Pull my finger......

EBB first friday, Dec 4th, Santa pub crawl

Sunburn — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:48:05 GMT

The East Bay Burners are taking on Alameda for a mini- "get ready for it" Santa Pub Crawl. Twas the night of First Friday and all through Eastbay Every burner was stirring for costumes -- Hurrah! And on down the street comes a big sea of red Creating good cheer to a bartender's dread on Tutus, on santa hats, bring on the elves! Step up to the bar -- get a hold of yourselves! and if you are smart you will learn how to pace Keep in your cookies; Don't fall on your face a good natured time is to be had by us all So come join your friends and deck the Halls!! ALAMEDA BURNERS PRESENTS..... EASTBAY SANTA RAMPAGE!! Friday, December 4, 2009 Alameda, CA Start: 7:00 pm Eat n Greet Scobies Sports Bar and Grill 2431 Central Ave. Alameda, CA 2nd Bar: The Churchyard 1515 Park St. 3rd Bar: The Lost Weekend 2320 1/2 Santa Clara Ave. 4th Bar: Hob Nob 1313 Park St. 5th Bar: Lucky 13 1301 Park St. All Santas and forms of Playa Revelry is welcome. Please don't drink and drive. (make sure to give a holiday hug to Lumina and Gryphon who pulled this entire EBB Santa pub crawl together, Santa has a special gift for them this year!) hugs Sunburn ===== Sunburn Sarah East Bay Regional Rep Sunburn@Burningman.com (O) (\ /) / \ / \

East Bay Burners Meet and Greet Potluck – Friday, November 6th, 6:00pm - 10:00pm

Sunburn — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:42:11 GMT

East Bay Burners Meet and Greet Potluck – Friday, November 6th, 6:00pm - 10:00pm at Di & Lovetoy's house in Alameda (just off High St bridge). Yay!! Thanks Di and Lovetoy, our newly moved burners from the southbay! email Sarah for address - sunburn@burningman.com All East Bay Burners (and virgins) are welcome to bring their friends and family to the meet & greet potluck on Friday, Nov 6th. Practice your poi spinning, your hooping or just telling that great playa story. Pot luck-y radical self-reliance encouraged … feel free to bring hot dogs, potato salad or your favorite dish, and entertainment. And keep the date, for our Dec 4th, First Friday Santa Pub crawl.. being planned by our very own Lumina and Griffin.. ===== Sunburn Sarah East Bay Regional Rep Sunburn@Burningman.com (O) (\ /) / \ / \

UnScruz Sat. Oct 17th in Santa Cruz

Sunburn — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:16:40 GMT

Santa Cruz Burners and all others are welcome Date: Saturday, October 17, 2009 Time: 12:00pm - 10:00pm Location: Downtown Santa Cruz Street: Locust Street between Cedar and Center Streets City/Town: Santa Cruz, CA It's a Burning Man Decompression street party, Santa Cruz style! Please invite everyone you know! Bring your dusty selves at noon for ten hours full of fire, dance, music, art, performance, theme camps, DJs, and MORE!!! Enjoy the creative expression that only Santa Cruz can provide for a cost of only $10.00 in Playa couture/costume; $15.00 in streetwear. Children under 12 get in for free. Our first annual Santa Cruz Decompression will be a a showcase for our community so please help us bring our enchanted Black Rock City magical home to the streets of Santa Cruz! If you're interested in becoming a part of UnScruz! Please send an email to santacruz@burningman.com or check www.unscruz.com for more information. And please remember...this is a LEAVE NO TRACE EVENT : ) Performance and DJ schedules, theme camps and art announced!!! - Love Gutter, a unique Santa Cruz street percussion ensemble, will be performing throughout the day. - Magnetic Sound camp: 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM Big Mike 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM DJ Seek 2:15 PM - 2:30 PM Dr. Wasabi, Taiko/spoken word 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Rick Preston 3:30 PM - 3:45 PM Za Za 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM Little John 4:45 PM - 5:00 PM Raks Hakohaveem 5:00 PM - 5:10 PM Earthquake commemoration 5:10 PM - 6:05 PM Chlorophil 6:05 PM - 6:25 PM Dancers of the Crescent Moon 6:25 PM - 7:20 PM Cool Hand Luke 7:30 PM - 7:50 PM Free spin (fire performance) 7:20 PM - 8:20 PM Wona 8:20 PM - 8:40 PM Kinetica (fire performance) 8:40 PM - 9:40 PM Rob Monroy 9:40 PM - 10:00 PM Nocturnal Sunshine (fire performance) - The Greenhouse camp: 12:00 - 1:00 PM Christoforo 1:00 - 2:00 PM Lucho 2:00 - 3:00 PM Toxic Rainbow 3:00 - 4:00 PM Steve Eatough 4:00 - 5:00 PM Das 5:10 - 6:00 PM Ryan J 6:00 - 7:00 PM DJ Consciousness 7:00 - 10:00 PM Yr Littl Pony, Edmundo and Dao tag - DubStep Lounge camp line up (schedule TBA): http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=Gemini&init=quick&filter=h#/photo.php?pid=26578&id=100000337084499 12-12:50 Mr. Humpfreeze 12:50-1:35 Audio Dru 1:35-2:20 Clay 2:20-3:05 Tot3m 3:05-4:10 Dub Pirates 4:10-5:00 Fire Lieber 5:00-5:10 (silence) 5:10-6:00 LB 6:00-6:55 Dub U 6:55-8:20 Matty G & Konfusion 8:20-9:15 Rastatronics 9:15-10:00 Ryan J & Little John - The Strip Ship and the Dancetronauts (sound art car): 12:00 - 1:00 PM R2&Mad Zack 1:00 - 2:00 PM Dj BeBo 2:00 - 3:00 PM Shaman Nate 3:00 - 4:00 PM Lucho 4:00 - 5:00 PM Dubsworth 5:10 - 6:00 PM Jeff Taisch 6:00 - 7:00 PM The Scritch 7:00 - 8:00 PM Ryan Jay 8:00 - 9:00 PM Brian Williams 9:00 - 10:00 PM A-TEKK - SHORT BUS (sound art car): ArtWomp!! http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=Gemini&init=quick&filter=h#/event.php?eid=156113011522&ref=nf 12- 1:00 Chlorophil 1:00 - 2:00 Nanda 2:00 - 3:00 Ryan J 3:00 - 4:00 Mad Zach & R2 4:00 - 5:00 Tim Monkey 5:10 - 6:00 Mikal 6:00 - 7:00 Zapper 7:00 - 8:00 Dat Girl 8:00 - 9:00 Clay 9:00 - 10:00 NorthStar - Theme camps: Camp Octopia Camp ? Art Dancetronauts Playa Info Leave No Trace Scott's Oasis Temple - Art: Gene Pool Glowbile Hexamid Images by Chris Connor Jasper's Pig Panoramas by Brad Templeton Phoenix Flowers, Dragonflies and Woman Sculptures by Dr. Wasabi Playa Photos and Art by Tina Mas Fina Satan's Calliope Sculpture by Mere

2009 Moop Map

Sunburn — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:31:07 GMT

pic taken at SF decom by deviantkade LML did great, all green, and I have some ideas to make it easier next year, including bringing a leaf rake, magnet wheel, and bucket with shovel to scoop up the oil spots.

