Burning Singles!'s topics - tribe.net

playa singles meet N greet?

2008-07-23T22:43:12Z

a singles meet n greet on the playa...
hmmmm....

anyone... anyone?

posted in Burning Singles! - 24 replies

yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!

2008-07-23T08:19:09Z

although single, i'm not heading to BRC this year with the "hunt" in mind...

last year i played a "dating game" which was pretty fun- but although well run, half the group split before the game was over...ah well. short attention span theater.

any port in a dust-storm? i don't think so.
the Burn has too many gay guys to make a single woman's experience happy? nah.
so many drugs, so little time? nope.
prefer dancin to romancin? er, no!
woman needs a man and she also needs a bicycle (only?) no no no

so, if there is a handsome feller leaning up against a bar, drinking a tall cold drink, with sparkling eyes and a loving spirit, than GAME ON!!!!

posted in Burning Singles! - 2 replies

dating sucks...

2008-07-22T03:57:50Z

Is it some kinda unwritten rule that guys in there 40's only want to go out with much younger women (20's)?
I just don't get it, because most of the girls in their 20's (that i know) don't want to be approached by the "old guy"...and yet those of us who wish to be approached by the guy in our generation can't even get a smile...WTF?....geez, dating sucks.

posted in Burning Singles! - 49 replies

EMT and other metal for sculpture

2008-07-22T02:27:45Z

Hi - This is as good a place as any to offer some EMT and angle iron to BurningMan art-makers..
The stuff makes a pickup-up load. long pieces over the cab. It must be picked up at storage place
in Santa Rosa, Ca. before the end of the month. I'll put a pic up at my blog, Stefan Goya.

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

being a single burner

2008-07-22T01:25:22Z

hello all!!!
i am a new member here but not new to the burningman experience it is my passion :)
i find it is almost impossible to meet other singles that understand and feel passion for the burn
unless you have lived it it can not be explained :)
how and where can i meet my soul mate that will make my spirit burn with the intensity that only another fellow burner would understand
live the burn *linda*

posted in Burning Singles! - 5 replies

"Burner: Tales from the Playa" now playing in a browser near you!

2008-07-20T18:29:10Z

After Burning Man 2007, I wrote and performed a one-man show called "Burner: Tales from the Playa". It was a personal account of my six visits to Black Rock City. For various reasons, including a fire (!) at the venue, there were only three performances.

The last performance took place on February 2, 2008 at Abundant Sugar in Los Angeles. Many people still ask me about "Burner", tell me how much they liked it and ask when I am going to do it again. Maybe because it's July, but Burning Man is again in my head. I decided to finish the editing the video and post "Burner" to get everyone even more in the mood for Burning Man.

So, I present to you, "Burner: Tales from the Playa". I invite you to watch it, download it to your iPod and share it with your friends. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed it's creation.

As for this year's burn, I bought a ticket on the first day (#130, beechez!). But now, it seems that the theme of this year's event is more fitting than ever. "The American Dream" is being able to afford to go to Burning Man.

This year's return home will be much more expensive than previous years and I'm not sure I can swing it alone. But then, as I was working on the edit, it occurred to me that I'm really not alone.

I've got you.

So, if you like "Burner" and you would like to help me get home this year, click on the "Help send OhTony to Burning Man 2008!" link .and donate any amount that you feel comfortable with. But, if you do donate, I'm warning you. Be ready to get some love if I run into you on the Playa.

Thank you all for having me as a part of your tribe.

OhTony

http://www.ohtony.com/burner.html

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

The Man BURNS in just 44DAYS!!!

2008-07-19T18:53:31Z

Which means all you vibrant joyious singularities had better get to planning all those wonderful meet-up activities on the playa.

Last year at this time we had hundreds of Despertly Seeking Susans, on here looking for each other. This year we have one active thread going on, about how much dating sucks.

No time for moping now, we need to get proactive and find each other, last year is in the dust and this year is just about to begin, so stop whining and plan something!

posted in Burning Singles! - 5 replies

intro to all you lovely ladies and gents!

2008-07-19T06:55:18Z

hey y'all,
i joined this tribe about this time last year and i just realized i never spoke up and introduced myself. so here's the larger points of my bio:

me= multi-racial, bisexual, 29, athletic, spiritually motivated, articulate, epicurean. i'm your standard 'save-the-world' type; i eat organic, try to be kind to my fellow humans, animals, and plant life, and work in housing for formerly homeless folk with hiv, chemical dependency and mental illness. someday i will even drive a veggie fueled pick up truck! passions include exercise, reading, writing, sewing, jewelry making, personal growth, spiritual study, being in the wilderness, travel and dancing.
this will be my third burn, second camping with camp beaverton (a lesbian/bi camp) within the freedom community village/camp. we have several events planned so watch for us in the what-where-when, and don't be shy about stopping by to say hi! my tent will be the one with the colorful pinwheel on it...

posted in Burning Singles! - 2 replies

hello everone

2008-07-03T17:47:41Z

I'm new on here looking for friends, dont know what to say other then this is a new experience for me. Im strait not that it matters, I am new to the scorched nuts this is my second year and love it I feel like I found my self. So if any one would like to chat please let me know thank you!

posted in Burning Singles! - 5 replies

Orgasmateria Raffle for a Hitachi Magic Wand!

2008-07-01T03:37:18Z

Want to support the Orgasmateria Pleasure lab, but not quite ready to show up at a clothing-optional fundraising orgy? Well this year, we have a way you can help the Orgasmateria get to the playa without having to get all naked and sticky.

We're holding a raffle and you can enter online! For a $5 donation, your name is entered in our drawing for a brand new Hitachi Magic Wand -- The Cadillac of Vibrators! What better way to achieve the climax of your American Dreams?

You can enter the raffle online using the paypal button at:
http://www.orgasmateria.com

Multiple purchases will be represented in the drawing, so each ticket you buy increases your chances to win! The winner will be contacted for a mailing address and the Magic Wand will be delivered before you hit the playa.

And it's all for a good cause! Your contribution will help pay for workshop supplies, giftable safe-sex packs and power for our Vibrating Mechanical Bull ride, not to mention help us ship all our orgasmaterials from NYC out to the playa.

Viva la Orgasmateria!
TkB

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

in Ohio, going to BRC

2008-06-02T03:26:16Z

Hi I'm wondering if anyone is from Ohio and interested in caravaning or car pooling to Black Rock this year. I've got a 7 passenger minivan.

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

Destination Unknown, June 28th, LAS VEGAS

2008-06-01T00:06:29Z

Saturday, June 28, 2008
5pm - Infinity

Music:
Psychdelia , Techno, House....

Location:
TBA - about an hour north of las vegas.

LINEUP:
Earth Bag (Terrakoma)
Willy (Electronarcosis)
Alfredo (Terrakroma)
Konvndrvm (Rawheaven.org/Konvndrvm.net)
Gabriel (Terrakroma)
Twisted D.U.O. (Shiva Studios/NV-604)
Pete Spinning (MonkeyDo!/NV-604)
Oscar Molina (Puff Lounge/NV-604)
Psystem (Biological Frequencies/NV-604)
Thumper Rabbit (Thumpin Prod./NV-604)
DJ Speakers (GVK Crew)

More TBA!!!!!!!

THIS WILL BE A FREE GATHERING!!!!

Do bring:
BLANKETS
COMFORTABLE CLOTHING
GOOD VIBES
CAMPING ESSENTIALS
TENTS
DISCRETION
SMILES
HUGS
FIRE TOYS
DRUMS

Don’t bring:
BAD VIBES
GLASS BOTTLES
CAMP FIRES
HIPPOS
ANYTHING YOU CAN’T TAKE BACK WITH YOU

Carpooling is highly suggested.
We will have a "Desert Dollar Store" selling bottles of H2O, TP, Snacks for $1.00.
Free Fruit and Chai in the morning.

Sunrise meditation session.
UV Art displays.

Please keep in mind that this is a gathering. NOT A RAVE!!!
Support your local scene.
Leave No Trace.
Recycling available.

ONE SOUND SYSTEM. ONE VIBE. UNITY WITH ALL

posted in Burning Singles! - 1 reply

Become a Black Rock City Ranger

2008-05-24T13:56:37Z

Think you might like to become a Black Rock City Ranger?

The training schedule is posted. http://rangers.burningman.com/calendar.shtml

Prerequisite: Must have attended Burning Man as a participant a year before becoming a Ranger, Participant First-Ranger Second.
Rangers are not cops and cop mentality is not what they are looking for.
Rangers are non-confrontational mediators, warm and fuzzy not enforcer types.
If you like telling people what to do don't bother.
If you enjoy helping people come to their right decision come to a training.

This is not an official post.

posted in Burning Singles! - 16 replies

Orgasmateria recruiting for BM08!

2008-05-13T18:21:27Z

The Orgasmateria is recruiting for a big expansion this year, and we need a corps of dedicated Orgasmateers to make it all happen with a minimum of fuss.

We’re recruiting “shift chiefs” to manage the camp for three-hour blocks, and if we get enough people, nobody will have to be tied down (so to speak) at the camp for more than a few hours all week. Shift chiefs won’t have to do everything by themselves, of course, but they’ll be in charge of organizing volunteer assistants and making sure things are set up, run well, and cleaned up.

