tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58109502011-04-21T21:47:29.487-07:00Iceward BoundIce. Wind. Cold. Brrrrr...Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comBlogger1261100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1159292837019417462006-09-26T10:41:00.000-07:002006-09-26T10:47:17.033-07:00A Man's Favourite Tool ! HILARIOUS & TRUE ! wild !!! muahhaa very funny !! WOW Some guys......are always a 'guy'. Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1159291931262907962006-09-26T09:59:00.001-07:002006-09-26T10:32:11.280-07:00Well.Hello, world.It's been awhile, hasn't it?I'm a story-teller by nature, and it never quite sat right with me that I never finished telling my Antarctic tale. I didn't want to leave the impression that some dark fate had befallen me on the Ice and I was never heard from again. The story of my disappearance would be a mystery...I met a woman named Sarah. Fell in love. Travelled together forRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1159291013259978212006-09-26T09:59:00.000-07:002006-09-26T10:16:53.283-07:00Well.Hello, world.It's been awhile, hasn't it?I'm a story-teller by nature, and it never quite sat right with me that I never finished telling my Antarctic tale. I didn't want to leave the impression that some dark fate had befallen me on the Ice and I was never heard from again. The story of my disappearance would be a mystery...I met a woman named Sarah. Fell in love. Travelled together forRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1098875788032387142004-10-27T04:03:00.000-07:002004-10-27T04:16:28.033-07:00Been busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest. Sorry I haven't written.
Work has been incredibly hectic with non-stop activity from 7:30 am until 5:30 pm and I've had to work a couple hours overtime on top of that. To put it in perspective, we've already processed in the first three weeks of the season more than half of the total that we did all of last year.
Yesterday was Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1098446592155648702004-10-22T04:45:00.000-07:002004-10-22T05:03:12.156-07:00Mmmmmmmm....a night to remember. Or rather...a night to write down to remember, since I've had 5 double Capt. Morgan and Cokes tonight and am not likely to remember much of anything in detail.
Some days I write for you, the dear reader. Other times I write so I can remember what the hell happened to me.
Tonight is more the latter than the former.
Going backwards--quick hits.
It's 1 am. I'mRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1097977361170700132004-10-16T18:05:00.000-07:002004-10-16T18:42:41.170-07:00Busy week.
I haven't been able to write much because my power cord for my laptop got destroyed in transit from Tahoe to San Jose. It fell out of my bag on the motorcycle and got drug on the highway for 50 miles or so before I noticed it. I've finally found a replacement for it online and will have it shipped to me so I can get online at my convenience and not have to wait for a terminal to be Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1097363848999868142004-10-10T12:09:00.000-07:002004-10-09T16:17:29.000-07:00Ah...just reset the time zone mechanism on Blogger so my posts reflect the actual time I'm writing...not Pacific time.
The room change is in process, so I'm told. Housing always seems to be a chaotic workgroup down here--like there is no rhyme or reason to how they assign housing. They used to use a formula that accounted for your job position, time on station and extra points based on past Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1097303501103680472004-10-08T23:12:00.000-07:002004-10-08T23:31:41.103-07:00Back on the ice.
Hooooooooray!!!!
I feel like I'm a sophmore at college. Seeing friends from last year, feeling more secure in the environment here and more comfortable in being myself in all my glorious aspects. I often feel like the folks that I'm with only see a part of me depending on the circumstances. I feel free here, like I can be more fully myself.
This year I'm comfortable fullyRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1097022293568556942004-10-05T16:51:00.000-07:002004-10-05T17:24:53.570-07:00Ah...this is the best part of working for the United States Antarctic Program.
There's a big 'ol crack in the ice runway, found on the first flight in of the season, which has delayed all subsequent flights until it can be fixed. So I have at least 2 days off here in Christchurch. I'm on salary AND I get $150 per diem. And I'm in New Zealand.
Life is good.
Bonding with old friends and new.Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1096884988721488632004-10-04T03:09:00.000-07:002004-10-04T03:16:28.720-07:00Quick addendum to give props where they're due.
Just got back from a wonderful dinner (Indian food) with Jesse and Chico (friends from the ice last year) and Debbie (person I met on flight today). Spent a few hours in Bailey's--the unofficial bar of Antarcticans in Christchurch. Ran into many friends from last year. I was surprised at how many people remembered me and had a story (or two) Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1096853414092228122004-10-03T18:04:00.000-07:002004-10-03T18:32:18.330-07:00Yippee!! I'm home again.
Long, tortuous flight from LAX. Got there at 5 pm this year, so no drama. Boring, but it gave me time to read The Joke by Milan Kundera. A long ass flight--12.5 hours to Auckland and then another 2 to Christchurch and I absolutely cannot sleep in airplane seats so I got a total of maybe 30 minutes sleep the entire trip.
Checked in at the hotel and had to go back to Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1096612149032806802004-09-30T22:45:00.000-07:002004-09-30T23:29:09.033-07:00I wish Blogger had a tool that could just connect to my brain instead of me having to actually write stuff! Sometimes, I get absolutely brilliant thoughts or really funny stories going on in my head and by the time I get to write them down, they're lost.
Had a *brilliant* ride on the bike leaving Tahoe going to San Jose. Laughing most of the way. I had a suitcase, a big A-3 military bag, a Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1096145580760002542004-09-25T13:34:00.000-07:002004-09-25T13:53:00.760-07:00Cleaning the cabin, packing, and otherwise getting ready to hit the road. Slowly starting to get excited to get on the road again.
