Barely time to get through any of the thread. Internet is sporadic; the mountains and the sunset and the warm desert are here and envelop me . . . so I'll live with all I can and all there is on this beautiful night.
Promise I'll forge a connection to AFL & Queen - in a moment!
Sitting outside, after an evening bike ride around the Playa - to the Temple; to the Man (please google this . . . spectacular doesn't fit) and beginning to feel the inspiration of a thousand, of ten thousand, souls. There's an art installation here - called "The Embrace" - inside of each figure is a beating heart. The beat of the music; the pulsations of my very presence intermingle with an interactive existence that pleases and enthralls. OMG, what is this place??
Early today we learned of an earthquake back home; aside from a few objects that flew off the wall (nothing broken, per the neighbor) I headed off for my 12-hour shift. I met a co-worker; an astro-physicist, who is camped next to us. This evening we spent time in their camp. Along the avenue, they've erected what looks like a simple swing. I sailed towards the sunset and once I gained height, it operated on 'perpetual motion' - never needed to pump my legs again. I soared above the avenue of neon-lit vehicles and bike riders, below a sunset of pink and blue. I touched a newborn, welcoming horizon.
Back on earth, I talked with my neighbor. British; studied at the Imperial College. He sat in on Dr. Brian May's doctoral dissertation. "Usually, only about two people listen to a dissertation; argue a dissertation. For Brian May, they had to reserve the largest auditorium on campus. His thesis was actually very dry, once we got past the music and the story of the cosmos on the screen - which evolved to the accompaniment of his guitar."
Here I am in Black Rock City, camping next to a young man who witnessed this event! I'm swinging on his swing, and my feet are reaching towards the stars, in a universe that reminded me today how the earth will never be still.
Remember searchlights? Well, they are here tonight. Along with the neon that will only become brighter as the days pass - hand in hand with the stars and the meager offerings of mankind, paying tribute to our aloneness and our connection. Adam walked here. So do we.
