Photos: Burning Man 2009 - Evolution

10th Burn = BEST BURN EVER! I know I say that every year but it's so true. Each year just gets better and better. Introducing Farilla to the world of Greeting was such a treat...he's a natural! Shutterillaville was, without a doubt, the most comfortable home I've ever had on the Playa. This might explain the abundance of sleep we got this year. Note, the missing pics of the Burn...no, we didn't miss Burn Night altogether but thank goodness for those fireworks otherwise we may not have woken up in time. That said, this year marks the second time I've watched the Burn from the Tower. The art was stellar, our community was supportive, the weather played nice and the winds were tolerable. What more can I ask for? Below are a few of my favorite shots...for all 300+ pics from our evolutionary Playa adventure click here.

Homeslice landing...


TJ's Special...


My gift to Farilla...


This is the cleanest you'll be all week....


Gate opening...


Face melter...


Buugeng break...


Stormy weather...


He can fly...


What it's all about...


Illumination...


Half of Homeslice...


A heartfelt thanks goes out to my ever-growing community! YOU are the biggest reason I come back year after year. How lucky am I to have you all in my life?! Mad Love...

Burning Man 2009: Homeslice & Playa Surfers Aerial View

Homeslice- 4 o'clock & Fossil:

Playa Surfers- 5:30/Evolution & Esplanade:

Saturday, September 5, 2009
Courtesy of Burning Man Earth Project.

Here's the 2008 Aerial View of Homeslice.

Burning Man 2009: Homeslice Meeting

Burning Man 2009: Homeslice Meeting
Originally uploaded by Sanctuary-Studio

Homies!

Burning Man: The Playa - 2000 by Jason Siadek

Jason shot this fantastic little Burning Man video in 2000...my first year! What wonderful memories!


[Burncast]

To accompany this vid, here are a few snaps I shot that same year!

Art: I'd Eat That!

From BreadArtProject.com...

The Bread Art Project was created by the Grain Foods foundation to help increase awareness of the growing hunger problem in the United States. $1 goes to Feeding America for every piece of bread art you create.

Homeslice your very own piece of toast here!

Burning Man 2009: Hooptastic

Burning Man 2009: Hooptastic
Originally uploaded by Sanctuary-Studio

Special Ops/Ranger Hooper represents at the first Homeslice meeting of the year. Great turnout. Fantastic first discussion! Thanks to all who participacted! Love!

Photos: Homeslice Decom @ Granite Pass

Best Decom Ever!  Mad Love & Respect to you ALL.  Wow!  What a celebration...

Thank you Thank you Thank you for the T-Shirt Decals, Donations, Porta-potties, Hugs, Smiles, Face-melting BEATZ, Visuals, FIRE, Hoops, Beer, Bloody Marys, Power, STARS, Smores, Grilled Cheese Sammiches, LOVE, Friendship, Warmth, Tequila, MAGIC, Obama Stickers, Hikes, Stories & most of all the MEMORIES:

For 30 more photos from our fabulous weekend click here.

Photos: Burning Man 2008 - American Dream

Life has been brilliantly busy and all-consuming since returning from my 9th Burn.  That said, I'm ALREADY looking forward to celebrating my 10 year Playa-versary with my Homeslice and extended Burner-families!   As far as I'm concerned BMorg could not have picked a better theme for my 2009 milestone year: Evolution. 

I hope these snaps will help get us ALL through the the next 326 days.   A huge heartfelt thanks goes out to my amazing Burner Tribe.  Seriously, mad love & respect!  You all played a huge role in making this my Best-Year-Ever!  

Until we meet again under the burning embers of the Man...

For 334 more photos of my 2008 Playa adventure click here.

Burning Man 2008: Aerial View Of Homeslice

(Thanks Commander!)

Burning Man: Homeslice (and Friends) Photo Links

(Trip & Shutter @ Greeters Station photo by Otter)

I'll continue to update this post as more links come in!

Photos by...

Sassafras

Prof. LaCroix

Trip, Tim & GoGo

Heartherrr & Keegan
Silver Lining
Pippi
J-9

Commander

Burning Man 2008: Homeslice Tower Erection

Success!!!

(If you look closely you'll see me pass through the frame at 1:13.)

Burning Man: See You On The Playa!!!

See you crazies there!!!

Burning Man: He's Got A Dark Side Alright!

From CJ:



From The Dark Elf:



The Quigmans has officially been Homeslice'd!

Burning Man: A Single Person's Heart Guide to Burning Man

A Single Person's Heart Guide to Burning Man
Originally posted Wed, August 15, 2007 - 12:10 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dusty kisses
OhTony

Burning Man: One With The Dust...

Well that's definitely one way to see which direction the wind is blowing!

There was a big Nage Mahal work session at the Red House today. In this photo Commander is shaking out excess Playa Dust from the carpets used in the Homeslice shade structure (aka The Nage Majal). The neighbors of the Red House will likely be surprised when they find their cars covered in this very fine powder-like residue. My little Zoom Zoom which is barely visible through the dust cloud is so dirty right now that I didn't even bother to move it...in fact, I find the thin coating of alkaline dust rather nostalgic.

Burning Man: Burncast - Homeslice Advice

Last weekend while at GLOW my girl, DaBomb, was in full-effect with video camera in hand. Is she ever NOT working?! DaBomb produces, directs, edits, shoots, etc. Burncast, a Burning Man Community-specific vlog. Here you can enjoy a few words of advice to the Virgin Burner AND advice to the jaded Veteran Burner from some of my Homeslice camp-mates. Mind you, two of them are Playa Virgin's themselves!

Burncast in Progress:



Stay tunded for some more pics from GLOW!

Burning Man: The Break Down...

59 days until THE MAN BURNS!
54 days until the BRC gates open!!
50 days until Commander sets off in the Cube Truck!!!
48 days until Ops, Otter and I leave for the Playa!!!!
(3.3 seconds until I officially start panicking)

Participate
Hydrate
Create
Sizzle-ate

Friends: In Loving Memory Of Shawn Brown

"You bring light in..."


Closing my eyes and pounding the Playa with all of you right now!

Burning Man: Playa Wear - Ruffle Vest

I DID IT!!! Back in February I wrote about a super rad DIY Burning Man costume idea which I ran across on Threadbanger. As soon as I saw their instructional video I knew it was a "must have" for my Playa ensemble. Thanks to the recent Homeslice Costume Inspiration Workshop I finally got around to creating my new favorite Burner accessory! The only problem is, much like my tutu, I now want to wear it EVERYWHERE!

I found this pair of Le Gatte Jeans at a Santa Monica Goodwill. As soon as I saw them I knew they'd be perfect for this particular upcycle.



My ruffle vest took a few hours to complete (not counting the hour it took just to work myself up to placing the first cut in these uber-pricey Italian designer jeans). However, admittedly, I was working at a pretty conservative pace.

And then just like magic....




For instructions on how to make your very own Circus-Princess Ruffle Vest check out my original post here.