Ch-ch-ch-changes

The population will rapidly decrease from its already-sub-200 level here at Pole in the next couple days. People leaving Pole are getting "straight throughs", which means they fly from Pole to McMurdo, just hang out at the airfield until the C-17 arrives, and hop on for the ride to Christchurch. This eliminates the stopover in McMurdo, which is still quite full due to the major delay in getting the tanker and cargo vessel there this year.

The light is changing and there is definitely more surface definition as the angle of the sun decreases. The temperatures haven't plunged yet, but it is definitely feeling more like twilight is around the corner. People keep asking if I'm ready for winter, and I just say I'll take it when it comes. There's little reason to agitate against the timeline of things here when it will have no effect whatsoever.

In the last week I've worked in the Communications (Comms) center practicing how to work with the flights inbound and outbound from Pole. We have to cover that at Pole, even for flights to/from Christchurch even after the Comms folks depart. It's a lot of listening and talking on various radios, as well as getting information about the various items of cargo that have to go and come on the planes.

Another extra bit of pseudo-voluntary tasking I have on my plate is starting afresh with new additions to the fire brigade. Hopefully that will go as smoothly as possible. The first step will be a turnover drill, which will be happening today, despite the fact we've had zero chance (though I made myself available) to work with the new folks to acquaint them with their gear.

"When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die."
~Eleanor Roosevelt