What i want for Xmas

Now, I'm not a big fan of Christmas, not since I resigned into atheism. But I like the idea of Yule or Saturnalia, or even Xmas.
This time of year was originally a celebration of survival. Yule is about the Holly king triumphant over the old oak king and the march of time. Holly is the revered plant here because it stays green throught the year. Heck, that's where the pine tree thing came from.

The Saturnalia was less about survival, but rather about a really good party, it was so popular that the celebrated day of the Christ's birth was moved to this time of the year. Most likely, the bible was hinting at the nativity happening in June, but there really is little proof. It was when the christians tried stuffing Jesus into this time of year that things got weird. they messed it up so bad that Christmas was officially cancelled... twice. It took a whole new country and a pretty baron calendar to get the ball rolling. The new US needed holidays and what better way to snub the red coats than to re-institute a celebration that they had cancelled.

Xmas, as we celebrate it today, has only been around for about 100 years. And much of the timmings have only been around 50 years. It is not a religeous holiday, it's secular, national, and all ours.

So, what I want for Xmas? Xmas. Not Christ-mass, Not Yule, not the Saturnalia, not Hanukkah, or any of these other religious holidays. i want a time of the year when people can be decent, and good, and giving to each other BECAUSE they feel like being decent, and good and giving to each other. Not because of obligations, or some dusty book, but ... just because.

but you probably didn't read this to hear my philosophy, you want a list, so here's my annual list, with a wide variety depending on your capability and desire:
- I'd like the troups out of Iraq, and back home by the 25th.
- I'd like the world to stop hating me because of my president.
- I'd like my new website to work as advertised, and not require clumsy work-arounds.
- I'd like a bank that takes money from me without calling it a "courtesy."
- I'm so jonesin for a video iPod... :)
- I'd like everyone who reads this to get up and go hug someone... right now... just because... I'll wait.
- I'd like my old Apple II Extended keyboard to work with my new mac.
- I'd like more fire people to read, and really try to follow the NAFAA guidelines.
- Okay, you're back, good, now I could use a hug too...
- I'd like to give my mother a red-headed grandchild before she dies.
- As long as we're at that one, I'd like a kid before I die... :P
- I'd like to finally put this sword in a sheath (long story, ask sometime)
- I'd like a good deal on a deisel car (I want to convert it to triple fuel)
- but most of all, I'd like a muse for my fire performance.

Three stages

There are three definable stages to every human endevour:
1) getting there
2) remembering Why you're there
3) wanting to be there once you've arrived.

My appologies

When that Bear on the TV told me that only *I* could prevent forest fires, I had no idea that he was so serious. The recent wildfires are a resulft of me getting super busy at work and having no time for forestry work. Sorry.

Hey, at least you know I won't be slacking off, playing video games.... apparantly I'll have to invent the next one before I can play it... :)

Goodbye TV.....

Well, at least goodbye cable. I pay a bunch of money for a high-speed internet connection so that I can have Internet Phone service (all North American and some other major cities free). And now I use it to get what I want out of cable... without the stupid commercials, and I get to keep a copy without playing with the VHS.

How, you might ask? Bit torrent. That's how. I downloaded a couple of different applications, chose the best for me (Tomato torrent seemd to be the best choice. Then go to a "portal" to find available downloads, like this one and you're golden.

I discovered all of this in my frustration at only ever seeing half of the Malcolm in the middle burningman episode, then missing it on re-run. I started searching around for a copy and came across a portal. The cool thing about Torrenting is that 1) it's all done in the background, so you don't need to worry about it meesing with your mail and 2) it works on a b-tree distribution schema. Whenever you download, you automatically start uploading the same file to anyone else that needs the parts you have. the Trackers give preference to uploaders, so if you're uploading more than you download, the trackers will bump you up in priority for faster dowloads. It's terribly cool.

It takes about 6 hours for new shows to pop up in the trackers, which isn't bad for recording, editing, re-encoding, and uploading to a server. I get the Daily show and colbert report by the next afternoon and I don't have to pay $60 a month for the priviledge.

Now, i know what you're gonna say... Hey, what will the cable companies do if everyone drops off and starts downloading? i'll tell you what they'll do, they'll start "competing" against this new media and start offering smaller packages with no waste shows. The FCC mandates that small cable packages (pretty much broadcast only) MUST be offered and at a set fee (no more than $20 a month), but I donn't know ANYONE who gets away with that little. We face a monopoly. Time to start throwing raindrops at the mountian....

Go, look for your favorite shows now. you don't need to replace your cable, maybe you just want something that isn't in rotation....

Star Trek vs. Star Wars

Thu, October 5, 2006 - 11:38 AM

Long has this question plagued the minds of geeks. And I have two answers, both of which have settled the arguement for me. First, the low-brow shoot out you've been waiting for.

Next is an article by David Brin that successfully put into words the feelings in my heart. Faithfully and completely replicated from Salon.com because I think it's worth duplication and dissemination.

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"Star Wars" despots vs.
"Star Trek" populists

Why is George Lucas peddling an elitist, anti-democratic agenda under the guise of escapist fun?

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By David Brin

June 15, 1999

"But there's probably no better form of government than a good despot."
-- George Lucas (New York Times interview, March 1999)

Well, I boycotted "Episode I: The Phantom Menace" -- for an entire week.

Why? What's to boycott? Isn't "Star Wars" good old fashioned sci-fi? Harmless fun? Some people call it "eye candy" -- a chance to drop back into childhood and punt your adult cares away for two hours, dwelling in a lavish universe where good and evil are vividly drawn, without all the inconvenient counterpoint distinctions that clutter daily life.

Got a problem? Cleave it with a light saber! Wouldn't you love -- just once in your life -- to dive a fast little ship into your worst enemy's stronghold and set off a chain reaction, blowing up the whole megillah from within its rotten core while you streak away to safety at the speed of light? (It's such a nifty notion that it happens in three out of four "Star Wars" flicks.)

Anyway, I make a good living writing science-fiction novels and movies. So "Star Wars" ought to be a great busman's holiday, right?

One of the problems with so-called light entertainment today is that somehow, amid all the gaudy special effects, people tend to lose track of simple things, like story and meaning. They stop noticing the moral lessons the director is trying to push. Yet these things matter.

By now it's grown clear that George Lucas has an agenda, one that he takes very seriously. After four "Star Wars" films, alarm bells should have gone off, even among those who don't look for morals in movies. When the chief feature distinguishing "good" from "evil" is how pretty the characters are, it's a clue that maybe the whole saga deserves a second look.

Just what bill of goods are we being sold, between the frames?

