Do you love to feed the hungry?

[Jesster]

Hellew there--are you a kitchen guru/witch/elf/nazi of any kind? By that i mean do like to plan/order/shop/organize/pantryize/chop/sautee/boil/broil/stir/fry/blend/serve/clean/do dish/and then do it all over again?
We love you....we want you....we want to include and entertain and worship you. All 200 hundred of us...yahoo.
We are The Red Nose District (see us at www.rednosedistrict.org)...we are a conglomerate of circus camps and we need kitchen care. We are looking for a team to wrangle our culinary needs. This is our first year as a combined group and we are very excited and SOOOO well on our way to a SUPREME camp....BUUUT...we need you.
Our primary aim is to create a camp where eveyone in it is contributing in a way that they enjoy and excel at...so that it feels less like work and more like a palette upon which to create. If we each are doing what we love then the puzzle is complete and the camp runs smoothly.
But as the adage goes: birds of a feather stick together---and we are all a bunch of clowns....(and carnies and riggers etc.).
Sooo...if you look us up and ya likes the way we looks...drop us a line...we would love to chat.
We're hungry for the likes of you!!!

[Badger]

We are looking for a team to wrangle our culinary needs.

Christ at least they aren't advertsing it as a paying position.

Yet.

[Kinetic IV]

Whatever happened to: "It's just a fucking camping trip"?

At this rate the ORG's "commissary" won't be alone for long. I'm wondering if anyone has already had food catered in to get around the need to find people like the original poster is asking for.

Maybe I'm over-reacting but damn, how big are the theme camps gonna get? And I wonder when they'll start asking the LLC for money to fund the kitchen like the dance camps are asking for funding for their excesses? Sheesh at this rate I wonder what's coming next? Funding for extra patchouli and more glow sticks?

[dragonfly Jafe]

...on the other hand, here is a prime opportunity for someone who has an agenda vis-a-vis clowns. Who ever suspects the cook?

[AntiM]

I believe one of the merged camps is TOTEM. How bad can that be?

[trilobyte]

I'm no camp cook, but good luck. And kudos for realizing your camp's needs and reaching out to try and find someone who could be the right fit.

[Jesster]

wow....i am so bewildered by all the crustiness...why so bitter people?!?
We aren't cramping anyone's style...we aren't hurtin' no one...we are 5-9 year vets trying to ease up on the struggle and create a cohesive web of talents and creativity....and since we have been around for a while and we are a bunch of camps combining our fabooness, we are large...no more people or stuff than we were individually...just streamlining and gettin' smart....trying to create more time for enjoyment once there.
Be constructive with your comments...or helpful...if we could say it better offer suggestions maybe. Don't know nothin' about the ORG commissary so we certainly won't be moving in on them--don't worry.
But be sure to stop by for a visit....if all we pull together for food is P, B and J's then that's what we'll offer ya.
But our shows are sure to be fun!

[Desert Duck]

To tell you the truth, as an experienced burner and experienced cook, I found this to be an enticing offer.

For myself, though I feel this would be a unique opportunity to join an interesting Themecamp, I am already commited.

For what it's worth, I don't feel that the request is out of place, but a month and a half is a little too close to be looking for a head cook or anything of that level.

I do wish you guys luck, and being that my camp is supposed to be clown-free and my first costume is the undersized {EVIL} Jester, I may need some refuge at some point.

If everyone suddenly decides to hate me, can I come and cook for penance?

BTW, I'm an 8 year burner with over 100 days on playa (work weekends, etc.)

Oh, yeah. I'm a Recycle Fuck and a complete asshole who would give you the shirt (or dress) off my back if I thought you needed it (even a little bit).

See you on the Playa!!!

(consider this a bump)

[Ron]

wow....i am so bewildered by all the crustiness...why so bitter people?!?...

Good question and one I wish I had a good answer to. There seems to be a fair sized contingent of the eplaya who think they know how the burn must be done. Violate their conceptions by looking for recreational sex while you're there, bringing a "crew," of folk to do some of the work for you, showing up too late in the week, or otherwise not being "burner enough," and they pop off.

A feeling of owning what the burn is combined with a desire to defend it? Rejection reaction after being not welcomed in the "default" world/"frat boy" camp/whatever? General free floating sex negativity? I don't have an answer but I surely have noticed the, "crustiness," you're asking about....

Ron

[EspressoDude]

generally crustiness is a sign of a wound or infection that is not healing properly

[Kinetic IV]

So when is Levy Restaurants going to setup a "temporary" restaurant on the playa again? Or how about getting those fine folks from "Lettuce Entertain You" in Chicago...they love working with "themes".

