Going back to January

A couple of pictures from the New Years party I found. Nine months ago today...

Me and Bobby DeValentino. Bobby is going to Palmer Station last I heard. The only (American) posting in Antarctica I have not done. Will that change?

Lots of people here, Behind me left is Suzy Williams (she is still here), with camera is Chris Wilson who is coming back from Denver, the couch is Christine and Dan. Dan works in China now for the embassy.

This is Tonya, although you might think I put her here for eye-candy (which is true in its own right), if look behind her you can see the "cage" we use for dancing. The stage for the bands is behind left. When Polies throw a party there is no doubt that good times are coming.

Here is Tonya, myself and Guy Thomerson. If you look in Tonya's hand you can see why we look so funny, that's right - TEQUILA had happened just before. I think we were celebrating some timezone in Eastern Europe in this shot (South Pole touches all timezones). Guy is still here with me, we drink Scotch or Irish whiskey together on occasion. Guy's beard is a much bigger event now then nine months ago.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures.

As of today I have completed 309 consecutive days in Antarctica with 68 remaining until my release. So as I begin to prepare my work center to be taken over by Bensonda (my replacement) I noticed I have a decent collection of pictures dating back to my early days here. So I thought I would start posting them. So look for pictures to put up here for the couple of weeks as I whittle my hard drive down.
This first one is recent of Steph and I in the Galley. Believe it or not this is how we make milk down here, a big power tool thing and a big jug. I look like a dork, so enjoy...

A Quick Web Counter How-To

To continue on with the SysAdmin motif, I have been asked from a number of people "who do I do to get a web counter like you have?" Well it is pretty simple but I thought I'd share my experience and what I did.

I went to Blogger Help and eventually made my way to this page.

I reviewed all the web counters and decided on Site Meter because it has an insertion feature (that sounds dirty) for Blogger users. So click on the Site Meter link (or click here).

You will run through a couple of pages basically telling you not to screw around with the coding of Site Meter. If you need this How-To I am pretty sure you will not hAx0red it. Insert your blogspot (or whatever) address in the URL line. A brief description of the site and your current time zone for logging purposes.
You may need to zoom in on this to read it.


Then you move on to the contact form, fill it out then NEXT.

You are prmopted to pick services you want to know about. Skip this by clicking NEXT.

Review all the particulars. If your email address if valid it will send this info to your address, but it might be worth writing down. This email will also include your login password in to manage your Site Meter account. Look for it in 10-15 minutes. NEXT

So you are basically done with the account setup. Now it is time to add this counter to your Blogger page. The easy way to do this is go to the Blogger Insertion Page.

Fill out your user name and password for Blogger and it will appear shortly on your Blogger page. If you are not comfortable sending your Blogger password to Site Meter, you can a) change your blogger password afterward or b)cut and paste the HTML code into your Blogger template. I don't cover either of those although (a) is very simple to do.

Once your counter is up on your page you can modify it from Site Meter after you login and click MANAGER. I'll let you figure out the rest.

Hope this helps. If you want to see examples of Site Meter here are a couple I see frequently:

The lovely and talented (for a Texan) - Crystal (http://sexylovepits.blogspot.com/)
Comms Tech, part-time Fire Fighter and full time pain in the butt - Greg (http://gregsfrontporch.com/)
A little off, which just makes her hotter - Laura (http://lauraswisher.blogspot.com/)

Now that I have an exit date...

The "Penguin Timer" becomes much more accurate:

Super Double Bonus Day!!!

Multiple posts in one day!?! It's true. What a lucky reader you are!

I think I might have what to do now that I have my parole, er, redeployment date is set. Why not simulate going to Mars in a Russian built spacecraft from the 70's? It is listed as 520 days with an + or - 180 days added in. Nice, I am sure the 1970's Russian builders were all about comfort.

Although it is not as glamorous to goto Mars as it was yesterday. The IAU just added 3 new planets. With exciting names like UB313, Mars is so passe. I was so pysched about this yesterday but now, blah. But all the elementry school texbook manufactures must be jumping up and down in glee. That's a free stock tip from the Blur to you.

When is a simple email blogworthy?

From: Malmgren, Henry
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 8:54 AM
To: McClure, Patrick; Watson, Gregory; Kawasaki, Erik; Reynolds, Robert
Subject: Redeployment date!

Ok guys,

All of you are now scheduled to fly out of Pole on the 2nd, and you'll spend one night in Mactown before heading for CHC on the 3rd of November. Time to start thinking of travel plans!

Not that I am sensitive to it...

Since my post about System Admin of the Year 2006, I have received exactly ONE nomination. Not that I am counting or anything. I know everyone is busy, doesn't have time for the guy who tirelessly keeps the internet running, email mailing, printers printing and blog posts coming.

Maybe the form is too tough. Lets see here, you need to know your name and have an email address. Not too bad. You need to know your SysAdmin's name [PATRICK McCLURE], my email address which is posted throughout the blog [patrick.mcclure@usap.gov], the company I work for [Raytheon Polar Services Company]. A prompt for country which is weird because your only choices are United States or Canada. For the sake of this form we'll consider Antarctica the same way the IRS does and call it the United States. Now the hard part, freelance profession of your admiration or love for me. You can say all the nice things you always wanted to but were afraid to. Leave the fear behind, I will not think you are 'weird' or 'queer' for voicing fondness for me. It will give me a reason to get out of bed 6 days a week and continue to toil in my ice prison\fortress of solitude.

Anyway twilight is starting to show. It won't be long now and we will have some sun light to illuminate the barren plain that is our home.

BTW... This is my new favorite user.

Oh Yeah, I 've got a shot!

This idea stolen from: McBlogger

Your Deadly Sins

Sloth: 40%

Lust: 20%

Pride: 20%

Wrath: 20%

Envy: 0%

Gluttony: 0%

Greed: 0%

Chance You'll Go to Hell: 14%

You will die while sleeping - and no one will notice.

How Sinful Are You?

The Talking Pen

Filmed entirely at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica for the Winterover Halfway International Film Festival (WHIFF). A commercial for the communication tool of tomorrow. This has pretty much all of Bob Campbell's catch phrases in it. Keep an eye out for the Deadwood quote at the end.

A GRB Takes Over South Pole Station

Filmed entirely at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station , Antarctica. For the Winterover Halfway International Film Festival (WHIFF). A Sci-Fi entry from Fat Bob Productions. A triumphant acting performance from yours truly. Seriously I am getting agents calling me and saying "Blur, you're the next Rock!" But I am still under contract to the United States Antarctica Program for another few months. I'll look for a change of representation after that. Don't worry there are plenty more where this came from.... PS... Rock as in Dwayne Johnson not Kid.