My Burn...participation & expectations...

[sparkletarte]

[Whew this got really long!!!]

I'm not really sure what people are 'expecting' as far as 'participation'- I think I participated a lot, althought I hardly saw any art and didn't go to any workshops...I was just myself, met lots of people, did a couple things, and to me, that's participating. Like any person or event, BM will change and evolve over time- how boring if it was the same as 10 years ago or 5 years ago. It bothers me that people complain about the amount of 'rave' camps and 'ravers'. These people are participating as much as anyone else- you have the people who made the camp, the dj creating the music, and all of the dancers expressing themselves through movement. That's a lot of participation. Perhaps it seemed like some people weren't 'participating' but you don't know everyone in their day-to-day lives, and perhaps for them, what they did, or just being there, was really pushing their boundaries even though it seems tame to you. Who knows, maybe a new world was opened to them and they'll come back next year and do even more. I would rather see the word 'participation' replaced with 'self-expression': to me, that's what it's about.

I wonder about all of the people who have been who say to virgins to go without expectations. It seems that people who have gone many times also need to think about that. I think it's harder to have no expectations when you have already been. My expectations were all about the weather (it was just what I hoped for and expected- thank you for the dust storms!) and that there would be lots of freaky people. That's it, and that's what I got. For my second time I think it will be harder to have no expectations about the event. It seems that some vets expect it to be the burn of the past, which it will never be. If you feel something is missing, it is up to you to fill in that gap.

I had an amazing time this year, thanks to all of you: whatever you did or didn't do, whether I met you or not, you all contributed to my experience.

