One day away…
My dad also bought me this fantastic hat last year for Christmas (right after I returned from Antarctica last season). It’s a handmade knitted wool cap from New Zealand, with fleece lining on the inside, which actually makes it a pretty legitimate cold weather hat, and it also just happens to look like a penguin! Thus, I behold to all, a photo of me with the infamous Emperor Penguin doll, my penguin hat (which has already won me several compliments around station), and my desk and models in the background. Perfect! This is exactly what I’ve been doing for the last couple of days, modeling. Last night I didn’t leave the office until midnight. But do not fret all, because I have completed 10 of the 15 models from last season! Allow me to remind you all that before arriving on the ice this year, I only had one model completed. I’m glad things are finally coming together, and that I can go out into the field for the first time EVER knowing that I can actually create models and measurements from the photos I am collecting. I am so relieved. Now, it doesn’t seem so impossible to have all of my models done from all 40 animals before we leave the ice. This goal actually seems feasible now.
We had our first B470 team meeting on Friday. We went over the goals for the season, procedure, things we are attempting differently this year, assigned tasks etc. Tomorrow will be our first day back out on the ice as a team! Jo, Allyson, and John have been doing recce trips to scope out seals and take infrared images. For the rest of us though, tomorrow will be the big day. I can hardly wait. Tomorrow is Monday. Monday will be a dry run out on the ice, Tuesday will be a day to recollect and decide if anything needs last minute tweaking, and Wednesday will be our first scheduled deployment date (the first day we will attempt to tag a Weddel seal).
Until then, I am trying to finish up those last models (I may actually need to recalibrate a couple old cameras for a couple models), meet with Markus to discuss last minute alterations to the photogrammetry set up and/or cameras, and finally prepare all of the photogrammetry gear for tomorrow and make sure I am ready for our dry run. I’m keeping busy!
Photos from Skidoo training! We can hardly wait to get back out there on our snowmobiles!
Mee-ya and Rachel
Markus and Mee-ya trying on helmets
October 22nd, 2012 at 5:26 AM
Let me just say that I love Marcus and all the great advise he gives you. I think it is so powerful that he points out to you that your work is creative. I am a firm believer that creativity does not just mean the ability to do some art or craft well. A creative mind lives life in a creative way and has the ability to not just see possibilites, but create possibilities. You and I have talked about this so many times and I am so pleased that you are surrounded by and supported by other great creative minds.
Aunt Sue and I had a toast in your honor for your break through with the model. We are so impressed with your ability to see and be grateful for all the goodness in your life. A grateful heart will always move you forward into inspired action.
Love to you, Marcus and your whole team.
Aunt Clare and Aunt Su
October 26th, 2012 at 3:45 AM
Hi – I really like that knitted wool hat. Cool Xmas gift, if you pardon the expression. You say it was hand made in New Zealand. To be honest, you’ve given me an idea I am going to pass on to a friend of mine who runs knitting clubs for charity – what a novel way to create Xmas gifts this winter. Good luck with your research and Antartica trips in the future!
October 27th, 2012 at 9:50 AM
Hi Graham,
Thank you for the interest and for following along with us! What a fantastic idea! I’m glad to hear that I helped inspire you in some way. Best of luck to you and Happy Holidays!
Mee-ya