A Rotten, Stinking Burning Man Experience

NEXUS · Post by **NEXUS** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 6:27 pm

3 pages of postings and no end in sight? That must have been some cologne!

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 8:59 pm

Black Rock City, NV - (AP) September 4, 2005. A massive 35 trailer pile up on Rt. 447 yesterday killed 15 attendees at the area's popular Burning Man festival held each year outside of Gerlach. A massive pileup on northbound 447 resulted in the deaths of 35 festival attendees known as "Burners" according to the Nevada State Patrol and Reno Fire and Rescue.

The collisions occurred at about 3:30p.m.on a section of 447 in unincorporated Washoe County near Gerlach, Reno spokeswoman Wendy
Citizen said.

The Nevada State Police are investigating the accident and said the actions of one individual, the number of vehicles and the road density were a major factor.

Make that 4 pages now. And worth 40 more if even a shred of awareness gets out that prevents another repeat. 35 people gone. Many of them Burners at that, not that it makes much difference as a life is a life. Doesn't this hit anyone else square in the gut and generate a reaction? Damn, 35 lives snuffed out over a freakin bunch of personal items? It's insane! It's so wrong, this registers 11.0 on a 10.0 wrongness scale. Hurricane Katrina deaths I can comprehend. Tornado deaths I can understand. But to lose 35 innocent people over a fucking bottle of shampoo or cologne just boggles my mind.

And then the AP already quoted local legislators in saying that they will be reviewing the exodus procedures and it's coming at a time when the permit is up for renewal. I don't want to go around saying the sky is falling but this is a serious damn problem. It's going to bite the LLC and possibly the rest of us in the ass. So 4 pages is nothing. You can bet this will come up again and if we can work out strategies to improve the exodus procedures we may be able to help the LLC mitigate the damage and satisfy the politicians and the locals...which without their support this event would have a very difficult time happening, if it could be pulled off at all. Right now this is a serious mess. And no matter how it's spun it's still an absolute tragedy.

NEXUS · Post by **NEXUS** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:14 pm

Ummmm...I guess you missed the post where Steel Kitty mentioned she concocted the whole "AP" story in an attempt to make a point. But her post might be of use afterall if something constructive actually comes out of this discussion other than flames back and forth,. Fortunately, 35 people have not yet had to die.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:20 pm

Yeah, I missed that. And I'm glad you pointed that out because I was hot over it. And she had me hook, line, and sinker as they say because of my own experiences on 447. If it's not the cows or the kamikaze jack rabbits it's people doing stupid shit like passing on hills and other fucked up things. She might have made up the story but based on my experiences it's a damn miracle the AP hasn't had to write a story like that.

The Bass · Post by **The Bass** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:21 pm

awwwwww..... nexus, why'd ya have to go and ruin the show? ; )

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:24 pm

Now I'm embarassed over it...and it's a good way of reminding me to rein some tendencies in. Lesson learned...now it's a matter of applying it.

In any event she got me good.

NEXUS · Post by **NEXUS** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:40 pm

Because Bass, as a health care professional, it is my job to prevent stroke not cause it.

No worries Kinetic, her journalistic prose was spot on. I did a Google check when she first posted it as I had almost bitten when encountering in another post that there was an accident that day (minor by comparison).

playasnake · Post by **playasnake** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:41 pm

the fact that 15 people died in the first sentence and 35 in the second was a bit of a clue as well.

Stilesfamily · Post by **Stilesfamily** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:54 pm

Kinetic IV wrote: Make that 4 pages now. And worth 40 more if even a shred of awareness gets out that prevents another repeat. 35 people gone. Many of them Burners at that, not that it makes much difference as a life is a life. Doesn't this hit anyone else square in the gut and generate a reaction? Damn, 35 lives snuffed out over a freakin bunch of personal items? It's insane! It's so wrong, this registers 11.0 on a 10.0 wrongness scale. Hurricane Katrina deaths I can comprehend. Tornado deaths I can understand. But to lose 35 innocent people over a fucking bottle of shampoo or cologne just boggles my mind.

Having a "War of the Worlds" Flashback

NEXUS · Post by **NEXUS** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 12:19 am

Of course, thanks Playasnake...

[Editor in Chief's Office] "That's it Kitty, inconsistencies like that will not be tolerated at the AP, best you move on to the National Enquirer."

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 3:02 am

Kinetic IV wrote:Now I'm embarassed over it...and it's a good way of reminding me to rein some tendencies in. Lesson learned...now it's a matter of applying it.

In any event she got me good.

But your concern is still valid. No one should die during Burning Man and Exodus in particular. Trying to make people think they should risk their lives for a bottle of cologne is just stupid. Like I said earlier, if some people HAD stopped and helped joefrank and died, we'd be having a much different discussion.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:10 am

Two things came together to set me up for this.
1: A tendency to speed read.
2: Certain posters have earned my trust in what they write and have de-tuned the BS detectors.

