Welcome to June everybody. Yes, I know it’s still technically May, but since I won’t be back to send this out until about the 6th, I thought it should go out early. The reasons will be obvious as you wade through this rather lengthy diatribe. But before we get started on what promises to be the longest newsletter I’ve ever penned, we like to start out with something Barbie Death Camp related. Now it seems to me when they use the term “…it is in bad and insensitive taste…” that is hardly ringing praise. But I will let you, kind readers, judge for yourselves.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/46345-anti-corporate-satire-of-mattel-at-burning-man
We are now ready to begin allocating space requests. Some of you have already told us what you need. Keep in mind we are on approximately three acres, some 120,000+ square feet of prime playa real estate. We will be on a corner (in all likelihood several corners), stretching some two city blocks away from The Man and the better part of a city block long. If you want to be on the street, tucked away from the maddening crowds safely within the Village, on an access road, or wish to be camped next to someone in particular, you need to let us know. Tracy has said he will map out the Village again this year, and for that we thank you. We will begin putting the map together in the middle of July.
We have some good news for everyone in the sphere of influence of BDC&WB. We will have 300 gallons of water hauled out to the playa for use in our shower. John, a veteran local burner from Citrus Heights, will be hauling out our water and piano and they will be delivered on the playa on Saturday, August 27th. Also Stu and Laura have volunteered to haul out the trailer with the infrastructure in it, including but not limited to the shower, evaporation pond, sofas, ovens, burn barrel, and shade structures. Thank you John, Stu, and Laura for your help. We literally could not do it without you. But when one problem is solved, another one arises. Our art truck, which should be in sound running condition, will need to be driven out to the playa on that Saturday as well. If anyone would like to volunteer for that assignment, we will happily pay for your gas to and from the playa.
We just got in our glowsticks for this year. We have 300 of them, plus what was left over from last year. We also were given 100 small glow bracelets. So everyone who will be ambling out on the playa should be lit up. Safety third.
Every year we are a stop for the Annual Naked Bike Ride & Pub Crawl. We will be again this year. I have been in contact with the (and I use the term very loosely) gentleman in charge, and he has agreed to let Barbie Death Village be the first stop after they leave The Man. The 200 or so naked cyclists should come rolling in around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday. Some of you may recall what happened last year. Suffice it to say had the LEOs been by, some people would have been arrested for lewd and lascivious conduct. We hope to avoid such scandalous behavior this year. We will need drinks to be served. White wine (chilled), sangria, and champagne seem to be very popular. If any of you would like to donate that (this is in addition to the Pancake Pork Out) we would be obliged.
Texas Joe will be operating Barbie’s Day Spa again this year, complete with massage tables for the assembled denizens of Black Rock City. He is looking for another masseuse, preferably (though by no means only) a newbie. If any of you are adroit at handling the art of massage, please contact Texas Joe.
We have some good news on the DMV Hottie front. Many of you already knew that Cap’n Joe is a Hottie. One of our newbies, at least to our camp, has also thrown her hat in the ring and is a Hottie as well. I want to personally thank Amanda for volunteering. Speaking of the DMV, our art truck has been given the preliminary thumbs up to be brought out to the playa. Now we need to decorate it effectively so we can be driven around the playa in comfort. CJ is heading that up. We will be getting together at Felony Arson’s home in Placerville on Saturday, June 18th for a potluck and to begin planning the decoration of the truck. We may also work on the trailer while we’re at it. We will be having a pot luck, beer will be provided (your camp dues at work), and everyone who can possibly make it should certainly plan on it. Your input is vital. Let Felony know if you can make it.
There are a lot of newbies, either to Burning Man itself or veteran burners new to our camp this year, who may be unaware of the “improvements” we have made over just last year. People wonder what their dues go towards naturally and what they can expect by becoming a member of our Village. Just a few of the things that we have this year that we haven’t had, at least not for the entire week, in the past include our piano, the water situation, and the parties during the week. For the first time we have something organized, as close as cat herding comes to being organized, for each day of the week. On Monday we have our chili cook-off. (Please let me know if you’re bringing chili; someone told me and I must be getting old because I had a brain fart and forgot.) So far Steve from Boston and Laura are in. On Tuesday Katie is planning her art truck party. If you have any input on that, contact Katie. On Wednesday is the aforementioned Naked Bike Ride & Pub Crawl. Thursday is the Annual ePlaya/3playa Meet & Greet, this year with a gourmet pot luck being provided for our gastronomical pleasure. Friday Black Rock City Body & Paint breaks out the brushes and we paint the fair sirens of Black Rock City prior to Critical Tits. On Saturday after The Burn we have our huge weenie roast on the art truck on the open playa. We are bringing something like 400 hot dogs this year, so it’ll be a real hoot.
Now comes the bad news. Dues are due. We have collected from many of you, and for that we thank you. But for those of you in BDC&WB, Loose Nuts, Eden, Clan O’Crash, BRCB&P, and our newest camp, Shangri-Playa (more on them upcoming), dues are $60 if the envelope is postmarked on or before June 1. That is why this newsletter is going out today. They increase to $85 after that. Members of Boosh: The Canadian Splinter Squad and any camp not mentioned that have their own dues structure are exempt. Anybody flying in from overseas is also exempt and may simply pay $60 on the playa. And remember: No Early Arrival passes to anybody delinquent on their dues. Speaking of which, we have allocated all but eight of those which we have requested. If you really need one, now would be an excellent time to ask.
Also we are still accepting orders for shirts and hats. This is our only fundraiser to help defray the cost of the wine Frank supplies for us. Hats are $15 and shirts are $20. Let me know if you want one and I will put you on the list. Colors can be either gray or pink, men’s and women’s styles, from small to XXXL, and come in either tank top or regular T.
Most of you know we have a room deal with the Sands Regency for discounted rooms before, during, and after TTITD. One of our newbies from Australia, Mel, has reserved one of the rooms and she is offering the other bed (all rooms have two queen beds) to anyone in our camp in need of a place to stay on Friday, the 26th. She will be caravanning up with me and Blowfish. This is her gift to us, so if you would like the bed, let Mel know.
Another one of our newbies, Kelsey from Virginia, is in need of a ride from either the East Coast or from Reno on Monday. Please try and help out our fellow Barbiebarians whenever possible.
Now to the introduction of newbies. This is a very long list! I have already introduced Kelsey. New this year is a friend of CJ’s David. Mike from San Francisco has two newbs as well, please welcome Pieter and Susan. Brooke has a new boyfriend and she’s bringing him along. Please welcome Cory. Cory also has a friend, Kanga. Drew has an East Coast newb as well, please welcome Todd.
I mentioned we had a new camp within the Village. They are part of the sphere of influence of BDC&WB with all the rights and privileges inherit therein. Please welcome the Shangri-Playans: Pa Kettle; Crudely Scrumptious; Wine Daddy; Kevin; King Cobra; Boop; Jewella DeVille & Sparky; Helen; Hold Me Closer Tiny Pancer; and Crespin. They are all with Wonder Dave, who we introduced last month.
Our next newsletter is due out around July 7th.
The Man burns in 99 days. )’(
Doc Pyro, MOBDV