 |
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SETI
- Allen Telescope Array
- Optical SETI
- Interstellar Message Construction
- Project Phoenix 1995-2004
- Background Science
- History of SETI
- Center for SETI Research Team
- Other people doing SETI
- Hollywood's View of SETI
Food Thoughts
by Jane C. Jordan, Project Phoenix Software Manager
Living in Puerto Rico for a full month presents a number of challenges. There's the packing (see Mark's diary), but there is also food. There is a very convenient cafeteria on site where I eat a hearty lunch each day with my colleagues. Here we catch up and discuss any issues with the observing schedule and equipment.
Because I am on the graveyard shift, however, I am asleep when dinner is served. Luckily, I am able to cook for myself. The family unit where I stay has an efficiency kitchen with an under-the-counter refrigerator and a 20-inch stove that has four burners and an oven. Noticeably missing is a microwave oven. Microwaves transmit strong radio frequency interference (RFI) at 2,400 MHz, which just happens to be in the SETI frequency range. Thus, microwaves and cell phones (another strong transmitter) are not allowed on site.
Shopping for food is an adventure and a challenge for me, as my Spanish is limited to a few words and phrases. All the aisle headers are labeled in Spanish, as are many of the products. Most of the supermarket employees do not speak any English, so asking for help can be even more confusing. But after ten-plus trips, I have learned my way around the supermarket, and even have a member card to take advantage of the discounts. As a vegetable lover, I was pleased to find a wide selection of fresh vegetables available here. Still, I find that I am the bane of the checkers who typically are not familiar with mainland fare. They usually call the manager over for assistance in identifying such exotic foods as zucchini, radishes, and bok choy.
I always find it a challenge to buy enough of the right ingredients to prepare the kind of food that I like, without having too much left over at the end of the deployment. While I find it easy to bring small plastic bags of a few spices with me, I forgo many of the cooking staples that I have in my kitchen at home, because they come in such large quantities. Consequently, I have also learned to create recipes on the fly, and sometimes feel like a contestant on Iron Chef -- here are your ingredients, ready, set, cook!
I have established a tradition of cooking a spaghetti dinner for the SETI team on the Saturday night before observing starts. This gives us a chance to relax and socialize before the pressure and urgency of the observing schedule takes over. On the deck of the family unit, we enjoy a leisurely meal, a glass of wine, and a serenade from a host of coquis. Plus, I have leftover spaghetti and meatballs to eat the rest of the week.