Jeff and I just celebrated our 5 year anniversary and I must say that it was lovely. We each took the time to come up with a playlist/cd for each other and then spent the evening sharing it while explaining what each song meant to us in the terms of our relationship. We are not an overly romantic couple at all but this night was so very special. I am so thankful to have him in my life and so very thankful that after 12 years of knowing each other he still takes my breath away.
We have weathered so much over the years and I am looking forward to the future with him. Never a dull moment! Our latest endeavor is finding a new place for us to live. And we have exciting plans to spend New Year's Eve in New York City. I am just hoping I can physically manage to keep up with the sight seeing and playing tourist for the holiday. As long as I am up and good for my kiss at midnight I think I'll be okay :)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
My Epic Journey Home - Part Nine and The End
So there I am in LA waiting for the bus to Fresno. Everything was delayed. I began to surf facebook to kill some time. I begin to see pictures of places very near my home completely under water. Apparently it is flooding. WTF. I text my Mum and ask her if the house is okay. She says yes, we live on high ground thankfully, but my brother's car is under 8 feet of water. So in the space of three weeks an earthquake, a hurricane, and flooding has hit where I live. I begin to think I am better off in Cali at this point. The girl next to me asks to borrow my phone and we strike up a conversation. She seems shy but very sweet. Once we finally get on the bus we don't sit together but are still close enough to talk when we feel like it. As we get closer to Fresno she seems more worried. We are behind schedule and we are now going to be getting there after dark. I know from her borrowing my phone that she is expected at an intake appointment for the women's shelter. She has asked for the address and walking directions when she was on the phone. I can tell she is not familiar with Fresno or she wouldn't be planning to walk through that area of town at night.
I call my Gran and ask her if my Aunt is picking me up and if she know's where the shelter is. Gran says actually my Aunt works on a contract with them and should know exactly where it is. So for once on this trip instead of relying on others to help me out I am able to pay it forward a bit and give this woman a safe ride to the shelter. It felt nice to help someone else out. I get to my Gran's finally around 930pm. I am so happy because I have not seen her in two years, the longest I've gone without seeing her. We are very close. In fact my whole family is close. While I spend the next week in Fresno I get to see all my Aunts, Uncles, and cousins, as well as family friends. Some of the visit is bittersweet because it just upsets my family. They knew I was not well, but seeing first hand how my health has degenerated and the pain I live in on a daily basis is shocking for them, which is painful for me. But at least I get to spend some quality time with them when I didn't think I would be able to see them at all after Burning Man. It is with a heavy heart that I get back on the bus to catch my flight in LA.
So begins that last leg of my epic journey home. I spend 5 hours on a bus to LA. Then another 30 minutes on a bus to Union Station. Then another hour on a bus to LAX. Then I check in, eat some food, head to my gate, and realize I still have another 4 hours to wait until my flight. And everyone made fun of me for bringing 6 books to Burning Man with me. I kill time reading and surfing the internet on my phone. At one point a flight lands and unloads it passengers in front of me and I swear Henry Winkler gets off the plane and passes me. Finally it is time to board. I am exhausted and in pain and of course can't sleep. It is an overnight flight but I spend the whole 5 hours awake and miserable. I land at 545am. I try to get a hold of my Mum as I disembark but no go. I finally think to call my Dad and he has actually parked and is waiting for me in the airport as I come out at baggage claim. I am so happy to be in Virginia even if I do hate living here :)
So it took almost a full month but I made it home safe and sound. Thank you to all my ePlaya friends who kept me sane while I planned my trip. Thank you to Fishy for saving me in Reno. Thank you to the Tren Way Bike Camp for being awesome friends and taking care of me on playa. Thank you Nicole and Greg for getting my stuff to LA. Thank you Danny and Mims for getting me to LA. Thank you Brendan and his sweet girlfriend for putting me up. Thank you to my cousin Sean for driving all the way to LA and grabbing/storing my stuff for me. Thank you to my parents for helping me to get a plane ticket home. Thank you to my Gran for letting me stay with her a week while I waited for my flight home. Thank you to my family for spending time with me and cheering me up. Thank you to my Dad for picking me up from the airport at such an ungodly hour. And thank you all of you who have spent some time here reading my stories, appreciating my comments, and just generally making this whole experience something to be proud of instead of freaked out about. I love you all.
