Sitting with squirrels

Memorable Moments at Burning Man 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 04:25:00 +0000

EGO - Watching somebody (who shall remain nameless) stand by the road for 15 minutes hollering at girls, trying unsuccessfully to get them to come to the camp party. Then showing off by telling him I'll take care of it, and then promptly getting a hot Aussie girl to come with us in a few seconds.

AWE - Looking up at the full moon and seeing a halo, a perfect circle, around the moon. And wondering how fucking awesome must that art camp be that made that! ;)

LOSS - Writing about Lana on the temple wall "We could have been here together, but now I have to let you go".

PEACE - Sunrise on Tuesday morning, standing by a burn barrel, watching as the sky lightened up gradually with uneven streaks of orange flame.

ACCEPTANCE - Cuddling with a lawyer girl from Oakland, and listening to her story of how she contracted herpes, and feeling nothing but love and compassion for her vulnerability.

NAUGHTY - Sneaking a peek at Chloe's nipples through her dress. Wonder why, since there were a ton of other naked girls around.

MANLY - Talking to the guys at 5.30am in camp about the other girls, and which ones we fancied. And then realizing that one of the girls was wide awake the whole time.

What I'm Here For

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:15:00 +0000

I was talking to this dude at Burning Man. He wasn't very much fun, kinda one track mind in his conversational ability. But he did say something that made me think. He said, I lived in the Mojave desert for years and I'm not here for the art or the parties, I just come to take care of people (from dehydration etc).

Made me think... What am I here for?

I'm not here for the art. The art is cool and all, but I'm not a super artsy kinda guy, and art 24x7 is a little much.

I'm not here for the alcohol or the parties. I drink less in a week at Burning Man than I do on a normal weekend night.

I'm here for the people. I'm here for the awesome sense of humanity that pervades the place. The sense that you're all just connected, and everyone is your friend, your brother, your sister.

My second burn had less of an immediate impact than my first. But it did give me more clarity about what I want, and that can't possibly be anything less than a great thing!

Twitter Update - Sun Aug 30

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

13:38 - Gone to Burning Man, 3.30 and F, Playa International. See you back on Sep 8!

Twitter Update - Fri Aug 28

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

01:36 - We've got the last cooler and the inflatable pool. I think that's it for our burning man shopping list! YEAH BABY!
13:30 - Suddenly, both Scot and Dennis are going to Burning Man after all. It's gonna be one helluva great year!

Twitter Update - Thu Aug 27

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

00:48 - Time exists in terms of "how long till burning man". I'm at 3.30 @ Fossil with Playa International, next to Barbie Death Village. And you?
16:52 - I am now the AA-GG (Asian Ass-Grabbing Guy) according to Nicole. Diggin' it!
18:52 - Happy hour at Yield (3rd St at 22nd). Good wine, awesome pimpin' food. Don't call me, just show up!

Twitter Update - Wed Aug 26

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

14:38 - Enjoyed a few hours of bliss at the cuddle party last night. Whew, I needed it!
21:46 - Cool "mum" thing I overheard last night - I'm going to spoil <son's name> and fold his laundry for him. Very sweetly moving!

Twitter Update - Mon Aug 24

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

14:04 - I fucked up, and now I feel really shitty about it. :( I guess that makes me human.
14:21 - I fucked up, I felt really shitty about it, but since I can't take it back, I apologized and now I see some humor in it thanks to Mandana.
22:40 - Gender-balanced singles cuddle party in SF at 7pm tomorrow (Tue). I need a date (gal, duh!) cos it's gender balanced. Anyone? Hit me up!

Twitter Update - Sun Aug 23

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

04:08 - A man cannot possibly ask for more awesomer friends than I've had tonight. Thanks to everyone who came out. Even you Sean.

Twitter Update - Sat Aug 22

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

02:35 - Alexandra Kosteniuk (aka @chessqueen) is so damn hot, esp in this Russian vogue article http://is.gd/2thDQ
13:20 - Tough choice! LOL RT @darsky bridesmaid in my bff's wedding 2day - but both the 49ers & the giants play @ 5pm-ish & the reception is @ 6pm.
19:28 - I can almost smell the playa dust! http://is.gd/2uigc One last swanky party then a week in the desert at Burning Man starting next weekend!

