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It has been a while since my last update. As many of you know I have decided live in New Zealand and I have even gotten an actual jobby job. For the last 6 months I have been lucky enough to be working at a cool design company called Shift. http://www.shift.co.nz/. I primarily focus on the Tourism New Zealand account and the flagship site we design is: http://www.purenz.com/
For Photos and Jams: http://www.mofo-records.com/bm2002/
I have many great stories from New Zealand and have even had visits from Christine (Paris, France) and Rob from San Diego! But this update isn’t about furry green hats or spending lazy days in the Jacuzzi @ Stoney Ridge Vineyard on Waiheke island……...
This story is of my most recent journey to California to visit friends and of course attend my third Burning Man.
Since I arrived home to New Zealand when people ask me “How was your trip?”.
- “It was Epic. Amazing, surreal, non stop, incredible, indescribable, special, intense, laugh a minute, exciting, fun, beautiful, mad cap, insane, and generally all around perfect”.
Many of the stories I cannot share of course…….but hopefully the nuts and bolts of times, dates, and people sounds interesting enough. Also, quite frankly, getting these details down this time has been more difficult than normal. I am so satisfied with my trip that I really wanted to leave it in California. I am struggling with trying to capture the real magic that took place. It’s really just too soon……so hopefully it’s not too long and boring. Anyway……here we go:
The story is in 3 parts:
Pre Burn - Los Angeles - San Diego
Burning Man - Black Rock City, Nevada
Decompression - San Diego - Los Angeles
Pre Burn -
August 15th - Thursday 10am: Alien Landing @ LAX
As always, getting away from work is a fairly frantic process which for me this time was no different. Preparing for Burning Man itself is a mammoth task. But to prepare for being off work for 3 or 4 weeks, coordinating with many friends simultaneous etc. It was exciting. Finally I got away. Touching down in Los Angeles it really finally sinks in that I am here…... It’s difficult for me to really get too excited until I actually get somewhere…. mostly cause until you have all those odds and ends squared away it’s not happening. But now….it’s on.
I was to be met at the airport by my friend Hugh Herrera and there was talk of my buddy Terry showing up too. Hugh is an international House DJ based in LA and San Diego. The plan is that I would literally be in Hugh’s hip pocket for the next few weeks.
Getting to know Hugh over the last few years has been a blast and we have had countless fun times together….. Hugh is as beautiful a person as the music that he plays. This guy is pure positive energy and it’s always fun hanging out. And as we both say - “It’s never boring!”. I was held up in airport security longer than planned so I was getting anxious about my friends having to wait for me. I am glad I opted not to wear my full burning man garb. ;-) It’s a zoo out there with many flights arriving at the same time and if you aren’t standing right there you could miss someone. Finally, I wander out around 12 noon or so…and the first thing that catch’s my eye is a bright pink furry jacket! I am greeted by Luscious in full Burning Man Attire! Turns out Matty, Lynn, Suzie Q, Terry, and Hugh had all come out to greet me! WoaH! Cool. (Don’t you people work!) Thank god for cocktails at the airport eh. So we are off on what would turn out to be a whirlwind tour!
We race off back to Matt and Lynn’s place in Silver Lake. It’s a really great house nestled in the Hollywood hills. Great views……..There is even a whole room dedicated to costumes and outfits! It’s the Costume Vault! We spent most of the day chilling on the balcony in the sun catching up and enjoying the afternoon. Sara joins us and it’s great to see her. Sara is a dancer in LA and is currently working on a modern dance show, which unfortunately conflicted, with Burning Man. But kudos for having the discipline to stick with it….and there’s always BM 2003. This girl looks different every time I see her! And always beautiful.
Today was Thursday so Hugh is to DJ at a Sushi Bar tonight. We all head over to “Tengu”, which is a nice chill spot with of course “great music!” . Rob Sutton (Rodnik Vodka Fame) shows up and we enjoy many beers and some good miso which is about all I can eat as I am so excited to finally be here. We wrap things up at Tengu and head back to Matt and Luscious’s house. Annie (Sara’s friend) shows up too and we all spend the next 6 hours raiding the costume vault!
“places people places!”. I have to say, Terry, you really earned your credits as the wardrobe manager. Most people see a pile of clothes. Terry sees outfits. It’s magic!
It was hot!
Next day Terry and I are off to pick up a friend, Tim Herrington, from the airport. I met Tim in New Zealand and he decided to drop in a few days early. After a quick pick up at LAX we all head off to San Diego. We arrive to Del Mar…….which has become a real sanctuary for me. The bluff overlooking the pacific in Terry’s back yard has hosted us so many times that it feels like a home away from home to me. Terry has one of the greatest bungalows on the west coast. His living room features a Bose Sound system with cavernous corners in the roof sealed off with about 6 surf boards which create some kinda crazy acoustics. It sounds amazing. We call it the “Surf Board Cathedral of Bump” - Or the T-dome.
Friday:
\
We spend lots of time relaxing in the sun, dozing in the hammock and just kickin it. and
preparing for night down at Candelas. It’s a fantastic night and it is great to be back here.
It’s been one year exactly since I left and the place has changed quite a bit. Candelas is a
cool Mediterranean style restaurant, bar and lounge. The restaurant is rated in the top 5 restaurants in San Diego. When I left it used to be Hugh spinning and 10 of our friends dancing. In addition, Hugh and Alberto have released Candelas Vol 1. If you haven’t picked up a copy….do so. Trust me.
