Post-Burning Man Report-The Redhead Review

September 23, 2009

Like many, many before me, and many, many after me, I will now break down one redhead’s adventure of camping alone, in the desert. If you are not interested/may be offended/don’t have the time, skip now, and come back later. If you have a passing interest, nay, a pea pod, stick around, and I’ll make it worth your while.

Warning off*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Timing, Drive out, Diggerbot and Set up

I left on Monday morning, with my friend Diggerbot in tow. We were traveling together for the mutual benefits that such things bring-sharing gas costs, company, and the excitement of burning together. Really, the burn begins to happen for you in the preparation, and my friend endured many boring emails of detailing the route, the 15 minute increments of our travel itinerary of loading and unloading days(Virgo! Can’t help it!), and a wee anxiety attack I had two days before the burn. It didn’t help that I was dating two really great guys, and wasn’t sure how they were going to receive the whole playa wildness possibility. Which could include sex.

So Monday we drove out, had a great convo, and made record time, considering we took I-50 instead of I-80, due to scary construction delays. We then sat in line. I say it so casually, you can hardly tell the anger and desolation in my voice. WE SAT. IN LINE. FOR 2 HOURS. GOING 1/4 OF A MILE. We started with the crazy techno music, attempting to keep us in the “spirit”. Then we degraded to mellow song stylings. We were kidding ourselves. By 1 hour and a half of locked traffic, I switched us to blues, and it seemed to suit our mood well. All semblances of sunset was gone, and we were dejected, tired, and pretty irritated with the City already. And the dust was not being kind, either.

After setting her up in Hushville, double and triple checking she was cool to set up on her own, I headed to my first location ever at Burning Man, as it has sentimental memories for me of my first year. DiggerBot and I were each camping separately, we just drove out together. She needed it quiet. I needed it to include meeting new people, and lots of Art. So I also signed up for some ambitious volunteer shifts. Airport, Greeters, Playa Info, and if I could fit it, Lamplighters. I did two out of four, as it turns out.

I checked a few locations, and people were saving spots for friends in theme camps along 7, 7:30 and 8 & Chaos. (those are street names.) Finally, I found a spot at about 8:15 and Chaos. Started to unload the van, and set up the tent. My savior, my rescuer, and my saint, was named Monsoon, and he saw how alone, tired, and altogether needing of help I was in-so he pitched in gently, putting up poles and following direction well. He was a CHAMP. I will never forget him for that. I finally had a good sitch-the van was unloaded, my bedding was in and comfy, and the tent was up and full of costumes and kitchen. The only major downer was the mirror, as it had shattered in the middle. I set it aside to deal with it upon exit. That’s exactly the kind of thing that would have stressed me out in the past, so I was happy that my mind didn’t fixate. Whew!*

The van stayed relatively cool, but I woke in the morning knowing the first priority would be to get the shade over it, and the tent as much as possible. So I set to work, and gently coaxed various neighbors to help with aluminet, pop up, concrete stakes, and rope. It came together slowly, but by 11 am, I had a sweet little set up-see?

Volunteering

I wanted to really be a citizen of the city this year, and see more of the back scenes of how the city worked. Wasn’t exactly ready to commit a full week, but still, help out in an area I wouldn’t normally think of. I managed to get in a Playa Info shift, an Airport shift, and attempted Greeters (went out there and everything), but it was Annual Naked Day, and this fair skinned bloom can’t go naked on the playa. I’ll faint. I had also volunteered to bring fresh veggies for a potluck later in the week, as well as work an Information Booth on the Playa (see previous blog re. Info Booth) but the Info booth never happened due to a spontaneous wedding.

The potluck saw the arrival of my veggies, but not me for another hour, as I was delayed across town.

So what of the successful ventures? Playa Info and the Airport?

FANTABULO-WONDERAWE-TASTIC-NESS.

The airport folks were super chill, laid back, and really easy to talk to. I met my mentor, Mr. Mom, who was so sweet and sassy to me. Everyone was such a joy. You could feel the family in air. I was scheduled to work 2 1/2 hours, and was in the shade, at the end of the day, with a chair, so I sat back to just enjoy my time. All everyone asked me was did I want a ride in a plane? I said, I didn’t care, I just wanted to help out. And I meant it, too. But after about 1/2 an hour, a lady came bouncing up to me and said,

“okay! you are done!”

