What time is it? Show time.

My gosh, I haven't talked about the first gig...ok: Down To Freeze was well received at the Crary Lab science social, achieving that perfect ambiance-music volume without turning into a spectacle.  Because, really, we were background music for what I assume were varied and erudite doctoral-type conversation.  I borrowed a little black dress from one friend and savagely high heels from another, and we swung through the jazz tunes and pounded the rockers without me toppling over.  It was a great night, though tinged blue as our guitarist departed a few days after.  The plan is to integrate a new guitarist, but most of the jazz is going away.

After many -- and I don't use this word frequently or lightly -- epic rehearsals, last night Midnight Rhythm graced the stage of Gallagher's bar.  Things really got amazing about two weeks ago when we tapped an as-yet-undiscovered drummer, Dave, the egg line cook.  That kid can hit some shit.  Most of our tempos increased, transforming what had been a remorseful post-break-up original into a fist-raiser of an I-will-remember-you, and our three 12-bar blueses(eses) into groovin' dance tunes.  For a second time, I abused my aging knees keeping time in four-inch sparkly purple velvet heels.  I think the bubbles in our champagne (one bottle each, frequent toasting) encouraged an effervescent mood.

And as if all this music weren't enough thrill, we got our first delivery of ice cores from the South Pole.  This is the for-reelz science down here, the most prized of the field samples, and there is a strict protocol we follow to ensure their integrity.  Usually they are flown in at the coldest time of day, about 2am, but we had had several days' weather delay, and eventually it was decided they would come during normal work hours.  So thankfully I didn't have to do this the first time confused and bleary-eyed.  My main job is to put bar code stickers on boxes and record temperature data logger numbers.  I also have to talk on the radio, which is scary and awkward, as I've never been a big rig driver or bus dispatcher, and fail to conjure the proper jargon.  My coworkers are the ones actually driving forklifts into shipping containers and carefully placing every pallet.