Posted in Denver, Politics on Sep 3rd, 2012 No Comments »
NSF’s Antarctic Support Contract Reading Room is a collection of workaday documents, including payments and terms of service with subcontractors such as Best Recycling, the University of Arizona (for the South Pole Food Growth Chamber), the US Postal Service, and the Pacific Regional Veterinary Command (for sanitation inspection services). Within these documents one can learn [...]
Posted in Denver, Lists on Aug 29th, 2012 No Comments »
Having been instructed to pay attention to emails, here is an offering of the Greatest Hits of USAP Email: “The consumption of alcoholic beverages in the Dining Facility is not allowed…” “…private expedition personnel will not be allowed in any USAP facilities…” “ALL OUTDOOR TRAVEL is PROHIBITED.” “…this use of government property is unacceptable. Every [...]
Posted in Denver, Media, Polar Programs, Politics on Jun 1st, 2011 No Comments »
In this report (pdf), Oklahoma Senator Tom A. Coburn identifies “over $3 billion in mismanagement at NSF”. Newspapers such as The Washington Times focused on McMurdo jell-o wrestling as a particularly egregious and ridiculous waste of taxpayer dollars. Senator Coburn’s report describes: In their spare time NSF employees have been jello-wrestling in Antarctica at the [...]
Posted in Denver, Polar Programs on Mar 28th, 2011 No Comments »
Posted in Denver, Grapevine, Photos on Jun 19th, 2009 No Comments »
Here’s a poster someone at McMurdo made this winter. The only information you need to know is that 1) Mid-Winter’s Day is the most important local holiday on the ice, during which many greetings and photos are exchanged between bases, and 2) a few weeks ago a vial of cocaine was found in the Raytheon [...]
Posted in Denver, Media, Politics on Apr 8th, 2009 2 Comments »
According to Raytheon’s corporate website, RPSC’s ten-year mission has been a success, as defined by performance statistics from seven years ago, as well as these little jewels: The joint Raytheon/NSF Six Sigma team achieved project improvements in four main areas: Creating a health-and-safety-conscious culture. This endeavor included training to improve the “safety culture” on the [...]
Posted in Denver, Media, News, Politics on Mar 10th, 2009 3 Comments »
One of the more curious dynamics of Antarctic habitation is that a polar base is typically funded and run by large organizations, who depend upon a population of workers who cannot “leave” their place of employment. Your average Wal-Mart employee understands that their employer has policies and regulations governing their behavior, dress, and mores at [...]
Posted in Denver, News, Politics, Site Updates on Mar 3rd, 2009 1 Comment »
Here’s the management email thread leading up to the disposal of winter-over eggs. Excerpts: What is the RPSC & NANA supervisor’s analysis and recommendation on use of the eggs and egg products? Neither were aware that this was a problem. They have been using oiled shell eggs for approximately 7 years without any known problems. [...]
Posted in Denver, Media on Nov 5th, 2008 No Comments »
This really is the greatest place to practice good HR,” Weir says. “I have a group of employees who are in excellent health. They have free housing, free medical care and very good nutrition provided to them. I have no issues with illegal aliens, attendance problems, language barriers or accommodations for disabilities. In an environment [...]
Posted in Denver, News, Politics on Aug 10th, 2008 1 Comment »
Fuel prices are crippling the USAP. Budget cuts are rampant, affecting every aspect of The Program, even on the smallest levels. For example, take the new workboot reimbursement policy. Due to budget cuts, workboot reimbursement will be limited to select departments, and will only be reimbursed every other year. That the company is cutting back [...]
