More from The Burning Man

I'm seriously regretting my lax attitude towards taking pictures while travelling nowadays. Maybe this marks the renaissance of my trigger-happy days when I was in New Zealand. Anyhow here's some pictures that I did manage to get of the Burning Man.

By day:

Where ice is sold.

Huge dome for climbing - I only managed to get to the second level and decided that it wouldn't be fun to be stuck up there. So I clambered down again like the loser that I was.

Limerick in a Porta Potty - good loo reading in bad-smelling conditions.

Center Camp - a good place to chill and enjoy performances and be picked up by guys =D Beverages are sold in this camp too, one of the two places that you can use money in Black Rock City. The performer in this picture was exceptionally good. Her voice was just mesmerizing.

By night:
It's not very apparent, but the thing at the background is a spinning carousel. You hold on to a bar, run as fast as you can, and get on the carousel while it's spinning. While getting on is a problem, getting off is worse, because there are always people who join in later on and the carousel never stops spinning! So what you do is just wait till the carousel is at its slowest (which is still pretty fast), grit your teeth, yell like a madman, tumble out, get flung violently at a tangent, and stagger off in a random direction because of the dizziness. Regain composure, wipe sweaty palms and laugh shakily. Rinse and repeat.

This thing will cause major injuries, I tell you. So would the giant slide that I didn't manage to snap a picture of - I raced Ted twice, rolled off at the end and had a slight carpet burn on my arm. Rumour has it that someone actually broke their collarbone while sliding off that thing.

Thing is, you're expected to take care of yourself while out on the playa. It's stated on the ticket that the Burning Man Organization would not be responsible for any injuries or death. Black Rock City is a giant playground for adults, and accidents can happen. There are medical facilities there but they are just makeshift camps in the middle of the desert after all.


Fire instrument. The girl plays the keyboard, and fire spurts out of the corresponding pipes, and the vibrations actually create music. Cool or what.


A pyromaniac's heaven. Fire spurting randomly or in synchronized movements in the distance. The energy is potent when you are standing near the pipes - the heat scorches your face, the light dilates your pupils, and you hear the fire roar. Fire is truly awe-inspiring.

The Man from a distance.


The burning of the man. I especially liked the silhouette of the base. Towards the end of the burning Man, a naked man tried to run into the fire. The Black Rock Rangers had to tackle him. Crazy people out there.

And more to come still.

Burner Tales Compilation #1

Here's a description of the Burning Man to help you by: *click*
And a funny video of it that features The Simpsons: *click*

I binned the previous endeavour and started anew because that post wasn't going anywhere. Here goes the new one in sections:

#1 - The Carnivorous Wine

Nick, playa name Igneouss, and I

Just by the virtue of hanging out in the Golden Cafe alone and emitting irresistible charms in my salwar-kameez, I was invited by Igneouss to his table and for fine dining in the evening at the Supper Club. There I was served gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, among other delicacies which I have forgotten, by an award-winning chef. There I was entertained by friendly sparring between the Americans and the Canadians of the old school calibre, gentlemen of average age 55. There I was enthralled by Lucifer who told us the history of the wine that we were drinking, and how they fed lab rats to this rare breed of carnivorous vines that they grew at the edge of the Black Rock Desert.

Brian whom I met later, a ninth-year Burner told me that this was a classic type of jokes that they tell at the Burning Man. I went "allalalalalalala shut up lalalallalalala" but then after googling it when I got home, I am forced to admit that there is no digital evidence of any carnivorous vines online. Therefore it is quite probable that I was had. Bleargh. But the great food and company were real. (Arggh can't believe I fell for that.)

#2 Flavour-tripping berries
I went for a tasting of this miracle berry with Ted and Dave, roommates from New York, the most energetic and chipmunk-like duo that I've met, my buddies in camp. The miracle berry does things to your taste buds and for about half an hour, you are unable to taste sourness.

I had lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar like I never had before. The best was the balsamic vinegar, it was so sweet! The cool thing about flavour tripping is that the vinegar still burns your throat a little when it goes down, so you know it's still vinegar, but when it is in your mouth it is deliciously sweet and aromatic.

#3 Carving with the Sun
I was walking along the dust road with Brett the Brit that I had met in the Centre Camp, when we saw this man sitting beside the road concentrating very hard on something. We stopped and observed.

It is one of the coolest art forms that I have seen in a while. This man was using a magnifying glass to burn patterns onto some wooden ladles. I was so intrigued that I stopped and helped.

Picture expertly taken to block the true star of the show and to convey no meaning whatsoever on what I am doing. Check out the hot girls on bikes at the background though.

Up close shot

Apparently it's very good for meditation too. Just remember to wear protection for your eyes.

#4 The Golden Cafe Bar Procession


I went back to the Golden Cafe to gift Igneouss a pewter keychain that I had brought from KL, when they were about to start the march. Somehow I was roped into being one of the shield bearers, and we set off carrying the Golden Calf, mascot of the cafe and collector of kisses from hot ladies. It was a very merry affair, with us marching and yelling and setting up the bar at random camps. Then we offered cocktail shots to anyone within the vicinity, and sneaked shots ourselves, so by the time when the procession ended, all were tipsy and having a whale of a good time.

