Keeping it up

Did a loop today, and felt great. That still seems odd, somehow.

It was actually an odd sort of run. Odd in that my brain was working overtime. I had more of those weird ideations that I get from time to time during a run. I think maybe I've talked about that before.

Even more, though, I was thinking about Deneen and Steve. My pals in Antarctica. Had the most fun ever just a couple of nights ago. I was sitting here at the computer when my phone rang. It was late, so naturally I assumed that it was someone -- perhaps a son -- in trouble of some sort.

The caller ID said "Private Call." Even more ominous. I answered fearing the worst. But it wasn't the worst. t was the best. It took me a few sentences to realize that I was receiving an call from Antarctica! It was Deneen! I was totally shocked.

She and Steve and some of their cohorts were sitting around playing chess....

[Don't you love Renee Fleming? A real diva. Fleming doing an Ave Maria is perhaps the greatest.]

(sorry...)

... and no doubt significantly intoxicated, so they decided to call Patrick. It was really fun talking and catching up, especially considering that it was from the freakin' South Pole! (Or if not actually at the South Pole, at least within a 3 hour flight from there.) I found out that Steve had actually made it to the pole himself, a couple of weeks after Deneen was there. That's cool. It was interesting to hear about activities and work and the weather and light and dark and cold and yoga and population and on and on.

Anyway, today while I was running I was thinking about how it's starting to get a little warm. Upper 70s seems pretty warm. I had kinda forgotten about real sweat. (Sorry if this is gross.) You always sweat when running, but when it's warm out that is compounded. But sweat is not actually the point. I was thinking about how it would be if I were in Antarctica.

Yes, that would be an adventure. I'd get a kick out of it and I have no doubt I'd survive a season and have some wonderful memorable experiences. And yet I don't know how much I'd like never having warmth. And never having any green (outside of things growing in the fridge in my room). (Just kidding.) But being able to put on the shorts and t-shirt and shoes and go out without a heavy coat and boots for a walk or run or whatever is not, I think, something I'd want to miss for too long. I'm glad we have people like Deneen and Steve who apparently actually like being there providing the support structure for science that can only be done there. I just hope they (D & S) don't find themselves on the wrong side -- the mobile side -- of a huge slab of ice that breaks off and floats away.

[Familiar with Amel Larrieux? If not, I suggest you fire her up on Pandora and give a listen. All of you more sophisticated people have probably been listening to her for a long time, but I'm a recent convert.]

On another topic, I wonder what to do with a student who tells me that his father is sick, back home in Cambodia, so he's going to have to leave on April 5 and miss the rest of the semester, which ends May 8. He says he doesn't want to drop the class, and wonders what he can do about it. Huh? You're going to miss the last month of class, several assignments and the final, and you wonder what you can do about it? I'd like to tell him what to do. But rather than really tell him what to do, I think I'll just tell him to drop.

As always, it's really late, and I have a busy day tomorrow.

Later.....