Elites have an inherent right to arbitrary rule; common citizens needn't be consulted. They may only choose which elite to follow.
"Good" elites should act on their subjective whims, without evidence, argument or accountability.
Any amount of sin can be forgiven if you are important enough.
True leaders are born. It's genetic. The right to rule is inherited.
Justified human emotions can turn a good person evil.
That is just the beginning of a long list of "moral" lessons relentlessly pushed by "Star Wars." Lessons that starkly differentiate this saga from others that seem superficially similar, like "Star Trek." (We'll take a much closer look at some stark divergences between these two sci-fi universes below.)

Above all, I never cared for the whole Nietzschian Übermensch thing: the notion -- pervading a great many myths and legends -- that a good yarn has to be about demigods who are bigger, badder and better than normal folk by several orders of magnitude. It's an ancient storytelling tradition based on abiding contempt for the masses -- one that I find odious in the works of A.E. Van Vogt, E.E. Smith, L. Ron Hubbard and wherever you witness slanlike super-beings deciding the fate of billions without ever pausing to consider their wishes.

Wow, you say. If I feel that strongly about this, why just a week-long boycott? Why see the latest "Star Wars" film at all?

Because I am forced to admit that demigod tales resonate deeply in the human heart.

Before moving on to the fun stuff, will you bear with me while we get serious for a little while?

In "The Hero With a Thousand Faces," Joseph Campbell showed how a particular, rhythmic storytelling technique was used in almost every ancient and pre-modern culture, depicting protagonists and antagonists with certain consistent motives and character traits, a pattern that transcended boundaries of language and culture. In these classic tales, the hero begins reluctant, yet signs and portents foretell his pre-ordained greatness. He receives dire warnings and sage wisdom from a mentor, acquires quirky-but-faithful companions, faces a series of steepening crises, explores the pit of his own fears and emerges triumphant to bring some boon/talisman/victory home to his admiring tribe/people/nation.

By offering valuable insights into this revered storytelling tradition, Joseph Campbell did indeed shed light on common spiritual traits that seem shared by all human beings. And I'll be the first to admit it's a superb formula -- one that I've used at times in my own stories and novels.

Alas, Campbell only highlighted positive traits, completely ignoring a much darker side -- such as how easily this standard fable-template was co-opted by kings, priests and tyrants, extolling the all-importance of elites who tower over common women and men. Or the implication that we must always adhere to variations on a single story, a single theme, repeating the same prescribed plot outline over and over again. Those who praise Joseph Campbell seem to perceive this uniformity as cause for rejoicing -- but it isn't. Playing a large part in the tragic miring of our spirit, demigod myths helped reinforce sameness and changelessness for millennia, transfixing people in nearly every culture, from Gilgamesh all the way to comic book super heroes.

It is essential to understand the radical departure taken by genuine science fiction, which comes from a diametrically opposite literary tradition -- a new kind of storytelling that often rebels against those very same archetypes Campbell venerated. An upstart belief in progress, egalitarianism, positive-sum games -- and the slim but real possibility of decent human institutions.

And a compulsive questioning of rules! Authors like Greg Bear, John Brunner, Alice Sheldon, Frederik Pohl and Philip K. Dick always looked on any prescriptive storytelling formula as a direct challenge -- a dare. This explains why science fiction has never been much welcomed at either extreme of the literary spectrum -- comic books and "high literature."

Comics treat their superheroes with reverent awe, as demigods were depicted in the Iliad. But a true science fiction author who wrote about Superman would have earthling scientists ask the handsome Man of Steel for blood samples (even if it means scraping with a super fingernail) in order to study his puissant powers, and maybe bottle them for everyone.

As for the literary elite, postmodernists despise science fiction because of the word "science," while their older colleagues -- steeped in Aristotle's "Poetics" -- find anathema the underlying assumption behind most high-quality SF: the bold assertion that there are no "eternal human verities." Things change, and change can be fascinating. Moreover, our children might outgrow us! They may become better, or learn from our mistakes and not repeat them. And if they don't learn, that could be a riveting tragedy far exceeding Aristotle's cramped and myopic definition. "On the Beach," "Soylent Green" and "1984" plumbed frightening depths. "Brave New World," "The Screwfly Solution" and "Fahrenheit 451" posed worrying questions. In contrast, "Oedipus Rex" is about as interesting as watching a hooked fish thrash futilely at the end of a line. You just want to put the poor doomed King of Thebes out of his misery -- and find a way to punish his tormentors.

This truly is a different point of view, in direct opposition to older, elitist creeds that preached passivity and awe in nearly every culture, where a storyteller's chief job was to flatter the oligarchic patrons who fed him. Imagine Achilles refusing to accept his ordained destiny, taking up his sword and hunting down the Fates, demanding that they give him both a long life and a glorious one! Picture Odysseus telling both Agamemnon and Poseidon to go chase themselves, then heading off to join Daedalus in a garage start-up company, mass producing wheeled and winged horses so that mortals could swoop about the land and air, like gods -- the way common folk do today. Even if they fail, and jealous Olympians crush them, what a tale it would be.

This storytelling style was rarely seen till a few generations ago, when aristocrats lost some of their power to punish irreverence. Even now, the new perspective remains shaky -- and many find it less romantic, too. How many dramas reflexively depict scientists as "mad"? How few modern films ever show American institutions functioning well enough to bother fixing them? No wonder George Lucas publicly yearns for the pomp of mighty kings over the drab accountability of presidents. Many share his belief that things might be a whole lot more vivid without all the endless, dreary argument and negotiating that make up such a large part of modern life.

If only someone would take command. A leader.

Some people say, why look for deep lessons in harmless, escapist entertainment?

Others earnestly hold that the moral health of a civilization can be traced in its popular culture.

In the modern era, we tend to feel ideas aren't inherently toxic. Yet who can deny that people -- especially children -- will be swayed if a message is repeated often enough? It's when a "lesson" gets reiterated relentlessly that even skeptics should sit up and take notice.

The moral messages in "Star Wars" aren't just window dressing. Speeches and lectures drench every film. They represent an agenda.

Can we learn more about the "Star Wars" worldview by comparing George Lucas' space-adventure epic to its chief competitor -- "Star Trek?"

The differences at first seem superficial. One saga has an air force motif (tiny fighters) while the other appears naval. In "Star Trek," the big ship is heroic and the cooperative effort required to maintain it is depicted as honorable. Indeed, "Star Trek" sees technology as useful and essentially friendly -- if at times also dangerous. Education is a great emancipator of the humble (e.g. Starfleet Academy). Futuristic institutions are basically good-natured (the Federation), though of course one must fight outbreaks of incompetence and corruption. Professionalism is respected, lesser characters make a difference and henchmen often become brave whistle-blowers -- as they do in America today.

