Deck Department, Crew Journal

October 21, 2009
BRRRRRR, And I thought yesterday's temperature was low. Today we reached 15 degrees, but it was the 30 mph wind that brought it down to -5 degrees that really made it a cold day. And it got colder later in the day as well! But the beauty of the arctic made up for it, at least in my eyes. To compensate for the harsh weather it was as if Mother Nature decided to give us the full beauty of the arctic. The sun was shining, and between the glorious sky and the whites and blues of the ice, you also got the diamonds sparkling in the wind. The snowflakes were even more incredible than previously. Instead of being a thick heavy snow it was very light, and the intricate flakes that were perfectly formed were transparent they were so thin. I think this might have helped in making them look like sparkly confetti in the sunshine.

Dive ops were cancelled due to cracks in the ice, and although we had drills, they didn't last long. Shortly after manning up in the repair locker, the drill was called off due to an actual casualty. No one got hurt, but a pipe sprung a leak in one of scientist's room that needed tending to. It was a good drill nonetheless, and much was learned, despite it being a short one.

October 18, 2009
WOW! I was privileged to see the northern lights for only my second time since I have been on this trip, and I say again WOW! Unlike the first time these didn't move like a ribbon blowing in the wind, but flickered like green fire across the sky. The stars were also incredible, and I saw several fall. The Aurora Borealis gave a long show and was out for at least 3 hours of our watch. I stayed out on the fly bridge just so I could spin around and look in-between watching for large ice or polar bears.

It was also a very enjoyable watch as BM3 Abel kept us laughing with his impromptu stories. He did them in different accents, Russian being used the most.

October 16, 2009
And the Day of Judgment is here! Today was the Pie in the Face moral event. Everyone joined in and gathered round. The stage was set, complete with video cameras and studio lights as the names were called. The anticipation was broken by a great burst of laughter and applause from everyone as Master Chief Sylvester was the first to step up. Dressed in white sheets wrapped around him, a crown, a scroll, and a trident made of tinfoil, he took his seat. The bidding for who would throw the pie quickly became quite the battle of wallets. FS2 Breier finally won out and for $120 was handed a pie to throw. Walking up to FSCM though, he took a few seconds too long and Master Chief pushed the pie into Breier's face before it was put into his own. Master Chief didn't escape from getting pied though as the surprised Breier quickly grabbed some of the fallen pie. The price for XO's pie reached even greater numbers despite its slow start. It rapidly climbed to $120, and then jumped to $150 when to the surprise of all SN Weaver decided she wanted to throw that pie! After 5 pies had been thrown it was noted that there was a 6th pie yet to go. This to great laughter from everyone was for the person who got the least amount of votes, DC2 Miles. He was saved from getting pied however when the Chief's Mess requested to pie the Captain for $200. They gave the privilege to SN Matthews, who got to do what few non-rates can say, that they got to throw a pie in their Captain's face. It was an evening full of laughter, and after it was added up, the amount raised was well over $1,000.

~SN Klineberger