The Blur's South Pole Adventures

Not Many Adventures, Anymore

2007-05-10T10:21:00.000-06:00

It has been sometime since I have updated this blog. A lot has changed and I thought I'd bring everyone up to date. First off I attended the Raytheon Polar Services Company job fair in early April and talked to people about going back. It appears the options were open to me if I so chose. I started contemplating returning to the long night and the friendly confines of Amundsen-Scott Station.

Later that same day I got a call which turned into a job offer from Sun Microsystems Inc. The money was about the same as the RPSC money, would be a full time position, located 7 miles from my condo, full benefits and would start relatively soon. When weighed against contract work that would not start until September, the endless PQ process and the fact I would be locked away in semi-seclusion for another 13 months prompted me to take the Sun job.

I've been at Sun for two weeks now and everything is going really well. Sure there are some corporate cultural differences from what I am used to and new hire paperwork is confusing anywhere you go. My new boss is fantastic and the campus I work at is like a university. Other IT folks who know me will chuckle that I now use a SunRay thin client and Solaris 10 for everything.

So where does this leave "The Blur's South Pole Adventures?" Well probably in limbo. I can't write much about the Pole because I get my info from mostly the same sources as everyone else; Neal Scheibe, Michael Rehm, and the South Pole Station Website. I do occasionally get a tidbit from my sources inside RPSC but usually they are of a boring technical type that make for poor blogging.

So will I ever return? Very hard to say, I would like to explore this opportunity at Sun and see just how far I can go. I definitely do feel a "pull" from the ice, especially toward Palmer, the one station that has eluded me in my travels. But the earliest opening there is March 2008, so I have lots of time to think about it. So maybe check back in January 2008 and see if I am packing.

Blur's new corporate contact information:

Patrick McClure
ITOps - Procurement and Logistics

Sun Microsystems, Inc.
500 Eldorado Blvd.
Broomfield, CO 80021 US
Phone 303-272-4046/x74046
Email Patrick.McClure@Sun.COM

Maybe I will blog about my adventures in Denver.... Probably not.

Super Duper Post #100 - The Vacation!

2006-12-06T14:50:00.000-07:00

So I have been a little slow since I got home. But seeing how I am one post from 100 and have lots of pictures to share why not go for it. So without further adieu, my vacation/adventure:

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island. It is one of my favorites from the trip. Great nightlife, cheap drinks, cool things to see. Could have spent a few weeks here if time would have allowed.

The center of Christchurch is based on this Cathedral.

A WWI monument in the Cathedral Square.

Myself, Neal and Jeff after breakfast. We all stayed at the YMCA.

Here is Mark Noske and Neal eating at the Tap Room. You cook your food on a very hot brick. Sounds cool but was too much like work for me.

Jeanette being Jeanette in a phone booth.

Neal, Jeff and Jeanette on a little trail outside of Lyttleton.

That's me overlooking Lyttleton Harbor.

A little beach in Lyttleton.

Shots of the harbor.

Neal posing with the Mr. Whippy truck. Notice that Neal is holding the "Longest Drink in Town." A special shout out to Red Socks and Sun Dresses. There is a long story about this rest stop but I have too much to post now to spend five paragraphs explaining it.

Jeanette in the Botanical Gardens. Christchurch is known as "The Garden City."

How do you top the Botanical Gardens? A trip to the "Antarctic Adventure Center." This is in the cold room of -20C. Jeanette trying to get her tongue stuck.

AKAROA, NEW ZEALAND
Akaroa is a small town south-east of CHC. A surprisingly long drive through hilly terrain and one lane roads. Don't get me started on the one lane bridges. The town is incredibly laid back. This was the only French settlement in New Zealand but not much remains of the French influence except the road names.

Very green and a harbor surrounded by mountains.

A couple of shots of the harbor. The water is very clear, if not a little chilly.

Jeanette posing in front of the harbor.

Wanaka, New Zealand
We were trying to make it to Queenstown but got a late start out of Akaroa and I underestimated the time it takes to travel in New Zealand. So we ended up getting to Wanaka late at night and basically turning around and heading towards Fox Glacier.

A shot out of car window on the way to Wanaka. A small rain storm blowing in off the ocean.

We past three very large lakes and reservoirs. The water in this one was very blue.

There was a small rain the night before but there was run off rolling down the mountains. We saw many little waterfalls like this one.

So we spent the night in Wanaka and headed towards Fox Glacier. Here is the Kings Point scenic overview. This is the west side of the island (CHC and Akaroa were on the east coast).

Another shot out the window on the coastal drive.

FOX GLACIER, NEW ZEALAND
So we made it to Fox Glacier Village. Not much to talk about in the town but we signed up for Ice Climbing the glacier. So after a good night sleep I get up and want to take a shower. We stayed a a backpackers that you have to pay for hot water in the shower!!!! That did not start my day off right. But the climb was worth it.

First look at the glacier.

Another look as we start to hike.

Here is the outlet of the glacier. the rains from the night before had blown out a lot of large chunks of ice.

Here is a picture of Adam from Michigan. He was the other climber in our group. He was a lot more experienced climbing than Jeanette or I. Jeanette climbs indoors, but I have never done any climbing. Notice the guides in the background fixing the path for tour groups.

Hiking the glacier. That's Malcolm our guide in the red. Behind me in Gill (Jill) the Quality Assurance person for the guides.

I'm learning to belay for Adam. Believe me, it is a lot easier to belay for Jeanette than Adam.

Now that I did not kill Adam or Jeanette in their first climbs time to pose for a hero shot in case I fall to my death.

A shot of me preparing to climb for the first time.

I survived the first one, so I am pointing out something more difficult.

So we hike to the another climb point.

A little cavass. The are very blue from the oxygen trapped in them.

Jeanette belaying me on my second climb.

Yep, that's my ice axe.

Malcolm and Jeanette hiking to another climb spot.

You probably have to expand this picture to see it but there is a school group on a hike in the distance here. Gives you an idea of how big this glacier is. BTW... Fox Glacier is the largest in New Zealand beating out Frans Josef.

Jeanette's third climb of the day.

She's way up there.

This is me about 3/4 the way up.

These rocks are debris that has been scrapped up by the glacier over time and have worked their way to the surface.

As we head to our final descent/ascent point this shot gives you an idea of how high we are. Some of these openings go all the way to the bottom.

Me in action!

Jeanette with her trusty ice axe.

An idea of what we are doing for our last climb. Descending and then climbing out.

Adam and I waiting for Malcolm to gear up.

Jeanette bravely went first. Here she demonstrates how not to descend. Notice her feet are above her ice axes. How she got free from here I will never know. My groin would have cracked like a wishbone.

She's straighten out and working down well here.

Here is Jeanette continuing to work her way down. She climbed out with no issues.

A picture of me descending. Notice I am keeping my boots below my ice axes.

That's me about 8m down.

Me climbing back out.

Gill was trying to get a picture of my axe swings but instead caught me getting pelted with ice chips.

Going over the edge was the hardest part. Here we actually see one of my axe swings.

Here I pull myself over and out. A little harder than it looks.

Jeanette and I on Fox Glacier. I look beat and Jeanette keeps on smiling. The climbing was a lot of fun but on the hike back it started to rain. Ran into two Polies at the bottom of the glacier (Rechelle Parent and Noah Beyeler). Went out to dinner with them and Adam. Had a good time. This time I stayed a place that did not charge for hot water!

Nelson, New Zealand
Got to Nelson and it was rainy. All the places we wanted to stay were booked so we scrambled for a place to stay. Wish we had more time here because it seems like a cool city. But have a booking on the Picton-Wellington ferry the next day.

A picture of me and Jeanette on the InterIslander ferry. This is how we crossed from the South Island to the North Island. Notice I have shaved.

Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland, New Zealand
Well I did not take many pictures of the three cities on the North Island. Wellington seemed really nice. Hamilton was a college town and Auckland was similar to what I am used to in Denver but with a harbor.

Sydney, Australia
Sydney was great. A lot warmer than New Zealand. I did have a car here so my life became a lot simpler. After striking out on the first couple of places we tried to stay at we ended up at the Base Backpackers on Kent (Wanderers on Kent). For those who not familar with Base, they are pretty basic but popular with young backpacker crowd. A common promotion is a free beer when you check in.

So our first day we meet a local named Stefan, who pointed us in the right direction. His suggestions where great and we had a blast.

Here we are sailing out to Manly on the Manly Ferry.

There was some sort of sailboat race going on.

We are about halfway between Manly and the Circular Quay. You can see the Opera House in this shot.

Here is a better shot of the Opera House.

A shot of me in the Circular Quay waiting for the ferry.

It just wouldn't be my blog without at least one shot of Jeanette in a bikini.

That's me walking on Manly Beach.

Here is the Opera House on the return from Manly Beach to Circular Quay.

Jeanette outside the ticket door. We bought some tickets and saw the ballet the next day. We don't have any good pictures because they don't allow photos in the Opera House.

The day after the opera we went around town some more. This is the Maritime Muesum.

Jeanette in front of one of the many Starbucks that dot Sydney. Even the Aussies pay $7 bucks a coffee. What's up with that?

Then we went home to Denver. Not much else to say. Itb took 5 hours to put this post together so I hope everyone enjoys it.

So I'm in Christchurch

2006-11-09T20:29:00.000-07:00

And everything is going well. Seen all the Polies, had a few memorable nights and today I rented a car. What a trip to drive on the wrong side of the road, round-a-bouts and all the right brained processes the Kiwi's have. Supposed to pick up Neal tonight so I did a test run to the airport with Guy Thomerson bravely being my co-pilot. Almost took all the paint off the left side of the car (not really).

So after I rent my car I go back to the room and there is a lizard in it. I am not kidding, a lizard. Needless to say I moved to different room (422).

I am also sick now. Damned FiNGies getting me sick. It could be all the 4a nights are not helping but it is easier to blame the new people. So on top of driving on the wrong side, a lizard, I am now stoned on sudafed. What a day and Neal wants to go out tonight. Jeez...

Sitting in McMurdo

2006-11-06T19:29:00.000-07:00

Well I left Pole and now sit in McMurdo waiting. Waiting for a flight that has been delayed by helicopter parts in New Zealand. So my time in the Antarctic Program continues. I logged in this morning to about 40 emails (lucky none from Jeri and Dave, my replacements). I had a ton of reminders for reports, meetings and inspections. It felt good to click DISMISS on all of them.

One of the cool things was when I got to my room (shared with Tom Lohr, Guy Thomerson and Robert Powell) there was a stocked with beer and rum. There was a note from Cannon, DeRosa, Head and Jeter to enjoy and share with others. We actually saw them on the ice runway sitting on the DELTA waiting to board the C-17. I assume it was them, as they were waving at us as we drove towards town.

I hope to catch the other Polies still in NZ and meet some new people while in CHC as I wait for my travel partner. I can't find any good pictures but here is Castle Rock which you can hike to. Yes that is an active volcano in the distance.

Turnover - Almost Gone

2006-11-04T12:56:00.000-07:00

Well the 2nd has come and gone and I am still at the Pole. But it looks like I am leaving tomorrow, the 6th. My replacement is a South Pole veteran who knows his way around which makes my leaving a little easier. So I am still on for my previously stated vacation, just starting a little later. I have already received emails from fellow WinterOvers in Christchurch as to where to meet them.

I wanted to say THANK YOU to all those who been reading my blog and sending kind and funny words to keep me going. It has been a challenging 374 days but all in all it was worth it. I hope this provided a glimpse into my year on the ice. Will I return to the Pole or even Antarctica? I don't know, I am a little too close to the subject right now. Ask in in three months.

My new contact info as of December 1...

Patrick McClure
12101 Melody Drive #16-102
Westminster, CO 80234
patrickmcclure@hotmail.com

I'd love to hear from all you folks when I am back in the real world.

Best Regards... Patrick

Since I'm still stranded, this is the outline of my vacation.

