Flying

September 30, 2011; 8:40PM

For someone who travels as much as I seem to, you'd think I would be better at flying.

We are on a little two seat, per side plane, that seems to be hitting speed bumps in the sky like a little kid learning how to skateboard; hitting every pebble on the sidewalk. Not a fan.

After 7 hours at Denver International, we are finally on our plane. An hour delay, and several extra beers later (not within that hour, I mean overall) we are finally on our way to LA. I am pretty much horrified at the fact that I still need to land three more times, and take off two more times, before I get to be still and not have to worry about my somewhat recently acquired phobia.

As I look around the cabin everyone seems to be totally ok with the fact that we are popping around left and right in the air. Although, after all these miles I have covered in the sky, I know I don't have to worry until they call of the beverage service, so far we are all good.

It does make it worth it though, when you get the chance to look out the window and see the world in a steady calm that seems so unlike the reality on the ground. Little villages of light tucked into blackness below, and random stars above that have led explorers in the past and are there to remind you that it will all be alright. With the steady pace of music in my ear and my eyes closed tight I will eventually wake to find that it is indeed all over, and I am standing on the continent that so few have, and that I have dreamt about for so long.

Taking a Break

28 September 2011; 12:00PM

So it's day two of orientation and I am on a quick break.

You really couldn't ask for a more beautiful day to be sitting under a tree.

So far everything is great. The first night at the hotel was pretty uneventful, there were a few faces that clearly were looking to engage someone, hopeful that they too were new to the program. But the next morning it was all pretty obvious. As we waited for our busses at 7am, some smoking, some listening to their ipods, we all manged to find each other.

The first day was pretty quick. We all just double checked our paperwork, got our per diem, and took a ServeSafe class. We were let out way early, our group anyway, because we had nothing left to do, so, we went back to the hotel. It was a beautiful day, and everyone was pretty eager to get to know each other.

I ran to a store with a woman who will be a dinning room attendant, hit up Target and scored some cheap polarized sunglasses, which was the last thing on the list left to buy. When I got back, some people were already in the pool, and already a 12 pack down. So I hiked down to the store to get more supplies.

We were in or around the pool, having a few beers, ordering pizza, and getting to know who we will spend the next 6 months with, until about 10pm. It was awesome. Our boss hung out with all of us, and it's his first time down to the ice as well. There are only three people that have been down before, so they were there to answer some of our questions and give us a few pointers, and some stories, about what to expect.

Today we all woke up a bit fuzzy to say the least.

Each of us feels a little bad because we are trying to find our way through buildings full of people who are just doing their jobs. We are unsure of where we are supposed to be, and who exactly is part of our groups, but for the most part, it's all going pretty smooth. Many people are returning, so they know the ropes, but in other groups. It's pretty amazing to see how many people are here doing this, and we are only one small part of a bigger picture.

But, the day is almost over, all the briefings and paperwork, and security stuff finished up. I can say that without a doubt, I have a feeling all of us are going to get along just fine. We all have likenesses that would be hard to find in any other line of work. I think that our being here in and of itself is a pretty good sign. Obviously we are all looking for something different, looking to experience something, and looking to be part of something greater then ourselves.

So, now off to the travel brief to get my tickets for the rest of the trip. It's all very military.  

Leaving

September 26^th, 2011; 1:05pm

So this is it, the adventure begins.

I decided to write this because it seems like the easiest way to keep in touch with those who want to be kept in touch with. I'm quite sure that many people really aren't interested in this at all, but I figure, it will keep everyone informed, and also help me to maintain my sanity.

I'm sitting in a restaurant at the airport looking out at the Silicon Valley, the place that has always been home, even though I have spent very little time here as an adult.

The scenes have become very familiar in the last year, but I'm quite sure, when I return it, will all look very different; yet again. Sure I will miss it, as I will miss all of you, but I can honestly say that I don't belong here. I'm not quite sure where that place will be that I finally settle, but I know that there is an entire world to experience before that time comes.

I have chased this specific brand of adventure (Antarctica) for a long time now. For years I have been dreaming of experiencing life on the ice, and now it's in my fingertips. While I'm still not totally excited, I can feel the butterflies flutter around in my stomach, I can feel my brain reeling, and the anxiousness that accompanies travel is present. Excitement will kick in when it decides to, when that will be I can't tell you.

The connections I have made this past year I think are more significant then many others. Most of you I have known throughout my life, but we have learned who each other is in this past year. Some of us have grown closer while many of us discovered that we are no longer the same person we once were. To those, I can only say, that our friendship ran it's course and served it's purpose, none of us would be the same person without the influence we shared with each other. Either way, no matter which side of that you are on, I love you and will think of you all daily, as I have done my entire life. While I may be absent, you all exist in my thoughts and prayers, always.

Buddha says: The destination of life doesn't matter, that life is a journey, and without pain, how could we ever expect to grow? So, I suppose this is me, embracing the unknown changes of life, feeling the pain of your absence, and carrying it with me each day as I try to become a better person.

Each one of you are in my thoughts, my prayers, and in every beat of me. I will never forget you, you are the reason I am who I am. Hopefully a person that you can think of fondly and enjoy the moments with.

So, here I go, off on a new path, a great adventure, and the next chapter of my life. Hopefully it will entertain you as I am sure it will entertain me haha.