It’s time for me to resume this blog. So many things have happened since my last post. I’ll add some backdated posts soon.
That’s it for now.
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Bad things happen to good people
Friday, April 20, 2007
My heart went out to Hagey after hearing of the fire at his place early in the morning of 8th April.
The fires cooked both of the RVs which were stuffed with all the gear used by campers passing through. All those blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, tents used by the Hostel are crispy, charred cinders.
For those of you that don’t know Hagey, he is a Burning Man legend, founder, and main mast of The Black Rock International Burner Hostel. Over the past several years he has enabled thousands of people from all over the world to gain a relatively easy path into Burning Man with the limitations of bringing everything one needs on a flight and getting supplies into the middle of the desert; he not only runs the theme camp on the Playa (with nearly 150 members each year), but also operates an open house throughout the year to any that need it. Over the years he has sunk thousands of dollars and millions of nerve endings into this very unique project and is much loved and respected by a huge number of people.
He predictably refused any offers of financial help:
Hagey here, alive and well, in spite of the close call!
Thanks so much for the concern, but, please, I do not wish to seem like a charity case. This is a big personal loss, but I am a proud and independant man, the loss will be partially offset by insurance, and I do not wish to be making any public appeals for money.
In the Grand Scheme of Things, this is small potatoes in comparison to the types of awful tragedies other people have endured.
Please don’t pursue the Paypal account thing, ok?
Thank you, and now I will get back to my cleanup efforts.
Love, Lust, Playa Dust, and Playful Perversion
Tom Price eventually persuaded him to accept donations due to the sheer number of people wishing too; and allowed the use of a Burners Without Borders PayPal account. The result:
This is why I love Burners, and some of the contributors had never met him. As Tom wrote, “people change when people take time to hold a mirror up to their actions, and let them see themselves. And that’s exactly what’s happening now–you’re holding a mirror up to Hagey, and what he’s seeing is simply beautiful”.
Jo and I missed out on this, as PayPal takes five days to clear direct from a bank account but will be adding even extra to the camp fee contributions as usual.
Extra special thanks to Tom for his time and effort, and Fred - expect a long overdue Playa Knighthood this year.
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Jerks and Cramps
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Cramps and Jerks: The Agony and the Ecstasy
Don’t you just love hypnagogic jerks? I always smile contentedly when they happen to me as I’m drifting off to sleep. I have a habit of sleeping with one arm outstretched so they happen to me often. But the ones I find hilarious are those that occur when one is really tired but still conscious, such as sitting in front of the computer late at night. I just had one a few minutes ago. This evening I wondered what they were called and looked it up. This is just what I love about the interweb - looking up obscure facts.
However, waking up with leg cramp is not nice at all. Having natural calf muscles like Popeye, I wake up in agony three or four times a year, usually with both legs as hard as rock at the same time. Believe me, I eat plenty of salt too.
Just once, I awoke with really bad cramp in both of my calf muscles, both quad muscles (vastus medialis), and both hamstrings, all at the same time. This was complete agony, as I could not move my legs in any direction to ease the muscle back into relaxation. I couldn’t help but shout out in pain until Jo came into my bedroom saying, “What’s the matter? You got cramp?”. I answer between sobs, “YES, but everywhere!”. It eventually went, with Jo managing to pull my legs, first in one direction and then the other. So far, this is the worst physical pain I have experienced and my legs were not the same for nearly a week.
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Reno Tickets
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Secured flight tickets today for Jo and myself; flying into Reno, for convenience, rather than Fran Sankissco. All thanks to David Rorke for posting the short-term American Airlines deal on playadust. That post saved us a couple of hundred pounds each and the timing was perfect as we were only hours away from purchasing our flights at the higher rate, that very same evening. We made the midnight deadline with minutes to spare.
Burners are good for your health AND your wallet.
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Wake up call from Hagey
Sunday, March 11, 2007
I was very pleasantly awoken from a Sunday afternoon nap by Hagey. He called for a chat and to let us know that the new BRIBH Forum was just about open for business, and to register, test the site, and be patient.
It was really good to hear his unique voice again and catch up with preliminary plans and ideas. Afterwards, I revamped the Brit Camp Forum and did an easy cheat version of an archive of last year’s topics. Immediately after doing this it occurred to me that we probably won’t need to use it as much as last year because everything concerning the physical camp is practically set and in storage in Sparks. We may need to use it in the last month or so though.
On a sad note, it was confirmed today, that Muffin and Turtle will not make it to Burning Man this year, as can be expected from a pair of newlyweds in the process of moving onto a houseboat. At least they can make it to Nowhere and will be guaranteed to explode onto the Playa next year. With Pepper testing out what should be her natural home from home in Verboten, that’s two founding members of Brit Camp that won’t be around for shenanigans in 2007. Well Pepper will still be around camp often, I’m sure. But it just won’t be the same without two of my favourite ladies within easy reach. Still I’ve learned that every Burn is different and as my favourite saying goes “everything happens for a reason”.
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NGO Blogs
Sunday, March 11, 2007
I have always loved Africa and all things African for as long as I can remember. When I was very little I would spend hours making safari parks in the back garden with my toy animals, containing compounds with different sized pens for each type of animal and sunken ice cream tubs as watering holes; have always liked the idea of ten foot high fences made with logs; and my favourite films were Hatari and Africa - Texas Style!