2006-10-27T16:35:00.000-06:00

No flights yet. We are a week plus behind now. So my estimated departure is in jeopardy. So I can complain about things which are totally out of my control or I can tell you want I am looking forward to... my vacation! So here is a rough run down of my plans:

Arrive in Christchurch, New Zealand (MAP) sometime around November 4th. Staying at the YMCA across from the Botanical Gardens. Meet up with other Polies at the our unofficial hangout Dux de Lux right down the street. Rent a car, book some lodging and get some sun. Go with the flow until the 11th when this girl shows up:

Who will travel with me for three weeks or until we get sick of each other. Spend another night in Chch.
November 13th - travel to the French settled Akaroa. This place looks really cool but because of other agenda items I can only book a day there. Check out the topography on this map. Surrounded by hills I have heard nothing but good things about it.
November 14th - Travel to Queenstown or Te Anau. Won't do much here except to get ready for the M.V. Friendship overnight cruise of Milford Sound. This was suggested to me by Tim Nicoll.
November 16th - Travel to Greymouth to ice climb Fox Glacier. My travel partner likes climbing so this stop is hers. Denis Barkats strongly suggested the ice climbing.
November 17th - Arrive in Nelson. Just like the rest of the South Island people seem to rave about this northern coastal city. We spend two days here as I hear the beaches are great. Once again my travel companion is pushing the adrenaline button by doing this over Abel Tasman National Park. This guy:

Should be off the ice by then and said he'd like to participate in tempting death. We spend two days in Nelson before heading north.
November 18th - Travel to Wellington via Picton Ferry which crosses the channel between the two islands. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and supposedly the most cultured city in the world (just beating out Sydney, Australia). We spend two days here.
November 20th - Head north again to Auckland. One in three Kiwi's live in Auckland. On the way we stop at the Glow Worm Caves in Waitomo for the tour.
November 21st - Lose the car and fly to Sydney, Australia. Have not planned this far ahead yet. Obviously take the Harbor Tour and visit the Opera House (maybe see a show). I'd like to go up the coast and see the Great Barrier Reef but time will be tight and who knows how worn out we'll be by then.
November 24th - Head for the good ol' USA. I might not head directly home but then again I have a mighty powerful desire to sleep in my own bed. Anybody want a ragged Polie to come and visit?

Grooming

2006-10-22T15:01:00.000-06:00

As the first flight gets near (and delayed and delayed and delayed again). It is time to focus on something I have not done in a while - grooming. The two two-minute showers don't seem like much. But to take a two-minute shower there is a lot of planning and effort. Plus you never get warm enough and by the time you are done you are wet and cold instead of just cold. So surprisingly we do not take all the showers alotted to us. But with new people on the way, they are probably not used to my stink like everyone else here is. So here is a pre-shower look at the Blur:

This is me in my room before the shower and a trim job. Notice how straight my hair is. No humidity = no curl.

A shot afterward, the beard is under control although still protectively warm. The hair is curly when wet and about as long as it has ever been. I hope the new folks understand the efforts I am putting forth for them.

What does it take to feed the South Pole Station?

2006-10-20T14:39:00.000-06:00

Here is a summary of what was consumed this winter (February 21st) so far and what we plan to until Oct 20^th.

What we ate/drank:

5428 pounds of Beef
22720 Eggs
1527 pounds of Fries
3948 pounds of Pork
2811 pounds of Poultry
2457 pounds of Seafood
82 case of Cold Cereal
1590 pounds of Cheese
1170 pounds of Butter
2638 pounds of Canned and Frozen Fruit
24300 slices of Pre-Made Bread
418 lbs of Meatless Protein (Tofu, Tempeh, TVP…)
39 gallons of Ketchup
11520 blue cups worth of Orange Juice (blue cup is 16oz)
8450 blue cups worth of Milk (blue cup is 16oz)
432 gallons of Ice Cream (after air is added by the ice cream machine)

What is your share:
Assuming everybody ate the same amount, which I know is not true.

84.81 pounds of Beef
355 Eggs
23.86 pounds of Fries
61.69 pounds of Pork
43.92 pounds of Poultry
38.39 pounds of Seafood
1.28 cases of Cold Cereal, so about 18-20lbs
24.84 pounds of Cheese
18.28 pounds of Butter
41.22 pounds of Fruit (This doesn’t count Freshies from beginning of winter)
380 slices of Pre-Made Bread
6.53 pounds of Meatless-Protein (But of course this number is much higher for those that eat it, since most don’t)
.6 gallons of Ketchup
180 blue cups of OJ
132 blue cups of milk
6.75 gallons of Ice Cream

Compiled. by Dan Von Bank

What They Don't put in the IT Recruiting Brochure.

2006-10-18T13:21:00.000-06:00

This is me dragging a couple of printers to the FEMC Jamesway. As sexy as the job title "System Administrator" is this is what it means at the South Pole.

A reverse angle shot, that flat plain beyond me is the ice runway.
Thanks to Neal Scheibe for the help and pictures.

Very Busy

2006-10-17T16:44:00.000-06:00

Sorry to be so brief lately. First flight to Pole is in three days leaving a lot of work to get ready. Basically hauling out equipment to the outer buildings hat are warming up. The Heavy Equipment Operator has probably the worst job, grading the ice runway for 12 hours a day. So I can't complain too much. I'll post something interesting when I get caught up.

Has Anyone Realized?

2006-10-13T14:14:00.000-06:00

That I will be spending my third straight Halloween here at the South Pole. Is that sad or what?

How to Panic a Research Station in One Email.

2006-10-12T14:07:00.000-06:00

How would you panic a station full of harden Antarctic workers? Send out this email:

From: POL-Met
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:49 PM
To: SPO-Winter06
Subject: Cold Etc...

Since the rumor is growing at the rate of a degree a minute...

Yes, it is true, the 'warming' process here at the South Pole seems to be lagging a bit. The reason for this can be attributed to two main factors: The slow warming of the upper levels and the lack of storms.

UPPER LEVELS: As you all know, when the wind blows, it warms up. The main reason for this is the cold dense air at the surface mixing with warmer air aloft. But how much warmer? Well, today's surface temperature of -80F sits underneath a layer of warmer air (200 meters above us) that is at -30F. This is why the temperature increases when a nice breeze blows.

But the 'problem' resides in the fact that the overall temperatures in our atmosphere remains much colder in the parcel of air above the 'warmth'. For example... At this time last year, our upper air flights at 10 millibars were reading temperatures of approximately +10F. This year? -70F. You don't need a weatherman to explain the obvious difference in these two readings.

STORMS: Where does most of our warm air come from? Well, since we sit on a bright white plateau, the sun doesn't do a great job at warming us up as much of the sun's energy is reflected. Therefore, we depend on warm air to come from other places i.e. spring storms.

Currently a ridge of high pressure sits off to our Grid North and this ridge is now diverting all the storms around us which means the warm air that comes in with these storms is also diverted around us.

Of course, none of this means that first flight won't make it in next week. After all, South Pole MET consists of two goofy weather observers, not forecasters!

Jeff

Webcam is UP!

2006-10-09T15:16:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Greg Watson, the South Pole Webcam is up and running.

Check it out here.

Another time waster...

2006-10-02T17:16:00.000-06:00

This was a pretty interesting site. Need to have Flash 8..

www.miniature-earth.com

What do you think?

The Last "Biggest Breakfast in Antarctica"

2006-09-28T13:25:00.000-06:00

Warning Lots of Pictures:
=====================

As I have written before I help out with the monthly "Biggest Breakfast In Antarctica"
(BBIA). This is the last one Michael Rehm and I will be doing, ever! I have really enjoyed working with Michael although giving up my one day off is a bit of a steep price to pay. I learned a lot but am not quite ready to leave the IT world for that of cooking. So without further adieu here are the pictures....

Taking an order.

You see Michael busy in the background.

A migas and blueberry pancake.

Michael under strain?

A shot over the fruit bowls. We ran out of a lot of items this day.

Neal getting the door for me as I break out more champagne for mimosas.

Phil Troska and Neal "helping."

A cool picture of the glasses on the mimosa bar.

One of Michaels cinnamon buns. He has shown me how to make these. That's right ladies, I'm a bachelor who knows how ot make cinnamon buns.

I don't know what we are doing here but it must be important.

Only about 23 options to add to the eggs here.

Bread Michael made.

That's a lot of potatoes on the griddle.

Taking an order...

Another shot of all the ingredients Michael has to work with.

How to get here...

2006-09-27T19:09:00.000-06:00

The best search in google to lead to my blog since I have been tracking:

smell vanilla+christchurch+sale

What the hell is that about?

This is what's known as filler...

2006-09-26T15:56:00.000-06:00

My pirate name is:

Dread Pirate Kidd

Like the famous Dread Pirate Roberts, you have a keen head for how to make a profit. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

AHOY - Talk Like a Pirate Day

2006-09-19T16:44:00.000-06:00

Avast ye matey's... Another of the very popular days celebrated here - Talk Like a Pirate Day. You can read all you want to know here.

More Old Pictures

2006-09-18T17:14:00.000-06:00

So I am still clearing out my computers and here are a couple of pictures from the MET Wine and Cheese party in December? Who knows...

This is the back of the B2 Science Wing of the station. Like I have said a million times this is not a fashion show.

Look how well my hands were manicured back then. I also don't look 50 years old. This place is brutal on your face and skin...

Just what you always wanted...

2006-09-11T21:25:00.000-06:00

Here is possibly the greatest toy made today:

Matchbox CAT Famous Places
(South Pole Amundsen-Scott Station)
by Mattel

View Full Image

Build your own South Pole Amundsen-Scott Station with this South Pole, Antartica piece from Matchbox! Collect all six in this amazing Caterpillar Machine collection. Best for kids ages 3 and up.

Product Price:		$8.69
Shipping Cost:		$1.72

Available for Philippine Delivery Only

Note the authenicate looking jamesway on the box (nice job Matchbox) and the pink polar bears (um, not on this half of the planet). Here is a link in case you want to buy one and live in The Philipines.

Then and Now

2006-09-09T22:45:00.000-06:00

I have been playing with my webcam, streaming video and all that jazz. I took a picture of me now and boy do I look different than before I came here.

The above photo is in Creed, Colorado just before heading to the ice. I am a young good looking guy with the world by the tail.

Now look at me, crazy long beard, eyes that scream "I'm too tired to care anymore." This is not the guy you would have babysit your kids. This is after I took a shower, this is as fresh as I get. How did I age 10 years in 13 months? My beard is manly though. This looks like a prisoner who has been thrown in the "hole" for a month on one of those prison movies.

On a second a geekier note, anyone out there use Google Talk? I want to test the video and audio on it. Send me an email if you have a couple of minutes to test this with me.

Fantasy Football

2006-09-07T15:32:00.000-06:00

I know everyone is dying to see who I picked up in the South Pole Fantasy Football draft. So a quick run down and light analysis. I picked 9th out 12 in a serpentine draft.