I call my Gran and ask her if my Aunt is picking me up and if she know's where the shelter is. Gran says actually my Aunt works on a contract with them and should know exactly where it is. So for once on this trip instead of relying on others to help me out I am able to pay it forward a bit and give this woman a safe ride to the shelter. It felt nice to help someone else out. I get to my Gran's finally around 930pm. I am so happy because I have not seen her in two years, the longest I've gone without seeing her. We are very close. In fact my whole family is close. While I spend the next week in Fresno I get to see all my Aunts, Uncles, and cousins, as well as family friends. Some of the visit is bittersweet because it just upsets my family. They knew I was not well, but seeing first hand how my health has degenerated and the pain I live in on a daily basis is shocking for them, which is painful for me. But at least I get to spend some quality time with them when I didn't think I would be able to see them at all after Burning Man. It is with a heavy heart that I get back on the bus to catch my flight in LA.
So begins that last leg of my epic journey home. I spend 5 hours on a bus to LA. Then another 30 minutes on a bus to Union Station. Then another hour on a bus to LAX. Then I check in, eat some food, head to my gate, and realize I still have another 4 hours to wait until my flight. And everyone made fun of me for bringing 6 books to Burning Man with me. I kill time reading and surfing the internet on my phone. At one point a flight lands and unloads it passengers in front of me and I swear Henry Winkler gets off the plane and passes me. Finally it is time to board. I am exhausted and in pain and of course can't sleep. It is an overnight flight but I spend the whole 5 hours awake and miserable. I land at 545am. I try to get a hold of my Mum as I disembark but no go. I finally think to call my Dad and he has actually parked and is waiting for me in the airport as I come out at baggage claim. I am so happy to be in Virginia even if I do hate living here :)
So it took almost a full month but I made it home safe and sound. Thank you to all my ePlaya friends who kept me sane while I planned my trip. Thank you to Fishy for saving me in Reno. Thank you to the Tren Way Bike Camp for being awesome friends and taking care of me on playa. Thank you Nicole and Greg for getting my stuff to LA. Thank you Danny and Mims for getting me to LA. Thank you Brendan and his sweet girlfriend for putting me up. Thank you to my cousin Sean for driving all the way to LA and grabbing/storing my stuff for me. Thank you to my parents for helping me to get a plane ticket home. Thank you to my Gran for letting me stay with her a week while I waited for my flight home. Thank you to my family for spending time with me and cheering me up. Thank you to my Dad for picking me up from the airport at such an ungodly hour. And thank you all of you who have spent some time here reading my stories, appreciating my comments, and just generally making this whole experience something to be proud of instead of freaked out about. I love you all.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
My Epic Journey Home - Part Eight
Monday evening is fast approaching. Our camp is almost completely broken down. We are pretty sure my gear can be fit in the big truck. At this point I am without a ride. I begin checking with everyone what their riding situation is. My friend Mims, who is here from Austin, Texas with her friend Danny and Heather, points out that someone pulled out of riding with them in their van, they should have room and are going to LA. But they are leaving in a couple hours. I run over and start breaking down my camp immediately. Thankfully it only takes me about 20 minutes. I stack up the items going in the big truck and drag over my duffle and backpack to the van. We've created an open space in the back of the van where we can all fit and even lie down. There are 7 of us total in the van, 5 lying like sardines in the back. It is actually pretty comfortable. I proceed to pull out a book light and read through exodus. It was a really long one this year. Dawn is approaching as we finally leave BRC.
