Somebody press play already!

Well, the weather has had a lot of things on pause here at Pole for quite some time. The field science groups have not been able to fly, and have been pretty much stuck here at Pole with not so much to do. The same goes for the Twin Otter crew that is supposed to fly them out to their field sites. We also have a good number of folks that were supposed to be here for just a day or so, but are now getting an extended visit to Pole, since the LC-130s are also on hold. The wind and decreased visibility at Pole do not seem that bad, but they have been just bad enough to throw a big wrench in many groups’ schedules and cargo deliveries. But, this is not really anything new on this (harsh) continent. Delays are to be expected.

The number of NGOs/tourists has gone way down since the centennial, though there was a wicked truck out by the visitors’ center yesterday that looked a lot like one of the old Stompers toys of my youth.

Band practices for New Year’s have picked back up, and our sound is getting better. We have quite a variety of songs, and it is a lot of fun now that we have mostly moved into the polishing mode for most of them. I am trying to take care of my voice, but sure wish I had some real vocal training.

Holiday decorations, including a tree (artificial, of course) have been put up in the galley. The big meal is on Saturday evening, and earlier in the day the Race Around the World will be held.

"Perseverance is more prevailing than violence; and many things which cannot be overcome when they are together, yield themselves up when taken little by little." ~Plutarch