I understand what the original poster is looking for...yet at the same time somebody has to stand up and say whoa! Is this the way the event should be going? Then hopefully you get a discussion going, the community speaks and the majority's voice is heard...it's either acceptable or not. So that's what I was trying to do even if the route I took to get there was a little wacky.

Dreaming ahead to BM in 10 years is it going to reach the point where if you go you have to have a supporting entourage? Whatever happened to radical self reliance? It used to be a hallmark of the event, now I wonder if it's truly dead. And that takes me back to my first comment about commercial restauranteurs showing up...with the ever increasing level of "expectations" and in some cases "entitlements" I'm wondering when the theme camps will start asking for food allowances or ask to tap into the LLC's commissary. Where does it end? Where do you draw the line?

[Jesster]

I guess some camps are big and some camps are small.
Some years you go bigger than others...the years you go big you have to share the load.
I do not know why you need to critique....how it really effects you.
The beauty of BM is that stretches and grows but doesn't lose it's core feeling...
Big camps have a very important role in the over all sense of effort and love for the city...how else would things like the Temple get built? I know they have a very elaborate feeding system in order.
In any case, we are looking for help to organize our kitchen and the feeding of our performers and tech people....we haven't asked ORG or anyone but the people who will be fed to put any money out....
We are not asking for patchouli and glow sticks to be paid for....we are looking for people who like to nourish people thru food....if that isn't you...why bother commenting?
The only thing that keeps change from being a good thing is instant negativity from folks like you i would say.
Surely you have more creative ways to spend your time....arg...certainly i do...why do i feel the need to take the bait?!?!? Oy.
But again...stop by for the show and a snack of whatever we got going.
P.S. thanks for the words Trilo, and Desert Duck...pulleez stop by whether you get booted out, or sick of anything.... and show us yer evil jester for sure....and if ya wanna jump ship give us a jingle...if nothing else stop by and nazi our recycling into shape. A simply Ducky Dessert idea!

[K-mom]

"...on the other hand, here is a prime opportunity for someone who has an agenda vis-a-vis clowns. Who ever suspects the cook?"


Ahhh it's not that complicated w/ clowns - a single car bomb will do the job - hit the right one and take them all down in one go.[/i]

[Kinetic IV]

Time for the shotgun approach....

Radical self-reliance is dead. You don't have to pay attention to anything on the back of your ticket anymore. Risk? About the only thing risky about BM anymore is the risk of having a flat on Jungo Road or maybe having an encounter with an open range cow on 447. Once in the event your every need will be attended to. Need food? We brought in our own cooks. What's next...will the LLC go through with that survey question they asked about 2 years ago where they wanted to know if people would be interested in a mini-hardware / camping store on the playa where you could buy things you forgot to bring? Where does it stop? Is there a place for radical self-reliance anymore?

It's one thing to have a small camp or community where people team up or take turns with food prep. But when you get to 200 people or more and you start bringing in a dedicated cook how much longer will it be before you bring in other support people...say camp de-moopers or so...and before you know it a trip to BRC is just like taking a trip to other destinations like a NASCAR race where you can have your every whim catered to...

Then there's the angle of having the Health Department getting involved...setting up an organized food service cook or team serving 200 people gives the Health Department another potential avenue for sticking their nose in (which they've already tried to do with public swimming pools and other things)...in the interest of public safety of course and then we get stuck with more and more regulations...which further pushes the event away from it's roots and starts blurring the lines between this being a special event or just another festival....

I do apologize...this is the first year for the proposed idea and I don't like attacking new ideas. It's no fun. But...if the event is made too comfortable, too easy, it cheapens the experience for anyone that rolls through the gate. I don't want that and I'll bet I'm not alone with my thoughts either. Yes the event will change over time...some change is good. But is this the kind of change we want out there? Again where do you say enough?

[Desert Duck]

Okay, I was making an eloquent point-by point response, till my computer suddenly goes <click> and I'm elsewhere. DAMN!!

Anyway, since I'm not going to try to remember, here's the quick.

Big camps are here to stay, we're a City, now, and not just a wilderness camping trip.

Most Themecamps (large and small) have some arrangements made.

Yes I'll come over and scare the crap out of everyone.

If your camp needs advice on Recycling, compost, etc.., PM me, I'll help there, but if I come by and you guys are a mess, you'll think that KIV was giving compliments.