In "Star Trek," when authorities are defied, it is in order to overcome their mistakes or expose particular villains, not to portray all institutions as inherently hopeless. Good cops sometimes come when you call for help. Ironically, this image fosters useful criticism of authority, because it suggests that any of us can gain access to our flawed institutions, if we are determined enough -- and perhaps even fix them with fierce tools of citizenship.

By contrast, the oppressed "rebels" in "Star Wars" have no recourse in law or markets or science or democracy. They can only choose sides in a civil war between two wings of the same genetically superior royal family. They may not meddle or criticize. As Homeric spear-carriers, it's not their job.

In teaching us how to distinguish good from evil, Lucas prescribes judging by looks: Villains wear Nazi helmets. They hiss and leer, or have red-glowing eyes, like in a Ralph Bakshi cartoon. On the other hand, "Star Trek" tales often warn against judging a book by its cover -- a message you'll also find in the films of Steven Spielberg, whose spunky everyman characters delight in reversing expectations and asking irksome questions.

Above all, "Star Trek" generally depicts heroes who are only about 10 times as brilliant, noble and heroic as a normal person, prevailing through cooperation and wit, rather than because of some inherited godlike transcendent greatness. Characters who do achieve godlike powers are subjected to ruthless scrutiny. In other words, "Trek" is a prototypically American dream, entranced by notions of human improvement and a progress that lifts all. Gene Roddenberry's vision loves heroes, but it breaks away from the elitist tradition of princes and wizards who rule by divine or mystical right.

By contrast, these are the only heroes in the "Star Wars" universe.

Yes, "Trek" can at times seem preachy, or turgidly politically correct. For example, every species has to mate with every other one, interbreeding with almost compulsive abandon. The only male heroes who are allowed any testosterone are Klingons, because cultural diversity outweighs sexual correctness. (In other words, it's OK for them to be macho 'cause it is "their way.") "Star Trek" television episodes often devolved into soap operas. Many of the movies were very badly written. Nevertheless, "Trek" tries to grapple with genuine issues, giving complex voices even to its villains and asking hard questions about pitfalls we may face while groping for tomorrow. Anyway, when it comes to portraying human destiny, where would you rather live, assuming you'll be a normal citizen and no demigod? In Roddenberry's Federation? Or Lucas' Empire?

Lucas defends his elitist view, telling the New York Times, "That's sort of why I say a benevolent despot is the ideal ruler. He can actually get things done. The idea that power corrupts is very true and it's a big human who can get past that."

In other words a royal figure or demigod, anointed by fate. (Like a billionaire moviemaker?)

Lucas often says we are a sad culture, bereft of the confidence or inspiration that strong leaders can provide. And yet, aren't we the very same culture that produced George Lucas and gave him so many opportunities? The same society that raised all those brilliant experts for him to hire -- boldly creative folks who pour both individual inspiration and cooperative skill into his films? A culture that defies the old homogenizing impulse by worshipping eccentricity, with unprecedented hunger for the different, new or strange? It what way can such a civilization be said to lack confidence?

In historical fact, all of history's despots, combined, never managed to "get things done" as well as this rambunctious, self-critical civilization of free and sovereign citizens, who have finally broken free of worshipping a ruling class and begun thinking for themselves. Democracy can seem frustrating and messy at times, but it delivers.

Having said all that, let me again acknowledge that "Star Wars" harks to an old and very, very deeply human archetype. Those who listened to Homer recite the "Iliad" by a campfire knew great drama. Achilles could slay a thousand with the sweep of a hand -- as Darth Vader murders billions with the press of a button -- but none of those casualties matters next to the personal saga of a great one. The slaughtered victims are mere minions. Extras, without families or hopes to worry about shattering. Spear-carriers. Only the demigod's personal drama is important.

Thus few protest the apotheosis of Darth Vader -- nee Anakin Skywalker -- in "Return of the Jedi."

To put it in perspective, let's imagine that the United States and its allies managed to capture Adolf Hitler at the end of the Second World War, putting him on trial for war crimes. The prosecution spends months listing all the horrors done at his behest. Then it is the turn of Hitler's defense attorney, who rises and utters just one sentence:

"But, your honors ... Adolf did save the life of his own son!"

Gasp! The prosecutors blanch in chagrin. "We didn't know that! Of course all charges should be dismissed at once!"

The allies then throw a big parade for Hitler, down the avenues of Nuremberg.

It may sound silly, but that's exactly the lesson taught by "Return of the Jedi," wherein Darth Vader is forgiven all his sins, because he saved the life of his own son.

How many of us have argued late at night over the philosophical conundrum -- "Would you go back in time and kill Hitler as a boy, if given a chance?" It's a genuine moral puzzler, with many possible ethical answers. Still, most people, however they ultimately respond, would admit being tempted to say yes, if only to save millions of Hitler's victims.

And yet, in "The Phantom Menace," Lucas wants us to gush with warm feelings toward a cute blond little boy who will later grow up to murder the population of Earth many times over? While we're at it, why not bring out the Hitler family album, so we may croon over pictures of adorable little Adolf and marvel over his childhood exploits! He, too, was innocent till he turned to the "dark side," so by all means let us adore him.

To his credit, Lucas does not try to excuse this macabre joke by saying, "It's only a movie." Rather, he holds up his saga like an agonized Greek tragedy worthy of "Oedipus" -- an epic tale of a fallen hero, trapped by hubris and fate. But if that were true, wouldn't "Star Wars" by now have given us a better-than-caricature view of the Dark Side? Heroes and villains would not be distinguished by mere prettiness; the moral quandaries would not come from a comic book.

Don't swallow it. The apotheosis of a mass murderer is exactly what it seems. We should find it chilling.

Remember the final scene in "Return of the Jedi," when Luke gazes into a fire to see Obi-Wan, Yoda and Vader, smiling in the flames? I found myself hoping it was Jedi Hell, for the amount of pain those three unleashed on their galaxy, and for all the damned lies they told. But that's me. I'm a rebel against Homer and Achilles and that whole tradition. At heart, some of you are, too.

This isn't just a one-time distinction. It marks the main boundary between real, literate, humanistic science fiction -- or speculative fiction -- and most of the movie "sci-fi" you see nowadays.

The difference isn't really about complexity, childishness, scientific naiveté or haughty prose stylization. I like a good action scene as well as the next guy, and can forgive technical gaffes if the story is way cool! The films of Robert Zemeckis take joy in everything, from rock 'n' roll to some deep scientific paradox, feeding both the child and the adult within. Meanwhile, noir tales like "Gattaca" and "The 13th Floor" relish dark stylization while exploring real ideas. Good SF has range.

