Ten Days to Departure
In ten days, Nov. 8, I leave for the big trip. At the moment I am mostly thinking about a) the new billing system I am putting into service (which is a pain), b) the EM Facility Emergency Plan draft that is due Friday (partly written), c) all the details of the acquisition and installation of, and renovations of rooms for, the new microscopes. The latter are supposed to arrive at the end of the year. The renovations are supposed to take place in late December and early January. Unless I get delayed in Antarctica, or the renovations don't go as planned, or the SEM doesn't get sold, leaving me short on cash for the many bills at the lab, all will be well.
At this very moment (7:18pm on 10-129-03) it is 13ºF at McMurdo Station. There is no listing for either Beardmore, nor Shackelton Glacier. There is no sunset or sunrise since it is summer in the south. No need for fancy flashlights.
I should go on long trips more often. I have two dinner invitations, a brewing session with Slink, and attention like never before.
First post
The urge to write something, now that I have the power to do so, is over powering. The content posted is not. This web log will be used for periodic updates on the Antarctic trip set to start on November 8, 2003. I will certainly be able to make entries while in New Zealand and at McMurdo base. Whether or not it will be possible from the field remains to be seen.