Our virgins rule!!

[ZaphodBurner]

Although it's probably obvious which camp is mine, I'm not mentioning it 'cause I'm not here to brag. This is inspired by my own thoughts about BM as well as the "Decline of Burning Man" conversation.

We are a camp of 15 participants, but only 3 are veteran burners, and last year was the first for 2 of us. Last year as we passed the final unopened bottle of rum to the Exodus people I asked my wife--having spent months previous reassuring her that BM was "okay"--if she thought it was something she might like to do again. Her answer: "IWASTHINKINGNEXTYEARIWANTTOBUILDAGIANT..."

...and hasn't stopped preparing since.

So on Sunday as I opened a beer and gazed at the grand wooden structure, identical to the little balsa model I built in December, rising above my house from my humble backyard, and my neighbor came out and said "It'll never fly," I reflected again on my fortune. We have a dozen playa virgins--musicians, hairdressers, geeks,professionals--
already worthy of being called Burners making costumes and flags, building structures and friendships, decorating bikes, brewing, growing, collaborating, gathering to make gifts and discuss their thematic art projects and what music we will perform...

On Saturday, two of our virgins gigged at a local club and most of the camp came to support them. I showed up, went backstage to say howdy to the club manager who said "I hear you're going to Burning Man." A most-experienced campmate looked at me and said "I've never seen a group of people this tight before," to which I responded "In April, half of them had never met each other."

I didn't see this much teamwork in the Marines.

Last year, some of my campmembers--long-time Burners-- were extraordinarily helpful, giving, spirited and connected to "it". Others acted like they'd been to one too many KISS concerts and would rather have stayed home and worked in the yard. When we left a couple in our camp we had not gotten to know seemed likely to come to blows with each other over a problem with their vehicle. On Sunday, the last thing I heard as we left camp was one veteran tell another "Put your fucking clothes on. The man has burned."

I'm either damned lucky or the idea that the spirit of BM is diluted by specator newbies is bullshit. Or both. What these people have brought to our camp experience cannot be measured in yards of material of board feet.

They've discovered "it", and they don't even know it yet. That fucking rules! Should my fellow campers read this, thank you. You are forever welcome in my circle.

Cheers!

-gatt

[the fire elf]

there is a spirit involved...and it touches some as it passes over others...

individuality is inseparable from 'getting it'...

be kind to the disillusioned and bitter individuals...

we all have room to grow...

falling in love, with an event as with anything else, can be the easiest or most difficult thing in the world...

[montana wildhack]

i'm dreaming and scheming and i can't wait until i open my eyes and i'm on the playa...see you all there! i'll be the one with an endless grin! (and my sweety EviLLe! wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee! we leave 1 month from today baby!)