Tuesday, September 11, 2001

In response to today's tragedies, Maya submitted this to our mailing list:

As Man is the Tree in the Field

Because the man is the tree of the field;
Like the tree the man grows up.
Like the the man, the tree also gets uprooted,
And I surely do not know
where I have been and where I will be,
like the tree of the field.

Because the man is the tree of the field;
Like the tree he aspires upwards.
Like the man, he gets burnt in fire,
And I surely do not know
where I have been and where will I be,
like the tree of the field.

Because the man is the tree of the field;
Like the tree he is thirsty to water.
Like the man, thirsty he remains,
And I surely do not know
where I have been and where will I be,
like the tree of the field.
I've loved, and I've hated;
I've tasted both this and that;
I was buried in a plot of land;
And it's bitter, it's bitter in my mouth,
Like the tree of the field;
Like the tree of the field.

                  - Natan Zach
posted by m y k | 9/11/2001 11:37:14 PM

Wednesday, September 05, 2001

BM2k1... Got it done. The 2k1 Gallery is coming soon. Meanwhile, here are a few morsels of what's to come...

The Blacklight Aquarium at night.

Black Rock City skyline, from 2:00.

The Mausoleum.

Jared and Alice got married!

Fence post decorations surround the Temple of Tears.

Miss M. and Halcyon on the Lustmonkey stage.

Paul initiates floggings for 'letting it hit the playa' as Alice assumes the position.

Maya, the Man, and Myk.

posted by m y k | 9/5/2001 08:16:33 PM

Tuesday, August 21, 2001

Near Disastré!
My c:\ partition became corrupt over the weekend. This happened a year ago (almost to the day). Luckily, this time it was software related, so I was able to recover with only minor frustration. I lost all my saved emails, but I can at least check incoming messages again.

Anyway, here are a couple of new links:

Feeding Tofu to Cowboys - Updates from the DPW work ranch. Great photos!!!

The Weather in Gerlach - So far, the forecast is looking good!!!

Make sure to bring your goggles and dust masks! The playa is "fluffy" this year, meaning there's a significant layer of dust on the surface that the smaller gusts of wind like to blow around. Also, make sure to keep the vents in your tent closed, lest you shall sleep on a bed of dust.

6 more days 'til blast-off!!!
posted by m y k | 8/21/2001 01:50:40 AM

Friday, August 17, 2001

Hieronymous enjoys the plush fur of the kobald.
posted by m y k | 8/17/2001 12:57:51 AM

Saturday, August 11, 2001

Here's a preview of what you may encounter on the playa.

In front of our camp will be the "buttanical garden."

Left to Right: Paul, Xtine
posted by m y k | 8/11/2001 01:17:28 AM

Monday, August 06, 2001

The Structural Rebuild took place in Fresno this past weekend. Those in attendance were Jared, Sam, 'Gruvee' Eric, Xtine, Robyn (a local friend who may join the camp next year), and me (Myk). It was a success. {{Roaring applause for all in attendance}}

The PVC was in great shape. It was nestled between a large pine tree and Myk's mother's house, under the eave. Grass had grown all around it, further protecting it from the elements. There were some rather interesting fauna that decided to take up residence beneath, between, and inside the pipes.

We are so rehearsed at erecting the dome (huh-uh-huh), that it took us under an hour from measuring out the stakes to having the PVC raised and lashed with bungee. On the playa, we will have more people, more sledgehammers, and Brian:AM - "the living, breathing jackhammer." The dome will go up fast.

There was an incident when we were tearing down the dome that really demonstrated the strength, flexibility, and durability of the PVC. We were short-handed on tear-down, causing one pipe to get stuck on the rebar after all the others had been pulled up. The one pipe bent to more than a 90 degree angle, supporting the main joint and all seven of the other pipes, without popping or showing any signs of stress. Impressive... most impressive.

The new kitchen structure came with shitty directions, but having set it up at the rebuild (and making a couple critical mistakes), we are at least somewhat familiar with how it works. It should go up pretty fast as well, with several people working on it. It is very durable, and large enough to meet our kitchen and dining needs. Word.

We unrolled the carpet we found near India Sweets and Spices, and though we are confident that it will serve us well, we will need more. KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR MORE ROLLS OF CARPET. The carpet we do have is now in Sacramento at Chez 'H' Street. It will be vacuumed so no one will feel too wierd about stretching out on it... since it was found in a dumpster.

An attempt was made to get the pipes up to Sacramento on this trip; alas, the RAV4 is still too small a horse for such a cargo. The pipes are too long, and the luggage racks cannot support the weight.

The Fresno weather gave us a taste of what we'll be up against on the playa. It was dry, it was sunny, and it was hot - this was by all accounts a full dress rehearsal (well, minus the day-glo faux fur and pleather). After we were all tired and content with our work, we ate great food, courtesy of Myk's mom, and went to experience the Fresno night life. As is always the case in Fresno, it never changes. We played some pool, listening to the same tunes we heard in there when we'd go there in the mid-90's. That's Fresno for ya!

More progress was also made on costumage, but that's for another update. Special thanks go to Mike and Carol (Myk's step-father and mother) for their generous hospitality, and for letting us poke holes in the lawn; and to Robyn, who donated time and effort because she was interested in seeing how the structure worked.

21 days until we launch!!!
posted by m y k | 8/6/2001 12:06:55 AM

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