Now, it’s Hugh spinning, 30 of our friends and 50 other beautiful people. ! Right on!!
I have to say, the crowd at Candelas is truly one of the most beautiful crowds I have ever seen. Nice work Alberto and Hugo. The honey factory is working overtime.
I finally crash at Tommy’s place with Hugh and Sara. Can’t say I got much sleep as there was quite a ruckus going on the next room……
Have a really nice day relaxing in the sun at 18th street in Del Mar. Catch up with lots of old friends. Meet Seppe who is some kinda international jet set man of mystery. He works in San Diego, does business in Japan….and he’s building a house in Brazil and what not…..Nice! I like your style dood.
Tonight is the Pinky’s Burning Man Benefit at Candelas. Should be a fun one!
Saturday
That night at Candelas it truly went off! Practically everyone I knew in San Diego was there. It was amazing. Jason, an artist from LA, painted a huge canvas throughout the night and it turned out fantastic…Plus the whole Pinky’s crew had come down for it from LA. Annie made a surprise drop in…she is really sweet and super cool…... It was an amazing night. There was so much love…. I can’t even express how great this night was.
It seems like before you know it it’s 2am at Candelas….and closing time. But that doesn’t mean it has to end! Sadly, we can’t just go around the corner to 1504 India st. like the old days….
……... At 2am about 30 people headed back to Tommy’s for the after party. Tommy’s raged till about 10am. There was plenty of body painting, dancing, and about 9am electric clippers were busted out. Let’s just say there are lots of clean shavin female body parts in San Diego. It got hot.
Sunday:
Annie, Sara Hugh and I head off to Los Angles on Sunday… ….. Sara had a dance rehearsal and also we were slated to hit Vinyl in Hollywood. (THE Deep House spot on the west coast)
Juan Nunez drops a super phat set…..
Vinyl is like church. The night is called “Deep” and the man behind it is Marques Wyatt.
The sound system at Deep must be one of the best I have ever experienced. Hugh likes to get there early around 9 or 10pm and watch the people stream in. People have a 5 foot dancing radius and are getting down! Everyone facing forward. . Just like Church! Working it out!
Marques usually gets things warmed up and then hands off to a guest. One of my favorite nights here was Marques Wyatt’s birthday and the guest was Joe Clausell. The highlight for me was when Clausell dropped “Miss You” by the Rolling Stones Wow!! it was amazing. I was so blown away! The Stones record was bright pink!
Tonight….Hugh introduces me to a guy named “Big Al”. Big Al hears my name and next thing a 6 foot five - Black dood named BIG AL is Yelling. Maaaaait - LAND. Maaaiit - LAND! It was hilarious! Turns out Big Al just arrived from Auckland NZ where he is working on commercials.
Heather, Tish, Annie, Sara Hugh and I head back to Annies for some more music and fun…………. Hot…….
Monday:
Monday Chilled at Hugo’s. . I actually had to work this day….. at 2 o’clock or so…. I was to attend meeting for my company Shift with the LA office of the Singapore Tourism Board on Wilshire Blvd. It went fine……..pretty uneventful. Oh, except for getting pulled over by the cops!!!
I had borrowed Hugh’s Volvo for the meeting across town….
Funnily enough I had left my wallet in my pants. And I had left my Pants in San Diego a few days earlier.
Anywho…should be no big deal. But I know that the only thing I don’t want to do is get pulled over. Well, naturally, that’s what happens. It’s 2:20pm and I am meeting the clients at 2:30pm. I was actually outside the building and just turned onto Wilshire Blvd and it turns out you can’t do that during the day. So the motorcycle cop is sitting there and waves me to the side of the road.
“License and registration. Proof of insurance.” - The cop
“Hmmm. Ok. I actually don’t have my wallet. “
“I don’t have my license.”
“Also, it’s not my car…..it’s my friends car. “
“I don’t know where the paper work is for insurance or registration…... “
“Also, I actually don’t even have my passport”
0 out 5.
Things aren’t looking too good.
And I am about to be late for the meeting.
The cop looks at me……..and is like: “Today is your lucky day - get out of here.”
I was really baffled and actually had the audacity to ask the cop for directions!
Later that night Hugh and I went to 24 hour Party people. Hey, if you can’t do it…go see a movie about it. It’s a great flick and I first saw it in New Zealand at the Wellington Film Festival. It does a great job chronicle ling the history of Punk/ rock to techno/electronic music and the advent of the DJ. . Primarily focused on the Producer Tony Wilson, New Order, The Happy Monday’s and Hacienda club in Manchester England.
After the movie I told hugh: “Hugh, one weekend in your life is crazier than anything in that movie!”
Tuesday:
we went over to Pinky’s to help out loading up the truck for Burning Man. I picked up a killer bike……..She is gonna be a beauty. Phat seat and phat tires! I even have some nice fuzzy dice for her!. She would turn out to be a trusty steed. You have to have a bike at Burning Man…. More on that…….
After a few hours of hard work of course it was time for some Margarita’s!. Went to an excellent mex place on Sunset blvd. Next to a cool place called “Tantra”. The Margaritas are amazing. And deadly. 3 is the limit. Trust me. Even after 3 you are gonna need a double latte to pull yourself together! ;-)
Jason Harris had joined us. He is coming to Burning man! Cool! Turns out Jason was born to burn and bartend @ Pinkies!
