thePlayland

I am back from Burning Man! The trip was so much fun. The group of people were perfect and I think everyone had a fantastic time. Didn’t see all the people I should have out there, but our camp was just so cool, I didn’t have any reason (other than work) to leave! I plan on writing up my full account when I have fully processed all the events of the past 2 weeks. There are many stories to be told and a fully packed DVD on the way, as well.

It is very sad, however, to return to the default world and find a whole portion of the country in ruins. We stayed up late in the motel in Reno, Sunday night, watching CNN. It’s even stranger that two different groups of people that I know (or used to know) were just in New Orleans right before the hurricane hit. I am very glad to know that they are all okay, even those that I used to know.

Finally, a little tease of what else is happening in my life, I have met someone truly special. For once, not someone at Burning Man. ;) No, I met Veronica before leaving for the playa. In returning from the most physically taxing and emotionally draining 2 weeks out of my year, I clearly see what I want from the rest of the year. So, Veronica is now my girlfriend and I am extremely happy. We are so completely comfortable with each other that it feels like we have known each other for years.

With all this in mind, I really feel like I can make some sense of my life now. Before this trip, I felt like I was all over the place with my social and professional life. Now, I have a clearer understanding of what my role should be in both aspects of my life. Due to Burning Man being a part of my life every year, September is my January and I wish you all a Happy New Year! I plan to make mine the very best yet.

This year’s Burning Man is coming to a close. I have been here 11 days now and it feels like an eternity. Lots of stories to tell. Lots of weird coincidences. Just lots of fun in general.

Tonight is the burning of The Man. Closer to the event. Happy and sad that it’s finally here. Can’t wait to get home to my loved ones. More stories will come out as I make a full account of the trip when I get home.

Worked a short shift at the gate last night. We were both very tired and slightly dehydrated. So, Pearl had us walk the road into the city, tightening the flags as we went. Then, we went to the commisary for dinner. Turns out my laminate is also a pass for the commisary for the whole event!

Mostly relaxing today. Working a full shift tonight and then welcoming the rest of our camp tomorrow! Been using the hell out of this internet connection to send lists of crap that they need to bring. Mostly stuff we forgot. However, they will be bringing me a new air mattress, as mine has a very small hole in it that lets most of the air out as I sleep. Not cool.

The playa is still pretty empty. Not many camps set up yet. Either that, or the new placement rules for pre-event have spread everyone out so much that it just seems like there aren’t any people here.

We went out to The Man last night. They had him all lit up and we couldn’t resist taking a closer look. We saw him spin completely around yesterday, which was very cool. I imagine that aspect of The Man will be a little disorienting when trying to navigate. But, cool, anyway.

Camp Arctica and Center Camp are both still under construction, so we haven’t been over there yet.

More later!

We are here! We arrived yesterday to a pretty empty playa. I got in free, as expected and Amanda had her ticket waiting for her at Will Call. We eventually got placed and began setting up camp. We were running on very little sleep, so we only got so much accomplished before heading off to bed. Before bed, however, we did head over and hang out with Stickfinger, which was nice.

Today, feeling much better rested, I am using the power of the internet to send out my wishlists of things I would like brought to me by the other people in our camp, which is a nice luxury.

Anyway, I have uploaded some pictures to the gallery, so check them out. As long as this connection holds up, I will hopefully be posting lots more.

Can’t wait to see all you that are on your way!

BURN THE MAN!!

Today is the day. Woke up very early and got the rental truck. Relaxing at home for a bit before starting the horrible packing process. Once that is done, Amanda and I are off to Burning Man!

We’re stopping in Davis on the way for a brief visit with Michael and a nap. Then, we’re heading out for Reno and then on to Black Rock City!

Still unsure about the internet connectivity out there this year, so if I update, you’ll know we’re online. Otherwise, I will be back on Tuesday, September 6th.

Burn the Man!!!

I just want to leave for the playa already. I need to be home again. Tuesday? Where are you?!

4 fuckin’ weeks!!? Agh!

interactive panoramic of the temple in BRC this year. very impressive.

“Welcome home!” That is the phrase that most people shout at each other towards the beginning of the week in Black Rock City. This year, Adrian (of Piss Clear) wrote an editorial about the fallacy of this statement and also touched on how it was the one thing that made us the most cult-like. She said that we should stop saying “Welcome home!” because the Playa is not home. Burning Man is a fantastic vacation from home and what we should all be doing is taking as much of BRC home with us as we can.

I completely agree. The last day out there, all I could think about was home. Not home on the Playa, but home in my bed with my bathroom and my running water. That is home. Not some dusty place where I am cut off from the rest of the world.

So, why do I mention this? I am happy to be home. I had a great time at Burning Man this year, probably my best year in a while. I camped in two different locations and with two different camps at different times. I got along with everyone in our camp and couldn’t have ever imagined that I would be hanging out with the people that I was with. It was an eye-opening experience and I feel as though I am a better person for having done it.

The event itself was beautiful. You may come across a lot of people’s write-ups that aren’t quite as pleasant as mine, but I think that is the fault of those people having too many expectations that just weren’t met. I finally went into this year with no expectations whatsoever. That is something I have struggled with for many years and have finally discovered how to make it happen. I let myself go and I just allowed myself to have the best time possible.

The trip to Reno with Travis was as smooth as possible. We stayed at Circus Circus and the Golden West Travel Lodge for the weekend and then drove out to BRC at dawn on Monday. My car held up and only came back with minor damage.

The week was taxing and I may have left a few brain cells in a dust storm here or there, but the trip was a blast from start to finish. I have a lot of stories, of course, but I will save those for another post.

Now comes the week or two (or maybe months) of decompression.

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