There are basically four types of shifts, with different sorts of activities depending on the time of day:

Morning Activity shift 10am-1pm: In the morning, we’ll be offering wake-up spankings (Coffee-n-Paddles), followed by the Naked Gun nude water-gun battle at high noon.
Shift Chief Responsibilities: prepare coffee, give spankings, send minions for ice, fill coolers with icewater for Naked Gun, make sure folks strip before filling their water-guns

Afternoon Workshop shift 2pm-5pm: the afternoon is reserved for workshops, most of which will be taught by “guest lecturers” so the shift chief’s main responsibility will be: making sure the space is clean and ready before folks arrive; crowd control when the space fills up; assisting the instructor if necessary; and helping to straighten up afterwards

Evening Mixer sift 5pm-8pm: In the evenings the Orgasmateria will host a number of themed mixers (Kinkurious, Skinsational, etc), the shift chief’s job will be to oversee set up, emcee any contests of games at the party, and makes sure any major party fouls are cleaned up afterwards.

Late Night Playtime Shift 10pm-1am: This year the Orgasmateria will be open for free-play at night, with various bondage gear, tickletoys, implements of discipline and vibrating thingamabobs available for use. The Shift chief will be in charge of controlling access (no tourists taking up space, etc); enforcing Orgasmateria etiquette/rules, helping guests who may be unfamiliar with our toys and making sure things get tossed in the appropriate bin when folks are done.

If any of these shifts sound like something you could handle, please volunteer with an email to orgasmateria@nyc.com, specifying whatever preferences you have for time of day and/or day of week. Note, that you don’t have to camp with Orgasmateria to be a shift chief or volunteer, but if you DO want to camp with us, let us know ASAP!

Viva la Orgasamateria!

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL THEME CAMPS!

2008-05-09T23:55:55Z

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2478686605_716f0a420e_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2172/2478686719_02f0610380_o.jpg

COME ON DOWN AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL THEME CAMPS!

FUN FAIR STYLE WITH BOOTHS!

SAT. MAY 10th
5040 se Milwaukie

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

Anyone going to Lightning in a Bottle?

2008-05-08T06:48:14Z

I'm thinking of going to Lightning in a Bottle this year. Anyone been? Anyone interested in getting the LA-based Burning Singles together?

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

its my first time, be gentle... for now.

2008-05-07T17:11:37Z

ok, so, i see people posting on where they will be its a Time reference, and a street? I have not been to BM yet, and I don't know how to pick a place to camp, or will i just get assigned when i show up? I'd kinda like to camp in the 9:00 zone by the red light as I am Poly. however I don't want that to be my only experience at BM by any means. So, im looking for advice. Should i just show up and take what fate gives me, and be down for whatever adventure that is? OR, try to be more picky about where I get placed... ? my friends and I rented a small RV that we plan to try to decorate some. I don't want to be by kids, as We tend to be late night people....

Advice?

It would also be nice to meet up with some so-cal burners to help me work out logistics of food water decorations, and what to wear....

Drew

posted in Burning Singles! - 3 replies

Is anyone going to Flipside in Texas?

2008-05-07T04:39:29Z

A dear friend gifted me a ticket to my first regional, and I've heard it's quite a cool wingding. Anyone else from this tribe going?

(I am temporarily marooned in central Texas, a far cry from my home of San Francisco)

posted in Burning Singles! - 17 replies

Marin Burner Singles Check Out Local Singles Events

2008-05-02T14:06:18Z

http://www.marinsinglesevents.net/

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

Fat, stupid, poor, bald, old, ugly, humorless...

2008-04-25T20:36:10Z

Why am I still single?

Maybe if I buy Hummer. Hmmm...

posted in Burning Singles! - 4 replies

Burning Singles.. in the Southbay????

2008-04-04T19:56:40Z

Hey Southbay Singles......
Join us tonight..

Its First Friday this April 4..............................

Hey Burners....... DO YOU LOVE the BLUES??

I invite you to join me at the coolest LIVE Blues bar in the Bay Area. This Friday night will be hopping with the first band (Stan Erhart Trio) at 7pm ... .... followed by Wicked Sons at 9pm. I saw Wicked Sons last Friday night and they are totally cool.

We are offering a Burner Blues discount at the door of only $5.00.
Wear a silly hat or your furry finest!

So come on out and support the Live Blues with your BURNER buddies!

another reason this bar is really cool is, there is a leather couch lounge area where you can put your feet up and watch the band being projected from the other room!!

Location: JJs Blues

Address: 3439 Stevens Creek Blvd. Santa Clara, CA 95050
(its right next door to an army surplus store and pizza place)

Time: 7pm for the first band 9ish for the 2nd band.......

web: http://www.jjsblues.net

I will be working the door so be sure I know your a Burner to get the discount!!
Hope to see some of you there!!

Elecktra

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

Evil!

2008-04-04T06:48:20Z

Just curious if anyone is going to Evil Breaks tomorrow night (Friday 4/4) @ Mighty - http://www.evilbreaks.com/

Should be good...Evinrude is hot on the decks (ex- space cowboys dj)

lmk... I'll be escaping a stupid wine tasting earlier in the evening. Need release!

sweet cheeks.

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

Gay Cub 26/M/Oregon

2008-04-02T22:10:51Z

Vibrant, crazy, 26-yo gay cub here. Into languages, nature, spirit, philosophy, art of all kinds, and hairy alternative dudes.

Open to pretty much anything from LTR with the right person to a quick toss in the hay with someone interesting. Traits I respect in people are honesty, humor, focus, creativity, and the ability to walk your own path.

Say hi or whatever, lol...

"Un beso sin barba es comida sin sal"
(A kiss without facial hair is like unsalted food)

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

BM tix

2008-03-24T01:26:44Z

got mine yesterday...... wooo hooo...

posted in Burning Singles! - 6 replies

Any single L.A. Burners?

2008-03-19T02:37:44Z

I really would love to find a burner out here to connect with....but all the ones I meet have boyfriends! Ugh! What is a guy to do?

posted in Burning Singles! - 19 replies

Pretty quiet in here...

2008-03-18T08:43:35Z

did everyone run off and get married?
lol.

i've started dating outside my larger art/dance community circle. interesting. because i'm such a freak though i have managed to find some freaks that just haven't found their way "home" yet, as we all end up saying when we find the burner circles.

i figure i'm either going to eventually meet someone here in my community or it will be completely random outside of this community, but someone who just hasn't found us yet. it would never work for me if they didn't like this kind of community anyway.

how is everyone else's experience going?
who here lives in greater seattle?

posted in Burning Singles! - 17 replies

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T21:22:31Z

Yet another Valentine's Day that I have not spent hundreds of dollars on roses, chocolates, cards and dinner.

posted in Burning Singles! - 7 replies

A Personal: My Burning Man Experience

2008-02-06T03:42:06Z

Hey all! Glad to join this tribe.

Below is my story at my first burn in 2007. I just wrote it today, and haven't really gone over my Burn experience this deeply since then. It's been very interesting to look back on. I share this with no expectations, but thanks for reading it if you choose to do so.

Blessings,
Ora

P.S. To explain the opening paragraph, I started writing it here and then realized I wanted to post it elsewhere.

A Personal: My Burning Man Experience

ChiSWMTFTSISOSP. This is my personals abbreviation for Burners. It's longer if not specific to Burners. The following began as a post to the Burning Singles Tribe on Tribe.net. It quickly evolved into something more, perhaps speaking for experiences we have all had or will have in our lives, within or outside of Burning Man.

I came as part of a theme camp, to build a Goddess Temple. It was a simple expectation, and the rest of my expectations I had mostly left behind... except the one about meeting that perfect person. You know the one.

It began with working my ass off from Saturday through Monday, adjusting to the constant blowing dust from incoming Burners. We put up two large domes with less than a skeleton crew, and my task gradually became one of deciphering geodesic dome layouts. On the first day, it was several men and myself putting up the first dome. The sometimes handsome faces covered by goggles and dust masks looked to me for directions as I translated Bucky Fuller's mind into reality.

On the second day, a mass of women arrived: all friends, all straight. The dome went up fairly quickly, and we began to setup the Sacred space.

In the first few days of the event proper, I made the typical virgin mistake of hanging around my camp for most of each day, saving only the night time to explore. Once in a while I would take a daytime jaunt into the deep playa to check out small projects and sometimes rides through town. I was in the flow of things and did little to assert individual desire.

Monday night I tracked down a friend from Tribe. We had a conversation wherein we both realized that I was still not ready to open up to Burning Man or the people there. It was a quiet and tenuous conversation and was gladly broken by the arrival of her girlfriend. From there the couple led me to a great psytrance('ish) party at Moon Tribe where I maintained a sizable distance from anyone. I danced and spun glow poi out in the open playa for a couple hours as the moon eclipsed. The greatest interaction I had that night was only in the collective mixture of concern, curiosity and then glee that fellow Burners expressed as the Man enigmatically burned early.

Tuesday night, our Temple was innundated with people lounging on the floor of the Temple space. The energy was dirty and disrespective, increasing my misanthropy, and I knew that we'd have to do energetic cleaning in the morning. So I decided to get away from it all. I spent that night escaping people to see the art.