Twitter Update - Fri Aug 21

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

00:05 - Looking for a quality babysitter in SF. Not for me (duh), for my friend with 2 kids. Hit me up!

Twitter Update - Wed Aug 19

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

01:03 - Food food food! I'm (probably) going! http://www.sfstreetfoodfest.com/ Anyone interested in forming a food posse for this event?

Twitter Update - Tue Aug 18

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

01:49 - My dress up swanky pre-burning man party - http://is.gd/2mvq3 Just another excuse to look good while doing baaad things ;)

Twitter Update - Mon Aug 17

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

04:19 - Watching Robin Hood, Men In Tights http://is.gd/2i1M7 - definite oldie but goodie! Maybe I'll bust out The Princess Bride next.
00:27 - It's settled! I'll be camping at 3.30 and Fossil with Playa International, right next to Barbie Death Village. See y'all on the playa!
17:38 - Got a friend who needs a 2-week apartment sublet ASAP. Anyone...?

Twitter Update - Thu Aug 13

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

01:17 - Just reacquainted myself with the trucker's hitch, much needed knot for tying down stuff (and people?!) at burning man http://is.gd/2ePy2

Twitter Update - Wed Aug 12

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

13:37 - RT @JetBlue All-You-Can-Jet pass: a month of unlimited travel for $599! http://bit.ly/JetPass
17:47 - Funniest Burning Man story I've heard in a while - http://blog.burningman.com/?p=4575
22:50 - Had a great chill dinner with Erin. Got me thinking abt my boundaries, about tension, about touch, and a zillion other things.

Twitter Update - Tue Aug 11

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

00:03 - Sucking at chess over the last week. Gonna take it as a sign that I should ease up on chess for a bit and play Starcraft. PROTOSS ASSEMBLE!

Twitter Update - Sun Aug 9

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

01:41 - Enjoying my mile-long walk home. Peaceful. Loving it!
18:02 - Just got some bomb-ass gear for burning man. Can't wait to test it out in real life!
12:36 - Hungry. Time to hunt for food. Then costume shopping with Vince/Matt @ Haight, and manly movie evening (GI Joe!) That's the plan folks!

Twitter Update - Mon Aug 3

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

03:26 - Today is quite an emotionally charged day for me... Wanna write Decker an email, but dont know what to say. Also gonna miss Ai.

Twitter Update - Sat Aug 1

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 06:59:00 +0000

22:26 - Seven Sins party at Dan's place... Those of you guys who aren't going (tho it sucks to be you heh heh) ... have a great weekend!

Twitter Update - Thu Jul 30

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:59:00 +0000

14:22 - I'm not kidding with this one. Your iphone could be hacked. And here's how to (kinda) prevent it... http://is.gd/1UXRE
23:43 - Hungry at 11.45pm. What's open for food? I'll head down to the Mission for a quesadilla or maybe Chinatown for noodles or... cook!?

Twitter Update - Wed Jul 29

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:59:00 +0000

17:06 - Apple vs Google - Google removes Apple.com from search listings. Too funny! http://is.gd/1Tra3

Twitter Update - Tue Jul 28

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 06:59:00 +0000

14:26 - Cool ninja movie trailer Ninja Assassin http://is.gd/1RC5a How could you not love ninjas???

Twitter Update - Mon Jul 27

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 06:59:00 +0000

16:12 - All you geeky types out there (eg me) will love this! Party Like A Sysadmin party, DNA Lounge, SF, 7/29 6pm - http://is.gd/1PtO8
16:41 - Virginia the Blind Dog - a dog lover's tear jerker! I wonder about Rover, Debbie, Dixie, Fluffy etc in doggie heaven? http://is.gd/1Pvks

Twitter Update - Sun Jul 26

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:59:00 +0000

12:46 - Hunting for fur and fabric for custom burning man playa finery at the haight.

Twitter Update - Thu Jul 23

noreply@blogger.com (Derek L.) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:59:00 +0000

00:14 - Ideas for activities to do? So far - classes @ community college, salsa/blues dance, acroyoga, martial arts, chess club, wine tasting. Help?