What is happening to it all!?

[mystery-g-spot]

2004 was my third year at Burning Man. (2002 being my first) And although that doesn't make me a very experienced burner, there are many things i'm noticing, and they aren't good. The one thing I was most dissapointed with this year was:

The extreme lack of art cars! In 2002, I saw the most impressive, beautiful, and BIG art cars. 2003, I saw a lot of impessive cars, but also ALOT of half-ass, minimal art cars. Now, that is probably why the pre-registation policy was made. But, it seriously wiped the playa clean of dazzling transportation! Where did the dragon go, and La Contessa? I didn't even see one band on an art car this year! I remember 2002, I saw great funky horn bands on big pirate ships and such all over the place. Which leads me to another point...

Where are all the bands?? Being a dj, i know how important it is to have lively, electronic dance music at burning man. But, I LOVED seeing all those funky bands in past years! especially out in the playa where a huge art car could park and the band on top could get a crowd to gather around. i never saw any of that. what's up with that?

And one more thing: Who are all you people wearing SWEAT-SHIRTS on the night of the burn??!! And not even glow sticks around your necks! Sure, it's great that the BRC population is growing, but not if it's growing with non-participators! I had a feeling that most of the people there, were just there to party, and dance. And that of course is what everyone should be doing...but come on, everyone knows Burning Man is alot more than JUST having fun. If everyone had that frame of mind, burning man would be just another rave. It takes a lot of work people! and in case you're wondering how I contribute... I help put together a theme camp called "the G-spot" with a bar, scaffold, 2 trampolines, and sound area. I made costumes with bright LED lights incorperated into them... and I wore those costumes around, and recieved many complements, although i thought that my costumes should seem "normal" at BM.

Anyway, I'm not saying I didn't enjoy BM 04', i'm just saying that for the future of Burning Man, we need more participators! Anyone else feel the same?

thanx

[kornilov]

Where did the dragon go, and La Contessa?

From what I understand, La Contessa was banned for repeated violations, i.e. unsafe driving, and asked to never, ever return.

Can't help you with the rest, sorry.

[shaktiqueen]

One of the sweetest and sexiest men I met all ten days I was there was part of the G-spot camp. He was massaging feet at the critical tits party and loved my smile. He was one the highlights of my whole burn experience.



Persephone
virgin no more.

[kyla]

Where are all the bands?? Being a dj, i know how important it is to have lively, electronic dance music at burning man. But, I LOVED seeing all those funky bands in past years! especially out in the playa where a huge art car could park and the band on top could get a crowd to gather around. i never saw any of that. what's up with that?

Perhaps it was a matter of being in the right place at the right time. I made a comment to my friend that this year I'd seen WAY more live bands than normal! I saw some excellent acts, one of the best being by a band called March 4th who played at Center Camp.

And one more thing: Who are all you people wearing SWEAT-SHIRTS on the night of the burn??!! And not even glow sticks around your necks! Sure, it's great that the BRC population is growing, but not if it's growing with non-participators!

Ever heard the saying 'don't judge a book by it's cover'? How do you know these people in sweatshirts weren't working their asses off all day? I know that some people in my camp didn't really prepare for the weather to be cold, so they put on whatever would keep them warm - comfort over fashion. You don't have to be in cosutme to participate. Geez.

[Tay]

The Dragon car - if you mean Draka - I think she died of old age. She was there last year, but I think she was on her last legs. Most art cars aren't exactly still under warranty.

Though I do think it was a mellow year - at least it seemed that way for me. It was still great - but in a different way - it was more of a micro year for me than a macro year. I spent more time interacting and partying with my campmates and neighbors - more time making friends - less time on the playa - you know?

I suspect some of the mellowness had to do with the weather more than anything else. Those dust storms really take a lot out of you if you aren't fully prepared - and can even if you are. Plus the cold at night tends to dampen everyone's wardrobe and mood. I remember in 2000 when it was windy, cold and rained - half the people camping around me left before the burn.

[Zeejay]

This was my third year too, and every year has been a hugly different experience, I couldn''t say things are getting worse, even though i somewhat agree with some of your points I had a absolute blast this year.

I was one of those wearing a sweatshirt to the burn, but mostly because i broke the top part of my EL costume at that point and had only my flashy pants left.