I leave tomorrow around noon. Got firewood coming in around 10 am and they'll even stack it for me. So all I have to do is load two suitcases, a guitar, a computer and two teddy bears on the motorcycle and head to San Jose. On a Sunday, leaving Tahoe. Blech.
Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1095883834810698582004-09-22T13:44:00.000-07:002004-09-22T13:10:34.810-07:00Lots of meetings with Festival Board members this week delaying my departure from Tahoe.
I still don't know. I'm not hearing the one thing I need to hear to make this an easy decision. Right now, the position is funded as a part-time position through next September with no benefits.
Everyone I've talked to on the Board tells me that they WANT it to be full time and will pay benefits when it Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1095709697034785762004-09-20T13:35:00.000-07:002004-09-20T12:48:17.033-07:00Whoopee! We got a little snow in Tahoe today. Had to get the fireplace going for the first time since I've been back. It's good to get a little reacclimatization to the cold before I head to the ice.
The interview with the Board went well and I'm getting attention from individual members who want to chat with me before I head to the ice. The consensus was/is that it's a 'done deal' that theyRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1095219995800081272004-09-14T20:17:00.000-07:002004-09-14T20:46:35.800-07:00Been pretty slack lately about being online. Mostly been writing a management plan for the Festival, packing and wrapping things up to head to the ice. Very laid back, although I'm getting pretty excited to go to the ice again.
It's a homecoming for me, in a way. It's my tribe down there.
Things are looking very good for me getting hired at the Festival, but the salary is a little lower (Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1094669262327274672004-09-08T11:08:00.000-07:002004-09-14T20:17:34.256-07:00Back from Burning Man and into the 'let's get ready for Antarctica' phase.
Burning Man was a good experience. As a concept, Burning Man is too complex to sum up in a neat sound bite. Check out the Burning Man web site to get the full experience online. Basically, you can find whatever it is you're looking for there.
In my case, I thought I would go for a party--that this was what I needed Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1093814410786079122004-08-29T14:09:00.000-07:002004-08-29T14:20:10.786-07:00Got a wireless card for the laptop, so I ought to be able to make an entry or two from Burning Man. I like modern technology. I may be out in the middle of nowhere, but I can still keep in touch.
Of course, I may very well get OUT of my senses, or overload them, at Burning Man. That's an entirely different story, however. :-)
I'm liking my play more and more. Of course, I got a chance to Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1093722718475994362004-08-28T12:15:00.000-07:002004-08-28T12:51:58.476-07:00Opened Art last night. Feeling of relief and satisfaction. It's up, it doesn't suck and surprise, the audience last night even liked it.
There has been so much drama around this show, most of which has had nothing to do with what shows up on stage. One of the actors (cast of three)has been consistently not there and inconsistent to work with.
Another actor has been *wonderful* to work with--Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1093458086264508182004-08-25T11:00:00.000-07:002004-08-25T11:57:41.656-07:00Ah...moving on...in chaos.
I finally deleted all old voice mails, emails and text messages from she-who-must-not-be-named. (a smiling reference to Harry Potter) Sad to see them go. It was nice listening to her bright, cheerful voice from happier times.
Onwards, though.
Art is progressing, but my guess is that it's not going to be something to be proud of. It won't suck, but I don't think Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1093287750654319192004-08-23T11:37:00.000-07:002004-08-23T16:38:08.683-07:00A response to comments posted to my last blog.
I may not be articulating myself well, because I think we are saying the same thing regarding my Hydrogen and Oxygen analogy. And Jen had a much better word than 'completion'...she would say "balance".
Hydrogen and Oxygen are both complete on their own. Capable of forming attachments to other elements. And they are 'unbalanced' in that they haveRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1093021277002086522004-08-20T09:46:00.000-07:002004-08-20T10:18:36.216-07:00Heart feels better...more whole. Got 7 hours of sleep and even ate twice yesterday.
It's amazing how when learning happens, it happens in a *flash* and suddenly all that was murky becomes crystal-clear.
In response to the Zen koan comment yesterday...I see that answer pretty clearly but it would take awhile to explain. Short answer--most of us are incomplete. We are worthy of being loved Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1092935311631298672004-08-19T09:22:00.000-07:002004-08-19T10:21:49.726-07:00Major revelation this morning. A big "Aha!" moment.
I woke up this morning with the usual hole and hurt in my heart. Got 6 hours of sleep last night, which is one more than I've been getting. I've been letting Heather's words linger and ferment in my heart and mind, along with everyone's else who has given me input on this and believe me...everyone has helped. Tremendously.
Heather's wordsRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1092843826455215242004-08-18T08:09:00.000-07:002004-08-18T08:57:01.563-07:00More of the same. No desire to eat, hole in my heart, not much sleep.
Thanks for the comments everyone. I may respond more later but for now, I'm going to just let your words and energy ferment for awhile.
Here's a fun trick to try sometime when you really want to torture yourself--play old voice messages of when you and your great love were happy so you can hear the sparkle in her voice and Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1092762751309774362004-08-17T09:38:00.000-07:002004-08-17T10:12:31.310-07:00More heartache today. Not much sleep either.
Got an email from Jen saying "please do not contact me ever again."
Some of the things I wrote in my blog entries of the past two days have angered her greatly. She doesn't like the portrait I paint of her and feels that I am being vicious and attacking her.
I don't think I'm doing that. Maybe I'm too blinded to see what I'm doing.