Monkeys eating snakes, high city views, flames, lasers, electronic string instruments, an arrowhead gift, a business card, costumes, roving party vehicles, law enforcement with thermal scanners, flames, lasers... It was all neat, but the playa itself and the pagentry doesn't surprise me. It's the way life *should* be. It's home, and I was ready for that long before I missed my first chance to go in 2006.

That night I looked over the playa from the oil derrick (Crude Awakening), and saw thousands of amazing beautiful people. Doesn't one of them want to love me? Of course the answer is probably yes, but finding them, opening them up, and opening up to them can all be difficult, three things which may often be disproportionate.

I mostly maintained a distance from people that night, spending only a half hour in conversation with a Columbia professor who played the interactive art & electronic string instrument with me for an equal amount of time. The following night involved even less interaction as I hid in the Temple all night, watching people commune with the Divine. The spiritual connection they craved I had in lonely abundance, but an abundance of interpersonal connection I craved was often what brought these wartorn hearts to the Temple.

Thursday afternoon I went to a seminar on transgenderism and found myself giving a short 5-10 minute workshop to less experienced elders on the sacred aspects of transgenderism and sacred gender identity. Throughout the week I found that even transpeople on the playa knew little about the sacred aspect of being trans.

Now please excuse me while I digress to share an important piece of awareness about being trans, particularly being pre-operational (or just pre-op) transsexual. In an earlier conversation on Tuesday with a veteran Burner and camp organizer, it was revealed to me that while people are generally free from marginalization based on their sexual orientation on the playa, transpeople, or people with a variant gender identity are more tepidly embraced, especially non-crossdressing transpeople. Crossdressing is of course seen throughout the playa and largely accepted, but what of people who actually identify as a gender incongruous with their physical sex?

I felt throughout the week that I, unlike so many of my friends who were conquering their fear of nudity, could not walk topless or naked in public on the playa, because my gender would be wholly misidentified. While everyone deals with a myriad of issues when conquering the fear of nudity, it seems to me that pre-op transsexuals (and I should add intersexed individuals) face a uniquely intense and difficult experience.

Returning to the workshop on Thursday afternoon, it was quickly interrupted by the giant duststorm that kicked up. Suddenly, I was wisked away from my poigniant realizations -- with my trusty compass guiding me through 3' visibility -- to the Temple to make sure everything was okay there. I wanted to be a playa angel and help people in the deep playa find their way back, but I decided to check on the Temple's status. Structures everywhere were failing and blowing away. The Temple was fine, except for random refugees unknowingly lifting the Goddess's skirt to escape the storm.

Like the duststorm that afternoon, Thursday night hit me the hardest emotionally. I wanted some One. Friends everywhere were connecting, even if only romantically or spiritually for a day or two. I rode throughout the entire city, some 5-10 miles of streets, connecting with very few people. A depressive funk (genetic in my family) started to take its really nasty hold.

There didn't seem to be any music I liked. I was looking for "full-on" psytrance at 8-10pm at night, something I didn't bother to realize was a relative unlikelihood. Most camps didn't appear to me as inviting, as if exclusive to their tight knit group. Or at least, I told myself: "How would they receive a person as strange as me? Yes it's Burning Man, but I fall under a different kind of strange than probably 97% of the people there." Then comes the age old pity party question: "How can a person like me ever be loved?" These dangerous thoughts, 20 year old patterns that use my gender identity as a crutch, pervaded my mind as I traversed most of the city untouched by the superfluous positive energy it had to offer...

Finally, I broke down crying while riding my bike, tears flowing down the esplanade. Still I continued to escape from people. This time, I rode full bore into the deep playa, legs weary but pumping the pedals hard. I laid at the trash fence, looking up at the stars and the moonless sky. It was still early enough that the moon hadn't come out yet, and here I was bawling my eyes out in the lonliness I was creating. I questioned myself if anyone would stop and approach me. For well over a half hour of tears, people, art cars and law enforcement (LEOs) just drove by, glancing on occasion. The LEOs stopped long enough to watch me move, to make sure I wasn't a dead body by a parked bike.

The ground and the air that night were very cold, and I had only one layer over my tank top. So I returned to my tent where I cried myself to sleep. Friday morning I woke up, looking for a friend to talk to about all this. Luckily I had a talk with a soul sister who was camping next to me. Her instructions were simple: "Get out onto the playa and just be happy with yourself." I unknowingly did that the first couple days. Now, I had to renew it.

I rode out into the city. I found an upright piano and no one around, so I played. I rode some more. I stopped by a camp with a sign claiming they had "elders." Hoping for a sacred camp to connect with, I instead got a 15 minute deep lecture by a complete non-peer, who needed to talk himself more than I needed to hear what he had to say. He thought he helpd me, but I think I helped him more by listening. I smiled to myself as I moved on.

Then I stood at a plaza behind Center Camp, at 6 and "something'ish." I heard a deep organ sound from massive speakers and recognized it immediately. As Lisa Gerrard began to sing "The Host of Seraphim," I stood directly in front of the speakers, eyes closed in meditation. A few people joined me, recognizing this was a "moment." What followed was a couple minutes of pure peace and stillness...

I opened my eyes for a second and saw in front of me, with arms outstretched like an eagle circling the plaza, a man with a cowboy hat, dust mask and white fur trim on his backpack. "Yes!" I thought. I watched him intently for a few moments as I noticed he began to spiral out of the plaza. Just after I lost sight of him and as the music ended, I jumped on my bike and blasted after him, as if my life depended on this chase. Could it be? Is it that simple?

I caught up with him and dismounted my bike. I didn't know what to say, so I made it simple, "Hi! I saw you back there in the plaza and thought I should say hi." A wonderful little chat ensued. Yet within minutes I found out that we were not compatible as lovers, another case of girl meets gay boy. Riding a positive high from the meditation, I resolved to be friends nonetheless and to follow him to the dance he wanted to get to, something called "The Deep End." As usual, I feigned virgin Burner ignorance despite having seen copious amounts of video and Tribe posts about it online.

In the jungle of bikes, I locked it well and placed my backpack in a strategic location. I took a giant swig of water in preparation. And then... I danced my ass off. He gave me a hand up to the stage where I worked my dance magick on a floor filled with people unaccustomed to whatever it was I was doing. EVentually people followed suit and realized it was time to kick up the energy. 4 years ago, I'd never danced in my life. This was a good feeling, life of the party, even if only for a few minutes.

It takes a lot of energy, probably why others were dancing less before, pacing themselves. Winded but high on life, I replaced myself on stage with a pretty vixen from below. The telling look on her face of surprise and elation brought a smile to my face as well. I waved goodbye to the white fur man who had brought me there for a little fun.

I made my way out to the playa. I figured out the art of the giant swing, requiring patience and perfect form to get high without pushing. When I got off, a 6" action figure with a Cheech Marin accent driving a remote control monster truck came up to me offering tortilla chips and what I must say was excellent guacamole. Shortly after, a large dust devil engulfed the swingsets and those around them. We were pelted with fine rocks and sand from every direction for 5-10 seconds, and it continued on its path. Racing on bike with a fellow stranger, we tried to catch the whirlwind.

From there I hung out at the 9 O'clock plaza by a giant birthday cake and spun my fluorescent sock poi. I danced until I ran out of water and my lips were dry, sending me home for more. Back at my village, I caught a seminar on sacred geometry, interrupted by the double rainbow for a short period. It was turning out to be a beautiful day.

For supper, the village was serenaded by an incredible violinist while waiting in line for one of our amazing meals. That night, I spent 2 hours on the back of a tetrahedral art car with full-on psytrance while spinning my long poi off the back. Most of the people who hopped on for rides were only kids, college aged. Ravers, hippies and yahoos were words that came to mind, and I became present to a lack of the sacred anywhere outside of my own camp. It was a myopic view to be sure, and it sent me to sleep that night again non-plussed. I reminded myself later on just how full that day had been.

Saturday morning, I used the camp's showers. I was naked and getting dressed. The man after me was just now undressing and getting naked. Suddenly, we found ourselves in a long, powerful and deep conversation. We were mutually transfixed, and the word soulmate had crossed my mind. Sexuality came up and in the most gentlemanly manner he offered a "sexual experience" with him. It was astounding to find this thrown on my lap so perfectly and suddenly with the sexuality and gender lines already fully discussed and understood. It was amazing! But as Morpheus says in the Matrix, "Fate it seems is not without a sense of irony."

He had kids my age. I do not fall so easily for such taboos, and age would not be a primary concern for a singular sexual experience, a blantant -- but responsible -- "romp through the woods," as it were. And yet I found myself turning him down on his offer on account of age difference. Upon greater reflection months later, I begin to wonder if it was just an excuse for a last ditch effort at sabotaging my desires and dreams, something I have battled since elementary school.

There I was, having made it that far, from depressive lonliness on Thursday night to an outright offer on Saturday morning. I reflected on this by spending the next few hours in the Temple. Ultimately this turned out to be a distraction I had used many times that week to retreat from my growing pains.

The fountain water in the Temple was brown from playa dust. It had been a long week. I went to a final seminar on extraterrestrial culture. I watched fire conclave, uncertain if I ever wanted to be in it. Standing alone in a sea of people, I watched the Man burn. It did not have the joyous feelings that others retell in their experiences, nor did I have bad feelings. I was simply present.