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More still to come. I have to prepare for going to the university now. Oh btw, Jia Ling managed to convince me that the house that I am going to shake on later today, is a bad idea. She is truly the beacon of my life. However I am homeless, yet again. O sigh.

My Burn

I'm at Hong Kong International Airport now folks. The connection at the airport is remarkably slow. It is 30 degrees Celsius out there, but about 20 hours ago I was in chilly San Francisco, lugging my 23kg worth of luggage around and nodding off on the BART (subway in SF).

I am seated on a carpet of geometrical patterns and looking around at luggage trolleys passing by, people staring off into space and the blurred images of duty free brand names which are too far for me to read. The announcements are made in Cantonese and English. My flight leaves at 10:30am, it's 6:30am now. I have a feeling that this is going to be a long, long blog post. You ready?

Burning of the Temple at the Burning Man

Right now - the Burning Man, the Canyons of the West trip, chilling out in San Francisco, the museums and skyscrapers in New York, the conference and the beautiful city that is Boston - they're all swirling in my head and I want to pin everything down. I don't know where to start. I know that I won't be able to do the experiences justice, but I need to put everything down before I forget. Especially the Burning Man. Maybe I'll start with the Burning Man.

Read up what Burning Man is. To me, it was a giant playground for adults, a wonderful example of gift economy, an opportunity to learn so much more about myself, and a venue for people to be the best people that they can. In the span of about a week, I was removed from worldly concerns such as the need to be connected to the Internet or my phone. There was no need to use money because there is strictly no vending in Black Rock City, except for ice, coffee and the shuttle bus ride to the nearest town. I did not see my wallet for a week. Can you imagine not needing your wallet for a week?

I added Xiao Hui to the wall

And the experiences! Oh the experiences. Surreal happenings were the norm. I will do a mini-series of Burning Man experiences after this, because I don't want to breeze through all the precious and often bizarre things that happened to me. One of the stories involves naked ladies. A story that could have been involves an orgy tent. The man in charge of the tent invited me to come later, which I politely declined. Absolutely no pun intended.

Barbie Death Camp

For my first year at the Burn (because it's so good that I am seriously considering on going back if I have the opportunity), I didn't really run around to catch all the performances and artwork, nor take too many pictures. I think, for me, Black Rock City was about the people. The kindly man operating a stall giving out free freshly squeezed orange juice. The person who granted my wish at the wishing well. The lady who gave me a sandwich upon seeing my "If you can read this: Make me a sandwich" t-shirt (It finally worked! After all these years of wearing that shirt!).

Black Rock Desert

There's something about the Burning Man that makes you want to give. I mean, receiving is great, I got many gifts to bring home, but giving is even better. And goodwill on the playa returns to you almost instantaneously. The more you give, the more will come back to you. For instance, I offered some extra masks that I had to this random couple who were sitting beside me during a dust storm. They declined, and gave me a mask instead. A beautiful maroon one with The Man and "Burning Man 2009" embroidered on it.

Giant Rubik's Cube operated by three control stations. For scale, look at that little light on the bottom right and there's one person operating the controls.

I have more to say about the Burning Man. But right now I need to go check the gate that I'm supposed to wait at. Wouldn't be fun to be stranded at Hong Kong when I'm practically broke, as much as I dread the arrival at Singapore. Check back soon.

Meltdown sikit

OK We're finally in July. I'm finally in the battle zone that I've been looking at afar from June, speculating about the craziness but never actually registering that with every passing day, the dates come closer. I am at the point where I finally see, that I am going to be the person carrying out my haphazardly engineered back-to-back schedule for the following three months - and it is not going to be pretty.

Right now you're looking at a deer staring into the headlights of an oncoming truck named Self-Inflicted Stress.

There's so many thoughts in my head, all not related to each other, some research, some travel, some homelessness, a fair bit of homelessness actually, and all the hell that is spawned from these sources. OK to put it in perspective:

July
7/7
Leave Singapore for KL after putting my whole room into boxes. Which is something that I should do from right now.
8/7 - 11/7
In KL. Running errands (India visa, ISIC card, shopping for formal wear, somehow fix my hair), multiple gatherings (Asa, LL, XiaoCi, my NZ Aunt).
12/7
Return to Singapore with my World's Greatest Parents and move everything to Jia Ling's place.
13/7 - 17/7
Some graduate forum. Whole-day affairs. I'm presenting a paper. Which means that I need to prepare for my paper as well.
17/7 - 25/7
India. Haven't got CSers for Bangalore yet. I am nervous. Also I think India's going to be really intense, and at this point it looks intimidating. Thanks to my mum who was collecting horror stories in attempt to dissuade me from going. We'll be covering Bangalore, Mysore, Chennai and Pondicherry.
27/7 - 31/7
Some course for graduate students. Also whole-day affairs. Right after India. Have to adjust my mind straight after I come back.

