Playa lifestyle: Burned In or Burned Out?

Lothar · Post by **Lothar** » Wed Oct 01, 2003 1:21 pm

You've decompressed, the dust is cleaned off, and there has been time for things to return to normal.

Do you find that the spirit of eccentric giving carries over, or is it more of a switch? Do you go crazy scribbling in your mind for a week so you can stand coloring within the lines the rest of the time, or do you try to infuse the banal with random acts of kindness?

How does your Burning Man experience affect your life the other 51 weeks of the year? Share with us.

Jeremiah · Post by **Jeremiah** » Wed Oct 01, 2003 4:15 pm

Maybe its that I am not "lettin-go" as much as some people do at burningman, but truthfully the feeling that I get from the festival is internal and I walk around with it all the time.

jbelson · Post by **jbelson** » Wed Oct 01, 2003 5:16 pm

Well, last week I had an impromtu BBQ and told everyone that they dont have to bring anything. I even had Ice cream for dessert.

JezebelinHell · Post by **JezebelinHell** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 2:51 am

I took the weekend off work to go meet my fiance, whom I've never seen before, in the Bay Area, and then I'm going to a decompression party in Sacto, so I'm pretty sure the BM spirit is still pretty well with me.

precipitate · Post by **precipitate** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 11:04 am

> to go meet my fiance, whom I've never seen before,

Mail order bride? (or husband, since you use the masculine form?)

DogBoy · Post by **DogBoy** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 11:15 am

Mail order bride?

Or arranged marriage...

III · Post by **III** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 11:56 am

i've got a cautionary tale about making too much of a commitment just because you've had good phone or cyber sex. but that's probably a (excruciatingly painful) lesson best learned in person.

Juju · Post by **Juju** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 1:13 pm

definitely burned in.

BM is a combination of my ultimate vacation (where I can do exactly what I want to be doing every day), and the reason for all of my art projects.

Everytime I do something new, it's so I can apply it not only to my life in the present, but also on the playa. I attend and help throw desert parties a lot. Each of those we consider "practice" ... with each one we learn something new that will help us when we get back home again. Leave no trace? Not just for the playa, but your livingroom/kitchen as well.

I gift. I look people in the eye. I walk around with my head high and smile at people when I pass them on the street. People come to my house and I cook for them. I hang out with Gary Coleman. I think of ways to make a better shade structure, a sturdier shower, how to dress up like a taco.

Playa life is an extension of my normal life, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

MikeyFisher · Post by **MikeyFisher** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 10:54 pm

Kinda cool that this is mentioned, i was thinking today that ive deff. decompressed and got straight sucked back into the stress of job, bills, and trying to stay somewhat healthy. Burning Man is in my heart and in my mind all the time, i dream about it and think about far more then once a day. I try to live true to myself and others all the time so i would vote

BURNED IN

cant wait till 04'
*sigh*

foamin' at the mouth · Post by **foamin' at the mouth** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 11:20 pm

Burned in. And meeting the gaze of stangers in case it might be you I'm looking at, and imagining what I want to make as my gift to all for next year--perhaps a a post burn thing to help those like me get over a long decompression (a little paper automata of the man -with cut and paste tabs and easy instructions for assembly--that you can build yourself, and burn on those nights when you need need to revivify--with a book of matches to complete the job, of course--all in a ziplock bag--perhaps with a stamped, self addressed postcard back to me, as I would like to know if it helped or not and when and where you used it --if at all.)

kimityme · Post by **kimityme** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 5:48 pm

MikeyFisher wrote:Kinda cool that this is mentioned, i was thinking today that ive deff. decompressed and got straight sucked back into the stress of job, bills, and trying to stay somewhat healthy. Burning Man is in my heart and in my mind all the time, i dream about it and think about far more then once a day. I try to live true to myself and others all the time so i would vote

BURNED IN

cant wait till 04'
*sigh*

I stand beside you and feel relief because I am not the only one that dreams of the playa...or what I can bring home in 2004. as 2003 was my first burn, awe took over and left me and everything I came across covered in pixie dust. Fantastic people surrounded us as neighbors though I was slow to understand theme camps and events...(we did not get a copy of the who/what/when)
When ever I visit this site, see photos, hear mention BM I am amazed still of the depth of soul put into the community and art -
we caught on quickly of the Idea (leave no trace) and I find myself picking up trash in a parking lot to toss it in a nearby can....a middle aged couple needed to sell jewlery for some engine part and prior to my BRC experience I believe I may have walked away from them. Yes it has changed me.

PurpleKoosh · Post by **PurpleKoosh** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 6:36 pm

III wrote:i've got a cautionary tale about making too much of a commitment just because you've had good phone or cyber sex. but that's probably a (excruciatingly painful) lesson best learned in person.

Heh. I went to visit a net.girlfriend across country once. Whatever possessed me to arrange a NINE-DAY "first date," I couldn't tell you.... (We did eventually salvage a friendship out of it - but it took several years.)