Headed back to Matty and Lynn’s and hung out there for a bit. Good night catching up and hanging out…. I was actually almost asleep and Annie swung by and we headed over to her place. She had kindly offered to let me crash there. She has a really nice apartment in a really cool building and it’s super comfortable.
Wednesday:
Next day Annie and I head off and do a little shopping around town. I am looking for a cowboy hat for burningman. We hit Melrose which is always interesting…… and as we are heading off there is the most dramatic full moon rise over Sunset Blvd! . It’s completely orange and huge. It was incredible. This night is a chill evening watching movies and relaxing……..The Suicide Kings. Interesting flick. I had never watched a DVD that had 3 different endings on it….so that was a unique experience for me. Kinda cool having the director take you through them…
Thursday
Annie Drops me at Hughs. I walk in the door and am like: “Damn Hugh, it’s cool that I get to see your smiling face every day! It truly is a wonderful thing”
We take off around town to run some errands. Stop by Wax on Melrose and I get to meet Juan Nunez and Casey! Woah! Juan was spinning at Vinyl on Sunday night and dropped a great set. He says he will give me a copy of it! Cool, I can’t wait to get it! I think hugh is putting in the mail this week…. He also says his friend is in New Zealand and I am like: Oh who’s that. “Dick Johnson”. Ahhh. Coool. I’ll say hello. Dick Johnson is probably one of the biggest DJ/Producers in NZ at the moment.
Hugh and I head downtown and get a room at the Standard. There is a new one downtown which has a whole different vibe than the one on Sunset. Not sure which I prefer……Thanks for the upgrade Lushie! It’s super phat! The Standard is truly a hip joint and there is pretty much always a party on the roof. When I checked in the cutie at the front desk, “Dominic” asks: Which floor do you want to be on? The higher the louder and tonight’s’ gonna be loud”. I am like, “Loud is good!”. Me likey!
The room is great and designed for partying. There is a Tub right in the middle of the room. Who needs privacy eh? There is a little dolly cart thing on wheels which you can put your drinks and things on and send it around the room without even having to get up!
I actually pass on going to Tengu with hugh as the roof top is going off. Terry and Seppe decide to do a drop in! Suzie Q and Luscious show up. Hey, it’s a party!!
Annie comes down and we all go party on the rooftop. The DJ is dropping some hip hop which is kinda nice for a change…….DJ on the roof…..LA - late summer….it’s quite surreal….
I have to say though, I thought the crowd at Candelas is hotter than this crowd. But the environment is unbelievable You are chilling on a roof top in downtown LA, the warm Cali air, glistening buildings all around. Hugh and Sara show up on the roof!
Had a great chat with Suzie Q downstairs in the room which was really cool. Hey Suzie Q - You are doing it!
In typical Standard Style, somehow a bunch of people end up back in your room. Things get pretty hot in there……
Meet Reggie, the cool security guard. Later Reggie would be the photographer in a super hot photo shoot with Sara, Annie and I in a pod on the roof. (Funnily enough pictures aren’t allowed up there….Thanks Reggie!)
Rom stops by but didn’t get to catch up………..Turns out Rom’s Art Car at BurningMan is da bomb! He converted his BMW 2002 into a sailing art mobile with wheel to wheel carpeting!!
Friday:
Annie has to take off. Sara decides to come to SD! Cool! We take this show on the road. It’s a pretty long ride to SD with Terry, Sara and Hugh. Non Stop! We were stuck in “traffic”. Heavy Traffic!
Stop in at Jerry and Lisa’s to say hello. End up hanging there most of the night. Michelle and Jeff stop by. Rob and Ally. Hey, it’s a party! It was pretty hot…..Keep the chocolate sauce in the fridge……whew.
Rob and I head back to Allies at around 2am…. Super phat place in Rancho Santa Fe. Overlooking nothing but San Diego hills and completely private back yard with Jacuzzi!
Lots of fun…….
Get some excellent sleep this night. Hugh and Sara show up and we spend a beautiful day in the sun just hanging out and having fun. Lots of fun.
We hit some golf balls off the back yard into the valley. Meet Damien a new friend.
Rob brings his daughter London over. She’s 3 years old and she is truly the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen or know.
We all head into SD for Candelas……
Candelas was fun………but the after hours party at Allies was great! Lots of naked hot tubing etc.
At the party I meet a cool guy named Wai. Turns out Wai was looking to go to burningman but just needed a reason. Turns out Terry needed a wingman to ride with him. Bang!
Wai 2 cool!
Hugh gets into completely rare form around 6am. Every now and then Hugh just gets crazy and this was one of those times! He’s a bit of a Magician. Rudy…you might have some competition. Hugh has really been practicing. Everyday!
Hugh and Sara drop me at Terry’s in Del Mar on Sunday……Then I decide I will take the train to LA…..I miss the first one……but catch the 6 oclock. The train truly is a pleasant way to go…….. Annie Picks me up from the train station. Cool! She looks amazing. The train station is kinda old Skool LA retro and it’s quite surreal meeting this girl, seeing her all the way across the station, standing there looking beautiful. (I was digging the boots) . . We walk out into the street and it’s another beautiful night in LA. The moon is amazing.
