Update: Falling in Love at Burning Man

[FIGJAM]

Love can deeply affect our souls.

Or is it arse holes, I can never remember.

[kiboy]

Love can deeply affect our souls.

Or is it arse holes, I can never remember.

In my cause it's both. Of course the girl has to be an open minded type.

[GreyCoyote]

Playa love is as real as any love. Perhaps its temporary, and once exposed to Defaultia rather fickle, but its very real (for a time) nevertheless.

Lets face it kids: if the real reason we were here was to have interesting conversations, the music wouldnt be so loud.

Burn On!

[chuckularone]

Grey, I love you. That was beautiful.

[maladroit]

On the other hand, ePlaya love is not real. I'm not sure if that makes it worse or better.

[GreyCoyote]

Maladroit: your experiences with playa love may not necessarily be those of others. For those with Cupids Arrow stuck firmly inn their ass, playa love is the real deal.

(Now why the fuzzy fook did that pissy little cherub miss ME? Its not like my ass is particularly small! Heck, its as wide as a barn door! Whadda I gots to do? Paint a tagret on my hiney? WHAAAAAAAA!!!)

[maladroit]

Maladroit: your experiences with playa love may not necessarily be those of others. For those with Cupids Arrow stuck firmly inn their ass, playa love is the real deal.

I said ePlaya love...

[kowtow]

Man, I sure fell in love at Burning Man:

• I fell in love with everyone that harassed me on those early morning "walks of shame" back to camp
• I fell in love with all the people that got me to break out of the initial rut of not wanting to get out and experience everything
• I fell in love with the two people that said "climb in the hammock kowtow"
• I fell in love with the woman who fed me, or tried to feed me morning, noon and night
• I fell in love with the man who changed the oil in my generator and pulled his trailer out of the way so I could exodus
• I fell in love with the woman who said "You choose what color Otter Pop I should have"
• I fell in love with the girl who painted my face to look like a cheetah and later painted my body to look amazing
• I fell in love with the guy (who's eplaya name escapes me at the moment) who made me a bracelet that he gifted to me at the eplaya M&G
• I fell in love with my entire camp who accepted me and welcomed me like nobody ever has
• I fell in love with Burning Sky for being awesome neighbors and even better friends
• I fell in love with the guy who showed more emotion than anyone and cried because his first burn was such a monumental and moving experience that it touched me like nothing else has
• I fell in love with the guy who let me sleep on his chase lounge for hours without any resentment
• I fell in love with the guy who let me have a clove cigarette and smoke one for the first time in over 10 years
• I fell in love with everyone that I could share a hug with
• I fell in love with the sound camp that let me climb on stage unfettered and shine my laser lights all over the dance floor
• I fell in love with the woman who showed me a night that I will never remember. A woman who picked my jaw up off the playa and showed me the magic that became my burn
• I fell in love with Embrace; being able to witness what was in your mind when you created such an amazing piece of art moved me like no other
• I fell in love with the Temple of Grace. I wanted to enjoy the temple for it's amazing construction, but separate myself from the emotions and purpose that filled the air. - I LOVE YOU ARNIE...RIP
• I fell in love with the crotchety ole' fuck on the corner of 5:00 and H who flicked me so much shit that I knew I had wished I was his age, so I could experience life's experiences right alongside him
• I fell in love with so many other people for so many additional reason, that I apologize for not being able to recite them all
• I can't wait to fall in love with all the other wonders that I haven't even discovered yet about Burning Man, but are out there just waiting for me!

There is love all over Burning Man. We can criticize this, that or the other thing, but in the end we all know, it's a special fuckin' place that you can't duplicate anywhere else on the planet. I thank God (or any other power higher than lil' ole' me) for allowing me to procure the ticket, prepare for nearly a year and flawlessly commute to and from this magical place in the desert.

Most of all, I'm so glad I was able to find ALL OF YOU and also find MYSELF during this epic adventure.

THANK YOU - kowtow

[theCryptofishist]

Love can deeply affect our souls.

