Winter in Antarctica

It was so hot in Prague today that dogs spontaneously combusted all over the city and a special janitorial unit ranged the dusty streets in reflective tin foil suits, picking charred pieces of canine off the pavement.

These are the times we need to be reminded of cooler places.  About 1000 people are living in Antarctica right now.  For them, it’s the middle of winter, and apparently they have nothing better to do than have lots of sex and blog.  You already know that I like Antarctica, and here are five of my favorite blogs penned by current Antarctic residents:

1) Antarctic Conservation Blog (starred review)

Written by: a team of conservators working to preserve a hut built in 1908 by Ernest Shackleton’s second Antarctic expedition.  (One of the conservators is a cute vegan.)

Why I like it: Substantive posts written by professionals who know their history and seem excited to share it.  (Also, one them is a super cute vegan.)

Key Post: When I read this post where Carla talks about being a vegan in Antarctica it made me want to get a tattoo of her face on my (substantial) bicep.  Seriously, Carla, if you read this blog: We should be facebook friends.

2) Life at Sea

Witten by: A guy working aboard what I assume is an marine biology research ship.

Why I like it: Sea and ice, the two most potent symbols of isolation and loneliness together at last.

Key Post: A series of picture detailing a rescue drill.

3) Andy and Meghan World

Written By: A couple of LOST fans living and working at McMurdo base

Why I like It: Lots of details about the weird shit working for months in subzero temperatures and eternal darkness does to a person.

Key Post: What is Polar T3 Syndrome?

4) Frozen South

Written by: Amateur photographer working at McMurdo base as a satellite technician.

Why I like it: The pictures!

Key Post: The pictures!

5) Big Dead Place’s ‘Frontier Watch’

Written by: OK, not written by someone in Antarctica now, but a guy who was there for a while and wrote a book about it (which I have been meaning to read for a while).

Why I Like it: Basically the “Huffington Post” of Antarctica–lots of inside dirt about the politics of McMurdo especially.  Plus it’s hilarious.

Key Post: Antarctica cookbook (Including recipes such as “George Foreman Lasagna” and “Grilled Fried Chicken”).