Life: I Was Earthquake'd

Yep, I was earthquaked! I was sitting on the top (7th) floor or my office building when it happened. I immediately knew what was happening when it hit and it scared the crap out of me not only because buildings SHOULD NOT MOVE LIKE THAT but because it started out small but ended BIG.

I've lived in California my entire life (with the exception of a few summers in Montana) and have become accustomed to little rattlers but the big ones (especially when I'm 7 stories up) definitely scare me. Tuesday's EQ had a magnitude of 5.4 and struck shortly before noon. When the initial shaking started I froze and remembered that you're no longer supposed to get under the door frame OR under your desk so I sat there for a moment thinking "THEN WHAT THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!" Then it hit me...to updated my facebook profile. Yep, I'm potentially facing death and my last words to the universe are "See is riding out that earthquake on the 7th floor...still going!!!! 11:43am". Classic right? What a world we live in that I have no idea where I should go to safely protect myself if this EQ decides to get any bigger so I turn to the internet. The ultimate security blanket!

Once the shaking stopped I realized that I needed to get down to the Village for my lunch date with Sandra so I collected all of my worldly possessions and shot for the door. A gal in the office next to me was standing in the hallway completely sketched out as well. She looked at me with two bags full of my life and asked "Are you leaving?" to which I replied "No, I have a lunch date at noon". I immediately realized how silly I looked heading out to lunch with all of this crap in my hands. I decided to drop everything off at my car and shot off to catch up with Sandra. Needless to say it felt good to have solid ground under for feet for a couple of hours.

Green: Justice - Genesis (Good's Oil Addiction spot)

Burning Man: It's Official!!!

From BM Tickets & Topless Deb:

Your request has been approved for *Moi* (aka: shutter)

(1) - Early Arrival on 8/19 - 2008 Early Arrival
CHECK IN AT GATE
You must bring photo ID.

Approved by Terry Schoop

Thank you,
Burning Man Tickets

Running: Faster But Not

I made it into the gym again this AM and cranked my pace up for training purposes. I was convinced, after yesterday's run, that if I pushed a little harder this morning I'd come in under 7 minutes/mile. That is unless you lengthen your stride...apparently. The treadmill was faster and I ended at a considerably faster MPH than yesterday, yet, I still had a slower pace overall. So all I can think is that by lengthening my stride periodically (to help me catch my breath and work out a stitch I got in my side) it threw things off. Oh well...always learning.

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

From CJ:



From The Dark Elf:



The Quigmans has officially been Homeslice'd!

Running: Working On My Mile Pace

I got to the gym later than I had hoped this AM so I decided to pound out as many miles as possible in 30 minutes. Not bad...I'm happy with my pace. I'm going to continue to focus on getting my mile pace back down under 7 minutes then I'll start adding more and more distance. I felt really good after this run...something about taking it up a notch really resonates with me physically. I feel like I can breathe more easily/deeply and I'm still (3.5 hrs later) kinda just floating along in my post runners high. Good stuff for sure.

Photos: Happy Dre Day!!!

I know, I know...I'm running WAY behind with this post. I also know that most of you understand that Burning Man prep is in full-effect so everything (including sleep) has to wait a bit these days.

A couple of weekends ago the Lofties celebrated the much anticipated FIRST birthday of their beautiful little boy, Andre! Dr. Dre sure can pull in a crowd! Such a blast!!! In fact I'm not sure who had more fun...the Shorties or all of the BIG kids who got to take a whack at the Piñata!!!





















To view the rest of the photos from this very special day click here.

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

Art: Mark Jenkin's Golden Ass

“…it’s much easier to make pretend people than to pretend to be a sculpture all day.”

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.

Life: Swedish Meatballs @ Ikea!

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Life: Swedish Meatballs @ Ikea!
Originally uploaded by Sanctuary-Studio

They really do sell everything here!

Running: Bad, Bad, Bad

Wasn't feeling it this AM...had to cut it short. It felt like I had 5lb ankle weights on each leg....totally sucked! 'Nough said.

Art: Devendra Banhart's Carmencita

I heart Natalie Portman!

Photos: GLOW 7.19.08

I was uber-stoked about what I thought was going to be a mini-Burning Man'esque event (minus the 12+ hour drive) right here in our own backyard. Serves me right for having expectations...

GLOW was packed. Reports I've read estimate some 200,000 people were in attendance during the night-long 12 hour art and music event. Apparently traffic and parking sucked. Thankfully, I biked from Command Central in Venice. The restroom and concession lines were out-of-control long. Most of the art was mediocre at best. Though, clearly I'm biased. As a Burner I've had the brain cells specifically dedicated to the appreciation of art completely blown away on multiple occasions out in Black Rock City.

What I did enjoy about the event were the people. Diversity rocks and GLOW brought in peeps from all walks of life. Everyone I witnessed got along well despite the often extremely cramped quarters. The cops didn't seem to be hassling the trippers and I was never asked once about the contents of my no-longer-Klean Kanteen! Aside from my MANY beautiful friends who made their way to GLOW, nature's art was actually one of the highlights for me! Up until now I just thought Grunion were mythical creatures that lived in the same land as unicorns and Big Foot! Wow! I just hope they were actually able to successfully get down to biz with all of the disturbances from the extra noise, light and people pollutants. Sorry little guys!

Because the art was lacking I wasn't particularly inspired to photograph much aside from the NEW and IMPROVED Ferris Wheel on the Santa Monica Pier...as you'll soon see!
















The Grunion!



For a few more snaps from GLOW click here.

Art: Reverse Graffiti By Moose

Thanks Chai!