Jason’s blog thingy

It feels like we’ve been here for weeks. We knew that we wanted to spend the whole week here and I’m so glad we did. Black Rock City has grown and I feel so fortunate that we saw it when it was relatively empty, as if I have more of a relationship with the space than others who arrive later in the week. And while you don’t need to live through all the heat and dust to enjoy Burning Man, but the experience adds layers (of dust) and a rewarding sense of survival (unless you have an air conditioned RV). It could also be that I’m feeling quite brain dead again from the night before and that it’s beginning to be a regular sensation. Jason is unwilling, but I harass him into leaving the van for coffee.

At Centre Camp we watched for hours (it seemed) the endless parade of naked, painted, half dressed, costumed bodies. A circus of all shapes and sizes. Ageism and weightism mean nothing here. Sure, there’s a large level of perving and a sleazy element to Burning Man, but it’s a heat that if you can’t stand, you shouldn’t be there, or you could choose to avoid. Two older, fat guys are chatting up bare breasted girls, and I wonder what the attraction is. I discover they are gifting pasties with tassles, and sticking them on the girls nipples. It looks like fun in a kind of wrong way. I get a pair. As far as I know there is no photo of that!

On the way back to camp we try for ice, but it’s sold out. While we’re there we’re lucky enough to hear about a pending dust storm, with 150 mph winds on its way in a matter of minutes. Realising the van is open we rush back to close it up and stay safe from the storm. Jason stops off at the bathroom and I go ahead. In the ten minutes that passes I lock down the van, fold up the deck chairs outside, tie down anything that can fly away, stuffing things under the van. Wind up every little window and crack. The storm hits and Jason’s still not back. We have goggles for his sort of thing but we didn’t have them with us so I’m concerned. Finally he arrives back in a flurry, covered in dust and almost choking. Jumps into the van and we rest while the storm wails. Can’t see more than ten feet out of the van.
Shortly, we see some of our fellow campers tents and gazebos go flying so we jump out, along with other campmates, to hold tents up and peg them down. I stood for over half an hour holding up our main shade with the others, dressed in a tiny skirt, pasties, a face mask and goggles. very funny. Back in the van we have lunch while it calms down. The storm comes and goes for over four hours, but not as intense as the first hour. Eventually we leave the van.

Back after being caught out in the storm. No my sideburns aren’t that grey!

The night cools down. We have been incredibly lucky with the weather at night. Told of freezing conditions, we were prepared with coats, scarves and gloves. But nights, while cool and fresh, are perfect for dancing. We start with cocktails at camp, then hit Opulent Temple for dancing.

How you stay warm at Opulent Temple:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p6PF5xkCkY[/youtube]

It’s so much more crowded than any other night so we leave after a few hours. Rob, Jason and I go exploring. Site see on the playa, then visit Nexus. The music is too hard and its also crowded so we plan to find a smaller nightclub or bar. The Temple of the Flying Monkeys entices us with it’s mellow trance and crazy coloured cocktails. I ask at one stage what we’re drinking and the woman serving says “I have no idea”. Run by a bunch of Brits, we dance and meet people for the rest of the night. Jason is knighted in the Order of the Flying Monkey.

Flying Monkey Fashions:

Flying Monkeys Management Team Meeting

Kneel before your King, Purple Man

I dub the a knight of the Flying Monkeys

Rise sir Purple and take your glowstick sword!