As with any isolated environment, keeping yourself entertained is vital. You can't just work and sleep for six months, you've got to stay stimulated. I'm not much of a hiker or outdoorsman, so if I'm looking to have some fun or distract myself, it'll be inside. Most of the activities that go on around here are led by individuals, though the station does put on the occasional activity through official channels. But there's plenty to do if you know where to look.
For starters, each residential building has a lounge on each floor. They've got comfortable chairs, at least one TV, and bookshelves full of books and board games. These are the "designated" hang out spots and are more often than not meeting places for things like movie nights and watch-alongs. I'm sure it's no surprise to anyone that I've heard of a few different The Thing movies nights for Halloween—it's basically a tradition. There is also the opportunity to watch movies and shows in your rooms. Each dorm room also has a TV, but it's likely more work to coordinate around your roommates schedules. As a mid-rat, working and sleeping weird hours, my roommates are usually considerate enough to not bring friends in and party while I'm sleeping.
For those who can't hang in their room too much, the galley is a popular hang out spot as well. I've seen many a board game night while going in and out of the kitchen. Since the bar closures, the galley has become a general spot for people to congregate, even if it's just to talk or grab a late night snack. If you don't mind being slightly underfoot as the stewards do their job, it can also be a nice place to focus on your own work. I often grab a table in the galley to get some writing done (like I am right now!).
For those with a crafty proclivity, we have our own craft room on station. Supplied with plenty of yarn, paint, paper, and other supplies, plenty of people find unique ways to create. And while I'm sure it's nice to work on your own, there are dedicated nights to craft as a group, with stitching circles and painting groups set up to encourage one another. We also have access to Gear Issue and their plethora of indoor activities. While they also have board games and such, I was most surprised to find they have older generations of gaming consoles. If you want to rent a PlayStation or Xbox, they've got all you need to hook it up to the TV in your room, games included!
While our jobs keep most of us pretty busy and sweating, I wouldn't call it exercise. So if you had a fitness routine before coming down here, you might be concerned about maintaining your healthy lifestyle. Well fret not, while we in the kitchen can't help you with your food macros (or how many cookies you take), there are facilities to keep yourself in shape. There are three gyms on base, each with a separate purpose. The furthest out and probably least used is the sports gym. It's got a full-sized basketball court and doubles as the pickle ball court. It also has a small climbing wall you can be trained to use. The second gym is the weights and aerobics room, which is connected to the main building (and has a secret passage to through the kitchen, but don't tell anyone I told you). The aerobics room is your standard open room with mirrors on one side. People host different classes there, from yoga to martial arts to dance. Connected to it is the weights room, which has a wide selection of free weights and benches, as well as a maybe fifteen different machines in total. Anything you can do at Planet Fitness, you can probably do here. Finally, there's the affectionately named Gerbil Gym. This is the gym I've mostly been using as it is filled with treadmills, ellipticals, stair climbers, and my personal favorite, rowing machines. If the harsh climate of the outside is too much and keeps you from hiking, you can still get your heart rate up here. While I'm still starting out, I hope that doing regular rowing will build some healthy habits for me.
There are also some unexpected opportunities, if you want to try something new. While the bars don't serve alcohol, they still serve as a meeting place and every Friday they play host to trivia night or karaoke. There's a station radio program and you can sign up for your own time slot show; it reminds me of the radio shows I did in college. There's a library available as well, though the hours are dependent on the volunteers, and I have yet to have a chance to explore it (not to mention I thrifted enough books for a while).
Much like food, entertainment is morale as well, and in an isolated environment like this, you need everyone in as good a mood as possible. A big part of that is on us, however. It's about getting to know your coworkers and people on station, making good connections, and enjoying life together.
Next week, I'll be sharing some of the interesting things you can do outside, if you're willing to brave the climate.
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