Great decom!

Sunburn — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:28:51 GMT

Truely a great decom... very much the same vibe as on the playa, everyone just glad to be there and enjoy each other's company. Too many people to mention, but great to walk 10 feet and run into another friend... Thanks to Lumina and Griffon for feeding me.. he he and Metric for the beer, and the Curly Band for rockin it! and Mona and Bryan for letting me near Haddon, and all the rest of you for hugs and laughter. Not many, but my pics on flickr... http://www.flickr.com/photos/89382676@N00/

Time to hug the freinds, get drunk and kick some ass (PH).. oh yes!!!! looking forward to it...

Sunburn — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:10:36 GMT

San Francisco Decompression, October 11th The Tenth Annual SF Decompression Heat The Street Faire is Sunday, October 11th from noon SHARP till midnight. (Mariposa Stage ends 11pm. All other outdoor stages/sound end 10pm.) Public Entrance: 19th St. & Minnesota St., SF $10 donation in Black Rock Couture/Costume; $20 in streetwear All ages outdoors; kids under 12 always absolutely free! Age 21+ inside Cocomo (club closes 1:30am) AFFORDABLE PARKING LOT at UCSF (3rd St. at 16th St.) at discounted rate (should be approx $5 all day instead of $20). FOOD AVAILABLE: Tasty meat and veggie options for purchase (just added: BACON!) by Raz. AND Playa Beignets and coffee generously provided by Hal (Phoenix). Sales benefit the Black Rock Arts Foundation grant program. So, EAT FOR ART! Also various health inspected food theme camps--while supplies last. So, get there early! EVERYONE should read the Survival Guide & DECOMandments below before attending. Full event info, including STREET MAP, participant list and updates to stage schedules will be at: http://www.burningman.com/blackrockcity_yearround/special_events/decompression/decom2009.html FIRE ART: (pending SFFD approval) Colored Flame Bowls - demo of salts affecting flame color - Jack Schroll; Soma (partial installation) - Flaming Lotus Girls; Gee Gnome - John DeVenezia & Team Gnome; Symbios-r-us - Peter Sheridan; Molly the Mutant - Jon Dickinson; When Doves Fry - Mike Saleski; Justice - Amacker Bullwinkle FIRE PERFORMERS: (pending SFFD approval) David Cantor; David Silverman - Flaming Tuba; Fire Arts Collective; Fireuphoria; Kinetica; Nick Griffin; Pyronauts; Pyrospin; Solar Flare; Vulcan Crew VJs AND LIVE VISUAL ARTISTRY: Al Lundell; Andrew Johnstone, Celestine Star; David Collin; Hal Phoenix; JacobEye; Jason Stephens; Keegan O'Brien; Mark McGothigan; Ron Halbert; Sun MacAnamee; and MORE!!! ART and ART INSTALLATIONS BY: (alphabetized by artist first name) Metamorphosis - Alex Thevenot; Grapestem - Ben Zero; Light Trees - Bill Watson; Spread Eagle - Bryan Tedrick; Heatbeat Amplifier - Hitch McDermid; Holga Art - Jamie Lloyd; Maya - John Hagar; Mormon Cricket Crusade - Kathy Donofrio; Playa Shower - Kira Trinity; The Oracle Fountain - Kristina Kokonis; Transport Your Head - Logan Tautenhahn; QuadBod - Neil Tanner; Halo Wall - Neil Kandalgaonkar; Bottiesattva Zome - Rob Bell and Patricia Algara; Memortrees - Robert Bengtson; Tensegrity Skew Icosahedron - Sandy McReynolds; Lux Tonalus - Scott Morgan (Oscillator); Monolith 2.0 - Tim Thompson; WDYDWYD - Tony Deifell; Sound Cave - Tyson Ayers; Sonic Holoforms – Walter; Airship Victoria - Experimental Prototype X2; And even more signing up daily! THEME CAMPS, ART VEHICLES & BURNING MAN AFFILIATES: Bacon and Beethoven; Bedrock Taxi; Black Rock Diner; BRC Dept of Mobility; Black Rock Rangers; BRC Gate and Perimeter; BRC Post Office; Bob's Rainforest; Bureau of Eroti Discourse; Burning Man Earth; Camp Above the Limit; Camp Canadianderthal; Camp Questionmark; Circus Metropolus; Camp Montage; Chalk Board art car; Costco Soulmate Trading Outlet; Culture Labs; CYBERBUSS; Darwin Mobile; EarthGuardians; ESD; Friends of Black Rock; Gothic Rocket Raygun Rover, GuerillaBASS; Hal's Playa Beignets; The Hillbilly Space Ship; Hookahdome; House of Lotus; Jelly fish; Liquid Latex Lounge; Lost Penguin; Lunapillar; Midnite Popcorn Playhouse; Mind Shaft Society; Nautilus X; NIMBY playa art; Neuroweapon; Nexus; Octopia; Playa Info; Playa Pussie; Playa V; Red Lightning; Reel Mobile; Robot Heart; Sacred Spaces Village; Sharks!; Shipwreck Tiki Lounge; Solar Death Ray 3000 & Caution Car; Space Cowboys; Space Elevator; Spirit Dream Interpretation Café; Spanky’s; Strip Ship; Tarwater Ring Toss; Tribe of Artists; Tundra Bunny; Twilight Spaghetti Theatre; WOW; and MORE!!! MARIPOSA STAGE 12:00 Dookie Doodle 1:00 DJ FurSure 1:45 Porangui & Zang 2:45 Bad Unkl Sista 2:55 Samantha Giron Dance Project 3:00 How to Survive The Apocalypse: The Burning Opera - sneak preview! 3:30 The Bombshells ? punkrock burlesque 3:45 Kim Manning & Lantz Lazwell 4:30 Samantha Giron Dance Project - part 2 4:35 DJ Laird 5:15 Varona 6:00 Dizzyhips - hula hoop stuntman & world record holder 6:10 DJ Smoove 6:50 Tammy FireFly 7:00 Gooferman 7:45 Nick Griffin (Fire Performance) 7:50 Kinetica (Fire Performance) 8:10 David Cantor (Fire Performance) 8:15 Pyronauts (Fire Performance) 8:35 Fire Arts Collective (Fire Performance) 8:45 Fireuphoria (Fire Performance) 8:50 Pyrospin (Fire Performance) 9:10 Vulcan Crew (Fire Performance) 9:30 Solar Flare (Fire Performance) 10:00 The Zazous 10:45 Thank Yous + Closing Remarks ($teven Ra$pa) 11:00 ALL sound ends. (It’s quiet time! Sssshhhh?) When you exit please keep side streets superquiet so as not to bother our neighbors and please pick up all trash and fliers. Thank you for your help and for making this a year-round community we can all be proud of! CAFÉ COCOMO 5:00 2009 Burning Man Videos & Photos 7:30 Burning Man Earth demo: The playa's new digital nervous system making cartography from chaos - by Andrew Johnstone 7:45 P-Dub 8:15 AmesEla & Vincent Kwok 9:00 O.N.Y.D. Soundsystems 9:45 Baby Seal Club 10:30 Icon 11:15 East Bay Sick 12:00 Mancub 12:45 L.D.I. COCOMO PATIO 12:00 DJ Saynt 12:45 Muse of the Castle 1:05 KidHack - Dubstep set 1:50 Jaded Fux vs. Starry Eyed Virgins - debate 2:30 Shovelman ? electric shovel music 3:15 DJ Little John 4:00 Bucky Coe 4:45 Dat Girl 19TH STREET CIRCUS & VARIETY STAGE 12:00 Acid Angel 12:45 Melinda Smart 1:00 Martian Pumpkin 1:15 Fontain's Muse 2:00 DJ Kelly 2:30 GravyBrain 3:15 DJ Unagi 3:45 Curly 4:30 DJ NoMe 5:15 Moetar 6:00 DJ Whiskey Devil 6:30 Dark Sparkle 6:45 Slim Avocado 7:00 Nancy T 7:10 Melinda Smart 7:15 DJ Neon Bunny 7:45 Evolution Control Committee (ECC) 8:30 DJ Dragn'fly 9:00 Scott Huckabay 10:00 Sound ends. Enjoy quiet conversation and great company till 12. 21ST STREET STAGE 1:30 Samvega 2:15 Teresa Camp 2:25 Melinda Smart 2:30 Zapper 3:15 DJ Michael Anthony & The Late Night Sneaky 4:00 Fantuzzi 4:45 Anodyne 5:30 Evolution Fashion Showcase 6:00 HystErica's Hissyfit Fashions 6:10 Pink Dahlia and Vapor 6:15 THE PEOPLE’S FASHION SHOW - Starring YOU! So, strut that catwalk! 6:45 F'kir 7:30 Bootie BRC - mashup bootleg party 8:15 DJ MotionPotion 9:00 Tripknight 10:00 Sound ends. Talk amongst yourselves till 12. 22ND STREET STAGE 1:30 DJ X-10 2:00 The Mission Three 2:45 MegaFlame Presents... 