No, the underlying difference is that one tradition revels in elites, while the other rebels against them. In the genuine science-fiction worldview, demigods aren't easily forgiven lies and murder. Contempt for the masses is passé. There may be heroes -- even great ones -- but in the long run we'll improve together, or not at all. (See my note on the Enlightenment, Romanticism and science fiction.)

That kind of myth does sell. Yet, even after rebelling against the Homeric archetype for generations, we children of Pericles, Ben Franklin and H.G. Wells remain a minority. So much so that Lucas can appropriate our hand-created tropes and symbols -- our beloved starships and robots -- for his own ends and get credited for originality.

As I mentioned earlier, the mythology of conformity and demigod-worship pervades the highest levels of today's intelligentsia, and helps explain why so many postmodernist English literature professors despise real science fiction. When Joseph Campbell prescribed that writers should adhere slavishly to a hackneyed plot outline that preached submission for ages, he was lionized by Bill Moyers and countless others for his warm and fuzzy "human insight."

Indeed, his perceptions were compassionate and illuminating! Still, a frank discussion or debate might have been more useful than Campbell's sunny monologue. As in the old fable about a golden-haired king, no one dared point to the bright ruler's dark shadow, or his long trail of bloody footprints.

I admit we face an uphill battle winning most people over to a more progressive, egalitarian worldview, along with stirring dreams that focus on genuine problems and heroes, not demigods. Meanwhile, Lucas knows his mythos appeals to human nature at a deep and ancient level.

Hell, it appeals to part of my nature! Which is why I knew I'd cave in and see "The Phantom Menace," after my symbolic one-week boycott expired. In fact, let me confess that I adored the second film in the series, "The Empire Strikes Back." Despite Yoda's kitschy pseudo-zen, one could easily suspend disbelief and wait to see what the Jedi philosophy had to say. Millions became keyed up to find out, at long last, why Obi-Wan and Yoda lied like weasels to Luke Skywalker. Meanwhile, the script sizzled with originality, good dialogue and relentlessly compelling characters. The action was dynamite ... and even logical! Common folk got almost as much chance to be heroic as the demigods. Clichés were few and terrific surprises abounded. There were fine foreshadowings, promising more marvels in sequels. It was simply a great movie. Homeric but great.

You already know what I think of what came next. But worshipping Darth Vader only scratches the surface. The biggest moral flaw in the "Star Wars" universe is one point that Lucas stresses over and over again, through the voice of his all-wise guru character, Yoda.

Let's see if I get this right. Fear makes you angry and anger makes you evil, right?

Now I'll concede at once that fear has been a major motivator of intolerance in human history. I can picture knightly adepts being taught to control fear and anger, as we saw credibly in "The Empire Strikes Back." Calmness makes you a better warrior and prevents mistakes. Persistent wrath can cloud judgment. That part is completely believable.

But then, in "Return of the Jedi," Lucas takes this basic wisdom and perverts it, saying -- "If you get angry -- even at injustice and murder -- it will automatically and immediately transform you into an unalloyedly evil person! All of your opinions and political beliefs will suddenly and magically reverse. Every loyalty will be forsaken and your friends won't be able to draw you back. You will instantly join your sworn enemy as his close pal or apprentice. All because you let yourself get angry at his crimes."

Uh, say what? Could you repeat that again, slowly?

In other words, getting angry at Adolf Hitler will cause you to rush right out and join the Nazi Party? Excuse me, George. Could you come up with a single example of that happening? Ever?

That contention is, in itself, a pretty darn evil thing to preach. Above all, it is just plain dumb.

It raises a question that someone should have asked a long time ago. Who the heck nominated George Lucas to preach sick, popcorn morality at our children? If it's "only a movie," why is he working so hard to fill his films with this crap?

I think it's time to choose, people. This saga is not just another expression of the Homeric archetype, extolling old hierarchies of princes, wizards and demigods. By making its centerpiece the romanticization of a mass murderer, "Star Wars" has sunk far lower. It is unworthy of our attention, our enthusiasm -- or our civilization.

Lucas himself gives a clue when he says, "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away."

Right on. "Star Wars" belongs to our dark past. A long, tyrannical epoch of fear, illogic, despotism and demagoguery that our ancestors struggled desperately to overcome, and that we are at last starting to emerge from, aided by the scientific and egalitarian spirit that Lucas openly despises. A spirit we must encourage in our children, if they are to have any chance at all.

I don't expect to win this argument any time soon. As Joseph Campbell rightly pointed out, the ways of our ancestors tug at the soul with a resonance many find romantically appealing, even irresistible. Some cannot put the fairy tale down and move on to more mature fare. Not yet at least. Ah well.

But over the long haul, history is on my side. Because the course of human destiny won't be defined in the past. It will be decided in our future.

That's my bailiwick, though it truly belongs to all of you. To all of us.

The future is where our posterity will thrive.
salon.com | June 15, 1999



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About the writer
Several of David Brin's novels, such as "The Postman" and "The Uplift War," have been New York Times Bestsellers and won Hugo, Nebula and Library awards. His 1989 ecological thriller, "Earth," foreshadowed global warming, cyberwarfare and the World Wide Web. In his 1998 nonfiction book -- "The Transparent Society: Will Technology Force Us to Choose Between Freedom and Privacy?" -- Brin deals with a range of unexpected threats and opportunities facing our wired society.

Fire at the Skies

FLAME EFFECTS ARE A GO AT DARK SKIES!
As of 8:30 am on Thursday, Clark County Fire Department has approved fire performers at Dark Skies. This means fire spinners, breathers, and others are allowed to perform at this event. WHAT IS NOT PERMTED: Compressed gasses, that means NO PROPANE. Sorry. We had hoped to get that but it just didn’t happen. We are also getting approved for aerial fireworks during our icon burn on Saturday night. Do not bring any of this stuff, only our pre approved shot schedule is going to go up on Saturday night. (and it’s gonna be awesome!) We greatly appreciate the communities support and understanding. This has been a major challenge but hopefully we are on the right track to becoming one of the west coasts premiere legal fire events. Hope to see you all on Roach Lake this weekend.

[From Cameron]

- But I still need a lift.

Darker skies

Okay, not only is it looking grim to get propane and fire performance okayed for dark skies, but it's looking like I may not go.

My ride options are very limited and all "iffy". If anyone is looking to carry a freak to Primm, please let me know.

Microwave Tip

Actually this is two tips in one.
I was taught, some time back, that if you have a dinner roll or muffin that's too dry, you can put it in the microwave oven with a glass of water. Nuke for a minute and the roll softens right up.

I was boiling water for ramen when this little fact slipped into my mind. I looked inside the Microwave which had not been cleaned since before the pre-Burningman rush. I took a sponge to the various stains that would normally require a hammer and chisel to remove and to my surprise, they all wiped off! Every bit, every tomato sauce splatter, every soup overflow, everything came right off. It took a total of about 10 seconds to get the thing looking like new. Give it a try sometime. Just put a bowl of water in there and nuke it until it's steaming. Pull out the bowl and wipe down....

