top douche bags fucktards at BM 2010

[moonrise]

+100

Eric is spot on, and I forgot about Bob, duh!! He's one A+ experienced and serious man! (don't waste his time) w/an awesome photo collection, his B&W photos always bowl me over, schweeeet! Thanks Bob!!

I would NEVER ask burning man to become ADA all the way, blech, but there are ways to make some of the challenging projects partially ADA freindly and some challenging, seperate or a combo. (I get ansty when I see some climbing things and know I cannot ever do that sorta activity again, no biggie) The movie theatre last year was cool, haha, fun hang out for me...the Pier will be ADA freindly, yeah!

If you can, then I say for sure.... get a grant!! My guess is, every camp has at least one temporarlily injured or disabled burner in it, maybe 1% of the polulation?

(I'm still waiting for a last minute part for my broken down truck, arg, my default world pre-event umpteen millionth challenge! lmfao)

[atomicray]

Eric and Moon thanks.

Yes my timing is a bit off

And no worries, I got the bug because of the client...they offered the money and I said let me research it first...the timing of the event did not connect as I was pouring over the various piles of data on Burning Man as a whole.

I will wait patiently...burn slow and safe

Atomic Ray

[Eric]

burn slow and safe

oh hell no! That takes the fun out of it!

[atomicray]

Well then...

...better to burn out then fade away!

[theCryptofishist]

Hey hey hey! In reference to the ADA issues...I have lots and lots of experience with access and facility design dealing with limited mobility...how many of the 50,000 would you say have some measure of limited mobility, other than being wasted and can't stand up

We're out there. Don't forget we are the largest "minority" in the country, even if we are also the most diverse.

[atomicray]

Hey hey hey! In reference to the ADA issues...I have lots and lots of experience with access and facility design dealing with limited mobility...how many of the 50,000 would you say have some measure of limited mobility, other than being wasted and can't stand up

We're out there. Don't forget we are the largest "minority" in the country, even if we are also the most diverse.

I was mostly curious due to the remote and toxic location, not so much the mundane slice of life numbers

I am enjoying the challenge and it has only been today that I started considering the various elements of the installation. Currently I am digging the graduated ramp at the moment.

Right now I am looking forward to seeing the pics from this year's event...especially the mutant vehicles.

Atomic Ray

[$tormy]

We hit the gate Wednesday night about 6:00PM, completely amazed that the stars aligned in our complicated middle-aged lives and that it was really happening. We obeyed the speed signs and crept along to the first stop all the while every single vehicle following us, passed us like they were in some off road race in Africa. At the first check point I met my one and only fucktard of the event. He was a twenty something blonde, fair-skinned Opey who just wanted to verify that we had tickets. We showed them. He told us to move to the next check point and if we didn't obey the speed signs he would "kick in our fucking car doors"......... Nothing like best foot forward.

Still I am sitting here just about to leave work just totally blissed out. I can't believe less than 24 hours ago I was feet on playa.....surreal but sweet.

$tormy

[Lassen Forge]

Welcome home, and just think... about another 50 or so weeks we can do it all over again!

[knowmad]

Not only BEST BURN EVER! but I also found my (non-fucktardy, non-dushwaddy, friends) and kicked it with them.

[CapSmashy]

We hit the gate Wednesday night about 6:00PM, completely amazed that the stars aligned in our complicated middle-aged lives and that it was really happening. We obeyed the speed signs and crept along to the first stop all the while every single vehicle following us, passed us like they were in some off road race in Africa. At the first check point I met my one and only fucktard of the event. He was a twenty something blonde, fair-skinned Opey who just wanted to verify that we had tickets. We showed them. He told us to move to the next check point and if we didn't obey the speed signs he would "kick in our fucking car doors"......... Nothing like best foot forward.

Still I am sitting here just about to leave work just totally blissed out. I can't believe less than 24 hours ago I was feet on playa.....surreal but sweet.

$tormy

Yes, you rolled in to a very surly Gate crew by Wed. Why? Because of the sheer volume of absolute idiots and fucktards we deal with on a minute to minute to basis in the lanes. When you have several of your fellow crew members downrange of the point kiosks and watch some cracked out fucktard go barreling past at 30 mph into the traffic pattern of people heading to willcall or the gate lanes and towards your people that are not protected by a cage, it becomes a routine to pass instructions in an abrupt manner. Its not personal, it simply is what it is, effective and clear communication reminding you to fucking pay attention in the home stretch.

