Have you ever taken a look at Burning Man’s 10 Principles?  To a great extent, they provide a quick synopsis of the Burning Man ethos and what you can expect when you’re on the playa.

The principles are not an orthodoxy that everyone observes in a rigid manner.  They aren’t even guidelines for behavior.  They are simply an idealized vision of the world that Burning Man seeks to create each year.

The principle that has had the greatest impact on me personally is “radical inclusion,” which is nothing more than the idea that all are welcome at Burning Man.  Radical inclusion has helped me become a less judgmental person – especially when it comes to people’s appearances.  I spent much of my life hanging around with corporate types and others who fit into my general style of living.  There were few people with tattoos, ragged clothing or scraggly hair.  At Burning Man, I found myself living, working and playing beside people who didn’t fit into the corporate norm, and it took awhile for me to stop judging such people negatively or even avoiding them because I felt we had nothing in common.

Expect — and accept — the Unexpected at Burning Man

Eventually I let down my barriers and began reaching out to people who looked and acted differently from me.  It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my Burning Man journey to discover the goodness that lies under outward appearances – even those that are the antipathy of your personal choices.  Radical inclusion has changed my entire outlook on people and opened doors to a much broader perspective.  It’s in my mind every day of my life because I constantly run into people who I might have previously rejected out of hand.

It may seem callous that I was such a snob in the past, but that was my reality until Burning Man.  And the change is one of the reasons I believe Burning Man has been so good for me as an older adult.  Late in life, I was able to expand my comfort zone and enlarge my community of interest to include people who think and act differently from me.  These changes have enhanced my life, opened my mind to new thoughts, and helped to keep me feeling young and vibrant.

The 10 Principles are not gospel, but they do provide a taste of the Burning Man environment and the ideas that drive the festival.  Check them out before you head for the Playa.

This is not a post about costumes, but about day-to-day comfort wear for Burning Man. You may not have thought about the type of clothing you’ll be wearing on a daily basis, but experience eventually teaches you to pack the right things for the situation you’ll be experiencing. The fact is, you want to be comfortable in the variable weather conditions of the Playa.
Daytimes when it’s hot out, the best type of clothing is short – short sleeves and short pants (otherwise known as shorts). A hat is also essential in the hot weather. But remember that the wind will carry that hat away unless it is tightly adhered to your body – whether by elastic, string or rubber bands.
Shoes: I’ve personally had the best luck with sandals. Sneakers are okay, but they tend to get much dirtier and dustier than sandals, and in any type of mud (due to rain) they become nearly unmanageable. Going barefoot is an option, but not a good one from my point of view. The alkali surface is rough on feet, and you’ll need constant attention (such as vinegar baths) if you go barefoot. Even most naked Burners wear shoes.
Some people substitute their whimsical underwear for light clothing. Nothing like a pair of Underoos to make a statement. I even have a pair of boxers with a silk-screened tool belt that I sometimes wear. It’s both comfy and stylish.
Of course, being uncovered means taking care to sunscreen yourself regularly. You don’t want to suffer through an unnecessary sunburn, much less risk the long-term effect of unfiltered ultraviolet rays. We usually carry our sunscreen with us as we walk around the Playa.

Dressed for Playa Success: Alan, our friend Helen and Judie ready for a night of fun.

Nights can be very different from days. It’s often in the triple digits daytime, but in the 40s at night. You’ll want to be both comfortable and safe in the evening. We’ve found a number of terrific fur or faux fur coats that look and feel great in the evening. We line the outside with EL wire so people can see us and we can look more festive. Bur remember, using EL wire means you have to pack extra batteries to keep the flame burning, and it also means carrying one or more power packs in a pocket.
My typical daytime wear includes jeans shorts, a tee shirt (preferably one that was designed at a previous Burn), socks and sandals. Yes, socks too. I really try to protect my feet from the Playa. We always take off both shoes and socks when we enter the RV, thus keeping some of the dust outside. There are typically a slew of shoes and socks at our front door. Fortunately, there’s no Burning Man homeowner’s association to tell you to neaten up the place.  Doing whatever your heart desires is part of the fun of Burning Man.
Wear what you want, or wear nothing at all. Burning Man offers all possible options. Dress yourself to the teeth or dress down. Everything is perfect for Burning Man. Just consider your comfort as you pack for the Playa.

We really struggled last year with our RV at Burning Man.  Among the problems was a hole in the long gas intake pipe, which caused any gas being put in the tank to leak.  You’re not supposed to put anything other than pure, clean water on the Playa surface, so we couldn’t add fuel the whole time we were at the burn.