I know in my Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1092665029114323162004-08-16T06:51:00.000-07:002004-08-16T07:03:49.113-07:00This is the worst part...I go to bed with an ache in my heart and a profound sense of disappointment in myself. A feeling of being worthless.
I sleep.
But not for too long...and then I wake up feeling disappointed in myself, worthless and with a heart ache.
I know myself fairly well. I know my issues and where they come from. I have a ton of information.
What I don't know is what to do to Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1092633814690549192004-08-15T21:58:00.000-07:002004-08-16T00:27:29.876-07:00*Riiiiiiiip*
That would be the sound of my heart being torn apart.
Somewhat ironically, this is my 100th post on blogger. A milestone, of sorts.
Speaking of milestones...
I got a version of the "I love you, let's be friends" speech from Jen this weekend. Despite a promise she made to me, she has taken up with another man that she says "I think I'm falling in love with."
She wants me close Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1092378104996620692004-08-12T23:04:00.000-07:002004-08-12T23:21:44.996-07:00Off to the Bay Area for some sailing with Jen this weekend. She's down visiting her dad, and I haven't visited my sailboat for several months, so it seems like a good thing to do.
I always feel at home and at peace on the water, so it's nice to combine two of my favorite things--hanging out with Jen and sailing. I'm always smiling when I'm with Jen...she really inspires me and lifts me. She'sRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1092284588758824102004-08-11T21:18:00.000-07:002004-08-11T21:23:08.756-07:00Leading a Good Life
My friend Rachel will often put thoughts and feelings that I have into far more concise and intelligent writing than I can. She wrote the following email to Kipley as a response to his query "what is the goal of an actor?"
Rachel articulates a great many thoughts and feelings I have about life and Art. I thought this was worth sharing with everyone.
======================Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-10922490664290372004-08-11T10:56:00.000-07:002004-08-11T11:57:05.636-07:00Rachel's mom got out of surgery yesterday and is doing well. Check here for more of the story.
My brother just last week had part of his thyroid removed as being cancerous. They think they got all the cancer, but like Rachel's mom, he'll have to wait a few weeks to find out.
That must be hell, waiting to hear on whether you are going to live or not. To wait for a prognosis that may end Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1092173388824303772004-08-10T14:11:00.000-07:002004-08-11T01:26:15.273-07:00I'm going to be very busy over the next two and a half weeks.
I'm directing a talent contest here in Tahoe called Tahoe Superstar--a local version of American Idol. So far we have some 18-20 very talented people signed up to compete. Good voices on all of them so it will be a pleasureable show for audience and performers alike. My job is to put together two evenings of entertainment for 175 Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1091993287747036432004-08-08T11:46:00.000-07:002004-08-08T12:30:20.556-07:00I'm in the process of making a new friend. I discovered this person through Rachel's blog. His name is Kipley and he's an actor trying to make it in New York. He's asking some big questions and I responded...and now we've struck up a correspondence.
Ain't it great how technology...used well...can bring people together?
Anyway, check out Small Fish, Big Pond.
There's a larger site called Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-10914681155420372004-08-02T09:53:00.000-07:002004-08-02T10:35:15.543-07:00 Saturday Night Review
Well, maybe I'm on to something after all. Saturday show went as well as opening night. Different audience energy--still a full house, much different laughs and reaction to my song was also much different although still as raucous. A good lesson in actor integrity and relationship with an audience.
Opening night, the audience was howling with laughter over the dance. Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1091291586236795292004-07-31T08:06:00.000-07:002004-07-31T13:54:37.076-07:00Opening Night Review
Last night was my first-ever performance in a musical. If I had to give myself a grade, I'd give myself a "B". I think the audience would have given me an "A", judging by their reaction.
We had a full house of 200 people, many of whom had seen the show before. This is the 3rd year this show has run and it gets a few new songs each year, so people come to hear their favoriteRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1091137959659847922004-07-29T14:30:00.000-07:002004-07-29T14:56:35.713-07:00It's Opinion time!
Here's the scenario:
Jen and I have a little disagreement going on right now. She was supposed to come to town on Thursday for a few days and I was looking forward to the trip.
Last night, she tells that she is way behind on studying for a class and can't make it until Saturday, maybe.
I countered with a suggestion that she could study here, which was dismissed withoutRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1091039691337432992004-07-28T11:18:00.000-07:002004-07-28T11:34:51.336-07:00Home sick today. Must have gotten some kind of virus. Felt fine all day yesterday, although it was a stressful day at the Festival. Went to rehearsal and halfway thru my stomach just started bunching up in knots. Made it thru rehearsal and then spent 10 minutes throwing up in the bathroom.
Got home and spent another 20 minute puking...and then another 20 minutes...and then another.
Don't Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1090642667012294272004-07-23T20:59:00.000-07:002004-07-23T21:17:47.013-07:00Ooooooooooh....a new record on the motorcycle today. $89 worth of groceries. And I didn't even smoosh the bread. :-)
I'm back after a somewhat tumultuous trip driving with Jen cross-country. It wasn't the idyllic journey I was hoping for...kind of rough going on and off. Some wonderful connection and playful moments and some moments of disconnection and distance. Jen was ill for 2 days andRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1089959240923855002004-07-15T23:18:00.000-07:002004-07-15T23:27:20.923-07:00And now...all I have to do is get through a very busy Friday...and then it's a travel day that will conclude with seeing my sweetie again!
