A Memorable Week

2011-01-10 22:16:46.000 – Mike Finnegan,  IT Observer

It’s My Birthday!!!

It has been a pretty memorable week here on the summit. The crew saw our first overnight guests of the season on Friday night into Saturday with a climbing group led by Mark Synnott. As they left to decent the mountain via Lobster Claw gully, another slew of people came to the summit, mainly Observatory staff. Although several tasks were to be completed, the most significant one was the installation of the new pitot-tube static anemometer. We are extremely happy to announce that it has been working very well, with heaters keeping the ice at bay and speeds corresponding to that of other anemometers in use at the same time! Sunday, January 9th, marked the three-year anniversary of my employment as a full-time observer here at the Obs. Now, I am not very good with dates. In fact, I did not call my Mom on her birthday this year. Fortunately, I am sly and told her that I did not in fact forget to call her on her birthday, but rather decided I would call her 354 days early. This sets me up in good shape for next year too! This morning I found that she has a slightly better memory than me, for she called me to wish me a happy birthday this morning! I also received calls from my Dad, brother, and good friend Dustin, as well as just shy of 1,123,543 facebook posts. That’s right…I’m a year older. Directly on track to my five year plan I made when I was 25 that within five years, I would be 30! To be fair though, she was there when I was born, so she has a bit of an advantage over me. It has been a fine birthday though, with a working anemometer measuring hurricane force winds, fog that gave way to a beautiful undercast for sunset, and a wicked awesome birthday cake made by Al and Marion Lake, two of the most wonderful volunteers. Now it is time to head on downstairs and chill before discovering what tomorrow will bring.

Mike Finnegan,  IT Observer