So here's what has to happen before the band plays:
We pack up all the equipment from the Skylab lounge: instruments, amps, cables, drum set, PA, mikes, spare strings, lots of drumsticks, etc etc etc. It gets packed into the cargo elevator one small load at a time, and goes down three stories. At the bottom, everything gets loaded onto long skinny banana sleds. We haul each sled through a tunnel into the Dome, through the Dome, and out of the Dome through another tunnel. Outside the new Power Plant we put the equipment on a wheeled cart, and wheel the cart through another tunnel into the base of the Beer Can (note: apparently the New Station designers really hate that nickname, too bad. Shouldn't have built a shiny metal beer can then, should you?). The cart goes into a big cargo elevator, and up 5 stories to the 2nd level of the New Station accompanied by some really strange elevator noises. Me, I don't get in that elevator unless I have a radio. We navigate the cart through 2 sets of double freezer doors and then unload right inside, because the cart doesn't fit into the galley. We carry everything through a narrow door and then we get to move tables and set up. We repeat this a couple more times to get all the stuff upstairs. The next day we do it all in reverse. The whole process has to move along fairly smartly so that nothing freezes.
We're thinking that our next gig might be in the old Gym. That's just down the cargo elevator and banana sleds through the Dome.
On the bright side: our first gig went really well. We didn't have a whole lot of songs but we were in combination with the Twilight Barbecue so everybody was there anyway and in a great mood because the barbecue was fabulous, thanks to our resident Aussie sheep farmer and a small army of helpers. I think everybody's pretty much used to me having a big mouth by now, but our lead singer/Elvis impersonator/cook had previously been known as a nice, quiet guy so he got some good reactions. I'm also playing 3-chord guitar now so I'm more involved in this band than I was in the summertime band. We called ourselves "The Fear of Commitments" but I think we're going to change our name for each gig.... too much commitment.
It's looking really really dark out right now but it's heavy overcast, been warm and blowy for the last several days. The last clear day, the wispy clouds just above the horizon were still catching some orange glow. We had clear, calm and cold (-80 to -85F) for a good while and had some really beautiful days; then the wind came up and we hit -30F within about 40hrs. Walking outside becomes entertaining because there are soft fluffy drifts everywhere and no shadows, so you can't see what you're walking on or into. Kinda fun, but you don't go anywhere in weather like this unless you have a flag line to follow.
Otherwise things are just cruising along, we've got a nice work and social routine with occasional spontaneous outbreaks of goofiness. We celebrated Greek Independence Day last week, no Greek people on station but it sure seemed like a good idea at the time. On the work front, I think it's time for me to learn more about the Windows registry (got a book, got a bunch of computers to play with). This is what keeps us ticking! So... what's going on out there?
Best,
-Sarah