Adventures with the BurningMan Power Elite! [this is a multi-part, text-y thing. It will be interesting only if you love or hate BurningMan] If you've arrived in the middle, go back to the beginning. NOTE: throughout this series, marian's writing looks like this. My writing to her looks like this. And my commentary added here, on these pages, looks like this. [I start by quoting marian] you "mis-interpreted" the issue. AND, your treatment of me via email makes me DAMNED glad you won't ever put a finger in my mouth. I am sure I'd experience pain, for which you'd feel pleasure. Hey, if i was a sadist, i'd write for network tv. I interpreted your writing differently than you did, which doesn't mandate that I misinterpreted it. Open your mind a little, it hurts at first but then it feels good. I mean, I listen to everything you have to say, even though we disagree. Try it. [I said that, knowing it would never happen.] I don't really recall doing anying that warrants abuse. Then you dismissed my comments unread! They weren't abuse, but they *were* pointed, in the interest of brevity. I sincerely wonder if you "get" what's going on at Burning Man if you must be unkind on email. Your capacity for hypocrisy is second to none, considering your tone toward me. Do you "get" what's going on? Again, the issue has much to do with money and manpower as anything else. We are working on population issues and plan to deal with the Friday and Sat influx in the future. Now, THAT'S a good idea. Seriously. 2 days before the burn, don't let any more people in. I LIKE it. Like I tried to explain, possibly poorly, the spectators are (mostly) the ones you're cleaning up after. This may be a great way to keep 'em to a minimum. [see, I'm struggling to be positive!] I am one of the "folks in charge" and have NOT been: "blinded by the limelight". There is NO limelight in what I do, no power, no fame, or FUCKING fortune. I work my fucking ass off at the event, and work my fucking ass off all year long. I am currently in fucking reno making sure the event happens next year because we need to submit the permit NOW, we need to negotiate the proposed year-2000 $500,000 fee from the fucking US government down to a reasonable level (closer to the $67,000 we paid this year), and am talking to wilderness conservationists who don't want us to move the site (which we intend to). I am doing this so you can play at my event for free. I do NOT deserve your assinine remarks I've never intimated that you don't work hard. I've stated explicitly that your organization has changed its focus. 'Asinine' has one s. [A spelling correction is one of my favorite ways to annoy.] I'm not indicting anyone, I'm expressing my opinion based on what I've read/seen from YOU, the folks in charge. Judging by the latest JRS (I used to get 2, now I only get 1), I'm not the only one with this opinion. You didn't even give me credit for the quote. There's another example of EXACTLY the duality I find so amusing & frustrating- it's all community and love and cooperation, but when faced w/ criticism, you assert yourself by calling BM *YOUR* event? Which is it? Is it a big community, or is it YOUR EVENT? From what i see, it's whichever is convenient to you at the moment. Tickets started at $65 last year. It's your fault that it occurred to you to buy one in August when the price was $100. We spent NO money on the Decompression party, it pays for itself, and has nothing to do with "event staff". People ask to volunteer, and we appreciate their contribution. You're right. I wouldn't be any more likely to pay $65 than $100, though. My refusal to pay is a gesture of contempt. I do appreciate your clarification of the party's funding. Who funded it this year, a software firm? whew! For a while I was afraid bm was being commodified. [another quality jab- I already knew a software co. funded the party but wanted to deride yet another level of hypocrisy.] I'm sure you didn't read the newsletter which gave a good idea of where the money goes. I'm sure you didn't see the sheriff's and you didn't need a fucking Tylenol from the medical tent...if you had, you'd know where some of the money goes. How are you sure of these things? Are you stalking me? And did I see the sheriff's what? Or did you mean plural of sheriff? [overt ridicule, followed by a grammar correction- very effective!] You are ironic...not wanting to pay for a ticket, but suggesting we throw money at the clean up...which money? the money you allowed others to contribute? Yes, that money. The money you solicited to cover the cost of planning, promotion & cleanup. Less spectators would mean less cleanup, but you're not gonna give up those tix sales, are you? I mean, if a fraternity called you & ordered 45 tix, and made arrangements to pick them up the night of the burn, you'd take their money, wouldn't you? Of COURSE you would. Then fucking clean up after them. And apologize to the PARTICIPANTS (who read JRS) for asking US to do it while you're at a party. You have a VERY warped view on what it means to WORK for Burning Man, don't you? Have you ever thought of volunteering? From what I gather you are one of the bigger "spectators" I've ever come across. As far as I can tell you don't contribute one fucking element to the event. Oh right, you clean up your own little mess. Thanks, by the way. I have no idea what it's like. It's not MY event, remember? It's YOUR event, according to you. You're completely unqualified to call me a spectator- for that reason, it's pretty amusing. sticks-n-stones, baby. Your'e welcome to formulate as ignorant an opinion as you like. Yes. I would ask the person who broke the window to fix it. I can't believe you imagine that I wouldn't. Sounds like you've broken a lot of windows, and gotton away with it. You have some issues with responsibility don't you? Yeah, I broke ass 8yrs in college to get a job performing microsurgery and prescribing drugs, as a primary healthcare provider, because I have issues with responsibility. You're killing me! please try to think of better jabs to take at me, so I can at least take them seriously. [more pointed ridicule. she asked for it.] EXCUSE ME? WHAT KIND OF IDIOT ARE YOU? now you're being unkind. [drumroll please] maybe you just don't "get" what we're doing in the desert... (tongue planted in cheek). Additionally, I take on a HELL of a lot more responsibility for this event than you do.... I hope so, since it's YOUR event. You said so. I work extremely hard in case you wondered. I've never said otherwise. BM is an amazing event. Even when I hate it, I like it. It would be wrong to say that if you guys didn't do it, someone else would. For that I applaud you. [See? I can be nice, and I meant what I said.] Yes, there are growing pains. We learn every year, that's what makes it interesting. Try to learn from criticism. I'm not the most tactful person in town, but my opinions didn't just sprout out of my ass one day. They come from 3 years of planning & creating activities to be enjoyed by everyone on the playa, and reading JRS. You know nothing about leadership or community. How do you know? I'm telling you, pick better insults. After your unkind treatment why the FUCK (your favorite word, thank you) would I even care what the hell you have to say. Criticism is not cruelty. If you refuse to take a peek at what i have to say, it's your loss. You don't contribute to the event. wrong. You don't volunteer. You don't pay for a ticket. right. YOU, SIR, are a freeloader, and NOT a member of the Burning Man community. Empty, unfounded condemnations. If I sent you a check for $100, and apologized for criticizing the organizers, would I be a member? I'm uninterested in buying your acceptance. Is THAT what BM comes down to? I can be part of the community by PAYING? ick. [I called her on the carpet with cold facts- BM is all about money these days, and the only reson she decided to insult me is b/c she doesn't have my hundred bucks. Maybe if I gave her the money she would be my friend?] Whatever you have to say, can only be drivel based on absolutely no experience with Burning Man the experiement in temporary community. How insightful you are, to know this without LOOKING at what I have to say! Why not use your clairvoyance to end war & famine, or at least buy some smart stocks? Quit wasting your stellar talent by reading my mind. Jack Rabbit will speak just fine without you listening. I still listen [I wanted to make it clear that I was still reading, since she quoted me w/o citation in a JRS written after she 'unsubscribed' me]. Depsite our difference of opinion, I am still interested in what you have to say. who knows? if you guys acted responsibly this year, I'd GLADLY pay for a ticket. I've done it before. Although taking a few jabs at marian, I'm also clearly trying to establish a dialog to discuss things intelligently. It didn't work... She sends me this!