movie madness

Werner Herzog, a German movie producer showed his movie Rescue Dawn to the second audience ever in the world while in McMurdo’s galley at the beginning of the season. The movie was also shown at the Toronto Film Festival. Mr. Herzog was in Antarctica with us, working on his first documentary since Grizzly Man in October and November. With a truly fascinating character, we are all anxious to see what Herzog's two man crew (including himself) down here, in Antarctica, will do with our lives and times here in McMurdo! Look for me in the Thanksgiving dinner footage.

I recently watch another movie The Incident at Loch Ness, featuring Herzog himself. After watching and briefly speaking with this director and producer, I laughed over this documentary/farce of a drama as the characters search for “Nessy.” Many of Herzog’s indosyncracies came to light in the movie that he illustrated in person when he was on The Ice.

http://www.wernerherzog.com/main/index.htm

Photo from: http://chud.com/nextraimages/herzog31.jpg

huge honor

"I wanna hang a map of the world in my house. Then I'm gonna put pins into all the locations that I've traveled to. But first, I'm gonna have to travel to the top two corners of the map so it won't fall down." - Mitch Hedberg -

My life experience grew today when I was invited to attend the Scott Base 50th Anniversary Luncheon. My invitation was by default since I, and Shuttle Char, were the drivers from McMurdo to the Base. The speakers at this even include the Prime Minister Helen Clark, Sir Edmund Hillary, Claudia McMurray, and Dr. Arden Bement. The first photo is similar to what you will find if you Google "Sir Edmund Hillary" in the news for today.

The biggest honor, and perhaps highlight of my stay in Antarctica was shaking the hand of Sir Edmund Hillary and thanking him for the groundwork he laid in Antarctica for people, like myself, to be able to come here. He has accomplished much and still has goals and aspirations at 87 years old! He did not expect to be able to attend a 50th birthday party for the Base he founded in Antarctica, but seems pleased-as-punch to be here. The man is still quite witty and has great regard for the science and research that continues here.

The luncheon was a strange mix of lowly Raytheon employees, Kiwi people, military personnel, NSF and high ranking government official, along with Char and I, the shuttle drivers. Prime Minister Helen Clark consented to have her picture taken with me as well. This woman is quite approachable and "down-to-earth." I appreciate her enthusiasm for coming to Antarctica and visiting for the 50 year event.

I would attempt to write more of my thoughts, but this opportunity came about so quickly that I am still trying to figure out how little-ole-me ended up with sushi and fine New Zealand cheeses for lunch! And, I must head for bed to rest this sleepy head!

*favorite photo: me with Sir Ed.

great guests

"It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." - Sir Edmund Hillary -

Today I was put on the C-17 passenger transport again. I like ths job. In my particular role, two of us head out to Pegasus; the most remote of our two airfields in a van with flight lunches. We do not drive any passengers, but we do "herd" them off and on the plane. We are required to watch out for people who might wander off toward the engines, or miss their transport vehicle back to McMurdo or Scott Base. Today, we had a particularly complicated job as we had two important people arriving.

Today's transfer was quite unusual as it carried two very high profile guests to Antarctica. The first is Sir Edmund Hillary. He made the third overland journey to the South Pole in 1958 and established Scott Base for the Kiwis in 1957. His greater accomplishment is the first successful ascent up Mt. Everest. Ironically, he used the following words in relation to this climb: "We didn't know if it was humanly possible to reach the top of Mt. Everest. And even using oxygen as we were, if we did get to the top, we weren't at all sure whether we wouldn't drop dead or something of that nature." The sad irony is that this 87 year old man was relying on oxygen for part of his flight down to The Ice today. Perhaps his attitude remains the same: he's still climbing those high "mountains" in life, even if success is not guaranteed. His presence here is an honor for everyone in Antarctica as Scott Base celebrates 50 years. The second guest, is Prime Minister Helen Clarke of New Zealand (click here for new release). While not directly involved with the Antarctic Program, her presence is an honor as well!

There was quite the to-do about these people when they landed. News cameras were in their face. They stayed on the airfield ramp for a half hour of interviews. It was a bit of a zoo, but also entertaining for Dave and I. The most difficult part of our job was to keep the folks flying home from running up and taking pictures. I felt a bit disappointed for them but we followed protocol pretty well. Everyone here hopes to get a picture with Sir Hillary and possibly an autograph on the NZ $5 bill with his face on it. For now, at least I have my photo in passing. I enjoy realizing that after all the hype, these important people are still just people!

miguided media mayhem

We've got a winner (I mean whiner) down here!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15834019

This reporter has some heads rolling on The Ice. He's due for some great practical jokes. By now, roughly 10 hours after his posting, the entire population of McMurdo and the South Pole, have been mulling over his words with lunch and determining what sort of "vacation" he thinks he's supposed to have on an Operations Station in Antarctica. Sorry, it's no Ritz down here! Those of us who are here, generally think it's worth dealing with the C-17 and driving around in the Terra Bus - in fact, it's an adventure; something we WANT to be doing!

I've been having a hard time identifying "truth" in the media's message in the past few years. For a series on the Antarctic Meltdown, I guess this Antarctic editorial keeps me searching for the real environmental "news" story here.

disappointing distinuished visitors

After all the Good Morning, America hype, they made a pretty pathetic show about the Iceland's Polar Ice Caps (given that they came all the way to Antarctica). ABC only sent a camera crew and one interviewer. I did get to pick up some National Science Foundation Distinguished Visitors tonight from the Ice Runway and bring them to their "special housing." This is the closest I was able to get to the "excitement" on the night of the taping. Don't the flags look great?

good morning, antarctica

So, the rumor is there are some "Distinguished Visitors" making an appearance in McMurdo. Laura, my source for such matters, has found the following details:

Good Morning America
ABC
Monday November 13
7-9 AM (Timezone???)
Diane Sawyer is scheduled to interview scientist Gretchen Hoffman, live from McMurdo.

I may not get to do a meet and greet, or get on TV, but, I do have the satisfaction of knowing that I cleaned Van 218 which will transport the visitors from their LC-130 aircraft up into town. I know it's no limo, but it's the best we got and it is scrubbed sparkly clean!