This October 10, 2010, has inspired people around the globe to mark the date with special activities.
For example, I know at least two couples planning to get married (yay Antoinette! yay Tigger and Jamie! hugs!!) and they predict it will be the busiest Sunday of the year for weddings in the US.
I even know of a baby who was supposed to be born 10/10/10 and while I was betting that baby would come late, Blake William Alley came just after noon today on 10/7/10! Congrats to Becca and Ken Alley!
10/10/10 is also the date for this year’s San Francisco’s Burning Man Decompression Party–which will likely make a wild event even wilder! Pictured are a few photos taken by NYC poet Lee Anne Brown from last year’s Decom Party in San Francisco. Learn more about SF Decompression and other Decoms and how you to can bring Burning Man home.
Read a report with photos from last weekend’s LA Decompression.
Bill McKibben’s 350.org is encouraging individuals to create various actions. He says: “With your help, 10/10/10 is going to be the biggest day of practical action to cut carbon that the world has ever seen. We’re calling it “A Day to Celebrate Climate Solutions”–together we’ll get to work in our communities on projects that can cut carbon and build the clean energy future. Read more…
Poetry from the 3:15 Experiment: almost kicked my butt
Poetry from the 3:15 Experiment 2010
August 31, 2010 3:15am home
Last night of the 3:15 Experiment 2010.
It’s been a long month.
I let a lot of poems get away.
But I tried to catch them.
I tried to not let grief kick my butt.
But it did.
The night terror tonight
overcame my best efforts.
I cried & cried & almost
threw in the towel.
But I did it
complications and all.
And now back
to bed.
(Thanks to Wade Scribner for Burning Man 2010 photos!)
August is long gone, September is now over, and here we are in October! I think I’m done posting poems from the 2010 3:15 Experiment. I’m organizing two 3:15 Experiment manuscripts right now, Love and Terror at 3:15am: Poetry from the 3:15 Experiment 2001-2009 and a smaller chapbook of about 3 dozen 3:15 poems from 2002-2010 which focus on being a daughter, having a son, and losing a mom. Some of these poems have been published here on this blog, and some not.
The book is being published and distributed by en theos press (which published a 3:15 poetry collection between sleeps edited by Danika Dinsmore and I). It will be available at the end of the month–and yes, you will be hearing more about it!
For more poetry, catch the Monday Poetry Train!
Since I was speaking at the LA Decompression 2010 EcoSalon, we arrived bright and early–about 1:30. Even though the event started at noon, in true Burning Man fashion, most of us were struggling with wind and shade structures. There weren’t too many people around; most were working on their camps as well!
Soon people sauntered by the EcoSalon to enjoy some tea and conversation sprawled under canopies of fabric and on top of blankets and pillows. We passed around a mic and shared stories of our successes and our strategies. We asked questions and we proposed answers. People wandered in and out at will, but many people, like us, hung out most of the day.
The rock star was Mark Lakeman of Portland’s City Repair. He was inspiring and awesome and he had my husband and the audience hanging on every word. What I loved most was the way he presented in such
a fashion that it felt like a conversation and that he respected everyone’s contribution.
The last presenter at the EcoSalon was Greg Wendt on “Sustainable Wealth.” Dora! who owns Wild Planet stopped by for a hug and settled down next to me to enjoy beverages and snacks; his soul was fed too by what Greg had to say. Here’s a photo of Greg pouring tea he brewed and brought to share while a small boy I know hoops behind him.
What was Enviro
nmental Studies 101 for me was enlightening words of wisdom hitting Dora!’s ears at the right time and will lead to us having conversations about business and the Triple Bottom Line.
Yay! Shift happens!
People who had never been to the playa were enthralled and enthused by the spectacle of LA Decompression 2010. Those of us who have been smiled, and nodded or shook our heads. Until you’ve been there, you really can’t imagine Black Rock City–the vast expanse of desert, the mountains, the dust, the wind…or the creativity.
While most people seemed to congregate around the music stages, a highlight for us was the interactive events, like the XyloVan (pictured above). What fun! We also enjoyed a 3D tent–they provided the glasses of course.