An even bigger problem was the generator, which died on us mid-Burn.  The generator permits us to use the air conditioner, a creature-comfort that we find critically important so we can rest during the hot part of the day.  The RV becomes stifling without the air conditioner.

We were fortunate that TPP (The Playa Provides) once again proved more than just a legend.  Shortly after our problem occurred, two generators magically showed up and we were back in business for the remainder of the Burn.

White out conditions on the Playa

What failed on our generator was the starter motor.  The shop that made the repairs suggested that Playa dust was a major contributor, and we agree with that assessment.  The question is, what can we do about it?  At this point, I’m not sure.  Air has to come into the generator for it to work properly, so we can’t simply cover the air vents provided for that purpose.  The filtration system that is part of the generator was never intended to cope with a week or more in the desert (we spent 10 days there last year).  So I’m trying to come up with an air permeable dust filter that can be attached to the outside of the generator compartment.  Maybe a furnace filter would work.  We could attach it with duct tape and change it when it got too full of dust.

I’d certainly welcome any suggestions; meawhile, those of you bringing an RV to the Playa should take this as a cautionary tale.  The desert environment is harsh and puts stress on our bodies and the equipment we bring with us.  Come as well prepared as possible for a dusty week.

The single best way I can think of to prepare yourself for Burning Man is to get involved in some local or regional Burn activities.  These can be Regional Burns, Decompressions, after-burns, pre-burns, Burnal Equinox parties or other activities organized by Burners near your location.  At these events, you’ll get to know fellow Burners, get your questions answered, and learn the ins and outs of the Burning Man experience.

One of the most exciting of these opportunities to meet other Burners is participating in one of the CORE (Circle of Regional Effigies) projects, which will create art to be placed around the Man and burned on Thursday of the week of Burning Man.

Last year’s CORE projects were highly successful and added substantial new art to the Playa.  For 2013, the CORE projects have expanded to 24, and are far more international in scope.  If one of these projects is taking place in your vicinity, find out what you can about participating.  The skilled and the unskilled are needed to put these art installations together and get them to the Playa.

Playa art at its finest — or at least its whimsy-est.

Here’s the list of this year’s CORE projects:

• Altar of the Wetlands: Recreating Nature in a Post-Industrial Society from New Orleans
• Anti-Monument to DC Art Culture and Former President John Frum aka The DC Pyramid Scheme, from Washington DC
• Artifactuary from Vancouver
• The Cargo Mother from Houston
• The Czech Oasis from the Czech Republic
• Dutch Windmill from the Netherlands (Dutch Burners)
• First House Project from the East Bay
• Flor de Muerto – Flower of the Dead from Victoria
• The Good, the Bad and the Naughty from Reno
• Hand of Inspiration from Israel (“MidBurn”)
• Inchanted Forest from Indiana
• Lituanica birds from Lithuania
• Ludum Et Refugium from Portland
• Marvin from Idaho
• Meditation from China / Taiwan
• Playa Queen from Sacramento
• PyscheDelicate Arch from Salt Lake City
• Source Maui “Kavai Ahi” from Maui
• South Bay CORE from the South Bay
• Stairway to Heaven from France
• Star of the City from New York
• Starfish from San Diego
• Temple of Times from Austin
• The Year the Playa Stood Still from Minnesota

Last summer, my wife and I were involved in the creation of the 2012 Sacramento CORE project, Arboreum, which was part of the original group of regional art installations.  We didn’t do the heavy lifting – just some painting, cutting, hammering and toting – but it made us feel like part of the effort and helped us create some new Burner relationships.

If one of the CORE projects listed above is taking place nearbt, you can do the same as we did, and join in the fun.  Meanwhile, check the Jack Rabbit Speaks for regional parties or find some local Burners and get in the loop about local Burning Man activities.

Many older people won’t go to Burning Man out of concern for their mobility on the Playa.  It’s an appropriate and understandable worry – especially for those of us who find “getting around” a lot harder than it used to be.  Black Rock City, while a small town in many ways, is vast when it comes to transporting yourself from point-to-point.  Restrictions on the types of vehicles available means that most people either walk or bike to get anywhere.  The surface can be tricky at times, with sand build-ups that can present pedaling challenges should you encounter one of these “mini-dunes” unexpectedly.

If you have the kind of serious mobility issues that entitle you to a handicap placard on your car, then it seems obvious that Burning Man is not your venue.  But what sometimes seems obvious is merely a lack of knowledge about resolutions already in place.  For example, there’s the Black Rock City Department of Mobility, which states on the Burning Man site:

“… we offer the gift of mobility to fellow Burners who might have difficulty traveling to the far reaches of Black Rock City. It is our goal to expand and enhance the opportunities for our Theme camp guests to PARTICIPATE!”

