Ask Ranger Hot Head

[Ranger Hot Head]

• Ask Ranger Hot Head

What do you want?
What is it?
What's the matter?

[HughMungus]

No offense, but, why do Rangers always have this sort of slinky, beat-down, unhappy look to them? I've noticed that a few years now. They look like they are having THE worst time on the playa.

[Ranger Hot Head]

Rangering is serious business. It's involves a lot of grim responsilibity looking after all these sory ass civilians like yourself. But of course, you wouldn't understand the meaning of responsilibity. You're just hero to party. Are you lost? Of course you are! Your pupils are like fucking black flying fucking saucers. We better get you to medicle, right away. And who the fuc asked you if we're having a good time? We've go the busienss to take care of.

[DVD]

Rangering is serious business. It's involves a lot of grim responsilibity looking after all these sory ass civilians like yourself. But of course, you wouldn't understand the meaning of responsilibity. You're just hero to party. Are you lost? Of course you are! Your pupils are like fucking black flying fucking saucers. We better get you to medicle, right away. And who the fuc asked you if we're having a good time? We've go the busienss to take care of.

The real answer is that they like to feel that way all the time. It is a compulsion. So when a "Ranger" leaves his/her life in the bad reality world they carry that need to feel miserable and let everyone else know about it in to the good reality world.

It is best to think of them like the corrupt town police force- they do. And don't feel bad for them- remember that they are the mintue part of societey that enjoy feeling oh-so-overwhelmed by their hefty responsibilities.

(Real 'conversation' in BRC 2005:

Me(truly enthusiastically): "Yea for the Rangers!"
Unidentified Rager with the typical delusion of persecution complex: "Fuck you!")

So as you can see the Rangers are mainly there to fulfill their desire to remain angry, dispossesed and facile in the face of the overwhelming beauty of life.

[DVD]

Just a little followup here to further illustrate my point- I recieved this scant minutes ago:

"Hey butthead, you forgot to uncheck 'Disable BBSCode in this message' in Ask Ranger Hot Head. This is why the quote thing didn't work right. Next time, preview your message before posting.

You've got less than one hour to edit your post and fix it so that the quote works.

Hot"

I guess I am *way* off base with my assesment.

[Isotopia]

Hothead, it'd be nice if you make note that with your posts you don't speak for nor do you represent the Tan while posting to this board.

Most of the Tan refrain from logging on here as Ranger (insert name here).

[spectabillis]

If this is done out of humor, great.

But if this is done to be a general troll... well... just have to see I guess.

[DVD]

If this is done out of humor, great.

But if this is done to be a general troll... well... just have to see I guess.

See about what exactly? Are we going to start with court proceedings?

[Ranger Hot Head]

• Ask Ranger Hot Head

What do you want?
What is it?
What's the matter?

.

[JediDale]

First of all, since I don't use intoxicants, obviously this aids my communications abilities that are clear and precise. Act professional and courteous around them! Think of how many jerks they have to deal with during the event and think how would you feel after smart ass #6,792
comes up and starts disrespecting them? Yes, there were a couple of bad apples I ran into. I am sure that for some of those types they have control issues and pent up emotions. They are just human like most (OK some!) of us! Conduct yourself as you would any authority figure and you probably will not have a problem. Also consider this, were you here in lovely Reno or just about any city, and came up to a cop and you had dilated pupils, BAM! On go the cuffs and off you go! I consider it a nasty job that they must do. Consider would you like a County Sherriff to help you? BAM! On go the cuffs and off you go! Consider yourselves lucky to have these people versus the alternatives. I don't know why but
I seemed to always call them "Mister Ranger" (Watched way too much Yogi Bear as a kid!) and got great positive responses. Do you like to be addressed as Yo Dude, Hey, Hey You, Dude, Eh Lady, Ay Man, etc, by strangers? When someone is in authority adress them as such. We don't need more "Imperial Interference" now do we?


Genuinely,

Jedi Dale Of Reno

[HughMungus]

I always thought maybe they felt like they were representing "the man" (the law one, not the 40' one) and felt a little sheepish about having to harsh some buzzes out there. I dunno. I've been to Burning Man 6 times and never had a Ranger come up and say hi. Seems that would be a good thing to do to help people understand why they're there, give some on-the-spot advice ("You're going to lock down the bike, right?") and so on.

Rangering is serious business. It's involves a lot of grim responsilibity looking after all these sory ass civilians like yourself. But of course, you wouldn't understand the meaning of responsilibity. You're just hero to party. Are you lost? Of course you are! Your pupils are like fucking black flying fucking saucers. We better get you to medicle, right away. And who the fuc asked you if we're having a good time? We've go the busienss to take care of.

The real answer is that they like to feel that way all the time. It is a compulsion. So when a "Ranger" leaves his/her life in the bad reality world they carry that need to feel miserable and let everyone else know about it in to the good reality world.