I exited the crowds early and dashed for a front row seat at the oil derrick burn. I sat next to a beautiful soul, my same age, who gifted me foot lotion. He and I talked softly and gently, with healthy doses of peaceful silence as punctuation. He was not interested in romance or sex, but he was a beautiful soul to connect with. We were ships passing in the night, sharing their light. The heat of the mushroom cloud warmed our smiling faces. It was a moment to remember. All by "Ourself."

Experiences like these make me realize that the people of Burning Man, including interactions with myself, were far more significant than the events or artworks themselves.

Like three year olds with cardboard boxes we want to appreciate the vessels these gifts of people come in: the human body and all it creates. Yes, Burning Man can be seen as humanist from a physical perspective. But like adults we equally want to appreciate the spiritual value of the hearts, minds, and souls that lie within these gifts of people. Burning Man can also be seen as humanist from the emotional, mental and spiritual perspectives.

The art of Burning Man can be thought of as a catalyst to bring us together. The deep underlying reason why we continue to come to this event is to appreciate and play with the Art of People. Personally, I wish to go deeper into this Art. I wish to know it better physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I want to know people better. I want to know You better. I want to know Us better.

posted in Burning Singles! - 2 replies

Single Burners in Utah???

2008-02-04T03:34:47Z

There are only a few burners in this fine state that i call home, and I think I know most of them. But, if by some slim chance, there is more, I would like to meet another one that i havent met yet, or maybe one that i have that has been forgotten.....

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

Rev Jack is Back!!

2008-01-31T16:33:45Z

after some time lost in the delault world ...I have found my way back .....nice to see you all

posted in Burning Singles! - 1 reply

Single...

2008-01-18T06:30:02Z

Yup... single and looking. Any nice ladies out there???

=:)

Cross

posted in Burning Singles! - 1 reply

Connecting off the playa.....

2008-01-17T02:13:35Z

hello burning singles!!
I wanted to let you all know about an event we're hosting in San Francisco. Its a burner friendly singles night that might be just up yer alley!

Have you ever wondered why it's so much easier to connect on the playa than it is back in the city? Well, so have we! CrushLab is our little ongoing experiment in cultivating a quality of connection which reflects that friendly, open, creative, artsy vibe (minus the dust and heat!). We have compelling interactive activities which allow you to easily make connections without feeling under pressure or 'on the spot'.

you can find us here http://www.crushlab.com

Hope to see you here soon! WE have an event THIS THURSDAY!

posted in Burning Singles! - 7 replies

mardis gras is coming.....

2008-01-15T16:09:23Z

I live within a 5 minute walk of the French Quarter....have small New Orleans place but could let a couple people crash on the floor or couch if your coming to town. Could set up my BM tent in the back patio...

holler at me..

jb1524 on that ya hooey thing.

john

posted in Burning Singles! - 3 replies

A Single Person's Heart Guide to Burning Man

2008-01-14T10:39:38Z

As a single, hetero man, I know from experience that Burning Man can be a wonderful and crushing experience. Usually both, often at the same time. I can hardly think of a single guy who has shown up at the playa alone and not wanted to hook up with someone. The fact is, this desire can ruin your BM experience (actually, it just makes you think that your experience is ruined). I have found that there are lessons that I have had to learn multiple times. After last year, as soon as I got back, I made notes to myself for this year, while the experience was still fresh in my mind. Now, as the burn approaches, I am taking what I have learned this year and adding to last year’s notes. I thought to myself, “I wish someone had told me this stuff before I went to Burning Man.” So, I decided to post it here. Many points have been offered by other people at one time or another. This is just my collection.

Be present.
This is, in my opinion, the most important thing. As in the default world, all we really have at Burning Man is the now. You can’t even say that you will have 7 days of nows, because anything could happen. So, just experience every single moment fully. If you find yourself thinking about how sweet it would be to hook up with that hottie you just met or how it would suck if she didn’t show up when you guys were supposed to meet, stop. Look around. Burning Man is happening all around you right now. Experience it. Now. This is why you came. Don’t miss it. If you put being at Burning Man above getting laid at Burning Man, you will have a far richer experience. And, you will increase your chances of getting laid at Burning Man.

When in doubt, say “Yes”
When offered anything, material, interactional or spiritual at Burning Man, unless you think that that this would be a “bad thing” for you, say “yes”. Yes opens up new possibilities. Yes is fun. And, Yes is usually sexy. Conversely, if you don’t think it’s a good thing for you, then definitely say no. Multiple times, and loudly if need be.

Have no expectations.
Expect nothing, not even a good time or a shitty time at Burning Man. Expect nothing from others. Especially, do not expect to have sex at Burning Man. Even if you go with a lover or possible lover, do not expect to have sex with them, or anyone else for that matter.

Be prepared
The other side of the expectation rule. Understand the difference. Do not expect to hook up with someone, but be prepared if you do. Bring what you need. Get tested, if you haven’t already.

Give
Give your time, your attention, your trinkets, your love, your admiration, your beer, your energy, your opinion, your hand, your heart, your enthusiasm. Give everything you can think of.

Make contact
Talk to as many interesting people as possible. Then, talk to some people that you would normally talk to. Always have a notepad and something to write with. Take pictures of people and take notes to go with them. Get email/phone numbers.

Use alternatives to sex
You don’t have to have intercourse to be intimate with someone. Massages are, of course, a good option. One of my favorites is the foot bath. Bring a small tub and some nice soap and lotion for after. Also, there is cuddling, eye-gazing, you get the point. Often, it is the non-sexual play that leads to other things. If not, well, it’s all good anyway.

Take responsibility for your joy
If you find yourself in a situation that you don’t want to be in, don’t not blame others. Blame, anger will probably not make anything any better. So, take responsibility for your attitude, your survival, your joy. Remember that you always have three choices: Accept the situation, change the situation or leave the situation. Pick one of the three, then be at peace.

For example, here’s a personal tip. I set a waiting time for meet-ups. For me, it’s 15 minutes. If someone says that they will meet me at a certain time, and they are not there, or we miss each other for whatever other reason, after 15 minutes, I’m free to do whatever I want (including waiting longer). In any case, it takes away any anger or disappointment. It puts me in control. And, while I’m waiting, I am fully experiencing the moment.

Communicate clearly
In your dealing with people, make sure that you are clear in your intentions. Make no assumptions. Ask the questions you need answers to. Be tactful, but direct. Clear communication is sexy.

Use drugs wisely
If you use drugs, then plan your drug usage ahead of time. Consider doing no drugs at all. There’s nothing worse that happening upon a possible playa buddy, then being too fucked up to have any fun.

Keep a journal
A journal will prove invaluable to you, even if you never go to Burning Man again. It is so easy to forget all of the thoughts you had on the playa. Don’t wait until you get back to camp to write. Jot a quick note down in the moment.

Get rest
You cannot go to The Deep End every afternoon, then go out dancing every night. You must plan for down time. You should not dance until sunrise unless you can sleep late the next day. Get plenty of sleep before you drive home.

Don’t fuck people in your camp.
If you can avoid it, “Don’t shit where you eat.” Understandably, sometimes, you just gotta do what you gotta do. But, there are thousands of other people in BRC. Inter-camp hook-ups usually end up badly.

Read, then keep “The Four Agreements”
If you haven’t read “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz, I highly suggest it. It’s a quick, but invaluable read. If you aren’t driving, you can probably finish it on the way to Burning Man. If you are driving, get the audiobook. In any case, it puts you in a great headspace when you hit BRC.

Don’t forget the art
Burning Man is one of the most amazing art exhibits in the world. Experience as much of it as you can. Interact with it. Take pictures of it. Talk about it with other people who are experiencing it with you. This is one lesson that I forget every year.

Be grateful
Do you realize how lucky/blessed you are to be at Burning Man? Then give thanks, to the the people who sell you ice, to the Rangers, to your campmates, to the stranger who is now a friend, to (your dogma here) for creating the playa, the sky above it and the mountains that surround it. Give thanks, verbally and in your heart. You can’t do it enough.

If anyone has any other tips from the heart for Burning Man, I would love to read them.

Dusty kisses
OhTony

posted in Burning Singles! - 31 replies

Nita Little \\ first call

2008-01-04T12:49:37Z

Caravajal15 residenza dinamica
International Projects 2008

Orvieto \ Italy
April 25–May 2 / 2008

Nita Little
Restless Peace
A mind in motion and Contact Improvisation experience
Residential project for experienced movers

The American performer Nita Little will be the special guest of our association, first time in Italy as guest artist, for giving the project “Restless Peace”. The intensive workshop with Nita Little is in the calendar of our Residential Projects 2008, and will be from April 25 to May 2, 2008 in the beautiful Etruscan city of Orvieto, in middle Italy.

After the end of the workshop, on May 3rd and 4th, the association will plan also two days with the International Springfest Jam.

The intensive workshop and the Jam will be held both at the headquarters of the cultural Association Caravajal15 residenza dinamica, in the prestigious sixteenth century rooms of the Palazzo Caravajal-Simoncelli, in Orvieto.

Application for registration in the project with Nita Little is open from January 7th. For information and more details write to: info@contactfestival.it, or telephone to +39 0763.341479.

Nita Little
Restless Peace
The urge to move, to go where we have never been, is the soul of our practice in this workshop.
Developing a "home base", a place of personal and creative safety is as important as the journey; how wonderful to be free when you have a home! We learn, how like nomads, we may carry our home with us, even as we track paths in and out of unfamiliar territory.
We focus on developing the mental, emotional, and physical skills that enable dancers to travel creatively. Utilizing a full dance vocabulary, we integrate gestured movement improvisation with contact improvisation and build the skills to consciously weave these two forms.