In all my years at Burning Man, I have to admit that I have yet to put on a pair of skates at Black Rock Roller Disco. You’d think this would have been the occasion with my son ready to roll at any time, but with a freshly broken toe, the best I could do was catch some pictures. In the night shot, the crowd is dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”– a sight you had to see to believe!
Lots to do, hear, and see on the 8 stages plus theme camps. Hmmn, we might just head up to SF Decom next weekend! Maybe they need an EcoSalon too.
Did you go to LA Decom? What were highlights for you? Are you going to SF or San Diego Decompression Parties?
Burning Man 2010: Decompression Today!
LA Decompression 2010 offers: 8 Stages of Entertainment, Tons of Art and Activities for All Ages
Here are some fun interactive ways you can participate in LA Decom . .
The Burner Bizarre is setting up and you are invited to clean out the closets! Clothing for all ages is welcome from infant to full grown. Also hats, handbags, gloves, shoes, and other accessories are welcome as well. And of course costume items are always welcome. Bring a big bag or just a few items. And while you are there gifting your stuff, go through what others have brought and take home some new duds. All left over clothing will be donated to “My Friends Place” www.myfriendsplace.org
Tabula Rasa is also coming back again this year. They are the beading and jewelry making camp. At BM this year they were place at Center Camp on Ring Road and therefore their beads were pretty depleted. They are asking everyone to bring their broken necklaces, left over beads, buttons, and crafting stuff. Anything that you could make jewelry out of and help resupply. And of course stay for a while and make something for yourself.
EcoSalon invites you to please bring your favorite teas (bagged) to Decom to enjoy with others at the EcoSalon 2010: a place to share environmental knowledge, meet the experts (including me!) and ask questions over a nice cup o’ tea! Please remember to bring your reusable mug (or water bottle)!
Here’s the specifics:
| 1:30-2:15 | Bobby Gadda and Gwendolyn Alley
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Car Free in BRC – Why not LA? Read more… |
BORN TO BE WILD? show us, you wild thing on October 1st FFArtRide!
Were you “Born to Be Wild”? Then show us your wild thing and take a ride on the wild side Friday Oct 1!
via Bikergo Gal
2010 Burning Man Photos & 3:15 Experiment Poetry: turn the light on
Poetry from the 3:15 Experiment 2010
August 23, 2010 3:15am home
I keep trying to turn on the light
by my bedside table.
Night after night it doesn’t come on;
during the day I forget
that there’s a problem here–
did the plug come loose?
did the light bulb burn out?
Dropping my pen I see the problem:
bits of broken glass
and the socket is empty.
The solution is simple.
I hope tomorrow I do it.
As a metaphor, my life
is harder to clean the glass up
remove the sharp painful pieces
find a new bulb
& screw it in.
I’m almost done with a manuscript for a chapbook of 3:15 poems about writing about life and death at 315am, being a mom and losing one. It’s about 1/3 from this year. I’ve also got a work in progress, Love & Terror at 3:15am: poems from the 3:15 Experiment from 2001-2009. I’ll let you know when it’s ready for purchase!
PS Thanks to Wade Scribner for the Burning Man 2010 night time light time photos. Wade has also asked me if I’d be interested in doing some writing to go with a book of Burning Man photos he’s working on!
DECOMPRESSION! Bring Burning Man home: LA, SCruz, SF, SDiego, & more
Each year after Burning Man, many people experience a lot of conflicting emotions. They miss their new friends and their new lifestyle, they miss the art and the freedom. Often frustration with the default world and depression sets in.
Or maybe you’re bummed you didn’t go this year. Or maybe you’ve never been or the drive or the desert or the cost just isn’t your thing.
Never fear, Decompression is near!
Decompression is where as many Burners as possible congregate in the default world to recreate a little bit of Burning Man.
Okay, I admit, it’s not even close. But it’s a fun party. Last year I went to Decom in LA and in SF. The one in SF is QUITE the party: streets are closed and bars get so full no one can get in those either. Music and theme camps, costumes and fun.
