Greetings from Antarctica - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

gilligan fanatic · 10-21-2011, 03:13 AM

I will be working in Antarctica until February. I got a job in a warehouse down here with Raytheon Polar Services so I will be spending the "summer" here. We have internet but it is not super great so I won't be able to log on a whole lot. So far it is a lot of fun. It has been averaging minus two for the most part since I've been down. It is the windy days that make it real cold. We do get a few TV stations down here although I don't have a TV yet. If anyone is curious here is the channel lineup. We have long work days (7:30 AM - 5:30 PM) but we get a long lunch.

Channel 2
24-hour American Forces Network (AFN) Americas: entertainment.
This Week’s Schedule
Next Week’s Schedule
Channel 3
24-hour Weather Information: McMurdo and surrounding areas.
Channel 5
BBC World—the London-based British Broadcasting Corporation’s international 24-hour news and information channel broadcasting world news, in-depth analysis, and interviews.
Channel 6
24-hour McMurdo Information Page (MIP I): community schedules and events information, including critical information, movie schedules, and daily dining menus.
Channel 7
24-hour Antarctic Terminal Operations (ATO): flight information, including dates, mission numbers, departure locations, and estimated times of arrival (ETAs).
Channel 8
Australia Network: Australia’s international satellite channel that compiles programming from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australian commercial television networks, and independent production houses from around the world. Programs include regional news, international documentaries, lifestyle interest, dramas, and sports.
Channels 9 and 10
Movies: all genres
Channel 11
24-hour American Forces Network (AFN) Americas: sports.
Channel 12
24-hour McMurdo Information Page (MIP II): community schedules and events information, including generic station information, reoccurring recreational events (such as yoga classes), and hours of operation for the barber shop and taverns.
Channel 13
24-hour American Forces Network (AFN) Americas: news

I'll try to check into SO every now and then.

Brad Russ · 10-21-2011, 04:52 AM

Wow, i had no idea you were living in Antarctica. Those work hours, and that weather, Yikes!!! Damn, don't know how you do it, but you have my respect. i wish you the best! Continued fun in Antarctica!!

ponytail · 10-21-2011, 06:01 AM

Wow! I don't know if I could live where it is extremely cold, let alone just cold. I don't do cold very well.

. Enjoy the experience!

PZelda · 10-21-2011, 01:51 PM

Oh man, for real?! Wild! But definitely a very interesting and very unique experience. All the best to you.

I, too, am currently sort of traveling for work - I am on a temporary assignment in a different town until right before Christmas. It's not as exciting as yours, though, because I'm 4 hours away in the same state.

Marvo301 · 10-21-2011, 02:16 PM

Enjoy your "adventure" in Antarctica!

Janice · 10-21-2011, 06:05 PM

Sounds like an interesting and fun adventure. See you when you get back. Don't work too hard.

Fleet · 10-22-2011, 04:59 AM

Here is a tip: bring a jacket! A thick jacket.

gilligan fanatic · 07-20-2012, 09:15 PM

I got back in March, but here are some of my favorite pictures I took while I was there. I took 1700+ so I got plenty of others

Marvo301 · 07-21-2012, 12:14 AM

Those are very cool pics! Thanks for sharing them with us!

Schmoopie · 07-21-2012, 02:58 AM

That is awesome! I was in Iceland back in May and even though it was officially summer there, it did snow a tiny bit a couple of times. MUCH MUCH colder than we were led to believe so we ended up buying some souvineer gloves and a hat (or I did anyway). The airline said to dress in layers but we were thinking on Seattle terms (sweatshirts, etc). What they should have said was layers as in long johns! But we had a good time despite the cold. Interesting country, but very expensive. We'd probably go back to Reykjavik (Where we stayed) but probably not for an entire week like before. Still it was really amazing to think that we were there!

Good luck at your job and thanks for sharing the pictures with us! They are just beautiful and what an amazing experience you will have there!

*ROGER* · 07-21-2012, 03:24 AM

It's like a whole different planet there. Love the pics. The penguin is adorable.

Fleet · 07-21-2012, 03:58 AM

Looks cold there! But I do like the penguin.

Mr. Television · 07-21-2012, 04:13 AM

Very nice pictures Matt. It looks like beautiful country up there. I like that penguin. lol

gilligan fanatic · 07-21-2012, 09:04 AM

The penguin was at Pegasus Airfield and it was molting so it basically didn't do a lot of moving for about two weeks so it gave everyone a good chance to get a picture taken with it. The Adele penguins were a lot cuter, I saw at least 10+ of those. They would just run and fall down and slide on there bellys. For most of the time I was on the ice it was about 25-30 degrees everyday. When I got down in October it was the coldest and when I left it was getting cold again but for most of the time it wasn't to bad. I wore insulated boots, wool socks, fleece lined jeans, an underarmour shirt, a regular shirt, a sweater, and a carhart vest usually and it was enough. We had these jackets they gave us called "big red" and I almost never wore it because it was too warm.

Big3sCompanyFan · 07-21-2012, 09:27 AM

Way Cool GF! Thanks for the pics! Can you post pics of your living quarters and what the "city" looks like? Is there even a grocery store down there?

How did you manage to get a job in Antarctica and how could we get a job down there?