We have an event at the Festival, which means I'll be there at least from 2-11 tomorrow. I get my choreography for my big song & dance number in the play tomorrow afternoon too! And of course, I have to clean the house before I leave too.
But I only Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1089876575636581942004-07-15T00:29:00.000-07:002004-07-15T00:29:35.636-07:00Two more days until I get to see Jen!!
The past week has gone by quickly. Lots of work at the Festival, and we've been stepping things up in rehearsal for Guilty Pleasures as well.
Started teaching a master class of sorts for some friends, calling it "The Actors Laundry". Teaching acting the way that I teach it, without the requirements imposed by an institution.
It's a jazz sort of Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1089568882296058422004-07-11T11:01:00.000-07:002004-07-11T11:09:42.930-07:00And then...from low to high.
Reconnected with Jen yesterday. She'd gotten some rest,called me late in the day because she was running late in the morning and wanted to connect with me in a more real way and not just the cursory phone call that would inevitably end in "gotta run, talk to you later."
We talked about things mentioned in yesterday's post...Jen is an *excellent* communicator and Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1089478759854570512004-07-10T09:37:00.000-07:002004-07-10T10:28:56.740-07:00It's amazing how rapidly life can change from high to low.
Life at the Festival has been hectic and chaotic. Much more so than it needs to be, imo. The head honcho, Stan, is a type A personality who will give someone ownership of a project, tell you he trusts you to do a good job, and then turn right around and say "I don't want to micro-manage this"...
...and then promptly starts Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1089267503771158662004-07-07T23:10:00.000-07:002004-07-07T23:18:23.770-07:00Starting to get my sense of rhythm back as an actor who is also working a 'real job' during the day. I've been producing events at the Arts Festival and then going to rehearsal with no time in between, which frankly, hasn't led to me doing very good work in rehearsal so far.
I've been a producer/actor before and it's a difficult transition. As producer, my mind is full of details and executionRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1088974324269311782004-07-04T13:29:00.000-07:002004-07-04T13:52:04.270-07:00Happy Birthday America. We're now 228 years old.
Don't ya think we should start acting our age? You're supposed to get *wiser* as you get older, aren't ya?
Life is very eventful these days and I feel too busy to write much about it. Here's the recap:
1. Jen is moving to CA on July 17th! Yeah!!!! I'm flying out to meet her in Des Moines and drive x-country with her. We're going to stop Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1088586877540996582004-06-29T22:47:00.000-07:002004-06-30T08:14:11.966-07:00Life has gotten busy!
We produced our first event of the Festival season--an old-fashioned family picnic on Sunday. It was a good event. We had a brief thundershower, which put a bit of a damper on the day, but all in all, everyone had a good time, and the Festival board thought it was the best picnic in the 25 year history of the event.
Between Wednesday and Monday, I've worked a total of 48Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1088098777766849262004-06-24T10:16:00.000-07:002004-06-24T10:39:37.766-07:00It's always a little chilly in the cabin the morning. I have no heat, unless I start a fire, which I haven't done in more than a month. Mornings are spent in silk pj bottoms, a heavy sweatshirt and wool socks, working on the laptop, so I can take advantage of the heat from the machine.
Happiness is a warm lap.
Forgot to add that my student's final scenes were this week. I'll write more on Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1088090451078093102004-06-24T07:44:00.000-07:002004-06-24T08:20:51.080-07:00I'm in a show!
YaY! It's good to be a working actor again. It's a musical--my first-ever. *Gulp*.
It's called Guilty Pleasures 1.2. It's a hit musical spoof about living life in Tahoe. They've been doing this the past two summers up here, rewriting and updating it every year.
Auditions were fun because they were nerve-wracking. I sing okay once I have time to prep a song, and while the Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1087836092539202802004-06-21T09:16:00.000-07:002004-06-21T09:47:19.776-07:00What's up with the education system in Japan? Check out this crazy shit.
Finals week at the college. And the show closed yesterday. YaY on both counts. I get to reclaim time, which will be spent working for LW again, moderating chat rooms and discussion boards. Kind of funny diving back into chat rooms again. A lot of the stuff you find there is very mundane and inane...and then sometimesRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1087672693490046692004-06-19T12:18:00.000-07:002004-06-19T13:35:51.696-07:00yours truly in three of my favorite elements...fire, beach and night
Playing around with a new tool Blogger offers called Hello! It's a photo storage and quick way to share pics either on your blog or via IM. Pretty cool...if you've got a blog, check it out!
Today is a 'getting organized' day. I operate pretty well in chaos and enjoy the energy rush. On the other hand, I get more done whenRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1087538519700752992004-06-17T22:34:00.000-07:002004-06-17T23:27:30.343-07:00A perfect night at the theater tonight. The video projections went off *perfectly*...on cue, on the rhythm of the music and the right images landed perfectly on words in the song.
The rest of the tech for the show was nearly flawless (a couple of problems with sound), the audience was enthusiastic, the actors had a lot energy and all in all, it was a really good show.
A bunch of other local Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1087324080689312102004-06-15T10:33:00.000-07:002004-06-15T11:28:00.690-07:00Yippee. Democracy actually works!
I just came back from the City Council meeting. Only two of us from the disc golf community were able to make the meeting. We were reassured during a break in the meeting, however, by both the city manager and the mayor
that our arguments were heard and that as far as they were concerned, the proposal to take part of the park for a new city hall was dead.
Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1087193291378318252004-06-13T22:40:00.000-07:002004-06-13T23:08:11.376-07:00Ahhhh..what a wasted weekend. Wonderfully wasted, after a week of stress getting the show ready. Played with my music toys today--some guitar and bass. Was going to a show in Carson City, but couldn't find the theater, so it wound up being a pleasant bike ride and a trip to Dairy Queen.
Finished reading Tipping the Velvet (a good read--I'd recommend it!)and started in on a new book today. (Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1087083196357551742004-06-12T12:37:00.000-07:002004-06-12T18:07:05.220-07:00Taking a cue from Amy-san's blog...
Random Thoughts and Observations
You know you're in love when your sweetie calls you at 4:30 AM and you're instantly awake and glad to hear her voice.
Today is Saturday--goof-off day until mid-afternoon when I have to go to the theater and make things all purty for the big fundraiser tonight. $100 a ticket--it's the annual gala to support the college Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1086845996254627322004-06-09T22:18:00.000-07:002004-06-09T22:39:56.253-07:00Phew...busy week getting ready the opening of Lysistrata's War at the college. My video project is done and I'm happy with it. It ought to get a few people bleary-eyed at the appropriate moment.
Heh...one of my favorite things about directing or doing tech stuff like lighting or video, is that I am so much more aware of being able to elicit the precise feeling from an audience that I hope to.Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1086590749520488742004-06-06T23:32:00.000-07:002004-06-06T23:45:49.520-07:00Sheesh...what a waste of a weekend.
I've got a short video project due for a show, and I've been procrastinating on it, so naturally it isn't ready. Due Monday night.
I had committed to going to the Bay Area this weekend for an Antarctic reunion/sailing party, when I really needed the time to work on the video project. Zondra was coming down, and it would have been a chance to reconnect with Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1086382593986229072004-06-04T11:46:00.000-07:002004-06-04T13:56:33.986-07:00Oh boy, it's been awhile, hasn't it?
I haven't dropped off the face of the planet, I've been mondo busy, with lots of short travels. I just got a cable connection at home, so now I can write from home instead of going to the college and borrowing one of the computers there.
The quick list of things that have happened since my last entry:
Been to the Bay area 3 times, went to Yosemite for a Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1084232747162475912004-05-10T16:37:00.000-07:002004-05-10T16:45:47.163-07:00Hmmmm...new look to Blogger today. See what happens when you go away for a little while?
Not sure what the improvements are, but what the heck, I'll go with it. Anytime someone spends a lot of time (and money) making a change in the dotcom world, one has to assume that there was some thought behind it, and some advantages to be had.
Of course, we all know what to "assume" means, right? ;-)Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1083101032933928952004-04-27T14:23:00.000-07:002004-04-27T19:59:52.483-07:00Whooopdie do! I played in my first disc golf tournament on Sunday. Except it didn't count.
The guy who usually runs the Soup Can series couldn't make it, and phoned some people and said they would start it next month. (it runs the third weekend of each month) But there were still 15 of us or so who showed up, so we all kicked in our $5 to give to the Soup Can series anyway.
One guy Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1082845110053519832004-04-24T15:18:00.000-07:002004-04-24T15:21:31.436-07:00Well, I'm not heading to SF this weekend. Lou needs to help his son with a school science project and can't get together with me. Totally understandable, and admirable. Lou is going to live on my boat a few days a week while he is going through a divorce and all that mess, and wants to get together with me before he moves onto the boat.
I don't have enough disposable cash these days to run Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1082664020445470782004-04-22T13:00:00.000-07:002004-04-22T13:03:20.546-07:00Yippee...it snowed last night!
For the past week we've had "Winnie-The-Pooh-And-The-Blustery-Day" kind of weather, and it's nice to get snow instead. The kind of weather we've had just sort of makes you feel crappy--at least with snow, you have something to show for the wind, cold and precipitation.
I think I'm coming down with some kind of crud though. Erf. Got that soreness in the back of Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1082434914592246792004-04-19T21:21:00.000-07:002004-04-19T21:27:22.280-07:00Jeez, I've been blog slacking.
Trip to SF was *wonderful*. Hung out with lots of close friends, spent some time in San Francisco (one of my favorite cities), went hiking, ate some great food and reconnected.
The only thing I didn't do...was the thing I supposedly went down there for. I had too much fun hanging out with people that I never got to the sailboat!
I thought that was ironic until IRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1081464305792443452004-04-08T15:45:00.000-07:002004-04-08T15:47:50.920-07:00Ahhhh...pretty much settled in up in Tahoe now. Got all my bags unpacked, although I think I want to rearrange the furniture to create more work spaces. A place to write, another place to work on crafts kind of stuff.
It's been chilly at nights, and the only heat in the place is from the wood-burning stove, and that's really nice to have again. It's a pain in the butt in the morning--to get Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1081029685553247962004-04-03T14:01:00.000-08:002004-04-03T14:04:06.046-08:00Back in the US...back in the US...back in the US of A!!!
With apologies to the Beatles.
Well...here's the quick catch up.
I sold the car the day after my last entry. Looked like it was going to be another boring day, then a guy came up, looked at the car, I knocked $500 off the price, he said yes, and then said "I need the car this afternoon, where can I drop you off?"
I had him take me to Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1080196591043238762004-03-24T22:36:00.000-08:002004-03-24T22:39:01.403-08:00Ever notice how sometimes the *smallest* thing can turn an entire day around?
Today was Day 1 of trying to sell the car. Ugh. Total drag.