But no, it is not Burning Man. People keep the naughty bits covered and hide the booze and drugs. People are very happy to see each other but they may not express it quite as flamboyantly as they might on the playa.
You could say Decompression is Burning Man lite.
But like I said, it’s still fun. I’m planning on being at the one in LA where I will be facilitating a discussion on how to create a bike culture. Here are the details and links to learn more about when and where various decompression parties will be held: Read more…
STATEWIDE: California Coastal Cleanup Day 9-noon
The 26th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day
Saturday, September 25, 2010
California Coastal Cleanup Day is the premier volunteer event focused on the marine environment in the country. In 2009, more than 80,600 volunteers worked together to collect more than 1,300,000 pounds of trash and recyclables from our beaches, lakes, and waterways. California Coastal Cleanup Day has been hailed by the Guinness Book of World Records as “the largest garbage collection” (1993). Since the program started in 1985, over 800,000 Californians have removed more than 14 million pounds of debris from our state’s shorelines and coast. When combined with the International Coastal Cleanup, organized by The Ocean Conservancy and taking place on the same day, California Coastal Cleanup Day becomes part of one of the largest volunteer events of the year. Read more…
Harvest Moon & Children’s Festival Sunday at Buddhist Temple in Ventura
Here in coastal Southern California, in summer we’re often enshrouded in fog and we miss the moon.
But once fall descends, we are often blessed with glorious clear sky visions of Moon in all its phases.
This particular Harvest Moon has been exceptional all week, and last night’s full Harvest Moon was glorious, energizing and inspiring as you can see from this photo by David Pu’u.
We celebrated the Harvest Moon by taking the clay Ganesh we made last year down to the water so he could return to Mt Kailash. Traditionally, this would have been done on Sept 11 and we fully intended to. But I was sick and it just didn’t feel right so I decided on the next full moon. And I’m so glad! It was such a beautiful night. My son, my husband and I walked to where the water that flows behind our house joins the ocean when the tide is high. Since it was low, the water flowing from the hills behind our house and down Prince Barrance, and from the hills behind my mom’s house, and San Jon Barranca, was calm. We took turns kneeling by the water’s edge and rubbing the clay in the water to moisten it so he would soften and dissolve.
We will continue to reflect on how our obstacles have been removed, for how much we have harvested, and to be grateful for so many gifts. On Sunday, September 26 from 11am-8pm, we will attend the free Mid-Autumn Festival at the An Lac Mission 901 S. Saticoy Avenue in Ventura’s far east end. Organized by the An Lac Mission and the Vietnamese Language School, this is a family friendly event with music, entertainment, dancing, a magic show, children’s competitions, a Vietnamese Elvis impersonator, costumes and free moon cake for children.
Personally, I am looking forward to the vegetarian cuisine! At an event last year, I fell in love with all the wonderful ways the Vietnamese use tofu. The flavors of the dishes I tried last year were exquisite. There will also be Sri Lankan food.
While the event is free, they will be charging for the food and certainly accepting donations. This is a fundraiser for the Jade Buddha exhibition which is coming in February.
While you are there, enjoy the garden and say hello to Guan Yin The Compassionate Rebel!
No Surrender: Bruce Springsteen and Fans Celebrate His 61st Birthday Today!
I married a Bruce Springsteen fan, a serious Bruce Springsteen fan, a fan with over 100 shows under his belt, someone who made it clear right away what it meant to go to every show that he could possibly go to. He also made it clear that I didn’t have to go, and unless I could appreciate the show from the depths of my being like him, then I shouldn’t go. Actually, our first show together was a make-or-break deal: if I didn’t “get” it, there was no hope for our relationship.
But I made the cut. I don’t mind that he wears a button that reads “On the 8th Day God Made Bruce Springsteen” or that there’s a picture of Bruce Springsteen and my husband hanging in our closet. I understood how getting it signed by Bruce was important and I helped make that happen a year or so ago.
I’ve also met some of the other hardcore fans, including Ron Wells who wrote the following essay in celebration of Bruce Springsteen’s birthday. I’ve written many other posts about Springsteen on this blog, including one on his birthday last year; you’ll find links to them below. Read more…
art predator 