My parents always used to joke about Burning Man and I never realised what it was until recently. Looks like a rave with twice the amount of LSD.
I know... It appears as some freakish modern Woodstock until you start learning the back stories.
LEAVE NO TRACE- there are no trash cans, there is zero littering (you pack out all your own trash).
These wild people are very respectful for the environment and for each other.
GIFTING - money equals zero, you take extra supplies to trade for stuff you would like to have
ITS A GIAINT WORK OF ART- people build these beautiful intricate structures The horse, the temple, the man and then burn them down. Its like this giant release of all the crap we hold to as reality.
Sure people make a weird culture out of it, but behind it there are classes on clarity, you learn sharing and co-exiting like no other place. I haven't read a single article on people being violent, or people hating each other... (never saying it doesn't happen) but thats basically the whole purpose of the event.
Its a temporary no harm freedom with no judgement, and a common goal to experience what isnt possible in everyday life. No one is going to force drugs or sex on anyone. I think thats just a more private culture out there but it gets the most publicity. Most people are building stuff and gifting stuff and into the basic role of enjoying the reason to be there (and yes some go to the extreme) but thats kind of freeing to see people do that.
I usually can make my mind up in an instant and stick to it. I have been battling this for over 2 days now.
My friend, and the others who are going are very sane people that I actually trust (which is not easy for me). Jon knows me, and has since I was probably 15 years old. He knows all about my ASD. I feel honored to be invited, but really worried at the same time. He knows what I am going through right now, some marriage issues not going well and haven't ever went well. He is just trying to help me in his own way and I know that.
I feel like a jerk to say no but I feel like I might become a problem for them and myself if I go. I also know its going to cause a s--- storm at home if I go, but I am about done with that I think. We seem to be at that place where our worlds are just too different and it seems she wants out, but wants to destroy me in the process... not good and not what I care to worry over right now.
I am still working on a compromise. My issues are the dirt storms, the alkali dust, being dirty that long... I sometimes take 3 showers a day (yes thats stupid but its just my thing). The next thing is just more stupid. My truck and travel trailer are both relatively new and it just seems wrong to get them so nasty. OCD is showing its nasty head and I know it. In my messed up melon they won't ever clean back up and that is so asinine to worry about crap like that.
Camping is one of my most favorite things in the world, but I'm a fresh mountain stream guy, surrounded by tress and wildlife - this is WILD LIFE 2.0 on steroids and then some... and its like calling me and I am fighting back. Thats why I made this silly post... Its what I call a "tripper" something I get mentally stuck on. I have regrets if I go, but regrets if I don't. LIFE is supposed to be about living, not freaking analyzing everything to death and then analyzing that too. I get really mad at myself over this stuff.
I guess in some dark way I want to be like these people - maybe that is why it calls out to me. Maybe deep down inside I just want to be a wild ass freak for just a little bit, and not worry about all this stuff that keeps me in this mental prison. Sorry for my rambling... Its just me thinking out loud and thats basically insane itself.
