another week, another post. another week has passed, and as i sit to type up events that have happened within that timeframe, i struggle to remember what has actually transpired.

the planes are back, two of 60-odd expeditioners for the new 2012/13 summer season has arrived with them via Casey. three expeditioners from Mawson has dropped in, in transit to Australia via the ship. the science building is still a work in progress in terms of being cleaned and ready for the summer-scientist onslaught. more cleaning and general packing has been done. more photos have been printed from my b+w camera. yet, everything feels so stagnant and incomplete - it almost feels like i've been busy for the last 7 days, but i know i have not been.

it feels strange to be talking to the new summerers, to know that i am not going to be a part of the new summer season. i guess the fact that i have always been associated with the summer and nothing else makes this experience a nostalgic one. the newbies are so excited and enthusiastic and eager to begin their work program (HAHA poor fools) while i look on all bemused and cynical. is this what it feels like to be a burnt-out winterer?

to make my days seem more meaningful, i have been pulling pranks with another excellent prankster. last night, we taped up the doorway of the fixed-wing aircraft engineer with gaffa tape (i.e. duct tape to non-australian speakers). lots and lots of gaffa tape. i didn't wake up early enough to see the consequence of that action, nor did i ask him anything about it for fear of drawing attention to myself, but from reliable sources i gather that he was amused. mental and virtual high-fives all round.

i think we only have one more week before the ship gets here. a part of me wants to spend that week in the most meaningful way i can, but i think i am just going to lie about and soak everything in. it's too late in the season for gung-ho sentiments; i think i am ready to come home.