Combine the two and I ended up with mud on my face. But even if I made an ass of myself it did a tiny part to increase awareness of the problem. And at least people know I'm passionate about it...enough that I've already fired off e-mails and letters to NDOT asking questions about general safety improvements for the road (without mentioning the accident, believe it or not). It's also clear that I'm concerned about the permit for next year. I shouldn't worry yet I love this event (as most of us do) and I know there are people like Rex who are right now plotting on how to shut the event down. Someone's got to counter the Stop BM lies. I might as well be one of those who steps up and tries to help.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:10 am

Kinetic IV wrote:It's also clear that I'm concerned about the permit for next year. I shouldn't worry yet I love this event (as most of us do) and I know there are people like Rex who are right now plotting on how to shut the event down. Someone's got to counter the Stop BM lies. I might as well be one of those who steps up and tries to help.

No, you SHOULD worry about it. It's *our* community. If you don't care, who will?

This year I saw some jackass was driving his car about 25 MPH down a road. I yelled, "SLOW THE FUCK DOWN!!!" as loud as I could. I got a few looks (probably wasn't very NICE of me) but I thought, "If I don't take care of my community, who will?" I believe that one responsibility of veteran burners is to make sure things are going the way they're supposed to go for the good of the community.

DVD · Post by **DVD** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 4:24 pm

Kinetic IV wrote:Yeah, I missed that.

Officer Sawit First? That should have been a flag...

Ron · Post by **Ron** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 2:22 pm

DallasPlaya wrote:....
This year I saw some jackass was driving his car about 25 MPH down a road. I yelled, "SLOW THE FUCK DOWN!!!" as loud as I could. ....

This year we had a medical emergency in camp that required a very quick drive to center camp from about 2:30. Lots of "helpful," folk shouted at us, we didn't slow down for any of them. Some times we shouted back that it was a medical emergency, sometimes we didn't.

The protection of community is a tricky thing, not always as obvious as we may think, seems to me...

Ron

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:02 pm

I was driving my work truck out there at the requisite <5 MPH (it idles in 4wd low at about 2 mph) and got a lot of "slow the fuck downs" as well. All I can think of is they saw a truck out there sans side markings (tho it was a staff vehicle) and felt it OK to yell.

Then again, I heard the same retort given to an ambulance and to the QRV's out there as well - with their lights going. Guess you can't please all of the people...

bb

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:12 pm

This year we had a medical emergency in camp that required a very quick drive to center camp from about 2:30. Lots of "helpful," folk shouted at us, we didn't slow down for any of them. Some times we shouted back that it was a medical emergency, sometimes we didn't.

Ah, welcome to the frustration of having folks yell 'slow the fuck down' when you're responding to a sexual assault complaint on the other side of the city, heading out to the Machine because a 9 year old fell 20 feet and is lying unconscious or trying to locate a lost child. I hope anyone who saw me driving by in a bit of a hurry will excuse my stare of utter contempt at those folks who first assume that it's just a Ranger joyriding in his/her undecorated golf cart.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:27 pm

Much of that hostility is avoidable by the use of some simple stickers, decals, vinyl appliques, etc. Slap something on those golf carts that says EMS, Rangers, heck even Staff would be sufficient. And the rest comes down to education...the survival guide stated that EMS people will try to keep the dust down...unless they have to respond quickly. So all of this has been covered....it comes down to education and awareness as most things do.

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:33 pm

Now that was a fun e-ride!
I passed all that crap by the side of the road leaving on Monday and thought "Jeez maybe I should pick some of that up" Then I looked at the crusty side of the road, remembered what I read here about soft shoulders and decided I shouldn't pull over.
Listening to you all argue about it seems like a metaphor for the differences between Burning Man and the other world. People always fight, but here on this eplaya there is that little bit of extra caring that rises above the battle, and allows us to see the others POV.
God how I love you all!

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:40 pm

That "Staff" sticker was used to death this year. You'll have to mark differt than than the run of the mill asshat. Good people were yelled at for DMVs coruption. Up two 60 "staff" past my place a hour. Staff joy riders in the center camp circal. DPM/staff music up roving the same street for a couple hours at a time. Maybe some perks but DMV over kill is what happened this year.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:44 pm

Yeah the "Staff" sticker was abused this year. But if the EMS responders had it on there or some kind of special marking...like a blue sticker or something it would cut down on the flak. I yelled at several undecorated, unmarked golf carts this year. If they don't have the stickers / permits then they deserve all the shit that can be yelled at 'em especially if they're kicking up dust.

Is a simple sticker too much to ask for?

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:51 pm

Can I get a MONOTONAL DIRGE from the chorus please?

Specta and Dallas sitting in a tree
K-I-S-S-I-N-G

(exuent, chased by bear)

Well uhm, you get the point.

Anyway next year I'm offerieng a knot tying seminar, maybe. First on the list is the trucker's hitch.

If your not sure, ask!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:52 pm

ESD has door seals with thier logo.* They should be on the doors of vehicles and on the hoods of the little responce vehicles that don't have doors. Driver and shotgun should be wearing yellow shirts with the ESD logo on the left breast and Emergency Services on the back.

And I've been a medic on a run to someone injured and been told to slow down. Sucks rocks.

*sorry could not find sample to link to.

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:58 pm

Doncha get it?

