20 November 2008 [Video] It’s My Dad’s Birthday

I woke up and realized that today is my Dad's birthday (Happy Birthday Dad!!!). However, I need to wait until tomorrow to call him because it is November 19th where he lives in Virginia.

I spent the morning working on the computer. I finally worked out the mechanics of uploading videos to this website. I am so relieved that this has been worked out because I have several people lined up to interview for my "Polar Profile of the Day" segment.

I also spent some time working on the PowerPoint presentation that will be used for the IPY event that is scheduled for Monday, November 24th (your time in the United States). We are doing a joint event with Robin Ellwood and her research team.

The guys all went out this morning to test SCINI at Cape Armitage. At about 12:00pm they called on the radio and asked Stacy and me to bring out some food and wanted us to trade places with Scott and Francois (they have a 1:30pm training to learn how to use the GPS equipment). We went right over to the galley and ate our own lunch. Then we got some sandwiches, cookies, soup, and hot chocolate. Next, we changed clothes and went down to get a couple of snowmobiles.

It is not easy to start a snowmobile. After some effort we were able to start the first one. We were working on the second snowmobile when all of the guys that teach everyone how to ride snowmobiles came by. They were glad to stop and take a picture but they left the job of starting the snowmobiles to us. Luckily, it only took us girls only three pulls to start the snowmobiles.

They all were happy to say "hi". Toby (far left) started one of the snowmobiles for us but then one of the others turned it off. That's alright because we started it ourselves (go girl power!).

As we got on the snowmobiles, we noticed that clouds had moved into the mountains. Just an hour earlier the view of the mountains was crystal clear.

The weather in Antarctica can change in a matter of moments. One minute it is clear and the next there is a horrible storm.

We drove over to Cape Armitage and delivered the lunches. I was able to go into the control center (the darkened interior of the Pisten Bully). I was thrilled to see that SCINI was roaming along the bottom. SCINI broke another record and went to 705 feet. I took a picture and quickly realized that my flash was blinding the pilot and he fussed me out (which I deserved).

SCINI went down 705 feet and saw many interesting things. This picture was taken in the control center in the Pisten Bully.

I didn't just sit inside the control center. I also had to help pull SCINI out of the water. One of my jobs was to walk the tether out so that it didn't get any hockles. I wasn't sure what they meant the first time said the word "hockle" so I asked (it never hurts to ask for help). They explained that a hockle was a twist in the cord. You don't want to have any hockles so you have to straighten out the cord.

It is necessary to stretch out the tether to make sure that it doesn't have any hockles.

Once SCINI was out of the water the guys posed for a picture. Bob, DJ, and Marco look so proud standing behind SCINI as she sat on her new cradle that Patrick made for her yesterday. If you'd like to know about Patrick, then watch the "Polar Profile of the Day" in tomorrow's journal.

Bob, DJ, and Marco are full of pride that SCINI made it safely to 705 feet and explored the sea bottom.

As we prepared to leave Cape Armitage, we noticed that the clouds had disappeared as quickly as they had arrived. We even saw a plane take off for the South Pole. It was a lovely sight (my computer added the brown to the picture and I thought it made it look antique).

As quickly as they appeared, the bad weather had disappeared.

I decided to take a picture of myself all suited up for the snowmobile. I look like a monster from the lagoon. However, I really enjoy riding on the snowmobile and all of this face gear is necessary. I don't want to get frostbite, sunburn, or snow blindness. That would definitely be a bummer.

I am wearing a helmet, goggles, a neck gaiter, gloves, and my "Big Red" to drive the snowmobile.

When we got back to the lab we ran into Scott and Francois outside. They were doing work for their GPS class. Scott decided that it shouldn't be all work so he pretended to be a gladiator with a spear. I was a little scared (not really). The pole (or spear) is put in the ground and has the antenna that allows you to obtain the GPS coordinates.

Scott and Francois are taking a class to learn to use the GPS equipment. Locations must be determined in very precise terms.

After dinner it was back to the lab and more work. I had hoped to go to Scott Base (New Zealand base) tonight but there is work that needs to be done. Well, there's always next week. I better get back to work or I won't get to bed any time soon.

Today's Polar Profile is of Jessica Tollman. She works in Human Resources and this is her first time in Antarctica. Originally, Jessica went to work at the South Pole but she began to suffer from High Altitude Thrombosis. This is a very serious condition where a blood clot forms in the body and can lead to loss of limb or even death. Jessica was quickly returned to McMurdo Station and received medical attention. As fate would have it, the gentleman who was working at McMurdo in the same position had an accident and had to go back home. Jessica was thrilled to step into his position and remain in Antarctica. Listen to Jessica and see what a real team player has to say.

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