I nap sporadically as we drive and check my cell signal. As soon as a decent hour hits I call my friend Brendan in LA. He's always telling me I need to visit... surprise! I'll be there this afternoon. Can I crash? He tells me of course but he won't be home from work until around 630pm. I tell him we'll cross that bridge when I get to LA. We make good time, stopping occasionally for gas and food. We hit La and begin to drop off the various people where they need to be until it is only the crew from Austin and myself. They are staying at another friend's house, but we have beat that person to LA. We begin our search for a shower. All we can think about is getting clean at this point. The van and us have developed a definite funk. It takes us a while but eventually we manage to get keys to the friend's house they are staying at. Showers at last! I washed my hair three times. It was glorious.
It's about 4pm at this point and everyone wants to head out do stuff so I ask them to drop me at Brendan's house. I know he won't be home yet but I'll figure something out. I am exhausted and and in pain and when I hop out at Brendan's I totally forget my coat and cane in the van. I don't even realize this for 2 more days. I call and he tells me that his car is easy to break into and I can stash my stuff in there. Seriously? So yes, I break into my friend's car and pile my bags up in there. I then grab my purse and go exploring. His place is right in Melrose and there is plenty to reach just by walking. I sit down in a little Pho restaurant and begin stuffing my face with noodle soup and Mexican cola. It's the first real food I've had in over a week and it is delicious. Brendan meets me there after work and we head back to his apartment.
I tell him my crazy story and he says he's happy to have me stay but the bad news is his girlfriend and he are leaving for a wedding in two days. So I only have two days to figure out how to get home or find somewhere else to stay. I know I will be flying home at some point, and that means I also have to find a way to deal with all my camping gear and bike. I can't take them on the plane with me, at least not that I can afford. So I call my cousin who lives outside LA. He says he can easily come pick up and store my stuff for me but I can't stay with him because he is also leaving for a wedding in two days. Why is everyone getting married this weekend?!? I spend the rest of the night looking up flights. All way too expensive and I just give up and go to bed. Maybe things will look better in the morning.
I was completely right to sleep on it because I wake up to an email from Virgin mobile announcing special rates for the following week. I manage to get a flight home for only $120. LA to DC. Now I just need somewhere to stay for a week. I realize this is the perfect opportunity for me to see my Gran. I book a Greyhound bus to Fresno and walk up to the Target to buy a suitcase that will pass for carry on on the bus and flight. The duffle I have could fit a couple bodies and I do not want to check baggage. I somehow manage to pack all the clothes and books on my huge duffle in one small suitcase and my backpack. My lovely cousin drives out the next night and picks up my gear. My friend gives me cab fare and the next day I leave for Fresno. I am gonna get to spend an entire week with my family who I never get to see!
Coming up: Part Nine where I finally get to give some help instead of asking for it, visit with my lovely Gran, and eventually make it home to Virginia.
I nap sporadically as we drive and check my cell signal. As soon as a decent hour hits I call my friend Brendan in LA. He's always telling me I need to visit... surprise! I'll be there this afternoon. Can I crash? He tells me of course but he won't be home from work until around 630pm. I tell him we'll cross that bridge when I get to LA. We make good time, stopping occasionally for gas and food. We hit La and begin to drop off the various people where they need to be until it is only the crew from Austin and myself. They are staying at another friend's house, but we have beat that person to LA. We begin our search for a shower. All we can think about is getting clean at this point. The van and us have developed a definite funk. It takes us a while but eventually we manage to get keys to the friend's house they are staying at. Showers at last! I washed my hair three times. It was glorious.
It's about 4pm at this point and everyone wants to head out do stuff so I ask them to drop me at Brendan's house. I know he won't be home yet but I'll figure something out. I am exhausted and and in pain and when I hop out at Brendan's I totally forget my coat and cane in the van. I don't even realize this for 2 more days. I call and he tells me that his car is easy to break into and I can stash my stuff in there. Seriously? So yes, I break into my friend's car and pile my bags up in there. I then grab my purse and go exploring. His place is right in Melrose and there is plenty to reach just by walking. I sit down in a little Pho restaurant and begin stuffing my face with noodle soup and Mexican cola. It's the first real food I've had in over a week and it is delicious. Brendan meets me there after work and we head back to his apartment.
