Wow. Having these three extra days before my departure to the playa has been awesome. Not only did it give me time to make sure my van is in top working order but I have been able to get good sleep and even have some fun.
And guess what? I'm already packed up and I don't leave until tomorrow morning! Yes, well ahead of schedule - just like I like it. The Gypsy Van has oodles of storage space; very efficient. I've got everything I need (more or less) with plenty of room to spare. No over-packing here, which is actually a bit dangerous.
It helps that there is a trailer of stuff, mostly my installation for the cafe, coming up in a week and half. The bike rack is coming on the trailer, too. I can't believe I thought I'd be able to take that in the van with everything else. I am so happy. I don't have anything tied to the top or strapped to the back. It's all in, baby.
I'm so on top of it all I got to go to the Outside Lands Festival last night. It was a last minute decision (a friend had an extra wrist band) and I am sure glad I went because we had a blast. I saw Social Distortion! Awesome.
Well, I have all afternoon to rest and bathe and rest and putter around. This time tomorrow I should be just about to roll through the gate at Black Rock City. Wow-wee! My latest Adventure is about to begin.
Description of My Project for Center Camp Cafe of the Day:
City Benches
See you next month!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Setting Myself Up For Success
I have been working very hard this past week preparing for Burning Man. I am going to be on the playa longer then I ever have before (over three weeks). I am making lists and packing and organizing and planning non-stop, all so that I can ensure my success while out there.
It's not an easy place to exist, the playa. The weather is extreme. You have to be, for the most part, completely self-sustaining. The work is hard. The play is harder. Even the drive out is a challenge. I have no intention of being an example of what not to do. My efforts will be worth it, for sure.
And I am absolutely positive that the Universe is working with me, helping me along so that I Do Not Fail. I've been rolling with the unexpected changes that have been coming my way the last few days and I am sure they are happening so that I do this right.
Take my Gypsy Van, for instance. Two nights ago I experienced trouble on the road driving home from the warehouse. I had to call AAA at 10pm for a tow. I had the vehicle towed to a VW specialist in San Rafael yesterday, they'll check it out this morning. I don't know what's wrong but I am glad to be finding out now, not in the middle of nowhere on the highway off 80 with little to no cell service and no support team.
This incident caused me to push my departure date out 'til Tuesday. This way I have time to deal with the repair work and I will be able to caravan out with another driver so that I won't be making the journey alone, something I would have been doing had I left on Saturday. See, the Universe is forcing me to make changes that will be to my benefit. I do not consider any of this bad - just different then I expected.
And here's another thing to add to that: Had Eric not taken my truck to go on his road trip/mountain biking two-week vacation to Colorado, I would not be driving Gypsy every day thus allowing me to find out about these problems and having the time to get them fixed. Again, I am so grateful that this happened to me now, not later.
There is a small part of me that cannot understand why I am going through all this effort just to go to Burning Man. But this is a big deal for me in ways that I can't even fully explain to myself - I just know this is something that I have to do this year. This could be the last year (although I truly doubt it) that I ever go to Burning Man and I think that would be fine with me. This is my year to work, to succeed, to grow, to heal, to do all of the things that I want to and think I can achieve. This is a challenge that I am ready to face and conquer. I am going to Thrive.
And another plus about leaving three days later - three more days of showers! I may just have to take two the night before.
Here's What Other People Do For Fun of the Day:
Girl Quits Job On Dry Erase Board
A couple of days old but funny none-the-less.
It's not an easy place to exist, the playa. The weather is extreme. You have to be, for the most part, completely self-sustaining. The work is hard. The play is harder. Even the drive out is a challenge. I have no intention of being an example of what not to do. My efforts will be worth it, for sure.
And I am absolutely positive that the Universe is working with me, helping me along so that I Do Not Fail. I've been rolling with the unexpected changes that have been coming my way the last few days and I am sure they are happening so that I do this right.
Take my Gypsy Van, for instance. Two nights ago I experienced trouble on the road driving home from the warehouse. I had to call AAA at 10pm for a tow. I had the vehicle towed to a VW specialist in San Rafael yesterday, they'll check it out this morning. I don't know what's wrong but I am glad to be finding out now, not in the middle of nowhere on the highway off 80 with little to no cell service and no support team.
This incident caused me to push my departure date out 'til Tuesday. This way I have time to deal with the repair work and I will be able to caravan out with another driver so that I won't be making the journey alone, something I would have been doing had I left on Saturday. See, the Universe is forcing me to make changes that will be to my benefit. I do not consider any of this bad - just different then I expected.
And here's another thing to add to that: Had Eric not taken my truck to go on his road trip/mountain biking two-week vacation to Colorado, I would not be driving Gypsy every day thus allowing me to find out about these problems and having the time to get them fixed. Again, I am so grateful that this happened to me now, not later.