Gate crew folks have been hit by cars, trailer dragged and all manner of of other injuries because of over excited, cracked out participants on the end of 20 hour bender of stimulants and sleep deprivation on their trip to the event that can not follow simple instructions and pay attention in their trance of getting through gate.

[waxpraxis]

Yeah, the gate crew wednesday night seemed pretty dragged out. We made sure to be particularly friendly and on the ball as soon as we saw how frazzled they all looked. No one took us up on our offer of popsicles, but they all seemed to really appreciate that we weren't cracked out and knew what the heck we were doing.

The only really douche thing I saw was on friday night when there was very nearly a fistfight at around 2:30 and D. Some dude with no lights on was tying his shoes in the middle of an intersection and got yelled at by a biker who almost smashed into him. The biker skidded off to one side and threw a glow bracelet at the guy telling him to get lit the fuck up or he'd be roadkill. The shoe tying guy got super aggressive and pissed about "being cursed at" and the woman he was with had to pull him away.

[BBadger]

The sleazy horned douchebag named "Paul" who used social engineering to make it seem like he was part of our camp and nearly got away with one of our bikes we graciously let him borrow under his false pretenses. Had we not kept following him before we found out Paul's true intentions and relationship to the camp he would've gotten away with the seatless bike he was disappointed to have temporarily acquired. The asshole also tried stealing things from my friend's bag during a hug.

In the end, we learned of your ploy Paul, and you slinked away into the darkness, ditching the bike that we subsequently had to escort back home on foot. Nothing was lost but time, experience was gained, and friendships reinforced. In that respect the incident could not have played out better.

[atomicray]

I'm sorry, did I read that correctly?

Did one of you of the people involved with the gate admit to inappropriate behavior and chalk it up to being surly because some people were not listening to them?

Interesting.

At no point would I find it funny or acceptable for a volunteer or other event representative to tell me to move the fuck along at a slow pace or he would kick my fucking doors in...and if you have people or you are people who think this is appropriate then we are going to have issues.

No internet chest puffing here on my part...but if anyone at this event came over and tried to kick in my fucking doors or seriously threatened to do so...it would be interesting if the dried shrimp hiding in the dust would spring to life with blood from some random surly gate person.

Deal with the people who are speeding and driving recklessly...you have communication ability, call in law enforcement and have the people removed...not to threaten everyone one else because you or other gate person is sad, upset, or surly.

Seriously? The go to answer is just randomly threaten people as they cross the gate?

Wow.

Time to coordinate with the law enforcement people to reduce this issue so the gate personnel do not have a reason to threaten everyone else.

This is a $20 million dollar event not some backwoods beer chugging challenge...time for some changes if there are problems at the gate...the answer is not threaten people...indeed it is a serious issue of people speeding and driving reckless in a pedestrian and bicycle majority setting...the event has grow it is time for the controls such as the gate to grow right along with the the event.

A few police with speed guns and fellow police further down the road will eliminate these issues...ticket them, turn them around, send them out the gate...try again next year, thanks and have a nice day.

Seriously...if an entire camp is automatically removed from the event for a single contraband or stowaway incident then even more so should dangerous driving result in a removal and ban from the current event.

I am at a loss for this situation...the days of a casual scrub waving you through the gate have past...time to grow up and put professionals at the door before someone dies...or the law abiding drivers who have been threatened get in trouble for pounding the fleas, dust, and roach clips out of said scrubs.

And yes scrubs is completely appropriate...the particular gate person and those who support the same lost a better title once they let their frustration lead into random threats.

Just wow

[Lord Of Ruin]

Atomic

Want some cheese to go with that whine? Awwwww...did someone say something to nasty for your delicate ears? So let me get this straight...you are so outraged at the volunteer threatening to vandalize your car that you're going to....physically assault him miles from medical help and leave him bleeding in the dust?

Huh.

CaptS's post seemed to try and explain WHY the comment was likely made vs. excusing the behavior. The leadership of Gate doesn't condone or accept such behavior. But people get tired, overworked and overwhelmed....yep..just like the rest of you.

Why don't you come on out and work for Gate and lend us some of your cool-headed professionalism?

