During HugNation, I often talk about how the "ME" we identify with is actually just the surface crust of who we are. I have a vision of a metal frame of a human form, outlined with wood.
The wood would have words and images that "identify" people. Skin color, religion, sports team affiliation, etc. People could add to the wood with markers.
At the end of the week, the wood crust would be burned off.
All that would remain is the pure, perfect loving one-ness that makes up EVERY one of us.
*unedited portion of today’s Hug, including getting dressed in special ‘hug garb.’*
Wow. What a journey the last hour was.
I shared stories…
Then tried to share a video about surrender…
Then ran into tech trouble…
Then got frustrated…
Then surrendered…
Then cried…
Then laughed at the absurdity of getting frustrated trying to show a video about surrender.
Whew…
I feel emotionally exhausted. I feel like we all went through something together today.
It is such an honor and privilege to have a network of love that allows me to be so raw.
Thank you. *unedited clip after I cried*
I’ve *always* wanted a place on the Esplanade to chill and watch the gorgeous parade of beautiful burners. So when we found out we had Esplanade placement (like the “boardwalk” of Burning Man) I volunteered to create the shade space of my dreams.
It exceeded my expectations. Every morning I cleaned up the bottles and whip-it cartridges from the people who found it to be a warm party place for the night. Nearly every morning someone slept in the couch and every afternoon someone caught up on Z’s too. The highlight was when 20 or so Bats sat in our cabana and watched the Burn from afar. So intimate and perfect. Maybe my best (and farthest away) burn ever.
Next year we have plans to expand the Pink Lounge into something even better.
Last year the Pink Ride was one of my Burning Man hilights. This year, it was again! The crew that showed up was AMAZING! And their swirling good vibes connected me to something deep and wonderful.
You can also catch footage of several of my ‘08 Playa Projects: Snuffleoctobike, The Pink Esplanade Cabana, & my Bone Goggles.
I leave on Saturday for my 11th Burning Man.
But for me, the pilgrimage began 2 months ago.
The preparation weeks are bliss for me.
It’s like I have a Pavlovian response…and I start to CREATE. Ideas fly thorough my head. Everything looks like a part of a sculpture or costume.
My world becomes a fury of paint/glue/fabric/cut/spray/glue/sweat/& love.
My apartment becomes a studio. The foam-cutting knife does not get put away after use. Nor does the glue gun.
Pink fur scraps infest my apartment…like some Fraggle virus.
And the artistic projects fill the house at an incredible rate.
During the pre-burn season I give myself permission to embrace a “Cut first – Measure later” design philosophy.
I let it ‘float more.’
And the stream brings such delights!
This year I’ve been inspired to create (with my mom & girlfriend’s help):
• A sticker design (chosen as the official gate sticker this year. Gifted to EVERY participant.)
• rubber stamp designs (x3)
• Art Bike (“All Hail Snuffleoctopus!”)
• Goggle-head-dresses (x2)
• Stencils (2)
• Tons of customized clothing,
• and now we’re working on decorating a Lounge on the Esplanade!
Plus I have 3 responsibilities for during the week. 1) Bike Ride – Wed. 12:00 noon @ Bat Country 9:30 & Espl.
2) HugNation – Sat. 12:00 noon Center Camp, spoken word stage.
3) And I also act as a Courier.
By “Courier” I mean that I bring things to the Playa for people.
I extend the offer every year on my blog that I’m happy to bring something on anyone’s behalf.
Sometimes it’s a picture to print out. Or old letters.
Letting go of an expectation or a regret.
This year a beautiful young woman sent me ashes of her child.
And a letter of celebration. Celebrating the miracle of the brief life.
She had named her child after Grandpa Caleb.
But he was very premature.
Now Baby Caleb’s ashes are making the same journey as his namesake.
Heavy…
But I can’t help but think that from the perspective of the Cosmic Dance…it is beautiful.
We are born. We live. We die.
We are loved. We love.
The number of breaths we take does not determine the worth of our lives.
Rather, it is the purity of the journey.
So this year’s Burning Man Journey is infused with not only a narcotic creative frenzy, but also a depth.
And a renewed appreciation of the Journey itself.
*** If you are going to Burning Man, I will be camped at 9:30 and Esplanade. No amount of planning can force encounters to happen, but if our journeys do cross paths, please say hello! I’d love to share a magic moment.
First I ordered a bunch of animal bones off ebay.
Then a bunch of rubber octopi off various online stores.
After MANY attempts, I finally was able to paint the octopus how I wanted. Black and bone-colored.
Can you tell I’m going for a bit less of a fuzzy-pink fur look this year?
15+ years ago, I started looking for a cool personalized license plate idea.
I stumbled upon the word "halcyon" and thought it would be a great plate. Alas, it was taken.
A week later, in a rave-fueled haze, I introduced myself to people as "Halcyon."
Then I started using it as a pen name. A few years later, I changed my middle name from "David" to "Halcyon." My drivers license now reads, "John Halcyon Styn" and my car plate reads, "HUGABLE."
So it was a bit of a trip to see this plate over the weekend! For a second I thought… it’s ME…in a parallel universe!"
