"Dante's Peak is probably the best volcano movie out there." - A volcanologist.

Reverse-chronological history of my scientific life:

I'm on my way to the University of Cambridge to get a Masters in Polar Studies
...which I was inspired to do after working for the US Antarctic Program
...where I ended up because I'm fascinated by the power of nature
...which I first discovered in 8th grade Earth Science
...when I watched Dante's Peak.

I am a steadfast, even zealous, fan. I've received my fair share of mockery for this fact, but now, the ultimate vindication:
"Overall, Dante’s Peak is probably the best volcano movie out there." - Rebecca Williams, Volcanologist at the University of Hull. "It dramatizes the real-life problems that scientists and communities face when a volcano becomes active. The film depicts many of the different volcanic events really well (though it mixes up types of eruptive style) and captures many of the real volcanic hazards that exist around the world."

Watch the movie. Love the movie. Read Williams's full review here. 

On Conquering Fear and Reaching Dreams

An inspiring TED Talk from Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Chris Hadfield. You may remember Chris as the astronaut who temporarily went blind during a spacewalk outside the International Space Station last year, and rightfully so - it's an incredible story. His blind spacewalk, though, turns out to be most remarkable for the ways in which it is unremarkable to Chris himself.

Chris talks about the powerful moment when he reached the impossible dream of his childhood, as he boarded the Space Shuttle for the first time. His thoughts echo those I had when boarding a C-17 from New Zealand, en route to Antarctica for the first time. A humbler dream than spacewalking, no doubt - but still, a tremendous moment of pride and joy and awe, attaining something I had thought all but impossible for so many years. Impossible is nothing.

Walk the Halls of the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station

Never thought you'd make it to the South Pole? Neither did I. And, technically, I haven't. But now, thanks to the no-stone-unturned-no-secret-veiled Google juggernaut, we can all get a virtual feel for life at the bottom of the world.

Yes, Street View has invaded the South Pole!

There are people who will find this upsetting. I am one of them. Is there no value in an uncharted territory? Is there nothing sacred? As a future academic, I recognize my hypocrisy in saying that. But it's true, and fascinating, that many of the people who come to call Antarctica "home" feel territorial about the place, and take pride and solace in the fact that the Ice is one corner of the world still relatively safe from the invasiveneness of modern media and technology. As such, Antarcticans tend to be wary--and often, highly critical--of media portrayals of their haven. (The one overwhelmingly approved media depiction I have seen came from within: a documentary by veteran Antarctic contractor Anthony Powell, called Antarctica: A Year On Ice. Check out the post I wrote about it when I was a support contractor).

That said, there is unquestionable value in increasing public knowledge and access, especially when it comes to scientific knowledge and the context in which it is uncovered. I can imagine a classroom of kids virtually walking the halls of South Pole Station: "there's a basketball court at the South Pole? And a tuba??" Yes, kids, you too could survive at the South Pole! Keep "astrophysicist" on your shortlist.

And, of course, even Antarcticans love to share their experiences with friends and family. So in the spirit of embracing the wide family of humanity, I have to admit that I also once blogged about how awesome the Google Maps of McMurdo Station are. Despite my protective instincts, I do hope you'll enjoy learning about this phenomenal place using the tools the Googlebots have gifted us. There is so much the Ice can teach us.

FYI, I'm told McMurdo Street View is coming soon... Or rather, I know it's coming, because my friends and I tried (but failed) to position ourselves in front of the Googlecam while it was driving through town last summer. There was a fair amount of cringing around the subject, but also a lot of excitement. Cool! Terrible. Cool! Terrible. It's complicated.

A Meme in Response to "What's it like to work in Antarctica?"

I was going through my Facebook photos today and re-discovered a meme that my friend Baxter came up with during my first season in Antarctica (summer 2011-2012). You might recognize the meme, used to describe people's perceptions of various professions and such; it was pretty popular a couple of years ago. Anyway, Baxter and I did some brainstorming and came up with photos to depict the diverse perceptions of life in Antarctica, as they pertain to the world of the illustrious dining attendants (read: dishwashers). Take it from an insider: this meme does a kickass job.

In case you need anything clarified:
Image #1 is a photo from a Robert F. Scott expedition during the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration.
Image #2 is a team crossing a crevasse. That's big danger.
Image #3 is evidently a grantee (researcher) studying a penguin. Contractors (non-grantee seasonal workers) are not allowed to touch penguins. Or get too close.
Image #4 is a dishwashing machine. The NSF is the National Science Foundation.
Image #5 is the galley dodgeball team, in uniform before a big summer tournament.
Image #6 is, pretty accurately, what it's like to be a McMurdo Station Dining Attendant. The endless tedium and uniformity of the workplace are broken by a palpable spirit of play straight out of Neverland--enjoyed by many, though never by all. 

Martian Sunset

Goodnight, from Denver, January 2 2014.

Goodnight, from Mars, May 19 2005.

Photo taken by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit near the rim of Gusav Crater, Mars.

Image found on NASA's Image of the Day Gallery.

Happy New Year!

May the new year bring you music in unexpected places. 

Peace and love from the inner space.