Personal Exupery

My mum sent a few gifts with me to open as and when. One of these was my childhood copy of The Little Prince.This morning, having celebrated throughout the midnight sunlight, I greeted the new year in with this treasure. I'm sure you've all read it before but do yourself a favour and read it again.

A new year's excerpt, on lamplighters on Earth:

Seen from a slight distance, that would make a splendid spectacle. The movements of this army would be regulated like those of the ballet in the opera. First would come the turn of the lamplighters of New Zealand and Australia. Having set their lamps alight, these would go off to sleep. Next, the lamplighters of China and Siberia would enter for their steps in the dance, and then they too would be waved back into the wings. After that would come the turn of the lamplighters of Russia and the Indies; then those of Africa and Europe; then those of South America; then those of North America. And never would they make a mistake in the order of their entry upon the stage. It would be magnificent.
Only the man who was in charge of the single lamp at the North Pole, and his colleague who was responsible for the single lamp at the South Pole – only these two would live free from toil and care: they would be busy twice a year.

Posted by Rhian at 14:47 EST

Comments

Here's to life free from toil and care xxx

Posted by: Amy at 14:19 EST, January 05, 2003

Happy New Year! I'm so excited to hear that you've made it to Antarctica, and I'm thrilled that it has been so wonderful thus far. Toronto is every bit as normal as ever. We have our fair share of snow and ice right now, but I'm sure it's nowhere near as beautiful as what you're experiencing. I'm definitely very jealous of the penguins and whales and seals (mean and territorial as they may be.) Do you know what kind of whale you saw? I've only ever seen Minkes, Fins and Right Whales - all in a single trip to the middle of the Bay of Fundy - but I'd jump at the opportunity to see more.
Actually, I might not jump... I'm past 5 1/2 months now and starting to feel good and awkward doing everyday things like tying my shoes. I can feel the little one many times a day bumping and kicking and squirming about - I've certainly got a lively child. It's distracting, but in a very warm-fuzzy good way.
Take care. May your work go smoothly and may your feet stay warm. If only we had boots like yours two years ago walking the picket line.

Posted by: Becky at 15:03 EST, January 06, 2003

Happy New Year! I'm so excited to hear that you've made it to Antarctica, and I'm thrilled that it has been so wonderful thus far. Toronto is every bit as normal as ever. We have our fair share of snow and ice right now, but I'm sure t's nowhere near as beautiful as what you're experiencing. I'm definitely very jealous of the penguins and whales and seals (mean and territorial as they may be.) Do you know what kind of whale you saw? I've only ever seen Minkes, Fins and Right Whales - all in a single trip to the middle of the Bay of Fundy - but I'd jump at the opportunity to see more.

Actually, I might not jump... I'm past 5 1/2 months now and starting to feel good and awkward doing everyday things like tying my shoes. I can feel the little one many times a day bumping and kicking and squirming about - I've certainly got a lively child. It's distracting, but in a very warm-fuzzy good way.

Take care. May your work go smoothly and may your feet stay warm. If only we had boots like yours two years ago when we were walking the picket line.

Posted by: Becky at 15:26 EST, January 06, 2003

Hi Rhian!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Just catching up with your adventures "down south"! I see entries and pics of you in the diary of the Shackelton even before you reached Antartica. I expect to see more entries
in the Halley diary about you in the future.

It looks like you have been busy already. I see your CHABLIS webpage is up and running.
Things seem very quiet here in Atmospheric Chem right now, perhaps you created a vacuum when you left??
From what I have read, you are settling in and really enjoying the experience.

All the best,

Jim

Posted by: Jim at 13:00 EST, January 09, 2003

Hi Rhian, looks like you are coming back to more than one new baby - did you hear that Rachael is pregnant and your godfather is expecting to be a grandfather in August?!

Yes, the world continues to be peopled. Reading your stuff, looing at photographs of you on the website, talking to your mum - you don't seem far away. Lots of love, Sue.

Posted by: Sue Burton at 2:30 EST, January 11, 2003

Personal Exupery

Comments

Post a comment

Felix Salmon: Recent posts

Felix's del.icio.us links

Archives