

Departing my hotel, I decided to browse around and window shop. I ended up in the Parque Trianon; a little jungle in the city. I even had a spider crawl up my leg while I was sitting there. The parks are very clean and well-cared for; a great reprieve from city traffic. This fountain could be turned on and off. I saw one man fill a bottle from it. The head appeared to be a dog. Dogs are plentiful around this city, so perhaps it's a dog-watering fountain. I don't really know.

The second photo is also in the Parque Trianon. I wish I could say this building is some architectural wonder, but it's really just the "sanitarios" (restrooms) in the park. The building caught my eye.

Shaun and I arranged to meet at a Metra station, so I had my first experience on Sao Paulo’s subway. It went real well and I arrived some time before Shaun and picked up a cheese bun and shot of “café” (shot of coffee for about US$0.30) from a street vendor. Both hit the spot. When Shaun arrived, we walked down to the huge, Parque Ibirapuera in the city that I will likely visit a time or two, again before I leave. There are a couple points of interest in the park and it’s the largest in Sao Paulo.

While wandering through the green space, Shaun recommended that I try coconut water. It’s a syrupy (but not sweet) drink made from coconut milk and water. Apparently, it’s packed full of vitamins and minerals. By the time I leave here, I will be full of those good things with all the fruit and juices I’m eating!

Some of the trees here leave their roots exposed. They put more and more roots out to find water and nutrients to help them grow. I couldn't resist taking a snapshot of one such tree in the park.

After wandering around the park and catching up with stories from Antarctica, Shaun and I walked back to the Metra station at Ana Rosa and left me to myself again. He’s an English teacher and works with businesses before and after the typical workday. There's a restaurant here that I may use as a landmark since Shaun stopped for food there. They are Woody Woodpecker themed. The Brazilians have made this character famous still even as he’s lost popularity in The States.

Shaun pointed out a grocery store, and I dropped in there to pick up a few items and check out their selection. It was really interesting to make my way through the store and pick out what I needed. I found bread, tomato, and cheese and "pao multi-grano" ( multi-grain buns). When I went to check out, there were fresh sugar peas, some walnut flavored wafers, a bottle of water, a can of "Guarana Antarctica" (flavored pop; had to try it), and ½ dozen large brown eggs in my basket (the carton is printed in brale on the bottom and oozed with "green" recycle logos and "organic" claims). I felt satisfied with the grocery store experience.

I managed the Metra again on the way back toward my hotel and as I walked down the street saw a vendor selling corn off the cob. He cuts the corn off the cob and salts and butters it in a container so his customers can take it and eat it on the go. It costs about US$1.50. He was perfectly placed as I still had about 15 minutes to walk and was getting pretty hungry for dinner. I’m also finding myself prone to stopping and indulging in culture while I peruse the city.

I ventured out one more time to a store 1/2 block from my hotel to purchase a couple postcards. The three women there thought it was funny that I did not speak Portuguese and cut me a deal on the cards; called "cartao postal." It probably helped that as she wrote the words out on a receipt, I watched, and read them back to her.

unusual observations

one. I voted for the first time in a primary election; at least to my recollection. Washington has a new system where the candidates do not claim a party and we could end up seeing two people from the same party running against each other.

two. I enjoy walking.

three. It's blackberry season again. I saw this quote for the occasion:
Earth's crammed with heaven,
and every common bush afire with God,
but only he who sees takes off his shoes;
the rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.
-- Elizabeth Barrett Browning --

four. I don't enjoy discussing my job prospects, previous employment, or lack of work with people I don't know well, but I feel like I have to in order to network.

five. It only took me five months to get to wear my new bike helmet after I purchased it. My bike is still functioning fabulously; just had to pump up the tires and lube the chain after a year of non-use.

six. I, like many other Ice people, still have a difficult time patiently explaining to people that Antarctica is south; not north. Along the same lines, please note: There are no polar bears there...in Antarctica, a continent...on the south side of the world.

seven. The Belgians make wonderful chocolate.

eight. Canada's CBC has better Olympics coverage than NBC.

nine. On August 16, my two sisters, brother, and myself were all in the same state (of Washington) at the same time. This is unusual, because you typically can't find us in the same country.

ten. If I had a dollar for each one of my frequent flier miles, I would be wealthy.

friday feels good

What a gorgeous day today! A lot of locals have been complaining about the near-90F temperatures, but folks need to appreciate the sun when they get it out here!

