So far my day has been fabulous. I rose early (7:30-ish), not that I was having a great night’s sleep anyway. I freshened up a bit and then threw on some workout attire. I got inspired to get back on my exercise regime since it’s easier to do that than to resist all the food readily available.

Before working out, though, I wanted to see this morning’s launch. This one was exceptional in that it was one of the rare occasions when two first-timers (“newbies”) were going to be diving together. The chosen pair was Kristy Henscheid and Peter Countway, both Ph.D. students. Since we only have a handful of dives left, this strategy was a way to assure that most of the scientists aboard get a chance to dive. There are still a couple that have yet to go down, which may or may not happen depending on the forthcoming dive plans for the remaining days.

Once the sub was deployed, I grabbed some breakfast. The topic of conversation in the mess (dining area) was the capture of Saddam Hussein — a sigh of relief heard around the world. Several people were still sitting around discussing it when I left to begin my workout. I started with weight training, upper and lower body. I followed that up with a combination of cardio and calisthenics, including kickboxing with a body bag and punching bag, a couple miles on the treadmill, and some crunches and pushups. The music (a mixed CD for any of us to use) was cranked, and I was a ball of energy. At one point, “Mambo #5” came on, and I stopped running to have a private dance party. I was hoping to remember the steps I learned to that song during the Beginning Ballroom Dancing Class I took this year, but to no avail. So, I continued my workout. It felt great to get my heart pumping and to break a sweat again.

Almost two hours later, I was done and feeling charged. I showered and decided to get to work. There was only a little time to work before lunch. I had a light serving (salad, a small black bean enchilada, and a little Spanish rice), and was finished eating rather quickly. I wasn’t that hungry, and I had a strong urge to go spend some time in the sun. I’m usually stuck in the freezing cold computer room for most of the day, but today I decided to break the “ball” from the “chain.” I copied everything I needed from the server onto my desktop and then unplugged all the cords, adapters, and wires coming out of each side of my laptop. I stuffed it and some other resources into the carrying case, got my water bottle, grabbed a comfy folding chair from the back deck, and headed toward the bow. There is a spot on the level just above the main deck of the bow that is my favorite place to sit and look out at the surrounding sky and ocean. I set up “shop,” popped one of my CDs in the disk drive, and got to work.

The first order of business was to choose this week’s winners for the Vent Poetry Contest. See the results in Virtual Science Fair. There’s one week left to send in your entries, so keep them coming! [Note: For anyone considering entering, please pay close attention to the instructions I provided in my Nov. 30th journal, especially the line limit.] Once that was done, I finalized the Ship Shape activity, which will be posted on the site near the end of next week (probably the 18th). Then I had to proofread a couple files and start preparing/formatting a movie and some photos.

I guess an hour and a half or more passed, and I had become at least two shades darker. Though I was wearing shorts and a tank top, I had on SPF 45 sunscreen, so I was pretty well protected. Regardless, the sun was blazing hot today — one of the hottest days since we’ve been here — and I had about reached my limit. Plus, more and more birds were gathering overhead, and I wanted to avoid getting splattered.

So, I gathered up all my stuff to come back inside. The timing worked out well because it was almost time for the daily science meeting. I had just enough time to throw my load of laundry, which I had completely forgotten about, in the dryer before heading to the meeting. To my surprise, Craig reported that Alvin was already ascending, and would be at the surface by about 3:20 p.m. (1520). ¡Qué temprano! (“How early!” Is that right, for all the Spanish speakers out there?) The sub just used up power quicker than usual, but they still managed to get almost everything done in the dive plan. That meant that soon after the completion of the science meeting, it would be time for everyone to start their evening chores of handling their samples brought back in Alvin’s basket. It would also mean that I would have more images to process before finalizing all my postings.

Like clockwork, the sub surfaced and was recovered from the water. The two newbies stepped out ready for their fate, which they knew would entail buckets full of ice water. However, they weren’t expecting to see icicles for shoes (see pictures in Neat Stuff). Both pairs of their shoes were placed in the freezer. Pete’s came out “frost-bitten” and Kristy’s were entombed in a block of ice. When I heard what they did to her shoes, I asked whether or not she had another pair. Once I was assured that this was just a spare pair, I didn’t feel too bad finding the idea hilarious. It was just so creative, without being cruel. Once she saw them, she couldn’t help but laugh in amazement herself. I also got my chance to douse them, which I hadn’t had the privilege of doing to anyone since my own initiation. Two more “Deep-Sea Mariners” added to the list!

I got back to work, in the computer lab this time, and talked to Chrissy for a little while before we both went up to dinner. Tonight’s fare was snapper, pot roast, and an array of veggies, plus chocolate cake for dessert. Afterwards, I realized that I forgot about my laundry again, so I went downstairs to get it out of the dryer. Someone was nice enough to take my clothes out and fold them, placing them into a laundry basket. They were still a little damp, however, so I had to wait my turn to use the dryer again. I was eventually successful in getting my laundry completed and left them in my berth (bedroom) to be folded later. Too bad I had to waste the efforts of the person who folded them for me, so now I have to do it all myself. Thanks, anyway!

Ok, back to work, which is almost done now (once I finish writing this). Well, look at that…I’m done! I hope you all had a good weekend.

"My Office at Sea"