3:20 Kid's Party! - Sillytime Dance Music for Kids. YAY! 3:45 One on One 4:15 DJ Don Diego - Tiki Time 4:45 Room For Cream 5:05 DJ Don Diego - Tiki Favorites 5:30 Trip Delight Fantastic 6:10 Hokey Pokie time 6:40 Carousel Galaxy 7:25 DJ Justin Credible 8:10 Drinking With Bukowski 9:00 TV Free Burning Man videos with sound until 10 10:00 TV Free Burning Man videos & 2009 Burning Man imagery - No Sound NAUTILUS X 12:00-1:00: Nautilus DJ - chill set 1:00-2:00: Damien Jones 4:00-4:30 Lounge music 4:30-5:30 Fire Fingers 5:30-6:00 Loungedelica 6:00-7:00 Nautilus DJ 7:00-7:45 Mr. Lucky 7:45-8:45 Nautilus DJ 8:45-9:45 Blair ON THE STREET & IN THE PARK Dizzy Hips - hula hooping & stunts; Jud Yaski - balloon sculpture; Nick "The Creature" Harbar and Charisse Squires; Rumpel, the Worldly Kangaroo Fool of Oz!; Samba Stilt Parade; Tammy FireFly- stiltwalking; Many more, including and especially YOU!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Follow the DECOMandments below to better enjoy and support our community event! The 2009 DECOMmandments & SURVIVAL GUIDE: Park closes at 10 pm Sound ends at 10 pm everywhere except the Mariposa Stage (until 11pm) Taxi Stand: corner of 18th and Minnesota Bike Racks: corner of 19th and Minnesota Located just off the T-Line on 3rd and near major bus lines. Please use them: Muni bus #22, #48 and BART connects with the 3rd St T-line Here’s how you can participate in making this our best Decompression ever! - Arrive Early! Come at NOON and enjoy a full day of amazing art, people and programming! Don't come late or you WILL miss amazing experiences and spectacles scheduled only EARLY in the day. Enter at 19th & Minnesota; the other entries are for registered artists/performers only. - Respect Our Neighbors. Enter and leave the area VERY quietly. Don’t block driveways and don’t drive or park on Minnesota Street AT ALL unless approved for unloading there in advance. - Green Your Commute! Don’t waste gas seeking a parking spot; parade to the event with thousands of others on public transportation. Or bike! There will be bike racks at 19th & Minnesota. Or carpool and park at the UCSF lot at 16th St. & 3rd St. (3 blocks away with special discounted $5 parking rate), at the ballpark, or on Illinois Street or Terry Francois Blvd. Please do NOT drive or park on Minnesota Street or Indiana Street. There will also be a taxi stand at 18th and Minnesota for your convenience. And mass transit is VERY convenient. - Express Yourself and pARTicipate! Wear your finest playa pageantry and costumery. Then illuminate your outfit with solar lighting and magical powers by night! Oh, and bring warm layers. It’s San Francisco, ya know! We always have room for photos and hanging art on the fences, but we tend to get FULL on everything else that needs placement or scheduling! To register art, please email flambelounge (at) burningman (dot) com so we can accommodate and celebrate YOUR special contribution to this amazing community. ALL sound systems, fire art, theme camps, vehicles and stage acts MUST be registered and confirmed in advance. (NO MORE SOUND OR FIRE ART THIS YEAR!) - Perform Random Acts of Art, Kindness and Gifting. You know you want to! - NO Renegade Sound or Unapproved Fire Performance, Fire Art, Fire Hats, Candles or Burning Clumps of Sage: Any of these will jeopardize this event. Leave unregistered sound and fire art home, please! And if you see anyone with fire outside the barricaded fire art area or the Mariposa fire stage, ask the person to PUT IT OUT and PUT IT AWAY right away! - Volunteer! This is a volunteer-driven event and we need volunteers! To be part of the process and team that makes Decompression so special, email firekitty (at) burningman (dot) com. Or stop in at Volunteer sign-up at the Decom Info located on Indiana at 19th. And EVERYONE is part of our Leave No Trace team, so please pick up any trash, club fliers and feathery bits as you enjoy the day and night. - Share Your Favorite Playa Photos/Videos! We need the content upfront this year, so please email flambe(at)burningman(dot)com and we'll do our best to get it up on the Decom stage screens! Wait till you see what we have already! Wow! - HELP US... Express Responsibly! Protect the event and our beautiful park. We need YOUR help to honor our permit terms and promises - No stakes, unleashed dogs, fire, amplified sound, vehicles or bikes in the park; - Use entrances and do not cut through bushes, where there are sprinkler heads; - No unapproved amplified sound systems or fire art. (Oh, yeah, we said that already. Just checking to see if you’re paying attention.) - No drumming, loud or amplified sound after 10PM ANYWHERE. The only exception will be the Mariposa Stage performance until 11PM. If anyone is drumming or making amplified noise on the street after 10pm, shoot first and ask questions later. (um…don’t actually shoot them. Just get them to stop.) - After sound ends, talk quietly and enjoy the art, theme camps, and community - If you are a registered art car or theme camp, please take extra care to not drive over ANY electric cables or distro boxes during setup/breakdown. Take special care during exodus when you are likely to be tired. Have someone safely guide you out of your spot and get home safe. - Leave Quietly and Travel in Groups to help one another back to your cars and next destinations. If you are alone, ask a Ranger for help and wait at one of the exits to join a group going your way. Remember this is an urban environment and there is safety in numbers. And PLEASE do not drive if you have had anything to drink. Have a designated driver or take a taxi. Smart, right!? - And of course? Leave No Trace! Properly sort trash, recycling and composting throughout the day. Please pick up trash and deposit it in appropriate pails. Breakdown is 10PM-midnight for the park and 12-2AM everywhere else. By 2AM, EVERYTHING MUST BE GONE and small debris must be swept into the street for the street sweeper we hired to work its street sweeper magic. If you are exhibiting at Decom, please bring an extra broom to sweep the sidewalks clean and pick up large debris in the street. Also, please remove unwanted fliers from cars and wherever you see them. I mean, really people, can’t we just hand them to people that actually want them instead of forcing them on unsuspecting cars and neighbors! - Please Come Back Monday Morning!: Leaving the neighborhood cleaner than we found it is a gift we are serious about giving. If you are an early riser, return bright and early and, starting on Minnesota Street and moving to surrounding blocks) pick up any trash, feathers, cigarette butts and leftovers you see. If you need to sleep later, come from 11am-4pm for our main annual neighborhood and park clean-up! A group of us will start on Minnesota and 19th, move to the park, to Indiana, then surrounding streets. Many hands make light work and every year we leave the neighborhood CLEANER than we found it. Bring gloves, brooms, shovels and plastic bags if you got ‘em. We’ll bring extra supplies, free donuts and coffee! And we’ll love you even more! Seriously, we need YOU to volunteer even for a little while so we can clean the place faster than a plague of LNT locusts! Hey, thanks! This really means a lot to those of us that have to stay up all night packing out in our high heels, platform boots, and happy but bloody stumps. We are on your way to making this our best Decompression ever and a showcase for our art and community. Help us bring the spirit of Black ROCK City to heat the streets of Black TOP City right here in San Francisco!