Annie takes me to a cool Thai Restaurant on Sunset Blvd called- Toi. Pretty funky and busy and fun. There’s nothing like a Singha and some Pad Thai. Head over to Vinyl. Remember, it’s like Church. You really don’t want to miss it….you gotta go EVERY Sunday.
Vinyl was good….but I was soooooo tired. I was actually falling asleep while dancing and would knock into other people dancing. They thought I was drunk…but I was just soooo tired. I think I have fallen asleep in church too.
Crash at Annie’s. Next day we go grab some lunch down the street at Fred 62. - On Vermont …….but feel sick. Got the chills at lunch and really felt weak. It would turn out I was getting sick….Timing is bad….for BM….
.
Sleep and rest. Annie drops me at Hughs’. Suzie shows up and we are off! Suzie Q is sporting a dope ass pink mo hawk! She rocks! Suzie is one of the coolest, easy going girls I know….
Wow! I can’t believe it. We are off to Burning Man!
BurningMan!
Now, for those of you who don’t know….a little on Burning Man. Burning Man is a radical experiment in individual freedom, community, human expression, love, art and music. For 2 weeks out of the year Black Rock City forms on a prehistoric Lake bed in Nevada 2 hours from Reno. There are streets, a newspaper, dozens of radio stations, a wireless lan over the entire Playa and around 30,000 beautiful residents. It’s a high tech event. This is a cashless society. No vendors. Gift economy. It’s an extreme camping experience. It can be 100 degrees or 40 degrees. Rain, dust storms. Anything can happen. There are hundreds of clubs which go off night and day. Clubs with crazy themes and mega sound systems which can be heard miles away. I have danced at dozens of clubs for daze on end and never heard the same track twice.
Burning Man has a huge technology focus. It's one of the most Avant garde
technology displays in the world. Forget COMDEX!
Computer Wizards from far and wide come and assemble hardware, software and
gear. Outlandish constructions resembling something between Mad Max and
Star Wars! Check out DR. Megavolt and his giant Tesla Coils!
There is a Wireless LAN across the entire Playa (4 miles in Diameter).
That is where we are going! To Burning Man.
Jason, Suzie Q , Hugh and I are off. The truck was packed up and we head up the I5 only stopping for a quick Margarita while we wait for Rob and Allie who weren’t far behind.
The drive is fairly uneventful………. except for around 2 am when we get pulled over. I wake up and see the red flashing lights in the rear view mirror. I ask Hugh: “Are we being pulled over by the cops” and he’s like: “Well, it ain’t the tooth fairy”.
Jason is driving and pulls off the freeway and discreetly removes the beautiful Tiara he was wearing as you do when bound BM. Of course we fail to mention our true destination and simply say we are headed to Oakland……The cop was actually really cool and now Jason knows the speed limit up here in Oakland! The cop spent a lot of time telling us which exit to find a hotel but I really think he was just checking out Suzie Q’s Boobs. We receive a ticket and head on to the hotel near Oakland airport. We are to meet up with Matty and Lynn and others and take the RV from there the next day….
I feel myself getting sick. I realized that it is most likely due to going so hard and really running myself down. Unfortunately I didn’t have any anti-biotics so I feel myself getting worse and worse. The next day we go to pick up the RV and I feel like complete shit Ferris.
We arrive at the RV place and we see this beautiful girl trying to use the pay phone. She asks Hugh and I for help. She is blonde and sounds as if she is from Sweden. We pretty much give up on trying to use the pay phone and Hugh just hands her his mobile. She asks if she needs a 1 in front of the number….so he takes it from her and asks her what’s the number and he’ll dial. He’s like, wait a second. I know this number. It’s Matty and Lynns! So this is Helena from Sweden and she is coming to Burning man!
We meet Tomas her husband. Helena and Tomas met Matt and Lynn in Tahiti both on their honeymoons. Cool!
Matty and Lynn arrive from the airport and we are all off. Tish and Heather and Ian are in a car, Cath has joined and hey, it’s a party!
The drive was fairly uneventful. Oh, except for getting pulled over by the cops! What is up with this!?! Turns out there was some dare devil driving going on back there in the Swedish RV and it got the attention of a police officer. No biggie: Tomas had just tried to “kiss” an 18-wheeler with his RV. I think he took out some cones and stuff too……Accident Report and we are back on the road.
I am starting to feel terrible and I am spending most of my time crashed out in the back. I have a fever and am sleeping and can’t move. I know that if I don’t get some medication I will be super sick. Plus to go to BM in this condition is crazy. It’s dusty, hot and not a good place to be sick. I am so pissed off that I have come this far and now I am sick. I waited the whole year for this moment and I am sick. Plus I don’t want to hold up my friends. Literally every minute at this point counts and I know that everyone is dying to get there….and we are only 2 hours away. I really feel like I could miss or at the very least will hate every minute of Burning Man this year. Shit. I am pretty good at powering through anything. I am not one to be sick. (If I am it’s only cause I had a test the next day J .) Ya know! So I am really really sick this time….
Finally, when we stop for food in Reno I can barely stand. I somehow stumble around the grocery store and throw some stuff in my cart. Mostly soup and orange juice I think. And 2 cases of beer. (hey, I knew I wouldn’t be sick forever!)
I realize that I can’t go on. I volunteer to stay behind and see a doctor and the crew can continue on. I have lots of friends coming through on Tuesday who could pick me up.