I tell him my crazy story and he says he's happy to have me stay but the bad news is his girlfriend and he are leaving for a wedding in two days. So I only have two days to figure out how to get home or find somewhere else to stay. I know I will be flying home at some point, and that means I also have to find a way to deal with all my camping gear and bike. I can't take them on the plane with me, at least not that I can afford. So I call my cousin who lives outside LA. He says he can easily come pick up and store my stuff for me but I can't stay with him because he is also leaving for a wedding in two days. Why is everyone getting married this weekend?!? I spend the rest of the night looking up flights. All way too expensive and I just give up and go to bed. Maybe things will look better in the morning.
I was completely right to sleep on it because I wake up to an email from Virgin mobile announcing special rates for the following week. I manage to get a flight home for only $120. LA to DC. Now I just need somewhere to stay for a week. I realize this is the perfect opportunity for me to see my Gran. I book a Greyhound bus to Fresno and walk up to the Target to buy a suitcase that will pass for carry on on the bus and flight. The duffle I have could fit a couple bodies and I do not want to check baggage. I somehow manage to pack all the clothes and books on my huge duffle in one small suitcase and my backpack. My lovely cousin drives out the next night and picks up my gear. My friend gives me cab fare and the next day I leave for Fresno. I am gonna get to spend an entire week with my family who I never get to see!
Coming up: Part Nine where I finally get to give some help instead of asking for it, visit with my lovely Gran, and eventually make it home to Virginia.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
My Epic Journey Home - Part Seven
Okay the next couple days blur together a little bit. I know at some point I found Fishy's run over by a car water bottle behind our bar and trudged off to Terminal City to return it. I know after I did that I spotted someone I thought I recognized coming out of a camp and sure enough it was Foxfur. We had a quick hug and chat in the middle of the road. I must say it was a little like meeting a celebrity. Here is someone I read about online, see occasional pictures of, and have an idea of who they are in my head, but don't know for sure. I hope he enjoyed meeting me and that I made some sense as I talked because I honestly have no idea what I said to him. I was nervous and hopefully not gushing. I'm pretty sure I don't gush, but you never know.
As Thursday approached I was super excited to go to the Meet n' Greet at Barbie Death Camp. I awoke Thursday with dread in my heart because I was in crazy amounts of pain. I honestly didn't do much and rested a lot but as the MnG approached I knew I needed medicinal help. So I took my pain pills. And promptly fell asleep. Damn. I woke at 7pm in a total panic. My camp mates watched me in shock as I started crying and tore around my tent trying to get dressed quickly and then whined at them to help me get my shoes on. I have never pedaled a bike so fast in my life. My legs felt like noodles as I pulled up at the Mng. I noted in relief that the place was still crowded and in full swing. I then noted in total panic that the place was still crowded and in full swing. I don't do well in crowds, I get a little agoraphobic and overwhelmed. I have a hard time focusing and making conversation when it is noisy and too many people are talking. I don't like to call attention to myself so will often just stay quiet and watch. I did this for about 30 minutes before I found the name tag table. With my name tag on I felt totally different. I felt welcomed and included by default. I felt important enough to speak up and make friends. I started to think that maybe I just needed to always wear a name tag. It felt so wonderful to recognize and be recognized by all the eplayans.
Thank you Jkisha for making the nametags. You will never know how much that made me feel okay and comfortable that evening. Thank you to everyone I got to talk to and who hugged me and made me feel welcome. Who listened to my words as if they were important to them and valued my presence. Maryanimal you were so sweet and lovely. Eric was funny and open. Foxfur his usual adorable self. AntiM brash, loud, and totally funny. Knowmad truly touched me with his words and out of everyone made me feel the most welcome and relaxed. Savannah was as kind in person as she is on the board. MyDearFriend has the best hugs. Fishy was cynical in such a good way and made me laugh. Misa was happy and smiling. And the list goes on. If I didn't mention you then don't worry, you still made an impression and made my Thursday the best day at burning man. Thank you all so much.