Protect Insurance Companies....

Sunburn — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:14:06 GMT

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/22/protect-insurance-compani_n_294406.html

Thankful....

Sunburn — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:37:35 GMT

I am humbled and honored... and so touched I can't look at this beautiful medal without crying.. After being involved with burning man for 10 years, through Black Rock Gazette, and now BMIR as well as the East Bay Regional Rep, there is nothing that is more precious and special to me than this award. Thanks Ty and Reed.. Thanks Eric and Carmen, and thanks to all of you who have been my friends, teammates and family.. and thanks Edge, for introducing and mentoring me in this great adventure. Humans We have come so far from where we started millions of years ago. We have so far to go. It is easy to be disappointed in humans... Easy to be sad when we see other humans be destructive to each other, to their surroundings, to themselves. But sometimes we see a human that is making a neighbor better, or making the space we live in richer and more inviting. Some times we see humans making all of us more helpful, happier or smarter. The humans that make this world a better place are our leaders. The ones we look up to. The ones who make the future a place we don't mind showing up for. These people teach us how to evolve instead of devolve... by example. We call them our leaders. The are the people who make the world a richer, safer and more beautiful place. Sometimes we call them artists. That would be you. The one we are counting on to lead us into a future worth showing up fro. This award is saying that your work, your efforts are a force that is making us evolve... into a better future. Please don't stop. We could use a few more leaders like you. Your works is definitely making the future a place that is worth showing up for.

Jessica hair braiding..

Sunburn — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:56:36 GMT

Weds 8/26, Taking appointments in Hayward, near 880 and Hwy 92 Thurs 8/27 - Sun 8/30, Taking appointments in South Fremont You will need to bring your own yarn. Suggested 3 different types/colors that work well together, I have the hair product and other supplies needed. Appointments take approximately 3 hours and prices are depending on hair length. Shorter hair to the shoulder $60 and longer hair below shoulder $75. contact Jessica at nani_kuuipo1993@yahoo.com

Mail to and from the playa.....

Sunburn — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:02:29 GMT

If you would like a postcard from the playa, please send me your mailing information, name and address (Buh-ill??? you are in transit.. but I'll try... ) and if you would like to send mail to me,, feel free to send below, and I would even love to read them on BMIR.. Sunburn Sarah Nectar Village - Leopard Martini Lounge 8:15 DNA Burning Man Festival Black Rock Desert Gerlach, NV 89412 hugs Sarah

Thank you Scott, for being my friend.

Sunburn — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:06:35 GMT

I'd rather keep the friendship than give it up for a life that does not fit either one of us.. I'd rather keep the laughs and the fun. You are a cool guy after all.

Please don't feed the trolls and don't feed the stalkers...

Sunburn — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:57:48 GMT

it is really in their best interest and if you are their friend, you should not feed their insecurity. and if my stalker has a fake account, feel free to use that in the future, should you need it,, I'll understand...

It has been a year since you have been gone...

Sunburn — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 23:25:39 GMT

Here's to you sweetie, we miss you, we miss your laugh and your corney jokes.. I've pulled your bman stuff together, it is going back out to the playa this year.. Your name is on the plaque that will be placed inside the man... I will put your pic at the temple and write a little something... because I will never be able to think of the the playa without thinking of you.. hugs to you KimKim, the Kimmie, Flashy Kim...

