Around here we do "Housemouse" cleanup duties by department, and since I'm the only female in IT AGAIN this year I wind up cleaning the Upper Berthing bathroom each week in the company of a bunch of boys who think that urinal humor is funny. On the other hand, it is gratifiying to watch a group of men actually cleaning a bathroom.
The first week here was nuts, everybody hits town running so there were a lot of demands on IT. At the same time, I was trying to get everything I could out of the brain of my predecessor Drew. Fortunately we worked together last summer and had a heck of a lot of fun, so we had a good background to draw on. And of course that's the period when I got the Crud as bad as I've ever had it. About 3/4 of the station was sick, it gets around pretty fast here with people (and germs) from all over. So everybody just works. You don't feel bad about exposing people to your germs when everybody's sick already.
Now the winterovers are gone, people are getting more into the routine of the season, and we're just busy instead of crazy. The new job is way cool, it's a challenge for sure but so far I've been through several, um, "learning opportunities" without hitting a brick wall yet. I'm trying not to be a Dome Slug now that I live inside, but boy it's just too easy. I actually like the climb up to the New Galley, at least it forces me to get moving at least twice a day (92 stairs, in case you were wondering).
There's plenty going on to write about: we're using the first part of the New Station, we've demolished the first building to go away inside the Dome, the band is practicing, science groups are showing up, the ITASE traverse that reached here last year is setting up to head out of town again. But... I've got to get to the store before it closes, and then I'm going to exercise. Yes I am.
I hope you're all well,
-Sarah