RD1 - LaMont Jordan, RB Oakland.
He was rated #6 and the Art Shell running game should allow him to produce. Will not get goal line hand-offs (Zach Crockett will).
RD2 - Matt Hasselback, QB, Seattle
No stud RB's were left. Was a reach but to get the #3 QB in the league is nice.
RD3 - Marvin Harrison, WR, Indy
Wanted an RB but again the board was bare. The #3 ranked WR in a three WR league = points for the Blur. I had a chance for Moss, hope this was the way to go.
RD4 - Frank Gore, RB, SF
Best availible RB, will start and will bulk of carries with Barlow traded to NYJ.
RD5 - Chris Chambers, WR, Miami
Miami has a legit QB this year so Chambers should haul in a few.
RD6 - Andre Johnson, WR, Houston
My 3rd WR, it seems I started a run on WRs.
RD7 - Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona
If I only had him 5 years ago. Maybe Arzona will win few this year, probably not.
RD8 - Todd Heap, TE, Baltimore
I read the top 5 TE are good after that they are about the same. I got #4.
RD9 - Ahman Green, RB, Green Bay
Like Warner, 5 years ago this guy was gold.
RD10 - Baltimore Defense
The #3 defense is still there and I scoop them up, probably a round ealry.
RD11 - Donte Stallworth, WR, Philadephlia
Hope he blossoms in Philly after not getting the ball in New Orleans.
RD12 - Jeff Wilkins, K, St. Louis
The #3 kicker and he kicks in a Dome 50% of the time. Love it.
RD13 - Wali Lundy, RB, Houston
A flyer, with D. Davis out the Kubiak bringing in the zone blocking maybe this guy is Terrel Davis waiting to happen. Will be starter on opening day, hate that Ron Dayne is now there.
RD14 - Ashley Lelie, WR, Atlanta
My pick here was Brandon Stokley but was picked just before. So with little time left I went this sucker. Will probably work his way into the starting lineup before long.
RD15 - Chris Simms, QB, Tampa Bay
Went for value here, no starting RB's or WR's left, besides a couple of fullback types. Took a starter, many teams went with just two QB's. Hope Simms or Warner will produce enough to package with a WR to get a better 2nd RB.

I am not a huge football geek but if I am going to play, I am going to play to win. Being down here you don't get ESPN or anything so it can be hard to get a vibe on teams and players. I will update my standings when I get a chance. Now if we were playing fantasy hockey, look out.

One of the Grand Old Traditions of Winter Overs

2006-09-03T15:53:00.000-06:00

Well I have marked the last of the "must-do" off my list for the winter - The 300 Club. This past Saturday offered what appears to be the last chance for this season so I took it. For those not versed in it here is how it goes. Once the outside temperature reaches -100F you head to the sauna located on the first floor. You strip down to about nothing and bring the sauna up to +200F using cold water on the thermostat. Jeff DeRosa and I sat in there for about 30 minutes getting this up to temperature. Neal Scheibe came down after about 20 minutes to join it as did NOAA Tech Johan Booth. Sitting in a 195 degree sauna takes it out of you, I was sweating like a pig. Once we got the sauna to 200 (Thanks to Johan) we head out to door to the beer can. From here it is a flight of steps to the door. Then outside head towards the Geographical Pole over a large snow drift. I was the first to arrive and Don Jeter took the following glamorous shot.

Patrick "Blur" McClure - Winter 06 300 Club by Don Jeter

Okay, so I edited the photo so grade school kids who are writing about the South Pole don't stumble onto something that will ruin them forever. Then I stand out there for what seems forever as the incredibly pokey (as in slow) Jeff and Neal show up for this classic photo.

Jeff DeRosa, Patrick "Blur" McClure, Neal Scheibe - Winter 06 by Don Jeter

As you can tell Jeff edited this photo but I am too lazy to redo it. No man is incredibly proud at -100F if you know what I mean. And yes that is ice frozen on us. I tried to wipe the sweat from the sauna off, Neal and Jeff thought they'd give it a go as a purists (nothing except shoes, I wore a gaiter and gloves). By this time I was getting cold. Jeff and Neal are outside everyday, I am outside when something breaks or there is trauma team drill (no incidents this season). So we start to trek back in and the wind gets really cold and I can feel the exposed bits freezing. I sprint the last bit trying not to fall (which is really bad) on the snow drift. The three of us startle a burly electrician in the beer can (I'm sure he was not ready for a bunch of man nudity on the stairwell at 3:30p). Right back to first floor of the station (annoying our staff engineer who is trying to take out the trash by big naked bodies running down the hall). After a few minutes in the sauna you feel much better. No frostbite and not worse for the wear.

Jeter took this scroll shot just before we headed out. The picture is the patch you get at the end of the year for doing the 300 Club. It was definitely different and probably the dumbest thing I have done all winter. But where else can you do this?

Then we have an all hands meeting (where the Master Chief Lohr made sure everyone on station knew of my nakedness just an hour earlier). We decide to take a station photo outside in -100F (clothed this time). It is hard to take a group photo because everyone has to hold their breathe or all you get is white mist (water vapor freezing when leaving the mouth).

South Pole Winter Overs 2006 -100F Photo by Robert Schwarz

You can find me by looking at the guy on the ground (Robert Schwarz), straight up and first Green/Black jacket standing on right with blue gaiter (look familiar?) It was nice to get everyone outside with the twilight in the background. Well I think that will suffice for a post today, couple of other things to write about but I can only hold your attention so long.

If you need a copy of the unedited photo's email me and I will set you with a link. Lord knows why you would want to see it but it out there if you need it.

Going back to January

2006-08-31T15:43:00.000-06:00

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.

2006-08-24T20:10:00.000-06:00

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

2006-08-19T17:29:00.000-06:00

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...

2006-08-16T21:40:00.000-06:00

The "Penguin Timer" becomes much more accurate:

Super Double Bonus Day!!!

2006-08-15T21:39:00.000-06:00

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?

2006-08-15T15:01:00.000-06:00

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...

2006-08-14T16:29:00.000-06:00

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!

2006-08-13T14:08:00.000-06:00

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

2006-08-02T21:42:00.000-06:00


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

2006-08-02T21:41:00.000-06:00

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.

Happy Sys Admin Day

2006-07-28T17:25:00.000-06:00

Yesterday (or today some in other time zones) was the 7th annual System Administrator Day. As you may or may not know I am a System Admin. My little name signature even says so in my emails. So today is about me.

Thanks to all who wrote me kind letters (no one) and those who gave me things (the galley crew can print because they made me a cake). In honor of this wildly popular holiday here is a list of how to make use of your Sys Admin's time. Enjoy:

Advice to employees on the proper use of the System Administrator's valuable time

Make sure to save all your MP3 files on your network drive. No sense in wasting valuable space on your local drive! Plus, Patrick loves browsing through 100+ GB of music files while he backs up the servers.
Play with all the wires you can find. If you can't find enough, open something up to expose them. After you have finished, and nothing works anymore, put it all back together and call Patrick. Deny that you touched anything and that it was working perfectly only five minutes ago. Patrick just loves a good mystery. For added effect you can keep looking over his shoulder and ask what each wire is for.
Never write down error messages. Just click OK, or restart your computer. Patrick likes to guess what the error message was.
When talking about your computer, use terms like "Thingy" and "Big Connector."
If you get an EXE file in an email attachment, open it immediately. Patrick likes to make sure the anti-virus software is working properly.
When Patrick says he coming right over, log out and go for coffee. It's no problem for him to remember your password.
When you call Patrick to have your computer moved, be sure to leave it buried under a year-old pile of postcards, baby pictures, stuffed animals, dried flowers, unpaid bills, bowling trophies and Popsicle sticks. Patrick doesn't have a life, and he finds it deeply moving to catch a glimpse of yours.
When Patrick sends you an email marked as "Highly Important" or "Action Required", delete it at once. He's probably just testing some new-fangled email software.
When Patrick's eating lunch at his desk or in the lunchroom, walk right in, grab a few of his fries, then spill your guts and expect him to respond immediately. Patrick lives to serve, and he's always ready to think about fixing computers, especially yours.
When Patrick's at the water cooler or outside taking a breath of fresh air, find him and ask him a computer question. The only reason he takes breaks at all is to ferret out all those employees who don't have email or a telephone.
Send urgent email ALL IN UPPERCASE. The mail server picks it up and flags it as a rush delivery.
When the photocopier doesn't work, call Patrick. There's electronics in it, so it should be right up his alley.
When you're getting a NO DIAL TONE message at your home computer, call Patrick. He enjoys fixing telephone problems from remote locations. Especially on weekends.
When something goes wrong with your home PC, dump it on Patrick's chair the next morning with no name, no phone number, and no description of the problem. Patrick just loves a good mystery.
When you have Patrick on the phone walking you through changing a setting on your PC, read the newspaper. Patrick doesn't actually mean for you to DO anything. He just loves to hear himself talk.
When your company offers training on an upcoming OS upgrade, don't bother to sign up. Patrick will be there to hold your hand when the time comes.
When the printer won't print, re-send the job 20 times in rapid succession. That should do the trick.
When the printer still won't print after 20 tries, send the job to all the printers in the office. One of them is bound to work.
Don't use online help. Online help is for wimps.
Don't read the operator's manual. Manuals are for wussies.
If you're taking night classes in computer science, feel free to demonstrate your fledgling expertise by updating the network drivers for you and all your co-workers. Patrick will be grateful for the overtime when he has to stay until 2:30am fixing all of them.
When Patrick's fixing your computer at a quarter past one, eat your Whopper with cheese in his face. He functions better when he's slightly dizzy from hunger.
When Patrick asks you whether you've installed any new software on your computer, LIE. It's no one else's business what you've got on your computer.
If the mouse cable keeps knocking down the framed picture of your dog, lift the monitor and stuff the cable under it. Those skinny Mouse cables were designed to have 55 lbs. of computer monitor crushing them.
If the space bar on your keyboard doesn't work, blame Patrick for not upgrading it sooner. Hell, it's not your fault there's a half pound of pizza crust crumbs, nail clippings, and big sticky drops of Mountain Dew under the keys.
When you get the message saying "Are you sure?", click the "Yes" button as fast as you can. Hell, if you weren't sure, you wouldn't be doing it, would you?
Feel perfectly free to say things like "I don't know nothing about that boneheaded computer crap." It never bothers Patrick to hear his area of professional expertise referred to as boneheaded crap.
Don't even think of breaking large print jobs down into smaller chunks. God forbid somebody else should sneak a one-page job in between your 500-page Word document.
When you send that 500-page document to the printer, don't bother to check if the printer has enough paper. That's Patrick's job.
When Patrick calls you 30 minutes later and tells you that the printer printed 24 pages of your 500-page document before it ran out of paper, and there are now nine other jobs in the queue behind yours, ask him why he didn't bother to add more paper.
When you receive a 130 MB movie file, send it to everyone as a high-priority mail attachment. Patrick's provided plenty of disk space and processor capacity on the new mail server for just those kinds of important things.
When you bump into Patrick in the grocery store on a Sunday afternoon, ask him computer questions. He works 24/7, and is always thinking about computers, even when he's at super-market buying toilet paper and doggie treats.
If your son is a student in computer science, have him come in on the weekends and do his projects on your office computer. Patrick will be there for you when your son's illegal copy of Visual Basic 6.0 makes the Access database keel over and die.
When you bring Patrick your own "no-name" brand PC to repair for free at the office, tell him how urgently he needs to fix it so you can get back to playing EverQuest. He'll get on it right away, because everyone knows he doesn't do anything all day except surf the Internet.
Don't ever thank Patrick. He loves fixing everything AND getting paid for it!

Shamelessly stolen from http://www.sysadminday.com/

Make your callous snub to me up by voting for me to be System Administrator of the Year - 2006!

Eating Right is Hard to Do

2006-07-23T15:46:00.000-06:00


Filmed entirely at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica for the Winterover Halfway International Film Festival (WHIFF). Fat Bob's slightly more serious "be nice to everyone" film.

What Internet Celebrity are You?

2006-07-21T20:48:00.000-06:00

Get Your Drunk Personality at LiquidGeneration.com!

P-Pod Cutting Edge Music Player

2006-07-20T16:59:00.000-06:00


Filmed entirely at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica for the Winterover Halfway International Film Festival (WHIFF). A second commercial featuring Honest Bob. Made possible by Neturino research!!!

300 Club Cream

2006-07-19T16:32:00.000-06:00


Filmed entirely at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica for the Winterover Halfway International Film Festival (WHIFF). A commercial featuring Honest Bob. A few people on station should have invested in this before the 300 Club started.

Polar Puppy - Gaurd Dog of the South Pole

2006-07-16T15:53:00.000-06:00


Filmed entirely at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica for the Winterover Halfway International Film Festival (WHIFF). A stop action film about the dog who guards the Cermonial South Pole. Super Hyberbolic Instestinal Torpedo indeed!

