Burning Man 2011 was my first burn. I’ve been meaning to go for 15 years but work and caring for sweetpea had kept me away until this year. I retired a year and a half ago and Sweetpea said to just go and do it.
The desert is one of my favorite places to be. I was sent to many deserts while serving in the US Army, but the Black Rock Desert in northern Nevada is unique among them. No sand for starters. Just talcum powder fine alkali dust. No plants, no animals, no washes or dry streambeds. Just flat wide open expanses that stretch for 30 to 70 miles with only mere feet in elevation difference. It is truly one of the most beautiful environments that I have ever had the privelege to visit. I was there in late July, long before 55,00 other people were there to share it at the burn. It was quieter than anywhere else I’d ever been and totally empty of everything. Nothing but lots of nothing. That all changed in early August when advance crews began to build the world’s largest temporary city.
What I did at Burning Man…
I played with my fireball generator, AKA “Fire Poofer”. I design and build propane flame effects and built this one, “Grizelda MK IV”, to bring out to the desert.
Elder Wrong, Burning Man’s own PBR guzzling Mormon missionary, manifesting his own “burning bush” through the miracle of the fireball generator. You can follow Elder Wrong and his mission at: http://ElderWrong.wordpress.com
Directing traffic on ‘A’ street. DO NOT fuck with a man with a sign, a gun, and orange hair. It’s just not a good idea…
Hanging out with the pretty ladies of Burning Man. This is Piney. She is one of the founders of the Booby Bar, a bar featuring two giant domes with huge pink nipples on top. Sadly, 2011 was their last year of exsitence as supporting the boobies was just too tiring and didn’t allow enough time for the supporters to experience the burn. Piney is also a member of Reno’s “Controlled Burn”, a fire conclave that features fire spinners and very large flame effects including two liquid shooters firing 20 gallons of gasoline into columns of fire reaching altitudes of 100 feet into the night sky.
Firing sunset salutes with FOGBANK, the propane & oxygen fueled sound cannon built and operated by Espressodude. The sound of the cannon reaches 180 decibels, twice as loud as an F-16 with afterburners engaged. Espressodude also served up over 50 pounds worth of Starbucks coffee beans in the form of espresso to the citizens of Black Rock City. His espresso, made with one of his two commercial espresso machines, was provided free of charge to the citizenry. His name comes from the fact that he uses his machines at home to consume up to a dozen shots of espresso per day. He is a VERY high energy individual and I can’t even begin to keep up with him…
Brushing my teeth and having it documented by Ben tang of Ben Tang Photography.
Roasting and eating midgets in Terminal City. Here I have shrunken Elder Wrong and thrown him on the barbee. We ate of his flesh but, of course, he was raised from the dead with no complications. We saved some leftovers for him which he greatly enjoyed…
Hanging out with more of the beautiful ladies of Burning Man. Here is the exquisite Miss Savannah. She handmade a wonderful pendant for Sweetpea who was unable to attend. I am honored to count her as a friend and was privleged to be able to wrap my arms around her for hugs and photos.
The pendant Savannah made for Sweetpea. So many of my friends know and love Sweetpea from my frequent mentions of her. Notice the map cast under the resin and the words “Black Rock Desert”. Thank you so much Sav. The Sweet One and I love you very much!
Dressing up for nighttime adventure. I’ll let you use your imaginations… The skirt made from a pair of US Army paratroopers trousers was graciously given to me by Quick, the beautiful Chief Warrant Officer of MASH 4207, “The Best Care On The Playa”, a medical relief camp providing comfort to the afflicted of BRC. The gold helmet is my genuine kevlar helmet brought home from my gig in the US Army.
Cooking Spam with my 1.5 million BTU liquid propane fueled flamethrower. Knowmad provided the heat while I held my meat. Nom nom nom…
Sunset over the Flaming Lotus Girls 2011 fire art installation, Tympani Lambada.
Burning Man, something to do before you die.
Foxfur Amused 
I just subscribed to your blog after reading your posts. Damn your awesome. I’m proud to call you friend. Keep up the good work!
I am honored by your subscription, friend!
I would have never guessed it was your first burn as you clearly walk the walk as you talk the talk. After many years of wanting to go and thinking I might, I left it up to fate seeing that it was sold out and I would want to do more serious prep (hard to do since I just made a move to the high desert and between it and work has got me pretty frazzled).
If I make 2012 and see you, I’ll be sure to say hi.
Please feel free to link this in my “Random Best of” thread at ePlaya or if that seems pretentious, let me know and I’ll do it. It’s a neat piece particulalry since my interaction with the board is as a n00b.
My friend, I now know why it is called “Home”. Nowhere have I ever felt more accepted or completely at home with myself. From dressing however I like to playing with fire to, um, interacting with people in new ways, it is a place of freedom.
The main prep I did, and the very most important, was to join the forums at Eplaya.
From what to bring, what not to bring, to helping me figure out who I am, those folks are the best family I’ve ever had.
And forget the n00b. I’ve only been a member for a few months. With your posts you’re right on track to becoming a rockstar.
All the best,
Foxfur
Very kind of you to say, my friend. I am particularly partial to those who “grok” Burning Man.
My goal for BM 2012 is to get my pic with Savannah! Oh MAMA!!!
And with my bud Foxfur so he can put it on his blog and I will have electronic IMMORTALITY!!!