The only thing I have failed to do thus far on the playa is meet someone special, Story of my life, Maybe next year.

This year it was all about making our camp friendly to the comunity and meeting new friends. The additude i always go with is "how can i give something to the BM comunity" not "what can the comunity give to me".

I recieved more gifts then i ever this year and we gave more love from our camp then ever in previous years. Maybe you stoped by, We had a big TRUTH sign and an awesome bar that was open to all..

We hope to make it even bigger next year and have Live music and DJs.
hope to see you there.

[rollermonkey]

I couldn't agree more with the first post and wrote about it and more in my own. It seemed like more people than ever this year (including myself) turned up to see what "other people" were doing and go to "their" parties. I've been going since '97 and this is the first year I went back without a feeling of being in awe of what I just saw. It's just my own personal experience and I was in my camp with two first timers who were blown away at their experience but even admitted it was more of a great crazy party than something spiritual and artistic. I personally will be working hard next year to bring some of that back and hope many other veterans will do the same.

[Playa Face]

There was a bus/art car that had a band on it that kept going down our street to get to the playa. As for the sweat shirt thing, It was freezing this year on the playa at night!! There was a really nice band playing at Disorient on thursday night kinda like brazilian funk music. You have to really see whats going on around you, Not just your neighborhood. I saw good music and bad weather this year.

[vulgaris]

Wow, definetly a year to sit around and make nice with the neighbors it seems.. I did that too. I think the weather did play on it. Though I felt less of a presence, I don't know, I felt less pulled by everything to participate in general. Even got a few cold shoulders from certain camps. Such is life, but I felt a lot more like it was just a "bigass rave" this year than last year, especially at night.... Kind of sad if you think about it too much but I don't. I had fun.

[Fat SAM]

You don't have to be in cosutme to participate. Geez.

Thank you.

[Fat SAM]

I had an amazing time, by the way. I was a virgin, but I can tell you, I've done a helluva lot in my short life and I've seen and done some truly bizarre and wonderful things and this was one of the best. I don't do drugs anymore, but I felt like I was on E all week. So many of the people that I dealt with were so wonderful and so open. Rachel and I both really grew as people because we were soooooo far outside of our normal sort of comfort-zones (I hate that term but it applies).

At the beginning of the week, I remember thinking that I was going to have to really try hard not to rubber neck at naked chicks and kept reminding myself that everyone has the right to look however they like without being gawked at. By the middle of the week, I had totally gotten over it and sorted out sexual/nonsexual nudity, which was a deliniation that I had never made before. By friday, I had no problem washing myself in our camp shower and waving at people and carrying on full conversations while I was naked. Friday, a neighbor who had a rash came over and we washed his back and head while he washed the rest of himself. It was very liberating.

All the people who were so willing to give of themselves or to help with supplies or advice or even just to come over and talk for a minutes were also a big part of it. It's really hard, now, coming back here where people are so closed in and seemingly angry all the time with each other and themselves....I loved it. I did almost nothing that I told myself I wanted to, did a bunch of stuff that was fun, and did a few things that I never thought I would ever do or have the chance to do...

There's so much else, but I'm rambling. Anyway, if this year was crappy and it's all going downhill, great, because for me at least, crappy was absolutely amazing.

We'll be back and in the meantime, I'm going to try to use my rave production and architectural (gotta have something cool to burn) skills to help get a real serious regional going here. Much love to absolutely everyone that we met. Hopefully we'll meet again.

[mystery-g-spot]

I didn't say you have to be wearing a costume on the night of the burn, or any time for that matter. This year was the first year i wore costumes. But, i saw large groups of people that were asking to be hit by cyclists or art cars. Seriously, there's nothing wrong with lighting yourself up at night and add to the experience.

[mystery-g-spot]

Yea... I guess "mellow" would be the best word for 04. And it was the worst weather those first few days. But, the vibe, and the people i met this year were amazing as they usually are at burning man. When it comes down to it, that is all that matters. I could never say i had a crappy time at burning man.

[vulgaris]

I think Burning Man itself is a lot like an acid trip in the fact that its always good for me, even though there is a time or two of having my day fucked, shitty things happen then wonderful things happen. Like I've always said its as easy as not being frustrated. Have a good time. Remain optimistic despite the situations your in.