Its been a while!

I apologize for lack of updates, it has been a busy week. It has been an eventful couple weeks. There will be no pictures because my camera is broken so words will have to do. A Blackhawk came by to deliver some packages. The station is now playing the game of assassin and we had a poker tournament.

Apparently the packages had to get up here so a Blackhawk Helo brought them up. The Blackhawk is essentially a Jayhawk in the coast guard, but has a weapon system and airborne fueling system equipped. I did not get to see it but I will get some pictures soon and post them when I get the chance.

I have been mess cooking all week so it has been a week of long days. The Log Flight was a little hectic because the air station gave us a half hour ETA and we had not got all the vehicles ready because of how early is was. They arrived at 1113 and usually they are late and give us plenty of notice. In addition we had to unfreeze a vehicle that was not wiling to start in the bitter cold. Once we got everything going, we did just fine. Minus the cold, it was a very nice day. My mess cooking day was very difficult because the log flight took about five hours. Fortunately I had a shipmate help me get everything squared away. Thank you Masters. I owe you one.

Now to the game of assassin. The whole station went crazy and I am the only one alive, in our imaginary world. Anyone that wants to participate puts their name in a hat and draws a name. You have to find a way to kill the person that you picked. The rules are that no one else can see it happen other than you and the victim. Essentially the paranoia level at the station goes sky high and everyone is walking around like neurotic squirrels. It is a fun morale thing to do. ET3 Bailey won the first game and I just won. Bailey almost got me, but someone saw him do it. I got really lucky; I did not kill anyone in the entire game and still won. This game will be remembered.

We had an intense game of poker. Texas Hold’Em, Omaha, Irish Hold’Em, Baseball and Queen Ann’s revenge. Chief Casey, Masters, Nearpass, Bailey and I played. There were some good hands, some bad luck and some unexpected results. Like when you go big with a flush and someone has the luck to get a Ace/King Full house. High/Low was banned due to horrible luck and everyone losing their money to the pot. We evenly redistributed and played other games instead. I almost beat Chief, but even with good hands, he one upped me. The luck of the deal, what can I say.

It is going well, busy but good. The weather has been clear and cold. I am looking forward to spring and warmer weather. I Hope that everyone is having a good day and hope to see everyone when I get the chance to make my way down south.

The Things Missed

People don't generally stay at the same building, or with the same people all the time. We find something new to see, someone we don't know to converse with. In isolate duty, that social and geographic diversity becomes very small. As much as you respect the people you work and live with, the constant interaction sometimes breeds undesired dynamics into the relationships. The things that would not really matter in a normal situation have the potential to become issues affecting morale.
I do my best to show respect for everyone around me and get along. I don't stress if I cannot get along with everyone because I know that some people are just not going to get along with you. I do what I can hoping for mutual respect. I suppose that when you cannot get away from it, you just deal with it in whatever way you can. I go to the gym regularly, Get outside when the weather permits, participate in the morale events and have plenty to do by myself. I still yearn for that human contact that comes from interacting with people. I am making some good friends up here. I have really just been myself and some have misunderstood me, but thats life. I am no stranger to being misunderstood.
I am doing what I have to do to get through this challenge. It is an incredible experience up here. I have seen things that I only dreamed of seeing before. Living in the arctic is truly a life changing perspective. To have the comforts we have makes it enjoyable even when the weather is at its worst. I can work hard, be respectful and just be me.
With that said I included some pictures of things that I miss. I miss the ability to just go driving and see somewhere I have not seen before. Going to the bar because I feel like meeting someone new. Believe it or not, Having a little Tequila when I want to.
Above all the material things, I miss the things that matter most to me. My friends, Family, Pets and the support they provide. To my Family, May you have fair winds and smooth seas as you make you way home. For the ones that are still land bound, May you have wonderful days and enjoy the beautiful spring in California. To my Friends, I miss hanging out and just having a little fun. I hope that your families are doing well and that I hear from you soon. Finally to the dogs, May I not be forgotten, Sorry I had leave you behind. A special thanks to Theresa for taking care of them while we are away.

P.S. I did not have to fight a Polar Bear, I became one. I will explain later.

Something Promised and Something Amusing

Here is that picture I promised and something Amusing.

Coasties come in all shapes, shades, weights, sizes, and states of sobriety, misery, and confusion. They are sly as a fox, have the nerve of a dope addict, the sincerity of a politician, and the subtly of Mt. Saint Helens. They are extremely irresistible, totally irrational and completely indestructible. A Coastie is a Coastie all their life. They are a magical creature. You can kick them out of your house but not out of your heart. You can take them off your mailing list but not off your mind. Coasties are found everywhere... in love...in battle... in lust... in trouble...in debt...in bars and ... behind them. No one can write so seldom and yet think so much of you. No one else can get so much enjoyment out of a letter or clean clothes or a six pack. A Coastie is a genius with a deck of cards. A millionaire without a cent and brave without a grain of sense. They are the PROTECTOR OF AMERICA. When they want something it's usually 30 days leave, music that hurts the ears, a five dollar bill...or a woman/man they can count on. Girls and guys love them, mothers tolerate them, fathers brag about them, the government pays them, the police watch out for them and somehow they all work together. You can beat their bodies but not their minds. You can tame their hearts but not their souls. They dislike small checks, working weekends, answering letters, eating chow, waking up, maintaining a uniform, and the day before payday. You may as well give in. They are your long distance lover...they are your steel eyed, warm smiling, blank minded, hyperactive, over reacting, curious, passive, talented spontaneous, physically fit, good for nothing bundle of worry..... And will always be there for you regardless of how long its been since you've last talked. So next time you see a Coastie, thank them for the sacrifices they have made, buy them a beer and ask for a sea story.

I got that from a from now FS3 Rivera, a shipmate that was up here not to long ago. Who got it from someone else, but all that matters is that you get to read it now.

Sushi, Gaming and Working Hard

How is everyone doing? I can say I am doing well, but busy. On duty yesterday, I was dealing with issues all day with the sno-go, generators and potable water system. On Friday, we learned how to make sushi and had a great meal because of it. In addition, it was the birthday celebration for several people at the station so we had cake too. Unfortunately due to the issues with the equipment, we were not able to just hang out and celebrate. I had the pleasure of working on the snow-go with Myers by holding it up while he was changing the oil. I used my own brute strength, but the loader helped. I learned something new, so that was a good experience. The storm caused us some minor issues. It was a long day, but we were able to deal with them and get the runway clear and get a new ET here. Now that presidents day is coming up, we plan to have a BBQ if the weather is clears and its not -50 degrees outside. At the moment, that may not happen, but I am keeping my hopes up.
We have been playing some X Box and Wii. I am still bad, but not nearly as bad as I was a couple of days ago. I had to get used to the controls. The projector is great for it because it is large enough to do multiplayer very comfortably. Zombie mode is fun with gravity hammers. It is a good morale thing to do, even if you are not very good at it. We had a pool tournament and a poker tournament. I was not able to play poker due to the EOW watch, but I heard that they have had a good time. We started this KPC cash thing so we can bet on games, tournaments and whoever has the most money at the end of the quarter, wins a 200-dollar gift certificate to the exchange in Kodiak.
I do get to work is some cool conditions. It may be -80 degrees outside, but with the right gear it can be pretty fun. I get to work on a fairly complex generator setup. I get to operate some very large trucks and see some beautiful different looking dawn and dusks. It is a cool experience. I hope that everyone is having a wonderful day wherever they may be and hope to hear from you soon.

Ps Give Jasmine and Hobie some love and attention for me. Safe travels in Mexico and Happy Valentines day.