1/2 Marathon in Antarctica

An official participant with a number and all!

I was told  by one of my co-workers at our orientation in Denver that they have a marathon and half marathon down here in Antarctica.  He had asked if I run and if I would want to do it?  I told him that I do run, sometimes, but not that far (maybe like 3 miles at a time).  So, when I came I was definitely thinking I WOULD NOT be participating in any sort of marathon.  But.....when I got here and was talking about it with some friends I started to, sort of, warm up to the idea of the half just as a challenge and an opportunity to do it in Antarctica of all places.  The most I have ever run at one time before has been about 6.5 miles and that was some years ago.  I was pretty much "on the fence" about doing it up to the day of the race.  I went as far as to sign up for the half marathon but I figured I could always bow out if I didn't feel up to it.  Also, weather was a big factor for me.  If the weather was really windy and extra cold I wasn't going to be interested being out in that.

Well, the day of the race came, which was "night" for me being on the night shift right now, and the weather looked pretty good.  Sunny, not too cold, and only light winds.  One of the hardest parts of trying to do any running outdoors here is trying to figure out what to wear!  There is such a balance of dressing so you will be warm but also not wearing so much so that you would get too hot or be so encumbered to run.  I dressed in layers and brought along extra stuff to add if I needed to. 

 All the participants were loaded into a big bus and were driven out to the snow road that I drive everyday out to the airfield.  The road is 14 miles long so it is "perfect" for doing a full or half marathon.  The full marathon started at the 1 mile marker and ran to the 14 mile marker and back.  The half marathon started at the 14 mile marker and ran back 1 mile marker.  When I got out to the starting line, it felt much colder than it had in town and there was a bit more wind than I had thought.  Getting off the warm bus and into the cold was rough, I was freezing.  I put on more clothes at that point, better to be too warm on the way than too cold.  Once I got going running, I was able to warm up.  I had to shed layers a bit along the way.  Really, my only goal in the race was to try and actually run the whole time, but even that goal was flexible for me, ha ha!  I was actually surprised at how good I felt most of the way.  Of course there were the little aches and pains that seemed to shift around my joints but for the most part I felt pretty good. There were a few other girls that I was running along with the majority of the race which helped me to pace myself.  There were about 3 aid stations along the way that had drinks and snacks.  One station was barbecuing hamburgers and brats and they tried to get people to stop along the way, tempting us with couches, food and beer.  I didn't give into it because I didn't want to run the 6 miles more with a hamburger in my stomach. (I did get a ride back to that station after finishing because then I was ready for a burger or brat!)

At the last aid station with about 2 miles to go, I was informed that I was in second place for the women and one guy pointed to my friend Melanie, who was in the lead, and said, "You can catch her!" Some competitive spark ignited in me and my goal shifted from just finishing to possibly going for first place.  My pace quickened at that point.  Melanie is also a very competitive person, more competitive than I, with a collegiate track and field history so I knew it would be a challenge to catch her.  I few times I caught up to her and was going to pass but she would kick it in gear and pull ahead again.  I tried a couple times but she apparently wasn't going to let that happen.  I was attempting this over a 2 miles stretch so I also didn't want to run out of energy and have to walk trying to make my move to get in the lead.  On the home stretch I was only slightly behind Mel and I considered breaking into a sprint to go for first, which I knew she would most likely sprint too and not give up.  I visualized and  pictured myself probably slipping on the ice/snow and taking a crash in doing so I decided against it.  Plus, I knew that Mel really wanted to win at that point and I didn't really need to try and take that from her, making a big scene and possibly failing (or falling) anyway, to try and prove some point to myself or whoever. I didn't start out thinking I would even come close to winning or anything.  I was happy just to finish having run the whole way and since it probably was more important to Mel I was content to jog in what came to only 7 seconds behind her.  I ran it in 2:10:51; second place, not too bad for a first time.  Both first and second place were rewarded with a massage gift certificate in New Zealand.  I will definitely be cashing in on that one!

So, one more thing to add to my life list of things I have done in my life.  1/2 marathon in Antarctica!

Just about half way there. I'm in the middle of the 3 tall girls.

At the starting line.

Mel and I before the race.

We Interrupt this Program.....