LoR

[illy dilly]

Deal with the people who are speeding and driving recklessly...you have communication ability, call in law enforcement and have the people removed...not to threaten everyone one else because you or other gate person is sad, upset, or surly.

You're saying throw in the towel for the community being self governing? Just call in the LEO authorities? Its an important issue, but are you going to start calling LEO every time some one does something dangerous?

I am at a loss for this situation...the days of a casual scrub waving you through the gate have past...time to grow up and put professionals at the door before someone dies...or the law abiding drivers who have been threatened get in trouble for pounding the fleas, dust, and roach clips out of said scrubs.

And what next?
Get hired help, with little name tags, a manager, hair nets, and a time clock to start selling ice?

Would you really want the first taste of BMorg to be some out side "Professionals" as you enter BRC? And what professional ticket tacker would you find to go work the desert?
Some Carnies? Yep, those are high class, highly educated folks too!

And yes scrubs is completely appropriate...the particular gate person and those who support the same lost a better title once they let their frustration lead into random threats.

Just wow

Scrub? Really? The people that bust their ass to work for you? That do a hard, dangerous, and relatively boring job for the city are nothing more than Scrubs?

[atomicray]

...but if anyone at this event came over and tried to kick in my fucking doors or seriously threatened to do so...
Just wow

I was speaking of actual door kicking or actual serious threat initially.

Nearing the end of the prior posting I saw through the BS and realized that the issue was much more one of the gate volunteer aggression was one of it being too much and the real danger is not a threat from a random volunteer but rather the drivers...which the volunteers have absolutely no control over...none...so the real issue here is why a multi-million dollar event does not have a real gate and traffic controls?

And for the record, no. No a random threat from a volunteer does not offend me in any way...what is a bit alarming is accepting that the same is ok.

The same could be said of any of the potentially negative event issues...what if someone were to say they supported:

speeding on the playa...because it is fun and I bought a ticket
taking a crap in someone elses camp...because who are you tell anyone where to crap
climbing on art...because it is fun, I bought a ticket, and who are you to tell me not to climb
etc.

I have volunteered for dozens of events...fine art shows, summer camps, etc. as well as volunteering for hurricane/flood relief teams...so I do not need to stand the gate at burning man to have an opinion...you just can not threaten people, even at burning man.

You can be how ever you want...that is not an issue...especially at burning man...run around naked...paint yourself green...ride your bike without a seat...or other such fun...but volunteers do not have the right to threaten event attendees, period.

It has nothing to do with me, you, or anyone else.

It is what it is.

There is no argument that can defend this action.

*****

Now had the original poster noted that a gate volunteer had threatened to kick his fucking doors in if he did not drive slow and then a person who chose to speak for the gate personnel stated "the gate gets crazy and the stress does get to them...but it is not acceptable and hopefully it doesn't happen again", then nothing would be worth bringing up...but that is not the case...the poster got a response of live with it because they are surly.

*****

If this seems out of place in your head then the point is lost on one of us.

I accept that the gate must be a stressful, often unappreciated, and less than rewarding volunteer position...and I also recognize that people are people and as such will have those moments when the limit is reached...I also know right and wrong, it is wrong to threaten anyone...it is also wrong to support the same.

PS
The difference between the gate volunteer threatening to fucking kick in car doors and my beating the carp out of the same guy for kicking my doors in is simple...mine would be a promise and I would accept the consequences.

PSS
If the gate is that stressful then something needs to be done...my first thought would be to not put A-type personalities on the gate, including me...I do not have the tolerance to deal with people speeding and driving reckless because I would have ZERO ability to do anything about it, but police do...so my second thought would be to act like a multi-million dollar event with 50,000+ people and hire a professional gate and provide traffic support...this way speeders and crazy drivers are expelled, attendees do not have to be threatened, and the volunteers do to have to get surly...win win win.

[atomicray]

Deal with the people who are speeding and driving recklessly...you have communication ability, call in law enforcement and have the people removed...not to threaten everyone one else because you or other gate person is sad, upset, or surly.

You're saying throw in the towel for the community being self governing? Just call in the LEO authorities? Its an important issue, but are you going to start calling LEO every time some one does something dangerous?

Is there an issue with the police that I do not know of?

Ok, I'll bite.

No I would not seek police for anytime someone does something dangerous...to themselves. But driving like a lunatic across pedestrian and bicycle traffic is beyond dangerous it is criminal.

