Help wanted at Antarctica base to manage gift shop and count penguins

[pesco]

Originally published at: Help wanted at Antarctica base to manage gift shop and count penguins | Boing Boing

…

[anon61221983]

gift shop

counting penguins

[cepheus42]

Blissful isolation… the joy of penguins… I mean, it sounds like my dream job…

NO INTERNET

… well I’m out. Best of luck to you, candidates.

[semiotix]

I ain’t even mad.

My only request is that the Official Antarctica Gift Shop have only the very tackiest, cheesiest, awfulest gift shop merch available.

[Mangochin]

A long time ago I worked with a guy who was stationed in Antarctica in the 70’s with the Navy, fixing helicopters.

There were a couple of details from his stories that stuck with me:

1. Day drinking was common.
2. Boredom was so prevalent that “trying to ride a seal” was something he attempted more than once
3. Luckily they didn’t have flamethrowers lying around like in The Thing. Otherwise someone would have accidentally burned down the place in no time flat.

[anon59592690]

“Gift shop.” Right…

[nixiebunny]

No mention of how the tourists get to the gift shop.
At the South Pole, they fly in on DC-3s and stay in a tent camp 1/4 mile from the research station.
This place looks too small for anyone other than the workers to live at.

I bet they go a long time between sales.

[vermes82]

Bird Island (radio series)

Bird Island (Series 1 & 2) Archive org

I love this series.

[DiveGirl]

Let’s see…

Penguins rock!
Doing something good or useful
Gift shop tchotchkes

Bitter motherfucking coooolllllld
Darkness for months at a time
Depression

Outcome: NOPE!

[cepheus42]

Cruise ships.

Antarctic Peninsula Cruises & Expeditions | Quark Expeditions

[awfulhorrid]

I might have been seriously tempted 30 years ago. These days, not so much!

[Surprise_Puma]

I’m not clicking through to look because the mood I’m in, I’m ready to quit my job and commit to life as an itinerant toilet scrubber for hire. But in case anyone did click through…what’s the pay like?

[awfulhorrid]

@Surprise_Puma

…what’s the pay like?

£1550 per calendar month with a duration of six months, but it does sound like food and extremely minimal necessities are covered. The description of responsibilities and conditions is actually kind of daunting!

[denizen_du_marais]

i suspect the penguin counting is just to pass time in the gift shop

[rocketpj]

If you want to see just how susceptible you are to alcoholism, this is the job for you.

I worked on some offshore factory fishing ships with abundant alcohol. This would be worse.

[Secret_Chimp]

After looking at the information pack for these jobs there are a few other …

-No telephone, sat phone for emergencies only
-No running water - water provided in jerry cans from passing ships.
-Showers once every 2 weeks, when cruise ships visit
-Canned and dried food rations only
-A single, shared composting toilet that needs emptying each day
-Communal bedroom ‘hostel style’ for all base employees
-Selective use of interior propane heating

[BakerB]

Hey, I got some nice stuff from the shop when I was working at McMurdo. In fact, I just lost my favorite hat from there when a gust of wind lifted it from my head and dropped in it on the CTA train tracks about 10 days ago. I’m still sad/pissed.
I would apply, but doubt I could still physically qualify these days.

[RickMycroft]

@nixiebunny

No mention of how the tourists get to the gift shop.

Antarctic summer between November and March, when it welcomes thousands of tourists who arrive by cruise ship.

And what a joy that must be. /s

[Surprise_Puma]

Thanks! Guess I’ll stick with my current job for now. Assuming the ominously worded “we need to talk. 4:00. Call me.” email from my employer isn’t the start of the decision being taken out of my hands!

[GratuitousFish]