How-To Use the Urinal

2006-07-13T17:24:00.000-06:00


Filmed entirely at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica for teh Winterover Halfway Film Festival (WHIFF). This is an instructional video on how to properly use the urinal. I don't know what else to say about this...

The Two Minute Shower

2006-07-11T21:25:00.000-06:00


How To take a two minute shower at the South Pole. Not for the weak of heart. Very graphic, lots of man nudity...

Saving Energy at the South Pole

2006-07-10T16:38:00.000-06:00


Filmed entirely at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica for the Winterover Halfway International Film Festival 2006. This is a classic UT (Utility Technician) creation. How-To use the a light switch at the South Pole. Bob Campbell, part timer movie producer full time UT Supervisor has made a number of these. Be on the look out for the urinal How-To.

-100F Pool Winner is....

2006-07-09T16:57:00.000-06:00

No other than Head Meteorolgist Don Jeter. What a let down, of course a Met guy was going to win. And no I did not do the 300 Club this morning. It was only -100F for a short time. A couple of people made before the winds kicked up and it now sits at -99.2F.

I also was contacted by the New Zealand travel agency today to handle my recreational travel when I get off the ice. I have crossed the 10 million seconds left mark. Even the Penguin Timer seems to be winding down...

Party at the Bottom of the World - South Pole

2006-07-09T02:28:00.000-06:00


South Pole tour for Jimmy Buffet's Party at the Bottom of the World Tour This is not part of the WHIFF but it was a video made for Jimmy Buffett that was made by two parrot heads down here. Shows you around the station and the Dodgy Bastard Bar.

8 O'Clock News

2006-07-06T22:31:00.000-06:00


Film entirely at the Amundsen-Scott Station at the South Pole in Antarctica for the Winterover Halfway Internation Film Festival (WHIFF). Full Hi-Res version. This is probably one of the funniest (if not longest) films we have for a film festival. More to come... ENJOY!

Fire on Ice: Tales of the Southernmost Fire team

2006-07-06T22:19:00.000-06:00


Filmed partially at the South Pole station, this is a documentary describing the training and every day life of the fire brigade at the South Pole station. Complete with interviews of team members, and live fire drills.

It's up in all of it's glory!

2006-06-26T18:10:00.000-06:00

My turn has come in the calendar photo shoot. You may want to shield your eyes from the glare:
Mr. December!

To see all the previews check Jeff DeRosa's blog here.

If you are really interested in the calendar I have it up on a site, but want to limit distrubution. Email me if you want the whole deal.

WHIFF (Winterover Halfway Internation Film Festival) are slowly getting posting on Google video. Search for South Pole. I'll put more links up as they get there.

Mid Winter Greetings

2006-06-21T21:11:00.000-06:00

Mid Winter (The Winter Solistice in the Southern Hemisphere) was yesterday. That means the Sun starts its painfully slow return to the Pole. Estimates are 52 days until twilight. One thing that is a tradition is the Mid-Winter Greetings. We get them from all the stations, the President and many other people associated with Antarctica. Here is the one we sent out.

A note from the President.

I am out of time but hopefully I'll get motived and post all the Mid-Winter Greetings from all the Antarctic stations. And if you're lucky we'll have some prime cuts from the WHIFF.

We're in Forbes!

2006-06-19T22:57:00.000-06:00

A quick note, we are in Forbes. A Forbes writer came down this summer as a tourist. It is expensive but with the Forbes charge card I don't think it was a problem. Here is the link.

Art Work and what's going on!

2006-06-19T20:17:00.000-06:00

So I got this email the other day from the lovely and talented, Mistress Tonya - former Polie. In it she included some artwork she did for a class so I thought I share it with my loyal readership. Tonya's pretty hot so maybe she'll send pictures and I'll post some of those. I need something to drive up the ratings here.

In other news I have been really busy lately. Mid season reviews are due and I submitted them. Everyone in the upper echelon had issues with them and had me change things. Most were pretty helpful in general. I guess I am a little harsh in my evaluation of others and terms such as worthless and ignorant should not be used. Who knew?

We had mid winter dinner on last Friday and a two day weekend. That was great. If I was not so far behind on everything else I would post pictures.

I just completed a real-time Video TeleConference (VTC in geek) with the new Head of Raytheon Polar Services Company and the supervisors on station. It went well, so well I am sure they will want to have more of these things. That's a bit of pain for the IT group but it's why they pay us. The new boss does not really affect the day to day things here at the Pole, but he seemed like he had some good ideas. I think he was caught off guard when told of the 64 people on station only one was full time, the rest were contractors or scientists. When asked about retension improvements, he mentioned the employee survey of 109 pages. Of course this survey did not include any contract employees but the two groups should have similar issues. I think he missed the boat on that one but we will see. All in all it was nice to see the big boss take an interest in the smallish but flagship nonetheless of the Antarctic program.

Finally I am putting movies together for WHIFF (Winter Halfway International Film Festival). They are presented tomorrow and I am M.C.ing with Don Jeter. I need to finish screening them and get burning for a DVD. Boy when does this job ever start to cruise?

Men of the South Pole

2006-06-13T22:44:00.000-06:00

Jeff DeRosa and Don Jeter are putting together a calendar of the most desirable men on the continent... Polies! If you want a preview of some of the pictures you can check http://jeffderosa.blogspot.com/ .

Here is a picture of the geniuses behind this endeavor:

Don on the left, Jeff on the right in the worst hat on station.

Big Breakfast, The Dish Pit and Rehm

2006-06-04T22:35:00.000-06:00

Life at the South Pole is sometimes tedious. There is no sunrise/sunset to end one day and start another. So that leaves the galley crew as the unofficial time keepers on the station. We know it's a new day when Michael Rehm makes breakfast. Check out Michael's blog here.

Every Sunday the galley crew gets the day off and everyone fends for themselves. But once a month Michael heroically foregoes his day off and makes what is called the Big Breakfast. This is a larger spread than normal as people actually have time to sit down and eat for awhile instead of scurrying off to computers or FEMC strecthing class. This last Big Breakfast I "helped" Michael. As everyone who knows me, I have trouble boiling water but even I can wash dishes. Michael started at about 1am to serve breakfast at 10a. I got in at about 3a and helped out until about 10a. Michael worked until about 1p.
That's the flattop Michael uses for making pancakes, omelets, hash browns, etc. You can see Bob Campbell in the background lining up for breakfast three hours early. Big Breakfast is a big deal.
When the galley crew dirty's up a pot, pan or bucket and places it on this little cart. That's when the dish washer springs into action. There is normally more then one pot here, I had been cleaning for 4+ hours to get this close to caught up.
Jeff DeRosa was the overnight MET guy for the month. The MET guys work 7 days a week, 12 hour shifts. But they do have some spare time between observations. So Jeff came in and made bacon, a lot of bacon as a matter of fact.
This is where you spend your time when you have to work in the galley. I volunteered to help with Big Breakfast but everyone has to spend a full work day in here about every two months. It is pretty mindless work but at the same time challenging in that I am not used to standing for 8-10 hours at a time. I spent last Friday in here for my entire day. No paperwork, no reports, no meetings (well two meetings, less then normal though).
Another view of the dish pit.
A picture of me in the Dish Pit. If you are in the galley at all you have to wear a hat, even to clean dishes.

Here is the spread that Michael put out:

So that's a Big Breakfast and an introduction to the Dish Pit. How do you reward a man like Michael after a grueling day of cooking? One word - SCOTCH! I had a good time helping although I was beat by the end of the day. I would be remiss if I did not post this picture of Michael:
You too can bring your advanced degree to Antarctica and feel like this! This is actually left over from the summer when Michael did nothing but wash dishes (not as glamorous as it sounds). All you kids out there, only seven years of college and you too can cook at the South Pole!

Avalanche Hockey Beard

2006-06-04T01:26:00.000-06:00

Please Note: This post is color coded for the non-hockey savvy.

Background
As you may or may not know I am a hockey fan. Originally being a Hartford Whalers fan from my days in Western Mass. When I moved to Denver I kept that allegiance. When the Quebec Nordiques moved to Denver and became the Avalanche I watched with interest but still rooted for the Whale. The Avalanche won a Stanley Cup in their first year in Denver. Denver had never won at anything before. That was an incredible run. Then the Whalers moved to Carolina??? What's up with that? So I now root for the Avs except when they play Carolina and I can wear my Whalers jersey.

Almost Current
Fellow hockey fan P. Neal Scheibe and I decided to support our teams with a hockey beard. Neal's heavily favored Red Wings of Detroit were bounced by the lowest seed in the playoff in a little over a week in pursuit of Lord Stanley's Cup. See Neal's beard here (April 21st). The Avs upset the #2 seeded Dallas Stars in short order. But were found wanting against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and their rookie Russian goaltender. So here are pictures of me shaving my beard after the Avs were eliminated.

Pre-Avs loss. About two weeks of no grooming. This was officially itchy.

This is my baby face after a beard trimmer and new mach3 razor blade. Now if I can do something about the hair.

Be careful. It can be lonely at the South Pole. If you get too silky smooth, this is a possibility:
On a side note the Carolina Hurricanes have advanced to the finals for the Stanley Cup. So maybe this year is Carolina's year. The Whalers never won The Cup in their illustrious history.

Go Whale!!!

Things go missing at the South Pole.

2006-05-30T21:32:00.000-06:00

===UPDATE===

After a visit from the local Illuminati Chapter I have had to edit this page as it appears I am giving away a few secrets of the New World Order. The newly updated page has been stripped of all relevant data and makes no sense. The images have been replaced with the "Penguin Timer" and the logo for the Colorado Mammoth Indoor Lacrosse team.

If you have spent time at the pole you would most likely gotten an email, probably from me or another supervisor saying something is missing. We are always losing batteries, remotes, radios and even guitars. Lately there have been a rash of such emails about bowels from the galley, batteries for headlamps and a set of Bose speakers in the lounge. Here is my email I sent out:

Polies,

There appears to be a missing Bose speaker in the B1 lounge. They look like 2 small black cubes. If anyone knows its whereabouts or story behind it not being mounted anymore please contact Greg Watson or myself.

Thank you very much.

Patrick McClure
IT Lead/System Administrator
Amundsen-Scott Station
South Pole, Antarctica

To my surprise I received this email:

From: Rehm, Michael
Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 11:11 AM
To: McClure, Patrick
Subject: Re: Missing Bose speaker from B1 Lounge

I am using the speakers, various remotes, adapters, all the batteries, and every large bowl to build a weapon to fight off the inevitable alien invasion. Don'’t try to get them back as the weapon is very dangerous. I am just waiting to hear from Bob's CENSORED CENSORED and I will attack . . .

The CENSORED CENSORED Michael is referring to is Bob Melville's CENSORED CENSORED CENSORED which is joked to be Bob's attempt to call CENSORED CENSORED CENSORED. My current hobby is to learn how to juggle. This is CENSORED and Lane working on the CENSORED CENSORED:

Bob putting on a CENSORED:

So it appears Michael's preparing for the worst. I have more about Michael coming up. If you want to know more about Bob read Neal's All About Bob from May 22nd.

Today's Purchase

2006-05-28T20:32:00.000-06:00

I broke down and bought a camera today. As many of you know I do not own a camera. Heck I did not own a laptop until I bought one to use at the Pole and I'm in charge of IT down here. Anyway I was able to pry my wallet open for this - A Panasonic DMC-FX01K.

My requirements, easy to use, smallish for travel, good lens, good outdoors capability. This guy appears to have it all that. I also picked up a 1GB SD card for it. I saw many people say this is the best travel camera ever. Others said there was too much "noise" in the picture. If I knew what "noise" in a picture was I'd be concerned. A Leica 28mm lens for wide angles should make those NZ landscape shots grander. They even have optical stabilization (on a compact!) for my shaky hands. Can't wait to try this out. It is on its way to Father's house and he'll play with it before sending it to Christchurch.

New posts coming...