I said, “What? I don’t want to be done! I like it here!”

She said, “No, silly. A pilot wants to take you up! and considering how expensive the fuel is, you should take the chance!”

So off I go to meet my pilot, who was ChipSprings. We chatted, flirted, and I climbed into one of the tiniest holes I’ve ever been in, and donned cartoon sized headphones. He asked me if I wanted the window open. That’s when it dawned on me-I was going up in a 2 seater plane!! I could have the window open!! I said yes.

So we take off (not as scary as I thought), and he gave me the wheel (first I said No, then Yes. ) and I banked us in an arc over the city. I couldn’t help thinking that people come from all over the WORLD, just for this tiny little stretch of freedom, this little spit of land in the middle of nowhere. and yes, we hate the storms, and yes, we endure overpopulation, and yes, we mis-manage our bodies and hearts, but from here, it all looks so easy. So natural. No wonder the aliens are confused by Human Behavior. From on high, it makes no sense at all.

I didn’t manage to take aerial photos of the city, but I got some of sunset at the airport. Here they are. Also,this orange fence is literally, “The Border”. and here’s a shot of Mr. Mom.

So Friday I went to work my shift at Playa Info. I was late. by half an hour. ExuberBounce ripped me a new one, and then threatened death, followed by dismemberment. If I’d been more arrogant at that moment, I would’ve gotten that they were kidding. But it was all delivered so seriously. I met a man named Scary, who really wasn’t, and he took me under his Wing. Showed me the Light. Paved the Way. Etcetera, Etcetera. What followed for the next several hours was a tarot reading, makeout with PornStar, spinning of the Wheel of Fortune, eating and drinking (I was sent on a mission for more beer) and oh yeah, giving out of Information. I had a BLAST. It was one of the highlights of my burn, and I totally want to do it again.It was an excellent fit for my personality. ;D

Near the end of my shift, a man came up looking pretty out of sorts. He had done everything humanly possible to locate someone at Burning Man, to no avail. One of the other volunteers just shrugged and said “Sorry, man, that’s BM for you.” Which we had to say all day, because really it *is* Burning Man. But there was something particular about how this final bit of news was affecting our Friend, and I could see it in his face, in his demeanor, and in his energy. I came out from behind the counter, put my hand on his shoulder and said, “Hey-Are you ok?”

And out comes this story-he’d been looking for his friend all week, didn’t know anyone, was feeling super overwhlemed, and….

at this point he starts to kind of lose it. So I gently told him he wasn’t alone anymore, because we were friends now. His name doesn’t matter, because I forever will think of him as Lambchop. We arranged to spend the afternoon together, and I had a great time, riding out bikes, calling out to people, seeing art, helping break my camp, and just talking. I later found out he met tons of people that night, and utterly blossomed. I’m happy to have been able to help him, and in doing so, enriching my own burn.

So overall, massive thumbs up. I highly suggest both venues-Airport-Border Control and Playa Info Oracle.

Body, Mind, Heart

I had my first experience with dehydration this year on the playa. I also had my first herpes communication on the playa. I became a bit of a Day Burner, unpredictably.I also was in the worst dust storm I’ve ever personally been in, having only heard about how bad they can be from others. ;P Really, I’ve been spoiled in years past.

The dehydration was confusing, as I didn’t know what was happening to me, the signs being so subtle. I didn’t figure out I was missing electrolytes until very late in the evening, after having tried everything else (rest, eat, vitamins). The herpes conversation was precipitated by some complex emotions, mainly about whether or not being sexual on the playa was going to be a factor for me this year. But I ended up in the company of a truly remarkable, astounding gorgeous, considerate, thoughtful man named Silver. He handled the conversation fairly well, and we navigated a way around the risk factor. It was a passionate, potent, sweet, and achingly sexy experience I won’t forget for a long, long, LONG time.