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 6:40 pm

I'd say burned in, I live in a very small cottage. It don't have water. So I use my port=a-pot,the camp stove and camp pans to cook. So far I have desighed a gray water "recovery" system. Waiting to get the water tested. I eat a messured amount of foods. So I apply that to how much to take to camp. The only reason I will take a large cooler is I like ice cold water. Call me spoiled. I knew what I wanted for an art car for 04 before I left burn 03. Told my kid. She figured out how make it work. I have the power train framed in Now comes the art part. See you there.

Mozy bonz · Post by **Mozy bonz** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:56 pm

Once I thought I saw you
in a crowded hazy bar,
Dancing on the light
from star to star.
Far across the moonbeam
I know that's who you are,
I saw your brown eyes
turning once to fire.

You are like a hurricane
There's calm in your eye.
And I'm gettin' blown away
To somewhere safer
where the feeling stays.
I want to love you but
I'm getting blown away.

I am just a dreamer,
but you are just a dream,
You could have been
anyone to me.
Before that moment
you touched my lips
That perfect feeling
when time just slips
Away between us
on our foggy trip.

You are like a hurricane
There's calm in your eye.
And I'm gettin' blown away
To somewhere safer
where the feeling stays.
I want to love you but
I'm getting blown away.

You are just a dreamer,
and I am just a dream.
You could have been
anyone to me.
Before that moment
you touched my lips
That perfect feeling
when time just slips
Away between us
on our foggy trip.

You are like a hurricane
There's calm in your eye.
And I'm gettin' blown away
To somewhere safer
where the feeling stays.
I want to love you but
I'm getting blown away.

Burned Out..... very very.....Burned Out and I have not been there yet....

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:25 pm

It just makes me regret how difficult it is to mooch in the default world.

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:49 am

I try and look strangers in the eye and smile at them when I pass them in the street. I did that before I went to my first BM in '04 but now when I do it I don't feel so strange.

Demon · Post by **Demon** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 8:27 pm

Granted I'm a virgin to the Burn but I find it quite amusing when people come back from the Burn and it takes over their whole life. There are certain things that you can bring back to the "World" from any festival, gathering, etc. Beltaine was a good example for me this year. I just don't get the people who become consumed by the Burn :wink:

Post by **Eric** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:03 am

Demon wrote:Granted I'm a virgin to the Burn but I find it quite amusing when people come back from the Burn and it takes over their whole life. There are certain things that you can bring back to the "World" from any festival, gathering, etc. Beltaine was a good example for me this year. I just don't get the people who become consumed by the Burn :wink:

You don't have to "get the people who become consumed"- they're not doing it for you.

Saying that you've never been and then being judgmental about another persons experience is sort of like the right wing christians who stand in front of movies picketing them without ever actually seeing the thing.

Did I get consumed? I don't think so, but there are co-workers of mine who would disagree since I start planning 6 months in advance and request the time off of work for the next event the week I return from the current one.

*shrug*

Demon · Post by **Demon** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:33 pm

I wouldn't say I'm being judgmental. What I mean are the people who act like they never left the Playa. I'm sure you know a few. What I was trying to say is that the people who are consumed with it that I know act holier than thou. Like they've been christened by the dust. I don't get that part. Anyway, my girlfriend and I have been getting ready since January so 6 months preperation doesn't seem that long :P

Post by **Eric** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:08 pm

Demon wrote:What I was trying to say is that the people who are consumed with it that I know act holier than thou.

We call them "Burnier than thou". Those people I agree with you on.

Anyway, my girlfriend and I have been getting ready since January so 6 months preperation doesn't seem that long :P

Yes, but you're first-timers. You need that extra time.....

Have a great time out there, just remember to leave your expectations at home.

Demon · Post by **Demon** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:35 pm

My onlt expectation is to have a good time :lol:

flyingsoul · Post by **flyingsoul** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 7:44 pm

you wrote

"Experience is a form of Knowledge. You must experience in order to attain that knowledge"

If i may make one small but otherwise important udjustment: Knowledge comes before experience. Once that knowledge is filtered through an expereince, it becomes wisdom, personal wisdom.

"the words of a wise man always seem foolish to others" Hermann Hesse

what we bring back from BM is wisdom that is gifted to us from our experiences. at least thats the way I see it

have an awesome burn!!!!!

tarri · Post by **tarri** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:56 pm

--perhaps a a post burn thing to help those like me get over a long decompression (a little paper automata of the man -with cut and paste tabs and easy instructions for assembly--that you can build yourself, and burn on those nights when you need need to revivify--with a book of matches to complete the job, of course--all in a ziplock bag--perhaps with a stamped, self addressed postcard back to me, as I would like to know if it helped or not and when and where you used it --if at all.)[/quote]

Very cool. I know I would find a special day to burn it...right in the middle of the other 51 weeks.

tarri · Post by **tarri** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:58 pm

[quote="foamin' at the mouth"]

sorry ~ cut off the first part of this.

Playa lifestyle: Burned In or Burned Out?

Playa lifestyle: Burned In or Burned Out?

?!?!?!?!?