I pay $55 to sit in a parking garage for 3 days and wait for people to come to look at cars. The vibe would be fun--hanging out with the other backpackers who are trying to sell their cars--except that everyone really just wants to unload their car and getRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1079849870821189502004-03-20T22:17:00.000-08:002004-03-20T22:21:56.670-08:00Okay, now I see why Jaques Cousteau once named the Poor Knights Islands as one of the top 10 dive destinations in the world.
Two dives today, both wonderful. The first dive was the most spectacular dive I have *ever* been on in terms of the sheer diversity and abundance of sea life. Saw at least 30 different species of fish. Had a sting ray fly by me and played with him for a little while. Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1079773736421890742004-03-20T01:08:00.000-08:002004-03-20T01:11:22.310-08:00Wooooo hooooo!
I just came from the stadium where I watched my first-ever professional rugby match. What a GREAT game!
The locals lost, unfortunately to the team from Christchurch. I was sort of rooting for the team from Christchurch cuz that's my sort of 'home' city here in NZ, and I was also sitting next to the sister of one of the Christchurch players.
Rugby is a VERY cool game...MUCH Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1079649923848376452004-03-18T14:45:00.000-08:002004-03-18T14:47:47.763-08:00"What tribe are you from?"
An interesting question...one I'm afraid I don't have a good answer to.
I was hanging out at the beach in Otaki last night, starting a fire and getting ready to bed down for the night when 4 Maori women pulled up in a van, looking to celebrate the successful finish to some classes they had been taking. During our introductions, one of them asked me that question. I Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1079323035077235012004-03-14T19:57:00.000-08:002004-03-18T14:31:19.920-08:00NZ pics are up!!
Check em out right here.
Sorry no captions...not enough time. Enjoy em anyway. :-)Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1079300265991150422004-03-14T13:37:00.000-08:002004-03-14T13:53:51.716-08:00Aaaaaaaahhhhhh.
One of the great joys of travelling in the bush and 'roughing' it is that little, mundane acts can become lifetime memories. Like soaking in hot water.
I hit the Maruia hot springs yesterday and soaked in three different kinds of hot springs for a total of 3 hours. My body is blissfully relaxed today. And the experience will definitely rank in my top 5 list of great soaks.
Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1078704200391338322004-03-07T16:03:00.000-08:002004-03-07T16:05:33.966-08:00I've tried doing some updates the past couple of days while grabbing 15 minute time-slots at net cafes in the far reaches of NZ, but every time I try to publish, I get timed out. Oh well.
The past week has been spent travelling up the West coast of the South Island. Looks a lot like the coast of northern California and Oregon, with nicer (sandier) beaches.
Highlights of the week:
1) getting Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1078193342063409682004-03-01T18:09:00.000-08:002004-03-01T18:11:09.640-08:00A quick check-in.
I've been trekking down the east coast of the South Island of NZ, and then headed over to the central/western part of the island for the Destination music festival.
The east coast is warm, sunny and (duh) on the ocean. Saw two rare penguins on the beach, the yellow-eyed and the blue-something (I forget the name) penguin. The first spotting was pretty funny--walking with Z Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1077509834076851332004-02-22T20:17:00.000-08:002004-02-22T20:19:13.700-08:00Phew!
Has it only been 4 days since I left the ice? I was expecting some sort of readjustment period, but there hasn't been one, really.
Z bought a car before I got off the ice (we had talked about buying a car together prior to her leaving), so I've had transportation. We're cruising around a 1986 Nissan wagon that is set up for car camping, complete with a two-burner propane stove and Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1077127906777868442004-02-18T10:11:00.000-08:002004-02-18T10:13:41.996-08:00Ladies and gentlemen...
Mark has left the ice.
The next entry will come from Christchurch, New Zealand. Past few days have been a whirlwind, working very long hours trying to finish all the work needing to be done before leaving the station. It's not finished, but I've been denied permission TWICE to stay until Saturday to get it all done, so I've done the best that I can do. There are only Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1076954138091486312004-02-16T09:55:00.000-08:002004-02-16T09:57:31.513-08:00Coming down to the last few days now and it's starting to sink in--I leave on Thursday.
Naturally, I'm not ready to go in the sense of being packed, although I'm getting there. Got all my laundry done and have packed away what is going to stay here on the ice..
I'm pretty much emotionally ready to go. Still looking at one last winterover job, but not pursuing it with vigor. My body has been Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1076578553276775152004-02-12T01:35:00.000-08:002004-02-12T01:46:13.700-08:00"I don't want to go."
And with those words, came the tears.
Big group of my friends left today, including Zondra. Z has been my constant companion and friend held close in my heart. Almost every magical moment that I've had down here, she's been there with me, from the very first moments of meeting on the airplane coming out of LA, to spending hours playing cards on our flights to nowhere (Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1076350467278673432004-02-09T10:14:00.000-08:002004-02-09T10:16:13.373-08:00If you want an idea of how hard we work sometimes down here, consider this: I spent most of yesterday afternoon working in a -40 freezer wearing long johns, carrharts, a long john shirt with a flannel shirt over it. A hat, neck gaitor and a pair of gloves. No jacket.
Actually, I haven't worn a real jacket all season long except for maybe 2-3 occasions. My normal attire is a fleece jacket Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1076261344786057012004-02-08T09:29:00.000-08:002004-02-08T09:30:49.640-08:00I'm tiiiiirrrrrrred.
12 hour days, each day completely filled with job tasks. No down time.