To find out more about BRC’s Department of Mobility camp and the services it offers, contact Brcmobility@gmail.com or Hotwheelz.camp@gmail.com.

But you can also take the route of independent transportation by bringing your own special vehicle and licensing it through the DMV (Department of Mutant Vehicles).  There are restrictions and limitations on such vehicles such as size and type of vehicles (see the list below), but there’s plenty of room for creativity and there’s a genuine desire for inclusiveness (Radical Inclusion one of Burning Man’s “10 Principles”).

Our bikes ready for a day on the Playa.

I remember one pedal-powered art car built in the shape of a foot, and operated by a Burner who was actually missing one of his feet.  The vehicle not only gave an otherwise disabled person a means of transportation, but also made a public statement that both grieved for and celebrated the missing limb.

Those with mobility challenges can also choose to traverse the Playa on one of the plethora of art cars, but will have to cope with the randomness of art car routes — recognizing that you could end up stranded far from your home camp.  Fortunately for all of us attending Burning Man, the Playa provides, and there’s usually plenty of help anytime we find ourselves in jeopardy.

Below is the specific information from the Burning Man website pertaining to vehicles for people with disabilities:

“If you have a physical disability, you should be able to receive a disabled license from the DMV. Pre-registration is necessary. Please go here to find out more about vehicles and transportation for those with disabilities.

The following vehicles will NOT be licensed:

• Vehicles larger than pickup trucks (converted “mobility vans” are acceptable)
• Vehicles having multiple levels
• Vehicles with trailers
• RVs
• Motorcycles
• ATVs”

To reiterate one of the most crucial statements from the above directive:  “Pre-registration is necessary.”  Coming to the Playa unprepared and trying to meet a special-needs situation on the fly can result in disappointment and a bad Burn experience.  So check all the information carefully, and come well-prepared to meet your personal mobility needs.

But one thing you will never find at Burning Man is rejection of people based on disabilities, or on any other inherent issue.  We mean it when we say “Welcome Home” to everyone who arrives at the gate.

Sex is a frequent subject when it comes to Burning Man.  There’s an openness to discuss matters of sex at the Festival, sexual references throughout the playa, naked people and dress that would be called – in the default world – provocative.

My wife once entered a Miss Black Rock City pageant and won in the best-dressed category – principally because she was the only candidate who actually had clothes on.

There’s a great divide between age groups in society, which is also at least somewhat true about those who attend Burning Man.  Sex seems to have less significance for people who grew up in the 90s than it did for those of us who grew up in the 60s.  That really came home to me some seven years ago when my wife and I attended our first Burn together (I had gone to my initial Burn with my son the year before).

Judie and I decided that Burning Man would be the perfect place to “get married” in honor of our 40^th anniversary.  So we made arrangements to hold the wedding ceremony at the Ashram Galactica Hotel International.  Everyone in the bar/disco that night became a guest at our wedding.

Exchanging vows at our Burning Man wedding.

After the ceremony, one girl – probably barely in her 20s – came up to me and said, “Can I ask you a question?”

Naturally, I answered “yes.”

Her question:  “Have you been monogamous for all those years?”

My answer:  “Why, yes, I have.”

Her response:  “Would you please talk to my boyfriend?”

I turned down her request suggesting that the conversation needed to be between the boyfriend and her, without the intervention of some old codger who lacked a therapist’s license.

I’ve since heard stories (possibly apocryphal) about couples that go to Burning Man and get a temporary divorce, or at least a release from their marriage vows for the week.  There may even be a camp that issues such short-term documents.  I know of individuals who go without their spouses and enjoy of week of sexual pleasures with the winking acceptance of their wife or husband.  Everyone’s entitled to his or her own approach to sexuality at Burning Man (or anywhere else, for that matter), but what I find healthy and pleasurable while remaining committed to my spouse is the recognition of sex as a life-force and the permission that Burning Man gives to keep that life-force out in the open and fully alive.

I’ve written on more than one occasion that the openness of sex at Burning Man is one of the reasons I feel younger after attending each Festival.  It’s good for me personally and for us as a couple to live in that environment once a year, to revel in our own and the world’s sexuality, and to remember how much we enjoy each other physically as well as emotionally.