2006-05-28T00:07:00.000-06:00

I have a few new posts coming but I will throw some lightweight stuff out there for your entertainment as I continue gather all the post materials...

GETTING TO KNOW FRIENDS

1. WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR KITCHEN PLATES? White and plastic.

2. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? The Shining Ones by David Eddings

3. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Don't use one have an optical mouse.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOARD GAME? Axis and Allies.

5. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING? Is it November 3rd yet?

6. FAVORITE COLOR OR COLORS? Yellow, black and green.

7. LEAST FAVORITE COLOR? Pink.

8. HOW MANY RINGS UNTIL YOU ANSWER THE PHONE? Generally one, sometimes two if I am not at my desk, a dozen if I am sleeping.

9. FUTURE CHILDS NAME? Girls names I like Rachel and Chantel. Boys names I like Ian.

10. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? Chocolate all the way. Vanilla candles smell nice.

11. DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE FAST? Not particularly, if I could take public transportation everywhere I would.

12. DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL? I guess this quiz was not written for men, not less Antarctic Adventurers.

13. DO YOU LIKE THUNDERSTORMS? I appreciate all weather more now that I have been to the South Pole. Back in Denver any rain is good rain.

14. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR? A 1967 White Mercedes Benz 250SEL sedan. That car was sweet with lots of chrome. I miss that car :-(

15. WHAT IS YOUR SIGN? Sagittarius

16. EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI? I will eat no broccoli before its time.

17. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB WHAT WOULD IT BE? President of the USA. I could impose my manifesto on everyone (que evil laugh).

18. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY COLOR HAIR, WHAT WOULD IT BE? My own hair color is good, minus the stupid greys that keep popping up.

19. FAVORITE MOVIES? Too many to list but a couple off the top of my head, Blazing Saddles, Blues Brothers and the Usual Suspects.

20. WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED? That's a good question, seeing how my bed is 3.5 Ft off the ground I currently have: three suitcases, a box of liquor (Finlandia, Bombay sapphire, Bacardi, Captain Morgans, 3 bottle of red wine, 2 6pks of Bass, a 12pk of Tui, a single Kilkenny and a bottle of Sandeman Tawny Port) an even larger box of toileteries and a backpack.

21. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? To watch live, Hockey. On TV football or the Stanley Cup playoffs.

22. YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST INTENSE PAIN? Popping my right index finger over the knuckle and having it pushed down the back of my hand while playing basketball. It's all better now but that hurt like hell.

23. PERSONS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND TO THIS? Neal.

24. PERSONS YOU SEND THIS TO WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I am posting not really sending. Anyone in Denver, probably Nikki.

25. KETCHUP OR MUSTARD? Brown Spicy Mustard.

26. HAMBURGER OR HOTDOG? Hamburger rubbed in peppercorn.

27. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON? Fall, girls always look great in sweaters.

28. THE BEST PLACE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN? Christchurch, NZ after being in Antarctica for a few month. Honorable mention Montreaux, Switzerland on Lake Geneva.

29. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FAST FOOD? McDonald's fries and chocolate shakes.

30. WHAT IS YOUR BIRTH NAME? Patrick Michael.

Meteorology Forecast

2006-05-18T01:18:00.000-06:00

Most of you know that we have a two man meteorology department here for the winter. They take observations of wind, temp and cloud cover. As far as I can tell they have a template they email out that says "cold, windy and dark" and then they throw in some measurements. But this winter they began to forecast (still cold, dark and windy). But now you can plan if the winds are 25knots (really bad) to stay inside and when the winds are 15knots (just plain bad) you can venture outside a little longer. The Jeter (The Don of MET) and his wacky sidekick DeRosa put this forecast up today.

So you can imagine my surprise when Denis, our French science lead called me over and gave me a hug in the galley today. The picture they posted is old, I still had my beard on it.

Anyway I guess I am little worn out and starting to look forward to the warm weather of New Zealand. I think this picture proves it.

Why is Microsoft still in the browser business?

2006-05-12T22:19:00.000-06:00

Has anyone seen the new Internet Explorer 7.0? Why is Microsoft still making this bloated software that is the biggest security risk you can own? I am a Windows user so I don't flame Microsoft as a hobby. But the Internet Explorer needs to go the way of Microsoft Bob. I have used Mozilla and now Firefox for a couple of years now because IE is slow and limits control of your browsing experience. Did I mention it is bloated? About 4x larger than Firefox and yet renders pages slower. What does the new version of IE offer? RSS feed and tabs... Hello Firefox and Opera have had those for years. Better security? When the browser is your primary connection to the internet, tying the browser into the core of your OS seems to be recipe for diasater. I would venture to say half of the security updates for Windows are IE related.

Why doesn't Microsoft just bag the whole IE package and buy Opera or put a team of eight full time developers on the Mozilla Project? The browser is an improtant part of the World Wide Web but not a money making part of the OS. It is important for Microsoft and its MSN division (featuring HoTMaiL) to keep appraised of the browser but there is little innovation left in this generation of the web. Maybe when Internet 2.0 is a reality the browser will be a hot commodity again. Until then IE should join its trusty stalwarts MS-DOS, FoxPro and Bob in the Microsoft retirement home.

My browser setup:
Firefox 1.5.0.3
w/Adblock
w/NoScript
w/FasterFox

Read-A-Long with the Blur

2006-05-06T22:23:00.000-06:00

In my time as a minor celebrity I often receive email wanting to more about me (mostly), the South Pole and Antarctica (sometimes). Let's stick with my strength and talk about me. I know my inner workings are the most interesting to my vast readership. So today I will give you a peek... What I have read since I came to the South Pole. I will only include books I wanted to read, not things I had to read (i.e. Microsoft Training courses, Cisco Manuals, How To - Soft Server ice cream machine). Here my list:

===Books===
Galaxies like Grains of Sand Brian Aldiss ISBN 0-451-13416-8
Orion Ben Bova ISBN 0-812-53215-5
Make Love* *The Bruce Campbell Way Bruce Campbell ISBN 0-312-31260-1
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Operation Barracuda David Michael ISBN 0-425-20422-7
The Bear and the Dragon Tom Clancy ISBN?
The Magical World of the Lord of the Rings David Colbert ISBN 0-425-18771-3
Australia and New Zealand on a Shoestring Lonely Planet ISBN 1-74059-646-3
===Graphic Novels===
The Punisher Ennis, Dillon and Palmiotti ISBN 0-7851-0783-5
Rising Stars J. Michael Stranczynski ISBN 1-582440-172-1
Watchmen Moore and Gibbons ISBN 0-930289-23-4
The Inhumans Jenkins and Lee ISBN 0-7851-0753-3
Kingdom Come Alex Ross ISBN 1-56389-330-4
DK2 Frank Miller ISBN 1-56389-870-5
StormWatch Force of Nature Ellis, Raney, Elliot ISBN 1-56389-646-x
StromWatch Lightning Strikes Ellis, Raney, Elliot ISBN 1-56389-650-8
Daredevil Visionaries: Frank Miller Volume 1 Frank Miller ISBN 0-7851-0757-6

So feel free to pick one of these up and I'll be happy to talk to you about it. What I have I liked the most so far? I have to say the Clancy book and of course Bruce Campbell. The Bruce Campbell book is a fun read and made me laugh out loud. If your at the library pick it up. Hell buy it because people will want to borrow it. Of course mine is a signed first edition, so you can't borrow it. What's on deck? A bunch...
Domes of Fire - David Eddings
The Complete Idiots Guide to Trantra
Stonehenge Decoded - Hawkins
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon - Stephen King
Vengeance of Orion - Bova
Learn Latin

I have a rant but I'll make that a separate entry...

For Sale

2006-04-23T00:04:00.000-06:00

For Sale - Matching set of vintage washer and dryer. Harvest Gold in color, only in use for 25 years. Removed from upper berthing in the world famous "Dome." Routinely maintained. Make an offer. Will separate but they are happy together. If offer over $25 Neal Scheibe will help you load it on LC-130, Twin Otter or traverse vehicle of your choice. Please call 720.568.1623 anytime.

Costume Party at the Pole.

2006-04-19T04:24:00.000-06:00

Any reason for a party. This week's - April Birthdays. I can talk about how busy I have been, how tired, grumpy and my new workout/basketball/yoga routine but that's not what fans of the Blur want. They want pictures (of P. Neal Scheibe for some reason). So I'll entertain the masses now, inform/complain later...

Neal was the only SciTech, err Research Associate to dress up... Weak guys. The white socks sold it. The Stoli quickly turned into this (I'm sure retribution is on its way):

I'll leave Neal alone (for now) and embrass myself. Here is me, Joey T and DeRosa. This was a good idea after about four beers. Kids drinking is bad.

Here is a picture of illustrious our Network Engineer (not in costume he dresses like this everyday). Holding the tool that fixes 90% of our issues:

On a secondary Note, he eats like a lumberjack. Here are some others to get the Polie flavor:

Yes, we have girls...

Safety Bill might might be carrying his job a little too far..

Beer, very little time off and few women to impress mixed with the Village People can produce this effect:

Thanks for stopping in. Only 7 months left (roughly).

Rest Easy

2006-03-13T05:58:00.000-07:00

I was really concerned about the ability of the station to defend itself from the other denizens of the Antarctic. You know the Nazi's, giant dinosaurs from the center of the Earth, the might army of Atlantis and of the pesky alien invasion that Polies have to fight off every winter. Well thankfully we found our misplaced crate out on the berms. I can finally sleep at night.

Lighting and Cooking

2006-03-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

It has been 5 months since I left Denver to come to the ice. Leaving a mere 7 or so left. The count down to the "darkness" is commencing. Supposedly in a week we will be living without the benefit of the Sun. Of course with all the big brains down here they are only able to estimate the time to within 30 hours. I guess the altitude and atmospheric conditions play havoc on the actually viewing of the sun. Who knew?

I volunteered the SP IT staff to cook dinner on a Sunday (Sunday is traditionally fend for yourself day). We did okay with Mexican food. I am once again the master of the deep fryer. Here is a picture of some very finely tuned athletes at work in the kitchen. Also thanks to Joey Tarnow (second from right) for helping out on IT cook day. He is technically a SPSM guy but we still let him hang out with us.

My fryer skills are so renown I cooked again tonight with the SciTechs. If you want to more about SciTech's and what they do you can read N. Scheibe's blog here. He linked to me so I feel the need to link back.

And yes I know he post's more than I do but I'm a busy guy!

The Thing

2006-02-21T03:27:00.000-07:00

Well it happened. Today the Air Guard radioed in and told everyone to get out who was getting out. That caused an early morning panic but we got everyone slated to leave out. And the one returning Polie got in yesterday so we are set for the next 8 months, 2 weeks. We watched the customary showing of The Thing tonight (both the 50's and the 80's versions). I guess traditionally Polies take the day off but there was too much to do, although I did cut out a half an hour early to set up the AV system for the galley showing.

So here is my marker in this stage of the adventure. I have edited the slideshow given by Liesl Schernthanner screened for the end of summer and added a little music. There are four versions small and medium are nice for emailing but a bit grainy. The standard and large look pretty good. The large is my favorite because the colors are better. Here is the link....

Next target - Sundown March 22nd. I am officially stranded today.

Station Closing -Sort of

2006-02-19T01:50:00.000-07:00

Well I have not updated this in a while as I have been working like the devil. So here is the quick and dirty. Station wise we are "soft closed" that mean pretty much everyone is gone except and handful of cargo staff and BK Grant the station manager. Our current population is 70 souls with six more slated to leave on Thursday.

In the IT world, I received my season review and it was the highest possible score. So I guess I have been doing something right for a change. A couple other points, my boss Bill McAfee has left Raytheon Polar so I have no direct supervisor right now. Also with that, I was asked to take on the position of IT Lead at the Pole until they straighten who is going to run the team down here.