It is best to think of them like the corrupt town police force- they do. And don't feel bad for them- remember that they are the mintue part of societey that enjoy feeling oh-so-overwhelmed by their hefty responsibilities.

(Real 'conversation' in BRC 2005:

Me(truly enthusiastically): "Yea for the Rangers!"
Unidentified Rager with the typical delusion of persecution complex: "Fuck you!")

So as you can see the Rangers are mainly there to fulfill their desire to remain angry, dispossesed and facile in the face of the overwhelming beauty of life.

[HughMungus]

Consider yourselves lucky to have these people versus the alternatives. I don't know why but
I seemed to always call them "Mister Ranger" (Watched way too much Yogi Bear as a kid!) and got great positive responses. Do you like to be addressed as Yo Dude, Hey, Hey You, Dude, Eh Lady, Ay Man, etc, by strangers? When someone is in authority adress them as such.

Oh hell yes. They do a great job and are extremely necessary. I guess we haven't had to interact with them much since we've had no major drama in six visits. I *do* make a point to at least say hi and check on them as they're strolling by. And I can understand the people there wearing them down (especially if they mistake them for real LEO's).

[DVD]

Conduct yourself as you would any authority figure and you probably will not have a problem.

Everything you say makes perfect sense. But I do take issue with this one particular sentence. BRC Rangers are not Authority figures. They have the ability to call them in- but they themsleves have no real authority. I think this is what is the source of some of that anger in some.

Now I am sure I will get a lecutre about just what authority the event gives them- but the important part to remember about that is that it isn't real.

Now, that said- I love that the BRC Rangers give up their time to be as completely helpful as they are. Wednesday, the winds were kicking up and who was right there to tell me it was going to get worse and to be ready? The Ranger. If I hadn't known that, parts of the camp would have been wrecked.

The Ranger was the one asking around for people from Louisiana. Not one single cop asked.

The Rangers are our caretakers they aren't cops.

And that's the way I see it as being best.

Goodnight, I have been Walter Cronkite.

[JediDale]

Let me say that the Rangers aren't authority fugures DIRECTLY. However,
start up some shit with them and watch how effectively that little radio can get some REAL authority figures there! So they are to a certain degree, authority by proxy.


Genuinely,

Jedi Dale Of reno

[DVD]

Let me say that the Rangers aren't authority fugures DIRECTLY. However,
start up some shit with them and watch how effectively that little radio can get some REAL authority figures there! So they are to a certain degree, authority by proxy.

That's basically what I said and indicated that this may be a source of some of the sour and/or holier-than-thou-Dungeon Masteresque-attitudes.

It doesn't help that a small minority of Rangers seem willing to find shit where there isn't any and that a degree of nepotism shield them from losing any squabbles citizens have with them. Again, a small minority. Being a sensitive person, I am pretty good at picking up on that attitude and know which ones to steer clear of.

[Ranger Hot Head]

Let me say that the Rangers aren't authority fugures DIRECTLY. However,
start up some shit with them and watch how effectively that little radio can get some REAL authority figures there! So they are to a certain degree, authority by proxy.

That's basically what I said and indicated that this may be a source of some of the sour and/or holier-than-thou-Dungeon Masteresque-attitudes.

It doesn't help that a small minority of Rangers seem willing to find shit where there isn't any and that a degree of nepotism shield them from losing any squabbles citizens have with them. Again, a small minority. Being a sensitive person, I am pretty good at picking up on that attitude and know which ones to steer clear of.

Yeah, sensative enogh to feel my +2 stun gun on your stalker bullshit. Don't make me go 007 on your ass! I've got my comm radio write here, baby. I can have my posse all over you in a matter of minites.

[DVD]

Yeah, sensative enogh to feel my +2 stun gun on your stalker bullshit.

I thought Chaotic Neutral weren't allowed enchanted weapons?!?!?

Oh where are the RULES!!

BTW- that made me laugh so hard I nose spit the Ovalteen all over my keyboard and my Hot August Night II Criteron Collection DVD. You'll be getting a bill.

[JediDale]

Do you mean that I can't carry my light saber/stun gun anymore?
If you want to see what authority is, read a book or the movie called "King Rat" Seems this little Corporal had a whole P.O.W. camp
totally ran by him. When the allied forces freed the camp they asked who was in charge. Some higher ranking soldier said "He Is!" pointing to the Corporal, not the Coronel of the P.O.W.'s! He was the authority because the soldiers gave him the power to make the decisions.
Read your ticket stub and you will see that by accepting entrance you thereby agree to give BRR's authority.


Genuinely,


Jedi Dale Of Reno

[DVD]

Read your ticket stub and you will see that by accepting entrance you thereby agree to give BRR's authority.

As I mentioned- it ain't real authority... but just cause you asked me to- where on the stub does it say authority? Nowhere- it does mention rules in the SG and here is what they say:

"They do not represent a law enforcement agency and do not directly deal with violations of the law, apart from infractions of the public rules of Black Rock City. They are a non-confrontational mediating entity devoted to public safety and the quality of participant experience. They are members of our community. You should feel free to request assistance from them at any time."