We investigate “states” of mind / “states” of body as a means to develop and direct creative work in our improvisations. Developing the ability to describe and craft subtle levels of action and experience, we boost our physical potential while increasing our readability. Moving in solo, duet and group forms, we gain compositional tools for structural orientation; like torches, they light the way.

This workshop is developed for experienced movers who wish to pass beyond the threshold of old patterns. The restless human drive that takes us out of comfort, urges us to meet the unfamiliar, to move into, through and with the unknown, is a dance artist’s call. Here, we harness that drive and discover how, moving at the speed of our restless calling, we can find peace.

This class culminates in a creative work for performance at the workshop and at Zipfest08.

Things we will do:
Go deep into the physical philosophy behind contact improvisation.
Learn underlying CI principles that manifest as pathways of action.
Build the tools for safe physical and creative relationships
Discover different spatial orientations: vertical/hierarchical and horizontal/diffuse.
Learn about our temporal orientation and develop tools that modulate time.
Develop the skills to be able to move freely between states of mind.
Deepen our agreements to open to life, to the dance.
Honor peace.

about Nita Little
www.nitalittle.com
Nita Little has been developing, choreographing, performing and teaching improvisational dance for the past thirty-six years, notably Contact Improvisation, which she helped evolve from its inception with Steve Paxton, Nancy Stark Smith and others.
She collaborated in numerous performing companies introducing Contact Improvisation throughout the United States. She is a master teacher with former students all over the world, who are themselves now master dancers and teachers: Gretchen Spiro, Andrew Harwood, Frey Faust, Scott Wells, Julie Oak, Peter Bingham to name just a few. Through CI she discovered her abiding interest in the evolution of consciousness and the mind body relationship. Since 1981 she has been developing an evolving curriculum called The Mind in Motion, which explores the range of experiential states along the mind-body continuum and reveals principles that define Contact Improvisation as well as other movement forms. This work is informed by her investigation of the mind through work such as hypnotherapy and NeuroLinguistic Programming.

As a performing artist her current work is a mix of both formal and improvisational choreography and scores. While anchored in process, it frequently explores character, story, and concept.

Nita received a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in choreography and was on the California Arts Council Touring Program.
The latter award was to her solo dance company, NITA LITTLE DANCE THEATRE, which she began in 1984, continued through 1990, and reinstated as a pickup company in 2000. In 2002 Nita created Playing God, an hour-long dance opera that received funding through the Dance USA /National Endowment for the Arts.

Over the years Nita has been both faculty and guest artist at numerous colleges and universities including New York University, California Institute for the Arts, Texas Christian University, Temple University, Tufts University, Scripps College and UC Santa Barbara.

Nita teaches and performs yearly at national and international dance festivals including ImPulsTanz, Vienna, The Side Step Festival, Helsinki, Kontakt Budapest International Improvisation Festival, the International Contact Festival Freiburg, Germany,the Seattle Festival of Alternative Dance and Improvisation and the West Coast Contact Improvisation Festival, Berkeley California.
She also teaches locally and nationally throughout the year. She lives with her son in Santa Cruz Mountains in California.

As she has pioneered a path in the understanding of the mind/body/spirit relationship, Nita's mission, conscious evolution, has been the backbone of her passion and her practice. Her goal is to see, feel and reveal grace in all its forms and as it exists in the actions of the mind and the body.

Info and reservation
Caravajal15 residenza dinamica
Via Malabranca 15
05018 Orvieto (TR) - Italy
tel +39 0763.341479
fax +39 0763.340669
info@contactfestival.it
www.contactfestival.it

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

New Found Fame!! and wealth??

2007-12-30T18:43:08Z

Ok people, I just found out today that i am a burner celebrity... check it out. www.burnerswithoutborders.com... Yes thats me on the homepage in the cowboy hat... now now, I can get you ALL autograpghs... don't get pushy, I will always remember who my friends are, and won't leave you guys out in the cold.....sorry, i have to cut this short, i think the Paparazzi is sneaking around my house!!... much love.. Ryan

posted in Burning Singles! - 6 replies

What I Learned in 2007

2007-12-29T08:43:40Z

2007 was by far the best year of my life. I could write and "brag" about all the cool shit that I did this year, but that would be….self serving. Instead I thought I would write about the things that I learned.

1. Thoughts Become Things

All of the thoughts that go on in my head have become a reality. I manifested everything I wanted to this year. I met amazing people that will be life long friends. I received a free RV that our crew took full advantage of. I had so many people saying "lets go do this" and I kept on saying "YES!". I had the best year of my life professionally; I now have 9 awesome people that call me "Boss Man". I watched the secret with all of my friends, 28 times to be exact. I read books that have changed my life forever (see previous blogs). I have been able to do this since birth yet I never realized how much control I have, it's been life changing.

2. Doing everything does not make you "Happy".

I did it all this year. I went on Jamcruise, went to Hawaii, Bonnaroo in TN, String Cheese Festivals, Sasquatch, High Sierra Music Festival, Burning Man, and 100's of shows and amazing events. I was in 5th gear for 12 months. The result? I spent a ton of money, I feel un-organized and I did so much fun stuff that everything blurs together. In 2008 I am going to try and do less. Not that I won't be out dancing and smiling like normal. But I want to do more world travel, spend more weekends working on my house, and spend more time camping and more time relaxing. I want to spend less time going to festivals and general "Jamband" activities.

3. Being angry at any group of people is a waste of energy.

I used to be "mad" at the republicans and Pissed off at the Evangelical Christians. I would read the news and feel sick, upset and angry. I realized something very powerful. I was being angry and that benefits nobody. I also realized that the news is simply entertainment, and they write is to come off as "dooms day". The world is a wonderful place, and sometimes I forget that.

4. I was afraid of stupid shit

I used to be afraid of approaching strangers to chat. I used to be afraid of spiders. I used to be afraid of being alone. I used to be afraid of losing my job. I used to be afraid of getting in a car accident. I have come to realize that all of that all of this was bullshit. There was no reason to be afraid, yet I was, and I don't know why. One by one these fears just disappeared. Nothing really scares me now. Peace of mind is priceless.

5. Time goes by quickly.

I will be 30 in 30 days. Trippy. My 20's were amazing and I would not change anything about it. But when I was young and "old people" would say "time goes by quickly" I thought….bullshit…time takes forever. Well it does not, it goes really quick. I have learned to treasure these happy good times.

6. Fools Rush In.

I met some amazing women in 2007, and a few of them I fell in love with….hard…and quickly. I was so sure that I was going to meet my "Life co-pilot" this year. I now realize this can't be rushed. Damian Rice said in a song once "closer to god is the one who's in love". This is my "curse" if you will. I feel closer to god, the planet, people around me, and my soul when I am in love. Yet I don't place enough restraint on "falling in love". This should be a sacred act. So in 2008 I will slow way down when I meet an amazing woman. Will this be easy? Nope. I am a romantic and I believe in fate too much.

7. I am a spiritual being.

I am not a "meat suit" walking the earth. I am a spirit that is connected to everything. I have been here before and if I die tomorrow, I will be back. Reincarnation is real, God is real, none of this is an accident and I get to choose my fate and I can't "screw it up". Everything is up to me. Knowing this as fact is everything.

8. I am grateful for everything.

I used to take so much for granted. I learned that the best thing I can do everyday is to wake up….and simply say "Thank you Universe". Thank you for letting me have another day, thank you for this lovely food, thank you for my friends, thank you for music, and thank you for providing me everything I need.

I turn 30 on January 18th and it does not scare me at all. It's just the chapter closing on my 20's. I am extremely optimistic about the next 10 years of my life.

In the next 10 years of my life I will -

1) Meet my soul mate, my life partner, my co-pilot, and I will marry her.
2) Move closer to the City and own the house of my dreams.
3) Retire
4) Write Two Powerful Books and have them published
5) Get into the best shape of my life
6) Sleep More
7) Dance More
8) Play and Make More Music
9) Become a better business leader
10) Travel More
11) Have 2 kids (I will be an amazing Father)
12) Relax More

They say "If you want to made god laugh, tell him your plans". But I knew and told everyone that 2007 was going to be the best year of my life….and it was.

I am in control of everything.

2008 is going to be the best year of my life, so far.

Boogie On,

Matt Senechal

posted in Burning Singles! - 3 replies

The Traveling Burners!

2007-12-24T02:07:42Z

For Burners all over the world that travel the world meet up with other Burners. A resource for Burners to meet/greet/hang and plan or just shoot the shit getting ideas of where next to go spreading the word.

http://tribes.tribe.net/theburningtravelers

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

So what about burning singles... after the burn???

2007-12-22T07:52:27Z

So, since I messed up my own burn by moping around camp, with high expectations, consentrating on one person who then hooked up with another.
(Instead of exploring my other options at an otherwise great burn.)
What could your average, single, east coast ,burner do to hook up with my own sexy, hippie, burner chick??

posted in Burning Singles! - 26 replies

Dancing the Wild Divine, a Playa Tale

2007-12-18T04:22:08Z

A ninety-foot tall oil derrick bore spiritless witness to nine gigantic steel humans in various poses of prostration and supplication. Crude Awakening, the installation on the edge of the open playa was called, and throughout the week I found myself vaguely annoyed by this piece. Impressed by the scale and ambition, most certainly, but isn’t that theme overwrought? Yes, we worship petroleum. Surely everybody gets that by now. Even the people running generators all day in their RVs understand that.

