Interview on WBAI by Delphine Blue

You can hear me on the radio station WBAI's program Shocking Blue with Delphine Blue--if you go to the program on December 8th it starts about 24 minutes in.

I LEAVE TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!

http://archive.wbai.org

Drawing what I am bringing........

You can see I am bringing lots of art supplies...can't buy anything there!!!

Less than 3 weeks to go......

I leave in less than 3 weeks now. I am just about finished shopping...my e-ticket arrived today and in my usual fashion I am drawing everything I am bringing. I have also been reading everything about Shackleton in anticipation--I hope to be spending some time in his hut. Section of drawing above shows my 2 proposal editors simultaneously burning their chicken stock as they read my essay--a true story!!! Also a bit of the shopping--mainly online.

I have PQ'ed!!!!

That stands for physically qualified-- a major hurdle in Antarctic travel. The last wisdom tooth deep in my jaw can stay there. I passed the stress test with flying colors. My blood is just fine. PQ'ing has kept many a scientist, research staff person, and a few artists/ writers off the ice.

So now I can move on to the nest steps, including getting my NSF permits to go to limited access sites, filling out my POLAR ICE form reserving sleeping bags and crampons and pee bottles and other necessities, and purchasing new camera equipment.

 drawing in progress--Getting to Antarctica continued

Getting Ready to Head Way South

The preparation begins--doctors appointments, dental check-ups. I must be a perfect specimen.

And why must I be a perfect specimen? Because in 3 months or so I will be heading south---way south--to McMurdo Station in Antarctica as a recipient of the National Science Foundation's Antarctic Artists And Writers Grant.