 
My Grandpa Vernon passed away on December 27. He has been fading over the past few years and especially over the past few months just getting weaker and weaker in his  ripe, old age of almost 91. Of course, I couldn't have been further away when he decided to go, Antarctica of all places. I knew in my going to the land of ice and snow that this scenario was a possibility, but I was hoping he would hang on for awhile longer till I could at least be back in the country. Bummed to hear the news, bummed to be so far away, and bummed to have to leave Antarctica prematurely, I talked to the necessary people in charge to find out what my options were to return home. I was praying for a very specific outcome; to go home and then be able to return to finish out the season. I must say, Raytheon Polar Services, who I work for in Antarctica, was great! They flew me back to attend the funeral and are still allowing me to finish out the rest of my contract. Thank you, God. I will be in California for about 10 days total and then will return to McMurdo.  Amazing! They didn't have to let me do that.

It is weird to think about my grandpa being gone. I am still trying to wrap my mind around it.  He has always just been there in my life. As I get older, I am more and more truly thankful for the family that God blessed me with. I am very lucky to have been surrounded the way I have been.  Not everyone has what I have and have had. My Grandpa always took great pride in me, his one and only grand daughter (and in all of his grand sons too). He wasn't one to always say what he felt outright, but I could see it in the way he talked about me or when we were out and about, showing me off to the world. I think one of his favorite things was to take his grand kids to the donut shop where we could enjoy something he loved (donuts and coffee) with the ones he loved, and it also gave him a chance to show us off and brag on us to his friends:) We never minded going along for that! We all knew something "sweet" would come along with hanging out with Grandpa!

In my growing up years, my Grandpa and Grandma played a big role in my life. They usually visited once or twice a year, driving all the way up to Montana from California. Usually they would come during hunting season when my parents were busy with their outfitting business and they would take over the care of my brothers and I. I always remember not being able to WAIT till they got there!  They often came bearing gifts of delicious California oranges, almonds, and my favorite, pomegranates. As a bonus, my mom always went all out baking sticky buns, pies, and yummy food when they would come! Grandpa would usually help take on a big home improvement project or do something to improve our rugged Montana life. Both Grandma and Grandpa were troopers through our times of no power, no running water, outdoor plumbing, and insanely snowy or muddy roads. They still loved to come to see us!!

During my college years, my grandparents stepped in as my second parents (as mine were living out of the country during that time). I would often drive the hour something to their house from my college in Redding for the weekend, hauling all my dirty laundry to do and sometimes friends. It was always an open door there, for me, where I felt at home away from home. They were also my biggest volleyball fans coming to the majority of my home and away games. I will always remember my Grandpa yelling at the refs for anything they called on me and yelling at my coach anytime I was taken out of the game (which was kind of a lot being that I only played in the front row, ha ha)!  He knew they HAD to be wrong because...I was his granddaughter....and I should be playing!! He was always well known for his vocal sports enthusiasm, even back to when my Grandma first met him at a basketball game. She was appalled by this guy who was bellowing at the refs the entire game! Well....she must not have been too appalled:)

My Grandpa was steady, committed, and steadfast. When he said something, he usually did it. He wasn't overly dramatic about most things and calmly approached his life and work, often whistling under his breath as he went along. He was committed to his family, his church, and his jobs, stepping in where needed and lending a helping hand. He was steadfast in his faith, beliefs, and ideas; you didn't want to argue with him because he couldn't be swayed....well...except maybe with apple pie ala'mode, strawberry ice cream or chocolate, carmel, pecan turtles, but that's all.  My mom told me that in her younger years she would bake a pie or something her dad liked before she asked him a favor (like borrowing the car). The pie could help boost the odds of his agreement to her request....sometimes:)  Grandpa will be missed by his family and friends.  I will miss his "Ho-Hum" sighs of satisfaction, his renditions of "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" to awaken the day, and his old-school, mealtime prayers full of "thees" and "thous."

It has to be said that along with any man usually comes a great or even greater woman. My Grandma Dorothy is definitely that. Along with all the good, she also put up with all the....well, not so good and was a faithful life companion to the end.   She has been a hero in his care, and the care of their family, from day one, but even more so these past few years caring for my grandpa (along with the help of my Uncle Steve) as he has been slowly fading in mind and body. She never considered anyone else taking over the job as his care-giver but sacrificially gave herself unto the task, and a big one at that. She has completed an amazing and very difficult job! She is an incredible lady and I hope that I take after her in a number of ways! I am looking forward to the coming days and years as she will be more free to travel. I am hoping to have some adventures with this spunky granny of mine! "What do you say, Gran?  How about a road trip?"