Well, I'm back, and my @$$ hurts....

...does that mean I had a good time?

Actually, I think I may have broken my Coccyx. I was trying to lower my hammock and failed a knot-tying roll. The hammock came down, and I sat in the dust having a "fuckin Meoowwww" moment. Now it hurts to sit in certain positions. Fortunately, the driving position isn't one of them, so the trip back was fine. I'm hoping this is just a well positioned bruise.

So, m-w I taught about 2 dozen people to breathe fire. Oddly, this made me feel like a part of burningman more than anything else. I may have to do it again...just for the kicks of it. But, of course I had ulterior motives, and the Ocean of fire finally had more than enough people to break the record. In the picture you see us just about to get the first real attempt off. That's me between the lines. It was a blast... heh.

Friday I got blitzed on some double strength margaritas, so I didn't get much done then. But burn night was awsome. I put the portion of our show where we pulled out the dragon here.
Watching the nearby FIRE TROUPES stop to watch was priceless....

Sunday, I got asked to help out with the temple burn again. Totally cool. I provided the 4 torches used to light it and got to light them with a fire ball. Nice to get appreciation.

Check the burningman site for pictures, all the ones I took are in my profile.

Final packing

Okay, so i managed to get my new bike working. So I'll be able to carry around my sound system as needed. But more importantly, I got it AND the 6 dragon pieces to cooperate inside the van. Now packing is just a matter of picking up everything in my apartment and stuffing it in and around those two.
Still have to do laundry, but I still plan to leave first thing tomorrow.

Never forget

Okie dokie, here'a wild idea that struck me recently.

There's a time theory which states that every choice, every decision creates a new timeline. This leads to near infinite timelines. However, this theory assumes -conscious- thought. Thus, no timelines were created until man came around, no? Silly.

My thinking is that EVERY decision creates a new reality. Conscious, subconsious, quantum, etc. decisions from every creature reflect a new reality. In fact, we might say that every moment of time is delineated by one of these events. Not just seconds, not nanoseconds, but every moment of time, down to the smallest possible unit (hehe, atomic time :).

Now, let's say that moving from one stream to an alternate stream is actually much easier than we ever imagined. Since each second produces a functional infinity of alternate universes or timelines sliding readily from one to another /could/ be easy since all the closest ones happen to be closely related to the decisions that we know to have been made.

Okay, now take into account that we have no idea why memory is faulty. For all practical purposes, the way we store memories should be perfect. Well, what if it is? I mean, what if we are able to perfectly store every memory we ever had? But, here's the hitch, every time you "forget" something, or remember incorrectly, it's actually that you come from a universe or timeline whare it actually happened differently.

Deja Vu? What if you actually did just experience that moment, and now you've shifted to a universe where it didn't happen the first time? Forgot a birthday? maybe your original universe didn't actually let you hear it? Ever had your whole perception of the world shift radically? Perhaps you just shifted to a place where the world is actually different.

If ya really want to have your head messed with, ask me about the secret of mirrors... :)

Big Bang bomb

Okay, I just figured this out and I need to get it written down. Something about the big bang theory has always bothered me, and there was something humanocentric about all these galaxies moving away from us, but not from each other.

But here's the final stake in the Heart. Okay, according to einsteins theory of relativity, 1) light moves at a constant rate, 2) the source of light emission can move at whatever speed it wants, the emitted light moves at the speed of light, period. Regardless of the velocity of the emitting source, the light wave is emitted in an unchanged state.

In order for us to see red shift via doppler, WE would have to be moving away from the lightwaves at the appropriate speeds. As illustrated in the image, it's impossible to move away from all sources in every direction. If the blue dot is us, and the red dots are the galaxies moving away from us the blue dot cannot move in a direction that could cause a red shift.

Further, the theory that galaxies are moving at velocities so incredible that they emission source is moving away from us sufficiently fast enough to produce the wave over an extended expanse of space has it's issues as well. The velocities needed to shift light would also create a noticable DIMINISHING of light within our observable attention span.. In short, Nearby galaxies would have to fade to the intensity of farther galaxies within the period of our observance, perhaps even within the measurment of a single evening's viewing. If they're moving away at 0.1 lightspeed the radiation sphere would be growing, relative to us at phenomenal rates, which would rapidly diminsh the avaliable light directed specifically at us.

The theories of red shift produced by gravity wells is entirely more plausible, though with disturbing consequenses to universal origin.

Cuddeback Shakedown

SoCal area burners:
A couple of us are organizing a little shakedown weekend. We
Have a few camp issues to work out so we thought we'd take
a weekend out in the most playa-like environnment that is readily
available: Cuddeback lake.

maps.google.com/maps

Bring your camps, art cars, DJs, whatever, and we can make a little
event of it. I'm sure a few of us can bring sound and fire... :)

Cuddeback lake is just north of the intersection of state highway 58
and interstate 395 (Kramer junction). The junction of those two
roads hosts a few gas stations, truck stops, and other facilities
guaranteeing close-by comfort if you need it. Just stop there and
ask for directions to the lake, it's pretty well marked. However, just to
make it easier to find each other, let's plan on the south side of the lake.

Little Armenia

So, Once again I find myself in a depressed area on the 4th. And, of course, there's a group of people just down the street lighting off illegal fireworks. Big group of kids. And, hey, whatcha know? I have another spinner with me so we can alternate spotting.

Yeah, I do it mostly because it's Independance day and I know the cops are too busy to deal with the likes of me. But I gotta say, I love doing these little street gigs. They don't expect it, they love it dearly, and this group even tipped.

Every time, there's the same elements: a gaggle of kids, a guy who thinks he's in charge of my show, a young stud with mad skills that "just wants to try it" and a concerned mom who must explain EVERYTHING about the act...even if it's wrong. The looks of fear and wonder, the amazement, and the joy. Throw in a few other studs too chicken to ask to borrow a staff, but need to know what fuel we're using and a few couples just enjoying the show and you got a great crowd.

Frankly it reminds me why I do it at all...

Piss Clear

Drink a whole, big thing of some nice clean water today. None of the 8oz crap, I mean you should be able to chug a lug.
Gettin ready for Burningman.....