Give 'em hell (lots of clown-haters out there).

Duck out.

[Zulegoona]

Ok another pointless comment
This is only my second year as part of a theme camp and neither is or was all that huge. I can certainly see that the bigger you get and the more you try to do there is a greater need for people with specialized talent and skills. If your running a radio station not just every one can set up the equipment and make it go, If you have a large stage set up you really do need someone who knows about lighting equipment, circuit load, safe wiring and rigging practices , and so on.

In a smaller camp the people who tend to like cooking and nourishing people , giving through service in some other way just flow into those roles , or something eventually gets worked out. In a large undertaking feeding a large number of people needs someone who has the specialized skills of doing that effectively, efficiently, and safely. Just letting people take turns being the kitchen boss isn’t really an option . you need someone who has a clue just to set up a kitchen that will work for large scale meal production, who knows about proper supplies and the right way to store them , who knows about prep and timing, and someone who gives a shit to make sure every thing gets washed and kept in a way to make sure you aren't going to make people sick.

An argument could be made that having a camp so large it requires that degree of specialization is the problem, but there are just some things that couldn’t happen with out them, worthwhile things, things we all appreciate and enjoy. Things that make Burning Man more than just a camping trip.

That said I as many others do bristle at the thought of those who would arrange for personal servant to see to there every need. The Idea that someone might be to much of a premadonna to get there own beer or so arrogant to feel they deserve and are entitled to be served is repugnant. Maybe it’s a class issue. To many of us the coming together in a harsh environment that places us all on the same plane rolling around in the dust together is important . It diminishes the barriers between people and helps us all come together as a whole.

[Kinetic IV]

I've got about 15 different points I could attack with...but due to my inability to eloquently get those points across I'll try and wrap up my argument with this post and move on....

I have nothing against the poster...and I understand the "why" behind the need. Yet to me it's another example of a class division in the BM community that frankly I don't like. The event I like has art built from recycled materials (like David Best's temples being built out of recycled wood pieces that are usually scrap...that comes to mind as a big example of what I'm talking about). It has music that is put together by individuals and groups that are willing to find ways to make their gear and equipment work in harsh conditions. (that knowledge can trickle back into society and eventually benefit us all with better gear for camp reality). It has theme camps where people team up to overcome problems vs. bringing in hired guns or throwing tons of money or off the shelf things in to address the issue.

Bringing in a cook like that makes the event become a bit plushier, less radical, it blunts the edge. It keeps people from thinking about their food, the packaging that goes into it, the logistics of hauling it out to the desert and making it last for a week. In short this is another step towards the dumbing down of the event...the easiest common denominator. It keeps people from having to think...they lose another part of the big picture perspective that could cause them to question things when they get back to the real world...they head into the store and see items with excessive packaging, materials that end up in landfills yet they don't care cause they don't know any different. But...had they spent a week in the desert planning out their food, making an active effort to reduce waste and packaging...they might become active enough to fire off an email at the least and say hey, there's got to be a better way of doing this, a more sustainable way.

Moving back to having people team up for potlucks and sharing food vs having dedicated cooks, I know that I've had the chance to try different kinds of food that I might have never tried in another setting. Not having a dedicated cook keeps people from being a spectactor...they have to get involved.

Maybe I'm off on a bad tangent here but I like Burning Man with it's rougher edges, the things that make you think, the things that have you take the commonplace and change it into something special. I don't want a homogenized experience. And I see this along with some other things as taking the whole city down that path regardless of if we like it or not...so while in one respect it's none of my damn business it's my city too and if I don't speak up about the things I don't care for nobody else will. And while it pisses a few people off when I do that...if I change one mind...if I cause one change somewhere along the line by what I post here than it's all been worthwhile.

And with that I'll try and shut up now.

[Ron]

....
I understand what the original poster is looking for...yet at the same time somebody has to stand up and say whoa! Is this the way the event should be going?

One theme camp's actions hardly add up to "the way the event should be going," seems to me, K. I applaud your intent but I'd also suggest you "save yourself," for big, imporant, and actual changes to the Burn culture, not to the eplaya. Not only are they two very different things but you'll find you have more credibility when you point such potentially bothersome things out if you do it less often. :)

Ron

[Ron]

....
I do apologize...this is the first year for the proposed idea and I don't like attacking new ideas. It's no fun. But...if the event is made too comfortable, too easy, it cheapens the experience for anyone that rolls through the gate.

