Eyelash-freezing cold!

A pair of the top Russians came over to the Fili last night for dinner with some ILS managers. The result was predictable: work for interpreters. Maya stepped in at the beginning, around 7:30 pm, and then I came by around an hour later to take over. After I had interpreted for a while, we started to alternate while everyone told stories - some of the shaggy dog variety - and, of course, proposed toasts.

More people joined us as the evening progressed - the French bringing Calvados and Armagnac - and in the end, the fruit of the grape flowed freely and the stories became more risqué (with me being called upon to interpret them, as if the ladies present weren't listening). The whole thing finally ended (after three drinks "for the road") just short of midnight. I was pretty exhausted.

* * *Fortunately, activity this morning and early afternoon at the launch pad had us underground most of the time. During those instants we were above-ground, however, the strong, steady wind made the -10°C temperature feel like almost -40°C, and I could feel my eyelashes getting "sticky" when they came into contact with each other during a blink.

The good news is that we accomplished everything we had come to do. Tomorrow, a series of tests and checkouts are scheduled, some of which will require mounting the service tower. I shall have to make sure my face is adequately protected. I may need some of those parts again, someday.

Cheers...