Dawn in Antarctica

Today, we finally got instructions from NSF USAP on how to deal with our cargo.  This has been a huge worry for us as we need our equipment to do our research!  Here's a summary of what's been going on from my perspective. When USAP had to shut down in response to the overall government shutdown, they were in the midst of gearing up for the year-long research season, which includes supporting project like mine, but also laying in the infrastructure to support overwinter research and protect property.  It takes all summer to resupply the South Pole station for the coming year, for example. When USAP had to switch gears for the shutdown, they still had a responsibility to protect life and property on the continent.  How does one evaluate what shipments are essential in October to support the South Pole station next July?  But even before answering that question, one has to decide which people are essential for making that decision.  Can they be kept from furlough?  The people

Earlier this week, Tyler and I heard that the New Zealand Antarctic program will pick us up if the US Antarctic Program has to cancel our field season due to the US government shutdown.  This is fantastic news.  We'll be able to work with our New Zealand colleague (Ian Hawes) on the Lake Vanda project, including the planned diving. We still haven't heard whether or not our field work at Lake Joyce, sponsored by the US program, will go forward.  We have offered to cut it way back or even postpone the work to the following year.  However, we will still need cargo, equipment and sampling support from the US for the Lake Vanda part of the project.  Many of these needs take months of advanced planning, and we can't necessarily redo all of that in the short time before we leave. So now, we are waiting to hear from the US program to make the next planning steps. I am really thrilled we will be going to Antarctica!

I'm spending my weekend wondering whether or not I can go to Antarctica, on pins and needles as I deal with "Unfortunately the official line right now is “waiting” – yeah we are just starting to sort out what is going to happen and what is not.  Hopefully we’ll all know more by the middle of this week." (from my logistics coordinator earlier today - note she's working on the weekend!) To help deal with my stress, I spent almost 3 hours in capoeira classes at Capoeira Mandinga . It was wonderful.  I'm tired, happy, sore, and relaxed - almost.  After class, we talked about a capoeirista who is in the hospital with pneumonia, and he doesn't have health insurance.  His friends (which include some of my friends) are raising money for him.  I've donated to the fund (and you can too at  http://www.mandinga.org/support.html , tax deductible, let me know if you want more information).  We also talked about workshops that are being organized on how to sign up for

Our outstanding government employees have been back to work all of 2 days, and I'm full of anxiety again. Will my Antarctic field season be one of those partially reinstated? Postponed to next year? Will it - or any other projects - be cancelled outright?  When will we hear? The NSF head of Antarctic Sciences, Scott Borg, posted this letter today:  http://www.usap.gov/news/documents/Borg-Letter-10182013.pdf   It states that they are deciding about projects, and he "anticipate[s] that [the Program Directors] will be reaching out to you within the next few days and would appreciate your responsiveness when they do." I presume Scott means the NSF Polar Programs Program Directors, but that might be wrong.  My research is funded through NASA, so I'm not sure who is looking out for my project in these negotiations.  I know that my project coordinator for logistics is, but she might not be involved in the decisions at this level. Scott also says, "Of course, if

I've been going through an emotional roller coaster.  With the government shutdown, my project in Antarctica is likely a goner.  However, I also feel that it isn't nearly as important as many of the other government functions.  I feel like crap for myself and feel even worse for others.  I keep thinking that tenure is fantastic (my salary is secure), my research doesn't depend on yearly measurements over a decade, and my life isn't in danger.  However, my research and life were structured around a glorious 3 months of work preparing for and doing research in Antarctica.  I am a geologist for opportunities like this.  It is the most important thing in my professional life, and it gives me immense personal pleasure.  I don't know what to say except that: It is so much easier to destroy than it is to build! That is what is happening to our government.  A few people want to destroy the status quo, not just change it.  We have to stand up to them.  We have to sacrifi