The rest of my burn was alternating between extreme bouts of fun with my mates and extreme exhaustion and rest back at camp. I made certain to take four hours out of my day Friday and just ride around taking pictures of everything. I always forget pictures every year and was so happy that I made time this year to go out and capture some memories. I finally got to see the temple burn, I had always had to leave before Sunday in the past and was really moved to be able to watch the temple burn this year. I finally got to do something I had always wanted and place something special in the temple. Though it has been many years since I suffered the miscarriage the memory still had too much power to upset me. I placed the name I had
chosen for my child in the temple and finally said goodbye. Some may not appreciate the temple burn but for me it allowed a certain amount of closure that I had never found before. I have not been able to get pregnant since... so it was important.
As Monday morning dawned the thought finally entered my head that I needed some way to get out of BRC. I needed somewhere to go. I have many family and friends in California as I grew up there and figured that was my best bet. As most my mates were from LA I decided that was the best place to head. Or at least the easiest. I was hoping at some point to see me Gran in Fresno as we are very close and it has been two years since the last time I visited. But I honestly thought that was not going to be feasible. And I needed some way to get all my stuff to LA with me. My camp vowed that they would get me there somehow and we began the process of seeing where me and my stuff fit. Most everyone was leaving the next morning on Tuesday and they figured out that my camp supplies would fit in the big truck they had along. But I still had no where to fit me. No one had room in their cars for a body. At least not a live one.
Keep reading for Part Eight, where I ride in a van like a sardine, spend 3 hours looking for a shower, and break into a car.
As Thursday approached I was super excited to go to the Meet n' Greet at Barbie Death Camp. I awoke Thursday with dread in my heart because I was in crazy amounts of pain. I honestly didn't do much and rested a lot but as the MnG approached I knew I needed medicinal help. So I took my pain pills. And promptly fell asleep. Damn. I woke at 7pm in a total panic. My camp mates watched me in shock as I started crying and tore around my tent trying to get dressed quickly and then whined at them to help me get my shoes on. I have never pedaled a bike so fast in my life. My legs felt like noodles as I pulled up at the Mng. I noted in relief that the place was still crowded and in full swing. I then noted in total panic that the place was still crowded and in full swing. I don't do well in crowds, I get a little agoraphobic and overwhelmed. I have a hard time focusing and making conversation when it is noisy and too many people are talking. I don't like to call attention to myself so will often just stay quiet and watch. I did this for about 30 minutes before I found the name tag table. With my name tag on I felt totally different. I felt welcomed and included by default. I felt important enough to speak up and make friends. I started to think that maybe I just needed to always wear a name tag. It felt so wonderful to recognize and be recognized by all the eplayans.
Thank you Jkisha for making the nametags. You will never know how much that made me feel okay and comfortable that evening. Thank you to everyone I got to talk to and who hugged me and made me feel welcome. Who listened to my words as if they were important to them and valued my presence. Maryanimal you were so sweet and lovely. Eric was funny and open. Foxfur his usual adorable self. AntiM brash, loud, and totally funny. Knowmad truly touched me with his words and out of everyone made me feel the most welcome and relaxed. Savannah was as kind in person as she is on the board. MyDearFriend has the best hugs. Fishy was cynical in such a good way and made me laugh. Misa was happy and smiling. And the list goes on. If I didn't mention you then don't worry, you still made an impression and made my Thursday the best day at burning man. Thank you all so much.