Thankfully, Ian is willing to take me to the hospital while everyone stores their groceries in the RV’s.
I arrive at 8:15pm to the ER and explain that I have 11 people waiting and we are off to BM so obviously this is truly an emergency. The doc takes one look at my throat….
Severe Tonsillitis. I have a fever of 101 degrees. (No, that’s not some fashionable Burning Man address). She gives me a Super Shot of Penicillin in one butt check. A shot of Pain killer in the other butt cheek. Script for Amoxillian and 25 Vicatin. ( I could barely swallow with my throat) I am outta there by 8:45pm!! Literally, in 5 minutes I am feeling great. Mostly cause I knew psychologically I am on the road to recovery and wouldn’t have to face the heat and dust sick. Maybe it was the painkiller..? Anyway! I’m back.
Hugh thinks I am the king of the comeback. Hey, from Zero to Hero!
We are off again!
It’s around 12 midnight that we pull into Black Rock City. It truly is never “easy” getting here. There are so many reasons not to even go. Even once you are committed to going, there are so many things that can come up and slow you down or change your mind. Work or money or fear, or dust, or heat or whatever….
But that is what makes it so special. It keeps the half hearted away. Which leaves you with a city of completely committed, sincere, beautiful people.
Hugh is driving. I am riding shotgun and we catch our first glimpse of Black Rock City! The lights are amazing! The moon rising was terrific. This is it. What we have been waiting for. Right here. Right now. this moment. It’s real.
Turns out I would have nearly 100 of those “right here, right now” moments @ BM.
Tuesday:
We arrive at 12 midnight! The excitement is electric. .We unite with the Pinky’s Crew! Almost head straight out on bikes. Suzie, Tijuana and I and some others on the Inaugural Playa ride. It was amazing. Stopped at some fun clubs and had a blast!
Flight to Mars was probably one of my favorites. You go through a light maze, a cave, then a giant vagina (not sure why) and crawl through a tunnel which dumps you out into a cool ass Club that is going off!!
Ended up back at Pinky’s and we all headed out to Illuminaughty. One of the biggest clubs on the Playa. Hugh was supposed to play at 5:30am Sunrise Session. Sadly, that wasn’t to be…….
Turns out he wasn’t able to check in because we arrived so late.. so they gave his slot away to another DJ. Then it turns out that DJ is Tim (the dude I met in New Zealand and picked up at LAX) ! What the heck! It’s a small world. I was pretty bummed. I really was looking forward to hearing Hugh drop the needle on the biggest sound system on the Playa.
Tim busted out a good set. It was fun. Suzie Q and I hitch a ride back on Rom’s Art Car which was totally cool.
Wednesday:
First day of Pinky’s. It goes off. Spend a lot of time bartending and reuniting with old friends. A couple of friends is was great to see: Ryel and Brenden. We all met last Oct when I was in Tibet. We talked about BM and we all made it this year! It is pretty wild!
Now……. Pinky’s is an afternoon kinda joint. It gets going around 2pm and goes till dusk. It’s a big pirate ship with a full stage and 3 stripper poles. And these poles are fully occupied all the time with beautiful men and woman who generally can’t keep their clothes on. Many never had clothes on to begin with…..
Hugh keeps the tunes bumpin and the booties shakin! It goes off. Pinky’s is a free bar. Some bars are what they call “Barter bars”….but Pinky’s is really just free. Which seems to work because there was a steady flow of people donating huge bottles of booze as a thank you for being the coolest neighborhood bar on the Playa.
The drinks are being served non stop and were flowing till the Man burns.
Each day or night when I would turn my bike homeward, I would ride up 255 degrees towards mizzen getting slightly excited……..
I look up....there in the distance...Pinky's...what's going on.....? Who’s there. Is that a crowd…?
My heart starts beating faster.....I rise out of my seat for a better view.... Begin peddling faster! Drop a gear.
My fuzzy dice are bouncing all over the place......I leave my friends in my dust! Don't stop at the toilets...
There's a crowd.....ahhhhh Pinky's is GOING OFF!
I am leaping off my bike as I let is slide into the dirt. A handsome sailor wearing floaties, a cock-ring and Mardi gras mask already has my cocktail ready on the bar.
Hugh's behind the decks and looks like he is having another great hair day.
Yeeeehaaaaa!
Arriving back at Pinky’s Super late night…. there is a dude at the end of the bar….that
looks super familiar. When you are at BM people always look familiar. And 90% of the time you don’t know em. But this time, I was like ::Tim?? Yup. It’s tim garafola from Atlanta! Woah. Haven’t seen this cat since my days at AT&T in 1996. He left for San Fran and never heard from him…..so it was a great reunion!
Pinky takes me off to his Van for some drinks and I come back and bam. There is Ann, Darren and Patty fresh in from San Fran!. Woah. Oddly enough…this is the moment that I am probably most out of my tree since I have been at BM! . But it was all good. We head out to show them the sites. It was fairly quiet out….plus we were walking so it was slow going. Distances are very great at BM. You need to ride…….We have a fun Dance session at a cool club. Patty and Darren were a bit shocked to see some full on fellatio going on right there. (I actually didn’t even notice as this is not really something out of the ordinary that you might pay attention to in BRC). Ann and I take a long walk across the playa to the Man. The sun is coming up and we have a really powerful talk and we connect in a new meaningful way. Many things we discussed were hard, difficult and downright painful……but when things are said on the playa at sunrise with the man at your back…..somehow they are more real and truthful and therefore ok. What you mean and feel can only be what is right. Right here. Right now.