10-21-2011, 03:13 AM	#1
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	Greetings from Antarctica I will be working in Antarctica until February. I got a job in a warehouse down here with Raytheon Polar Services so I will be spending the "summer" here. We have internet but it is not super great so I won't be able to log on a whole lot. So far it is a lot of fun. It has been averaging minus two for the most part since I've been down. It is the windy days that make it real cold. We do get a few TV stations down here although I don't have a TV yet. If anyone is curious here is the channel lineup. We have long work days (7:30 AM - 5:30 PM) but we get a long lunch. Channel 2 24-hour American Forces Network (AFN) Americas: entertainment. This Week’s Schedule Next Week’s Schedule Channel 3 24-hour Weather Information: McMurdo and surrounding areas. Channel 5 BBC World—the London-based British Broadcasting Corporation’s international 24-hour news and information channel broadcasting world news, in-depth analysis, and interviews. Channel 6 24-hour McMurdo Information Page (MIP I): community schedules and events information, including critical information, movie schedules, and daily dining menus. Channel 7 24-hour Antarctic Terminal Operations (ATO): flight information, including dates, mission numbers, departure locations, and estimated times of arrival (ETAs). Channel 8 Australia Network: Australia’s international satellite channel that compiles programming from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australian commercial television networks, and independent production houses from around the world. Programs include regional news, international documentaries, lifestyle interest, dramas, and sports. Channels 9 and 10 Movies: all genres Channel 11 24-hour American Forces Network (AFN) Americas: sports. Channel 12 24-hour McMurdo Information Page (MIP II): community schedules and events information, including generic station information, reoccurring recreational events (such as yoga classes), and hours of operation for the barber shop and taverns. Channel 13 24-hour American Forces Network (AFN) Americas: news I'll try to check into SO every now and then.
	__________________ Matt Filmaf ~ Twitter ~ Last.FM

10-21-2011, 04:52 AM	#2
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	Wow, i had no idea you were living in Antarctica. Those work hours, and that weather, Yikes!!! Damn, don't know how you do it, but you have my respect. i wish you the best! Continued fun in Antarctica!!
	__________________ St. John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Currently my favorite song.

10-21-2011, 01:51 PM	#4
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	Oh man, for real?! Wild! But definitely a very interesting and very unique experience. All the best to you. I, too, am currently sort of traveling for work - I am on a temporary assignment in a different town until right before Christmas. It's not as exciting as yours, though, because I'm 4 hours away in the same state.
	__________________ Cheers behind the couch!

10-21-2011, 02:16 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Enjoy your "adventure" in Antarctica!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

10-22-2011, 04:59 AM	#7
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	Here is a tip: bring a jacket! A thick jacket.
	__________________ 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Limousine.

10-21-2011, 06:01 AM	#3
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	Wow! I don't know if I could live where it is extremely cold, let alone just cold. I don't do cold very well. . Enjoy the experience!

10-21-2011, 06:05 PM	#6
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Sounds like an interesting and fun adventure. See you when you get back. Don't work too hard.

07-20-2012, 09:15 PM	#8
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	I got back in March, but here are some of my favorite pictures I took while I was there. I took 1700+ so I got plenty of others Attached Images

07-21-2012, 12:14 AM	#9
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Those are very cool pics! Thanks for sharing them with us!

07-21-2012, 02:58 AM	#10
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	That is awesome! I was in Iceland back in May and even though it was officially summer there, it did snow a tiny bit a couple of times. MUCH MUCH colder than we were led to believe so we ended up buying some souvineer gloves and a hat (or I did anyway). The airline said to dress in layers but we were thinking on Seattle terms (sweatshirts, etc). What they should have said was layers as in long johns! But we had a good time despite the cold. Interesting country, but very expensive. We'd probably go back to Reykjavik (Where we stayed) but probably not for an entire week like before. Still it was really amazing to think that we were there! Good luck at your job and thanks for sharing the pictures with us! They are just beautiful and what an amazing experience you will have there!
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

07-21-2012, 03:24 AM	#11
ROGER Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 05, 2007 Location: United States Posts: 2,776	It's like a whole different planet there. Love the pics. The penguin is adorable.

07-21-2012, 03:58 AM	#12
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	Looks cold there! But I do like the penguin.

07-21-2012, 04:13 AM	#13
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	Very nice pictures Matt. It looks like beautiful country up there. I like that penguin. lol
	__________________ Sonny

07-21-2012, 09:04 AM	#14
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	The penguin was at Pegasus Airfield and it was molting so it basically didn't do a lot of moving for about two weeks so it gave everyone a good chance to get a picture taken with it. The Adele penguins were a lot cuter, I saw at least 10+ of those. They would just run and fall down and slide on there bellys. For most of the time I was on the ice it was about 25-30 degrees everyday. When I got down in October it was the coldest and when I left it was getting cold again but for most of the time it wasn't to bad. I wore insulated boots, wool socks, fleece lined jeans, an underarmour shirt, a regular shirt, a sweater, and a carhart vest usually and it was enough. We had these jackets they gave us called "big red" and I almost never wore it because it was too warm.

07-21-2012, 09:27 AM	#15
Big3sCompanyFan Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2003 Posts: 2,493	Way Cool GF! Thanks for the pics! Can you post pics of your living quarters and what the "city" looks like? Is there even a grocery store down there? How did you manage to get a job in Antarctica and how could we get a job down there?