If you do the math, you'd think there would be 4 hours a day left to do something with, after 8 hours of sleep. But it doesn't work out that way. I go to work, I eat, I sit down, I fall asleep, and I still wake up tired the next day.
The weather is turning colder and it looks like October again. TheRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1076051888360585562004-02-05T23:18:00.000-08:002004-02-05T23:19:50.920-08:00The camera is dead.
A group of my friends left the ice today.
I'm now working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week until further notice.
On the positive side, my neck is feeling much better. The numbness is still there, but to a far less extent than before. Ditto with any actual pain. Noticeable, but not all the time. It's been a little more than 3 weeks.
I wish I had a kitty cat or a dog today.Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1075959790500789662004-02-04T21:43:00.000-08:002004-02-04T21:44:51.653-08:00Camera update--
Camera no working. Erf. It turns on, I can view pics,but the lens won't come out to play. Something is jammed, but I can't see what. The camera thinks the lens cap is still on, but the fact is the lens wont extend out of the body, so I can't take pics.
I'll work on it tonight and will either fix it...
...or break it some more. ;-)
btw--the ship finally came in today. I Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1075928927457109832004-02-04T13:08:00.000-08:002004-02-04T13:10:30.576-08:00Short entry from work....waiting for some labels to print.
My camera came back to me!
I was dumpster diving for some cardboard boxes at work (a common way of finding boxes down here--we're never stocked, we just recycle boxes from the dumpster), and my camera fell out of my pocket. When they emptied the recycle bin at the haz waste yard, someone saw my camera, saw the pics on it and found me Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1075798851492571662004-02-03T01:00:00.000-08:002004-02-03T01:02:31.373-08:00I must write some juicy blog entries, because Blogger just ate my post again.
Grrrr...and I'm in a pissy mood to start with.
The quick recap, details probably WON'T follow because I'm in no mood to rewrite everything.
Sunday: climbed Ob Hill to fly my new sailboat kite from Melanie. Much fun, lots of strange/appreciative looks from other climbers. Ob Hill is a memorial to Scott and his Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1075431001855108492004-01-29T18:50:00.000-08:002004-01-29T18:51:36.810-08:00Oh boy, the next few weeks are going to be painful. Emotionally, spiritually and physically.
The first wave of friends leaving began yesterday. A group of scientists that I had grown close with. There will be so many goodbyes in the next 3 weeks, so many promises to keep in touch, reminiscing of fun moments on the ice, long hugs goodbye, talks of plans to come, deep talks saying the things itRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1075280778953392352004-01-28T01:06:00.000-08:002004-01-28T01:13:07.186-08:00Owwwwwwwwwwwwiiiiiiiieeeeeeee
This will have to be a short entry as my right arm is tingling and quite painful from the elbow down. Like when you have to crack a knuckle or pop your back? That's what it feels like in my elbow right now...and my forearm is burning, like when you hit your funny bone, and my pinky and ring finger are numb.
That feeling will go away in a little while, as soon as Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1075195828748799192004-01-27T01:30:00.000-08:002004-01-27T01:33:08.686-08:00YIPPEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
It's Christmas in January!! And I'm using exlamation points like Tzaddi!!! hehehe
Wow. I hardly ever check mail while I'm here. They have a cool system leftover from the 60's when the Navy used to run the station here...they run a special penguin flag up a flagpole at the postoffice whenever a plane comes in carrying mail. The flag was up today and I had to run to Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1075000310613903042004-01-24T19:11:00.000-08:002004-01-24T19:13:21.123-08:00I'll have new pics posted at http://public.fotki.com/icewardbound today. They are uploading right now...at a snails pace. Still, it's better than nothing.
There's a noticeable shift in attitudes on station right now as we all realize that the season is coming to a close. I'm disappointed that I didn't get the winter job I wanted, and still have to sort through my options now. I'm cognizant Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1074678068354521982004-01-21T01:41:00.000-08:002004-01-21T01:48:20.590-08:00Hmmmm...blogger just ate my post. I hate it when that happens.
Just a quick update--I've been on pain meds for the past two days for this pinched nerve thang. Missed work--basically it feels like I am being repeatedly stabbed in the back. The muscles spasm frequently--imagine a constant charley horse in your back.
BTW--I wish I had a better story for the pinched nerve, but I don't. It's notRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1074564501810362982004-01-19T18:08:00.000-08:002004-01-19T18:09:47.373-08:00Ouch.
Pinched a nerve in my neck 6 days ago and have been in intense pain every since. Kept trying to stretch it out, got a massage and nothing has worked. finally saw the doc yesterday, and am on drugs (woo hooo!) and ultrasound.
It's day 2 of the treatment and it's working a little. The drugs make me sleepy, so I've had the past two days off work. Ultrasound makes it feel better, but I Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1073984531797734202004-01-13T01:02:00.000-08:002004-01-13T01:03:30.810-08:00The boondoggle yesterday was MONDO fun!
We basically spent 6 hours on a snowmobile, running like madmen across the sea ice. I can't describe the incredible sense of freedom--to be in control of my own movements for a change. One of the things that gets bothersome here is that one does live in a company town, and our daily lives are spent complying with company rules. There aren't many places Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1073815331644371822004-01-11T02:02:00.000-08:002004-01-12T10:48:02.623-08:00It's too late to really write much of anything. Ran the big Scott's Hut 8K race today. It was very windy and chilly...windchill factor of -5F. The course was mostly uphill, although quite scenic. I ran it in 38:03, which wasn't bad considering that I only started training a couple of weeks ago. I took 6th in my age group (+40, I hate to admit), but mostly because there weren't that many overRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1073635994987143732004-01-09T00:13:00.000-08:002004-01-09T00:14:29.903-08:00What a GREAT day today! I got *two* bits of good news, and on a day that I spent mostly hungover and very tired. I might have to stay out all night more often if it gets me more days like today.