What does that mean for me? Not much although I got a better room over in the posh A1 wing. As you can guess that means I have a new berthing phone number 720.568.1655. I have just finished moving my stuff into it today so I will be living there full time. Lots of other things to tell but I have some work to do for tomorrow. The satellite time here is 8:20p to 7:50a (12:20a - 11:50a MST) so I am forced to work at night again. It is still bright out but a lot more shadows as the sun sinks deeper in the horizon. I have lots of pictures but no time to sort and post right now. They will come.

Xmas, New Years and R&R

2006-01-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, I have been a bad boy. I have not updated in quite a while. Not because nothing has happened but because almost too much has been happening.

First off, Christmas. My boxes arrived on the 23rd to my delight. I finally had clothes, towels and general tolietries. The MET wine and cheese party the 24th. Drank too much red wine, my lips were purple, YIKES! Had a great dinner of Beef Wellington. Having friends in the kitchen finally paid off as I got a center cut piece about the size of Rhode Island.

New Years, had the tradition party in the heavy shop. It was nice, broke out my stash of Bass Ale and partied late into the night. Spent the next sleeping. Pictures will be posted. Bob Campbell as baby new year is too much for me not to share.

Why can't I post these now? I am on Rest and Relaxation leave in McMurdo. and don't have access back to the station. But never fear I have some links and downloads for everyone. First off a slide show you can download about last winter. Here is the link. Here are pictures of the IT Staff at the South Pole to prove we are actually here. There are few to look at so look through the directory.

I will return to the solitude of the South Pole on the 9th. After that there is 5 weeks until they close down the station. So if you are sending anything, it needs to be out today. You probably want to send it priority mail and mark it WINTER-OVER so the postmaster make take pity on it and send it on before the last day.

Well I need to get started for the day. I'll try to put up some of the good photo's when I get a chance.

Two Months Down

2005-12-19T04:44:00.000-07:00

For those of you keeping track, I would have been at the Pole for two months tomorrow. A year ago it would have half through my contract. This year it is one-sixth of my adventure. Here is a quick break down:

I Got Here	21 Oct 05
I Leave Here	30 Oct 06
Total Days	374.00
Done
8.58	Weeks
60.05	Days
1,441.29	Hours
86,477.65	Minutes
5,188,659.05	Seconds

To Go
44.85	Weeks
313.95	Days
7,534.71	Hours
452,082.35	Minutes
###########	Seconds

In a little over 86 thousand minutes I'll be leaving. My how time flies... err not so much.

Famous like a Rock Star.

2005-12-02T07:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the opportunity to be a famous for a about 5 seconds. The South Pole Info Tech department (lovingly known as SPIT) was supporting the CERN Labs "Beyond Einstein" webcast for 12 hours. It is basically about the future of physics. So if your into neutrino's and muons this was your LIVE8. We had lots of problems with our first segment with the ICECube staff. We could not hear the announcers except through the webcast (about 20 seconds in delay). We got it sorted out in the second presentation from the guys in BICEP. That went so smoothly that I went outside and waved from the Geographic Pole. So I was seen by at least 12 science geeks from around the world. I was seen in the " The three top mysteries left over by Einstein" segment if anyone was watching.

That's about it from here. This conference has me on a bad sleeping schedule again so I am writing at 3:45a. Might as well go do some laundry. One last thing, here is what I was doing on Thanksgiving...

An Update from All Points North

2005-11-21T04:18:00.000-07:00

It is 4:20a and I cannot sleep. That's bad for me and the people who rely on me but good for my blog readers. I have been informed my co-workers read this so I guess I have to clean it up a little. So no more complaining that XX is an idiot who does not know what DHCP stands for. The rest of the IT staff has arrived and I am glad to see new blood help out with all the issues out there. Boy, they have no idea what they have signed up for.

I know a lot of you are eager to talk to me, send me things or just email me stuff so I will layout all the ways to get a hold me on the bottom of the Earth. First off Snail Mail:

Patrick McClure, RPSC
South Pole Station
PSC 468 Box 400
APO AP 96598

A couple of hints for snail mail, you must use USPS, write "WINTEROVER" in big print on it (the postmaster takes pity on winterovers), make as much of the box black as possible as it means DNF (Do Not Freeze) or place a cool penguin with a line through it sticker on it. What do I need? Mail is always nice, nicknacks, clothes, you name it, we don't have it. A note about cookies, it is less than 1% humidity here, unless you plan on vacuum packing things, cookies become rocks by the time we get them. Chocolate on the other hand...

Email - patrick.mcclure@usap.gov - easy enough.
Phone: 720.568.1604 (office) 720.568.1785 (berthing)

A word about calls, they are limited by the satellite (right now about 3a til 1p Auckland time). The satellite time moves ahead four minutes a day, so calculate that in. I don't have voicemail yet but I'll put the FNG network engineer EK on it.

IM - Microsoft messenger 5.1 .NET username patrickmcclure@hotmail.com. I also have a SIP account at Raytheon, but if you are in the Raytheon Network email pol-helpdesk and Nate will set you up. I can voice and video conference over the connection (well I'm supposed to be able to, ping me and we'll try it out).

I am still living out of the same 5 changes of clothes I packed when I got here. So hopefully my re-stock is on its way. So don't make fun if you see pictures of me in the same thing over and over.

Here is something for everyone to look at http://www.pmcclure.com/demomovie/. It is short film put together by my boss Smackafee. It looks and sounds great. I put three versions up to help with those with low bandwidth issues. It is a little dark but it gets lighter, the bright thing in the sky at the end is a full moon. Ping me if you want to know more. I would suggest you download it (right click save target as or save link as) locally before playing it. It is 5:15 in length.

Gotta goto work in 54 minutes... Patrick

90 Degrees South and it is Cold!

2005-10-23T11:26:00.000-06:00

Well I made it to Pole on Friday. Two of the three planes landed, the third missed out because it dropped to -51.2F and the safety cut off is <=-50.5F. The poor bastards in the third plane circled for awhile and then decided to fly back to McMurdo. It has been cold (-65F) and windy (wind chill about -100F). So no other flights have been attempted. It is nice to get settled in with the limited population.

I got a little frostbite on my nose walking from the plane to the station. That hurts, but it is a lot better today. Now I fell as if I am getting the CRUD (McMurdo Flu). I talked to Delilah this morning and she says I sound horrible. I have now seen several people who know me tell me I look like crap. I was excused from outdoor trauma walkthrough today. So I have decided to live in semi-seclusion until I feel better.

Some other interesting happenings:

McMurdo was socially good, work wise... it was difficult. Luckily Chuck Watkins was there and smoothed some things out for the Polies and IT that otherwise would have been dropped until we got here.

Went to the Kiwi station - Scott Base. Had a beer, but it tasted all metallic thanks to the Diomoxx (acetazolamide 250mg x2/day).

The Polie band played at Gallagher's and it was a blast. The McMurdo band was lame. I was talking to my friend C.C. and told her that polies party and they dance, because there is not too much else to do. After the show retreated to the McM Coffee House and had a surprising good port.

My flight from McM was delayed for what seemed forever to take off. Originally scheduled at 9a, then pushed back to 11:15a, then pushed up to 11a and then pushed back to 11:30a. Being on the first flight (btw I was informed it was a reward for doing good work in McM, yeah right), we rolled out to the ice runway at about 11:50a. We pull up with our group of 36 people, including the station manager, the NSF rep for the entire program and several supervisors. So I’m thinking there is no way this will be held up for a significant period. HA! We are told they have not even started to fuel the planes and we have at least an hour, but they will not take us back to the station (we get checked in and weighed, they are afraid we are going to add something to our carry ons). They board us again on shuttles, we head out to the runway, we get there, get the green flag to approach and stop. The Air Guard gets on and goes over safety with us. We hop out and a guy comes running out saying they blew out some electrical system, go back to the staging area. 30 minutes to get the part, 30 minutes to install. We held up all the other flights, there was a log jam of shuttles, we boarded at 2:30p. Ughhhh…

I must be important; I have a phone that calls in and out in my berthing. If anyone wants to call, email me and I’ll give you the number (it is a Denver area code – the beauty of VoIP). My parents have it as well.

My berthing is small but functional. I’ll post pictures when I get free time (yeah right).

Much more to come…

Long Time - Long Trip

2005-10-15T21:05:00.000-06:00

Ok, ok... I have been totally lame about updating this blog so I will a recount of what is going with and my travel. If it helps you can listen to the "Montage" song from Team America to help you through this long list, compressed into a short period. I have taken a job as System Administrator at the South Pole. I have trained to be a first responder with the South Pole Trauma Team. I have successfully traveled from Denver to New Zealand (I am writing this from there). The last two days have been of trying on clothes and training. The big news is that this new job is ONE YEAR COMMITMENT. So I will be living at the pole until November 2006. Some interesting things happen when you pack for a year. I'm allowed 75lbs. Have you thought about what you'd take in 75lbs for one year? I solved the problem by waiting until the last minute and throwing something in a bag. It's not like its a fashion show down there.

Tomorrow I am scheduled to depart for McMurdo. Weather looks good so I don't see a problem. So wish me luck and good living quarters. I'll post when I have time.

...Patrick

Get Ready to Make Love

2005-07-12T16:52:00.000-06:00

The Bruce Campbell way. I bough this book last week and got a ticket to the book signing. So I am now the proud owner of a signed first copy. Bruce Campbell was having a Q&A session and screening a new movie of his as well. So I bought tickets to the midnight show and decided to find a bar and wait. Wouldn't you know at 10:30p, Bruce Campbell comes into the bar (Sobo 151) looking for "grub". We direct him to a pizza place still serving down the street. So the movie The Man with the Screaming Brain starts way late although the Q&A w/ BC was hilarious. I'll hopefully have picture to show.

Picking up the Pace

2005-06-15T14:21:00.000-06:00

Well work has picked up a little for me, great timing with all my trips to Raytheon Polar for HR nonsense. At least the two girls in the HR department I have been dealing with are cute and friendly. I think that is more for Tim's benefit than mine but you never know.

The BBQ Sunday was really tame, which is what Sunday BBQ's should be. I had a good time and caught up with some people. Monday worked on tracking down a good home equity loan, should have that done this week so I tap into that cash and give me a little bit more stability with the contract work.

My mile time is hanging around 9:30 and I can't seem to break through. I have plenty of legs not enough lungs. I'll have to start playing hoops again or something. Maybe run in the morning and evening. My roommate Phil ran with me once and did really well but the next day he could barely walk so I don't think we'll be running with me anymore.

Today is big day, it's my brother's B-Day and contract discussions at Mile High United Way. Hard to tell which way they'll go. I think we've done a really good job there, they just are not used to working with outside resources. They need to pull the projects instead of expecting us to push them out. My take anyway. The support side will probably stay but they may shop other developers. I think ITHC is over the hump of their internal processes we just need better communications both ways over the corporate divide.

Happy 32 John...

It's a late night

2005-06-12T01:35:00.000-06:00

Well its way late (at least to be doing work) and yet here I am trying to get a grasp on all this. I did get through my whole workout today and got the mile down to 9:34. Much better but still a ways to go. Went shopping a pick up some clothes (does a belt counts as clothes)? I also picked up a book on trantra. We'll see if there is anything to this. A new mat for the bathroom... look out, I'm a wild man.

I guess I'll make perogies for the BBQ later today as it one of the few things I think people will (from my kitchen anyway).

Later...

A visit to the library

2005-06-11T14:04:00.000-06:00

Day one of the new and productive has resulted in cleaning and going to the library. Of course the three books I was looking for were checked out but still I made the trek to College Hill (112th and Sheridan for the locals). It was nicer than I would have thought and not as busy as the main Denver library. Lots of kids though, but it's a Saturday.

Last night I had dinner and drinks with Eric and Allison Jaggers. It was nice to hang out. After attempting to conquer yet another mini-beer tour at Old Chicago in one night I made my way to the Goose Town Tavern down on Colfax. Met up with Phil, Meg, Jaime and Nicole. They have obviously been drinking more than I but I've been on the other side of that many a time. Meg told me I was dressed hot, which is nice to hear every now and again. I wore my SPIT (South Pole Info Tech) shirt out and it garnered some attention and curious looks.