The only out here is the "infractions of the Public Rules of BRC" and those hardly qualify as real or even remotely cared about when the 'hammer falls'. They are admittedly arbitrary and difficult to enforce,

They excell in the cartaker position. I hope that spirit stays alive.

[Badger]

They have the ability to call them in- but they themsleves have no real authority. I think this is what is the source of some of that anger in some.

Wondering if I should get you a bed pan before you spout any more opinions.

[DVD]

Wondering if I should get you a bed pan before you spout any more opinions.

That's a nice Ranger-esque response from a ranger. Are you actually suggesting with this cryptic post that there are no rangers that feel the way I have described?

As we have actually met off playa(you probably don't remember me) I know that you do not have these feelings of inadequacy. But to say that no others do or that no others behave very poorly is just ignoring facts.

As I said I revere the rangers. They give up their time to be the caretakers of a bunch of crazies- but they know that going in. To react with such venomto the occasional "Where am I?" or other drugged out question is to deny reality or at the very least hilight that perhaps there are other internal frustrations at play.

[drewsky]

there was a small woman ranger.
she was asian.
she was a so very kind to me.
she walked up to me while I was checking out the man on monday.
she told me how it was built and how to spin him.
she watched me smile as the man lit up.
the night of the burn she was the ranger that stood infront of my section of crossed legged people.
she smiled at us and when the time came to rush the man, she caught my eye and said: RUN!

[The Bass]

i realize this is a humor/joke thingy, but i just gotta say, having been involved with a big theme camp for a few years, the rangers RULE. we've had freakouts, collapses, injuries, whatever -- the rangers have ALWAYS been responsive, helpful, and patient, at least when they're dealing with a serious situation.

good training, methinks. and good folks.

[Bitterman]

jeezus christ just smile at 'em and say hi and they will respond in kind. They aint the cops...aw geeze, what am I mad about anyways? huh? Oh yeah, Hey HotHead Piss Off, I mean, Hey man what's up? Why don't you use your Ranger pull and get the Org to close the F-ing gates on Wednesday? That'd be great. Can you do that?

In the "real" world most of 'em are like Myron in Office Space, so in Black Rock City they get to be a somebody. Don't you get it. It's like role reversal and shit man. It's all good and shit. Hug 'em. Smile at 'em. Give em yer trinkets and flyers, maybe a pull offa yer wine bottle. Unlike the Feds and the Cops... the Rangers will take 'em and thank you.

(sigh...I wish I was a Ranger. When I wear my ShortFuse shirt I look like a Ranger and some people even ask me stuff and then they see it's me and they go "oh" and walk away)

[Janka]

Every volunteer event I have been involved with seems to have these people whose idea of fun is to walk or drive around in uniforms and serious expressions, wearing a headset and looking important. I admit that they are a slightly amusing kind of people, but I have learnt that they are also a very important group of people: they actually enjoy taking care of things other people would not touch with a 10-foot pole, and they actually enjoy being organized and serious about it.

And hell, if that is the case, please do let them. What's it to us if their chosen attire looks silly to us, or if their expressions are kind of not what the mainstream of the event likes to wear? Are you saying there are costumes too silly for BM, or that we have a decree of mandatory cheerfulness in place? :)

[blyslv]

Why do people who don't use intoxicants feel compelled to announce that fact?

BFD!

Hey hot head, how's the anger management strategy going? Looks like you could use some help!

[Kinetic IV]

Ahh, a 3Playa defender of the indefensible.

Now is a good time to try out PLONK for a bit...I may or may not use it but the temptation is there.

Anyway I'm sure a comment from "the evil one" or "the vile one" as my name is of late will piss him off. I happen to like Ranger Hot Head's comments...I see this as nothing more than someone going back to the roots of BM when cacaphony was more involved and he's poking the tan a bit in the old school tradition...a few of them (Certainly not representing the majority of which many are the best people you'll ever meet) are pompous asses and need to be brought down a bit anyway.

And he sure got a response from Badger...it's like whomever Hot Head is knows how to play a few of them like a violin.The posts speak for themselves....

[ZaphodBurner]

The Zaphod camp discovered the Rangers are quite friendly and playable when confronted with cold root beer in the middle of the afternoon.

If I had to deal with e-tards and hippies all day, I'd be pissy too.

[Kinetic IV]

With rootbeer that good you could win almost anyone over. That was really good stuff and at the perfect temp even.

The rangers have to put up with a lot of flak...that's true. But there are a lot of Rangers who do their job and don't bring an attitude along for the ride. There are a few that do...and it's nice to see someone razz them a bit to gently encourage some introspection and possible change.

[Cabanasprings]

Wondering if I should get you a bed pan before you spout any more opinions.

I think it would be a great idea for you to get a bed pan - you can use it to was away your prejudice and give your "tan" ego a nice cool bath.