Sparky's Continuing Adventure

My daughter Sparky won't be home for Thanksgiving again this year. For those who have followed my blog for years, you'll know that she's working in Antarctica for their summer season again.

Sparks called us last night using an iridium phone from Byrd Camp in the middle of the continent. She's living in a small tent and helping build the tent city for scientists and others who will be using it.

As with each call, I learn something new- she said the weather has been holding them back a bit with windchill making it close to -50 below at times, wind at 40 knots and about 20' visibility... yikes! She sleeps with her water bottle, so it doesn't totally freeze up. Makes me appreciate my warm, cozy house so much more.

One of the cool things about their environment right now are the "sun dogs" Have you heard of them? This is new to me. They're like halo reflections on each side of the sun. She said with the snow, (and 24 hour sunlight), the reflect even more and it looks like little rainbows all over the sky.

So as always, I miss her. But I'm really proud of her. She said it's a dream job for her and what parent doesn't want their kids to be that happy?

Cruise Ship Hot Shop- What Fun!

I saw the following job description in my GAS weekly newsletter and thought I'd pass it along. I hadn't heard that a cruise ship was outfitted with it's own hot shop.
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Casting Calls for Blow Glass at Sea Program - Corning Museum of Glass

Casting Calls for Glassmakers on Celebrity Cruises January 25, 26 & 27, 2010 – Seattle, Washington, Pratt Fine Arts Center January 28 & 29, 2010 – Tacoma, Washington, M-Space February 1 & 2, 2010 – Portland, Oregon, Elements Glass Glassmakers, contact us and sign up to try out for our Blow Glass at Sea program aboard Celebrity Cruises. We’ll be at the West Coast locations, listed above, in January and February. During the tryout, you will be expected to make a two-gather piece, such as an optic bowl or a handkerchief vase or bowl, using simple or no color. The most successful pieces are blown pieces which show change quickly and be completed in no more than 30 minutes. Candidates will also be expected to narrate a demonstration (while assisting the gaffer). Candidates will be sent a script prior to the tryout. Successful tryout candidates will be invited to Corning, NY, to train for three to four weeks before being scheduled for an assignment at sea. If you are chosen for the Blow Glass at Sea program, you will need to pass a drug test and physical examination which are required by Celebrity Cruise Lines. Participants must be able to live onboard a Celebrity Cruises vessel for a minimum of three months. Interested? Send your resume and photos of your work to Debra Sharretts (sharrettsdc@cmog.org) at The Corning Museum of Glass. She will contact you with additional details. You may also reach her at 607-974-8241 for more information. You can also visit http://www.cmog.org/dynamic.aspx?id=10482 for more details about the Blow Glass at Sea program.

Celebrity Solstice includes a fully equipped hot shop for Hot Glass Show demonstrations