I am back on the horse for my work out. I ran one mile in an embarrassing 11 minutes. At least I did not strain anything. The softball games today are cancelled because of the heavy rain of the last three days (even though it is bright and sunny today). So more spare time to work my literary attempt.

Tomorrow is a BBQ for Eric's birthday at Darrin Cuneo's place. Nice to see me invited - not. But Eric said to be there or be square.

One last things, I have struck out with all six people I have asked to go to the Queensryche/Judas Priest show. I doubt JP will tour again with the original line up and Queensryche is a guilt pleasure of mine. Wednesday, June 29th at 7p. Who will step up and go with me?

Things need to get done

2005-06-10T15:53:00.000-06:00

I have become a procrastinator. There is a million things I should be doing and some things I have meant to do for a long time. My slacking is stopping now. I will become a productive member of the human race. For a guy who does project management for a living this is an odd situation. I guess I need to manage myself like I would a developer.

Other things -- I visited Raytheon on Wednesday and took a drug screen. I need to go back on Tuesday for my blood test and booster shots. Last year I fasted for two days and got a great score on my chloresterol. Time to put that plan into play.

Also I am looking for advice on a short story - screenplay I have been working for sometime. How do I protect my ideas from being stolen? I know how to protect software and such but how about story ideas? Let me know.

Well I'm off to get a watch fixed and goto the library. Later...

In Denver

2005-06-05T12:56:00.000-06:00

I have not done a really good job updating this but here is a quick post of what I have been up to:

Working as a consultant at IT Handyman Corp (www.ithandyman.com).
Visited Kansas City for family get together, it's nicer than you think.
Have been invited to go to Lake Powell for houseboat mayhem, thinking it over.
Been offered a well paying job at the South Pole again, fighting with myself over this one.
Interviewed with Northrop Grumman for a job.
Had a virus in my eye - painful. Even more so with no insurance.
Hoping to fit in time down in Southfork, CO with family friends.
Determining I need more single friends. Basically it is Tim and I in the singles world everyone else is tied down.
Put on 10 lbs, time to start working out.
I have read everybook in my possession, anyone want to swap? Maybe library card time.

Thanks for stopping by... Blur

Day three in NZ

2005-02-12T18:29:00.000-07:00

Well it is my third day in NZ. There is a lot to do, so much it has been wearing me out. Went to the open market yesterday and it was quite interesting, lots of foods and clothes to look at. Hit a couple of museums and spent a lot of time at the pubs with the rest of the crew.

Tim arrives tonight so that will give me an amigo to hang out with. Brandon Grantham was supposed to be here on Friday but looks like he got bumped from the flight (or decided to spend a few more days with his fiance down on the ice). Either way he should be headed here tomorrow night. Although I did wait in Bailey's for a 3 hours to find out he was not on that flight. If he gets a room with a hot tub that I can use, all wil be forgiven.

I leave on the 16th and arrive in Denver on the 16th, thanks to magic of the international dateline. In case anyone is interested my patrick DOT mcclure AT USAP dot GOV still works, it just forwards to my ithandyman account. Although I had to blow away all emails in it(actually I have a copy but I need to restore it and do not want to on a public computer).

Well I'm running out of time at the cafe again. Talk to you later...

In Chch

2005-02-10T23:03:00.000-07:00

Well I made to Chch with relatively few issues. I pretty much slept for 12 hours but then again I started at 9a and did not arrive at my hostel (Thomas' on Hereford, the Y was full) until midnight, took a shower, went to Mickey Finn's and called it a night at 3a. Woke up as hungry as can be in the afternoon and visited... McDonald's.

I met some locals on Wednesday and went to eat at Ferment last night, got a great deal on a 300mg filet. A very upscale restaurant one of the locals I met is a waiter there and worked out a good deal for me. I tipped him well (which I think stunned him, as they do not tip for booze or food here).

Tonight I am going to meet up with Brandon Grantham at Warner's Bailey's Bar. The USAP home away from home. They stay open late and serve food late for those weary USAP traveler's.

Well just visited the information center and am going to try to take a day trip to Lyttleton where the beach is. Was going to try today but it has been rainy and windy.

Still have not seen the Super Bowl, the tape was lost in cargo, so they had the pig roast anyway. I did hear who won (the pilots off the plane took a snowmobile out to the pole and planted a Patriots flag and had their pictures take with it, that was kind of a give away).

It looks like I am headed home on 16th and should arrive at DIA about 7p. Need to confirm that of course, but it is a good estimate.

Well time is running out, I'll post when I can.

PS... FYI...

2005-02-07T05:10:00.000-07:00

Do not ruin the Super Bowl for me... We are watching it tomorrow (Wednesday). So please, do not mention anything about...

except maybe if the Raiders come from behind and win, that would be okay.

Two days before redeployment...

2005-02-07T03:31:00.000-07:00

Well everyone it's two days before I carry my bright orange bag to the "herc" and redeploy to New Zealand. Today the boss left, I leave on Wednesday and the network engineer leaves on Friday leaving the computer side of IT two guys for the winter. I received my evaluation and "possesed skills well beyond a help desk lead". McAfee told me on the flight line today to talk to him in early April if I wish to return as System Admin, its mine if I want it. That's a whole year position but a significant jump in pay. I have applied for the one full time IT position at the Centienial office but I am not holding my hopes out. From what I gather there are already a bunch of internal applicants for it, I am on the outside looking in at this point.

Tomorrow I have "bag drag" and get weighed for the flight. I am dreading my 75lbs limit. I came here at 68lbs and hope I have not gathered much more than that. I am probably going to leave some items to "skua", most notably my timberland boots. They have done well but are very worn in the sole. Plus they are heavy and I need the weight. I should have sent a third box home.

I have been working very hard for the last two weeks. I got "volunteered" for a rec project that everyone beat me up about. There was a film festival here, 18 submited movies, about two hours of running time. Guess who got to make the compliation DVD? I gathered all the source data and migrated to a standard format. Thankfully Nathan "Dr." Bahls pitched in and built a very nice background and used iDVD to make a menuing system. I'll have to bring a copy home, its pretty impressive. Anyway I have slept for a total of three hours today and about 10 for the last three days. I am beat but it's time to pack so here I am cleaning the workstation (and keeping my public informed).

Speaking of weight, I have remained within four pounds of my original weight all season. Today I weighed myslef in the gym and I am down 11 pounds!!! I hope the scale is wrong. I pulled a groin running a couple of weeks ago so I have not been to the gym as much. I would think my weight would go the other way and ballooned up. I have been eating as much as always, maybe less ice cream (it's -40F, a little cold for ice cream).

The story about pictures... Well I have copied a lot of pictures here and now have access to a nice camera. But the geocities site times out my upload/download limit after a couple of MB's. So when I get back I'll probably have to bite the bullet and get a realy host and spend - gasp $5/month on a real provider.

Well I am off to pack as much as possible. I doubt I'll be in the office much tomorrow so this maybe it before I get to Christchurch. It has been an interesting experience but I look forward to positive temperatures and darkness to sleep in.

Later...

Station Closing Party - I missed it...

2005-02-01T03:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the absence but it has been a difficult couple of weeks here. Last week David Benson took his R&R week, which made me the system administrator. Not to mention traffic is at its peak now, with scientists scrambling for time with their projects. Everyone is very transient right now including our staffers going on R&R and replacements coming in and getting a taste of the pole. Dave’s replacement was Chuck Watkins, a full time tech out of Denver who I met briefly in my time training at Raytheon. He did a great job handling the help desk and repair aspects of the job. I was left with email; DOS based AREV systems and general administration of network. It worked out pretty good although I am glad to have Dave back; last night was my first good night sleep in two weeks.

The last day for shipping was on Sunday so I got my boxes out. We can still send letter mail for another week or so. The line was about the length of the main hallway and took over three hours to get through. I used my influence and got to the front of the line.

I have not done much besides work for the last couple of weeks. They had the station closing party on Saturday but I was working as I could not get all the sys admin stuff done during the morning and ended up working until 3:30a.

If anyone is interested Raytheon posted all the jobs for next years austral summer on the www.rayjobs.com site. If you want a trip Antarctica this is a good place to look. I am sure there will be a rush.

I depart Amundsen-Scott a week from Wednesday, the 9^th. At least that is the plan. If all goes well I’ll leave Christchurch on the 16^th and Tim will be on the same flight. Of course one day of bad weather or another break down of the C-141 and that can change. Speaking of Tim, he leaves McMurdo today for two week of vacation in NZ. Must be nice.

I'll try to stay active even if it means staying up til midnight to get my avid readers their South Pole updates.

Chilean's make it to Patriot Hills

2005-01-10T14:27:00.000-07:00

I have resorted to writing my blogs offline and updating them when the satellite times allow. So posts with pictures will take awhile. Here is the thank you email we received from the Chilean Polar Expedition. It sounds like they made it ok and had a good time while on station. I'd bet on another expedition in the next two years. And I guarantee they use two tractors next time.

-----Original Message-----
From: Centro de Estudios Cientificos [mailto:polo@cecs.cl]
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2005 2:44 PM
To: Marty, Jerry; Marty, Jerry; Grant, BK
Cc: Cusp Lab; MCM-NSF Representative; Borg, Scott
Subject: Back at P.Hills

Dear Jerry, BK and all our new friends at South Pole,

Above all our warmest gratitude for the fantastic hospitality and your
essential collaboration at South Pole, including our never ending
shopping list (by the way the toilet paper has proved to be a precious
asset of superb quality). All of us had a truly unforgettable experience
at Amundsen-Scott. Please convey our gratitude to your colleagues and
collaborators at South Pole since I do not have all their email addresses.
For example Martin (who welcomed us at South Pole and collaborated at the
garage-workshop), Al Baker (who helped throughout and said farewell
vaya con Dios the last day), Kathie for her help with glaciological data
and kind hospitality, Brenda for the valuable GPS data, Paul Sullivan,
Patrick McClure for help at the computer room, the Ice Cube people, the people
who fixed our heating system, the cargo chicks, the people at the store,
at the bar, and many other new friends.

We successfully made it back to Patriot Hills, arriving 31 December, in
time for New Years eve where we had a wonderful celebration both at the
Chilean camp and at ALEs camp. The science on the way back went really
well, firn drilling down to 30 m to 46 m every 2 degrees of latitude,
gravity measurements every 20 km, GPS measurements of stakes every 20 km,
surface snow samples every 10 km, kinematic GPS every 5 seconds and snow
accumulation radar records every 1 second.

Claudio and Andres had an excellent trip back to Chile via
McMurdo-Christchurch Auckland, thanks you so much for arranging the
flight.

You are ALL most welcome to visit us in Chile, .attached are our contact
addresses. Looking forward to meeting you again in the near future,

Gino Casassa, on behalf of the Chilean South Pole Scientific Expedition 2004

Boondoogle

2005-01-09T14:25:00.000-07:00

I had promised to update various goings on here but instead I had my first unexpected adventure (boondoogle). "Master" David Bates and I climbed the Dome to raise the flag to full staff here is a link to the pictures of me risking my life on top of the Dome.

The satellite is going down earlier everyday. It is going down at about 11a but does not come up until 11:30p when I am asleep or no where a pc. So updating is becoming quite an issue. I will continue to write off line and add when I get a chance.

Race Around the World Pictures

2005-01-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

As promised here are some picture from the Race Around the World. Like I said there is only one I found of me actually running. There are hundreds more but most of them of various people running or being dragged around the course.

The Russian AN-3 repair team had a successful test yesterday. I'll will relate the whole story shortly.

Lots to catch up on...

2005-01-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

New Years come and gone and I have neglected the blog for a couple of days. But fear not, I have updated the format of the McClure Xmas link and made the pictures available in full size by clicking on them. I also added a background and font scheme closer to the rest of the blog.

