Starting to get Excited

[dixienormous]

We're a week and a half away from heading out to Burning Man. This is our 5 year but 4th burn. We skipped the year that PF was born. Tonight we're going to a screening of a documentary about the event. I really wish that people who spout what they THINK Burning Man is about would go see it and actually see what it is.

It's going to be a strange burn this year with the loss of our friend. At the same time, we need to make the most of it, for him and for us. He was one who dived into everything head first and was really an embodiment of what the event is all about.

[neonpink]

I hope you have a great time.

[partiallysunny]

That is exciting!

I'd love to hear about Burning Man if you'd like to educate me.

[margarita]

I love that feeling of anticipation before a favored event. I hope you have an awesome time.

[Deleted]

Yes please school me too on Burning Man.

[dixienormous]

partiallysunny, I can try. I'll also direct you to Burningman.com


Basically it's a city (Black Rock City) in the Black Rock Desert with a population of 55-60k. It Appears for 1 week and then disappears without a trace. It is not a music festival. It is not an orgy or a drug fest. Much like any city, I'm sure if you look hard enough you can find it, but that's not the embodiment of the event. It's about free expression, community, art and embracing life.

People put together massive art installations, a lot of the art does actually go up in flames. There are 2 structures that are constant, despite the design changing. There is the Man. He burns Saturday night before Labor Day. GIANT party. Then there is the Temple. The Temple is my favorite place on the Playa. It's the catharsis of the event. People write tributes to loved ones, wishes, fears. The Temple burns Sunday night. It's incredibly solemn. It's the only time there is absolute silence on the Playa. Last time I was at a Temple burn I was pregnant with PF.

When you enter the gates to the event you're told by the greeters "welcome home." and you really do feel like you have come home. It's a place where acceptance thrives and if you want to be naked and wear viking horns, no one cares. Be who you want to be!

Yes, there is the rave scene but that's not the whole event. It's a very small part of it, actually. Different camps do events at their base (for instance we do a pirate-themed yoga class that is a favorite), lectures, craft teaching, etc.

It's really hard to explain and do it justice.

[Deleted]

Sounds cool dixienormous.

[partiallysunny]

Welp, my new goal in life is to do pirate themed yoga.

Sounds like fun! I love art, fire, and symbolize.

I understand your frustration. I like to go to heavy metal concerts and music festivals and when people find this out they usually assumed I go there to a) do drugs, b) worship satan, or c) have a drunken orgy. ::eye roll::

[dixienormous]

Downward Facing Scurvy Dog! Walk the Planks, a jug of rum passed around, and sea shanties sung in rounds. It's a LOT of fun.

[starrieskies]

oooooh! This sounds like so much fun!!

[margarita]

That sounds so cool.

[captainmel]

That sounds really nice dixienormous.

I always hear about it but I have never learned very much about Burning Man.

[dixienormous]

There is a LOT of misconception about it. There was a buzzfeed where the author was a complete douche. The comments are all Burners who called him out on knowing nothing about the event.

[Deleted]

Hey im a deadhead I know about misconceptions!

I know you will have a great time!

[Muddled]

If there are no drunken orgies, I am not going!

[dixienormous]

Aug 15, 2013 12:20:36 GMT -5 Muddled said:

If there are no drunken orgies, I am not going!

There totally are - you just have to know where to find them. Much like Manhattan.