I Got No Rhythm

When my work schedule is telling me that it’s time to go to bed, my circadian rhythm is telling me that it’s still time to party. Living closer to the 69^th parallel in Kivalina is a heck of a lot different than growing up closer to the 49^th parallel in Warroad.

This end of the Earth is tilted towards the sun now and consequently, my biological clock is FUBAR’ed. At night, intense sunlight penetrates the shades and blinds and tells my mind and body that there are still lots to see and do for the day. Unfortunately, the Spring Fever that has taken over the students of McQueen School is leaving me exhausted at the end of the day.

No doubt, their circadian rhythms are all out of whack now too. When the suns out, so are the Eskimo children. With the end of the school year in sight, the children have become less attentive and more destructive. Their silliness bleeds in to rudeness. Very few are still interested in what the school has to offer. They’re ready to check out – because the sun is telling them it’s time to play.

Michele asked me if it was easier to adjust to the darkness in the winter. Overwhelmingly, yes.

The snow is melting yet the ice is still auger deep. Children run around in shorts and t-shirts. It’s 40 degrees above the Arctic Summer. It’s practically Summer. My mind is ready to be back in good old Minnesota while my body can’t tell if it’s coming or going. Meanwhile, I’m still trying to enjoy my last moments on this crazy expedition in life.

I just gotta get in rhythm.