Weather Day(s)

In our case, it's ALWAYS plural.


But anyway, I'm sure you're curious. You must be. Don't deny anything. Why, yes, we HAVE been on standby for TWO DAYS now. Uh huh.
So here's how it works. There are three different routes to fly to reach the glacier. The names are complex and confusing, but I'll try to explain. Let's see: Short, Long, and Medium route. Try to keep up. If the weather comes in, we can switch to a different route that will, hopefully, offer better visibility. Short Route is default and the others are "weather depending."
On to the next chunk of explanation: rotation. Soooo, rotation happens. Well, not lately. I swear, until you do it, it's IMPOSSIBLE to explain (there's that word again) so I'll just skip it...though it's a vital part of this story. Ah well, just nod your head. Maybe you'll get it when you're older. Now, when rotating, we must sometimes "charter." It's pretty simple: it means there aren't any empty flights ("dead-heads"), nor is it possible to fly "in numbers" (with a tour), and we'll have to pretty much rent a helicopter. Sound good so far? Wonderful, but one thing- we can't charter long route. Just making sure you're with me....three routes(short, medium, long), three ways to fly(charter, in numbers, dead heads), all dependent on a 500ft celling and 2 mile visibility (get it?).
Hmmm now yesterday, we were scheduled to rotate up. Be ready at 8:30am. Call back at 11am. Call back at 1pm. Check in at 3pm, possibly be at Era by 3:30pm. By the way, Steven almost cut his leg off, so he needs a medivac down....we'll know by 5:30. Rumor has it, they're only flying long route. Knock knock (manager walks in)..."WE'RE OFF THE HOOK. AHHH SO DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY MOVIES?"
Now, we're left to try for tomorrow.
Be ready by 8am, there could possibly be a chance for an early charter. Phone call: Check in at 11am. Phone call: Be ready by 12:15pm. WHILE WE ARE IN THE TRUCK LEAVING THE PARKING LOT- phone call: "it may be a few minutes...." Go to Big Red. Paint the hell out of a dog box. After that, the verbiage was, "Check in at 6:30pm, we may have a window." At 5:30pm, we get a phone call, "The day's over. Anyone going to the bar?."
And now that you know the whole story, allow me to share with you the unbelievable excitement that is to be had on weather days.
Be awake. Wait for turn in shower. Almost pee pants because, well, there are 4 of us and one bathroom. Vacuum. Sometimes, the plunger is needed...long story. Take out garbage. Yell at Paul for cooking on our stove. Yell at Paul for being loud. Yell at Paul for playing with golf ball and hockey stick.
Answer phone.
Relay message to everyone.
Go back to bed/put in movie.
Wake up.
Answer phone.
Relay message to almost everyone.
Definitely watch a movie.
Debate eating lunch.
Debate going to The Breeze In.
Swear you wont stay up late tonight.
Answer phone.
Ponder the thought of a weather day.
Become mildly excited.
Since you have the time, make phone calls.
Discuss cloud cover.
Discuss cloud thickness.
Discuss what's happening on the ice.
Debate eating lunch.
Discuss what happened last night.
Answer phone.
Relay message to only those close enough to prevent moving from chair.
Re-insert headphones.
Re-think about lunch.
Complain about hunger.
Call Lead Ground.
Wonder if you're going nuts.
Seriously debate lunch.
Go to guys' apartment.
Wonder about amount of food on hand.
Debate where to eat dinner...if it comes to that.
Do not get hopes up.
Discuss not getting your hopes up.
Allow Dalton in apartment.
Listen to Announcement.
Look at each other, shrug, smile and shake your head.
Laugh.
Realization you have just wasted your entire day.
Continue to debate dinner.
Fear of starvation ensues.
Decide who's showering first in the morning.
GET FOOD.

And think, THIS IS DAY TWO.
We'll be ready by 8:30 am, no worries.