Boring Burning Man Story
During Burning man this year I had some interesting things happen to me, unfortunately the best two I cannot talk about publicly, and I have yet to write up the good ones I can talk about, so here is a lesser note:
On Tuesday of the event I wanted to get off the Playa for; water, fuel, phone calls, and just get out of the dust.. (I arrived at dawn on Thursday the week before, and was not planning on leaving until the following Thursday dusk.) I had been working with the Artery and Placement people so I was a known face. I had some trouble getting back in and LadyBee did not remember my name. She dropped me a line apologizing and asking what happened. Here is my letter of response.
Hello,
It’s ok, the gate was doing’s its job, and I had M2’s name to throw around. Funny thing is that GXAOUI got me in originally because the gatekeeper had overheard it from Mayfield or someone on the radio… I know how the brain can get during an event, you might not recognize your mother.
Anyhow this is what happened:
I went to the Artery, talked Playa Quest into an in/out pass (Sphincter release form I think you call them), then went with him to 1st camp and got one. (I never talked to Crimson) I asked PQ if this was good for more than one person, and what needed to be filled out on it. He indicated it was good for me and a buddy and sent me on my way.
After rounding up my empty containers and a partner in crime, I headed to the gate ID and Ticket stubs in hand. The Outgoing Gate person looked at my Blank Pass, and ticket stubs, banded our wrists, and did not seem concerned with the nameless pass even after I made sure he was aware of it. We left BRC and did our errands in Grelach, when we returned to the gate I presented the still blank pass, ticket stubs, and wristbands. (ID was ready but seemed unnecessary) The gate person looked confused, called his super, the super reviewed our papers and demanded $20 each. I politely told him no, that was not what was happening, then calmly relayed the above story, and asked him to reconsider. He called the Artery, and as you know that had little effect, so we were asked to wait while he contacted M2 at my request. Fortunately he was easily reached and knew that I was just the kind of troublemaker that the event needs and straightened it out. They took our wristbands and the questionable pass then sent us on our way. The gate persons I interacted with were professional and courteous, but so was I. It was an understandable oversight; I do not know where the system failed. But I am not unhappy about it, since it worked out just fine; we were not delayed very long. We got back in with our supplies and continued with the festivities.
If you have more questions I will do my best to answer them.
GXAOUI
On Tuesday of the event I wanted to get off the Playa for; water, fuel, phone calls, and just get out of the dust.. (I arrived at dawn on Thursday the week before, and was not planning on leaving until the following Thursday dusk.) I had been working with the Artery and Placement people so I was a known face. I had some trouble getting back in and LadyBee did not remember my name. She dropped me a line apologizing and asking what happened. Here is my letter of response.
Hello,
It’s ok, the gate was doing’s its job, and I had M2’s name to throw around. Funny thing is that GXAOUI got me in originally because the gatekeeper had overheard it from Mayfield or someone on the radio… I know how the brain can get during an event, you might not recognize your mother.
Anyhow this is what happened:
I went to the Artery, talked Playa Quest into an in/out pass (Sphincter release form I think you call them), then went with him to 1st camp and got one. (I never talked to Crimson) I asked PQ if this was good for more than one person, and what needed to be filled out on it. He indicated it was good for me and a buddy and sent me on my way.
After rounding up my empty containers and a partner in crime, I headed to the gate ID and Ticket stubs in hand. The Outgoing Gate person looked at my Blank Pass, and ticket stubs, banded our wrists, and did not seem concerned with the nameless pass even after I made sure he was aware of it. We left BRC and did our errands in Grelach, when we returned to the gate I presented the still blank pass, ticket stubs, and wristbands. (ID was ready but seemed unnecessary) The gate person looked confused, called his super, the super reviewed our papers and demanded $20 each. I politely told him no, that was not what was happening, then calmly relayed the above story, and asked him to reconsider. He called the Artery, and as you know that had little effect, so we were asked to wait while he contacted M2 at my request. Fortunately he was easily reached and knew that I was just the kind of troublemaker that the event needs and straightened it out. They took our wristbands and the questionable pass then sent us on our way. The gate persons I interacted with were professional and courteous, but so was I. It was an understandable oversight; I do not know where the system failed. But I am not unhappy about it, since it worked out just fine; we were not delayed very long. We got back in with our supplies and continued with the festivities.
If you have more questions I will do my best to answer them.
GXAOUI