Here is the promised link to the local Ice Sculptures from Christmas. I did not really help with any of these but I did patronize Due South.

I still have race pictures but have not put them all up. Lots of pictures of me before and after but only one of me actually running. You'll see these posted pretty soon.

As expected the New Years party was huge, four live bands a go-go cage combined with "slushies" and a UT (Utility Technician) warm up party it was quite a night. I'll put some pictures of this up as well.

Saturday was Brenda Everitt's birthday party and I attended. Brenda is a science tech I see all the time and I was happy she invited me. It was held in Skylab, the orangish tower behind the Dome.

Sunday, I laid in bed the entire day. I had the day off from the store so it was my first day off since I got here (I did cover a shift in the store Saturday night). I watched a couple of movies on the office's iBook... Yes, I used MAC for something other than a doorstop. It actually does a good job. I got caught up on sleep and hopefully will have the energy to close out my time here.

My departure date is one step closer to being set. I was informed an hour ago that I scheduled to leave February 9th for a STRAIGHT through flight from Pole to Christchurch (we do refuel in McMurdo). But fog, weather or mechanical issues can change that very quickly. My plans for after I arrive in Chch are still undecided.

Other things I'll post soon, Russians and the AN-3 Antinov saga, the Chilean Expedition Update, some funny things on station, live weather feeds from the pole, snazzy new shirts, the broken Ice-Breaker and the R&R replacements which are arriving shortly for the winter-overs.

Links to Pictures

2004-12-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

I intend to put pictures of the various items I have discussed up but to make the page more viewable to the casual reader I will just put links to webpages with them. I'll update as I put them together. Here is the first page- my parents place for Christmas.

More to follow...

Parties, the Race and Sculptures

2004-12-26T15:26:00.000-07:00

The two day weekend has ended and it is back to the grind. Plenty of issues to resolve at work but I'll leave that for another post. Let's review the weekend:

Friday night, Annex Party - This was a good time, a nice mix of people lots of wine. Bill McAfee held down the bartending duties. It is a shame they are destroying the Annex, it would probably be the nicest place to live on station. A quick look as to the entrance to the Annex...

After the Annex was a live performance of Squeaky Meat. Dave Benson and the crew played late into the night. I curbed my desire to stay for the duration with the higher calling of the Race Around the World. I exited around midnight so I could prepare properly for the race. Here is a link to Squeaky Meat Poster.

Christmas day had several things going on. The Veterans on station raised the POW-MIA flag at 8a. They also signed it on Sunday. The Ice Sculpture contest was judged at 9a. There were some really good work out there. Who would have thought that 250 people could make so many good sculptures.

Then there was the Race Around the World. Three laps that equal almost two miles. I did not win. Philip the cook won with a stunning 13:08. The women's winner was also from the galley. I had a slip and fall and then an equipment problem. I ran about a minute slower than I had hoped for at 19:12. I had guessed a little over 16 minutes was going to win, I obviously guessed way wrong.

I'm out of satellite tine but I'll post some pictures in the next day or so.

Christmas Eve

2004-12-23T15:57:00.000-07:00

It is Christmas Eve here at the Pole. Lots of activities tonight. After the work day the annual ANNEX party. The ANNEX is a berthing next to my office. It is the preferred housing for the people who have significant ice time. My co-worker Dave Benson has wroked on the ice for 7 years and lives there so it should be good. There is a gift exchange in the main galley but alas I have nothing to exchange. The band "Squeaky Meat" is playing tonight, which Mr. Benson is also a part of. Plus as every Friday night, the ARO building is host slushies (ARO is run by NOAA staff). Not to mention the everyday party in our local bar, 90 South.

I will check out the ANNEX and then probably hit the hay and rest up for the 2 mile, Race Around the World tomorrow at 10a. The winner gets a trip to McMurdo, which would be nice but probably out of reach seeing how I am just getting over my cold. I made 3/4 of the run last night and was exhausted.

Merry XMAS to all my faithful readers.

Where I Live

2004-12-23T11:42:00.000-07:00

Everyone has heard me complain about walking to work, blah, blah, blah. Here is a picture that actually shows where I live in reference to where I eat, work and shower.

I live in J13 which I marked in black. I share the jamesway with eight other people, all of whom work swing shift or nights so there is noise at weird times. Just north of J13 is the weightroom (its orange and sit horizontal to J13). Directly to the east of that is the blue "Ice Palace" which is the bathrooms for all those jamesways. East of the is non-smoking lounge.

You see where "My Office" is in the dome, I have to walk through the long tubes that house the heavy equipment shop. To give a perspective you see a little blue building just north of the tubes (Cargo office) and a line of little squares of different colors. Those are snowmobiles that are used to get around on. Most of them are seven feet long.

I have to take the beer can (the shiney vertical tube attached to raised station) to the galley, store, laundry and post office. It is about six stories from the underground tunnel to the top. The geographic pole is just south of the raised station (you can see the shadow of the sign on the snow).

To the east is where the LC-130's land. To the southeast is where the telescopes (AST\RO) and further southeast is the new ICEcube project (a very large Muon and Neutrino detector).

Half Way There + Summer Solstice

2004-12-21T15:16:00.000-07:00

I have made it to the half way point of my contract. This is not official, but according to the local "Donut of Despair" I was at 50% done yesterday. Time to start thinking about shipping things home.

Summer Solstice is today, but since the sun has not set since I have been here this made not be important as it is in other latitudes. The sun will now start a slow downward spiral until it goes down in March for seven months. Hopefully I'll get to see a couple of short nights before I leave.

Saturday is the Race Around the World. I had been training for by running fast indoors on the treadmill and then running outside in the cold (with my boots on) for shorter distances. The winner gets a trip to McMurdo, which I would like. But being sick for the last four days has hampered me. The longest run I have had is 1.75 miles and this race is two. I guess I will run lightly for the next couple of days and try to save up for one big push.

The weather has been nice, -12C and yesterday it got up to -8C. I have been wearing too much clothing and need to start wearing jeans to work. It should be nice this weekend as well.

Here is a time waster that is a little more practical than Liquid Generation, make your name in Japanese. Here is mine -

What Type of Rocker are You?

2004-12-19T15:25:00.000-07:00

This was my results for those of you who took the "What Type of Rocker are You? Quiz"

Weekend Review

2004-12-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

A quick review of this past weekend:

Saturday night was the annual Meteorology Wine and Cheese party. I attended and it was a good time. I am not a wine connoisseur (like I am with beer) but the chardonnay from the vineyard called Montana was surprisingly good. The party went until the wine ran out and migrated to 90 South. I begged out early and got some sleep.

Sundays I work at the store - "PoleMart". My account on the register is now fixed so I actually know how much to deposit at the end of the night. Rented Bad"der" Santa for the holiday, I was told it is pretty funny. I'll put a review up when I finish it.

Our Satellite issue continue, although today has been without much of hitch. So if I am bit slow posting, I'm probably trying to find a satellite window.

A special cyber shoutout to: Eric and Allison. Congrats, I hope everything went off without a hitch.

This week there is a lot of paperwork to do that I have put off too long. Some re-organization of our materials is in order and the local band "Squeaky Meat" plays on Friday. We have this Saturday off so a two day weekend- hurrah.

And finally my time waster of the day is: http://www.liquidgeneration.com/
It is a little guy-centric but I find it hilarious.

Feel the Pain

2004-12-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

Well I have been sick for the last couple of days. I am drinking about 10 cups of tea a day trying to keep voice so I can talk to people and actually do my job. Getting about 11 hours of sleep and I still feel beat. Hopefully I am turning the corner.

Our satellite issues continue, we lost the GOES satellite today but it appears to have come back in the last few minutes. We use three satellites for communications here: MARISAT, TDRS and GOES. We lost the main power amp on the big dish (9 meter) which Road Dog has field repaired. We have a 3 meter dish back up but it drastically reduces our bandwidth.

We had major issues yesterday with a new switches in the elevated station. They renamed the subnet but did not update all the fixed equipment (printers, fixed devices and such) which caused them not to work. Not fun for a helpdesk guy.

There is a new press release from the NSF saying the B15a is not an issue. That is not what the scuttlebutt is here. I guess well see in the next two weeks. I have the press release but my I am having trouble linking to it. I'll update when I get it fixed.

B15a iceberg

2004-12-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a MSNBC story talking about the B15a iceberg. The US has sent an icebreaker along with a Russian icebreaker to get into McMurdo. The cargo ship they talk about is the main resupply ship for the next year. If it does not make it USAP will reduce the amount of staff at both South Pole and McMurdo for the winter. This could make life very spartan for my winter-over friends.

Anyone for movies?

2004-12-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

There are two movies from the South Pole International Film Festival that I'd like to post but one is 350 MB and the other is 150 MB. If anyone would like to host these let me know.

Excitement at the Pole

2004-12-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

Some interesting happenings at the Pole in the last few days. We had a mass casualty drill which was been in the works for sometime. The funny thing, they chose the remote RF building (satellite) to have it. Making Road Dog and David Bates important cogs. Looks like it went off as well as expected but basically cost the IT staff an entire afternoon.

We promptly lost the satellite the next day, the main amplifier blew. I, of course, had no idea until I was stopped by three different people in the coat room asking me when the satellite would be fixed. Dave Bates had spent the night at Happy Camper (Antarctic Camping Training - its cold out there)returned, sat in the sauna for an hour and prompt went back to the RF Building to help Road Dog track down the problem. The amp that blew had been rebuilt by the manufacturer for ~$13k and only been in operation for a month or so. It looks like Road Dog restored service around 3am today. This could affect communications for the rest of year, stay tuned for the dramatic outcome!

Sir Edmund Hillary visited McMurdo and called the South Pole last week. In case you are not aware of Sir Hillary's accomplishments here is a short blurb I found:
"Pictures of Sir Edmund Hillary in McMurdos Mac Ops speaking to South Pole Station on 11/29/04. Edmund Hillary was the first man to arrive overland at South Pole after Scott and arrived in the first mechanized traverse.
Hillary is also the first man to summit Mt. Everest, with Tenzing Norgay."
If you goto to ROLEX.COM they talk about him a great deal as he tested the famous Explorer watch. Here is a picture:

Here is picture I found of the station on one of the few dusks that happen down here. I thought it was worth a look.

Back to work.

The Day After

2004-12-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

Well I am struggling through today. My co-workers have been very supportive, although most of them are to blame for my condition today. Here is a picture of the ARO building that hosted last nights' festivities. I have very little energy left for the Disco Party tonight. But being a trooper I will make an appearance with my "Disco Sucks" shirt. Last night the beakers (scientists) brought liquid nitrogen to freeze all the liquor. A public service message: Do not eat freeze dried vodka. I'll post a picture of what was going on when they get to the common drive.

South Pole Information Technology Pictures

2004-12-09T12:42:00.000-07:00

Or SPIT for short. We had our pictures taken yesterday oustide of the dome where we work. It was only -15C outside, relatively balmy. So here are two of the better ones (IMHO):

Here are my associates from left to right in the first picture:
Bill "Road Dog" Thompson - Satelitte Tech
Nick Powell - Satelitte Specialist
David Benson - LAN/WAN & PC Tech
David Bates - Communications Tech
Bill McAfee - IT Manager
Brandon "Mr. Loehr" Grantham - Network Admin
And I bring up the end with my sexy Carharts.

Chilean Traverse Team is Leaving

2004-12-08T14:44:00.000-07:00

I have had the pleasure to meet (and drink with) the Chilean Traverse team. About half military and half scientists, a good bunch of guys. I attended their arrival party at the South Pole which consisted of drinking too much Piscoe. They seem very happy here after a the long trek from Patriot Hills. They have been here for a week because of mechanical issues but it sounds like they are geared up and ready to go. Here is a picture of the Chileans arriving at the South Pole.

Good luck to my new Chilean friends on the second half of their journey.