My Ice friend, J, stopped in with one of his Trek America tour groups this morning. They were on the Alaska Ferry that docked in Bellingham. We had a cup of coffee together before they scooted off down I-5 to Seattle. I nearly mistook the guy for an Alaskan Kodiak bear with all the facial hair he's sporting these days! Despite the grizzly appearance, and that he took a "toe shot" way up north in Dawson, Yukon (you can google it, but you probably don't want to), everyone should be so fortunate to have a friend like J.

On my way back, I dropped in at Boulevard Park on Bellingham Bay. There is a coffee shop here that may replace the one I found in Fairhaven a couple days ago because it has a fantastic view over the water and free wi-fi, too! I have a lot of things I could accomplish indoors, but this morning was for spending time outside on a lovely morning, reading and journaling, and listening to the conversations around me; some of which are listed below:

.Finances, taxes, and IRA's
.Airports and island building in Dubai and The Maldives.
.The poor choice of deck chairs at the coffee shop.
.Construction on The Guide Road and how many lanes the new bridge over the Nooksack river will have.
.The road construction project lead to conversations about the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.
.The inappropriateness of a burning fireplace on the deck of the coffee shop on such a warm day.
.This passed year's Valentine's Day surprise.
.The noise levels of bagpipes at a wedding.

And no one thought I was listening.

So, today I sat and breathed in God's creative work around me; the people talking, the green, fresh-cut grass and greener seaweed, the yellow flowers growing between the rocks, the water, islands and boats of every shape and size, friends, celebrations (like Laura's birthday), coffee, warm and clear weather, peace and joy, and fresh sea salty air. Ah.

summer vacation

I am finally in a place where I am putting aside my lack of work, and really enjoying the time I have with my friends and family. The last couple weeks in Denver and the first couple weeks in Washington have been filled with memories and people and positive feelings. I have enjoyed not constantly sitting in front of the computer waiting for jobs to be posted or for someone to call me back. While I am still quite invested in the job-seeking process, I feel a bit like I am on summer break.

On Monday afternoon, I drove out to Birch Bay to pick up Kirrin and Jeremy from their long weekend in Vancouver. We took a walk with Kirrin's aunt and uncle along the beach and watched a seagull verbally attack a bald eagle.

After our walk we bought ice cream cones and enjoyed a bit more of the area before heading back to Bellingham. I had to be back in the Seattle area for an interview on Tuesday morning, and my two Kiwis were flying out on Thursday morning, so we planned two nights in Seattle with Dave and Chelsea, our Antarctic friends, again. This time around, the weather for the week looked fantastic in comparison to the cool rain in recent days!

northern exposure

On Wednesday morning, the three of us (Kirrin, Jeremy, and myself) woke up slow, made breakfast, washed dishes, packed up, and headed out of Seattle for Bellingham. I had a few options of things to see with these friends.

Our first stop was at the Mukilteo Ferry dock. We arrived about 20 minutes before we had to drive onto the boat and enjoyed another cup of Ivar's Clam Chowder while we waited in the car and watched the police dogs sniff wheel wells for drugs or explosives or both. This ferry heads across Puget Sound to the south end of Whidbey Island.

Our first stop was in Langley; a much more quaint and whimsical town than I remembered from our junior high volleyball games. My friend, Brandi, had taken pictures of a coffee shop she visited there, so I was determined to find it as well. We each had a latte at the Useless Bay Coffee Company. Brandi's photos turned out better than mine!

