I’ll be running a diversity, equity, and inclusion podcast, magazine, and quarterly conference for a large consulting firm :)

I’m with Peer Support, those two little offices across from People Ops and Cart Repair. Part conflict resolution, part psychological first-aid, part traffic control, directing people to Rangers, Zendo, etc.

Didn’t have to handle much, but the people involved were amazing! I’d definitely do it again.

Aw shit, if I'd known you were there, I would have passed along my unused shower tickets (not even sure if the Wet Spot is still functional)!

I hope the ride back is quick!

Today was my first day of my new corporate job. There were no fires to put out, no sudden changes without clear recourse, and all in all, everything unfolded according to plan, which I am not used to. I think I'm going to like it here and it feels like a lot of hard work I've put in over the years is finally paying off. I think it will take some adjusting, but I'm really looking forward to it!

I'll see if I can't find a photo of it, but this year at the temple, there was a letter from a longtime Burner who was essentially breaking up with Burning Man. He'd included every ticket, vehicle pass, book, and map he'd received starting from I think, 2003. Basically, the letter said that he'd got as much out of BRC as he needed, and that the Sparkle Ponies and other elements introduced over the years had created an experience that he didn't recognize, or want to be part of any longer.

It was sad, but got me reflecting on why I go. Sure, I wish I'd seen what it was like before social media, before electronic music was the norm, and before every night on playa was lit up as brightly as Burn night, but it's still an amazing beast to behold. For me, it's still about intention, change, and centering humanity, but what do I know?

Anyway, our camp fared much better than some, especially those that needed to be evacuated and pressed into other camps. We had a communal dome which kept us all dry, equipped with a DJ booth, commercial grade sound system, and full bar. We also had great DJs and a fantastic honkytonk musician who kept our spirits high with unbelievably good music. And of course, since the service our camp provided was food, we ate well! Last year I lost about 10 lbs. over the course of the Burn, but this year I only lost 1.5 lbs.

This was my first year volunteering with the org as a Peer Support Counselor and honestly, I think I'd do it again. I still love the parties and the music, but the community aspect of Burning Man has added such phenomenal dimension to the experience that I'm sure I'll end up at BRC again in the future!

SAME! Hey, if you might be open for it, I'd love to have a buddy in a similar situation as I navigate my new financial reality as a means of processing and checking myself. No pressure, of course!

Anyone going this year? I'll be at Camp Delicioso (B & 2:15) as of later today and volunteering at Peer Support (in the "business park") from tomorrow until Tuesday. Feel free to come say hi!

Hey hubcaps, it's been a while! Just landed a job where I'll be earning 2.5x what I used to make (but I laid myself off in May), which is great but I do expect some culture shock as this will be the very first corporate role I've held. Also, my partner is now wondering what it would be like if we lived in NYC, which would probably be cool as we have lots of friends and family there, but like, even though I just got a big pay bump, I'll basically be back to my old buying power if/when we move, but them's the breaks. Honestly, after living on the West Coast for a bit I really miss the walkability of East Coast cities. Personally, I think my partner also wants to live in a place where she can wear her collection of vintage fur coats she's been amassing FOR NO REASON, but whatever.

A guy from back home got really into making doors and today he makes a living on instagram/renting out the tiny homes and cabins he builds (featuring cool doors!). Anyway, my friends from back home that got into woodworking when we were kids are all still at it and having a blast doing it. Give it a whirl, no need to go any deeper than it being fun!

I dig it

So, I couldn't believe that you'd add a M.A.S.K. video that wasn't the theme song, so of course I had to go listen to the theme song, which of course auto-played into a cover where the original singer drops in to comment.

Anyway, I don't want to be cool enough for GoBots at this point in life. Like, did they even have Orson Welles playing Unicron, the Lord of Chaos, the Chaos Bringer, the Planet Eater? Maybe, maybe not.

From the Transformers Wiki:

George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985), actor and director, was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin and lived a fairly eventful life, in case you hadn't heard. For starters, in 1938 he convinced a bunch of rubes that Martians were invading the Earth with his The War of the Worlds radio show. On screen, Welles had a highly memorable role in The Muppet Movie, where he gave Kermit the Frog his big break in Hollywood. Oh yeah, he also made some movie about some guy who wants a sled (spoiler alert).

It wasn't until 1985 that Mr. Welles finally fulfilled his true destiny by playing the planet-gobbling world Unicron, although, sadly, Mr. Welles died before the movie was released in 1986.

"You know what I did this morning? I played the voice of a toy. Some terrible robot toys from Japan that changed from one thing to another. The Japanese have funded a full-length animated cartoon about the doings of these toys, which is all bad outer-space stuff. I play a planet. I menace somebody called Something-or-other. Then I'm destroyed. My plan to destroy Whoever-it-is is thwarted and I tear myself apart on the screen."

—Orson Welles, on his final film performance.

"The irony of [Welles] playing a planet-sized eating machine wasn't lost on anyone."

—Michael McConnohie

Great seeing you too!

Aw man, I just had to search my hard drive for that one. I really like what you did with it! I really do have to get back into writing. What a great way to be reminded! Thanks for that and for writing the song!