I love this picture of my grandparents on their farm!

The Road to Plagusus

I made up a new word here. It is the word "Plegusus." I will tell you a little of the back ground before I describe to you what it means. Around the beginning of December the airfield that the military planes fly in and out of, here at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, had to be moved from the temporary ice to the permanent ice. This move is a big deal here and a whole ordeal to do. Why move the runway, you ask? Well, simply put, the planes would eventually crash through the ice if they left it on the temporary ice. Why not always have the runway on the permanent ice, you ask? Well, it is a whole heck of a lot farther to drive and transport to and from the permanent ice runway. So, they use the temporary one for as long as they can till it is no longer going to be safe and then move it. It saves a pile of money in time and resources to have it closer for a time. The new airfield is named "Pegasus" and it is about 16 miles from McMurdo town over snow and ice roads. The old airfield was called the "Ice Runway" and it was about 3 miles from town.

How does this moving of the airfield affect me? Well, my main job is to transport people to and from the airfields so, I know first hand the time and resources the move requires. But also, it is probably the reason I even got to come here. When the move happens, our department needs more people. So that is why I got shipped in right before this time. The first week of the new runway opening was CRAZY! Our department was scrambling to staff the transport needs. We have to be on a time schedule and get the air crews and passengers to their planes for their scheduled departures. We offer a shuttle service that leaves every half hour from town and figuring out how to coordinate all of the drivers and schedules is a BIG job while also trying to continue with our in-town taxi service.

The road out to Pegasus is made only of packed snow and flags marking a few lanes. During the first week, especially, the roads were getting TORN UP with all the traffic moving on them. Fleet ops is the department that maintains that road, basically 24-7, and they were having a heck of a time keeping it groomed and packed after we all tore though in our vans and deltas. This is where my new word, "Plegusus" comes in. I renamed the airfield, "Plegusus" during that first week. It was seriously like going through a plague getting out there! I was not enjoying it. We were all getting stuck in the snow right and left. Fleet ops would have to come pull us out all the time and were not having much time to actually work on the roads. Fourteen miles of road built on sloppy, soft snow, means that sometimes when you got stuck (as I did on 3 different occasions) you would have to wait quite a long time while a challenger (a big tracked machine) would come to your rescue. Being that we were "trying" to be on a schedule with getting air crews and passengers out to their planes, it felt like a LOT of pressure NOT to get stuck. The advice we gave each other was DO NOT SLOW DOWN- just keep the gas pedal compressed or you wouldn't make it. So here we are barreling as fast as allowed though the snow, bumping around, probably catching air on some occasions. I swear we should have issued helmets to people as they got in to ride. Passengers and drivers alike were having anxiety, even bad dreams about the drive (I know I was). I would find my self so tensed up after a run out there that I would be exhausted with a tension headache. Not only were the roads bad but often the visibility would be so bad that it was like driving blind, only seeing the red flags marking the way out with the rest being a white out (white sky meeting white snow). I would strain my eyes to see the holes and bumps in the road but really couldn't most of the time so it was hard avoiding the REALLY bad holes often resulting in getting stuck (that probably contributed to the headaches). I had my whole van sliding sideways numerous times. Three to 4 hrs of this on one run out and back was a lot. I like to describe it like a rodeo, like trying to stay on that bull or bucking bronco, yes, slightly stressful. So, I started spreading the word "Plegusus" and people around town were picking up on it and using it too!

Things have gotten much better since that beginning week. I actually enjoy the drive out to the airfield most of the time. The sunny days are the best when the sky is so blue against the snow, the mountains around are brilliantly spectacular, and the snow is sparkling like diamonds.



The hole I got stuck in was marked with
a sign to help others avoid it (or maybe
to mark "Elisha got stuck here,
everyone!")



The second time I got stuck in the same
hole just hrs after the first time. 
This Kress monstrosity pulled me out:)



Happy Camper



My Antarctic home for a night.