The rest of my burn was alternating between extreme bouts of fun with my mates and extreme exhaustion and rest back at camp. I made certain to take four hours out of my day Friday and just ride around taking pictures of everything. I always forget pictures every year and was so happy that I made time this year to go out and capture some memories. I finally got to see the temple burn, I had always had to leave before Sunday in the past and was really moved to be able to watch the temple burn this year. I finally got to do something I had always wanted and place something special in the temple. Though it has been many years since I suffered the miscarriage the memory still had too much power to upset me. I placed the name I had
chosen for my child in the temple and finally said goodbye. Some may not appreciate the temple burn but for me it allowed a certain amount of closure that I had never found before. I have not been able to get pregnant since... so it was important.
As Monday morning dawned the thought finally entered my head that I needed some way to get out of BRC. I needed somewhere to go. I have many family and friends in California as I grew up there and figured that was my best bet. As most my mates were from LA I decided that was the best place to head. Or at least the easiest. I was hoping at some point to see me Gran in Fresno as we are very close and it has been two years since the last time I visited. But I honestly thought that was not going to be feasible. And I needed some way to get all my stuff to LA with me. My camp vowed that they would get me there somehow and we began the process of seeing where me and my stuff fit. Most everyone was leaving the next morning on Tuesday and they figured out that my camp supplies would fit in the big truck they had along. But I still had no where to fit me. No one had room in their cars for a body. At least not a live one.
Keep reading for Part Eight, where I ride in a van like a sardine, spend 3 hours looking for a shower, and break into a car.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
My Epic Journey Home - Part Six
So I was finally at Burning Man. It was almost overwhelming. I had put myself through a lot of stress both physically and mentally to get myself to this point. Now that I was here I had to keep myself from collapsing and sleeping for the whole week. Thankfully I had prepared pretty well to make myself very comfy with the least amount of effort. I had a Tent-Cot which made it easy and comfy for me to sleep up off the ground. I had a fan to keep air circulating in the tent. I had said screw it to the usual crappy camp chair and invested in a nice reclining lounger that gave me a lovely place to nap/rest during the day in the shade structure. I had very well made and comfy Doc Marten boots for walking, though they are a bitch to lace up. And I had brought my cane just in case. The last thing I needed to complete my comfy BRC experience was the new beach cruiser I had bought and left strapped to my driver's car.
Tuesday morning dawned bright and clear. I woke with a mission. Retrieve the bike! I dressed for comfort in a long loose tank and bike shorts. Added SPF 100, my cowboy hat, and my utility pouch with water and sundries. I had an address and set off. I was camped at 215 and E, I needed to get to 630 and B. It was quite the hike. I went up and down and all over and just did not see his car or camp. 2 hours has passed at this point and I was running out of water. Time to make friends. I joined a lovely group of burners at the 630 and B corner who put me in the shade and offered me a cold apple soda. I entertained them with the story of my cross country journey and my current search for my bike. After I refreshed myself, I decided he wasn't in this location but maybe he had checked in at center camp. Off I went.
Upon reaching center camp I was informed that though professional photographers checked in and registered with them, they didn't organize the registrations in any way. It was literally a pile of papers. Though I was welcome to go through them, they recommended I check the intranet computers they had set up for camp listings instead. Brilliant! I knew the name of his camp and found a free computer to begin my search. It was at this moment that the intranet decided to crash and all the computers went down. Really? Come on Universe, don't I get a break at this point?!? I decided another rest in the shade was called for and patiently waited for the system to come back up. Thankfully it didn't take long and I was able to call up his camp listing which let me know he was at 745 and J. Nowhere near where he had told me to search. Of course. I set off yet again.
I approached his camp with trepidation. I wasn't sure what to expect and I hadn't let any of my friend's come with me for fear they would try and kill the dude. I hailed the camp and asked if he was here. His head popped out and with a smile he welcomed me and came over to get my bike down. He kept up a steady chatter while I just stared at him. He pretty much acted like the last 5 days had not happened. He even asked about stopping by my camp for a bike fix (my camp is full of gear heads and we do bike repair for those that come by) and I said sure, but proceeded to tell him the address of a different camp doing bike repair. No way was I letting him near my camp, he'd be crucified and used to decorate our bar. I grabbed my bike, wished him well, and took the fuck off. While it had taken me 4 hours to find my bike, with the luxury of having it, it only took me about 7 minutes to get back to my camp. However that little debacle pretty much wiped me out. I spent the rest of the day curled up in my recliner with a book. My mates would check in on me occasionally to see if I was okay and once evening hit we had a big party in our bar. I was able to obtain a stool right next to the bartender and let the entertainment come to me.
