Getting Carnal: Hunters & Gatherers Party

Whether airing a carnal desire or getting in touch with their inner caveman or woman, Scott Base played host to the Hunters and Gatherers party. While I wasn't feeling particularly like a hunter or gatherer, I opted to help with a little face painting!

Brian made an shrunken-head necklace out of dried apples!

Don't cross him, or you make end up on a string!

Justin wasn't going to the party either, but he was a
good sport and let me paint his face anyhow!

The mean and serious aboriginal side of Travis!

MC in pigtails? Exactly.

Larry went as his spirit animal - a Unicorn!
All he's mising is a glittery horn!

Oooga.

Chugga.

Dinning with the Kiwis

For a night away from MacTown, and town for that matter, Thursday night "Dine with the Kiwis," is a great escape. On this particular Thursday, Me, Zachary, Amanda, Troy, Travis, Kelli, Cara, Brett and Jonathan climbed into the shuttle (driven by Grump) for an evening of delicious food, drinks and artificial fireside time.

Let the fun begin!

Mmmmm...dinner and wine!

Brett, Travis enjoy a nice MOA brew while Troy sips on
an L&P (New Zealand carbonated lemon water).

All smiles for picture time!

Inside the teeny, tiny Kiwi greenhouse.

I spy a little red tomato amongst all those green leaves!

Little sprouting plants!

The outside of the teeny, tiny Kiwi greenhouse.

MOA! New Zealand brewed beer - ANTARCTIC EDITION!

And a reminder of what happens at Scott Base to rowdy Americans!

Kiwis Stitch-n-Bitch Too

It's true, Kiwis stitch-n-bitch too, and this Tuesday, they invited us over to do our bitchin' and stitchin' by the light and comfort of their lovely fireplace. We sipped wine, swapped celebrity crush stories, chatted about biomimicry and crafted up a storm.

Karen, Shandra and Jana smile the evening away.

Ang is crocheting a hat!

Melanie works on some cross-stitch while
Lan knits a square for the charity quilt.

Thanks to Jana for inviting us over, to Shandra for
organizing and to Melanie for driving the shuttle!

Melanie!

Shandra!

Karen!

Ang!

Lan!

Me!

On Your Shamrocks, Get Set, Shuffle

On the Saturday of the first two-day weekend of Winter, I volunteered for registration duties for the 5K Shamrock Shuffle. Registration, as well as the start and finish of the race began at the Chapel. The course went up to the main intersection, down along the road in front of B155, the Firehouse and the BFC all the way up to the Scott Base sign at the top of the hill and back down to the Chapel.

It was nice to see people dressed up in costumes and out enjoying a beautiful, relatively low-wind morning. I was glad to be playing a small part of the fun!

The Chapel of Snows.

Keri ran registration with me and was a superior orange slicer!

Oh yeah! Antarctic Racing Series!

Gracie in the green.

This is what Clay looks like before 10a.m.

Cathy puts on her number.

Kelli got all decked out!

Those are some green girls!

Justin brought the coffee - a la "Starbucks" (aka The Coffee House).

Kelli's booty is ready to run!

Shamrock bling!

Terry's ready to run away from it all!

And thanks to Molly, the race announcer: "On Your Shamrocks..."

"Get Set..."

"SHUFFLE"!!!

And, I got a lovely, sparkling shamrock card from Gracie for volunteering!
Good times in McMurdo, good times.

Open Water all the Way Over to Scott Base

The massive amount of open water continues to break up the ice shelf.

Kelli takes a walk down the plank to get a better look.

Looks serene right? Tropical even? Think again.
It was wicked wicked cold out and windy as hell.

Which is exactly why I bundled up to walk the plank!

Most of the Pressure Ridges near Scott Base have melted,
these remain, along with penguins and seals.

Kelli against Mt. Terror.

Erebus on the left, Terror on the right.
Visible also is the transition and the beginning
of the road to Pegasus Airfield.

Panoramic view of Mt. Erebus, the transition and
the road leading to Pegasus Airfield.