Day 50:Good thing I am flexible

As we came into port I we knew that Mary (the other scientist on the boat) was going home and I was going to get a different partner. I was assigned this 65 year old guy who didn’t notice that the 70’s were over. Right as we got into headquarters I called the scheduler and she said ‘oh I am glad you called, actually……’( I have been told that ‘actually’ with a pause always means that you are getting moved) She told me to pack up and get to the airport the goose was flying at 3 or 4. I had no idea what this meant so I walked to the airport and stood there looking helpless until a really nice lady helped me out. She said the goose was supposed to fly at 4 but because of fog they were going to go at 3, it was 1. So I jumped in a cab back to my boat packed all my clothes and sampling gear. It was probably the worst packing job I have ever done. Got it all off the boat into the boats car they drove me to the airport and I got there with 5 minutes to spare, when they told me that the fog bank was holding and they were delaying for an hour and a half. This whole job is hurry up and wait, so I waited. All the prior observers have told me that I NEED to get the copilots seat if I ever get to take the goose, I should be pushy and demanding, it is worth the view. They lady who runs the ticketing for the goose was great though, she took one look at me and told the captain that she was calling shotgun for me and then told all the men on the plane that I got to ride shotgun don’t bother asking. I still had very little clue what is going on till I heard “well girl get on the plane, you have to go first”. In total today I have been called ‘darling’ ‘girl’ ‘babydoll’ ‘baby’ apparently the message got lost somewhere between Mount Holyoke and Alaska that women have names.