There is a small part of me that cannot understand why I am going through all this effort just to go to Burning Man. But this is a big deal for me in ways that I can't even fully explain to myself - I just know this is something that I have to do this year. This could be the last year (although I truly doubt it) that I ever go to Burning Man and I think that would be fine with me. This is my year to work, to succeed, to grow, to heal, to do all of the things that I want to and think I can achieve. This is a challenge that I am ready to face and conquer. I am going to Thrive.
And another plus about leaving three days later - three more days of showers! I may just have to take two the night before.
Here's What Other People Do For Fun of the Day:
Girl Quits Job On Dry Erase Board
A couple of days old but funny none-the-less.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Pink Lemonade
Check out my new ride.
The Back Story:
This Schwinn bike was abandoned at Burning Man 2009. I took her home, cleaned her up and transformed her into Pink Lemonade.
The Assist:
Eric played a major role in this process thanks to his bike maintenance skills. He took everything apart, striped the old paint off the frame, painted it pink, cleaned the chain, replaced the pedals, brake cable, derailer and some missing wheel spokes and did a whole handful of other bike repairish kind of stuff.
My friend Lori sewed the fur seat cover for me. Yay!
The Fun:
I added the reused basket tricked out with bottle caps and wheel cogs. The wheels are Scraper style courtesy of the Oakland scene. New handle bar grips and a Hello Kitty bell complete the look.
The Lesson:
Schwinn bikes are not the most worthy candidates for rescue - the parts are proprietary and hard to find. Think I'll look for a Trek next time.
Can't Wait of the Day:
To park this cutie-pie in my recycled materials bike rack that is getting lit up in the most awesomest of ways as we speak. Photos to come soon (I hope).
The Back Story:
This Schwinn bike was abandoned at Burning Man 2009. I took her home, cleaned her up and transformed her into Pink Lemonade.
The Assist:
Eric played a major role in this process thanks to his bike maintenance skills. He took everything apart, striped the old paint off the frame, painted it pink, cleaned the chain, replaced the pedals, brake cable, derailer and some missing wheel spokes and did a whole handful of other bike repairish kind of stuff.
My friend Lori sewed the fur seat cover for me. Yay!
The Fun:
I added the reused basket tricked out with bottle caps and wheel cogs. The wheels are Scraper style courtesy of the Oakland scene. New handle bar grips and a Hello Kitty bell complete the look.
The Lesson:
Schwinn bikes are not the most worthy candidates for rescue - the parts are proprietary and hard to find. Think I'll look for a Trek next time.
Can't Wait of the Day:
To park this cutie-pie in my recycled materials bike rack that is getting lit up in the most awesomest of ways as we speak. Photos to come soon (I hope).
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Accidental Absorption
Yesterday I was exposed to someone's personal drama and, though I didn't mean to, I took in their anger, anxiety and frustration as my own. I had no idea that I was doing it until it was far too late. I have my own anger, anxiety and frustration to deal with at the moment so maybe I was just vulnerable. Maybe I was more open to taking in the negative feelings of another because I was feeling pretty negative myself.
It's so horrible when that happens. I barely slept last night and when I did it was quite fitful. I fussed over my own problems but now, in the light of day, I can clearly see that it was all just projection, misplaced anxiety. I will be fine. My worries are real but not insurmountable. Last night, when I was having a near panic attack trying to deal with all of these horrible emotions, my problems seemed impossible to face but in reality they are quite manageable.
You know that saying, Misery Loves Company? It's true. We think we will feel better if we could only just make the rest of the world understand how horrible things really, truly are. We want others to feel as bad as we do or worse. I try not let that happen but it does. The best thing to do is to get away from whomever is spewing their bad feelings toward you. Get away as fast as you can and then let the negativity dissolve from within. It will, over time. Trust me.
Okay. Onward and Upward. I have a headache from the bad night's sleep but the anxiety is gone. I'm not sure I can say the same for the other person but, well, that's not my problem. No matter how badly that person wants to make me feel like it is.
Something To Remember of the Day:
Feelings are temporary and fleeting. This too shall pass.
It's so horrible when that happens. I barely slept last night and when I did it was quite fitful. I fussed over my own problems but now, in the light of day, I can clearly see that it was all just projection, misplaced anxiety. I will be fine. My worries are real but not insurmountable. Last night, when I was having a near panic attack trying to deal with all of these horrible emotions, my problems seemed impossible to face but in reality they are quite manageable.
You know that saying, Misery Loves Company? It's true. We think we will feel better if we could only just make the rest of the world understand how horrible things really, truly are. We want others to feel as bad as we do or worse. I try not let that happen but it does. The best thing to do is to get away from whomever is spewing their bad feelings toward you. Get away as fast as you can and then let the negativity dissolve from within. It will, over time. Trust me.
Okay. Onward and Upward. I have a headache from the bad night's sleep but the anxiety is gone. I'm not sure I can say the same for the other person but, well, that's not my problem. No matter how badly that person wants to make me feel like it is.