Later I decide to try to crash out in the RV. Turns out Hugh and a girl called Freedom have been up drinking double Latte’s and Mimosa’s having a good chat. Finally, I try to get some shut eye at 8am and I get up to go to the toilet and am walking along when I hear someone yell: “Maitland!!! “
Hey, It’s Terry and Wai!! They just got pulled in from San Diego! Doh….Doesn’t look like I’ll be going to bed……..
We go back to camp and get them all set up. It was gonnna be a good one!
That day was spent rocking out at Pinky’s again!
I meet our very cool and super hot neighbor Cornelia from San Francisco. .I was just walking along and she offers me a strawberry. I say no as I don’t really like em……we chat for a while….then I take her up on the strawberry. Next thing we break out to Pinky’s while her campmates set up! Sorry guys….
Her camp built a huge 50 foot Light House……Which was totally wicked because now I had a beacon to find my way back to camp.
One day at Pinky’s I meet a beauty named Meredith. Meredith was a pretty blonde girl wearing a green schipphon dress which is translucent. And she is naked. We start chatting and I introduce myself as Maitland. Which I don’t normally do as my Playa name is “Trubble”. She tells me that she knows a Maitland. Wow. I have never met another Maitland. In Fact, he is camping with her down just down the street at 233 degrees and Mizzen! Wow! Cool.
Later I take a ride and stop by Maitland’s camp. Is Maitland here? Yeah, he’s right over there.
“Maitland!” - I yell.
“Yeah?”
- “I’m Maitland!”
-
It was crazy! Turns out Maitland is a cool dude from Canada. We laugh about Maitland stuff. Like when you order a pizza….and they need a name.
Pizza Guy - “What’s the name on the Pizza Bub? “
“Maitland”
“Huh?”
“It’s Maitland “
“Huh? “
“IT’S Matt”
Then it’s like: “pizza for Matt” and of course you don’t’ hear it! Ha! Ha.
Also, we both HATE “Maitlyn” Urgggg.
Next day Maitland stopped by Pinky’s and we had fun introducing each other and giving people the “Maitland Sandwich”!
Also, it was super cool that all the people in Maitland’s camp got my name right the first time! I loved it.
Later on though Maitland was running around the Playa being a “Playa-slut” giving Maitland a bad name. Or was that me. I dunno.
Another really nice memory: One night Ann and I had climbed to the top of the 50 foot Giant Mushroom tower at the Mushroom / Hammock club…..and were chilling at the top. We are just relaxing after a marathon session at Illuminaughty. . It’s kinda shakey. I mean, hey, there aren’t actually any building codes out here…..But it’s fun.
Tonight the mushroom club is playing really nice deep house music. Next track: Marques Wyatt - “For those who like to get down”. It was so great…..truly a special moment. “Right here, Right now”!
I spent my sunrise at a killer trance club. Everyone had bailed out back to camp…. The sun comes up and I am dancing my ass off and I meet a really cool girl named Jane. She has braids and is wearing a sexy green evening dress with slits all the way up the sides to her waist. She has painted her legs with some cool designs….She is hot! ……We dance for an hour or so…..She invites me over to have a drink. She breaks out a bottle of red wine. I am like: Do you have glasses? Nope. So we just share the bottle from the bottle. The sun is up and she says: Red wine: the perfect Playa drink. (a Right here, right now moment). I walk her back to camp and invite her to Pinky’s the next day and she ends up stopping by….. and getting down!
We all know that beauty is on the inside blah blah blah……I have to say that most people at Burning Man are truly beautiful people on the inside. But this year I was quite taken with how damned beautiful they are on the outside too! Some of the most beautiful people I have seen in the world. And you know they are all cool or they wouldn’t be here……
Friday:
Friday was pinky’s birthday so naturally this was a big party. Pinky’s Bar started at 2pm and went past sunset, into the night and all the way until 8:30am! Pinky got a pretty good lapdance which spiraled out of control. Woah!
Friday night at around midnight Hugh, Terry and I peel out of Pinky’s leaving the decks in Ryels capable hands. Hugh is due back around 4am to take over. We hitch rides on Art cars all over the playa. At one point we board a party bus. It was a bendy bus that had been outfitted with lights, disco balls, and DJ in the back. IT’s going off! We rage on this bus for about an hour. Finally we exit the bus and look around and ask: Where are we?? Turns out, the bus never moved!!! We were right were we started. But it’s all about the journey right!
Sat: Night of the Burn
Sat was a tough day for me. It really took the entire day to get my act together. I was pretty dehydrated, tired, and all around mal nourished. In many ways I was spent……and didn’t even feel like trying to rally. In fact, it took the walk out onto the playa and seeing the people, the energy and the excitement and bam! I was back.
From Zero to Hero!
We all meet at 12 oclock. Directly above the Man. The Burn was magnificent. It really is impossible to describe. 200 fire dancers. 30,000 people. Fire. The burn. It’s unreal. The energy is one of a kind.
Hollie, Kevin and I had a really cool walk back to camp. We ran into Pinky at some random bar near center camp……..I bartered 2 jokes for a couple of drinks.
They were pretty funny…..The drinks weren’t so good…..
