The harsh continent

We're in Water Stage Orange.  Mid-rats are night worker meals.

Current conditions: Con3   Temperature 12°F (windchill 0°F).  Population 964

That the NSF has managed to create a viable research institute here, so far away from real world infrastructure, is a mind-blowing accomplishment.  Every time I take a hot shower or grab some popcorn from the galley to nibble on while I watch Jeopardy, I marvel that we lead such normal lives despite the harshness of the world around us. But yesterday, two of our generators pooped out.  Our dorm had no power last night, including no heat, and only imperative infrastructure (including the clinic) remained up and running. Everything else--from the gyms to the bars to the carpentry shop to the galley--shut down.  

Although the power has “been stabilized”, today, we are still being asked to conserve.  Then, in mid-afternoon, we lost internet and phones for 6 hours.  And just now, we learned that, because water production ceased during the power outage, we are under water restriction (no laundry and only two 2 minute showers per week). 

On top of that, first wind then power loss has derailed construction projects. Building is progressing at a glacial pace.  Believe me, we know from glacial.  Also, intra-continental flights have been largely canceled due to prohibitive weather.  Rebecca, our pharmacist, is stuck at the pole.  Chris, the PA for one of the deep field sites, is still hanging around the clinic making trouble when he was supposed to be at WAIS divide three weeks ago. 

When things go wrong, the base goes into shrug mode.   I’m sure the NSF is going nuts, but for the average McMurdian, it’s just, “pull out the duct tape and pour me a beer”.   

 But because of the power outage, I missed the Jeopardy Tournament of Champions finale.  It truly is a harsh continent.

Comments

Unknown said…
Yes, It's very sad when Julie misses "watching Wapner" as she refers to Jeopardy (a la "Rain Man...") :-)
November 15, 2019 at 8:21 PM
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