So yes I wold welcome and expect police to be involved.

[atomicray]

I am at a loss for this situation...the days of a casual scrub waving you through the gate have past...time to grow up and put professionals at the door before someone dies...or the law abiding drivers who have been threatened get in trouble for pounding the fleas, dust, and roach clips out of said scrubs.

And what next?
Get hired help, with little name tags, a manager, hair nets, and a time clock to start selling ice?

Would you really want the first taste of BMorg to be some out side "Professionals" as you enter BRC? And what professional ticket tacker would you find to go work the desert?
Some Carnies? Yep, those are high class, highly educated folks too!

I can see that I am an easy target and that is ok.

By professionals I mean to say have some personnel who can actual deal with errant drivers. Volunteers plus police as back up.

[atomicray]

And yes scrubs is completely appropriate...the particular gate person and those who support the same lost a better title once they let their frustration lead into random threats.

Just wow

Scrub? Really? The people that bust their ass to work for you? That do a hard, dangerous, and relatively boring job for the city are nothing more than Scrubs?

No, I completely respect the efforts of the volunteers. I was speaking, clearly, that a volunteer that steps over the line falls into a different class and in this case scrub is appropriate.

If the person has had enough which I can understand and empathize with, then leave the line...taking it out on the remaining people trying to get in is not right in any form.

[Sic Pup]

I got a chuckle from the button the fellow that took my ticket wore:

"I'm not a fucking greeter"

[atomicray]

And in the end, as the title of the thread notes...it is a shame that anyone has to experience a "top douche bag fucktard" as the first person at the event.

"Hi, welcome, and fuck you" is not the greeting one should expect from any volunteer.

[Dr Jet Sinister]

Atomic Ray, I think you missed the part about "fuck you" being a term of endearment from many. Not everyone at BM is a hippie nor are they all snarky bastards, and The Eplaya is not The Playa. It does look like you are reacting to a scenario in your head at this point.

The OP said that was their *only* fucktard. Perhaps if they had experienced some of the other people that have been discussed in other threads, they wouldn't have even remembered that one guy at the gate. It's even possible that one wink or smilie from the OP would have completely changed your perception.

[atomicray]

Atomic Ray, I think you missed the part about "fuck you" being a term of endearment from many. Not everyone at BM is a hippie nor are they all snarky bastards, and The Eplaya is not The Playa. It does look like you are reacting to a scenario in your head at this point.

The OP said that was their *only* fucktard. Perhaps if they had experienced some of the other people that have been discussed in other threads, they wouldn't have even remembered that one guy at the gate. It's even possible that one wink or smilie from the OP would have completely changed your perception.

Agreed and you are on target.

I would say that one bad apple is going to expected out of any group.

"fuck you" being a term of endearment lol, that is a good one and if the case then I guess it would be added color.

It is all good. I just took the speeding a bit more an issue...it seems that if a single stowaway can cause a whole batch of people to be expelled then the actual dangerous ones like speeders would be escorted out.

Thanks for the input, all information has value and I appreciate the communication.

Atomic Ray

[Savannah]

Gate has been actually very professional in my experiences with them (no one is actually going to kick a door) and I'll wager they would do better than any hired entity based on many years of experience, a focus on what truly needs to be done, and love for the city. They are brisk, efficient, and often funny. They leave sunshine to the Greeters, who are a separate department.

Stressful? Possibly. It's not without risk. Gatespersons get hit by cars doing this job (drivers are sleepy) and they face static from newcomers who decide to drive for 20 hours straight before joining the line. Unrewarding? Off the mark. The Gate, Perimeter & Exodus folk I know have multiple years under their belts, & can walk away anytime, or take a year to rest. They do it because they love it. You may read more about them here.

http://gate.burningman.com/

Once you attend a Burn, you will see when you arrive why the constraints of the terrain (2 lane highway, 50,000 people trying to squeeze through it at once) and a need to take tickets from every car (and search them) create a specific but non-violent atmosphere. If this stresses you out & you would bring premature attitude to the proceedings, get in early with a theme camp, or arrive late.

I would urge you not to rush to judgment just yet, since you've never encountered them in person.

[atomicray]

Dr Sinister where is Yehaw TX?

[Dr Jet Sinister]

Dr Sinister where is Yehaw TX?

