07 September 2004 - 3:48 am

DAY SIX - HAPPY BURN DAY

SEP 4: We made some friends. Some young kids from Boston. True Bill, Andrea (or is it Rochelle), Andy and a 4th... I'm horrible with names. Since we arrived, we would wave at people as they walked by our camp. Last night a pair of older women came, asking directions. One of them was there looking for her 'son' at Neptune & 630. [Black Rock City is mapped out in a giant circle with the Man in the middle. Radiating out from the man, are the Clock Hours. Then there the rings named after all the large bodies rotating out from the sun. Starting with the Esplanade, then Mercury, Venus, Earth (where all the pottys were) Mars, Jupiter, Saturn (our street), etc. etc., including Sedna.] We gave them direction and the mom offered us some weed. Where do you see MOM's offering weed after looking for their sons? ... Those kids were sweet. A couple of them NEW just like Mikey and I. They were happy and as excited as we were. We were all having a good time. I just wish I could remmeber faces and names. Because I know i'll be seeing these folks again. They were sharing stories of our week so far. We had tons of stories to tell. I was beginning to understand. It was sinking in and making sense. One of the boys, only in his 20's, had been going since he was young. This was his 6th. He had tons of stories to share. I was like a child to him. Relatively speaking, at least. In relation to Black Rock City. While they were leaving, they got to singing "Happy Burn Day, to you!" as they marched on to their camp.

Black Rock City is an survival & art experiment in temporary society. You're truly free here. To BE who you are. Ironically today was my brother's birthday. It's ironic because today, Burn Day, I was reborn. I started handing out my gifts. Re-painted Hot Wheels, that I called Burning Wheels, but I realized were little toy Art Cars! I created them, at first, because I thought you needed things to barter. But you don't. There is no commerce allowed in Black Rock City. But giving GIFTS is highly encouraged! I'm an F'ing artist again!

We left to go out at sundown. Mike was insane on weed and tequila before that. We got a GREAT SPOT, immediately in the 6 o'clock position from the Man. The Black Rock Rangers held us back a certain distance. It got dark quick, the volunteer fire-dancers were doing their thing to the heartbeat of the Man... Then they disappeared. There was a sudden eruption of fireworks. The building the Man was on catches fire. It's insane. The building goes down first just before the Man catches, and the dome collapses. Soon the Man starts to teeter. Then he falls, crashing down into the burning structure below. This is when I noticed the Rangers turning their backs. The barricades go down, and THOUSANDS of people start to rush the giant bonefire for the Running of the Man! Several laps later, i lose myself and my campmates. Everyone had intense smiles on their faces as they congratulated everyone for the great burn.

The Burning of the Man. And YES, I took this pic!

I've returned to my campsite, added a few layers for warmth, got my bike and headed back out. Most people were still partying. Many have already left for home. I visited the Temple, some of the art that were spread all across the playa. I visited and danced at a few of the Dance Camps. I visited the Burned Man several times, the smoldering heat smaller and smaller each time. The 2nd time, I wrote a few things I didn't like about my life/self. I folded it up into a football and tossed it into the remains. By 6AM was back at 2 and Esplanade, the Dance camp called LUSH. I notice that the sun was coming up. At about 630, several hundred of us were sitting across the playa, waiting for the sunrise. Several Art Cars/Boats crept across the surface, making the scene even more surreal. The sun came up to the cheers of hundreds. I sat there, my fight to stay awake was worth it. It was beautiful. I was tired. So it was MY turn to return after sun up.

Most amazing day, ever.

leav note or sign here

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