I thought I'd paste in something I just wrote on another board for someone who was asking how it went. I know this is long already, but there you go:

~~~~~

It was amazing, much due to the wonderful Kootenay [the area I live in]crew we had! We had a wicked location and fabulous neighbours. The weather, although dusty and windy, was just what I wanted to experience.

I find it harder explain now that I've gone than before I went. Sure there were lots of cool costumes and camps and art and all sorts of things but it's so much more than that. My camera died on the second day and in a way I'm okay I didn't get pics because they would present only one small dimension.

The only way I can liken it to Shambhala [a local 4 day party, this is where I posted this] is you know by the time Sunday night comes, and many people have lost their inhibitions, eveyone is grimy and dirty and they don't care, they are just being themselves? Well to me that's a lot of what BM is about, but it happens faster because of the harsh environment. It's a place where your ego gets knocked down and your heart gets cracked open. There is so much self-expression and openess. You can meet and bond with people really fast, have a playa-buddy and go on an adventure, and maybe you'll never see them again. It's not a love-fest, although it can be, because there are so many people and aspects to expressing yourself that you see all facets of human emotion. If you want to go because you think it's a bigger Shambhala or a big dance party, you'll be dissappointed. Yes that is there, but it's a tiny part.

My favourite days were Monday to Thursday when it wasn't as busy and the weather was crazy. Saturday morning listening to Lioness [one of our group who played at El Circo] with our Koot crew and Saturday night were great too. The weekend was pretty busy, and the burns were not the main event for me. It's different for everyone- this is what I felt.

All of the interactions with people are what I treasure the most. I met so many wonderful people and got to know so much better the great people I camped with (I love you guys and can't wait to see you again!). I wanted to do some workshops (lots of camps have events and workshops going on all the time) but it was so hot in the day it made it hard to leave our shady home base. I'm bummed that I didn't venture down the street to meet electrichoney. Next year I'll make more of an effort to get out in the day...I was good with going out in the evening and night but the day was killer. All in all I loved it!

[dragonflyannie]

I'm really happy to be seeing some really great positive posts such as this one... glad this year wasn't a bummer for everyone! Fifth year burner and it was my best burn yet...

Glad to see you will be back next year Sparkletarte! Your energy is part of what makes BRC so amazing.

[jimbobby]

~smooch~

except for the storms part

[Imagigrl]

Good on yas! That's BMan in a nutshell. And "ditto" re: needing to get out more often in the heated up daytime... esp. to dust storm dance!

Love to all, Jen a/k/a Imagigrl

[Natasha]

This was my first year also and I loved it. My husband and I were supposed to be joining a friends camp, but it ended up being the first year the friend missed in several years, so we decided to go on our own. We arrived Wednesday evening and camped next to some great people. My expectations were also centered around the weather and the costumes. Both met and exceeded my expectations. We tent camped, but I thought we were pretty prepared. We brought a shade structure and put it over our tent and the back of our truck, so that worked pretty well. The costumes I brought were good for the day, but since they didn’t cover much, they were not warm enough at night. Next year I need to come up with some creative warm ideas. I helped where I could, met great people and saw great art. I came back to work more rested then ever before. I already can’t wait until next year.

[M Joe Boss]

It was my fourth year, I had the best year ever. Ialso met some great people, I personally love this post, and you make some very valid points of fact. First of all about about people pushing there own boundaries. I think that is where you hit the nail on the head. I got paid to go the first year, I had my trip the second year paid for in exchange for all the work I did. Doesn't sound in the spirit of BM huh???? But when Iwent the first year I couldn't have cared a less about BM, it was just a job. And when I first arrived, I thought i had found my own personal HELL. But as I went on, I realized it wasn't so bad, and then I actually began to get in the spirit, and now here i am after 4 attendances,I am probably a lifer. The initial point I was trying to make is that everyone has those personal boundaries and pushing passed those. is all we should EXPECT

[burning tent]

I had been hearing about this "Man" who "Burns" ... a "Burning Man," if you will... for some years prior. I had friends who had attended and come back with magical, wondrous stories. Even last year I (burning tent, not my real name) had the opportunity to go with gratis ticket and RV lodgings. Did I leap at such an opportunity and grab hold with both hands? Of course not. Why? Because I am an idiot.

No-no, a woman had to be involved.

This year, I was minding my own business -not bothering a soul, mind you- when I met this girl who asked if I'd like to go with her. 'Cleverly' I conjured up an erotic windfall in a non-threatening hippie-like setting and said yes. Little did I know then that I would end up buying a ticket and she would not. That I would be by myself guzzling Mountain Dew on the 395 in the middle of the night singing an obscure Beach Boys song. Yet that is exactly what happened.

Although I tried to have no preconceptions about Burning Man I don't live in a vacuum and, as stated, knew numerous attendees and had been briefed. Still, I tried to be as open-minded as possible and remove my armor before stepping on the playa. I made sure that the only things I really needed to return with were myself and my car. Maybe my wallet too. Everything else could be given away if necessary. I brought enough provisions to cover four people. In retrospect, I wish I had only brought enough provisions for one or two *and* fit the bike in. I think my priorities were in order here, just the logic was for crap. I mean, the beer, chocolate and Gatoraid was what people wanted---not the damn tuna fish. (Tuna fish?? ---WHAT WAS I THINKING??!?)