Or is it arse holes, I can never remember.

In my cause it's both. Of course the girl has to be an open minded type.

Ah, ten points for beating me to it... Someone had to say it.

[theCryptofishist]

Lets face it kids: if the real reason we were here was to have interesting conversations, the music wouldnt be so loud.

And right there you have why I never did go to a lot of parties. And why I'm better on eplaya than the playa.

[LifeLooker]

Wow... I'm kind of blown away by what everyone's shared about the loves they met (and lost) at Burning Man..

[kiboy]

Lets face it kids: if the real reason we were here was to have interesting conversations, the music wouldnt be so loud.

And right there you have why I never did go to a lot of parties. And why I'm better on eplaya than the playa.

I go for the interesting conversations as much as the spectacle. I've had some three or four hour mind blowing conversations. Sometimes various substances were responsible but nonetheless. I love to chat. You can likely see that by how much I'm posting here already. And not having to work helps.

[ranger magnum]

I had an amazing interaction with a beautiful lady one night on a trampoline. I was mildly altered, and just enjoying the feeling of being on a bouncy surface while looking at the stars.

As I'm laying there, this girl climbs up and lays down next to me, takes my hand, and starts taking to me not only as though we had been friends a long time, but as though we had been having this conversion for hours.

As we talked for a while, she would intermittently kiss me, then go back to our conversion. A went on like this for quite some time, until she got up and left, just as suddenly as she arrived.

We didn't exchange names, let alone camp locations. I never really went looking for her after that, as I didn't want to ruin the magic of that night. This was probably eleven years ago; I still think of her and that night, and wonder whose life she has made better, just by being in it....

[kiboy]

and wonder whose life she has made better, just by being in it....

Don't be too sure of that. Better not to know too much as you said. The reality of the default world with it's struggles, especially without the drugs can be very different.

Beautiful story though.

[ranger magnum]

It really was beautiful, though I suspect that under any other circumstances it would have never occurred. This is where the beauty of pharmaceuticals comes into play. Certain ones break down barriers that we erect during the course of our lives. I've always believed that portals within our psyche can only be opened with them.

[RedHeaven]

First of all, CONGRATS to the OP. I hope it is still going strong!

I had an amazing interaction with a beautiful lady one night on a trampoline. I was mildly altered, and just enjoying the feeling of being on a bouncy surface while looking at the stars.

As I'm laying there, this girl climbs up and lays down next to me, takes my hand, and starts taking to me not only as though we had been friends a long time, but as though we had been having this conversion for hours.

As we talked for a while, she would intermittently kiss me, then go back to our conversion. A went on like this for quite some time, until she got up and left, just as suddenly as she arrived.

We didn't exchange names, let alone camp locations. I never really went looking for her after that, as I didn't want to ruin the magic of that night. This was probably eleven years ago; I still think of her and that night, and wonder whose life she has made better, just by being in it....

I love this, what a great written little story.
I love fleeting muses, as sad as they can be as well. Have had a few different varieties at burning man. The Never Have Sex Because He's Married But The Romance Was Amazing Guy, The Awesome Hot Quiet Who Is A Great Date In BRC But a Lousy One In Reg Life Guy, The Fast and Furious Fabulous One Hour Make Out Session guy, The British One Night Stand Who Was a Complete Bastard But Said The Nicest Things Ever To You Guy, The Kilt Wearin' Hottie With A Girlfriend Who Kinda Wants To Share But Really Doesnt Guy, The Good Friend Camp Mate Who You Should Totally Do But For Some Reason You Never Do But You Are In Love With Him Anyway Guy......The Cute Flirty At The Burn Burn But You Were Too Fucking Tired To Even React To It Guy......Oh man I have fallen in love at Burning Man WAY too much.