Promote your camps events on Burning Man Information Radio 94.5 FM - due 8/25

Sunburn — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:02:13 GMT

EVOLVE ON-AIR WITH BMIR 94.5 FM BY SUBMITTING YOUR RADIO SPOTS It's that time of the year, and Burning Man Information Radio is gearing up to announce your highly evolved event, theme camp, or artwork on-air to the entire Black Rock City community. But we don't want to announce it only once; we want to get it out over the air waves throughout the week. So crank up that home studio, record those MP3 spots, and send them to bmir@burningman.com. New to audio production? No worries. Check out http://tinyurl.com/mn55p5 for a video tutorial on how you can use free tools to create your audacious announcement. Sooner is always better, but be sure to email them by August 25 to guarantee they get on the air. Or drop by the station during the week to hand deliver your CD or flash drive into the receptive and waiting hands of your friendly BMIR DJ. ===== Sunburn Sarah BMIR 94.5 -Volunteer Coordinator Sunburn@Burningman.com (O) (\ /) / \ / \

Playa Checklist.. pretty darn extensive....

Sunburn — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:46:34 GMT

(pic from bman site, Tiki camp 1995) List is from a camp in 2000, and very very extensive.. but I am so excited...... Keep on Person GOOD Sunglasses (warning) Good UV-blocking sunglasses are essential even in the shade, because the playa reflects intense light. WARNING: Cheap or just stylish sunglasses can be really dangerous. They cause your pupils to dilate, letting in more UV, which can sunburn your retinas without immediate pain. Sun Hat with strap The wind whips off your hat if it isn't strapped down. Neckerchief dust mask Sunscreen A sunscreen called NoAd is highly recommended, cheap and good, from retailers like Safeway; look on lower shelves for it. Drinking water bottle Cocktail Cup At any moment you may be offered a drink at a party. If you have a cup, less trash! One with a belt loop is cool. Bike lock key Put your car key and bike key on a secure thong around your neck, or whatever. Put away all your other keys for when youre home. Car key Card-holder necklace A plastic card-holder (like the ones for convention badges) is handy for cards and little slips of paper. On a necklace chain, you can also use it for your bike lock key regardless of costume. Luminous Wristwatch Very often you need to check the time, to synchronize with friends and not miss events. Headphone radio It can be fun to keep various Radio Burning Man stations tuned in for announcements. Keep in Backpack Backpacks are uncomfortable to wear in the heat, but easy to put in a bike basket. Toilet paper You are gonna get enormous boogers called Nose Tators from the dust. (They got their name when someone painted out two letters from the NO SPECTATORS sign.) Before you come, trim away all the nose hairs that would anchor them. Spray water bottle Folding umbrella/parasol Really handy out in the sun. Portable Radio For Burning Man news, announcements, and safety alerts Shampoo for sudden water When the road-watering truck rolls by, I like to jump into the spray for a quick shampoo with a little hotel size bottle. Clean hair! Comb Swiss Army knife Butane Cig Lighter Better than matches Butane Mini-Torch If you need fire in the wind. Only $3 at Bonanza Surplus. Small Flashlight Safety Glasses for night use Essential when the wind blows dust, let alone cinders and sparks, fireworks, or sharp pointy things. Spare keys Dont get locked out. Pen and paper Business Cards In a Ziploc bag with all the other little slips of paper you get from other camps. Cork Puller for party emergencies, or use your Swiss Army knife. Safety Pins for costume emergencies Laser Pointer Toy Compass Magnifier Walkie Talkie If you have a Walkie Talkie set, train yourself with it and give it to your partner before departing. Meeting up at Burning Man is tough to manage. The message board is huge and chaotic; agree on a VERY distinctive set of signs (more than one copy) such as diffraction-grating plastic or a bold logo in color. Plan to leave messages on windshields when you finally find their car. Smokers Ash Tin Keep on Bicycle Bike Basket If it doesnt have one, get it. Bike Helmet Bike lock 2nd Drinking water bottle Headlamp Your bike needs a headlight to avoid obstacles. A lamp on a headband is great in other ways too. Make sure you are lighted with at least a light stick to avoid being hit by a bike in the dark. Tire Pump Bike Tool Kit It may break on the Playa! Tire Patch Kit Keep in Car Cab Your $200 Ticket If your Burning Man ticket is not in the glove compartment right now, right next to your registration and insurance certificate, go put it there now. If you have an Oh My God moment you will not pass Go and will not collect $200. Good flashlight Highway Flares Roadside reflectors First Aid kit Fire extinguisher Work Gloves Jacket Ear plugs & muffs Pee bottle Toilet paper Small drink cooler Mountain Dew, Coke with Foam sleeves on the cans Snacks Whisk Broom Hand cloth Maps Guidebooks Burning Man Info Kit Camera Kit Film Batteries LOTS of them for cameras, flashlights, whatever. Oven thermometer For checking the air temperature outside the car, I use a Polder oven thermometer, which has a sensor probe on a wire. Music CDs Maracas I carry these, along with tambourines just for laughs Keep in Car Tailgate (always accessible during the road trip) Big water bottles I fill these up in Reno after going over Donner Pass. Garden hose fragment For easily filling water bottles in place, from faucets that are often in an awkward place. Smaller bottle I use a 3-gallon bottle to pour from more easily. Motor Oil Antifreeze Brake Fluid Window Fluid Jumper Cables Tire Chains Tool boxes Swim suit Towel Sleeping bag Sleeping pad Blanket (for emergency too) First Aid Kit First Aid Booklet Tweezers Band Aids Sterile Pads 4x4-inch, 12-ply Gauze Pads 2x2-inch Adhesive Tapes Kling gauze 2-inch and 4-inch Non-adhesive pads 3-inch by 4-inch Elastic Bandages 3 inch by 15 feet Petroleum Gauze 3 x 18 Butterfly closures Safety Pins Instant cold packs Paramedic Shears Sterile Gloves Face Shield Artificial respirator A rescue mask for CPR. Also available: CPR Microshield ® Barrier Bite Sticks Cotton tips, sterile Eye wash solution Eye pads, sterile Alcohol wipes PVP iodine swabs Antiseptic Ammonia inhalants Ipecac syrup Burn cream Hydrogen peroxide Sooth-a-Sting swabs Aspirin Stethoscope Oral thermometer Digital only, no mercury! Camera Gear 35mm kit bag Polaroid Bag Extra Polaroid Film & 35mm Tripod Cable release Library Maps and guidebooks