First off, I got news that I have a very cool boondoggle coming up on Monday. I get to go to what we call "Room With a View", which is a science hut that is halfway up Mt. Erebus. Erebus is the localRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1073564346854511222004-01-08T04:19:00.000-08:002004-01-08T10:41:53.466-08:00These are the nights that I live for.
A friend from the ice, Lauren, is leaving tomorrow. He is one of the most brilliant people I have had the chance to meet. Advanced degrees in French, Music Performance and a PhD. in Astrophysics. I've played music with him and tried to keep up, and we have made some sweet, beautiful sounds together. He gave an alternative reality piano bar concert at theRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1073474147127561882004-01-07T03:15:00.000-08:002004-01-07T03:25:55.216-08:00Ooooh...two entries in one week! I must be getting diligent in my blogging. Or I'm bored.
Ha!
Neither. It's 11:30 pm and I can't quite get to sleep yet. I have one roommate who snores like a rutting pig. He's got a total cartoon snore--like a character in an animated movie. Drives me crazy. I honestly feel like doing sneak attacks in the middle of the night...jumping out of bed, punchingRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1073209601776880592004-01-04T01:46:00.000-08:002004-01-04T01:48:53.606-08:00Lazy day today,enjoying the last two-day weekend of the year. Slept in late,did laundry, caught up on bills, got a massage, watched football and did my radio show.
Not that my body will remember this 4 weeks from now, but I'm gathering up all my rest for the last final push over the next 7 weeks of the season. It gets crazy with the tasks I'll have--first unloading our resupply boat that Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1073114385869606382004-01-02T23:19:00.000-08:002004-01-02T23:20:54.640-08:00Happy New Year, everyone!
I'm thrilled to be in Antarctica to start 2004. I started last year with the goal of being here this year, and lo and behold, I am. Yikes...I haven't thought about where I want to be next year yet. I'm enjoying this moment too much to set my sights on the next.
Today was an incredible day...we had the annual "Icestock" festival. A 6 hour celebration of music with Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1072773388703811202003-12-30T00:36:00.000-08:002003-12-30T00:37:33.356-08:00Ooooh....I'm such a bad boy. I haven't written for ages.
I'm finding that the less I get on the computer, the less I want to. I think what it boils down to is that I don't like sitting in the computer lab to write, and going to the coffeehouse requires effort. Since the net connection is slow, the whole process of getting online just feels like work, and I'm already working 10 hours a day, I Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1071827618655123142003-12-19T01:53:00.000-08:002003-12-19T01:54:32.293-08:00Some answers to questions folks have been asking...
Q: Whatever happened to that guy that flew down here and ran out of gas?
After much wrangling with the local authorities, he managed to get some gas and is now merrily on his way to where ever it is that he was going. The NSF and Raytheon STRONGLY discourage this sort of activity (flying to Antarctica) for a number of reasons. For one, the Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1071767525217284412003-12-18T09:12:00.000-08:002003-12-18T09:12:58.733-08:00In prepping to come to Antarctica, I thought my major concern was going to be how to occupy my free time. I had envisioned a harsh desolate environment, where I would have to be creative in finding things to do in my spare time.
I've found just the opposite. I've been much busier than expected and frankly, my major concern is finding time for myself to relax and re-energize. Sleep deprivationRaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1071136536998624052003-12-11T01:55:00.000-08:002003-12-11T01:56:22.623-08:00We have visitors!
Two 'distinguished' visitors have decided to show up at McMurdo this week. One is an emporer penguin who has decided to grace us with his presence out by the ice runway, and the other is a small, home-built airplane that flew in from Australia.
One guest is welcome, the other is not.
The penguin has been the superstar of the week. No one quite knows what he (or she, it's Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1070791242378998032003-12-07T02:00:00.000-08:002003-12-07T02:01:24.840-08:00"What God gives...Raytheon takes away."
All in all, things even out over the course of a life. Or a week.
After enjoying a full day off earlier this week due to the storm that hit McMurdo, I had to work on my regularly scheduled day off today.
We had a C-130 break it's nose ski on takeoff earlier this week. (for those that don't know, all the aircraft here takeoff and land on snow/ice Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1070532223635043072003-12-04T02:03:00.000-08:002003-12-04T02:10:41.733-08:00Mark pic of the Day:
building my shelter for snow survival school
Finally found time to get online again. We've had storms with Condition One called. Condition One is like gettting a snow day at school--it means that the weather outside is too dangerous to even walk around, so one is stuck where ever you're at when it's called.
Most of the time, the folks who are responsible for calling Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810950.post-1070216044368429332003-11-30T10:14:00.000-08:002003-11-30T10:14:40.110-08:00Ah...a sweet and restful weekend. It's Monday morning already, but for the first time in awhile, I actually feel rested and ready to work this week. Spent an inordinate amount of time online doing my Xmas shopping and paying bills--trust me, that's no easy task when you have what amounts to 28K modem connectivity speed.
We had a *beautiful* snow yesterday--reminded me of being in Lake Tahoe. Raulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172198046193875427noreply@blogger.com