The Big Trip: Burning Man 2016

Burning Man. It's a remarkable place/adventure/process/experience. It is so much more than fake fur, blinking lights, loud music, and things on fire. Ultimately, it is deeply personal, flavored by the particular stew of juices that you are in - community, perception, acceptance, filters (bio, psych, physical), etc...

There are elements of it which have literally changed my life - have shown possibilities that I didn't know existed, been a passion and a muse, been an outlet for creative energy. There are parts of the experience that are magical, parts that are difficult, parts that are almost religious.

Every year, the experience is different. Every year what we take away is different. Some better, some worse, most just different.

Our first year, nine years ago, we tried to stay with a camp - and there was no room at the inn. We ended up connecting with some other San Diego people whom were also trying to stay there, and made a satellite camp on the outer rim. Turns out, we liked that. So, for a number of years, we did that with some friends, or people that we collected. Then, a few years ago, we decided to make our own camp with some SD friends. We made some great friends out of that, including Lisa and Leah and others, and included previous friends, Mike, Steve, Laura, etc.. Creating our own camp definitely had its ups and downs - mostly ups. But it was a different experience.

After last year's Burn, and the rough weather and extreme projecting, we weren't even sure if we were going to go this year. But, because of some legal wrangling between Burning Man.org and Nevada, BMAN decided to issue some at cost tickets to people that provided Art last year - so we were able to pick up two tickets at regular cost, and considered that a Playa-Karma sign that we were to go.

We were thinking that it would be fun to try the camp thing again, and so were going to find a camp from San Diego, and tossed out some feelers, but no nibbles. Well, Lisa (of our camp a few years ago) had moved to LA and was deeply involved in a group of people there whom formed the Loveland Village, and she invited us to join them.

Such a different experience than our other camp attempts. Very organized, with regular planning calls, and builds and opportunities for connection leading up to the Burn. Leadership that really put energy and love into it, and it was really professionally created and implemented. Dinners every night, lots of activities during the week. I was able to find several different projects to create stuff for - we laser cut over 700 pasties for a workshop, made some Loveland Staffs, heart chandeliers, and other stuff.
Barbara had been working through some health issues, and initially wasn't sure if she wanted to go, or might come late, but she was able to gather energy to come with, and since I had fixed the electric trike, we were able to toodle more than 70km around the playa on it.

It was a lovely year. The best weather ever - not too hot, not too cold, not too windy. We had lovely camp mates, amazing meals, and some wonderful connections. We saw some remarkable art, talked deep talks, danced in the middle of the night, saw sunsets and sunrises.

All that said, I must say that I feel like I missed something this year. The mystery wasn't as deep. The spiritual touch seemed more distant. Something perhaps akin to growing up and Disneyland - the magic that you felt so deeply there as a child, isn't quite as deep any more. There is a longing, a knowing of how it was, but... Still fun, amazing, and so glad I went, but somehow not quite "that".

But I know that every year is different. Maybe we'll take a year off and see again. Maybe we'll do some other festivals for a while. Or maybe, the faites will shine on me again next year, and the Magic will blow me back out to the desert for an even more amazing experience. Any of these things are both possible and Likely with Burning Man.

So much love and appreciation to all the people that help to make it happen this year. To Barbara for her patience with me, and her willingness to try, even with low energy. To Delilah, and Niki (whom watched her) for putting up with the nutty hippy parents. To Lisa, for being my favorite project buddy, and for inviting us into your lovely family. To the people of Loveland (esp Leo, Jenny, Sagiv and Eric) for letting unfamiliar faces into your remarkable space. To old friends that made the time to connect - Krysta, Boon, K, Leah, Jade, and others. And to my work SeeScan - for their patience and acceptance of the odd creature that I am, putting up with my wanderlust, and misdirected passions...

And now, without further adieu, what you really came here for :)