Journalist’s Report
09 JAN 2013
Written by: Eric Watkins
The Life of Crew 121: Lights, Camera, and Action
It’s a regular day like any other for Crew 121, beginning with pancakes and hashbrowns for breakfast. The crew didn’t have to exercise this morning but everyone still felt the burn from yesterday’s work-out. A few of the crewmembers were able to catch the sunset and were in awe of its beauty. Before anything could be cooked the dishes from dinner last night, which was cheesy cheddar potato soup with chickpeas, had to be washed. Like any other day, the crew worked together to get the job done. While two crewmembers tackled the dished, one washing and the other rinsing, the rest of the crewmembers start on breakfast and set the table. Though many of the crewmembers were having trouble breathing through their nose due to allergies, they would always know the smell of fresh buttermilk pancakes in the air. Today, the crew is scheduled for an EVA and the visiting film crew will tag along. Since the news reporters brought fruit for the crew yesterday, everyone can’t wait to start eating it. One of the crew scientist’s took the initiative by bringing out the bananas and cutting up kiwi for everyone to eat; though it turns out that the kiwis quite weren’t ripe yet. Even so, the crew enjoyed the juiciness of the fruit. Everyone enjoyed their fluffy buttermilk pancakes and fruit, whether it was served with syrup and peanut butter, Nutella, or just plain old maple syrup. . . . An interesting breakfast for astronauts, right?
As everyone finished up their breakfast and washed their dishes, it was then time for the Executive Officer to start her music study. Yesterday was jazz so next was rap on her list of genres. The film crew, which consisted of one reporter and a camera man, began setting up their equipment. As they started on their walkthrough of the Hab with the crew commander, the dining station was the first stop. It was lights, camera, and action for Crew 121. An idea that turned into a good way to get ready for lunch was to have the commander give an introduction on how to rehydrate food that the crew has been eating for the past week. While the commander showed them the different types of dehydrated food that was available, she took out dehydrated beef and vegetables. Though the interview appeared to be more like a cooking show from the food channel, the crewmembers were glad that the rehydration process had been started as rehydrating food takes at least an hour or longer.
The next stop on the tour was the living quarters of each crewmember. Afterward, the reporter was given information on the daily operations of the crew and the research each crewmember has been conducting such as, gaming, physical fitness, music, sleep, the overall habitat, and team cohesion. By the time the reporter finished with interviews, you could hear the crew engineer finish her repairs on the ATV’s as she revs up the engines. With three out of the six ATV’s working, the EVA was switched from an ATV EVA to a walking EVA. Once the crewmembers helped the EVA team and reporter to suit up, they headed out to their EVA for the day. For Crew 121, many questions were asked and video shoots were taken today. As the day starts to wind down, the sun begins to set over the hills. To end the day off, crewmembers give a wonderful performance of Gangnam Style.
Until next time. . . .