Playa-bound 2010

Well folks, it's that time of year again! Planning, scrambling, willing things to happen with no real idea of how we're going to pull it off. We're expecting to make it to the Playa this year with will and endurance more than anything else. It's been a real bitch of a year, so we need the break, and also this Burn has special meaning for me because I'll be saying goodbye to my mom who passed away this month. It's also our 5th Burn and our 2nd year with the fabulous Random & Unnecessary Camp. Check out what we're doing and toss a little donation to camp this way --> http://randomandunnecessary.org/

We, Random & Unnecessary that is, have some big plans for the Burn this year. We hope you'll come to visit us and enjoy some of our fabulous randomness! Here's a brief description of what we're doing as it appears on the official Burning Man site.

Random and Unnecessary Camp
Offering Random and Unnecessary adventures on the playa for the 2nd year. Including Tourist Day, croquet, eTARDIS Mini Dance Club, photo cutouts, pie shots, movies, art, superhero water battles, glow cocks, a chill lounge, fire and beyond, you're sure to satisfy your most random cravings here!
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA 

Address: As of now, our general address is 2:45/3:00 and Edinburgh backing up onto Florence so we can be seen from both streets. This year, we'll have signs! No really, we will!

To give you a little extra insight into some of the things, here's some background and details.

TOURIST DAY: This was a random idea I had last year, I don't remember what sparked it, but it's the first "planned" thing I've ever contributed and it was a GREAT time. We had our Virgin Burner, Jim, as our tour guide which seemed most appropriate given the nature of the event. Everyone got garbed out in the most obnoxious Hawaiian shirts possible, loaded up on cameras, idiocy, and huge sunglasses, then headed out to take a look at the "natives". Jim led the way dressed in a suit and Fez (what else?!) and provided us all with maps of China to get a good lay of the land. He has even bigger more random and unnecessary plans this year. Notice how everyone is doing their own thing and confused by the maps to begin with...

We started at our own camp, and walked a large part of the Playa visiting various camps of locals, learning about their traditions and explaining the meaning of sin to many. Some people were highly annoyed, and others got the joke and joined in.We enjoyed engaging the "natives" and participating in their strange customs, like this merry-go-round in the middle of nothing.

So it is with much joy that we plan to do Tourist Day again this year, but this time it will be an all-inclusive, all-tourists welcome event. Check the Playa event guide for times - we're thinking somewhere around 1pm on Thursday.

Photo cutouts - You've seen them and know what they are - those random cheesy cut-outs at tourist areas where you can stick your head through the photo hole, make a goofy face, and forever remember the lovely place you just visited. We have some ideas for photo opportunities in camp this year and hope you'll take advantage of them! What inspired us to create such a wonderful attraction? This visit I took with my family to Brighton in 1987. I have an old photo somewhere of me, my mom, my grandmother and my kid brother in one of those cut-outs showing the "excitement" of Brighton Beach. Here's a sneak peek of my photo idea for this year. - Random Acts of Bad Circus

Pie Shots - don't be a sissy (unless you're under 21); come and indulge in some pie shots! They're just what you think. Well, maybe not... So in case you're wondering, they are alcoholic shots that taste like pies! No cups necessary, cuz they go straight into your mouth. Sure to feel like a meal and make you happy, come by for our pie shots event 2 to 5pm on Friday. You can see what this oral extravaganza looks like here. Thank Xinc for the great pictures from our Ice Cream Social fundraiser.

Glow Cock Lamplighters - Yes, we said it, Glow Cocks! This is the last hurrah of this bizarre creation made by my other half. We gave away armloads of these things over the years, including a bunch at Exodus last Burn, and our intrepid Camp Leader has asked for the last lots we have. We are gladly giving up these delightfully kitsch light-up dildos for Camp Decor and other fun. Who doesn't like a raver-fabulous cock? 

Chill Lounge - We have to have some class in camp, so thanks to Sharon and PyrateGyrl for arranging a chill lounge! Visit us here to hang out, have a good time and relax.

TTEOB Reprisal - Somewhere in camp there will be a large black mailbox in which you are highly encouraged to place stories and artsy stuff to share your interpretation of Burning Man, as well as messages to anyone in camp if you so choose. I will have the TTEOB cards with markers and colored pencils nearby for you to participate. Feel free to take some of the markers etc with you, they're useful for writing at the Temple!