So. There I am at the gate, out of my car and ringing the bell. Somebody hugged me and said, "Welcome home," which gave me a bit of start ... what if this was my mom's secret getaway and, like, she never told anyone. I shook it off though and they patted me on the ass and sent me on my way. I drove a little past six and, not knowing where I was headed, just stopped and asked the people on either side if I could camp there. I got the green light, offered gifts, then set up camp.

For the next two days I wandered around the playa, checking out as much as I could and trying to be friendly. I wanted to hook up with some group I could hang with but didn't want to press it. I figured it would just happen in a kind of natural way if it was going to happen at all. Otherwise I would keep doing what I was doing ... which at one point was taking a walk around the perimeter and three-foot high plastic fence in long-johns, top hat and Mr. Hanky T-shirt ... drinking tequila in the midday sun. Howdy-ho, think I'm gonna blo!

Not having anyone with me caused me to be exceedingly polite and humble. I thought this was a good thing. I went to center camp, heard some poetry, saw some bands, watched a bunch of fire twirlers practice (enjoyed that). I thought the white-out was very cool. I had never been in one before and it was amazing. And at night I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the light show and swarming humanity. I literally got lost a couple times, thinking I was on one side of the playa when I was actually on the other.

Things finally started coming together for me when I hooked up with the sno-cone MV. I was given a sno-cone, asked if I could have another and then ended up helping serve. I am very thankful to the zany little leprechaun who built the thing for giving me a purpose ... I served sno-cones to hot people during the day and to cold people during the night. "Sno-cones, whether you want them or not" was our motto. And life was good. Not to leave out the reason why I posted here in the first place; the sno-cone phenomenon is what put me in alignment with that charming and ultra arousing Anita woman. Just that alone made the price of admission worth every penny.

It gave me good thoughts on the way home too. I can say I'm happy I attended and would do so again. Next time with a bicycle though ... and some friends ... and a MV serving something or other. Maybe even a more elaborate costume.

[Larissa]

This was my first time. It's hard to put into words my experience. Things I expected to happen, didn't. And things I didn't expect, happened. I did some things I never would have thought to do, and didn't do things I thought I would. I fell in love with new friends and was affected deeply by the sense of community throughout the week.

I walked through the Temple in awe, I danced like I've never danced before, I felt like I was on the moon or in some crazy circus at times. I biked through dust storms, had pancake breakfasts, had some sweet playa kisses, ran around in crazy costumes, made a beautiful necklace, chanted with the monkeys, and met a guy from Supertramp, lol. I felt deeply saddened at times, and completely fulfilled at other times.

I saw some incredible art, the kind that you don't realize how incredible it is until you walk right up to it. I heard some incredible music, saw some things I can't explain, laughed my ass off, froze my ass off, heard the best beatboxed version of Wandering Star that I'll ever hear in my life.

Me and my new friend Evan were trying to figure out when we'd both first heard about Bman. And both of us came up with same answer. All we can remember is that Burning Man was something we'd always known about, we can't pin down the moment we first heard about it. It was just always there in our minds and we always knew that we were supposed to go. I can't believe it took me this long to go home.


See you next year on the playa.............

[isiseyes]

(Tuna fish?? ---WHAT WAS I THINKING??!?)
Somebody hugged me and said, "Welcome home," which gave me a bit of start ... what if this was my mom's secret getaway and, like, she never told anyone. I shook it off though and they patted me on the ass and sent me on my way.

I quoted the two things from your experience that happened to me also, although my experience with tuna was a great one (thank god for coolers to keep mayonaise in). I too was surprised with a "Welcome Home" hug from more than one person upon my arrival, despite the fact that it was well after 4 am when I got there. My first night was fantastic: met a girl from Boston whom I connected with, wandered around the quiet playa, talked with God until past sunrise (and tried to find him later because who can resist a God with a cute British accent who feels the way I do about Bay Area dating and sunrises in the desert? but alas every other time I tried to call it was always someone else).

Even though I've only been once, it makes me sad to see past burners complaining about how things are "worse" now than they were before. Guess what? It changes every year, just like everything else that's worth effort in this life. You can either accept that more people (in more diverse crowds) come every year, or you can sit at home and grumble about the riffraff while missing out on a completely new and wonderful experience. So what if you don't like ravers? As long as they're respectful of you and the playa, I don't understand why you'd care. The whole point of this is to come together as a community of people from different walks of life, not as a community of people who all like the same things. Right?

I, for one, had a fantastic time and fully intend to come back next year with a theme camp. I want to be more involved, and to integrate better now that I understand how this works. And guess what? I never would have been able to come if it weren't for my 'raver' friends, so keep in mind the next time you're complaining about them that they do actually contribute more than you think.