Commercial Madness

I hate TV commercials... pretty much all of them.
I tolerate smart commercials better than others, and Jack in the Box has some good ones.
But, some advertisers go above and beyond when it comes to misleading info, or just plain stupidity.
Take the two Army commercials that are currently running:
#1 Dad and son are arguing about the son's entry into the Reserves
Son: "they'll train me around here until they need me"
Dad "Good training?"
Son "It's the ARMY..."
[Notice that the question does not get answered. In Truth, most army training has NO real world applicability]
#2 Son and Mom at the dining table, Mom notices expectant look on Son's face and asks about it...
Son "I found somebody to pay for me to go to College"
{First, this is incredibly stilted language that NO high school senior would use casually. Kinda like those Lawyer commercials when people casually mention getting 'monetary compensation' for their injuries}
But this line is also too long, Your brain cannot prosess it properly if you have even a touch of ADD. What you hear is:
"I found someone To Pay for...College."
It doesn't.
Look at it really closely. What the kid is saying is that the Army will give him bus fare to GET TO college. That's the entirety of the promise here. No tuition payments, no books or dorms, just a ride. Now, some people actually get their college paid for by the army. Many find that wringing their GI bill out of the government is a losing proposition.

And let's not forget that we ARE AT WAR! You enter the army, and you're not going to college, or even getting any training for upwards of a decade. Everyone that passes basic training is forgoing their AIT (Advanced indiv. training, like Engineering... you know... "Good Training") and getting shipped directly to Fallujah. Only those people who choose AITs that are currently in need, and qualify for them, are getting "good" training. And since you're not exiting until after Bush is well out of office (assuming the Repubs don't steal another election) A teenager entering now may well be my age before getting into college.

*sigh*

Yes, I had a bad Army experience. Yes, I felt betrayed by my training, my country, and the shady-ass contract they had me sign. Although, I know most of the reasons that people are volunteering now, I still weep for our youth.

Tagged

I was Tagged by Cody, heres the scoop.

RULES - Once you've been tagged, you have to write a blog with 8 facts/things/habits about yourself, saying who tagged you. In the end you need to choose the 6 people to be tagged and list their names. No tag backs.

1) I spent 2 years in High school as a professional clown and mime. I have a registered face with the International Clown Registry.
2) I was in theater from before Kindergarten until my Junior year in high school. Not a year of my life has been spent without performing on a stage.
3) I was an avid meditator for several years. My favortie game at the time was manipulating EEG machines.
4) Every member of my family that has died has chosen the time of their death. My heart has been stopped on a number of occasions, however none were permanent (twice I restarted on my own), which I attribute to not selecting that as -my- time.
5) I have had two verifiable telepathic experiences, and one autotelekinetic.
6) I was trained in Myocardial massage and accupressure. I'm told I have a "gift" for the latter, and a talent for the former.
7) While neither are crippling, I suffer from acrophobia and arachnophobia. [heights and spiders]
8) I've had one spiritual experience, I acted as a shaman and retreived a sick friend's totem.

Hmm, I guess Ill tag Dr Magma, Bellz, Gwen, Kiki, Paula, and Unkle Sarah

Fodder's day

Well, Father's day is coming up and, if you're like me, you're as far away as an overloaded Escort Wagon could carry you. But I still get him a gift, the kind you get when you live a half country away (a DVD player). However, for those of you who live close enough to get personal with a Dad, I think I've come across the perfect gift.

You see, I do a little side spinning with a burlesque troupe. They call me whenever they'll be at a fire friendly venue, but sometimes they overload the bill. This just happened and they asked if I could do the next one. I agreed but added a cupcake with a candle in it as part of my pay. When they asked why, I informed then it was my birthday. They said they'd do me one better and get me a special gift:

Boobies and whip cream.

Now, If you've got a lonely Dad, this just might perk him up for the rest of the year. And if your man is gettin that 7 year itch, this might shake things up. Heck they make 'em in a bunch of flavors now, and most still have a Nitrous carrier for a trip down blue lip lane. If you really want to get crazy, take him down to a strip club or ren faire with a can of whip cream, because permission to lick a strippers titties beats a bad tie any day.

Day of the devil

Okay, june 6th, 2006, or 6/6/06, the mark of the beast. I love that it's almost tongue in cheek to wave about the book of revelations. Ahh well...

If you're in california, you can express that most devilish of rights: voting.

If you're in the industry, you can see what promices to be a "meh" remake of a "meh" film: the Omen.

If you're a rational human being, it's Tuesday, just another Tuesday....

If your my friend Jim D, then you're turning 40 (born 6/6/66). Welcome to the club.

Banking issues, round 2

Okay, so, depite telling me that it wouldn't happen, it did. Wesom double bounced a transaction. This time, I got a really clear explanation of how things work:

You have $100 in your account (actual balance)
You charge 3 items to your account, each for $25 (3x$25=$75)
Available balance is now $25. [It takes a couple of days for some Visa transactions to hit]

Now, a $30 automatic bill payment (say, DPW or cable) hits your account.
They charge you a "courtesy pay" fee on the $30 despite having enough money to actually cover it.
The reasoning is that you have "reserved funds" set aside to pay the incoming $25 transactions.
Fine. It's reserved. Cool.

Now, One of the $25 transactions come in. And they charge you a courtesy pay fee for that too.
The theory is that there isn't enough money to cover ALL of the pending transactions ($48 left) so, the first one is the one that doesn't have enough money (they're still reserving money for the other two). And you get hit with another "courtesy pay" fee.

You see what's happening? They're charging you for having funds reserved for other transactions AND for fulfilling those transactions. This is completely dishonest. I may have to switch to a bank. These credit unions play way too shady.

Gone Mobile

Okay, so I broke down and bought a beater. I got a white 84 Cargo van (the one that's REALLY long) under the idea that if it beaks down, I still have storage space. But, I think my plans for Burningman have changed a bit. If I can get this thing ready for the trip, I may just have to cover it, inside and out, in glow fur, blacklights and xmas lights. It also has a towing package, so I have a lot more options now.

Frankly I'm just happy to be able to get groceries without calling a cab. :)

100 days...

to each man, the creator gives 100 perfect days....

100 days till the burn and I'm fully back up and running. Now I just need a car. :P

there are two bright sides to this latest ordeal. 1) I'm now back on the "same day delivery" list with my primary supplier. Apparently by moiving, I was dropped off that list. 2) I have entirely new lines from this computer to my DSL provider wihich should mean blazingly high speeds.

But now, I have 26 orders on the board, and I need to get kicking.

Incommunicado

Okay, so, Singularity went well, but my life since then has been rough. My car died before I got on the Highway. I've incurred a large number of bills involving the return to LA and will soon have repair issues to deal with.

But more than that, I got home to discover that my DSL was down, and it may continue to be a problem until this weekend. So, no internet, and because my phone is DSL based, no calls, no finances, no nothing. Because I couln't get online until today, my cell phone ran out of minutes, too.

In short, I'm hosed for a while. If you call, I probably won't have the resources to call back until after Memorial day. I'm trying to get business running, but I don't know when I'll have my ducks in a row again.

