Waaayy too busy!

I am very close to going insane. I have been dragging my poor self all around trying to get things done. I just got finished on Friday submitting a supplemental Information Packet to the United States Antarctic Polar Services. This is basically a huge guide to what we will need to perform our duties down at Palmer station for my next Antarctic Expedition. This would not be so bad if we had started it three months ago. But it was due Friday and we started it on Monday. Not only did I have my own to work on but I also had to help prepare one for my professor. He is also going to Antarctica at the same time as I am, only on the opposite side. Another three month project started on Monday due on Friday. Oh ya, Friday was Tax day, and yes I left it to the last day. And the entire campus got a virus on Wednesday, plus I am trying to finish up HPLC, Advanced Physical Chemistry (Statistical Mechanics of Thermodynamics), and I am writing two hour long seminars (due by next week for a talk in front of the department). Yes, Yes, that was last week. I spent the weekend diluting myself into thinking that there was nothing due and that I was completely on top of everything. God that was great. Now back to the real world.

As for my next Ant. trip, this next one is revealing signs of being very interesting. My Fiance` has been offered position on our team. That is just way too perfect. I have got to tell you that the worst part of these things is leaving the ones you love behind for months on end. This is an opportunity for me to show my wonderful girl the amazing sights of the southern frozen zone and to not have to wish her Merry Christmas over the satellite phone.

The very coolest thing about this situation is that my professor (Dr. Kieber) knows her and asked her without any provocation from me. But Dave has seen how perfectly she will set out to do something and achieve the goal with the smallest of error. I have always know Kerry to be an amazing performer, here is where that pays off.

Plumbing

Today's cockie cutter houses are just a total pain in the ass. They cost nothing to purchase and are put up in less than a month. It isn't until you live in one that you realize why it is that they are so cheap. It is due to every aspect of the house being CHEAP. The appliances, the craftsmanship, the lumber, the concrete and don't forget the plumbing. I had to do some fixing just recently, due to these reasons. Check it out if you want to see how this guy did on his very first try at plumbing installation. At very minimum you will be able to see the thing that you shouldn't do in fixing your own plumbing. (click the photo)

Give a little bit...

...of your time to me. Just a little bit of Supertramp coming to mind. Nothing better than some good music to come with a good thought.
The point of this one is to let you all know that there is a really good way to speak out a little bit about conserving the wildlife in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This is not to stop the acts that are occurring up there but will help make sure that the scope of disruption is minimized. The goal of this Virtual walk is to tell the representatives that we are opposed to the disruption of any kind in the arctic but we must bring our minds back to reality to remember that we will never have that drastic of an effect. It is important to show there is concern about the future of our natural environment, and that will help form decisions in the future. So check it out.