Category: Antarctica

For seven years, from the mid 1980’s until the early 90’s, I worked at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. This is the Antarctica I saw working in a kitchen feeding 1200 people in summer, and 200 in winter. Antarctica records the tics and quirks of a world of compulsion – military personnel were sent without choice – and abdication. For many civilians it was an exile of ready money and fled responsibilities. It’s not completely truthful. Some of what occurred is so bizarre as to be not credible and has been omitted. This is one person’s story. It’s not a film. It’s a series of still photographs. The first three posts are scene setting. Because we were all very young – names have been changed – youth provides both an excuse and explanation for what later may cause cringe. Anyone who was there will recognise these obvious contrivances.

Posted in Antarctica

Backchat

Posted on by tq1695

Billy Joel penned two songs archiving his ascent
‘ Piano Man ’
a loving obituary to those passed on the way up
and
‘ The Entertainer ’
kiss and tell
of cheap success
shark agents
one night shows and one night stands
of lessons learned
by making the same mistake twice.

Some people never have a first name
he was just Kearney
the night baker
he seemed to belong to night
even here, where there was none.

I told him we’d been through this
already been through it before
that
there wouldn’t be a third time.
He was quiet
sullen
attentive
no opposition
just like the first time.

I said I hoped he understood
face empty of expression
his eyes slowly blinking
a screen waiting for the download.
Impressed?
Contrite?
Match met?

Mission accomplished walks away
air rushes past
a bird escaping from a cage.
The knife thudded into scrim
wrist width accuracy.

For the back story click Backstage

Posted in Antarctica

Literally

Posted on by tq1695

There was no training programme for supervisors
the work without skill
heavy, simple and monotonous
the best performed from the year before
promoted by productivity
showing what they had been shown.

Keep an eye on the people the boss said.
He also said this contract returned twenty percent
and to offer perspective
the industry typically spent 95 cents creating a dollar.
Keeping the customer satisfied unspoken
but heard loud and clear.

Her answer was so unexpected
she said she understood kitchens could be tense
that urgency and urging were often required.
But it was my tone
one she knew well –  from her six month marriage.
The tone came first
then the violence.

For the back story click Backstage

Posted in Antarctica

Credentials (II)

Posted on by tq1695

Who hasn’t
gritted teeth
or exhaled
hissing or sighing
“shit wouldn’t stick to him, her, them.”

We were all cock a hoop
hundreds apply
50 are selected
curiosity blends with self-congratulations.
What is sought?

The boss is absorbed by people
as card sharks by new tricks
warm
frank.
Happy to talk about the process.

“. . . . . . . and then
someone like Steven
transmitting such strong common sense
certain to be reliable
and not behave badly.”

12 months later
a new summer
another Antarctic season
I inherit Steven’s role at the airfield.
I need someone there I can trust says the boss
swelling pride accepted hurriedly.
Day one
the charge petty officer coiled
lessons learned tough
a sophomore who will not
“have any of that crap of that guy from last year.”

The boss has made a field trip to the airfield
in response to his question
I tell him it hasn’t been easy
that a taste lingers from my predecessor
of laziness
of sloppiness
of brazenness
of couldn’t give a fuckness.

A wide grin breaks to hearty chuckle
“ oh Steven….. he knew it was his last season.”

For the back story click Backstage