September 12, 1994
Hello,
I have moved into my new house and have been continually busy since then. It is pretty much of fixer up type house. It is progressing steadily, though. My parents visited this summer, for just over a week in length. They helped out quite a bit on fixing the place up. We also had a good visit, as I had not seen them for over a year. I was not correct when I thought my phone number would not change, it now is: (303) 766-8147.
Well, as for the reason I am sending out this mass letter: I am heading South again soon. It will be a short trip this time, though. I am "supposed" to be down there for only a month. The NSF has imposed a 1000 person limit on the peak population of McMurdo Station. This is the main reason for my stay being shortened. (The NSFs arbitrary goal of a 1000 person cap will not be achieved this year. I think that the peak population is scheduled to be 1080 this season.) I leave Denver on September 27th, and head on down to New Zealand for a one week vacation. I will then work for a couple of days in the Christchurch office, then fly down to McMurdo on October 10th. Based upon that schedule, I should return in mid-November. I will get to experience a Denver winter this year. I plan on stopping in Southern California on the way back from the Ice for another vacation.
As for the changes at work that I mentioned in my last letter: The Russian contract went to another company which already has a large communications infrastructure there, therefore their bid was much lower that anyone elses. The director of our Information Systems has left to form his own company to set up computer communications systems. From what I have heard they have lots of business already. Our new director will start work at the end of this month, and is a woman. Our company has a pretty good record for hiring women, but this is the first one in such a high level position. I will head to the Ice before she starts. My immediate boss quit just recently, and I am applying for her job. If I get it, it will be an increase in pay, of course, but I will also be supervising seven people. I will also have to get into the hiring game, my replacemet being the first.
I have finished two courses so far on my way to a MS in Computer Information Systems, receiving an A in both. I have ten more courses to take before I finish. That will probably take another two years. My next course will be in January. My trip to the Ice messed up the taking of courses.
Sorry that this letter is so short. Maybe I will have some interesting information/stories after Ice.