I eventually got to visit the Dark Continent in 2001 to see a solar eclipse in Zambia, traveling from Nairobi, Tanzania to Johannesburg, South Africa, and saw my third solar eclipse in Ghana last year. Of all the countries in East Africa I enjoyed Tanzania the most, by far. The people, the landscape, the animals, the culture, the cuisine; one day I would love to own a little bolt hole in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
Upon returning, I knew that one day I would have to live there for a period of time. I even actively sought a job in which I could work with Swahili speakers and learn the language on a daily basis, a resource which sadly I have since woefully neglected to use. Initially I wanted to spend a year working on a game reserve but found most were only game parks (large exotic farms catering for tourists) and situated in South Africa. Through my research I soon discovered the many different NGO’s involved with aiding micro-finance, education, womens rights, combating HIV, irrigation, orphanages, etc. Gradually I found the idea of spending my time working with animals whilst neglecting the human challenges currently present in Africa, increasingly troubling. Over time I resolved myself to putting any plans to chase around the bush after large mammals on the shelf for the next couple of decades.
So I then concentrated on finding an NGO that would suit me and my limited skill-set, not being trained as a doctor, nurse, engineer, mechanic, IT geek or teacher. I spent countless hours researching many charities and organisations but was disappointed to find many obstacles: being only open to people of specific professions; only accepting people from the USA or Canada; were missions only giving aid with a large distasteful dose of Christianity; or glorified travel agencies offering the chance to teach children as part of a month long safari package for several thousand dollars.
I needed to find an NGO run by Africans for Africans, that recognises the value of a person’s enthusiasm, drive and commitment, rather then a slickly run, disturbingly corporate, Western organisation that equates the size of one’s wallet with the contribution that an individual can offer. This limited my options, especially considering that said organisation needed a web presence and be based in the Swahili region of East Africa.
I found it! Fonelisco
Through the internet, I also found that the organisation is also supported by a Swedish charity and an Edinburgh Uni Society. I also found a few blogs of previous volunteers and spent a few hours reading up on their efforts, and emailing one of them for more of an insight. I have yet to contact Joseph Elias as I am still several months away from going but will contact him towards the end of this year.
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Sunday in Camden
Monday, February 12, 2007
Arranged to meet Cilla and Steve in Camden. They are a pair of Aussies we first met in Ghana nearly a year ago, and were part of Team Boat. After still being fueled by the great time from Friday night and Planet Angel, I decided to wear my utilykilt with both desert boots and scalp painted pink and green. It was a bit cold so I had to wear my gray army trench coat too. This was also partly due to a plan to start wearing playawear more often in the UK.
We found a new cavernous part of Camden in the arches and we bought a couple of Union Flags on wooden rods that look like they come from a 1950’s scout hall. These will have to be shipped to the US for Brit Camp decoration, as they are too large to fit in a rucksack. I also bought a bargain watch for £12 which I’ve been told is a copy of a designer make that I have never heard of. I just like it because it is unusual looking. This is my first new watch in 12 years. Also found a white furry waistcoat at a bargain price.
I also bought a wire head massager, sometimes sold as an orgasmatron. I soon found out exactly why it is called this. I have seen them around for years but just dismissed them. The stall holder sat me down in a chair and proceeded to work the magic of the massager on my pink and green head. Jo and other onlookers immediately started roaring with laughter as I was actually blushing and shaking with the feelings emanating from my head. It really was very sexual and I bought one straight away and intend to take it with me when I next go clubbing so I can pleasure random dance floor strangers.
Ended the day with £1 Chinese meal and live band in the World’s End. It was really good to catch up with Steve and Cilla as we don’t see nearly enough of them.
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My first Planet Angel
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Finally made it to Planet Angel last night, though only just.
Jo and I managed to miss the last train into town! I’ve missed the last train home plenty of times but missing the last train into London was a first, and hopefully last. We had to take a taxi instead! And the reason for us not leaving the house until gone 11:00pm? I was finishing off a custom dyed shirt covered in transfers, of course. It did feel quite extravagant but luckily didn’t cost too much. It would actually be very reasonable if there was four people sharing the cost and was very quick. After arriving we got into the venue straight away and my el-wire outfit went down a treat with lots of people.
I had spotted an old friend on the PA website gallery (Spikey Will) from my temping days at Next, and found him very early on. We had always got on really well with lots in common, and this just goes to show that the PA philosophy works. Met up with Disco Patrick, Ben, Rev. Zero and Lady Zooty. Meeting Zerooty was a real surprise as we had no idea they were going to be there, and after eventually finding Alon and Sharyn, it was like dancing the night away back on the Playa, surrounded by family. I ended up doing my usual five hour non-stop dance marathon and the party thoroughly lived up to my expectations.
We met up with Giles and Ruth on the tube afterwards. They were PA regulars and recognised that we had been the previous night by our colourful attire. After sharing a breakfast with our new mates at Victoria, discovering common friends and connections, we went our separate ways. We will definitely be going many more times.
Special thanks go to Sharyn and Zooty for making the night memorable.
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Big Chunk O’ Clay
Friday, February 2, 2007
I’m planning on bringing several different gifting projects to the Playa this year and need a serious quantity of polymer clay.
Also found glow-in-the dark Fimo
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Playa Proverbs
Sunday, January 28, 2007
One of my gifting projects at Burning Man for 2007 is going to be some brightly coloured, personalised fortune cookies for my nearest and dearest. But those given to random Burners needed that little something extra. I hit upon the idea of inserting Playa-related proverbs but was surprised to find their presence on the interweb non-existent. So I turned to Tribe and the resourceful and imaginative folks there, with this post. Can’t wait to see what they come up with.
In the past few years I’ve become interested in proverbs, particularly the cultural differences and similarities of proverbs from different countries; this all stemmed from an initial interest in African proverbs.
In many African countries a good knowledge of proverbs and the good use of them is greatly respected.