what's different?

[clocksnmirrors]

i'd read much about how burning man was an experience that changes peoples lives. everyone comes back somehow different.

so.... what's different about you?


for me:
i don't listen to the radio or watch tv now - so much less mind clutter
i walk slower
i'm less stressed - mainly cause i give much less of a fuck about things that previously wound me up
i want to dance again
i want to move to new mexico and live in an rv and drive a truck
i feel a sense of self satisfaction for having checked off a major life goal
everything seems more artistic. everything seems to be the product of someone's creativity

[maladroit]

I came back disoriented and demotivated, but that ended a couple days ago. Finally back from the playa. Decompression is a stone cold bitch.

Bouncing back with more motivation than ever, since my personal goals pre-playa already aligned pretty closely with the event and in fact my default world life has been pulling me into the vortex of BRC art and technology for years.

[RedHeaven]

I came back disoriented and demotivated, but that ended a couple days ago. Finally back from the playa. Decompression is a stone cold bitch.

Bouncing back with more motivation than ever, since my personal goals pre-playa already aligned pretty closely with the event and in fact my default world life has been pulling me into the vortex of BRC art and technology for years.

Pretty much exactly this for me, too.

Also
Initially, my house looked different, my town looked different, everything was different. Super disorientation. My 7th round and I TRY SO HARD to not be so affected by it all but it NEVER fails to depersonalize me with my surroundings!!

Dreams are different, of course. On schedule!!

Whats different? My clients are pissed off. Ooooops

Whats different? I am back in fucking love with Black Rock. I always am, but I really try to not be so absorbed by Burning man a lot of the year because it really distracts me from my life with my husband who doesnt burn. We have a great world and I hate to get so obsessed. Its like a fabulous lover that I cannot commit to but I want to....so I try to fall out of love with him every year.
I am all droopy depressy about the week being so short
SIGH, that will go away soon, once I get to some good live music shows (my morning jacket this weekend in berkeley! Hangtown Halloween in the Sierras!) and some Reno or SF Decoms, some burner parties etc....

Whats different? More than ever, I am not going to be shy about flirting. I am fucking 40 years old you would think I would have this down by now. BRC makes me wanna romp a LOT more hahahahahahaa lifes too short to not be sexy and love what you can!!!

[maladroit]

I know why he doesn't complain too much about you going every year, haha...

[RedHeaven]

heheheheheheheheheheeeee

[ranger magnum]

Burningman helped me to give up my desire to be right.
I let things go easier.
I dont get wound up by shit anymore.
I also dont let other peoples drama in my life.
I spend way to much time looking for abandoned bikes to make into projects.
I am still eating too much bacon.

[motskyroonmatick]

The satisfaction of burning well and only looking forward to the next burn. No looking back to the last burn. Obviously it's done. The man is down. The temple is up in smoke. It is only days before I am back on the black rock with many of the best people I have ever known. See you in August!

[MyDearFriend]

I wake up disoriented every damn day now.

First few days, on the road, different hotel room every night? That was not too weird, not knowing where I was when I woke up.

But in my own bed, in a room I have slept in for 23 years, staring up at my ceiling fan as if I had never seen it? WHERE AM I NOW???

I keep waking up in NOT MY TENT, is the problem.

Fortunately I have a bracelet that smells of playa and woodsmoke. Thank you (((Knowmad))) for bringing me home every morning.

[pink]

Decompression IS a bitch. I think this year was worse because I was gone longer, spent two nights out before getting on playa, which was full of spotting other burners on the road and just the giggly knowledge that I was on my way to the burn. And the Tuesday night at the Sands was like being at the burn with less dust; I had a campmate with me and ran into other people I knew. Wednesday still with campmate. Thursday I wandered around and couldn't figure anything out. How do I make coffee? I woke up disoriented for days. No desire to do anything but connect with other burners.

But I'm getting myself to do work again, but my perspective seems clearer. I still dont feel like cleaning anything, but I'm out of playa clothes that didn't get worn (so comforting to have a little bit of dust on something I'm wearing. I'm bartering to get work done on my van & my house. I want to travel some more, and that's my biggest motivator to get my work done. I never, ever want to hold a wage-slave job again.

Oh, and I walk around the house in nothing but my underpants most of the day.

[grenadine]

Before Burning Man I had a pretty bad case of writer's block, which had lasted almost 4 months. For the first time I can't stop writing and I actually like what I'm putting on paper.

[clocksnmirrors]

Initially, my house looked different, my town looked different, everything was different

i'm so glad i'm not the only one. i turned off I95 onto my street and i swear the colors were brighter and more vivid. everything was beautiful and somehow unfamiliar

Burningman helped me to give up my desire to be right.

this too

I never, ever want to hold a wage-slave job again.

i had 3000 miles of driving home to really pour over my life and what i want to do. i know i don't want to keep my current job. i need to find another way to live. that i know. this is where it gets hard. i'm so used to doing things on my own, but i sense that this transition is going to require some help

[Simon of the Playa]

that funny rash on my balls is gONE!


BURNING MAN rocks! IT CHANGED MY Life...

[RedHeaven]

Playa is better'n gold bond is what the boys tell me

Writers Block: Indeed, this is what is going to keep me going when I have to skip next year. More writing instead, I have gathered up 7 years worth of playa, gotta do something fun with it.

[Candybox]

Playa is better'n gold bond is what the boys tell me

Funny that. I developed a mad case of thigh chafe while building on the playa. It got bad to the point that I was wrapping duct tape over the chaffed bits to prevent rubbing. Somebody mentioned Gold Bond for chafing... and I was struck by the realization that playa dust is powdery too.

And yes indeed, playa dust prevents chafing.

[vargaso]

I say "yes" to things more often since I started going in 2007. That's the big one for me. You never regret saying "yes," only saying "no." Also, I see more opportunities for art and/or art in more places, especially where the art wasn't planned.

[maladroit]

I have regretted saying "yes" on SO MANY occasions.

At Burning Man, specifically, I should have said "no" to the bike jump.

[clocksnmirrors]

Playa is better'n gold bond is what the boys tell me

Funny that. I developed a mad case of thigh chafe while building on the playa. It got bad to the point that I was wrapping duct tape over the chaffed bits to prevent rubbing. Somebody mentioned Gold Bond for chafing... and I was struck by the realization that playa dust is powdery too.

And yes indeed, playa dust prevents chafing.

not only that... i had a hangnail that was bothersome but under control as long as it was coated in playa dust. as soon as i got a decent bath the damn thing went infected - pus and all

next burn i'm bringing home a vial of dust for the medicine cabinet

[clocksnmirrors]

that funny rash on my balls is gONE!


BURNING MAN rocks! IT CHANGED MY Life...

ok i'm not entirely sure your post is 100% snark-free.....


but i love it!

[TomServo]

My opinion of many eplayans. Most, I've found, are NOTHING like their online persona. Some, are exactly the same! Needless to say, it was a blast meeting so many of you!