I'll post another blog when I'm back up and running.

Check you Grips day!

Okay, this wednesday is check your grips day. I found out that most people have wednesday spin jams, so we'll announce this one early.

For poi spinners, remember, leather grips can break without previous notice. If your leather grips have been "broken in" for quite a while, might be the time to replace them or at least give 'em some love. Kevlar and nylon grip users might want to go over their rigs and make sure they don't have any streaching or frayed bits.

But this day isn't just for poi spinners.... staff, sword, torch and flogger people all have some kind of grip area. Use this day to make sure they're in good condition, or re-wrap with tape, or whatever.

This is also a good day to finally sew your fire fingers into those gloves you bought (haven't bought yet? Try golf gloves...). If you've got something like fans ore palm torches that pinch, bind, or are loose, this is the day to grab some string and tape to get them fixed.

C'mon folks, Singularity this weekend, the SF fire arts expo next weekend, and let's face it, pretty much everywhere on the nothern hemisphere, the flowers are blooming. Let's make sure they don't meet a runaway wick...

An open letter to the DVD industry

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me...

When I got my first DVD player I went out and got DVDs as soon as they came out. Then, the expanded edition with widescreen and director commentary came out, then the delux edition with the "making of and PC extras disk". THEN, eventually, the boxed set with the whole series in a convenient packaging. *sigh* And you know I got more than one of them....

Now, i've stopped. I wait until the 10 year anniversay edition (which totally backfired with the Rocky Horror DVD, should have held out for the 25 year). I won't buy a first edition DVD no matter how bad I want it (right now, I'm waiting on the Firefly-Serenity boxed edition). And based on the declining DVD sales, I 'm betting I'm no the only jaded buyer out there.

So, here's the deal... We'll start buying first run DVDs again when you stop re-releasing them with a couple of added features. First run, full comentary, dual wide/full version with making of and such, with no re-releases except for the boxed series edition (BTW, I love the Jurrasic park boxed set). One version, one set, and we'll buy all you can make. Jerk us around, and watch a whole media type fall into disuse...

While we're at it, no more mandatory previews. I'd love to watch some upcoming previews before my movie....sometimes. I HATE being forced to watch them EVERY time I insert the disk. Damnit, I paid top dollar for a DVD that costs $1, packaging for $1 and residuals that run about $2. Keep it up and you'll start seeing product retuns.

Fool me once....

Hey Republicans!!!

Okay, many Republicans are confused why so many Democrats hate George Dubya, and try so hard to paint him evil. Well, the short answer is that you are defined by your enemies. Okay, A.D.D. NeoCons can take the compliment and run now...

What do I mean by that? Well, here it is.
1) Either GW got daddy to talk to some friends to orchestrate the 911 tragedy so that he could be a "war president" or he bungled the single greatest opportunity for real leadership any president has ever been served on a silver platter (including Pearl Harbor).
2) Either he manipulated events so that Haliburton could siphon off billions of taxpayer's dollars in Iraq to help line the coffin of his VP, or he actually "lost" THAT MUCH MONEY.
3) Either he actually was mis informed about WMDs or he REALLY though that Saddam was a threat and simply couldn't find them.
4) Either he let Osama go, or he's incompetant enough to let him run free for more than 4 years.
The list goes on.

Now, either the Democrats have aligned themselves against a mastermind that has manipulated world events in such a way that his family's coffers are lined for the next few generations, and their place as an oil superpower is secured for years to come...
... or they have aligned themselves against a bungling bone head who's lost a major US city, billions of dollars, the first budget surplus in decades, the faith of the worlds 5th largest economy, crashed the NASDAQ, and consistantly promoted people who have bungled their jobs even worse than he has.

If he's the evil mastermind, then the enemy that helps to define them is, at least, a worthy opponent. He matters. But if the greatest enemy you have, the one who has run roughshod over you for two terms is, in fact, the village idiot.... well, that doesn't say much for you, now does it? No. So, to maintain the slightest bit of pride, Democrats MUST paint Dubya as an evil mastermind, because the other option is too embarrasing to bear.

Oh, my back....

Here's some advice, if you ever get the chance to move into a 3rd floor walk-up, don't.

I type my first blog from the new location on Heliotrope. The DSL line came up this morning, so I'm fully "here" now. I'll still be brief, 'cuz there's lots left to do and a backlog of orders that's not getting any smaller, but I'd though I'd say Hi...

FV<& the president

Okay, Fox news is saying that the dow is at it's highest in 5 years. And it is... But notice that they're comparing bush to himself?
Dig this chart. Notice that both the Dow and the Nasdaq spiked about 2 days before his inaguration and plummeted until we went to war? There's a name for what comes next: depression. After we get out of any war, the economy shoots down below pre-war levels. So, the real issue is that the unbridaled prosperity we saw in the Clinton years (without a war), not only has ended, even reversed, but is doomed to be totally erased by the post war gloom.

Everybody, thank Mr president for putting the country in it's biggest fiancial crisis .... ever.

It's official...

Bearclaw and I have a new home. I just signed a contract for a cute little place near Melrose and the 101 (see map). My phone number will stay the same, and I have some time to move. The only real issue is access. Currently, there's no way to get in withut a key, so I'm looking into alternate entry systems.

I got one!!!!

Okie dokie, I am approved for a residence at Melrose and the 101. Not too far to move, and the place has a HUGE closet. But, in the end, it's a bit smaller than what I'm paying now, and it's a 3rd floor walk-up. I get to keep my phone number (YAYY!) but I live close to a known spammer. Ups and downs... wouldn't have it any other way... :)

Clock Ticking

Fortunately, the business has slowed down a bit, but I'm still going nuts finding a place. Apparantly I have some black mark on my record that is preventing some of the nicer places from letting me in, and the other options in my price range are quite a bit smaller than I'd like (20sq feet). I need a little luck in this department...soon.

You go where you're needed...

I was talking to a UHaul salesman over the phone trying to arrang a trailer hitch for my car. He suggested that We order it 2-3 day shipping, with a $30 up charge from ground (I do a lot of shipping, most of these numbers are in my head). Now, UhHaul only sells Draw-Tite hitches. They're the only ones with the broad range of selectablility to fit most US cars vans and trucks. (Subjective proof, wander through a few auto parts stores and see where they get theirs...). Anyway, the point is, I know that Arlinton Texas to LA is a 3 day ground ship.

So, I started to explain this to the salesman saying that, in fact most RV suppliers are in the southwest because in business, you go where you're needed. So even if this hitch wasn't a draw-tite, chances are, it would still be a three day or less ship, so there was no need for me to slip him the $30 he was trying to pry from me, as ground wold be the same.