Afterwards we had a killer dance party at Camp Chubby which went off. Thanks Ryel!
Then we all headed out. Another sunrise. For me, the sunrise on the Playa is one of the most magnificent places on earth to be. I only missed one this year. It’s a dramatic time and place to be alive.
I ended up at the purple trance club and had a good sunrise session. I took a 15 minute kip on the playa. Rob and Seppe managed to catch me at a moment of rest…….But I bounced back for Bloody Mary’s at Camp Chubby. From Zero to Hero!
Damn they were good! Someone even starting frying up some sausages….I just ate what Wai put in front of me……;-)
Sunday.
Sunday is really special. It’s so different. It’s much more chill. A whole different vibe. I highly recommend staying till Monday. Many people have left. Pinky’s is closed. Things are winding down. Rom kindly takes Ann, Lushie, Matty and I on an amazing ride all over the playa in his Art Car. . Which was great because I hadn’t really explored that much during the day. (It was hard to leave Pinky’s ya know).
There was this girl on the front of his car that was singing. “Hey rubber ducky songs” as we passed by the Giant Rubber Ducky Jazz club. Literally the side of the ducky opens up and reveals a whole club! It’s crazy.
It’s the last day so we all decided to bust out all the food. Everything must go!
We dined liked Kings. We invited neighbors to dine or anyone to come dine with us. We had scollaps, tri tip, all kinds of heavenly madness. It was a huge buffet and we dined well! The last supper, last sunset and Ian Pooley provided a beautiful backdrop……! At this time I realize that I haven’t had a dollar in my pocket for a week. I haven’t had my drivers license or any money on me. It’s amazing. To go a whole week without money or ID…... It’s beautiful.
Then we began preparing for our last night. Terry put on his 4th costume for the day! Remember people. BM doesn’t finish on Sat. You DO need a costume for Sunday. K?
We headed out. We hitched a ride on an art truck across the playa. It’s the only way to go rather than peddling! Everyone is converging on the Temple of Joy. A massive 3 story wooden structure.
The burning of the Temple of Joy was unbelievable. I didn’t expect it….but I was really swept away. Moved. This was completely unexpected. I am still trying to understand the emotions I was feeling……but it was deep, soulful and beautiful. I think it was that there were at least 15,000 people standing around this huge fire and it was so quiet. The silence was amazing. The art cars had turned off their music. There was nothing. The burn was the biggest fire I have ever seen. Then white ducks/pigeons or doves flew over the blaze. There was no explaining it….rather….you just can’t be surprised by anything at BM.
I ran out of film….and didn’t replace it. I instead, stood, motionless and had to take in the scene. I love film for the memories it helps retain…..….but this is one memory I will need no help in preserving. It’s forever. I will never forget the calm. The serene yet fierce blaze and beauty of this scene. It was great sharing it with you Terry, Ann, Anne, Ryel and Lele.
Shortly after that a giant Ship art car cranks up the theme to “love boat” which rocks! “come aboard, we’re expecting you!”. We were laughing through our tears!
Emotionally drained I am like: I don’t feel like clubbing (Famous last words) but lets walk around and enjoy. We watch some fire dancers and ride out onto the playa. and somehow I lose everyone. This sure does seem to happen a lot to me. In fact I have been getting lost since I was 3 years old. Once I wandered off in Vegas about 5 years old and my mom would find me chilling in security of the casino with a milk shake and hamburger. Nothing has changed really. I run into T-Bonz and Cath at a Fire Dancer/Bonfire session. We hang out.
I meet a really cool girl who is like: “why are you sad?” She has done 5 burns. I explain that I am just bummed that’s it’s Sunday. She’s like: Maitland, you are still here. Save your sadness for when you get home…….Wow. Exactly. I ride off and find a little party going off in the middle of the playa. It was some kind of Tom Jones homage! The DJ was busting it out from the back of the truck with 2 couches and a lamp right in the middle of the playa. 9 people dancing around. Dance there and meet some new fiends. I explain I don’t want to go home. And I don’t even mean my real home. I don’t even want to go back to Camp! Cause that means the end……
I sit on a couch between these 2 beautiful women and look at the stars……the music is packed up and..finally the couch get s loaded on a truck with the 3 of us on it! ….so I guess that’s it. Head back to camp. ….but get sidetracked by the trance club going off! There’s Colleen, Brenden, Amy and crew. We dance like there is no tomorrow. I think I stayed several hours dancing. Finally head back to camp…….there is a fire with a group of people at Pinky’s chilling, head over the Camp Chubby……….. Hang out with Amy, Colleen and crew. Petey has to leave but not before we set off some cool fireworks! Yehaaaa! I think it’s against the rules….but man is it fun….
Spend some time talking with Amy and we decide to go out to the playa…..the moon and stars are brilliant and I don’t think I have ever seen so many stars in the sky……... It was pretty awesome and surreal and special and I think we both didn’t’ really want it to be the last night….but it is and it was balmy and hot….. Thanks amy. You are cool……
The final sunrise on the Playa……..
Post Burn
The packup is fairly painless. I actually didn’t even have a tent this year. I don’t think I slept in the same place twice. I would just crash in a chair, tent, RV or wherever. Honestly I didn’t sleep much cause there is too much you could miss.
With sad goodbyes…..but warm hearts and new friends we drive off in the RV.
I think we were out of there by noon……..
