8.9.2011 Adam News & Info

Let's hope my 'Burning Man' summary will be short.

As with all things in my life, I will let the thread weave its own quilt; I don't know where this will lead, so, once again, feel free to scroll!

I read the questions and comments from Nica, Mszue, Seoulmate, and maybe others this morning. Tried to respond on my telephone, which was a total fail. I think my fingers are too fat.

I leave for the 2011 Burn on the 27th. 17 more days from tomorrow. Been thinking about this year ever since we returned from the Playa last September.

The 'rumor' that this is the last burn is just that - a rumor; a tweet that took on a life of its own.

Here is a little practical information.
This year, 51,000 tickets have been sold. Sold out. This festival, during the 8-9 days of its public existence, is the largest art exhibit in the world. The setting is a dry potash lake bed. The ground is usually firm, but when disturbed, softens into a pale dust as fine as flour. Feels good on the feet, until one realizes that the alkaline soil will fizzure supple skin, callouses and heels. The first rule of BMan is 'don't go barefoot!' - advice not often heeded until the development of 'playa foot' and a visit to places like where I volunteer as an RN - a 'mash' unit called 'Emergency Station 9'.

Burning Man Festival takes place in this alien landscape, reverently called "Black Rock City". Within an engineered 'circle within a pentagon', about a mile wide - the city is mapped out. It's center is like the center of a clock. The Burning Man statue is this center. Spreading outward, widening circular avenues appear. The poles of N/S/E/W represent 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock. The avenues are named alphabetically, representing the theme of each festival. As an example - - last year the theme was 'Metropolis' - and the avenues began with the small circle know as Athens; then Bagdhad, Cairo, Detroit, etc. Our camp was at the corner of "9th and Detroit" - - - 9 on the clock, and four circles out. From every vantage point, one can see the statue of the Burning Man - - keeping our sense of space and direction familiar and intact.

Once the logistics are figured out, there is still the need to pay attention to the very few 'rules' here.
Everyone agrees the fewer rules the better. Respect one another. The only items for sale on the Playa are coffee, tea (including lemonade at Center Camp) and ice. Contrary to popular notion, BMan does not encourage bartering. It encourages giving, without any expectation of something in return. Indeed, the spirit of giving is the core of Burning Man's existence and survival.

Nothing lives in the alien environment of the Playa. Not one fly; not one mosquito or ant or wasp or spider. No plants; not even your hardiest weed. Can you imagine avenues of port-a-potties for 50,000+ and not one fly?? Burners work very hard to keep the Playa starkly beautiful and pristine. Everyone picks up 'MOOP' (matter out of place) if they see it. Don't empty water on the ground. Leave your boas at home; feathers are not native to the landscape.

Every vehicle is inspected when entering the Playa. Personnel want to be sure that anyone attending the festival can be self-sufficient. This means you must travel with water. No running water is available here. Bring your own; enough to sustain life. And, everything that is brought in must be transported out - - - used bottles, cans, baby wipes, paper towels, garbage - - must be taken home with you. Ziploc bags are your friend. They store the goodies you bring, and the not-so-goodies you transport back to 'civilization'.

Bicycles, most decorated (so you can identify your own at 4AM), are the preferred mode of travel. Yet, all over the Playa - over a mile wide - slow moving, artistic 'mutant vehicles' travel at a speed not exceeding about 5mph. Bizarre 'floats' you'll never see at a New Year's Parade breathe fire, project neon and music and invite all to board and experience whatever they have to offer. Some have food, some have bars, some have views, and nearly all have music and dancing. Hop on; hop off; the adventure continues. Huge sculptures; interactive examples of minds that never found a box cover the desert landscape. Parachuters drop from the sky. Amazing things happen, routinely.

Within Black Rock City, literally hundreds of 'camps' are set up. Mine is 'Station 9' - a medical camp. When not on duty, we have a lounge, a shower, and our little bar - known as the "Pharmacy". We have a theme party every year. This year it has something to do with defrocked debutantes. In 2010 I wore the negligee from my wedding nite 42 years ago - and a group called 'black rock banjos' (or something like that!) came in and the music and dancing was pure joy. Many camps have special parties - and everyone is invited! Last year there were toga parties; 'grilled cheese and funk' on Monday nite; "TuTu Tuesday"; henna tattoo parties; hair shampoos (oh, what a luxury!); single-malt scotch tasting; dinner at L'homme Flambe; flying trapeze lessons; and the epic nite in center camp when we participated in "The Big Black Man Show" (this is my tie to Adamtopia, moderators!!) and "Gooferman"; acrobats . . . it was a circus of improvisation and imagination!

This year, the biggest art project is "The Trojan Horse". Artists have put together a huge creation, and it will be pulled to the center of the Playa by characters dressed in togas; accompanied by nymphs and satyrs; and gods and goddesses (my DH is Dionysus and I am Epione) will adorn the structure. It will house a bar in the belly and on Friday before the Burn (Burning Man alone alights on Saturday) archers will send flaming arrows into the beast. Part of the art of Burning Man is creating something fantastic, and then experiencing it flame into dust (dust in the wind?) - to me, the message left, the lesson learned, is how fleeting beauty is, and how exquisite memory defines creation.

The art and freedom of expression is more than intoxicating; it's mind-blowing. Music plays 24-7; earplugs are a must if you seek silence. For me, the most incredible part of Burning Man is how life changes after dark. My closest comparison is "Disney on Parade x1000 - for adults!" The music, the neon, the fire-breathing dragons and artwork and pagents, costumes, and dancing and celebrations come-to-life as if the universe exploded. I'm sure if an alien planet explored earth, its beings would want to scoop up Burning Man and bring it home in wonder.

A long time ago I posted on this thread - or maybe it was PF - a question. "When did I learn that it was time to put the toys away? When did I become too old to play?"

In seventeen days I'll literally find my way to the sandbox. I'll dress in what feels best; I'll create and I'll slide and I'll swing and I'll sing and I'll dance and I'll hug and I'll care and I'll cry and I'll look at the art and experience the Temple and the Burn and I'll be back - - - loving the days and the pancakes and the people and the way I can give so freely and feel the texture of me; and how I can be fashioned into whatever I want to be.

Last year, after nine days, I was ready to go home. I was used up. I felt like a film reel, flapping and needing to be caught and stilled.
But I cried even so. The Playa is not for everyone; and that's okay. But if you come, look for me at Station 9; old boots, a stethoscope, goggles, a bandana if the dust flies - - and wearing an Adam shirt. You are not alone!