Frigidly cozy:)

Snow camping in Antarctica? Heck yeah! I was extended the opportunity, recently, to take part in an extreme weather survival training course and excitedly accepted. The program is called Happy Camper and it is an overnight camping trip/training where professional mountaineers train a group of people in survival techniques. The course is mainly to train the scientists and support staff going out to the field camps where they are conducting their various research projects. I was able to join in with them for the training. The first day we spent some lecture time in a classroom and then headed out to the ice. The instructors led us through things like how to set up a field camp, building wind walls with snow blocks, cutting the snow blocks out of a query, making a snow kitchen, how to set up and secure tent in wind, how to dig a snow trench to sleep in, how to use the backpacking stoves, how to avoid and treat frost bite and hypothermia, and how to keep yourself and your gear warm while sleeping. It was all really quite interesting. After the whole day of instruction and training, the leaders left the 18 of us to finish building our camp. And, for those of us who chose to sleep in trenches, were able to finish digging those. I was named camp manager after raising my hand to volunteer NOT to be manager, ha ha. So my job was to make sure everyone was accounted for and OK. I also was given the emergency radio in case we had to call our leaders who where staying in another location (in a hut) not too far away.

Getting ready to build camp! Saws and shovels!

We were given the choice of sleeping in a trench or a tent so, of course, I HAD to sleep in a trench! Who gets to say they slept in a "snow cave" in Antarctica??? The basics of snow trenching is that you dig a long and narrow trench 4-5 ft deep, carving out a wider space deeper down to be able to lay and move around a bit. You want the top to be narrow in order to put a roof on more easily. I cut some snow blocks with a saw and made a pitched roof over me leaving only a small opening to crawl down into. The hard part for me was getting in and out with out snow getting all over me and my sleeping bag. Getting to bed and out again in the morning was the worst part. I stayed relatively warm all night long. I took a hot water bottle to bed with me which was awesome. I didn't choose to seal off the opening to my trench, so that also would have helped insulate a bit more. But I was cramped and semi claustrophobic already. I was glad that it was daylight all night cause I think I would have been a bit more freaked out if it was dark out. Getting out of bed and into cold gear in the morning was not the most fun thing I have done, ha ha! My coveralls and gloves froze solid. I tried to lay on them for awhile, like we were told to, but couldn't defrost them so I had to put on some other things I brought instead. It was cold getting out, for sure. I can't imagine what it would have been like in REALLY cold weather. We had sun and mellow wind the whole time (temps prob in the teens or twenties). It is pretty amazing the extreme conditions that people can survive in if properly trained and equipped.

Come, sit, and hang out in the dining room/kitchen. Hot water is on!

Happy Camper Camp!  Every flag is the entrance to a trench.

The second day we had to wake up and break down the whole elaborate camp we had just built, knocking in our trenches and all, which was a little sad. Then we spent the rest of the day learning more skills like how to use a long-range -VHF -military radio to set up emergency communications, practiced deploying and securing a survival camp more quickly, how to think through risk assessment and develop rescue plans, and how to navigate in condition 1 (very poor, low visibility) weather. We were given scenarios and then had to act out what we would do. They the end of the day, we were all beat and gladly loaded up ourselves and gear to head back to the station. It was fun but also a lot of work which I remedied with a nice little nap when we got home:) It was a cool experience and I am lucky to have been given the opportunity!

The lovely wind-wall

Hi!!!

　

The JOB



Driving a Delta



Life, here, in Antarctica is in full swing. It has been about three weeks since I arrived and I already feel, in many ways, like I have been here a long time. I am through my job training time and am now fully functioning as a Vehicle Operator. So far, I am really grateful for the job I have. I think it is a pretty great department to be in (the Shuttles Department). My basic job duties are to transport people around "town" and surrounding area, take scientist to their research sites, transport flight crews, passengers, and workers to the airfields, and at times act as the dispatcher to assign and task the other shuttlers. As drivers we get to meet a lot of people who use our service and also get to see around the area far more than most because of the nature of the job driving around everywhere. There are 26 of us in our department and we run a 24 hr service (I am currently a day-shifter). We are a mix of all kinds of people, the oldest being 72 years old and youngest probably mid twenties. It is a good group of people many of whom are the people I hang out with outside of work.

