Sh*t heads. Bad attitudes. & cops!

CalebCamera · Post by **CalebCamera** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:06 pm

I'm sitting at center camp now. Great job to everyone that makes this happen.

To DPW people: leave your attitude at home. I know you are all so hardcore but my freakin ticket pays for your meals and showers, drop it!

I am lucky enough to be here early with an art project but it turns out I'm with some a holes or b holes. I have been asked or instructed 4 times to move my 'camp' stuff. Just to be clear I would like to have the chance to know where I am and where the sun and wind are before I unpack and settle in for two weeks in the desert. Thanks. That was totally awesome. Oh, by the way the first place I stacked my gear is still a pile of scrap that is STILL not in anyones way

This festival of 'inclusion' feels more like a highschool kegger I wasn't invited to. I was literally made fun of by a grown adult with gratis 'your crazy' hand signals to his friend. I was being a weirdo though. I was washing a condom to dustproof my gear. !? What a dick. I think I'll nickname him dickhead bob.

The cop encounter was at or near the DPW ghetto on wednesday evening. I may or may not have been under the influence at the time but these guys were very interested in bulk drug trafficking. Actually I must have been somewhat intoxicated because I was cut off and asked to leave their private DPW party. Was it the handstands or pole dancing or am I just an a hole?

I have made an effortto find the kind people. They are at 615 downtown

I hope you have a better time.
If I could sell my early wristband and ticket stub for a one way flight home I would.

I'm leaving the a hole camp to be alone in a sea of strangers.
The radical self reliance thing, Im good at that!

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:03 pm

JPEGs?

Post by **Sham** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:27 am

Hey Caleb, so you met the DPW crew. Yes, they work their asses off to build the city and they are very proud of it. It truly an amazing place these roust-abouts build. Some have drinking problems and some have bad attitudes and these bad qualities rub off on all of them.

You need to take a deep breath and take a step back and view this with wisdom and empathy. "They is what they is"!

If you think they are crusty, miserable bastards now, what 'til you see them at the DPW parade later in the week. When this is all over, they disassemble the city, clean up and then head to the bar in Gerlach to continue the constant state of intoxication. Nothing is going to change them and nothing is going to give them a nice happy demeanor toward people like yourself. Stay out of their way or just offer a bottle of cheap booze to them if you want them to be your friend (at least until the bottle is empy).

As far as cops go, if you appear to be new, bewildered or unsure of where you are going, they will act like DPW folks. That cop (I have a badge and you don't) bavado comes out. Hey, they got this cool detail for the week and they get to see tits too!

In short, chill out, and stay away from them all. The nice people will be showing up very soon.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:27 am

You need to take a deep breath and take a step back and view this with wisdom and empathy. "They is what they is"!

I am so fucking tired of hearing this bullshit.

Why is it that everyone has to (or 'should') acquiesce to the few DPW shit monkeys and their poseur-ass 'my house' attitude?

I've been hearing variations on this little apologia for more than a fucking decade and frankly, its wearing about as thin as its getting old.

Oh, and to the original poster... If you're there as an 'early in' you're there to help set up something. Why not get off the computer and get your ass to work.

BrotherDan · Post by **BrotherDan** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:31 pm

You're dealing with people that have been out in the heat doing hard labor for 3-4 weeks. That doesn't excuse them being assholes, or their "burnier than thou" attitudes but it certainly couldn't hurt to get a thicker skin when dealing with them. Stick it out 36 more hours and you'll have more friendly people around than you know what to do with (as long as you've got that chip off your shoulder by then).

Oh and as Badger said stop posting and build some shit

pandasex · Post by **pandasex** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:07 pm

i think everyone has the potential to A. Be a little cranky in the desert or B just be an asshole.

Keep it cool friend soon some people will be there and ready to feel some love. Also keep in mind how lucky u are (u are) i would love to be there at the start before ppl just to feel the desert and sky. So just remember its a long week more will come to change your experience or enjoy the quality time to feel the world around u.

PS. how did u get that wrist band i want one

julie_c · Post by **julie_c** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:44 am

"This festival of 'inclusion' feels more like a highschool kegger I wasn't invited to."
welcome to Burning Man! HAHAHA!!!

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 10:13 am

What the Badger said..

And from me: Quit your whining..

JaymePDX · Post by **JaymePDX** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 12:38 am

You should be far to busy (early arrival & all) to notice the attitude etc.

Figuring out where your stuff should be piled is kinda a matter of assertiveness on your part in BRC. Check your surroundings and the plans of the camp you're in and find your place then put your stuff up instead of laying it around in piles. Make sure you are in a spot that's not reserved and lay your effin claim to it!

