playa lore, legend, myths, and trusims

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 5:20 pm

So,
I was thinking, (rare indeed):

I've heard stories, legend, truisms, etc.........

some fact, some not, but, many, entertaining.
I thought, maybe we could share?

Truism:
"radical self reliance doesn't mean a day pack, a six pack of soda, and, a bag of jerkey"

Myth:
"the playa will provide"

Legend:

"the man burned twice one year"

Post by **Sham** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 7:21 pm

It is true that the playa will provide. After a few days in 2008, my camera crapped out and was not going to work for me. Hopeless, I was resigned that the photos I got would be all for the week. A photographer in our camp said, "I have a spare camera---do you want to use it?". The best pictures were taken with his camera.

Yes, the Man burned twice. I watched the pathetic specticle with my own eyes as the fire hoses sprayed the Man to put out the flames. I was also there for the raising of the replacement Man on Thursday, while a passing mutant vehicle blasted Free Bird through its speakers. The rising of the replacement Man was one of the most inspiring uplifting moments I can ever recall. This was the same year as the double rainbow!

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 7:25 pm

What's this about getting laid on the playa after the Temple Burn?

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:27 pm

The Playa Chicken.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:44 pm

Yes, the Man burned twice. I watched the pathetic specticle with my own eyes...

It was even better than that. You left out the fact that many of us were watching a Full Lunar Eclipse when the Man was arsonized. I was at 4:30 and C, and we had our backs to the Man, going Ooooo and Ahhhh at the Moon. Then a cry went up and we turned around and saw the Man on fire.

The performance of the BRC Fire Dept. was most impressive.

2007, Monday. Hmmm... actually around 3 AM on Tuesday.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 9:22 am

2009. I'm chilling out getting to know the future creator of an Alumipede

when a gent walks up seeking a cream soda. I invite him over to my camp and hand him an ice cold one. He had been seeking far and wide for one.

Seems he had lost his woman, and his job, can't remember about the dog though

Broke, he comes to the burn and hangs outside the gate wearing nothing but a yellow thong asking each car for 1$ so he can buy a ticket. After far too long, and with far too little money to show for his efforts, a car pulls up, mentions he has many extra tickets and offers one for the measly few bucks he has acquired. Amazed, this intrepid burner proceeds to the wishing well and pulls a want ticket out. A fellow burner wanting a nice cold cream soda. After seeking all over he found me, and playa karma came full circle. He was able to pay forward his own good luck.

To me, a perfect example of how the playa does provide.

Post by **Sham** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 9:46 am

Elliot wrote:
Yes, the Man burned twice. I watched the pathetic specticle with my own eyes...
It was even better than that. You left out the fact that many of us were watching a Full Lunar Eclipse when the Man was arsonized. I was at 4:30 and C, and we had our backs to the Man, going Ooooo and Ahhhh at the Moon. Then a cry went up and we turned around and saw the Man on fire.

The performance of the BRC Fire Dept. was most impressive.

2007, Monday. Hmmm... actually around 3 AM on Tuesday.

Elliot, if you remember, it was more amazing than that even! On Monday night, the city was still nearly empty and it was a full, bright, harvest moon. The deep playa was brightly lit and there were very few people. As the lunar eclips started, all the camps and vehicles shut off their lights and the moon slowly dissapeared behind the shadow of the earth. This sequence of events was incredible enough, but at 3:00am Tuesday(as you stated), the Man was arsonized. The smalll group that watched this in utter disbelief made for one hell of a start to the week. True playa magic!

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 10:04 am

This is the desert where Oral Roberts saw his 900 foot tall Jesus, on the way home from Mustang Ranch.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 10:06 am

Myth:
You must always have a dust mask readily at hand.

As I see it:
The dust is so fine, it is not noticable to my airways, and I breathe normally even in a whiteout.
(Not that it is good for us, but you will not be instantly incapacitated by a whiff of Playa dust -- as some folks seem to fear.)

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 10:28 am

Myth:
"Once you leave there is no real food tell Empire"

Fact:
Navajoes tacos are in abundance!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 10:25 am

The Playa Chicken.

Zhust · Post by **Zhust** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:29 am

Fact: it's okay by the BLM to pee on the Playa if you spread it around.

In 2007, the BLM had a trailer with info about the Black Rock Desert. I asked a BLM officer point blank about peeing on the Playa and that's what he told me. The point is to avoid making a puddle that becomes a depression that eventually becomes a dune.