The vehicles I have to drive here are vans, airporters, and deltas. The vans we mainly use as taxis around town or for smaller groups of people going to the airfield or job sites. They are a ford vans, very jacked up for extra clearance, with huge snow tires. They are very big and tough looking. The airporters, like a van-bus combo, are to transport more people, mainly to the airfield for a flight or from a flight. I think they hold about 20 passengers. The deltas are old navy vehicles with a front cab for the driver, articulating middle, with a box on back for passengers. They have huge tires (about 5 feet high) and provide for a pretty rough ride for the people in the back. I kinda feel like I am operating a big old-school semi driving those. They can hold about 18 passengers in the back (3 in front). We will start to use these more in the coming weeks because the roads here get pretty rough and rutty with the break-up of the snow and ice as the temps get warmer (not so much the popular mode of transportation).

As a shuttle driver, I am given a variety of tasks everyday.  Our supervisor breaks up each of our day's with a range of tasks.  For example in the morning I might spend a couple of hours as a shuttle to and from the airfield and then come back to the office to be on-call for around town taxi duties.  After lunch I might be scheduled for a few hours of dispatch and then end with being the transport person for the air crews flying out from the airfield. This way each driver isn't stuck doing one task all day long.  There are times of waiting around between tasks and we are able to read or crochet or the like.  We also have to frequently use hand held radios to communicate with our dispatcher and each other.  My call name is "Shuttle-Elisha" (or "Shuttle-Leesh" for short).  It took some getting used to talking on the radio and learning all the lingo that goes along with that, but I think I've sort of got a handle on it now.  The key is to think before you speak, ha ha, cause a lot of people get to hear you if you fumble-mumble around on the radio.

 

Watch out everyone!!!



 



It is a pretty muddy mess around here right now, I guess the equivalent of spring break up. After the initial sunny days when I first arrived we had some stormy weather move in and had a good dump of snow for some days but it is now sunny again and melting all that snow. Rivers of water are flowing down the roads and creating some pretty good ruts making for bumpier rides and very dirty vehicles (which we occasionally give squeegie baths). Part of my job is helping maintain the vehicles: cleaning them, checking fluids, lights, leaks, tires, etc.  Vehicle checks are done twice a day and recorded.

This is basically what fills my time most days.  Stay tuned.....

Ice, Ice, Baby!

A view of Antarctica from the air

I made it to Antarctica! I arrived here at McMurdo Station Monday the 14th of November.  It almost doesn't seem real that I am here! This a crazy and interesting place down here, for sure.  And just to ease minds, no, I am not freezing to death (not yet anyway, ha ha).

 

It was a such process getting down here to Antarctica. I left home November 8th and flew to Denver to orientation where I met 20+ others also heading to Antarctica.  We all stayed a couple of days in Denver attending various briefings to prepare us for "the ice" (as it is well known as).  On the 10th we all boarded a plane and had a loooong trip to Christchurch, New Zealand (13hrs on the longer of the two flights).  Once in NZ we were all issued our Extreme Cold Weather (ECW) gear; basically everything we need to keep warm in Antarctica (outside, that is). Besides the gear issuing, we were free to explore around Christchurch if we wanted (which I did).

Getting off the C-17 on the ice runway

On the morning of the 14th, we all boarded a C-17, a military cargo jet, and flew the rest of the 5 hrs from Christchurch to McMurdo Station, Antarctica.  That was quite the cool experience being in a military plane like that with tons of cargo in the back, passenger seats along the edges and in the front, and with the fuselage totally exposed around us.  There were about 4 tiny windows in the whole plane and we were all taking turns trying to catch a glimpse of the continent as we arrived. The US air force attended to our flight and flew us down.  Whoever wanted to was able to take turns going up into the cock pit during the flight to have a look around (and ask the air force pilots dumb questions like I did).  As we approached the runway, we bundled up in our ECW gear and landed on the ice runway (which was created on seasonal sea ice under which the Antarctic ocean water flows).  It was awesome stepping out of the plane to see the vast white ice shelf stretching out for miles with rugged white mountains rimming the edges of the horizon.  I think everyone felt a bit giddy in excitement to arrive trying to comprehend that we were actually in ANTARCTICA!