I agree some of the DPW folks are douche bags... sorry but it is true, you can't help but notice it. I don't want to generalize because I know they're not all the same but yes there is a "I'm cooler than you" attitude at the very least... not to get into their other debatable qualities. I love the ones who are not dicks because they are rockin it and they do a kick ass job. The ones that are jerks... I personally just remember that I really don't care how long they've been out there... but if they're unwelcoming to you why would you want to kick it with them anyway? Let it go.

The cop presence was a bit much this year I must agree. But we all knew (if we kept in the loop) that they would be there. Why not just avoid them? I did my share of stuff they would not like let's say... and I never had any problems. I think it's a bummer that they are SO on a mission to seek out trouble in BRC to the point that their lurking has become pretty intense, but we're grown ups... we can do what we want if we carry ourselves well.

This was my 7th burn, myself and at least most burners I know have one "why am I here?" moment every year. (at least one) Mine is usually an acclimation issue and it passes with the crankiness as my body adjusts to the environment and altitude (which is all drastically different from Portland!) I suspect that was part of your issue when posting.

I hope you walked it all off and had a good burn. BRC really is what you make of it! That is the whole point. There are some a holes (maybe even a lot of a holes) here just like anywhere else... I guess the key is not to be one. Take a breath, get your work done, drink water, eat well, flip off the DPW and ignore the cops (unless they address you of course) and burn for yourself and whatever it means to you stop worrying about what everyone else is thikin or doing to make it suck for you... you choose.

SageV · Post by **SageV** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 1:36 am

The rules you won't find in the survival guide have always read:

1) Fuck the theme.

2) Someone will not fuck the theme, they are organizing your camp.

3) Stay out of the way of the person organizing your camp, or you will have more work to do.

4) Don't fuck with DPW. There's more of them than you.

5) If you fuck with DPW, you will have more work to do.

6) Bring bacon.

7) Gift bacon early, gift bacon often. You will have less work to do.

8) The playa takes what the playa wants...even your bacon.

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:47 am

How many DPWers does it take to screw in a light bulb?

100.....for a week....and no one fucking appreciates it!!!!! Gimme yer whiskey, hippy!

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:40 am

Fire_Moose wrote:How many DPWers does it take to screw in a light bulb?

100.....for a week....and no one fucking appreciates it!!!!! Gimme yer whiskey, hippy!

That's a lot of DPWers to get into one light bulb.. But then again with enough laxative¿¿¿

JaymePDX · Post by **JaymePDX** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 3:04 pm

I think most burners DO appreciate and recognize what the DPW does. Or maybe not... I don't know anyone who doesn't anyway.... I've always left donations of alcohol and such other goodies for them. I've personally never had any really bad experiences with them, but I have seen other people have issues for sure....

The thing that I think is so stupid is the "burnier than thou" snobbery that they exhibit. There are times I'm sure if they saw me they would do the same... and times they would like me more... and it's only really based on how you look at the time... that's just kinda High School and pathetic on their part... it doesn't really say anything about the people subjected to it. It's like any clique in that way, and just as lame.

In fact if I wanted to be on that level with them I could just throw out that I've been to burningman more times than some of those kids anyhow so really if it ever came up I'd just say "kiss my ass" and move on.

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:26 am

Try asking one of them who is speeding past you to slow down.

CalebCamera · Post by **CalebCamera** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:31 am

Everything changed the morning after my original post. I truly experienced an evolution in consciousness.
My best friend was arriving with the Palindrome camp that night. Coincidentally they landed directly on top of the tent I had set up at 515 B two days earlier. ! Random playa goodness.

Another very close friend was working with Support Services (Heavy Equipment DPW) and she introduced me to the core members of the DPW. They are a cool group of people and deserve a greater share of the money. Artist being awarded a$$ loads of cash while general laborers work for free is a bit of bullsh*t. I actually got to ride in the DPW Limousine for a tour of the playa. Thank you Need A Smoke, you are a fine gentleman. The stop at the Wedge lead to the death of my Canon S-80. The video is awesome and it is an honorable second death for a great camera (that I will be sending in for repairs shortly).

check www.flickr.com/photos/integral-lens for photos and vimeo.com/ilens

so long, and thanks for all the fish !

Kinetik V · Post by **Kinetik V** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:36 am

mojo wrote:Try asking one of them who is speeding past you to slow down.

