Back in the Default World

[Yobi Bear]

So Mothra and Mulligan warned me about not getting depressed back in the Default World.

I gotta tell ya, the 1st time I walked into a truck stop still wearing my Playa clothing and still in Playa mind, I was made fun of and laughed at. SUCKED! My wife had to get me back to Playa mind. Then it happened again just before entering CO, even after showring and putting on my default clothes.

Who has got advice on how 1st time Burners who have accepted the Playa can deal with the Default World and keep Burning Man active in their lives even tho they live far from any other Burners?

[peacefulhuman]

I feel you, Yobi - my first experience back in Default (this was also my first burn) was at the Loves in Fernley. Everyone was so nice and friendly! Presumably because they are used to burner traffic. But my second experience, not so much.

The 395 south through Reno is under construction, and the detour is not very well marked. After missing the correct turn-off twice, I ended up at a gas station, where I decided to fill up (even though I had half a tank), and I went in to use the restroom. I was not outrageously dressed, though I did look a bit odd in longjohns with striped underwear over them, boots, and lots of playa gifts hanging around my neck. Oh, and the guyliner might have added to the look. But still - it could've been worse.

So I go to the attendant and very courteously ask, "Can you tell me the best way to get back to the 395 south? I've missed the turnoff twice." He looks at me and says in a surly tone, "Sure - for five bucks." And he held out his hand. And held it. And held it. Finally, I stopped smiling and said, "Are you serious?" He said no, and told me how to get there, and when I thanked him very much, he -without a hint of a smile or a friendly manner- said, "You owe me five bucks."

Few hours later, saw a dad threatening to spank his young son because his son wanted to keep playing catch with him and the dad didn't want to play. Such is life back in this world.

I met a man in center camp who gave me a yellow Monopoly card that read, "Get Out of Reality Free" - I would like to use it now, please.

[TomServo]

I wish I were on the playa. But Burning Man is a Temporary Autonomous Zone. It doesn't end on the playa though. Theirs Decompression, Spring Clean up and 4th of Juplaya.

[Yobi Bear]

Wow...I mean...WOW! That's what I'm talking about!! The Default World man! You know, when my buddies mentioned it, it made sense, but it didn't sink in till I got off the Playa!

Thank you for your contribution brother! This perception is a reality that we have agreed upon. That's why, on The Playa, it was so different! It was a perception that we agreed upon. Now if we could get more guys and gals to agree to accept more of the Playa into THIS perception, perhaps we would be getting somewhere?

Does anyone know anyone who is running for federal government who has been to a Burn?

Yobi....

[Yobi Bear]

Ok, I live in New Mexico, and I didn't see any New Mexican's at the burn, so how the heck do we get to a decompression that is near the Four Corners? Some friends and I are thinking about throwing a Decompression in between Denver and the Four Corners to make up for it. So right now, it would be 4 people. Anyone want to DECOMPRESS?

[TomServo]

Ok, I live in New Mexico, and I didn't se any New Mexican's at the burn, so how the heck do we get to a decompression that is near the Four Corners? Some freinds and I are thinking about throwing a Decompression in between Denver and the Four Corners to make up for it. So right now, it would be 4 people. Anyone want to DECOMPRESS?

If their isn't one, start your own decompression! This october

[Yobi Bear]

Thanks Tom. That's what we are looking at by Oct, before it gets to cold. Do you know if we need to register it? Hell, we're radically self-reliant! Who needs to register!! : )

[TomServo]

Do it!

[Yobi Bear]

What I heard on the Playa:

"Everything in moderation....even moderation."

[bluesbob]

I had an excellent drive back from the Burn. Each stop I made people smiled and said hello. In Lone Pine, Ca., we pulled into a KFC to use the bathroom. I overheard a man across the parking lot say to his wife, "Look...Burners". He then yelled across the parking lot "How was the Burn?" Other than that one time, I think everyone just assumed we were off-roaders. It also may have helped that each stop I made I smiled and said hello first.

[bluesbob]

Ok, I live in New Mexico, and I didn't see any New Mexican's at the burn, so how the heck do we get to a decompression that is near the Four Corners? Some friends and I are thinking about throwing a Decompression in between Denver and the Four Corners to make up for it. So right now, it would be 4 people. Anyone want to DECOMPRESS?

We had no less than seven people from New Mexico in our camp.