After landing we were then herded onto buses waiting to drive us the few miles across the ice to McMurdo Station (located on actual land, not ice).  Of course, more briefings awaited us that day as we all arrived.  When those were finally done, we dragged our bags to our assigned dorms.  I was put in dorm 155 which is where all (well, most) of the first year people are put.  It can pretty much be related to being put in the freshman dorm in college: lots of people to a room (4-6), not much space or privacy, located in the main building where all the activity is centered, and lots of energy focused on partying!  I was apprehensive about my roommate situation going into it but I think I am happy with what it is.  Right now, there are 4 of us in the room (with room for one more if needed). There is no windows in the room which has actually turned out to be quite a blessing due to the 24 hr. sunlight, so we are able to have complete darkness while we sleep for the most part.  And, my roommates are the quieter type who are rarely in the room and do not snore.  What more could I ask for?? I have my little bunk bed-nest and I am able to sleep quite nicely in it so far.  Thank God.

My little area in my room (top bunk free right now)

My dorm building is also the home of the cafeteria (ie.the galley), the computer kiosk station, the store, the laundry facility, some lounges, the radio station, the craft room, the barber shop, some ATMs, the library, the weight room, a bar, and the activities center, oh and I think there is a sauna upstairs.  So, a good chunk of all the action takes place here.  It is nice to be able to access all those thing without really having to bundle up and go outside.  The food in the galley has been pretty decent too.  There is always something tasty to eat and so far there are semi-fresh veggies and greens (known as "freshies") to eat twice a day.  Hot drinks, PB&J, cereal, juice, and toast is available 24/7.  Daily there are fresh baked desserts and pastries put out too not to mention the ice cream machine (which I think is 24/7 as well).  Ahh! I gotta watch myself!

Can you spot the sea lion?

The 24 hr sunlight is a trip!  I feel surprised by it every "night" pretty much.  For example, I will be sitting in the coffee house/wine bar typing on the computer and it will be getting to be 10 or 11pm.....I will start to feel tired like it is about time to go to bed.  From inside, it "feels" like it is dark outside because the coffee bar is dimly lit without windows to simulate evening/nighttime but when I open the door to step outside ....BAM!!... the sunlight, in all of its midday splendor, is there to meet me.  I hurry to my dorm before I feel "woken up" again by the light.  It is trippy but cool, for sure.  I can go for a hike or cross country skiing outside at anytime of the day if I want (of course, weather and work permitting) without concern for loss of light at

anytime.  How crazy!

Scott's point with McMurdo in the backgroud (11pm)

As far as weather goes, it has been amazing!  I'm not sure if this is normal or not but it has been clear and sunny almost every day since I arrived and the temperatures have been from 15-28 degrees above zero (colder when there is a wind chill).  But, if you are in the sunlight, you could potentially be without a coat just fine for awhile on the non-windy days.  Being in the shade feels much cooler for sure.  The wind is what really determines if you are cold or not. I can honestly say I have been hot far more often than I have been cold.  All the buildings are warm, almost too hot in my opinion.  People are out and about outside all the time jogging, walking, hiking, skiing, standing and talking.  Actually, the station is slowly turning into a mud bog as the intense sunlight melts the snow which runs down the roads and makes a muddy, slushy mess (which makes my driving job rougher).  I almost wish the temps were a little more extreme just so I could brag about being in extremer weather:)  But, I haven't seen a storm yet and apparently the weather can turn on a dime here.  But, for now, I will enjoy the milder temps.

There is much more to write about but I will save that for another post and time....stay tuned! Take a look at the webcam link and try to spot me driving around in a red van!

Making my way to the ICE!!

This must be what it sort of feels like to be a "up-there," business person or maybe someone who works for the CIA or FBI: You get flown to a city, all travel expenses paid (even your overweight baggage). You are put up in a fancy hotel with a room with two double beds all for yourself.  You are shuttled around to your various meetings and "briefings."  You are given special clearance badges to enter these important buildings' premises. You have a whole staff at the headquarters to make your processes go ever so smoothly.You are given a wad of cash to cover whatever it is your palate tempts you to. You do your special computer training courses.  Then you wait to be sent on your government mandated mission which will be awarded with a recognition medal at the end of your service.  Soon after you will be wisked away to another country where you will again recieve all you need in accomodations before embarking on your special mission.  Where am I right now??  I feel like some important secret service agent or something:)

Orientation here in Denver is going well.  I've met some other people also heading down to work in Antarctica, a few of which are in my same department, Shuttles.  Two of the guys, here, on my crew, have been down there one season already.  I have been asking them loads of questions about it all and keep getting more excited about what I hear (mostly). It sounds so interesting! I'm so curious to see what this is going to be like!