Bullshit. Folk with paid support crews are nothing new to the burn, K. I've camped next to both public stars and rich folk camps who had paid staff there to cook their meals, manage their RVs, and so on going back to 1999 and none of their indulgences has degraded my burn one iota. In fact, one year when the water truck drivers told me that they had been forbidden by BMORG to service private RVs, so the drivers would be happy to do mine for an extra $200, it was our next door neighbors who paid the water bribe for everyone on the block. The neighbors had a camp with a paid staff, btw, and still they got the idea of "gifting," down seemed to me.

For that matter, have you walked by "first camp," in the past few years? Goodness, if having folk sleeping in a cushy space that was maintained by others were a problem that would have been apparent by now, I've gotta think.

....Again where do you say enough?

When folk leave big traces. When they bring guns, refuse to control the volume of sound they are producing, break the law, and so on. Or when they feel their way of doing the burn is better than everyone else's. Otherwise we keep our mouth shut and live and let live. If we want our own freedoms, we've got to give other folks the freedom to do things we don't like, in ways we wouldn't do them, seems to me.

Ron

[Zulegoona]

Good points Ron

[Desert Duck]

Naah, screw all that. We should legislate the event more and FORCE people to be reliant, and gifting, and crusty.

Screw radical self-expression and intentional community. What are they good for? We need RULES people. If we don't have more rules, people will wander around doing whatever they want, teaming up, bringing big rigs, plannning a year in advance, holding fundraisers, and we dont want any of that now do we?

I say (and what I say goes cuz I'm King Shit of the World) from here on out, if you can't get there on a bicycle, or on foot, you're not allowed in. That includes hitchhiking, and if I catch you even using a car to LEAN on on you way to the Desert, you're OUT!!

[Kinetic IV]

Thanks Ron for reminding me of some things I forgot about. Important things.

[Ron]

And thank you K for both your scrubbing of the eplaya for commercial messages and for being more able to keep your eyes open, while your fingers are typing, than the vast majority of folk floating around the e-world. Bravo! :)

Ron

[trilobyte]

A nice dialog, I'm glad I came back and checked this thread.

For what it's worth, I consider it far more reliant to anticipate the needs of having someone managing the kitchen and trying to make sure that's covered rather than leave that detail to chance and you wind up with hungry clowns out there, ravaging the playa for food...

Dammit, now I have a mental image in my head of something akin to Dawn Of The Dead but with clowns. Instead of moaning and slowly wandering the streets in search of brains and eating people, they slowly wander the streets in search of food and squirt people with plastic flowers and throw cream pies at you....

[K-mom]

Ditto: A nice dialogue. It's refreshing to see people discussing, refining and even recinding their viewpoints throughout. I don't see this on virtually any other messageboard/community I frequent.

Not sure if this is relevant, but last year I was a newbie, first-timer, and after a week of eating (mostly) canned and dried foods was lucky enough to be invited to the ORG's commissary for Friday dinner (friends&I were volunteering all week long in the ice tent). One of my friends, a fellow rookie, was so overblown by the fresh food that he wound up trying caesar salad for the first time. This is a guy who, despite working in a kitchen for the past two years, was so picky with his eating habits that he had always refused to try it. But in the desert it was a delicacy and it's been one of his favorites meals ever since. Not only that but it kind of blew the lid off his stubborn refusal to test new foods. We laughed about it all night: that he had to come to the desert to discover salad.

Our experience out there is all about novelty, choice, fresh experiences, and, as someone said in another thread about ice skating on the playa, "coming to BM and doing something ridiculously impractical, just for the hell of it."

All I would hope is that it's not exclusive, that in some way this shares or benefits the community as a whole.

[Kinetic IV]

All I would hope is that it's not exclusive, that in some way this shares or benefits the community as a whole.

IMHO that one line pretty much sums up my basic concerns.

[Jesster]

yeah, but does anyone know a cooker for the clowns and their essential others?
I mean i am ALL for figgerin' out life, death and eternity of BM, The Man, The City, The Religion but....I'm just tryin' ta feed those smearing faces...

Thanks for stoppin' by y'all.

[Ron]

LOL! Sorry, best I can offer is a spot of cool, shaded, grass for y'all to come hang out on, once your bellies are full. :)

Ron

[theCryptofishist]

all I can say is the neighboring camps better lock up their bicycles!




















Do I get the crustiness prize?

[trilobyte]

D'oh! Yes, Crypto, I think that one wins you the crusty prize.

I think it's safe to say that the crime you're referring to was committed by one fucked up individual, and isn't representative of clowns (or any other group of people) in general.