Friends and more

Last night I ventured out to a Beach Burn in El Segundo organized by a group of local burners. I heard about it on tribe.net, a site I've been checking out since coming back from Burning Man. I didn't know anyone that was going, but I figured that since I didn't have any other plans for the night I had nothing to lose.

The people were welcoming, and it was nice to sit out on the beach and just chill for a while. There was an interesting array of characters that showed up, ranging from vegan raw food enthusiasts to drugged-out cougars in playa wear to middle aged techies.

I didn't have an instant connection with anyone, but it was good to get out and meet new people even though it put me a little out of my comfort zone.

I'm nervous and excited for the upcoming weekend adventure to SF. So many people to see, so little time. It'll be interesting to see how everything unfolds.

A life less ordinary

I just realized it's practically October. Where the hell did this year go?

I'm heading up to the Bay Area on the 5th for the weekend. Not sure if I'm forcing something that's not there or not worth it; my sister warns me that people can be completely different in real life compared to how they are on the Playa. I figure I have to go and see, though.

Goals for fall:
- Get finances in order
- Make friends outside of work
- Get out of South Bay more often and explore LA

Burning like a virgin

Words can't describe... but I'll try, anyway.

It was beautiful and overwhelming and tacky and obscene. I ended up not spending too much time with the boys I drove out with; They're my friends and all, but we were there to do different things. Luckily, I hooked up with a camp just down the street who were awesome and welcoming.

It was amazing to see the capacity that people have when they really invest themselves in something. Yes, the whole event did seem a little bit like Disneyland, and yes, there did seem to be a lot of vapid people just looking to party. Despite all that, I still loved it. At times it was all a little too much, but there were moments last weekend that I wouldn't trade the world for. I don't want to sound too unhinged-hippie-new-age-crazy, but there were points when I was completely content and relaxed, and simply myself. No pretense, no faking, no trying to be what others want. Just me. It was amazing.

A purple moon and rainbow fire. Incredible.

Since coming back, I've been reflecting a lot and thinking about where I am right now with relation to where I want to be. LA has suddenly lost it's shine, hopefully that's just a temporary over-dramatization, though. One thing's for sure, certain people I've met down here are not the type of people I need right now. It's not a matter of who is good and who is bad or who is right and who is wrong, it's a matter of who fits with what I need. Suddenly, I find myself missing the Bay Area like never before.

Before I left, I had planned on this being my only Burning Man trip- I would put in a ton of time and money this year, go, and then I would have "done" it. Now that I've been there, I'm already thinking and planning for next year. Only 357 days to go...