Star map Knot reference books Bathroom More toilet paper Liquid soap (pump bottle) Handi Wipes Wet Ones dont smell Skin Lotion Bath sponge or cloth Toilet bucket and seat Just in case. Clothes Closet Loose, lightweight drawstring pants Wear without undies for maximum comfort in heat Warm sweat pants Sweat shirts Warm ski gloves Yes, it can get bloody cold! Warm socks Slip-on shoes Sandals let in dust and invite stubbed toes, but wear slip-in shoes so you can courteously drop them outside tents. Costume clothes Work Clothes Work gloves Safety Toe Boots Hard Hat Leather Jacket Welders Chaps Welders goggles Dust Mask Pantry Food Effects In camp, remember that what you eat affects body odor (garlic) flatulence (beans) and maybe diarrhea or toilet urgency (varies by individual). Avoid dishwashing Minimize glass Beer in cans Guiness Stout etc. Becks is in cans at the Beverages & More stores. You may find that cheap beer (called lawn mower beer in the trade) is OK on the Playa Tonic Water in cans It glows under black light! Safeway has a cheap brand. Soda in cans Gatorade Mix This (or equivalent) is used for avoiding and treating serious dehydration. Fruit juice in cans Fresh Lemons for cocktails and other tart drinks. Free from friends trees, they need no cooler. Liquor in 20-cl hip flasks Plastic bottles are safest. Too bad good wine is always in glass. Coffee/Tea bags Cocoa Mix Salty Snacks Sweating people need lots. Chips Pretzels Salted nut meats (no shells!) Olives (no pits!) Beef Jerky Hard Cheeses Dinner Rolls Hamburger buns Bagels They keep better than sliced bread. Crackers Cookies (no-melt) Raisins Dried fruit Hard Candy Chocolate Oh all right but keep it cool! Chewing Gum But please pack it out. Vitamins C and E Sugar Salt & Pepper Ramen soup packs 8-oz canned fruits and vegetables The small size is easiest for a single eater. Salame chubs Keep dry or even OUT OF the cooler; or else the paper wrapper gets slimy Canned ravioli Pasta shells A bit easier than spaghetti Canned tuna Canned salmon Canned sardines Canned oysters Canned hash Canned: chili Cans: Pork N Beans Food Cooler Milk in pints Unopened pints keep well if always on ice. Small plastic milk bottles (Chugs) with screw caps are expensive but close securely, unlike cartons. I make café au lait if the café is closed or the line is too long. Mozzarela single- packs String cheese is easy to eat, doesnt dry out or spoil Hot dogs Sausages in small plastic packs Corn on the cob Carrots Apples, Oranges Bacon (keeps well) Cut the whole slab in half Eggs in plastic egg box Big Drink Cooler Bottled water, frozen Freeze plastic bottled water at home instead of Blue Ice. No mess, more to drink later. At Burning man you can buy ice daily. Square plastic water bottles dont roll away in the wind and pack together in less space. Mess Kit Big mug for coffee, soup or cold cereal. Take it to the Café instead of getting a paper cup of Joe in the morning. Sturdy glasses Serve drinks to guests in flat-bottomed heavy tumblers such as Arcoroc - they wont break or blow away in the wind like stemware or plastic. Steel Pie plate Sturdy fork & spoon Serrated steak knife Kitchen Equipment Paper towels Aluminum foil Plastic wrap Garbage bags Ziploc bags Wine corks A few of the soft plastic ones make re-corking easy. Grill or hibachi A Weber BBQ is big, clumsy and inflexible. Much better is (1) adjustable-height chimney-starter that doubles as a stove, (2) tiny hibachi (3) a tripod-mounted fire-dish and suspended grill that folds into very little storage space. Charcoal Kindling sticks Propane torch Lights charcoal SO well! Fire Starter Chimney Charcoal-handling tongs Candle lamps Matches Coffee Pot for water Coffee Plunger Pot Lemon squeezer Fine coffee strainer Fry pan & cover Spatula Food tongs Sunshade Gear Tent stakes made of rebar Read Rebar 101 about bending the ends over. 4 lb Single Jack hammer A steel handle is better than a wooden one. Stake covers: tennis balls Inferior to using bent rebar. Rope for guy lines The cheapest good stuff is ¼ polypropylene, about 3 cents a foot at surplus stores. Its slippery, so you need to tie it carefully with good knots. Get the yellow, not the blue, so its more visible at night. Mylar glitter tape (for marking guy ropes) If you cant find scraps, garden supply stores sell it for scaring off birds. Scrap bike inner tubes (perfect shock cords for tarps) Canvas Tarps These are less noisy and better-looking than the common blue tarps. Blue Tarps Leave shock-cords in the grommets. Support poles and framework Carpet pieces Other Camp Site Gear Landmark beacon Camps away from the Center need a daytime flag and night-time reflector as landmark beacons. The Bubble Tower had an amazing searchlight beam; a 12v headlight might do it, on a good battery. Xmas lights (12 v) Patio Umbrellas Tie them down firmly and try to collapse them before the wind catches them. Never leave them up unattended. Folding Beach Chairs Hammock and A-frame rig Pup Tent in its bag This makes a handy storage tent for stuff that would clutter up the car. Ground cloths Oriental Carpet Plastic floor mats Solar shower Gray water collector This can be a simple wading pool, or a heavy plastic sheet laid under a foot platform, with the edges held up. Scoop out the water and sprinkle it in the dusty road. Dont dump it or let it make a mud puddle. AstroTurf for shower area Nice place to dry off. First Aid Posters Little Tool Box always in Car Ratchet wrenches, ½ & 3/8 ½ extender, 3/8 adapter 24mm socket, deep sockets Crescent wrench 6 Wrenches; Box/Open End Torx wrench set Hex (Allen) wrench sets Vise Grips Pliers, heavy, needle nose Scissors, tweezers, knife Steel baling wire Screwdrivers-shorty flat & Phillips, folding T-handle, offset, multi- bit set File set Magnet Church key beer opener Sharpening stone Plastic Steel Epoxy Cement 3-in-1 Oil Awl=fid for knots Seam ripper tool Paper drill bit for punching signs, fabric Feeler gauges (!) Big Tool Box (bring sometimes) Combination padlocks Tape measure (25 ft) Yellow lumber crayon Straight-Claw hammer, 20 oz Monkey wrench to pull stakes Measuring Vernier caliper Liquid-Lube for Bike Chain WD-40 water-displacing lube Rope, ¼ and ½ Dental Floss for strong thread Duct tape, glass tape Staple gun and 3/8 staples Power drill 3/8 & Portalign Hand drill and bit sets Wire brush, grinder bits Center punch Tin Snips Box cutting knife Razor scraper Scissors Wood chisel, 1 inch Hacksaw & blades Stiff-back saw Rasp/File for shaping Abrasive cloth Steel wool Ammeter/tester Neon voltage tester Hose clamps, all sizes Grommet Kit Great for tarps, hat straps. Small C-clamps for holding things