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:41 am

Shambala wrote:It is true that the playa will provide. After a few days in 2008, my camera crapped out and was not going to work for me. Hopeless, I was resigned that the photos I got would be all for the week. A photographer in our camp said, "I have a spare camera---do you want to use it?". The best pictures were taken with his camera.

Yes, the Man burned twice. I watched the pathetic specticle with my own eyes as the fire hoses sprayed the Man to put out the flames. I was also there for the raising of the replacement Man on Thursday, while a passing mutant vehicle blasted Free Bird through its speakers. The rising of the replacement Man was one of the most inspiring uplifting moments I can ever recall. This was the same year as the double rainbow!

Actually the double rainbow was the year before when we got a bit of rain come through. The year the Man was burned early had no rain during the event.

-Badger

Mojojita · Post by **Mojojita** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:59 am

Drive by shooting gallery

Dustdevil · Post by **Dustdevil** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 1:28 pm

In 2007 it rained quite a bit. The double rainbow occured on Friday afternoon. Why am I so certain you ask? Because the rain caused us to pull the plug on the Crude Awakening show. My crew had to cover what pyro we couldn't remove and post guards on what we left behind. The small items were put back into the truck. We then spent Saturday resetting up the show. It rained enough where we felt we couldn't complete setup in time for Friday.

Post by **Sham** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 1:40 pm

Thank you dustdevil. While I can't remember what I had for breakfast today, 2007 was the Green Man which was burned early. It was also the same year that the amazing bike arch was at center camp. The double rainbow framed the bikes in so many photos.

With that said, 2007 was the year of the full moon, full lunar eclips, early burn of the Green Man, massive Friday dust storm and the double rainbow!

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 2:22 pm

Shambala wrote:With that said, 2007 was the year of the full moon, full lunar eclips, early burn of the Green Man, massive Friday dust storm and the double rainbow!

Sounds like 2007 should have been called the year of big events. Apparently making the theme 'Green Man' got mother nature's attention.

Post by **mdmf007** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 2:49 pm

Myth or Fact: What happens on play stays on playa?

I have lots of good memories on the lake bed that will always remain there (and a few that followed me home)

So that one goes both ways!

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 3:43 pm

Mojojita wrote:Drive by shooting gallery

That's one of them there "trusims".

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 3:57 pm

Elliot wrote:
Myth:
You must always have a dust mask readily at hand.

As I see it:
The dust is so fine, it is not noticable to my airways, and I breathe normally even in a whiteout.
(Not that it is good for us, but you will not be instantly incapacitated by a whiff of Playa dust -- as some folks seem to fear.)

I would have to say that "Myth" is true for at least some people. If I get caught in a dust storm without a good mask for more than a few hours (especially if I am working and cannot breath through nose alone), like in 2008, my throat gets very raw and feels like I got punched in the Adam's Apple. It takes days breathing clear air for me to recover...

Myth: no commerce is allowed on the Playa

Fact: The BMorg sells ice and drinks like coffee and tea. RV pump-outs are available for cash also.

Truism: Bacon

Legend: Killbuck

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 9:10 pm

I'm also sure about rain in 2007. I went belly-sliding on the wet slippery tarp dance-floor across the street.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 7:19 am

it was indeed 2007 that it rained, it was the only year besides 1998 that i could justify bringing my black rubber chest high waders.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 8:11 am

myth:
chest high waders negate the need for JOTS, and no MOOP.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 8:14 am

nothing like that warm squishy feeling as you slowly slosh your way across the esplanade.

Risky · Post by **Risky** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 9:02 am

Truism: Watch out for Frogbats!

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 9:08 am

Myth: There is no life on the playa.

Fact: Except for the Camel Spiders, which lurk under the JOTS, and even under the seat. See past posts on the spiders.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:17 am

truism---if you stick ordinary playa dust into larry's hat and say the magic word it turns into cocaine.

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:25 am

Mojojita wrote:Drive by shooting gallery

http://laughingsquid.com/the-drive-by-s ... -man-1994/

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 12:05 pm

Yeah, poor Barney.

Fourth of Juplaya. That's all I have to say...

Mojojita · Post by **Mojojita** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 12:39 pm

teardropper wrote:Yeah, poor Barney.

Fourth of Juplaya. That's all I have to say...

Yep - you could make a fortune policing brass at the range over by frog pond........