The next stop was Fort Casey. Our school hosted retreats and outings at this State Park. The fort was built during World War II with two other strongholds in the Washington area. During the Cold War it became an evacuation shelter. The cement tunnels and rooms are quite dank and spooky to think about living in, but rather interesting to climb and poke around in. Kids run around this place screaming in the echoing corridors and chasing each other for a game of capture the flag. We also saw a doe and her two fawns nibbling on leaves as we snacked on nectarines in the car here.

Our last stop on Whidbey Island was Deception Pass. The northe end of the island is connected to Fidalgo Island by this bridge and Fidalgo Island is connected by another bridge to the mainland. You can hardly drive this stretch of road while visiting Washington and not stop at the Deception Pass bridge. We took a half mile walk down to the beach to look back up at the bridge, take some photos on the driftwood and look at the pebbles on the shore before heading back up and out toward Bellingham where we all stayed with Uncle Jerry and Aunt Faye for the night.

seeing seattle

My primary reason for returning to Washington at the particular time I chose was to see my friends, Kirrin and Jeremy, who are visiting North America for about six weeks on their around-the-world journey lasting six months. I met Kirrin and Jeremy in (or on the way to) Antarctica the first year I deployed. After returning to New Zealand, they eventually started dating and were married last December. The two have always been great company to enjoy conversation with over a good glass of wine. Kirrin and Jeremy have been such hospitable hosts each year in Auckland, New Zealand, that I am more-than-happy to show them around the little piece of Creation that I call home.

They drove up from Las Vegas to Seattle on Sunday and on Tuesday, I drove down to Seattle to meet them and then spend some time with our mutual Antarctic friends, Dave and Chelsea.

I arranged to meet them at the original Starbucks for some coffee, but they found me first; I walked right by them! After our coffee stop, we took in Pike Place Market and watch the surly fish-flingers throw seafood over the counter. The market is a colorful and lively place to visit; lots of flowers, produce, seafood, curiosities, and people!

For lunch, I took them to the famous Ivar's Seafood restaurant on the water. While spooning the delicious clam chowder in our hungry bellies, we watched a couple ferries move in and out of the pier while planning the rest of the afternoon. In true, Washington style, the skies opened up with some spatters of rain (unusual for this time of year). In the end, we headed back to Dave and Chelsea's house.

Jeremy, with Kirrin's help, made supper for us; a fantastic salmon lasagna with a delicious homemade cheese sauce. The five us did a bit of reminiscing over a bottle of wine, we caught up on our lives over the past months, and some participated in a bit of new memory-making.

I am pretty well-convinced that Jeremy and Kirrin will fit in wherever they find themselves in the world!

last day

Today is my last day in Colorado. Tomorrow I will get on a flight back to the Pacific Northwest; first to Portland, then Seattle, and finally Bellingham, Washington. The spring and summer have been really rewarding in terms of seeing a few places in North America and the spectacular trip to Haiti. Spending time with friends and family is something everyone should be fortunate enough to do; especially when they are spread out all over the place.

Last night I spent the evening with a roommate, Ana Bell, from my first season in Antarctica. Of the four of us roommates, we felt the most "normal" and compatible in our room and I appreciated her excitement for getting me on the ground and familiar with dorm life on The Ice. She knew Laura from the season previous, and she worked in housing so could hook us up with great stuff for our room, too! Ana Bell wrote me postcards for my second season down there; with the personal understanding of how great it is to receive mail. Last night we had her homemade ceviche (which was excellent) for supper and great conversation! Since I forgot to pull out my camera, this photo is of Laura and Ana Bell from our 70's party at McMurdo Station the first year I went down.

This morning, I met with one of my Colorado business contacts to catch up on the summer and career search with him. I stayed at the coffee shop for a few more minutes to also catch up with my college friend, Megan. We were on the track and field team together and have kept in touch since. Megan was our fantastic and fabulous 400 meter runner; she ran with grace and quite a bit of speed! I had a lovely time seeing her again while she is visiting the state. She and her husband, Matt, are expecting their first child, a girl this year!

