Sunday Confessional:
I've wanted to go to B u r n i n g M a n for at least 20 years. I remember when it all began, at Baker Beach. One teeny speed bump has been that the man I share my life with does not share in my great quest to burn. Especially because it means massive crowds and the cruel Nevada desert. He'd be perfectly fine if I went without him. He knows how much it means to me, whether he comprehends my vision or not. Most of my formerly adventurous friends are wrapped up in their day-to-day. They wouldn't be likely to consider this sort of pilgrimage. I am also wrapped-up. Doesn't matter. I must participate in this powerful human experiment at least once before I slip into darkness. The playa is mercilessly hot. There are windstorms. It's a week of dirt camping with thousands of crazies. It isn't hard to understand why many I know and love would take a pass. I can't. And now that my children are nearly full-grown, it feels like the perfect time to go.
One of my all-time favorite gal pals from Santa Cruz attends, so I am 'in talks' with her about being part of her crew in 2009. It takes (at least) a year to plan it right. One must be fit, both physically and emotionally. No small undertaking, this quest of mine. I'm game.
'When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.'
Hunter S. Thompson
4 comments:
I've never been drawn to Burning Man. Of course, I've also never read or made any attempt to understand the underlying quest and dream. When I worked at UCSC, I knew a student who went every year, and he always came to campus with a look that told me he had had quite an experience. I understand your desire.
Yeah it's not my bag either, for many, many reasons. But I do wish you luck and I agree that it's not an undertaking that can be done on a whim unless you are a serious wilderness hiker/camper person.The rest of us would need a year to prepare.
I had lots of Bay Area friends go and they said it was pretty miserable during the day, b/t the heat and dust. I remember him saying that he even was putting cucumber slices on his eyes while resting in the tent during the worst of the heat.
Bay Area people are wimps. :) Maybe it was mild this year because it never got hot, and the dust storms are only miserable if you don't tie your shit down. As far as the camping aspect, it's not very intense: pretty much run of the mill week-long car camping with the added bonus you can buy ice. I've always wanted to go and am glad I did and probably will from now on. It definitely helps to be in shape physically. Very few crazies (actually none, but I'm a Berkeley kid, maybe I'm biased) except crazy in a good way, i.e. they only walk around naked but for a cock ring this one week of the year. Annie, your passion is obvious, make plans, do it!
Ask more questions, I will answer them. (That's the extent of my Burn blogging. Keeping it interactive. :)
I'd like to see it just once. But, it bugs me that they charge admission.
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