Note to self: Next year bring portable spike strips. And the most obnoxious bullhorn I can find. I'm not afraid of any fucking DPW member, period and I've yelled at them before to slow the fuck down and I'd do it again in a split second without the slightest twinge of worry or regret. Dust is dust, and I don't give a rat's ass if it's a BLM Ranger, Pershing County Sheriff, or DPW person kicking it up by speeding, I've yelled at them all.

But in the interest of fairness when it comes to speeding don't forget to watch out for the minimalist decorated art cars with stickers that say "STAFF" on the back...they make the DPW crew look like saints.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:30 pm

Great article about DPW a few years ago in the Spock Science Monitor:

"Team of Unemployable Drugheads Reluctantly Builds City in the Desert."

We built this city for you, and now you have to kiss our asses for it!

Must say that every DPW interaction (as well as every LE interaction) was completely positive for me. Heard a number of people complaining about having been asessed the Stupid Tax by BLM, but don't have a lot of sympathy for them, really. They don't try THAT hard to enforce posession laws.

AKAparttime · Post by **AKAparttime** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:18 am

julie_c wrote:"This festival of 'inclusion' feels more like a highschool kegger I wasn't invited to."
welcome to Burning Man! HAHAHA!!!

HA HA HA I hope he went home.

CalebCamera · Post by **CalebCamera** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 10:03 pm

[quote="AKAparttime"][quote="julie_c"]"This festival of 'inclusion' feels more like a highschool kegger I wasn't invited to."
welcome to Burning Man! HAHAHA!!![/quote]

HA HA HA I hope he went home.[/quote]

NO. I didn't go home bitch! And I'm coming back early again with a better , or reformatted attitude. Suck a dick. Your own if you're lucky.
fuck you infinity!

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 10:09 pm

If you go to your profile and enable your BBCode your quote function will work.

AKAparttime · Post by **AKAparttime** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:45 am

CalebCamera wrote:
AKAparttime wrote:
julie_c wrote:"This festival of 'inclusion' feels more like a highschool kegger I wasn't invited to."
welcome to Burning Man! HAHAHA!!!

HA HA HA I hope he went home.
NO. I didn't go home bitch! And I'm coming back early again with a better , or reformatted attitude. Suck a dick. Your own if you're lucky.
fuck you infinity!

More inert droneing.

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 10:15 am

I dunno, I kind of like her. And she spells your/you're correctly.

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 11:59 am

I think I like Caleb as well.

Burning Man is a big tent. If it weren't for DPW all those fucked up unemployable types would be forced to mingle with us

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 12:00 pm

Teo del Fuego wrote:I think I like Caleb as well.

Burning Man is a big tent. If it weren't for DPW all those fucked up unemployable types would be forced to mingle with us

very, very good point.........
although, they'd not be able to afford the ticket......

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 3:20 pm

Teo del Fuego wrote: If it weren't for DPW all those fucked up unemployable types would be forced to mingle with us

god forbid.

next thing you know, pirates, ninjas, and the worst kind of criminal element will set up shop in our fair city.

that's right...

wait for it.

wait some more...

ok, you've waited long enough...

next thing you know they'll be letting PERVERTS AND SEXUAL DEVIANTS in to the event.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 3:46 pm

The Greeks would be proud, Simon...........
you are the penultimate philosoph, only shadowed by................

wait

you deserve this.............

no, really...............

CalebCamera · Post by **CalebCamera** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 12:51 am

AKAparttime wrote:
CalebCamera wrote:
AKAparttime wrote:
HA HA HA I hope he went home.
NO. I didn't go home bitch! And I'm coming back early again with a better , or reformatted attitude. Suck a dick. Your own if you're lucky.
fuck you infinity!
More inert droneing.

like BassCamp on Friday... WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP...Just not 'dancy' enough.
Trance-Trance Revolution!

knowmad · Post by **knowmad** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 1:04 am

ygmir wrote:The Greeks would be proud, Simon...........
you are the penultimate philosoph, only shadowed by................

wait

you deserve this.............

no, really...............

Dang she's hot, wish I could catch her jerking off in a movie theater.

@OP; Sad. everything you wrote made me think you did not have a nice time at the burn. Sad, because If you can't enjoy yourself there, I bet Default world is gonna get you killed, or drive you more nuts [*Makes Crazy Hand Jesters*] and just so you know, there is a Positivity thread, you can post on it might make you feel better, or maybe not so horrible. jesayin.

Sh*t heads. Bad attitudes. & cops!

Sh*t heads. Bad attitudes. & cops!

well.....

dpw

You are all correct !