The dust storm came on the tails of a failed attempt to launch the rocket, and I was on my way out in the open playa to the Temple. I was also high as a kite, thanks to my friend Gravel Panties. I remember feeling helpless, yet exhilerated. I could hear my own breathing, and feel the dust rise up and swallow me whole, like Moby Dick of the LakeBed. I could also feel that it was not a short storm, this one intended to come and go in bursts for the better part of the night. I made it to the Temple, and spent some time gazing at the color, structure, energy and lights.

The sheer energy of compassion and loss, the acceptance and the love was palpable. I couldn’t stay long, as it threatened to dissolve me entirely, and I had an itchy body feeling that told me to keep going, get dancing. It was my last night on the playa, and a full-ish moon.

So I rode out to 10:00 and DNA, and spent some time at the club Nexus, (which was bass dirty, and headspace loving) before deciding to ride the entire Esplanade. On Friday Night. The next several hours defy description, but it was unbelievably bright, corny, random, and Firey trip-tastic. Everything was so silly! I ran into a few old friends, chatted a bit, and moved on looking for friends. I made it to 3:00 before deciding the roads were wearing up my saddle sore fanny, and headed towards my friends camp at Fuckin YAY!

The rest of the night was an exercise in Love, Friendship, Dancing, and Sensory Happiness. I felt like even though I came to Burning Man alone, I confirmed that if I have an open mind, I am never alone. I knew this from travelling Europe alone 10 yrs ago, and travelling alone through the Pacific Northwest, but was unsure about BM, due to the cultural climate, and the harsh desert conditions, which can drive the most reasonable person, a bit batty.

One thing I am proud of, due to Neutrogena’s sunblock, I never sunburned.

Neighbors

Where I ended up camping was between 3 large camps,.One was the Flying Spaghetti Monster Temple (Ren Faire folks from all over CA), what I’ve been calling the Urban Planners(based in SF), even though they are not, and the Veteran Burners (not sure where they are from). I was welcomed, embraced, fed, loved, hugged, adored, and trusted by so many of them with their thoughts and hopes. I CHERISH my experience with them. I tried to give as good as I got, in hopes that it would continue an infinity loop of Love in the universe. Diva the hookah and I ended up with the Veteran Burners one afernoon, and they made me a TIARA. Good Lord in Heaven! ( Tiara pictured)

The FSM folks fed me dinner every night, and that’s where I met Silver. He made the most incredible shower, and here’s a picture of that-

and here’s some shots of the logo-blocked RV’s by the Urban Planners-

My neighbors gave me a sense of community, a sense of home. They made it safe, but interesting, to be near them. They were Family.

Two older burners, named RockSolid and Daphne, gently and sweetly accepted and welcomed me like a daughter. They told me stories of Family and Loss, of acceptance and Love. I gifted Daphne a necklace that meant alot to me, and she <<literally brightened up the entire block>>.

Other tidbits and final meditations

I left Saturday morning, before the Man burn, and Temple burn. Diggerbot and I both wanted to get back early, and I wanted two days to re-acclimate. In the simplest terms,my burn contained ‘just the right amount of Wild’, which is true, in essence. I ended up staying in two nights(slept one night for 10 hours!), and going out two nights. I really had most of my experience during the Day.Which wasn’t bad, but it was certainly different.

I missed my best friend terribly, which was the one downfall. I do think our friendship is tested on playa, but I would rather be tested, and have her there, than not. She gives dimension, and security to my life, and I felt the challenge of that, once she was more ether than substance.

My webmaster had given me a gift this year. He told me that if I was hesitating on doing anything on the playa, anything at all, his gift to me was the extra push to just do it. and I want to send a special message to him, that I just Did It. Multiple times!

Also, I found a knob. It sems to have fallen off an art car, and I’m hoping to find the owner. Here are some pictures. Looks like a custom piece to me.

My burn, sans dehydration, was amazing. It was the perfect 3rd year, and while I won’t be back for the next theme Metropolis, I will be back someday.

Name change disclaimer-

I’ve changed the names of most everyone in this post, with the exception of Scary and PornStar. I don’t feel that either of them are at internet risk of what I have said of them, hence the keeping of their names. Everyone else, I got pretty close with, so changed em.

More photos here, and two videos, all by me-

BM astroturf slide-HELL no, I didn’t go, heard the med tent has massive rug burn visitors-