down. Nuts, bolts, all sizes Nails: 6d roofing, 16d box Gripper claw tool Magnet for pickup Sports Locker Xerox copies of hiking maps Topo Maps in flat portfolio Snorkel and Fins For hot springs, ponds, lakes Surf booties for wading or around camp Rubber sandals for wading or around camp Office Supplies Marking pens Sticky press-on labels Scissors 3-hole punch Large quadrille tablet Scotch Tape Masking tape Post-It in 3x5 size Very handy for laying out a scale model of a big camp site on paper Possible Supplies Area Rugs 52x27 (qty 8) Site Marking sign on a T-stake Nylon yardage in colors EMT fabric for streamers Lumber (2x4, plywood) Pipe (steel, ABS, PVC) Structural steel, fasteners Bamboo Poles 55-gal drums (steel, plastic) Come-Along hoist Party Decor Fluorescent Black Lights Extension cords Power strip outlets Clip lights Drop lights Extra light bulbs Spray Paint Mylar aluminized roll Madras fabric Flagpoles Sailboard masts, PVC & metal Pineapple Flag US Flag Burning Man Special Camp Beacons For night & day location Gifts to dispense Lockable storage chest for tools Traffic Cones Yellow CAUTION marking tape Large wall thermometer Just so you can boast later about how much you are suffering. High-powered air blower If you have AC power, its cool, especially with a Misting System Sold for hot climates. You can run one with a 2-gallon garden sprayer. Aimed into a fan airstream, its heaven. Mirrored bath cabinet A discarded bathroom cabinet is a handy way to have a mirror that can be packed more safely, and it serves as a storage box for make-up Spray paint, fluorescent Paint and brushes for signs Sign board matl Sign Easels They are safer than stakes and easy to move. Sewing Kit Kerosene in jugs Rubber stamps for passports Cool camps have a rubber stamp for visitors who got a passport from the Artists Republic of Fremont. Flaming Polo Burning Man logo decor for tailgate Wave to other Burners on the highway! Solar Battery charger for 12 V toys Cupola Project Plastic letters For making sand-cast or Playa mud negative letter forms. Things Left To Buy Fill in your own stuff Extra Advice Read the Web site Its great. What little I have to add is the following: Label all containers It gets confusing up there. Start out organized. Use Transparent containers Ziploc bags (1 gallon size) are great for little things like flashlight batteries and Band Aids that you need to find in a hurry. Pack messy things together Changes in air pressure caused by driving from sea level over Donner Pass can make flexible containers leak or crush. Put them all (sunscreen, mustard, syrup, hand lotion, shampoo, etc) in a plastic tub. Ideally, open them partially and prop them all upright. Keep them away from other luggage. Mark your tools Anything that is likely to get borrowed or mixed up should be marked. Dust is Everywhere When you reach the playa, close off the air vents from the outside. Next time you use them be prepared for a blast of nasty dust. It will be in the nooks of your dashboard, your radio, everywhere. Often the wind around the rear of a car creates negative air pressure that can draw dust (and exhaust fumes) into the tailgate, so go slow. The dust is like raw cement. It contains a lot of alkali, the opposite of acid. It attacks metals just like acid when it gets damp or wet. Its hard on skin and eyes and makes sticky mud. On the playa, never leave car doors or windows open. Cover all you can. Put everything away out of the wind if possible. Use dust-proof boxes Plastic bags are annoying and empty ones blow away easily. Put things in Tupperware or those square plastic buckets (with lids) that some kitty litter is sold in, and also restaurant supplies such as frozen eggs. Plastic lunch pails are great Dont Follow Cars Stay back; youll be glad. Wash your Bike As soon as you get home, if you dont wash your bike it will be horribly rusty. Just look around you for examples. When the chain jams, the bike is unusable. Plan your Trucking You can fit a surprising amount in a 14-foot rental truck if you plan ahead. Warning! The companies are unreliable and may not honor your reservation. The cheaper short-haul trucks are the older ones that are more likely to break down in the desert. Install Tie-down points If you have a smooth car, figure out how you will secure a roof load and protect the cars paint. Tie padding well If it flaps it will shred and/or blow off the car on I-80. Learn to Tie Good Knots Its handy and fun anyway. Camping in windy areas, it turns into a critical skill. Keep Food Simple Heat reduces the need for food, and cooking is a hassle unless you really love it no matter what. Personally, while I love to cook and share meals, I bring easy food to Burning Man. Single-serving canned fruits and vegetables are SO much easier than fresh. I treat ice as a dispensable luxury for cold drinks, not a necessity to keep my broccoli from turning to stinky mush. I cant plan slow meals when incredible events may occur without notice. Your mileage may vary. Cover your coolers Keep them in the shade, up off the muddy playa. Use your sleeping bag to insulate them from daytime heat. Allow 8 hours to drive from SF Leave by noon to get to the playa before dark. Earlier is better, especially because the Central Valley gets hot. A good food stop is Ikedas fruit stand and burger joint just east of Auburn at the Bowman Rd exit. A good gas stop is Sierra Sids at Exit 19 in Reno. Just up the street (East McCarran) a few blocks from Sierra Sids is a big 24-hour Safeway for your last minute ice, milk, etc. Plan your departure The highway can take only 450 cars/hour, or 10,800 in a 24-hour day. The rush hour Sunday just has to last for many hours. Pull over and sleep Dont risk driving drowsy. Rattlesnakes Not on the Playa, but be very careful at roadside stops. In August 2000 the US has almost no supplies of anti-venin in hospitals. Scorpions In the surrounding desert, watch out for little ones. No Mosquitoes No problem on the Playa. Danger to Eyes Going without sunglasses can sunburn your retinas, a very painful and dangerous injury. At night, wear clear safety glasses against dust and sparks blown by wind. In many camps, people are welding metal to fix bikes and build things. NEVER look at a welding arc. Be alert; a welding flash could happen without warning. Look away if you see any kind of a flash. Burning metal (magnesium, titanium, aluminum) can make light that is dangerous to look at. Some people use it in fireworks displays. Dont stare at it. The people running powerful lasers at Burning Man have promised to take all possible safety precautions, but be alert for accidents.