So there are those who say that Burning Man is hypocritical, wasteful, hedonistic, and false. They are correct, in their own way, but not as correct as those who, when asked what Burning Man is like, simply shake their heads and fall into gazes faraway, as if remembering a lost love, for Burning Man is nothing if it’s not heartbreaking. To witness how beautiful everyone is when they allow themselves to be free, to see how we all want to dance, to love, to be authentic, and then to return to the antithesis of all of this, the workaday world of anxiety, insecurity, guardedness, where people are who they think they should be rather than who they actually are, this is heartbreak.

But of course, the heart can only break open.

There seems sometimes to be an anticipatory sense that something is going to *happen* at Burning Man. Aside from the hundreds of people you meet, aside from the uncanny synchronicities, aside from the hookups, aside from the startlingly original art, aside from the burning of the man, there is an undefined mysterium tremendum that reverberates through the event, as if the event itself is the center of a vortex that has been pulling you toward it for months, a wormhole that threatens to leave you in a whole new world on the very same planet.

At least, this is what happened to me. I first attended Flipside, a regional burn outside of Austin, Texas, over Memorial Day weekend. As it happened, I walked into Whole Foods on the Thursday prior and promptly ran into a friend who was stocking up on provisions on her way out. She asked me if I was going, and in the supreme confidence of unabashed ignorance, I shrugged and said, “naw, that’s not my scene.” You know, hypocritical, wasteful, hedonistic, false, all that. But she told me I should go if I could find some tickets, and this challenge was at least diverting, and I remembered a friend who’d told me months ago that he had a Flipside ticket but didn’t think he was going so I called him and it turned out he was going after all, so sorry man. No worries, didn’t think I really wanted to go in the first place, but then he calls back a few hours later—his girlfriend had just broken up with him—to see if I still wanted a ticket. Sure, I said, not at all sure, but it’s only forty-five minutes outside of town, and I figured I’d just drive over, walk around and check it out for the night. I grabbed two bananas, two apples, two avocadoes, and two gallons of water and headed out. I arrived back home three days later, having been perfectly provided for, and shining like I’d just witnessed a solar eclipse at sunrise.

But this is all just prologue. The summer following Flipside and preceding Burning Man, I found myself taunted by periodic dreams, difficult to describe but having something to do with a pulse at the center of Burning Man, some ominous storm of consciousness that first swiped me off my feet with Flipside and was now drawing me into a rebirth canal before hurling me into points unknown. One dream in particular I remember clearly: Upon arriving at Burning Man, someone pointed at me friendly and demanded, “why are you here?” I awoke to the echoes of my unhesitant reply: “To completely let go of my former relationship.” As I was still recovering from the splinters of a broken eleven and a half year relationship, there was now no obstacle too great to prevent me from making the 3500 mile round trip to Black Rock City. And as fate would have it, I ran into my former partner two days before I left for Burning Man. A poignant sadness passed between us, but she looked good. She looked fantastic.

But on to Burning Man. The portentous soundtrack upon my arrival happened to be Seal’s “Crazy.” "We’re never gonna survive unless we get a little crazy." An auspicious opening to a crazy week spectacular, though it did not really begin until I made my early pilgrimage to the Temple to write my prayer, citing Rumi, "All I ask is that you forever remember me as loving you." After that, my week began in earnest, and I could regale you with tales all night long and my eyes would sparkle and enthusiasm would strain my voice, but let me just tell you about the night of the burn itself. Atop Abraxas the Dragamuffin, a brilliantly-realized work of rolling art in action owing itself to the effort of the Solarians, I had an excellent view of the burning of the man. I wish I could say that it blew my mind, but really it was just a big fireworks and laser show surrounded by the Zippos of the 21st century, thousands of glowing LCD screens as the assembled watched it via the viewfinders of their digital cameras, saving instead of savoring the moment. Fun, yes, but missing was the mystery. Of course, what I did not yet realize was that the burning of the man is not the climax of Burning Man. It is only the blast-off.

It was in the disorderly dispersion after the burning of the man that I began to feel the pulse I had known in my dreams, an emergent rhythm simmering beneath our feet, and we reconvened a couple of hours later at Crude Awakening out on the edge of the open playa to witness the burning of the oil derrick. Again atop Abraxas, I am huddled and cuddled with shipmates reincarnated from a glorious pirate ship, fireworks and lasers, oh my, and then… and then… I don’t know if I gasped or if all the air was sucked out of my lungs by the detonation of the largest controlled propane explosion in the world, a Guinness I guess, 900 gallons of NASA jet fuel and 2000 gallons of liquid propane and oh my god a thousand foot high mushroom cloud churning hellish red and demon black, 2.4 gigawatts of energy, just enough to power the entire Bay Area for one minute (or, come to think of it, two trips back to the future in Doc’s De Lorean…), and the only thing more wow fantastic than this is the firelit faces around me, fireshadows flickering across their wide-open eyes, transfixed in apocalyptic wonder.

And you know, the word apocalypse derives from the Greek word, apokalyptein, which means, “to unveil.” And there was indeed a renting of the veil that night, an opening into a realm where every encounter is authentic, and consequently, deeply meaningful. I had painted the word IMPULSE across my chest in fluorescent white, and as the night wore on I discovered that this was as much invitation as invocation. I was hugged, kissed, licked, squeezed, nibbled, massaged, hit on, and slashed with chocolate, and before long I became the impulse, daring the impulse from whomever chose my presence. During one extended moment, I shared an hour long shoving loving shouting kissing encounter with a woman bursting out of her chrysalis. She showed me how tightly our spirits are crammed into this life, how our bodies are but leotards for our soul, and how our soul just wants to dance, and dance we damn did and nighttime disappeared into blackness all around and there was she and there was me orbiting around one another like Shiva and Shakti growling and grinning across the galaxy, and this is not even the climax.

Finding my way to Opulent Temple, I’m aware of an uncanny sensation of familiarity, of recognizing everything that is happening, a sort of “oh yeah, this is the part where I share an extended shamanic dance on the open playa,” or, “oh yeah, this is when I kiss a pregnant woman’s belly,” or, “oh yeah, this is when I throw it down with a dozen other dancers at Opulent Temple,” as if it all happened in one bright shining moment, a big bang, and life is a vastly reduced awareness of that moment that is right now, and gods and goddesses are dancing the dance their bodies have been dying for, impulses pulsing timeless and tireless and oh yeah this is the part when the dance floor opens around me and surrounds me and eyes are so bright like stars of the night and I am between now and nowever and we are so fucking lucky to be alive.

A dragon breathes fire in the distance and I heed the call of my shipmates and make my way toward the mothership, noting the sky rosy on the horizon and thinking holy cow what a night but it has yet hardly begun. Abuzz with activity, setting the generator a-rumble, bolting into place a platform for spinning, samurai warriors are striding about, preparing for the final assault upon the ego panting upon the periphery, for we have sailed out upon the dead calm of this dry lakebed to do battle only with ourselves, and we won, and we are a float in our own victory parade, and Bassnectar is spinning and people come together to dance the dawn awake and my are we alive today as the sunrise pales next to the light shining out of the eyes of everyone and how are we so beautiful and Seth good brother that he is grabs my shoulder and points to Crude Awakening and do you see how now that the derrick is burned they’re actually worshipping the sunrise?

And I would have wept but my grin would permit me only to dance for I was not yet done and oh yeah this is the part where I’m dancing on the catwalk and a sparkling woman joins me and writhes in close but then something in me closes imperceptibly and I humor her for a couple of minutes before dancing my way away and down the ladder I go and I take three steps and happen to glance back and she’s leaning over the railing and glaring at me in aggressive compassion and where do you think you’re going get back up here and I comply yes I do and regard the dance proper ‘cause you’re not really dancing till you imagine that you are making love and I clearly see how I have been breaking the circuit of sexuality in my life ever since my split and she doesn’t know how she healed me and I don’t know how I healed anyone around me but it happened all the same and the deejay lays down Frou Frou’s “Let Go,” and an exhilaration of epic healing gasps into atmosphere and we dance, and dance, and dance the wild divine.

Epilogue: The next night, during the Temple burn, I watched in somber fascination as it collapsed, sighing satisfied as a wave of cheers swept round and round. Later, I was having a snack with a friend and she asked me if I had let go of what I wanted to let go of and it occurred to me that my former relationship had not crossed my mind all week, not even during the Temple burn. I forgot to let go, I said, realizing that letting go requires no effort, no remembrance, and certainly no action. It requires only release, and acceptance, and that I forgot to let go only demonstrates my success in doing so.

Thank you to all who shared this experience with me. It is surely the morning we will return to upon our death.

Be your biggest,

Impulse, a.k.a. Tony Vigorito
www.tonyvigorito.com

posted in Burning Singles! - 7 replies

i'm back! purrrrrr.....