The morning has been pretty busy. Now I am up for a short job search followed by packing up my bags from the last three months with Laura!

good friends

This week a few friends of mine were in town. I met Cary, Steve, Eli, and Seth down in Antarctica. For an evening in Boulder, we all caught up with various outdoor adventures, travels, and some stories from the Ice. Cary and Eli are booking shows and touring in a band developed this past year on the southern continent with their friend, Frank; The Legendary Beep Beeps. Steve and Seth have been out and about rock climbing all over the place.

We gathered on a rooftop for dinner and then spent a couple hours walking up to Seth and Steve's place. All-in-all, it was a wonderful evening and great to see some familiar and friendly faces!

only in the news

I've run across some interesting news stories and commentaries lately that are of some interest. If you would like a little cynicism, or mild entertainment, here are my recommendations for the week:

Antarctica's resupply of...

A British perspective on ads in America.

A little Egyptian age gap.

Other Iranian thoughts on marriage.

Stay tuned for this Antarctic movie premier.

a shower never felt to good

This morning, Laura and I took our bikes up some of the dirt roads outside of Vail to do a little mountain biking. The trip was bout 13 miles each way up to a meadow with a view and a lake. We didn't make it that far, though, because there was plenty of snow on the road and while some of it was passable, we finally realized that we were going to be walking our bikes more than riding them the more elevation we gained.

The snow was a little slippery to ride over and Laura was using her new clips and shoes. Suffice to say, that it's not very pleasant watching your little sister take a fall, or three, in front of you. But, don't worry, mom; it's not like she fell five feet, head first through a sticker bush, into a snow bank that softened her fall; with her bike on top of her. Just a few scratches and bruises for her and a shaky burst of adrenaline and wet feet from the snow for me. Still, it's a good testimony to the importance of a bike helmet! It took a few dents rather than her head.

We ate lunch another half mile up the trail and by the time we started heading back down, the snow was melting much more significantly. This provided us with a dirty ride down the dirt (mud) road. But, it was a lot of fun dropping down 1200 feet over about five miles; heading down is the best part! Back at the hotel, we surveyed our dirt damage (see splatters up my back in this picture or the previous post). Showers never felt so good!

bouldering

Laura lets me tag along with her on her Monday and Wednesday lunch date with the bouldering gym. My arms, hands, and fingers usually feel like rubber when I leave, but one day I'll have the strength to actually think about the skill and technique behind sticking to a wall with my fingers and toes. So far, I have deduced that there is a reason insects and spiders have more than four appendages; it's to grab onto more of those holds at once! Three points of contact is a general safety rule of rock climbing. I could use two or four more. Some of our bouldering buddies can actually propel themselves through the air to catch the next hand hold!

Despite the sore muscles, bouldering is a lot of fun and Laura's coworkers who we go with are Antarctic folks, like us, so we all have a little bit in common!

Yesterday, my friend, who we affectionately referred to as "red-haired" David my first season on The Ice, came down and spent part of the afternoon with me. After more than a year, we had a fun time catching up and telling stories from our travels.

Laura and I also checked out Jing, an modern Chinese inspired, Asian cuisine restaurant. She was told to check out the bathroom at this place and we weren't disappointed when we discovered the doors to each toilet change from clear to frosted glass when the door is locked. The ladies room was quite trendy and chic. The food was good, too. We split a strawberry tofu salad and some crusted shrimp and prawns with white and brown rice.

radio in antarctica

NPR came down to Antarctica while I was there this past summer. In Air Services we accommodated these guys as they made some trips back and forth to a few different places on the continent and to Christchurch. Their work has been put together at this website. There is a lot of great information and links to other Antarctic stories at the bottom of the article.

I highly recommend this video about the South Pole and McMurdo Station (4 min) and this radio broadcast (15 minutes) from the South Pole. I like it because I recognized places and faces. You might like it for the perspective it gives you on a place few people get to visit.