You see a ranger in an UNDECORATED golf cart... Hmmm... lights going off. Undecorated. Not in the impound lot. Ranger. Bust be... I know... an OFFICIAL VEHICLE! >>boing<

Or... someone driving intheir UNDECORATED truck... wearing a yellow shirt... says ESD on it with the appropriate logo... no BLM folks chasing them down, impounding their truck, giving the nasty ol' staph person the boot off the playa... Hmmm... similar bell going off again. >>boing boing<

As I remember... most of the aforementioned vehicles ALSO had staph stickers on them as well. (Am I wrong here??) All the ones I saw had them. But the mere fact they're undecorated *and* being driven by someone with "official capacity" and identified as such (Yellow, Khaki, etc.) kinda tells you something's afoot rather than trying to start an early alpha...

OK... scenario time...

You're out at camp whatchamafuckit at 5:30 and... hmmm... somewhere out in de styx. All of the sudden - POW! You're having a "major coronary event". at yon camp at 5:30 and Neptune, er, make that Gestalt. (Sorry, time warp!) You see stars and angels as the pain of your ceasing heart continues it's protest to further folly out here in the desert. And the only person with an AED is that Ranger in his or her unmarked golf cart taking it back to Station 3. They hear the call, sling around, and off they go to save your life. BUT WAIT!!! Better keep them official vehicles nice and slow, wouldn't want to save somebody's life now, would we? Especially if that life was YOURS??!! Might generate DUST!!! Oh No!!!!!!!!!

(This scenario may have actually happened. A lot of times out there...)

IF I see an official vehicle, marked or otherwise, hauling ass through town, I can probably surmise they're not doing it to generate dust or go on a joyriding bent (which, BTW, can lose you your staph spot *and* end your BRC adventure right now) but because there's a fucking good reason for so doing - like someone is in the process of not doing too very well.

/ranting...
bb

(BTW... did you say Center Camp? No wonder you saw all those "joyriding" staph stickers - probably joyriding to meetings and such... since that's where 1st camp was this year. Yeah. >>giggles<<)

(Edited to insert comment about staph sticker abuse by management...)

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 4:10 pm

Yaaa It's these carts in the nite. Over folwing with laughing squeeling girls stopping the talk to boy in ranger uniforms. Or four or five "dust throwimg fast" trips up and down the road to bring rangers off duty. Probable tired but street speed wont help them.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 4:14 pm

Okay--would it be helpful if people with tie down experience checked loads during exodus?

I know that I'm supposed to volenteer to do this myself, but I don't have the skills and I'm warey of spending hours in the sun after taking 6 liters of intravenious saline, so I commit an eplaya sin. But it was something I was thinking as I saw the trash bags and foam foiliage on 447 on the sixth...

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 6:39 pm

blyslv wrote:Can I get a MONOTONAL DIRGE from the chorus please?

Specta and Dallas sitting in a tree
K-I-S-S-I-N-G

(exuent, chased by bear)

Well uhm, you get the point.

Anyway next year I'm offerieng a knot tying seminar, maybe. First on the list is the trucker's hitch.

If your not sure, ask!

We made up when he read some of my old posts and realized I'm not generally a jerk and I realized that I couldn't ignore PM's from a moderator.

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 6:40 pm

I think it's all about the sacred rite of "getthefuckouttadodge". People throw a rope or 2 loosely over the top of their U-haulit, and think that's all you need... and off they go, thinking that what they put asunder the ropes will stay put, but don't check until they get home and think "Didn't I have my art car tied down here somewhere?"...

If people would check - real fast - before they hit 447 (on the gravel shake-n-roll drivethru), and again in Nixon, they wouldn't lose a thing. Or before they leave, SHAKE THE SHIT out of everything roped down and visible. If it moves - rope some more. I get accused of having a rolling spider web, but I have yet to lose more than Playa Dust off a trailer in years of hauling crap on Trailers and Motorcycles and pickups and camper shells and Whathaveyou. Those ropes (at least 3 per vehicle) should pluck like a (no joke) guitar string at all points.. If not - you'll lose something. Practice it at home, and know when you get back from out there your stuff will be there for the next burn...

Also if you have some 8' hunks of cheap rope, you can tie ropes together as "snubbers" to cinch your load. Tho done right, once done, it's CHECK ON THE GRAVEL, THEN motor on and forget!

Hell, I may do a tiedown clinic next year... might be good for a BMorg grant! >>giggles<< Bring my POS trailer and maybe even my (if it gets done) art bike, and show them how it's done. Vehicular B&D made simple! >>grins<<

Hugs,
bb

spectabillis · Post by **spectabillis** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:14 pm

DallasPlaya wrote:...and I realized that I couldn't ignore PM's from a moderator.

Of course you can, would not be the first or last to do so. But I guess I can be a persistant cuss.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:32 pm

spectabillis wrote:
DallasPlaya wrote:...and I realized that I couldn't ignore PM's from a moderator.
Of course you can, would not be the first or last to do so. But I guess I can be a persistant cuss.

I meant using the ignore function. If I knew you were a mod I wouldn't have said, "Don't you have a life?" hahahaha!!!