Reno - Slept the whole way in the RV. Pickup a hitchhiker going to San Fran…..
Ann and I have decided to rent a car in Reno and make a B line to San Diego as she needed to go to San Diego anyway….. Turns out this was not such a good plan.
1st, San Diego is really too far to try to make in one day……especially tired from BM. 2nd, we missed the I5 and ended up going through San Fran! Doh!
Although, it was cool to see San Francisco at sunset. (Plus see all the burners driving home)
7pm Dinner in Oakland. Every meal is soooo good. It’s just great to be replenishing your body’s energy.
Very tired. We stop at Mc Donalds.
Make it to LA….but hallucinating.
Finally we pull into SD at 4am. This was a long haul and I would never recommend it. Terry had the right idea. Stop at Mammoth Mountain and chill for a night.
Have lunch at Mimo’s. in little italy. And take care of a couple of items around town……and then we head out to Del Mar. Once again, the bluff in Del Mar proves to be the sanctuary.
Terry and Wai were just pulling in from Burning Man!……and I just happen to have a case of Pacifico! Bueno!
Bluff it. Los Olas for dinner in Salona Beach. Excellent Mex!
Wed:
Get Ann packed up and she heads of to San Francisco to complete her move to Singapore. Ciao - love and light!
Next thing I know some movie director named Lawrence comes over and is shooting a movie at Terry’s. A young starlet shows up, camera guy , I handle the beverages and hey, it’s a party! This guy Lawrence is making a modern day love story. An independent film starring Ethan Hawke. Apparently Ethan is coming down next week. Terry and I need to do the casting for the big party scene scheduled to be in La Jolla at some mansion. We need about 25 cute girls….. Work, work, work.
Thursday:
Thursday night Terry and I have decompression party. Lots of blacklight and wearable artwork. It was soooo much fun. The Bungalow was bumpin!
Friday:
Friday I spent my time doing laundry, getting packed up and ready to go. Threw my burning man items into storage for next year………..and that night we headed down to Candelas.
Candelas. Amazing Pasta and Janine. Afterwards we stop in PB for probably some of the best Mexican food I have ever had. Back to Terry’s for a chill after party….
Sat:
Sat spend lots of time relaxing and by the time the night rolled around….for the first time I actually could have just gone to bed at 10pm. I looked at hugh and said. “I’m done”.
But I figure this is my last night in San Diego….so hey, it’ll be fun.
Meet John from La Jolla. Jaeger shots.
Naturally Candelas goes off. More food which was superb……Calamari, Artichoke Hearts. Oh my God! The Candelas Kitchen is awesome!
We head to an after hours at Renzuillis hotel room….Somehow infiltrated security, go up to the room. Chris wasn’t around….but there was some guy Dj’ing and it was cool. I kinda went crazy with the smoke machine…It was just so much fun pushing the button…..so we left….
We head over to these luxury high rise apartments. Head on up and there is a pretty good party going on. There were some Brazilian girls there. Things got pretty hot….and let’s just say that once again. There are lots of clean shavin body parts in San Diego area.
Sunday:
Sunday hugh and I head back to LA…..we needed to get back by 3pm to see Sara in her show. For the last couple of weeks I have watched her diligently go to her rehearsals so I am really excited to finally see the finished product. It’s downtown (right next to the standard)……hmmmm…..ok. Let’s get a room tonight! . Hugh’s like, I thought you were done. I am like: I didn’t’ say I was “DONE, done”.
Sara’s show was really interesting and I enjoyed it a great deal. Great job Sara.
Helena, lynn, cath, t-bonz and Matty all came which was great! It was a little Pinky’s reunion. We even got to meet Sara’s Mom!
Hugh and I head on down to the Standard. The roof top was good…..but of course we rally for Vinyl. Annie shows up at Vinyl….which was really cool! Turns out we thought Marques was taking the night off…..but actually he was playing ALL night till 2am! I couldn’t leave the front where I pretty much danced for 3 hours! I was impressed with the variety and textures of the set. He really mixed it up. And that sound system there is soooo good.
Back to the Standard. Roof top swimming at 4am…………..Spend the morning enjoying omelet’s and bloody mary’s.
Spent a lot of time on the Roof Top most of the morning till 2pm. Met some cool people. Finally, make a pit stop at Sara’s…..say goodbye to Hugh, Seppe, Sara, T Bonz. Annie and I grab my gear from Hugh’s in Santa Monica and jet to LAX. .
Once I am all checked in and ready to go Annie and I sit down for a drink. I didn't realize till I got home how much time Annie and I actually ended up spending together. It was great and a total suprise! Thank you Ann. Whew. Finally a moment….. I can’t believe I am taking off…….but feel completely satisfied and couldn’t have asked for a more action packed trip. The people I met were so amazing. The experiences completely extraordinary. I am so lucky to have such a great group of friends. It is unique and I truly appreciate and love everyone in my life.
I am physically, emotionally, sexually, and mentally exhausted…..but spiritually rejuvenated..
I am very, very different.
I know where I am going and I know how to get there.
Love and light.
Maitland .
For Photos and Jams: http://www.mofo-records.com/bm2002/
| Synchronicity |
| Monkey Bar Mix |
| Outer Space Vol 3 |
| Outer Space Vol 2 |
| Outer Space Vol 1 |
| Hugh @ Pinky's |
| Alien Logic |
| Take me to your Dealer |