Coming next: Part Seven, where I wear more comfy clothes, bitch about how far away the jots are, and actually remember to take photos with my camera.
Tuesday morning dawned bright and clear. I woke with a mission. Retrieve the bike! I dressed for comfort in a long loose tank and bike shorts. Added SPF 100, my cowboy hat, and my utility pouch with water and sundries. I had an address and set off. I was camped at 215 and E, I needed to get to 630 and B. It was quite the hike. I went up and down and all over and just did not see his car or camp. 2 hours has passed at this point and I was running out of water. Time to make friends. I joined a lovely group of burners at the 630 and B corner who put me in the shade and offered me a cold apple soda. I entertained them with the story of my cross country journey and my current search for my bike. After I refreshed myself, I decided he wasn't in this location but maybe he had checked in at center camp. Off I went.
Upon reaching center camp I was informed that though professional photographers checked in and registered with them, they didn't organize the registrations in any way. It was literally a pile of papers. Though I was welcome to go through them, they recommended I check the intranet computers they had set up for camp listings instead. Brilliant! I knew the name of his camp and found a free computer to begin my search. It was at this moment that the intranet decided to crash and all the computers went down. Really? Come on Universe, don't I get a break at this point?!? I decided another rest in the shade was called for and patiently waited for the system to come back up. Thankfully it didn't take long and I was able to call up his camp listing which let me know he was at 745 and J. Nowhere near where he had told me to search. Of course. I set off yet again.
I approached his camp with trepidation. I wasn't sure what to expect and I hadn't let any of my friend's come with me for fear they would try and kill the dude. I hailed the camp and asked if he was here. His head popped out and with a smile he welcomed me and came over to get my bike down. He kept up a steady chatter while I just stared at him. He pretty much acted like the last 5 days had not happened. He even asked about stopping by my camp for a bike fix (my camp is full of gear heads and we do bike repair for those that come by) and I said sure, but proceeded to tell him the address of a different camp doing bike repair. No way was I letting him near my camp, he'd be crucified and used to decorate our bar. I grabbed my bike, wished him well, and took the fuck off. While it had taken me 4 hours to find my bike, with the luxury of having it, it only took me about 7 minutes to get back to my camp. However that little debacle pretty much wiped me out. I spent the rest of the day curled up in my recliner with a book. My mates would check in on me occasionally to see if I was okay and once evening hit we had a big party in our bar. I was able to obtain a stool right next to the bartender and let the entertainment come to me.
Coming next: Part Seven, where I wear more comfy clothes, bitch about how far away the jots are, and actually remember to take photos with my camera.
My Epic Journey Home - Part Five
My hero ferried me all the way to Gigsville and helped me track down my camp. The sense of relief and happiness that swelled in my heart as I saw my friend's familiar faces almost had me fainting. Fishy waited patiently while my gear was unloaded, then wished me well as she took off for her own camp. I collapsed at my camp's bar and told them all the story of my journey. They were outraged and out for blood. They wanted to know where this guy was camping. As briefly satisfying as that might have been I refused to tell them and let them know all the guy needed was some sleep and a sandwich. I planned to stop by the medics next day and ask them to look in on him when he arrived. Then they all asked the million dollar question.: How are you going to get home to Virginia?