2007-12-05T16:32:44Z

greetings-

my relationship evolved into best friends only so here i am! :)
grateful to still have the lovely man in my life as my best friend. he is truely awesome and such an amazing friend!

have any of you found Okcupid? its kind of fun. seen a few burners on there.
def. available for that special man to share my life with.
life without is good - life with is EVEN BETTER!

hope this finds everyone fantabulous!

blessings,
shiva

posted in Burning Singles! - 6 replies

Naughty Gifts for Naughty Adults

2007-11-30T19:13:40Z

WearablePorn.com

Naughty Gifts for Naughty Adults

Original fine art bondage & erotica t-shirts, posters, framed prints, greeting cards and more.

http://www.wearableporn.com

posted in Burning Singles! - 3 replies

Hello

2007-11-30T01:11:38Z

To all you single burners. I need a date!

posted in Burning Singles! - 15 replies

t

2007-11-26T07:10:18Z

http://people.tribe.net/takis
On the Burningman Tribe states (in defense of Landmark/EST) "as a handicapped person id think youd have an intimate understanding of the danger of the impact of blanket statements about groups of people. but, maybe i just misunderstood what you were trying to say.

can you backpedal in a wheelchair? " to CryptoFishey who lost her legs recently, and
"guns kill lots of people.. they also allow others to hunt(and eat), or defend themselves.. so are all guns bad? "
As a defense of a Cult/Scam.
This is just wrong!
KK
http://bm.tribe.net/thread/b41b4b15-0529-4563-967c-fedfb54717e5

posted in Burning Singles! - 3 replies

Holiday Gift Exchange

2007-11-16T14:46:08Z

Your Holiday Gift Offer In Exchange. The gift that keeps given, yourself!

What is on your Holiday Wish List?

For the Ladies maybe to get out of town for a lotta holiday pampering and kinky fun. For the guys it's been on your holiday wish list forever. LOL

For the Host:
Your holidays gift and budget are limited to:
1) Mutual Agreements.
2) Hosting.
3) Pick up/drop out service if needed. Area transportation.
4) A holiday meal.
5) A place to play.
6) Special requests and needs.
7) Lodging.
and etc...

For the Guest:
Your gift and budget has no limits except.
1) Mutual Agreements.
2) Clear Communication.
3) Special needs and request.

Happy Holiday and Seasons Greetings.

X’s, Life’s A Beach

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

Seattle Decomp (SeaComp)

2007-11-15T08:46:25Z

If you are thinking of going, here is the info

www.ignitionnw.org/seacompression/

(Well, not too much info, but it is better than a poke in the eye)

And if you want to go, but don't have a place to stay, check this out:

I, Giggles, will again be pairing out of town Burners with places to stay while
in Seattle for SeaComp 2007: Bed-a-Burner

No, this is not a new Burner dating service! It is a house sharing, new friend making
service!!! As we have been gearing up for SeaCompression 2007 I have compiled a
list of available spaces to host those from out of town. These hosts have been screened
and have been proven to be Playa-worthy hosts! If you are coming in from out of town
and will need a place to get ready, sleep (not too much I'm sure!) and chill out, contact
me and I can match you with one of our eager & willing hosts!

If you know anyone else who might be in need of a place, please have them contact me too

Hope to see you all there....Giggles volunteer_addict AT Yahoo dot com
"Matching Burners with Beds since 2005"

posted in Burning Singles! - 5 replies

You're invited to BRY'S MIXER!

2007-11-02T23:09:59Z

Hey, come on in. Welcome to my place -- glad you could make it.

As you can see, the bar is stocked and the DJ knows what he's doing. Dance floor's over there, chillout room and massage table are over through there, and the projector and lounge are on the roof.

So when you arrive, please tell us:
(1) Your name
(2) Where you usually live (when you're not at my place, that is)
(3) What drink you'd like from the bar
(4) Your request for entertainment (I can get music, film, and live acts from freaking *anywhere*!)

Okay, I'll begin:

Bryan Buzz
Downtown Los Angeles
Grey Goose and Red Bull
"The Hairdresser's Husband" by Patrice Leconte, playing on the rooftop projector. Silly, fun French film with erotic undertones -- good for background during the party, or watchable by itself.

Have a good time!
BB

posted in Burning Singles! - 24 replies

so hard!

2007-10-16T09:35:40Z

Why is it so hard to find a great guy with a passionate heart and a creative soul here in Portland?
In fear of sounding like a spoiled child... I will state my needs anyway! Pay attention to me!

posted in Burning Singles! - 6 replies

Orgasmateria recruiting for BIG expansion in '08!

2007-10-14T03:17:06Z

The Orgasmateria Pleasure Lab will be scaling up for its fourth year on the playa, in anticipation of a bid for Esplanade frontage in '08.

I'm looking to recruit a core of 10 or so committed Orgasmateers to coordinate the work of perhaps a couple of dozen other campers and volunteers sharing managable responsibilities for workshops, decor/ambiance, ice runs, etc.

Ideally, this core will include about five experienced Dominatrixes who, in addition to cracking the whip in camp management, would participate in workshops for straight girls wanting to experiment with submitting to a Domina, coupled girls who want to spank their boys (or see them spanked), and vanilla girls wanting to learn how to whip their boys into shape.

Though certainly fem-centered, the Orgasmateria is not a FemDom camp, per se. These workshops will compliment our existing slate of Princess Reform School workshops, which help sub-curious ladies and couples introduce D/s play into the bedroom without upsetting the power balance of the overall relationship.

The overall bent of the Orgasmateria is towards pleasure rather than pain -- but pleasure so intense you may have to be tied down to sit still for it. The tone is less intimidating than the more hardcore bondage camps and is geared to provide a nontreatening entry point for kinkurious vanillas. Fittingly, our decor is more pink and sparkly rather than black and spikey -- think Barbie's Dream Dungeon...

In addition to Princess Reform School, other workshops and events offered by Orgasmaterias past include:

Erotic Tickling (partners take turns blinding, blindfolding and tickling each other)
Continuous Female Orgasm (clitoral massage)
Shejaculation (squirting how-to)
Queer Tips for Straight Lips (learn oral sex from the ultimate experts)
Grin and Bare It (public nakedness for the shy)
Naked Gun (high noon naked watergun fight)
Sexcrafts (sextoy-making workshop)

New features we hope to add next year:

Nightly "Kinkurious" mixers
Late-Nite Freeplay
Dawn foot wash/rub
Moring Wake-Up Spankings (paddles-n-coffee!)
Afternoon Bodypainting
The Miss Orgasmerica Pageant
Spank Your Man!
Sumbissive Explorations for Bi-curious Girls
Finding Your Inner Bitch (Domina workshop)
Naked Newbie Scavenger Hunt

If you'd like more info on any of the above, just ask. And if you're intersted in camping with us next year, let me know ASAP.

In addition to a few good Dominas, we're particularly looking to recruit experienced body painters, service-oriented submissives, nudists, people with experience running a bar on-playa, and of course, Skinsationaut Cadets willing to surrender their bodies to science for testing/demonstrating our latest sensual toys and techniques, and expanding the frontiers of the Pleasurescape.

Viva la Orgasmateria!

TkB

posted in Burning Singles! - 2 replies

Simone Forti "Logomotion Writing Workshop" \ project in residence

2007-10-14T00:09:30Z

Caravajal15 residenza dinamica
Orvieto \ Italy
International Projects 2008

Hello!
We are happy to announce that Simone Forti will be again the guest artist of our residence, for giving her intensive residential workshop “Logomotion Writing Workshop”.
The intensive workshop with Simone Forti is in the ambit of our international projects 2008, and will be from March 8 to 15 2008 in the beautiful Etruscan city of Orvieto, in mid Italy.
The workshop is limited to 16 participants.
The intensive workshop will be held at the headquarters of the cultural Association Caravajal15 residenza dinamica, in the prestigious sixteenth century rooms of the Palazzo Caravajal-Simoncelli, in Orvieto.
The fee is 400 euros, which includes also hospitality, reception and meals.
Application for registration is open from October 15th.
For information write to: info@contactfestival.it, or telephone to +39 0763.341479.
Info and texts below.

Simone Forti \ Logomotion Writing Workshop
Intensive residential workshop
8-15 March 2008
maximum 16 participants
7-day workshop, plus one day pause
fee 400 euros (including meals and lodging)
pre-registration: 150 euros

Logomotion Writing Workshop
Sometimes our words don't have access to what we know in our bones.
In this workshop we will be improvising moving and speaking, and we will be writing.
While our writing will stimulate our imagination and support our improvisations, our improvisations will enrich our writing with a kinesthetic timing to phrasing and windows on sudden thoughts and memories.
Our activities will include studio sessions of improvisational moving and speaking, spontaneous writing, walks in town, with partners, for conversations about matters large and small, and private times to write and to craft our writings and to read them to each other.
We will borrow from the writing practice of Natalie Goldberg as found in her books “Writing Down the Bones” and “Wild Mind”, discovering the associations that gather spontaneously around a chosen point of departure.
As our movement work will include many activities in partners and in groups, some of our writing will include more than one voice, focusing on the relationships between the thoughts of different people.
A goal will be to write with wild mind and intention, and with awareness of world.

Jennifer Dunning writes in her 1991 New York Times review: “Simone Forti presented her first dance program in 1960 and has since then had a steadily increasing influence on post-modernist choreographers interested in exploring ‘natural’ or non-formalist movement and dance”.

