Comments on: a burning in the soul.

By: Raaar: or, weight off my shoulders, and weight training. @ words’ end

Raaar: or, weight off my shoulders, and weight training. @ words’ end — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:50:47 +0000

[…] I’ve been meeting great people, and most importantly I get to organize the food. And, well, you know how I feel about that. It’ll be good for the […]

By: Erin

Erin — Thu, 15 Sep 2005 10:50:08 +0000

Hi Vika –

Erin (fishie) here.

Re: Foodlabs and lack of hands to break down the camp…

I will start by saying that I think your attitude is incredibly relaxed, tolerant and in line with what I am saying below. You are able to see overall success of Foodlabs and minimize the value of the “drama” material.

I’ve been part of the crew designated as the “last ones out” many times. Unless it is expressly communicated that all camp mates are expected to assist with teardown, people won’t stick around. Everyone is cracked out and ready to go home…the last thing on their minds is sticking around to help with village cleanup.

I’ve found, after being in this situation for many years in a row, that harboring animosity towards campers that didn’t contribute was a huge waste of time, thought process, and energy.

That’s just the way people are.

Perhaps the best way for Foodlabs and it’s organizers to evolve the camp is to embrace this and plan accordingly. Assume you’ll only have 8 people for cleanup unless some other expectation is communicated very _clearly_ to all camp mates. Learn to accept that as a main contributor to burning man village/camp organization, that you will have a vast amount of cleanup to do. In turn, all key organizers should be aware of the commitment they are making regardless of the fairness factor in doing the scut work at the end.

Anywho…

I hope that next year, I can contribute something to Foodlabs. I don’t mind being the first one in and the last one out. This year I needed a break, and having the opportunity to do so was a major part of my decision to come in the first place.

What I mean is, thank you . Thank you for being one of those people and posessing the ability to let go of your frustration.

xo!

By: starphire

starphire — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 22:45:28 +0000

I remembered what you said as we were sipping chai on the walk back from Center Camp, about the haptic-deprivation thing. The same thing hit me a couple of days later, and led to my sole bout of ‘playa mood’ funk – and yeah, I think it does have something to do with being in that “intensely emotionally open environment” of which you speak.

Eventually I remembered how I’d approached everything else about BM this year, whenever I felt I wasn’t getting what I needed: got proactive & figured out how to ask for what I needed in a way that didn’t come across as needy or demanding. And it seemed to work – funny, that! And I did end up making at least one meaningful connection with someone new, and deepening a few others.

By: vika

vika — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 15:38:11 +0000

Oh, Jacq, it’s for you. :) No, you’re not too strait-laced, as long as you can handle the weirdnesses of the people around you. They’re benign: some walk around naked; some display affection in the most public of ways; some breathe fire or walk around on stilts or drive a ship majestically. It’s a harsh environment, but you of all people know how to survive in one.

Burning Man is fun and profound, and I’d love to see you there. Do let me know if you decide to go next year! Meanwhile, there’s a ton of information at burningman.com that will give you a good idea (and no idea at all) of what to expect.

By: Jacqueline

Jacqueline — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 13:35:41 +0000

Sounds like time very well spent. Always refreshing when a friend posts something so positive to their blog.

I’m still confused on this Burning Man thing a bit, though. Is it the sort of thing you think I’d enjoy, or am I… well, too straight-laced or something? Don’t ask me what I mean by that, as I’m not entirely sure myself.