Isn't every place in Texas Yehaw?

We're in FtW, the better side of the metroplex.

[atomicray]

Gate has been actually very professional in my experiences with them (no one is actually going to kick a door) and I'll wager they would do better than any hired entity based on many years of experience, a focus on what truly needs to be done, and love for the city. They are brisk, efficient, and often funny. They leave sunshine to the Greeters, who are a separate department.

Stressful? Possibly. It's not without risk. Gatespersons get hit by cars doing this job (drivers are sleepy) and they face static from newcomers who decide to drive for 20 hours straight before joining the line. Unrewarding? Off the mark. The Gate, Perimeter & Exodus folk I know have multiple years under their belts, & can walk away anytime, or take a year to rest. They do it because they love it. You may read more about them here.

http://gate.burningman.com/

Once you attend a Burn, you will see when you arrive why the constraints of the terrain (2 lane highway, 50,000 people trying to squeeze through it at once) and a need to take tickets from every car (and search them) create a specific but non-violent atmosphere. If this stresses you out & you would bring premature attitude to the proceedings, get in early with a theme camp, or arrive late.

I would urge you not to rush to judgment just yet, since you've never encountered them in person.

Received and understood!

It is certainly a most unique situation and processing 50,000+ people through a small access has got to take far more effort and experience than one might first consider...but still a few police to deal with the speeders must be of value?

[Savannah]

One asshat's alleged speeding and a tired Gatesperson's alleged loss of verbal cool does not mean there was any grand failure. There are actually plenty of police. They do hang out at Gate a little, and beyond Greeters. They stop people who crack beers in their cars before they reach camp, and may even gnab people with seatbelts off, etc. Not sure if they stop anyone for driving over 5mph--though actual speeding would probably get the crackdown it deserves. (There's not a lot).

And the police of course also patrol the city. Early anecdotal reports seem to suggest that they struck a balance this year. I hope that continues to pan out.

[illy dilly]

By professionals I mean to say have some personnel who can actual deal with errant drivers. Volunteers plus police as back up.

I had a nice long response written then when I went to post it showed that Jet Sinister and Savannah had both already posted, and you had replied.
So my response would have been redundant and useless.
We agree that one person saying one thing at one time is nothing more than a 'bad apple' in a group of people that bust their ass in pretty shitty conditions, working with people that are tired and sometimes cranky.

I had not realized you've never actually been through gates.
So just sorta some info on what its like, Right after gates the lanes some what converge into a few lanes. This is often the first time in hours that you've been able to travel continuously for more than 30-40 feet. People often speed and it is terribly dusty. At this point it is almost always white out conditions, especially from 11:59pm Sunday to 11:59pm Monday. Often times off to the side, out side of traffic, there are police SUVs. If a person speeds off from gates, a police vehicle could go rushing out to meet them, but unless they sped out very quickly the vehicle would be lost in the dust. Then the officer would just be hauling ass through white out conditions, trying to decide which pair of tail lights it was.

When you have a chance to go through gates, take a second and get our of your vehicle at gates, help the gate person search your vehicle, make sure everything is unlocked and easy for them to get into. And notice the huge amount of dust in the air. Try breathing and seeing with out any sort of facial protection for more than a few minutes. Some of the worst white outs I have seen on playa, are the 40 feet before and the drive from gates to greeters.

[Elderberry]

Hmmm....maybe the shifts are too long? If volunteers are pushed to the breaking point, that doesn't sound like a situation that is good for the volunteers, the attendees of the event or BMORG. So saying that the leadership at gate doesn't condone such behavior on one hand and having them push the scheduling of volunteers to the point said behavior is guaranteed to present itself seems to say that the gate leadership is responsible for said behavior. Maybe you just discovered the problem.

Atomic

Want some cheese to go with that whine? Awwwww...did someone say something to nasty for your delicate ears? So let me get this straight...you are so outraged at the volunteer threatening to vandalize your car that you're going to....physically assault him miles from medical help and leave him bleeding in the dust?

Huh.

CaptS's post seemed to try and explain WHY the comment was likely made vs. excusing the behavior. The leadership of Gate doesn't condone or accept such behavior. But people get tired, overworked and overwhelmed....yep..just like the rest of you.

Why don't you come on out and work for Gate and lend us some of your cool-headed professionalism?

LoR