[Parasitoid]

Check out the New Mexico regional page: http://regionals.burningman.com/us_nm.html

[jennajennalk]

I really don't like being back in this default world. It's strange. On the playa, if I like someone's outfit, I'll go right up to them and tell them so, but in this other reality, I can't. People react so weirdly. I drove away from Black Rock City feeling beautiful, wearing leg warmers, boots, denim shorts, a vest and a furry hat. My hair was unwashed, but I still felt clean. And damn it I looked great, but the looks I got on the way home suggested otherwise.

What is it about people being so mean? Normal folk are downright meaner than Burners. I don't know what it is about Burners, but we all seem to be nicer and kinder and more open. There were a few idiots I met on the playa who were none too pleasant, but for the most part the ones I met were great. If you're hungry, you'll be fed. If you're cold, someone will give you a hug or help keep you warm somehow.

As Burners, we need to maintain our kindness and generosity and loving natures and bring it from the playa to the rest of the world!

[TomServo]

I really don't like being back in this default world. It's strange. On the playa, if I like someone's outfit, I'll go right up to them and tell them so, but in this other reality, I can't. People react so weirdly. I drove away from Black Rock City feeling beautiful, wearing leg warmers, boots, denim shorts, a vest and a furry hat. My hair was unwashed, but I still felt clean. And damn it I looked great, but the looks I got on the way home suggested otherwise.

What is it about people being so mean? Normal folk are downright meaner than Burners. I don't know what it is about Burners, but we all seem to be nicer and kinder and more open. There were a few idiots I met on the playa who were none too pleasant, but for the most part the ones I met were great. If you're hungry, you'll be fed. If you're cold, someone will give you a hug or help keep you warm somehow.

As Burners, we need to maintain our kindness and generosity and loving natures and bring it from the playa to the rest of the world!

I agree! I've noticed, since 1999, that the larger BM has gotten, the more inclusive its gotten.

[Parasitoid]

I really can't imagine where everyone goes to get these "looks" they are reporting to have received.

I literally had half my shorts torn off and my ass hanging out in every gas station from BRC to Montana and I received the same smiles and respect I dished out along the way.

Maybe I am just fortunate during my travels but I like to think I get treated the way I treat others.

Treat each human, burner or not, with the love and respect you want to see in the world.

On that note I sure do wish I was back in the dust right now. I think that wiley janitor might have actually dusted my area while i was gone! THE NERVE!

[Yobi Bear]

Bluesbob wrote:

"I had an excellent drive back from the Burn. Each stop I made people smiled and said hello. In Lone Pine, Ca., we pulled into a KFC to use the bathroom. I overheard a man across the parking lot say to his wife, "Look...Burners". He then yelled across the parking lot "How was the Burn?" Other than that one time, I think everyone just assumed we were off-roaders. It also may have helped that each stop I made I smiled and said hello first."

Well of course we smiled. : )

[Yobi Bear]

Parasitoid wrote:

"I really can't imagine where everyone goes to get these "looks" they are reporting to have received.

I literally had half my shorts torn off and my ass hanging out in every gas station from BRC to Montana and I received the same smiles and respect I dished out along the way.

Maybe I am just fortunate during my travels but I like to think I get treated the way I treat others.

Treat each human, burner or not, with the love and respect you want to see in the world.

On that note I sure do wish I was back in the dust right now. I think that wiley janitor might have actually dusted my area while i was gone! THE NERVE!"


What I'm talking about is completely unsolicited mean spiritedness. Sure, there were some of those people on the Playa as well, but there was a stark difference between that & what I'm talking about. I like to think I'm a fair observer of people being an anthropologist, but that doesn't mean I hit the nail on the head so your comments are well worth thinking about and adding to the discussion. Thanks!

[Yobi Bear]

[quote="bluesbob"][quote="Yobi Bear"]Ok, I live in New Mexico, and I didn't see any New Mexican's at the burn, so how the heck do we get to a decompression that is near the Four Corners? Some friends and I are thinking about throwing a Decompression in between Denver and the Four Corners to make up for it. So right now, it would be 4 people. Anyone want to DECOMPRESS?[/quote]

We had no less than seven people from New Mexico in our camp.[/quote]

REALLY? That's why we ned to fly the New Mexican and texan flag next year! :)

[theCryptofishist]

What is it about people being so mean? Normal folk are downright meaner than Burners. I don't know what it is about Burners, but we all seem to be nicer and kinder and more open. There were a few idiots I met on the playa who were none too pleasant, but for the most part the ones I met were great. If you're hungry, you'll be fed. If you're cold, someone will give you a hug or help keep you warm somehow.