Still hoping for a Burning Man ticket, despite the sold-out sale of a few weeks ago?  The BM organization has just begun STEP (Secure Ticket Exchange Program) for re-sale of tickets to those who decide they can’t or won’t go.  The information below comes directly from Jack Rabbit Speaks.  I realize that some of you may have already read this material, but I know that a lot of newbies don’t subscribe to JRS, so I’m re-publishing this article in whole:

“STEP is the secure, safe, hassle-free way for Burners to sell their extra tickets, and for eager Burners to buy them. Here’s how it works:

To buy a ticket through STEP:
1. If you want to purchase a ticket through STEP, log in to your Burner Profile (http://profiles.burningman.com) and sign up to join the STEP queue, starting February 28, 2013 at 12pm (noon) PST. Anyone who has not already purchased a ticket through one of our other sales can sign up to purchase a ticket through STEP.  NOTE: If you do not yet have a Burner Profile sign up before Thursday (http://profiles.burningman.com) – having a profile ahead of time will speed up the registration process and ensure you are as close to the front of the STEP line as possible.

Giant statue made of steel cables. It was as big, or bigger, than it looks.

2. When a ticket becomes available, the first person in the STEP queue is offered that ticket (at face value, plus usual service fees and a $4 per ticket STEP fee) via email. If that person decides to purchase the ticket offered to them, the sale is made. If they decline to purchase the ticket, it’s then offered to the next person in line … and so on.

To sell a ticket through STEP:
1. Burners who have an extra ticket to sell can go to their Burner Profile (http://profiles.burningman.com) to put it into the STEP system (so long as it is before tickets have shipped or you selected WIll Call for your order).

2. Once your ticket has sold, your credit card will be credited for the price of the ticket plus delivery fee.

Since STEP offers tickets for sale to the people waiting in the queue, you can’t specify who is offered your ticket. Additionally, signing up for the STEP queue doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to purchase a ticket … nor does offering your ticket guarantee it will sell. We’ll stop accepting STEP sign ups on July 31, 2013.

For more information about STEP, see the STEP section of our Frequently Asked Questions: http://tickets2.burningman.com/faq.php#step”

Good luck to all of you who want tickets but failed to get them during the big sale.  And keep in mind that history tells us more tickets will become available as we approach the festival and people realize that they can’t make it.  Besides tickets available through STEP, there will be those that show up on Craigslist.  Don’t give up; there are usually enough tickets for everyone who wants to go to Burning Man 2013.

So how did your ticket buying experience go this year?  For me, it was a combination of frustration and irony.  The good news, we got our tickets.  The bad news, I spent more than three hours online trying to complete the process – despite getting in the queue just a few minutes after the noon start time.  At one point, I even received a message that there were no more tickets available.  Fortunately, I didn’t give up based on that message, and, indeed, after less than 30 more minutes of waiting, the sales portal opened up and I was given the privilege of spending the better part of $1,000 to attend yet another Burn.

And now for the irony.  On my way home from work, I called one of my sons to make sure he remembered to get his tickets.  He had forgotten, but said he’d get right on it.  I feared for his sanity, much less his ability to actually obtain a ticket.  But 10 minutes later he called me back to say, “Dad, I got my tickets.”

Lashes (center), son Eric and his girlfriend Natalie soaking in the playa ambience.

The lesson may be, let the system work out its kinks with the early adopters and just wait until the dust has cleared to go after your tickets.  Or maybe not.  A number of Burner friends have posted on Facebook that they were unable to get their tickets and would have to wait for one or another re-sale opportunity.  And of course there’s the usual posting about some idiot trying to sell a Burning Man ticket for $10,000 on ebay.

The greatest wisdom I can offer for those who failed to get a ticket or forgot to register is to wait patiently for tickets to become available through Burning Man’s own ticket re-sale program (STEP), or via Craigslist.  I’m pretty down on ebay because people seem to use that venue to inflate ticket prices.

The risky part of purchasing tickets from non-Burning Man sources is the possibility of getting a counterfeit ticket.  That’s why your best source of tickets is either Burning Man itself or a person you know and trust.

I’d love to hear your anecdotes about this year’s ticket purchase process.

Note: Thanks to my friend and Lamplighter colleague Hey You of Houston for the idea of this post.  Suggestions for topics are always welcome and sincerely appreciated.

Some of you in the 50 and over age group may be considering attending Burning Man as a return to your halcyon days as a hippie or as a way to rekindle your rebellious youth.  If so, then sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll may be on your mind as you envision your Burning Man experience.  Here are a few thoughts about drugs on the playa.

