Why did Burning Man change my life?

organicphoto · Post by **organicphoto** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 6:24 am

I'd been curious about Burning Man for years, especially after the National Geographic cover story a few years ago. I must keep the wrong kind of company, but I never knew anyone personally who had gone. Finally, I saw an ad looking for help with driving out from Chicago. I had one day to make it happen, and I did! I found a ticket on the same website (craigslist.org), and we were off, 3 strangers who were all BM virgins, driving 34 hours straight with only 2 drivers among us.

I read the survival guide, but beyond that, I had very little idea what I was getting into, but I was determined to make it a positive experience as much as possible. Also, something about The Joshua Tree album cover really captured my imagination years ago, and made me curious to experience life in the desert.

It's been 2 weeks since I arrived in Black Rock City and was greeted with "Welcome Home" by a fellow Chicagoan who was working the gate at 5am in a duststorm. That statement would sum up my experience at Burning Man.

I'm a friendly guy, but I'm not known for being the most extroverted person at a party, so for me to be the recipient of so much hospitality and generosity was a life-changing experience. I'm no one special to receive such preferred treatment, so I have to attribute this outpouring of positive energy to the people who go to Burning Man.

And who are those people? In stereotypical terms, I saw hipsters, stoners, gangsters, hippies, metalheads, yuppies, and many more that I didn't know a popular classification for. In high school, these separate groups didn't get along so well. So why did I see such a strong communal spirit at Burning Man despite these sub-cultural differences? I have to assume that the intention wth which Burning Man was created is still so strong that it overwhelms many of the negative responses and intentional alienatiion we've grown accustomed to (and taken part in) outside of Black Rock City.

Since I was about 6 years old, I've dreamed of a place where everyone got along with each other. 26 years later, Burning Man is the closest I've ever come to realizing that dream. Thank you to everyone who was a part of making that dream a reality.

Frank Rodriguez

Burning Man pics
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atossab · Post by **atossab** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 6:55 pm

I'm glad you found home. Its been waiting for you. Please keep spreading the love.

blackdogs · Post by **blackdogs** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:21 pm

Hi, you wonderful thing:

I was so heartened to read your message! I just came back as a first-timer, and I swear I was just about to quit this e-playa thing. So much was negative, and it was bringing me down. Burning man was one of the best times of my life, and honestly it changed me, like it appears to have changed you. I made some significant discoveries about myself without even trying to. Perhaps it was the company I was in, or the overall attitudes of acceptance, like you said.

The older burners are disappointed because the event is not like they remember it. I can understand that, because I might feel the same way in a few years! But I hope not....I feel so good about it, and next year I'll want to reach out to even more people I never knew before.

They say you can't re-create your past. Perhaps the old burners are ready for the next awesome new adventure in their lives. And that could be as good for them as this is for us.

See you there next year! I'd love to give you a hug!

(...feeling very effusive today...)

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 7:03 am

Right on to you, my brother OrganicPhoto! This was my first burn too and like your collection of wonderous photos, my best memories and experiences were not about art cars and installations, but people.

Your pilgrimage to the playa I compare to my decision to build a Mutant Vehicle this year. It was a hell of a commitment for a virgin burner, and I was so glad to set it free on the playa with the other pilots so I could stop wrenching and get back with people... real people.

Do you remember the children's TV special "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer" and the song the little dentist elf sang, "Why am I such a misfit...?". Finally, we have found "The Island of Misfit Toys"!

natthebat · Post by **natthebat** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 10:05 pm

Me too! Me too! It's all I can think about. I hope you can avoid the negativity and don't get too disturbed by what some burners bitch about. People love to bitch, it's like a symbol of seniority to know enough to complain. Really the bitching is just part of the necessary friction. Someone's gota' do it. But not me! I am happy happy happy! I love the many different groups and steriotypes because I get along with everyone most of the time, and I love it when they get along with eachother. Burning Man must exsist because people must find a way to remember that we really do like other people, and we want to be friends, and we want to accept eachother. It brings to light that we must never loose faith in humanity. But however we give meaning to this event the guy at the decompression a few weeks ago summed it up well, "It's the greatest party on earth!" Yea baby, it changed my life too! Confirmed my beliefs about how beautiful the people are. I am honored to be of the humans. Look what we have built! YEA!!!

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 7:17 am

Go Nat Go! I got sucked in to reading some of the political threads this morning but I am sure glad I finished my browsing with yours! In fact, I can say without hesitation that lately your posts have been more inspiring and closer to the mark than just about anybody's. I should run a search for everything you have written just like a favorite new author!

One thing I brought back from the playa is an attitude of playful cooperation. For example, one of my clients/friends told me he wanted to install an attic fan. "I want one too-" I replied, "let's get together and install them both this weekend" This instead of my previous M.O. of asking for his advice on what brand to buy and figuring out the install on my own. Sometimes it is that subtle but it is good to see I am still a burner at heart.

natthebat · Post by **natthebat** » Sun Nov 07, 2004 12:34 pm

THANK YOU Mister Jellyfish! I am so honored that you have been appreciating my posts. I have a hard time writing in a journal or a diary, what's the point if no one's going to read it? Here at the e-playa I am so glad to have a forum where I can express my thoughts. It's somehow safer than a drunken happy rant in a bar. I was a little nervous about poasting my naked thoughts at first. I thought people might think I was cheesy or stupid. Then I decided I was safe because I'm protected by the autonomy of the internet. Then I started to find how good it felt to contribute my opinions and thoughts which are always on the verge of excessively happy and positive. (I am so fucking happy about this Burning Man thing.) Then you complement me like that and I feel like screaming and dancing and eating cake with my hands. In my "real" world I don't do things like that. I'm not quiet but I border on repressed with self controll. It sucks. So thank you again for validating my contribution. It's like medicine for my soul. Thank you! Back to the original point of this thread, BM continues to change my life, daily, because of people like you.

tonytohono · Post by **tonytohono** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 9:48 pm

Good stuff Mr. Organ P

I think this story rings true in a thousand^2 different ways. I never get tired of hearing them though, because although they are so similar, each one has its own special twist.

=)

Nosamk · Post by **Nosamk** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 5:35 pm

I agree with the sentiments here. I finally broke down and made it to BM in 04...I had been visiting eplaya for a while prior to the event and all the negativity almost got me down about the whole thing. Luckily I went; met some awesome people, had a great time, and am SO looking forward to next year.

Rabbi Dali Rick · Post by **Rabbi Dali Rick** » Sun Nov 14, 2004 9:44 am

We are all like lost children, in search of our mothers. Tears are often joyful, but not when seen from afar. Welcome to the fold. One day you will find things in your ordinary world that will make you want to scream and when "you" do we will listen with our hearts as well.

you're bestest pal,
the rebbi

MoisturePup · Post by **MoisturePup** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 12:58 pm

organicphoto wrote:
Burning Man pics
http://organicphoto.fotopic.net

Burning Man Quicktime movies
http://www.xdrive.com
Login Name: [email protected]
Password: 12345

It really was amazing wasn't it? I'm so glad I went and got to see it all. There's so much beauty in this world... we just have to know where to find it.

Why did Burning Man change my life?

Why did Burning Man change my life?

The Island of Misfit Toys

Go Nat Go

...There is No Negitivity in Art, Only Preception...........

Re: Why did Burning Man change my life?