Comments on: Antarctic Anonymous Suggestion Box

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:44:26 +0000

Will the RPSC management please quote the specific regulation against jell-o parties during personal time?

By: "just" a contractor

"just" a contractor — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:03:38 +0000

Section 18(a) of the Terms of Agreement reads:
“Employees shall provide all clothing and other personal property required during the employment period, except for non-prescription sunglasses, safety shoes where applicable, and the extreme cold weather clothing
issue which will be provided by the Employer.”

Wow, am I glad I picked out a nice pair of sunglasses. Two pairs actually (just in case I lose one). If I’m reading this correctly that means that the company will be reimbursing us for the sunglasses we buy. I’ve not heard this mentioned by anyone. Most people I’ve talked to assume that we are paying for our sunglasses out of pocket. The TOA is binding on both sides correct? Am I totally off base on this?

By: JD

JD — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 10:32:03 +0000

I bought a bunch of these when I was in Iraq and sold them like hotcakes to soldiers and other contractors on military bases where alcohol was verboten (unlike those of us on embassy compounds).

http://www.nutriteam.com/servlet/the-304/Megahome-EasyStill-alcohol-distiller/Detail

Just use apple/grape juice from the chow hall (or even diluted syrup, just not citrus fruits or ‘juice drinks’), some yeast, sugar and those discarded foodservice plastic jugs. in a week you’ll have some hooch. 3 weeks and you got strong hooch. Then distill it with this bad boy and you got yourself a bowl of antarctic liquid fire! (yes, its really safe).

By: Nick

Nick — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 01:44:19 +0000

[on "Respect" from Raytheon Polar Services News, March/April '08]

☺ Turn off your Blackberry while others are talking.
☺ Treat people the way they want to be treated.
☺ Listen with an open mind.
☺ Invite someone new to lunch.
☺ Accept personal responsibility to meet commitments; be accountable.
☺ Let others finish what they’re saying.
☺ Today, learn something personal about one of your co-workers.
☺ When you share someone’s ideas, give them credit.
☺ Be open to new ideas.
☺ Smile and say, “Hello!”
☺ Ask questions to understand.
☺ Be curious about others’ ideas.
☺ Look people in the eye when you say hello.

By: Anonymous Fox

Anonymous Fox — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:02:09 +0000

Dearest Denver,

While I do appreciate the efficiently disseminated rumors and vague official e-mails about how budget cuts will include ECW gear “such as” wool socks and long underwear, any chance those of us who actually need to pack a bag within the next few weeks could get a comprehensive list of what really will and won’t be available at the CDC this year – lest, mistakenly putting our faith in the Company’s famed reasonableness and good will, we find ourselves at the bottom of the world without, say, any pants?

By: Leaf3

Leaf3 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:17:47 +0000

Am I oficialy allowed to have Christmas lights in my room by the Fire Department?

I turn them off when I’m not there, but I am just wondering if it is okay to have them.

By: Penguin in a Tree

Penguin in a Tree — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:58:39 +0000

The new alcohol policy says that liquor will no longer be sold in the McMurdo Station store.

There is already talk about building stills. All the parts are in McMurdo, and the people are resourceful.

The most dangerous part of stills is the potential for explosions or fire. And the most recent death in the USAP was at Pole, possibly due to methanol poisoning.

So, under prohibition you have the potential for burning buildings and methanol deaths. Not to mention a new black market.

By selling liquor, you have a few fights a year, usually in the summer, when there are planes to get rid of the hooligans.

Has anyone who signed off on this policy considered these things?