August
1/8 - 3/8
Prep for US
4/8
Flight to Boston. Reach Boston at 10:30pm.
5/8 - 8/8
Conference. Presenting paper on the 6th. Need to prepare some kind of poster session. Have no idea how it's going to be like.
9/8 - 13/8
Bus to New York from Boston. Bunk at Kingston's, meet up with XC and Jian Hui. Probably the only relaxed part of my trip to the US.
13/8 - 20/8
Research week at San Francisco where I try to talk to people. I haven't planned it yet. My theoretical framework, my interview questions, my EVERYTHING. Kill me now please.
21/8 - 30/8
Camping Part 1 - Going with the Green Tortoise for its Canyons of the West trip, covering Las Vegas, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon NP, Arches NP, Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Grand Canyon NP.

September
1/9 - 7/9
Camping Part 2 - Burning Man. Also going with Green Tortoise. Intense desert camping, but at least I'll have someone to take care of my food and water and transport. Highlight of my trip. And I am still bloody scared.
9/9
Arrive in Singapore. Back. Finally. Start to look for a new room. Move house from Jia Ling's, as soon as possible. This will take me at least 2 weeks. At least. But can't mooch off Jia Ling's hospitality too much.

OK Siao onot. Two months, four countries. (And check all that KL-Singapore-India-Singapore action.) The panic has kicked in, and according to past experience, action will kick in soon after, but I'm at that paralyzed stage where I need extra push from panic to get away from the inertia, and then the two months will fly by. The details of the plans still have to be executed, and I have to come up with some extensive to-do list, extensive packing list, extensive people-to-bother list.

I like lists. I now have a list of lists. This should be heaven for me. AAAARrrrggggh the truck's gonna hit me!!!!

Adrenaline rush, danger danger danger. Then after moving have to get my confirmation report ready, as my goal is to complete it by the end of this year. October, November, December. 2009 will then be gone, we'll be one decade into the 2000's, and climate change effects are going to happen even more frequently, and we're all going to die!!!!!!!

Shhhhh. Everything's going to be ok. Shhhhhh.

I am surrounded by wise (and crazy) people.

Sometimes I get too wrapped up, too lost in my little world, too engrossed in the mess of things. These are the times when I pull my hair, with the tangled web of pros and cons in my perplexed face. The mix and match of solutions, weighing the probability of me dying a slow and thirsty (but frugal) death.... the usual stuff.

Then I seek out LL and Asa because they are my mind-clones, minus the clutter, and they are able to tell me what I want. You want to go to the Burning Man, says LL. I go, really? You think so? Everyone else thinks it's a crazy idea! Follow your heart, she says. Thus a light shines through the dark clouds and I realize that it is the only thing that will make me happy - a week-long camping trip in a desert in Nevada, in a temporary city constructed by 50,000 people (of questionable sanity).

Then I realize that logistically, it is quite impossible for me to just buy a ticket and show up there. For one, I have never pitched a tent, in my life. I have yet to buy a tent, actually. Secondly, I don't think 35 litres of water will fall from the sky, unless it's one helluva climate change that we're talking about, and I have no feasible means to transport food and water (5l per day) into the desert. Unless I enrol myself into a tour group, and they will take care of food, water and transport. And presumably help me with my tent. Which will take USD520 out of my Miniscule Student Budget (MSB), sans tent expenses.

I sink into deep and dark depression again.

Thus I knock on Asa's MSN door. Asaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, I go. Yo! she answers. Tell me to spend USD520 on the desert trip! I implore her. After running through some details, with me pulling anguished faces at my laptop, she calmly asks me, In your lifetime, how often will you get to camp in the desert for a week? I reflect for a second and decide, not often i guess. Then she says, how many USD350 (difference between taking a tour and not taking a tour) can you earn in your lifetime?"

I am struck by a bolt of simple logic and wonder how much permanent damage the PhD has done to my head. Damn you, institutions of higher learning!

So after sending an email to the tour agency, I cross my fingers that they still have availability, and regain my peace of mind, somewhat. A call from my mum comes in. We talk about mundane stuff (swine flu and random mother-daughter gossip) and I bring up my decision to take a tour to the desert. A little pensively. I agree fully with Xin Fu (she calls Asa that)! She goes. This is a good chance for you! Don't worry about the money, just go!

Sometimes I do think my mum is the coolest mum on earth.

Also, that I am surrounded by wise (and crazy) people.

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Another random snippet of conversation

ling says:
ahahha like popeye
ahaha
the sailor man
pi pi!!
*Jun-E says:
ei is pi pi meh
not pu pu?
ling says:
ahaha
i thought is pi pi mar
*Jun-E says:
ahaahahahahha
ling says:
ahaha is pu pu arr~~??
ahaha paiseh paiseh
*Jun-E says:
our conversation damn funny lah hahahaha
i have to blog about this

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Was it "pi pi" or "pu pu"?