There’s a known availability of recreational drugs at the Burn.  It’s just part of the ambience, and considered by many to be a good thing.  But there are some risks to keep in mind.  First, illegal drugs are illegal on the playa.  This is not a Burning Man rule, it’s federal and Nevada law.  The state has no medical marijuana protection, so a license is of no use, and cops from federal, state and county jurisdictions can and will arrest people for drug possession.  Be cautious.  Your vehicle is subject to inspection as you enter the Festival grounds, and you don’t want to start your Burn with a free ride to Reno for booking.

Most drug arrests are reversed or avoided with the help of volunteer attorneys who gift us with free services on and off the playa.  Also, there is an especially trained group of Black Rock Rangers (called LEAL — Law Enforcement Agency Liaison) whose job is to intercede with law enforcement on the playa on behalf of us Burners.  Also, many of the officers who patrol the playa are volunteers who consider themselves part of the Burner community and who take a fairly lenient view of innocuous drug use.

Why is this woman smiling?

But there’s another risk that is especially important for us older Burners who may not have imbibed in years.  Marijuana in particular is a much stronger substance than was generally available back in my youth.  You can get knocked on your can with the same dose that once provided a mild high.  If you haven’t been doing marijuana regularly but plan to try it on the playa, take into account the higher quality of today’s pot and go a little easy at first.  Of course, there are other drugs on the playa that can be even higher risk than marijuana.  Be aware of what you’re doing, and don’t allow yourself to get caught on the open playa in a state of drugged confusion.  Someone will always help you find your way to a medical tent, but in the meantime you could suffer from exposure or genuine panic before you are rescued.

Also, you’re likely to be “gifted” drugs by people on the playa.  If you don’t know the individual, you could be accepting something other than what they claim it to be.  Take care.

I’ve often heard stories about people being “dosed” with LSD or other drugs when they accept gifted drinks or food.  I’ve never had it happen to me, or seen it happen, so I tend to think of these stories as more legend than reality.  But it’s helpful to keep your judgment radar on even as you’re turning all of your inhibitions off while at Burning Man.

Use the comments section below to share your own experiences, or send me a PM (amarkow@gmail.com) if you have suggested input on this or related issues for a future post.

Tickets go on sale at noon on the 13^th.  It’s first come, first served, so get in line early and secure your passage to Burning Man 2013.

On the South Pacific island of Vanuatu, there is an annual parade honoring an imaginary man-god named John Frum.  Frum is pictured as a black U.S. Marine who brings the bounty of “cargo” to the islanders.  Like so many religious traditions, this one can be traced back to actual events; specifically, the presence of hundreds of thousands of allied soldiers on the island during World War II.  Along with these U.S. warriors came regular deliveries of cargo, mainly by air.  Hence, the fervor of the Vanuatu natives has become known as a “Cargo Cult.”

For reasons that remain a mystery to all but Larry Harvey and his inner circle (Harvey is one of the founders and the current leader of Burning Man), Cargo Cult is this year’s Festival theme.  The Vanuatu traditions around John Frum are as colorful and, in many ways, as whimsical as Burning Man itself.  The natives dress up as American military men (think of the Seabees from South Pacific), raise their best version of a U.S. flag, and don gear such as wooden air traffic controller headphones to make themselves look like the proper recipients of new cargo.  Hence, Burning Man’s costumes and art cars, parades of various sorts, rituals and spirituality fit well within the context of Vanuatu’s Cargo Cult.  Like World War II Vanuatu, we even have an airstrip and paratroopers overhead.  And, of course, we all bring tons of “cargo” with us to Black Rock City – including our food and water.

Searching for spiritual answers inside the 2012 temple

So what does all this have to do with the way we will celebrate Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert in 2013?  Essentially, very little.  The announcement of the annual theme for Burning Man, while awaited with great anticipation each year, has only a minimal effect on the event itself.  Certainly there will be art projects around the theme as well as costuming and possibly even a special event or two (I can imagine groups worshiping at a fake Vanuatu volcano – known as Yasur, or God).  But overall, Burning Man will be about the same as always as opposed to a distinctively John Frumian-tinged event.

So what’s the purpose of the theme?  I’ve never been really sure about the answer, but I know how my wife and I treat it.  For us, the theme is a unifying direction for our gifts and costumes, and for the flag we make to hang from our RV.  Others may take it as a mindset orientation for the entire week.  The point is, everything about Burning Man is highly individualistic; so whether you do something involving the theme or pay no attention to it really doesn’t matter all that much.  But if you happen to find ways to enjoy the theme and celebrate it with the typical whimsy that marks so much of Burning Man, then you’ll become part of the celebration of the Cargo Cult that is honored every February 15^th by the islanders of Vanuatu.

Here’s to John Frum, his eventual return to the South Pacific, and bounty for Vanuatu and its people.