Greetings from Waylon

I hope you’re thinking, “Oh boy, another installment in the 478-part series of ‘Claire in Antarctica.’”  Just when it seemed like there wasn’t much more to say on ice, rocks, random objects, or mediocre food, I’m back with an irresistible rejoinder that in retrospect might be better left unsaid.  This is really just a constructive excuse to procrastinate making my secret Santa gift.  Now let’s dive in.

At long last, I’m enjoying my Thanksgiving holiday.  I guess there was some crazy Mad-Max-themed party last night but I only saw some scruffily dressed people wandering into the bar afterward.  I caught the last few songs of McNut Punch, this season’s Metallica cover band.  But it was rather sweaty and the female bartenders had better patrons to cater to than me, so I had a tame night of it. 

Here's a nice view of the pressure ridges, which I saw again:

The previous two evenings were spent in the great outdoors, hiking a new (to me) path on the ice shelf over to the New Zealand base, and getting another look at the pressure ridges.  It’s been in the 30s and sunny, with barely any wind—sweatshirt weather.  I could actually feel the warmth of the sun on my back, and it was good.  With almost no snow in town, it was nice and Antarctica-y to be out on a glittering white plane, sun sparkling back up, and deep blue mountains butting up against the light blue sky.  At the Tatty Flag, the Kiwi bar, you can get much better wine for less money than here.  And if you sit at the piano looking at sheet music, just maybe the musician you respect and enjoy the most in town will ask if you play, and end up putting together a set with you for the Christmas show(!).

It’s a good thing I’m experienced with carrying keyboard parts down the road.  My loaner comes with a comically tattered cardboard case I reinforced by wrapping my scarf around it.  My guitarist buddy lives a couple hundred yards away with almost no neighbors, so it’s a good place to rehearse, and now I get bonus exercise. 

It was a very good week for mail—packages from mom and dad, and Matt, and emails galore.  Thank you everybody for writing and fun news and love.  And speaking of love, a thrilling addition to life here just became public: McMurdo Missed Connections.  I’ll track down my favorites and share some select solicitations soon.

Here is my new little penguin friend, Waylon.  I got him at the craft fair today.  He’s pinned on my wall now, but if he’s a good boy he’ll get to go on a Christmas tree next year.