People in general are nicer on holiday. Not being obliged to participate in the daily grind really does put ya in a good mood. You can be sure that many burners are mean sobs for the rest of the year. Don't put the group on a pedestal.

[Yobi Bear]

Nice.....way to keepit real Cryto......awesome.......thanks

[TomServo]

What is it about people being so mean? Normal folk are downright meaner than Burners. I don't know what it is about Burners, but we all seem to be nicer and kinder and more open. There were a few idiots I met on the playa who were none too pleasant, but for the most part the ones I met were great. If you're hungry, you'll be fed. If you're cold, someone will give you a hug or help keep you warm somehow.

People in general are nicer on holiday. Not being obliged to participate in the daily grind really does put ya in a good mood. You can be sure that many burners are mean sobs for the rest of the year. Don't put the group on a pedestal.

I will put us on a pedistal! Not all of us! But we tend to be better people. BM doesn't stop for me in September.

[swampdog]

On the road back to the northwest, some towns (Cedarville, Lone Pine, Lakeview in particular) are not only used to us but consider us funny looking money trees. We buy gas, snacks, groceries, meals. These are pretty isolated communities and we're kind of like the circus coming to town, bringing cash. They may or may not understand us but they like us.

That helps.

[rdl]

This was my first burn, too. I can't shake the feeling that I'll be in my own head for a little while. Being at BM made me feel safe enough to just let what was around me do what it wants and I could go along. I can feel myself needing to be more aware and in control now that I'm back.

If that makes any sense.

[LilBoosch]

STFD! Great memories of the burn continue to bubble up and interrupt my day, causing a smile, a tear, a chuckle, or outright chortle. Not that this is a bad thing, but damn the transition back is rough. I've had to pump up the techno on my ipod a few times at night just to be able to fall asleep. I'm trying to take some advice from my friends at 8:30 and J who held up construction signs and were admonishing people to Slow The Fuck Down! Good advice for the Matrix as well. Hang in there peeps, this was my first and definately first of many burns.

[Sinja]

Going to the Peppermill in Reno to decompress with other burners helped me. But even several years later, I still have to adjust.

Stay connected with burners, go through photos and keepsakes, and try to go to a decompression event or social gatherings.

Go with what you feel: laugh randomally, smile at strangers, hug often.

[xhoosier]

I left the playa on Monday evening and could not drive because I was so tired. So, I got a room in Fernley. The receptionist said I looked like hell ( I know I did) but as I walked back to my truck to get my bags I ran into some burners from Chicago. It was great to talk to them. Then when I woke up in the AM I saw lots of burner cars in the lot (hard to not pick them out). the funnist thing was the parking lot was very black and from all directions were little dusty foots print heading towards the hotel lobby. I wish I had taken a picture.

I then drove to Winnemucca and saw more burners in the walmart and gas station. Eveyone waves at each other and say we hope to see each other next year.

lastly, I was driving through a town in Oregon called Jordan Valley and sitting there was a small dusty car with a women sleeping in it. You could tell she was a burner. She was tired and had to take a nap. I totally understood.

Funny how you can pick the burners out after leaving. I Just wish there was a way to do that year round!

[spunkmeyer]

Burning Man is a state of mind. Burning Man is all around you. Choose to focus on those things that are in the burner spirit, and don't give energy to those things that aren't. It's that simple.

The reason why many people don't react kindly to a random compliment from a stranger is because they are used to the compliment being nothing other than an opportunity to get something from the person. The best thing we can do as burners is maintain our burner spirit and treat non-burners with the same sincerity we treat burners. That's the way the good energy grows.

Don't lose touch with the Playa because you are back in the Default World. The Playa is here with us all the time. Keep it alive by the things you do and the thoughts you think and the love you radiate.

[knowmad]

Thus begins my 350 days of BS. I Pray to the goddess of dust and Love to pull me through. ugggg.

[Yobi Bear]

Ok. We are looking at having a Decompression at Arkansas Headwaters State Park in CO. Whose up for it?

[changoloco]

I guess we waste no time up in here in Tahoe. We had a decompression party last night with premier dj's from the playa. We are also having a full moon de-com at a spot over-looking Lake Tahoe. Decompression is part of the burner spirit. When I go to the SF de-com in October, it will have been my third. Reno de-com will be my fourth. I guess the moral of my post is, make as many decompression parties as you can, it is good for your soul to do so.

Chango