Happy Birthday GraCee 1 year old...

Sunburn — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:24:54 GMT

One year ago today, my brother and sister in law became grandparents to this little tough pug, who was determined to survive. And she did, her spunk and fear of nothing are her trademark characteristics from her dad Rudy and her sweetness and joy of vocalization was inherited by her mum Girlene... Thanks bro and ceester for your great love and care, as my world has been greatly enhanced by this little creature. Happy birthday GraCee... many many more to come....

Miss you Dad, happy poppa's day

Sunburn — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:43:42 GMT

I can still hear his voice, and many times, in my brother's voice too.. love ya dad, miss ya too.

Tiki Crawl 9... 7/9 - 7/12

Sunburn — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:18:30 GMT

It won't be as much fun without Kimmie... but East Bay Tiki crawl is on Sat. night, a fine night to join the goof balls. (Brigit,, Tiki Tom's on Sunday....) http://www.tikiroom.com/misc/index.php and get on the bus! http://www.tikiroom.com/misc/bustickets.php

The BEST, hands down, hair cut I have ever had.....

Sunburn — Wed, 06 May 2009 02:23:30 GMT

I got to keep my length, yet Wendy brough back my natural curl and fullness. Note: this is my hair without any curling, just dried with a diffuser allowing the natural curl of the hair to develop, with a little finger curling. My hair once had horrible split ends making it look like squid tentacles or frayed ropes. Wendy tamed them.. The last time I had my hair cut, they did not know how to trim selectively and just hacked off 8 inches to deal with the split ends.. Wendy was able to cut at just the right angle to give it shape, take off the damage, and keep my length.. wow... please, if you are picky go see Wendy... if you are not picky, go see Wendy...

Calling musicians for Sunburn Sarah's Playa radio show...

Sunburn — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:46:58 GMT

So this is the year of evolution, change or transition... Our theme this year prompts three related questions: What are we as human beings, where have we come from, and how may we adapt to meet an ever-changing world? I am looking for musicians to submit any song/tracks along this theme.. or even sit in one night of the show, M-F 9-10pm, Aug 31 - Sep 4 and play live and be interviwed. Please contact me if you are interested, I would love to play your music..

Soulstance 2009 Registration is now OPEN!

Sunburn — Fri, 01 May 2009 18:03:11 GMT

Soulstance 2009 (June 19-21), Los Gatos East bay is co-hosting with Southbay and Santa Cruz regions this year's Soulstance, so bring your East bay art projects and participation and meet our Southbay and Santa Cruz communities. See you there, show your east bay pride! Soulstance is a 2-day, 3-night official Burning Man Regional Event, and this will be the third year in a row that we’ve celebrated a burning solstice at Lupin Lodge in Los Gatos. If you didn’t make it last year, ask around … it was spectacular (300+ attendees, music and workshops all day and night, art cars and costumes and camping, oh my!) This year, we’re hoping to make it bigger and better than ever, but it can’t happen without YOU! Gear up for the playa, do some practice CAMPING (shake the dust out of your tent, test your air mattress, see how warm your playa coat really is!), PARTICIPATE in the creation of a playa-rific experience for everyone who attends. Want to DJ? Practice your poi? Have a new ART project or EL WIRE creation you’d like to show off? Come to give to your community and BE DELIGHTED by your fellow participants! You can now register on the website, www.soulstanceinfo.com. Pre-registration is $15, and helps the regions cover our costs for insurance, paypal, websites and such. Camping fees due to Lupin will be the same as last year, but the first 100 people to pre-pay their camping fees will get a reduced rate. See www.soulstanceinfo.com for more details! ===== Sunburn Sarah East Bay Regional Rep Sunburn@Burningman.com (O) (\ /) / \ / \

A Kind Person...

Sunburn — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:17:50 GMT

Earth day seemed very quiet this year, which is of concern. There were the few short stories on the news, and some companies peddling their "green" products.. but all in all, very disappointing. Some have said that we need more than a day, that earth day should be everyday.. but how can that happen. When you boil it down, the essential issue is selfishness or people being self centered, which needs to be replaced or tempered with kindness. We selfishly continue to live our life with justification for why we drive the aged or gas guzzling vehicle. We justify why we should be allowed to breed and reproduce without limitation, why we waste so much of our energies on play, and not balance it out with contributing back to our community. Kindness needs to be taken to a higher level. Some people will say you are kind because you make them a plate of cookies, or send them a treat or a card in the mail. But normally, that is still a selfish action. Women commonly do this so that our guy will need to react to our show of affection. Sure it is part of the dating ritual, but it does not make you a kind person. True kindness is done without any expectation of a return or even acknowledgment. Pay it forward is based on this premise of kindness, but it still demonstrates that there will be a "pay off" at some point later on. Pretty much the idea of organized religion to help thy neighbor, but with the underlying theme that it will lead you to heaven, or god's good graces.. True kindness, in spirit is better seen by the animals of the earth. The dog that loves you even when you are gone 12 hours a day. When you come home, Buddy does not bitch you out for going off and hanging with your friends, instead he jumps up and down in excitement and licks you til you throw the dog out in the backyard. True kindness is the dolphin that head butts a shark to stop an attack on surfer. (true story!) True kindness is acts done purely because it is your duty as a living being on this planet and you are a part of a community or family, whether you like it or not. Yes, it is your duty.... Make a plan to perform or give back on a daily basis.. just not when you feel like it.. and extend it to beyond your local circle. Plant a tree, put unused items in your driveway and mark them "free", adopt a pet and give it love, take the trash cans off the street for your neighbor that does not get back from work until late, smile at everyone that walks by, if you have a skill, then share it, look for people that are down or sad or depressed and see if there is anything you can do. In difficult personal times, I have found that helping others, and putting the focus back on another person's need, builds back good self esteem better and faster than looking for someone to love you back, or drowning in the party life, or hiding in your bed. Do the earth a favor, do your community a favor and do yourself a favor, be a kind person.

Save the date... 10/24

Sunburn — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:36:01 GMT

Jimmy Buffett in Las Vegas... way too much fun... we will take a flight, and enjoy the last days of summer in Vegas baby, and be parrottheads...

He was all that... and more..

Sunburn — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:53:47 GMT

(Thanks Muse,,, I will repost...) While I did not know Shooter extremely well, the interactions I had with him left me with a feeling, that he was his own man... that is, he had a strong idea of who he was, and did not need anyone to affirm him.. to me he seemed lured to situations of possible self harm, destruction and even death. this attraction was similar to you or I being attracted to a great live music set, or a collectible piece of art.... he had very little if any fear and while we might consider his lifestyle somewhat living on the edge, I think he took it all in stride quite comfortably. I only wish we could somehow just know why he picked this time... I think we all knew it was coming, but all figured it would be during a time when he would be back over in Iraq or Afghanistan, maybe at the hands of someone else, but certainly because he put himself in that place and time. I think he always had this in the back of his mind.. and for some reason on that night, he went ahead with his plans. Like most talented writers, musicians, and artists, he had to live a life where his work was drastically unappreciated and unrecognized. A group of us did buy his art, commission him to paint their dog, purchase his pics and even purchase his collection of articles.. and while many of us would have welcomed him into our homes, etc, he was very independent and lived his life his way, even if that was in a vacant lot in Austin, or in his truck... I don't know that there was anything anyone could have done, I think he had full intention of embracing death, one way or another, and the ones that really will hurt from this is "us", the ones left behind to not experience his life vicariously.... Basically, I saw him as brilliantly intelligent person, operating at a much higher vibration than the rest of us, and therefore, he had a hard time finding a place even within himself that he felt was life....

Caleb.. aka Shooter.. 3/23/73 - 4/17/09

Sunburn — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:34:30 GMT

I'm sorry you felt you had no other option, I'm sorry I thought you were a tough, strong guy that bitched a little, I'm sorry you struggled so much this past year I'm sorry that you left way too soon. but I hope you have peace, cuz one day, when the rest of us catch up with you, we are going to give you hell.