I hadn't even though that far ahead yet. On the way into the Burn I had called my mother and boyfriend to update them on what was happening. I love my family. No one panicked, they just asked if I was okay, then told me to have fun and that we would be in touch and figure it all out after the burn. Worse case scenario I knew I could at least get back to Reno where I had hotel reservations for after the burn. My camp mates also all reassured me not to worry. Enjoy the week and at the end of it we would figure out how to get me somewhere safe. I love those guys. These are people who I only ever see at the burn. They are a group of bike riding anarchists out of LA that really know how to have a good time and are extremely loyal to those they consider part of their group. At my first burn in 2008 I had been taken in and adopted by these people simply because they knew my best friend. I have been camping with them every burn since. This year was our first year moving in with Gigsville and I could already tell we were right at home.
I got my small tent set up in our communal shade structure, lashed on my water bottle, grabbed a cup for booze, and headed right to our bar to relax and spend my first night in BRC having a good low key time. I needed to unwind after the stress of the last 5 days. My mates served up drinks, laughs, great music, and camaraderie. I relaxed into my seat and watched the crazy antics, the dancing, the pranks. In the distance I could see the velodrome my camp had built for bike races. For those of you going "huh?" a velodrome is an arena for track cycling featuring steeply banked sides so that it basically looks like a large wooden bowl. You climb up, perch precariously on the side, get situated on your bike, and then take off down into the bowl and race around and around until you fall down. At least that's how we did it.
The burn this year was very different for me from previous years. It almost felt like this was my real virgin year. I felt like I had had such an easy time my first two years. This third year was the struggle and travail that I had always expected in the past. I savored everything around me so much more. I felt like I had worked so hard for it that it made it all so much more precious. It also was very different for me because of my health. I knew right from the start that I was going to be spending the majority of my time resting in camp. I had carefully selected a few important things to me during the week that I wanted to attend, but other than that made no plans or demands upon myself. But first, I had to get my bike.
Up next: Part Six, in which I spend four hours finding my bike, ditch cool costumes for the comfy clothes I knew I'd end up living in, and have an allergic reaction to pickled eggs.
I hadn't even though that far ahead yet. On the way into the Burn I had called my mother and boyfriend to update them on what was happening. I love my family. No one panicked, they just asked if I was okay, then told me to have fun and that we would be in touch and figure it all out after the burn. Worse case scenario I knew I could at least get back to Reno where I had hotel reservations for after the burn. My camp mates also all reassured me not to worry. Enjoy the week and at the end of it we would figure out how to get me somewhere safe. I love those guys. These are people who I only ever see at the burn. They are a group of bike riding anarchists out of LA that really know how to have a good time and are extremely loyal to those they consider part of their group. At my first burn in 2008 I had been taken in and adopted by these people simply because they knew my best friend. I have been camping with them every burn since. This year was our first year moving in with Gigsville and I could already tell we were right at home.
I got my small tent set up in our communal shade structure, lashed on my water bottle, grabbed a cup for booze, and headed right to our bar to relax and spend my first night in BRC having a good low key time. I needed to unwind after the stress of the last 5 days. My mates served up drinks, laughs, great music, and camaraderie. I relaxed into my seat and watched the crazy antics, the dancing, the pranks. In the distance I could see the velodrome my camp had built for bike races. For those of you going "huh?" a velodrome is an arena for track cycling featuring steeply banked sides so that it basically looks like a large wooden bowl. You climb up, perch precariously on the side, get situated on your bike, and then take off down into the bowl and race around and around until you fall down. At least that's how we did it.
The burn this year was very different for me from previous years. It almost felt like this was my real virgin year. I felt like I had had such an easy time my first two years. This third year was the struggle and travail that I had always expected in the past. I savored everything around me so much more. I felt like I had worked so hard for it that it made it all so much more precious. It also was very different for me because of my health. I knew right from the start that I was going to be spending the majority of my time resting in camp. I had carefully selected a few important things to me during the week that I wanted to attend, but other than that made no plans or demands upon myself. But first, I had to get my bike.
Up next: Part Six, in which I spend four hours finding my bike, ditch cool costumes for the comfy clothes I knew I'd end up living in, and have an allergic reaction to pickled eggs.
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