Info and reservation
Caravajal15 residenza dinamica
Via Malabranca 15
05018 Orvieto (TR) - Italy
tel +39 0763341479
fax +39 0763340669
mobile +39 3391017492
info@contactfestival.it
www.contactfestival.it

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies

My Burning Man Story -- (First BM, Love, Fate and Happiness)

2007-10-03T19:11:00Z

My Burning Man Story

OK, so as anyone that has ever been to Burning Man will tell you, it’s very difficult to write about your experiences. They are complicated, fuzzy at times, and overwhelming. However, I think this one might inspire people, give people hope, and shine a bright and positive light on a gathering that sometimes gets “bad press”.

So my Story starts in the spring of 2007. I met a woman named All-i. All-i was a “Burner” in Seattle and had been going for years. From the moment I met her, she kept telling me “YOU NEED TO GO TO BURNING MAN!” I then started to meet Burner people all over the place…I met a Girl on a flight back from Atlanta and we talked about Burning Man for 4 hours. I met strangers, old friends and people from all walks of life who randomly would say “Burning Man” in conversation. I took this as a sign….

So Finally I grew a sack, brought a ticket, found people to go with (including Steph, a Seattle Friend) and jumped on a plane to SF.

This is where the adventure begins…..

I met up with this great group of people; everyone had been to Burning Man before. I was instantly excited and my “Nervousness” went away. The group was all couples (expect for Steph and I) and we jumped in this HUGE ASS RV and headed into the desert.

Right away this fucking Rad dude from SF named “Mitch” and I hit it off. He reminded me of a bunch of my friends, all wrapped into one crazy cool person. He was a freestyle rapper, an Artist and held down 8 jobs (including a pre-school teacher).

Night One –

Night one was magical, after not sleeping much, setting up camp in 100 degree weather and dealing with the craziness of everything, I was shocked that I had the energy to go out, but I did, I had a TON of energy. We all jumped on mountain bikes and headed out on the “Playa”. I LOVED IT! Music everywhere, Art everywhere, cool people everywhere. It was nothing like I had ever done before! Mitch and I ended up ditching our bikes and walking around the Playa. (This was a great call) We went bar hopping, club hopping, art hopping and talked all night. We even heard the best poem ever (Seriously). Mitch educated me on Burning Man and helped set the bar for an amazing week. We watched the sun come up as we left the temple. Simply Magical!

Day Two –

I slept until 1ish and sat around in my PJ’s, cooking food and bullshitting with fun/happy people. A dust storm hit and it scared the shit out of me. I had never experienced anything like this before. Tents were flying around, shit was breaking, it was fucking nutty.

Night two –

Night two was chill. Steph and I met up with some Seattle Folks and cruised around looking at art and going to different DJ shows, I was crashed out by 3am (early).

Day Three –

OK, so this is when things started to get really interesting. I woke up around noon again, we cooked, ate and laughed and had yet another dust storm. Suddenly the RV swings open and this guy yell’s “MITCH, your Sister is at the deep end and is looking for you!” You would have thought someone said “MITCH, there is a Million dollars on the Playa!” Mitch was out like lightning and returned minutes later with his sister.

“WOW!” My mind said….this girl is beautiful! We start hanging out and not only is she beautiful, but also charming, smart, funny, and full of positive energy. We talked about all of the important things (The Never Ending Story, Old School Hip-Hop and Jam Bands)….I was blown away. This girl was fucking amazing and she was going to be hanging out all weekend. Yee haw!

“MATT! Get your ass out here!” says Mitch. I go outside and the storm is breaking up and the people next to us are blaring Pink Floyd! Michelle and others come out of the RV and we are all singing and dancing to Pink Floyd and the day starts to feel like a dream. It then starts to rain very lightly and then magic happened……a huge fucking double Rainbow covered the whole Playa! People were crying, laughing and screaming all around me! The day started to feel more like a dream and less like reality. We all then headed to the deep end, danced our ass off and then got ready for the night.

Night Three –

So the WHOLE Group (Nine of us, I think) decide to all walk and try to find “The Space Cowboys” Party. After an hour of walking, the group is starting to break up. Michelle and I end up on this Art Car, alone. This was strange as she came with her “ex boyfriend”, and he left us on this Art Car, alone.

The second we were alone we started talking about everything and anything. Her mind was fascinating! I find out she is an actress, a vet, and a school teacher. We hop from Art Car to Art Car all night talking about everything from Buddhism, Physics, Music, Art, Travel, God and everything else. We crawled in each others brains and had mind sex! It was awesome. This went on for 4 hours!

We get off the last art car and we are holding hands. My heart is racing, my mind is racing, and it’s great! We head into this large DJ dome tent and dance like crazy and finally kiss. FIREWORKS go off in my head. Is this really happening? I keep asking myself this. This whole trip is feeling more and more like a dream.

We leave the dance music and head towards home. Michelle gets cold and I quickly take off my jacket and try and warm her. As we are walking home, this man named GRIN (Playa name) calls us over to his fire barrel and asks us to warm up. Grin has a huge coat on and is extremely friendly. He tells us about a wedding he attended earlier that day and how getting married was the best decision of his life.

“How long have you guys been married?” Grin Asks

Michelle looks at me, laughs and says “US!? We met 6 hours ago!”

Grin is floored! He grabs both of us in a bear hug and walks us down the road. We turn this corner and there is a Giant Buddhist Temple. He explains that this temple was built by friends and is a replica of a temple found recently in Cambodia.

Grin asks us to enter the temple but has one rule “You must not talk” he says. “I want you to enjoy each others energy without words”.

We enter this temple; it’s magical, spiritual and inspiring. We hug, we laugh and we both felt like little kids. It felt like the universe was shining down on us! After an hour, we decide to leave. As we are leaving, the sun is coming up; burning man is amazing at 5am. We return back to my RV and Michelle and I fall asleep while holding each other.

This was quite possibly the best night of my life.

Day/Night Four – Burn Night

That day we watched the movie “The Secret” while in the RV, Burning Man is a perfect setting to watch the movie. We then ate, and got ready for Burn Night. The energy at Burning Man Quickly changed. Burning “The Man” felt primal and very different then anything I had experienced before. Michelle brought the “Ex Boyfriend” with us and he did not seem too happy about the situation. He is Italian and they were going off on each other in Italian. This was going on AND 50,000 people were going crazy.

The man burnt down….. neat.

We then left and got away from everyone. The energy of Burning Man was insane, almost too much. We sat up all night talking again. The conversations were not as fun, but necessary. We talked about everything “un-fun” like the up’s and downs of past relationships. It was very necessary and seemed fitting given the setting. We passed out again in the RV.

Day Five –

We wake up and find out very quickly that her “Ex Boyfriend” that she came to Burning Man with, had left. He grabbed all of her shit, his shit and hit the road. Michelle now has no money, no ID, no clothes and no place to sleep. Luckily she has me and Mitch to help her out.

Then the day started to get magical….

We headed out in the middle of the day to the Playa and found a giant swing set. We were like kids again! We then went to a big tent and sat around with interesting people and just talk about life/art. I started to get sun burnt and we decide to head back to the RV. On the way back I decide that I need to take a picture of this huge art piece. I take my pictures and start heading back to the bike, when a skinny hairy man tap’s me on the shoulder.

“Do you guys know where the art piece is about planetary alignment?” he asks.

“Nope, sorry dude” I say.

“WAIT!! I know you….do you live in Seattle” I say.

“Nope” he says.

“Did you come to my RV this week” I say.

“I don’t think so” he says.

I pull off my sunglasses and they guys face goes white.

“I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT YOU GUYS!!” he says.

“I am Grin!”

Holy shit!! Out of 50,000 people, we run into Grin again! He looks nothing like the first night except for his eyes (I never forget someone’s eyes).

FATE.

This was a huge sign for both Michelle and I, we leave after exchanging hugs and contact information. We then went back, had a huge dinner that Mihnaz and Tony cooked and watched the temple burn. This started to feel more like Love and it felt very, very real.

Leaving BM –

After two days of driving (we stopped in Reno for the night) we decide that Michelle needs to come to Seattle ASAP. (She has never been to Seattle)

September 8th 2007,

Michelle lands at Seatac! We went river rafting with my Seattle friends the second that she landed. That night went to a kick ass Future party. We have a sweet relaxing weekend in Seattle.

Today –

We are in LOVE and it’s amazing.

She is the one, I am sure of it.

We are currently planning on heading down to Cali in the next 30 days and getting all of her stuff. She LOVES Seattle, loves the dogs, loves the house and most importantly loves me.

In my 29 years of life on earth, I have never felt so close to someone so quickly.

Life is GRAND!!!

Matt Senechal

Pictures of the whole thing! - http://www.shenny.smugmug.com/gallery/3431759

posted in Burning Singles! - 14 replies

Burning Singles in Austin, TX

2007-09-24T00:10:51Z

This is Shimmer and I am part of the Burn community here in Austin (Burning Flipside).
and this was my first year at Burning Man and it was a great, magical learning experience.

Just checking if there are any female Burning single Austinites here on this tribe.
Interested in meeting available single goddess burners here in Austin and possibly go to a burn party/event sometime.

I firedance, dance, do yoga/acroyoga, play music and am a spiritual vegetarian.
Sending sparkles, Shimmer

posted in Burning Singles! - 0 replies