[robbidobbs]

I discovered men in my age bracket tend to be all worked up about their career and other default obligations. They have their routine, and don't trust a moving target when they are comfortable w their known variables at home.
And here's me waiting for the next best thing.
I have a saying that keeps me going: Don't look for someone who'll love you, become someone who can be loved.
15 years ago when I came across this concept, I was lost. I was a train wreak. I was an emotional drain that regularly did stream of conciousness monologues, like hearing my voice validated me. Then when I learned to love myself, I became quiet. Silence became much more empowering, as I had emptied myself enough to let others in. The love came flowing in, hell it rushed in!
So now I'm back on that same path, learning self love again. I have faith the insecurities will again dissipate.
Oh, and BTW I save up all year the stream of conciousness blathering for the playa. But I do spend a great deal more time out there silent than I did early in my career. I was scary. The amount of compassion jumped up a notch this year. Probably due to being surrounded by compassion, but also because I felt secure enough to show compassion. I just have to keep reminding myself now that the only person I'm emotionally responsible for is me. And the only person that can make me feel loved is me. Sounds trite, but it's harder than it seems.

[BoyScoutGirl]

I gotta agree with you, robbidobbs - an individual must learn to love themselves first. When that's missing, other (deep) relationships become strained.

[tatonka]

I discovered men in my age bracket tend to be all worked up about their career and other default obligations. They have their routine, and don't trust a moving target when they are comfortable w their known variables at home.
And here's me waiting for the next best thing.

Men have feeling to ya know ................... sometimes we feel hungry ")

[robbidobbs]

Sure Tatonka. Part of the problem could be attributed to enculturation. There is a wealth of evidence that men have feelings, just look at all the poetry and books etc.
I am not yet strong enough to support another right now, and that bothers the shit out of me. I want to help someone specific, but I'm feeling like I'm being shut out. Maybe he detects that I'm not capable, maybe it's just not his style to seek out assistance. Maybe I'm making up stories and this silence has nothing whatsoever to do with me. Maybe it's all just echoes from a mirror.
All I can do right now is become stronger, for and by myself. It's worked before. It's been a rough Decompression.

[Aurelia]

Well Robbid, you are being heard by me and you sound better than ever.
And you certainly have helped elevate the subject from sleazy comments to the heart .
I too had the exact kind of experience and even said to the darling man .. I love you

and then admitted that I am afraid of that power

xoA.

[robbidobbs]

It's only scary if you don't have faith in yourself is what I'm learning. I want him to be happy, that is enough. We also exchanged The "L" word, but realized it could be the playa talking. So I'm hoping it can translate to Defaultia, but if it doesn't, then all the hard work I'm doing will still be rewarded because I will be a better "me" than before I went out in August. Faith, is my word for post event. gratitude was my word during. It all is ok if you start with compassion.

[Aurelia]

Yes
and I am recognizing that I am indeed a coward regarding the heart
maybe because I do know it is maximum power

I was thinking of not going next year so that I would not have to face that power
Robbid , you are strong

xoA.

[robbidobbs]

I wish I was feeling strong today A.
...
Faith.

[robbidobbs]

I tried writing my update in this three times and erased it three times.
I'm insane. Completely insane.
...<more erasing>...
Fuck.

[Aurelia]

No worries RD, it is all just going on

You are a great soul of meaningful Life

and as my not-son taught me..restart is always ready.

xoA.

[tatonka]

[robbidobbs]

The Magic Mirror word today is...
Introvert
It all makes so much sense now. I'm finding out that Rain is an introvert. I feel so much better now that I'm learning what that personality type means. And no, it's not black & white but a scale. A good friend pointed out that I'm enough of an introvert to understand him, and enough of an extrovert to be a foil for him.
I can live with this.

[robbidobbs]

Thanks Ratty for smacking me upside the head. You know what I mean.

[GreyCoyote]

Thanks Ratty for smacking me upside the head. You know what I mean.

"SIT DOWN, SHUT UP, AND DRINK THIS!!!"

(Robbie: you made me *promise* to say that whenever you wandered in and didnt appear to be making sense, so I dutifuly complied. That being said, Ratty is mahvelous, so whatever she did, "you rock, Ratty!")