I am seriously considering obtaining a case of TravelJohns and passing them out on the playa to people who I catch trying to pee on the ground. TravelJohns are these canny li'l contraptions I discovered at the I-80 truck stop in Iowa that are suitable for both major types of genitalia. They have an ...

My band, Environmental Encroachment, is playing 2 -- count 'em -- 2 gigs tonight: one at a restaurant that serves Southwestern-style cuisine, Flo, and one at the Mercury Cafe just up the street. Any & every Chicago Burner, if they're not at the Mucca Pazza gig, should come out to the Mercury Cafe an...

Hey all... Thank you for your advice so far -- it all seems pretty sound to me. My latest letter to him is still a work-in-progress. I did mention to him that the scene may be overwhelming to him in my last missive. I am still going to caution him, even dissuade him. He will be getting to BRC on his...

EPIC

Hi all... I have been corresponding with a friend of mine. He is currently a guest of the state of Oregon in one of its many fine correctional facilities, to be released in the early summer of this year after a 7-year sentence (he allegedly threw a brick at a cop during a demonstration). He is quite...

There seems to be enough techno-rave music happening in BRC -- not that that's altogether a bad thing. However, I have an idea that I may or may not use for this year's festival: Slow Dance Camp. All night SDC would play romantic slow-dance music of all genres (Big Band to the latest slo-jamz), and ...

Music... Did you say music? Black Rock City has perhaps the highest amount per capita of roving marching bands of any city on the planet. The one I'm involved with, Chicago-based Environmental Encroachment, put on some raging performances throughout the festival. We are also somewhat affiliated with...

I am less concerned with the extremophiles (microbes that withstand harsh conditions such as on the playa or -- for a more dramatic example -- alongside the volcanic vents at the bottom of the ocean) than with E. Coli, S. epidermidis, S. aureus and the plethora of more common wee beasties that can g...

Ho-lee shiznit... That's a pretty detailed analysis. The table was somewhat helpful to give me an idea of what makes playa dust caustic. The following is my interpretation of the data... Oxides of Group I and II alkali earth metals such as lime (calcium oxide), potash (potassium oxide), magnesium an...

Does anyone know the basic chemical composition of playa dust? What is the predominant alkaline molecule(s) present? I ask this because I have an idea for a no-rinse, alcohol- and detergent-free disinfectant washing solution formulated to neutralize excess alkalinity and be a potential cure for/prop...

Two words: simple syrup. Purchase a ready-made quantity from a bar supply place, -or- make it yourself before trekking out to the playa. It's just equal amounts of sugar & water heated to form, well, syrup. Let cool then store in an ideal container. Vigorously shake or stir lemon juice and simple sy...