Something To Remember of the Day:
Feelings are temporary and fleeting. This too shall pass.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Perspective
I'm leaving for Burning Man in less then two weeks and my to-do list is still incredibly long. But I know in my heart that I will be ready - I always am. I get a little freaked out near deadlines because I am much more comfortable when I am ahead of schedule. Right now I'd say I'm right on target which to me feels late.
However, I am also dealing with an unexpected and unpleasant situation which will most likely not be anywhere near being resolved before I head out. It is really upsetting me. I haven't been sleeping very well.
Last Saturday night there was a big party happening at American Steel. I decided that for 48 hours last weekend I was going to forget about the to-do list, forget about my worries, forget about my fears and Just Let Loose. So, I did. And It Was Great. Really.
But, you know, escapism is terrific while you are escaping. When you find your way back to where you left off, though, you often find that nothing has changed. You don't feel better and, in fact, I felt worse.
I was really upset and depressed on Sunday night about the previously mentioned unexpected and unpleasant situation. "What's going to happen? I don't know how to deal with this? I'm so worried...."
Then on Monday morning I got up and got right to it, the to-do list, that is. One of my tasks was to photograph the final three sculptures that I had placed at the Falkirk Cultural Center over the weekend. Okay, I did sneak a little work in during those mindless 48 hours. You can see all of the images from that installation here.
Anyway, while I was at Falkirk yesterday morning I ran into this girl whom I had met there a couple of weeks earlier. She's homeless and, I think, sleeping in the park at night. The first time we met we had a very nice conversation. She said she really appreciated my art being there, that it helped her spirits. She told me a little about her problems. She was down on her luck but trying to get by. When I offered her a few dollars for a cup of coffee she said, "No. I can't take money from an artist." I was touched.
Seeing her again yesterday made me realize just how great I have it. I have shelter, food, money, a loving family, caring friends, good health. What more could I want? Well, I want to not be dealing with my current stressful situation. But I can handle it. Could I handle sleeping in the park every night? Could I handle going to the soup kitchen for meals? Could I handle not knowing what the day will bring, or the next, or the next? I'm not sure I could.
I didn't have a lot of time to spend with her yesterday so I told her I had to get back to work but before we parted ways she gave me a magazine subscription insert for a publication called American Craft that she had read at the library one day. She said she had thought of me and was hoping to see me again to tell me about it. It was so sweet.
This is why I make my art. This is how I give to others. It doesn't matter if I know them or not. It doesn't matter if I meet them or not. I doesn't matter if I never know how my work affects people. It just matters that it's there for everyone and anyone to enjoy. This is why I am an artist.
I'm Sure You've Heard This One Before of the Day:
I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.
However, I am also dealing with an unexpected and unpleasant situation which will most likely not be anywhere near being resolved before I head out. It is really upsetting me. I haven't been sleeping very well.
Last Saturday night there was a big party happening at American Steel. I decided that for 48 hours last weekend I was going to forget about the to-do list, forget about my worries, forget about my fears and Just Let Loose. So, I did. And It Was Great. Really.
But, you know, escapism is terrific while you are escaping. When you find your way back to where you left off, though, you often find that nothing has changed. You don't feel better and, in fact, I felt worse.
I was really upset and depressed on Sunday night about the previously mentioned unexpected and unpleasant situation. "What's going to happen? I don't know how to deal with this? I'm so worried...."
Then on Monday morning I got up and got right to it, the to-do list, that is. One of my tasks was to photograph the final three sculptures that I had placed at the Falkirk Cultural Center over the weekend. Okay, I did sneak a little work in during those mindless 48 hours. You can see all of the images from that installation here.
Anyway, while I was at Falkirk yesterday morning I ran into this girl whom I had met there a couple of weeks earlier. She's homeless and, I think, sleeping in the park at night. The first time we met we had a very nice conversation. She said she really appreciated my art being there, that it helped her spirits. She told me a little about her problems. She was down on her luck but trying to get by. When I offered her a few dollars for a cup of coffee she said, "No. I can't take money from an artist." I was touched.
Seeing her again yesterday made me realize just how great I have it. I have shelter, food, money, a loving family, caring friends, good health. What more could I want? Well, I want to not be dealing with my current stressful situation. But I can handle it. Could I handle sleeping in the park every night? Could I handle going to the soup kitchen for meals? Could I handle not knowing what the day will bring, or the next, or the next? I'm not sure I could.
I didn't have a lot of time to spend with her yesterday so I told her I had to get back to work but before we parted ways she gave me a magazine subscription insert for a publication called American Craft that she had read at the library one day. She said she had thought of me and was hoping to see me again to tell me about it. It was so sweet.
This is why I make my art. This is how I give to others. It doesn't matter if I know them or not. It doesn't matter if I meet them or not. I doesn't matter if I never know how my work affects people. It just matters that it's there for everyone and anyone to enjoy. This is why I am an artist.
I'm Sure You've Heard This One Before of the Day:
I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.
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