Then I started thinking about the conversation. when I said, "you go where you're needed" I didn't realize that I could apply that to myself. The reno kids are a tight group, friendly, and capable of producing whatever they need. And franlkly, the area isn't expanding as fast as the coast is. I'm needed here.

This is where the laws are made. This is where the media focused and that lens could shine on us, or burn us. This is where my group, LAFC, is; and Inferno. This is a gemstone in the ring of fire. I need to be here....

...at least as long as Bush is in office. But that's another story...

Oh yeah.....

Now I remember why I hate moving. 4000 phone calls and the best options so far are directly adjacent to the local crack dealer. the other options are in Reno, where I kinda like the idea, but it means giving up a loft of the things I've built up over the last 10 years. Damn my gypsy instincts....:)

Seeking new Bear's Den

Bearclaw is in need of a new place. Our Hollywood location has no parking, little access and new landlords that are leaving much to be desired. Ideal location would be mid-city LA (around the 10 and LaBrea), maybe have a retail front, and be cheap. Living quarters a necessity.

Ahhh Wescom....

Okay, I've been having a lot of ...issues... with my old Credit Union, Kinecta. Finally I got off my duff and switched everything over to Wescom. Already I'm seeing a difference. Kinecta had this weird issue where it would charge me a bounce fee on incomming items that were more than available balance.

This one was hard for me, so, let's try it. You have $100 in your Kinecta account. You charge (not ATM) $60 in stuff, which immediately reduces your "available" balance, but not your actual funds. For the funds to get withdrawn takes upwards of two days. Okay. Now, another automatic charge (like cable bill or something) for $50. Since it's automatic and you have the actual funds, it doesn't bounce, but since your available funds are only $40, you get charged a bounce fee of another $25 which takes your available balance down to -$15 and your actual balance down to $25. Even if you replace the $50 the same day, you're still out the bounce fee, however, there's often a hold on deposited funds which means the original amount bounces too.

It was like the frickin BOA of Credit unions. Now that I've switched over to Wescome, they handle available balances the way their supposed to: if your avialable balance is too low, no user entered items will go through, however, so long as the Actual balance is sufficient, anything that hits your account goes through, regardless if funds are "reserved' for it. I'm gonna save buttloads of bounce fees with this switch.

For the Record

Wow, I really hate making my private e-mails public, but I'm catching some "light-hearted ribbing" about this whole Only in America thing. So let's straigten this up with the letter that I initially received from them and my responce:

On 12 Aug 2005, at 10:34 AM, todd schindler wrote:
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Hello:

My name is Todd Schindler and I work for the Discovery Times Channel (a
joint venture between Discovery Channel and The New York Times). As part of
our new documentary program "Only in America," we'll be attending Burning
Man this year and filming an episode of the show. The program features
Pulitzer Prize-winning NY Times journalist Charlie LeDuff as the host. At
Burning Man, Charlie will be living at a theme camp and participating in all
the goings-on of the camp.

We are hoping to get as well-rounded picture about what goes on at Burning
Man as possible -- and we are trying to get Charlie as involved in
participating as much as possible. I realize that it's late at this date,
but I was wondering if there was any space for beginners to participate with
your group during the festival (of course, Charlie can attend practices at
Burning Man).

Please let me know if we can work something out. I greatly appreciate your
help. (I have already sent an e-mail to Crimson at Burning Man to join the
Fire Conclave Announcement List).

Best,
Todd Schindler
Researcher
Discovery Times Channel

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
...and my responce
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-


todd, thank you for your interest, we look forward to seeing you on Wednesday nights.

This year, we will be providing 6 short choreographed pieces that people have been working on for months. In the interest of fairness and safety, the cutoff time for new entries was set some time ago. This insures that the people in our group are not only familiar with their routine, but with each other's routines. Cross familiarity is important as each group will be providing safety for another.

Naturally, you are welcome to practice with us at any time, and may apply again next year for LAFC. I suggest trying a little closer to the beginning of the calendar year next time. If you become a regular Burn Club attendee, the transition to the Fire Conclave will be smooth and simple.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
My responce was CC'ed to Crimson.

Later, we had a member drop out and I thought I might be able to register them (Discovery) as an official LAFC photographer, so that they could get a laminate and get better angles within the great circle. Attendance of the last two practices to get familiar with the routines and an LAFC safety course was a pre-requisite to this placement.

After talking to them on the phone, Todd brought up the idea of having charlie spin with Conclave. I tried to talk to Crimson about it. She was dealing with personal issues and asked that it take the whole thing to Andie.

I sent Todd and Andie a detailed letter of the requirements I would need filled before I would let him in. Specifically, competance with a tool, safety training for him and the crew, attendance to at least one meeting, and a harsh non-meeting schedule. Based on the depth of conversation included with THAT letter (Andie's first notice to my knowledge) I can see where she might have inferred that this idea originated with me. So, not her fault for thinking it did.

Andie sent back a note that didn't make a lot of sense, but had the effect of closing the entire plan down. This was *after* the second meeting (ie the final LAFC meeting) had passed, so it was a moot point anyway as I had no intention of letting Charlie in the great circle at that point anyway.

They still wanted to get off-playa footage with our fire troupe and interviewed most of the people in it before the event (notably, I was not among them). They also wanted to get in the Ocean of Fire (as Charlie had done some minimal fire breathing in the "circus" show). I told them that a full safety and breathing course would still be necessary before that would happen.

They did that. In fact, almost every bit of tape I shot ended up in the piece. Nick on the other hand (the tall, pretty guy with the mohawk) was followed around a week before the event, and most of the event, by their crew. How I got more face time in the final cut is still a mystery to me. I expected a short cameo during the Ocean of Fire sequence and little else.


Now, Here's my scorecard for my subjective experience with Discovery:
Initial politeness - A (they actually bothered to ask BM for permission to shoot)
- [Far better than Fox News who threatened Fireplay with a slander piece]
- [Far better than ABC who DID a slander piece without ever entering BM]
- [Far better than Malcolm and Simpsons who did not contact at all]
- [Better than dozens of 'documentarians' who shoot first, then ask]
General followthrough - C+ (some things done, others slacked)
- [A bit behind print media who says they're doing something and do it, fast]
- [On par with Fox about notifying us of filming and air dates]
- [Far better than ABC which gave no notification at all]
Fairness (subjective) - B (points off for the repeated drug references)
- [On par with the yearly documentary from experienced burner POV]
- [On par with the Malcom piece (though I only caught half)]
- [Far better than ABC slander piece, or Fox pushiness]
Completeness - B (strictly a newbie perspective)
- [Compare to Beyond Black Rock - little newbie POV]
- [On par with Malcolm's cartoonishly overdone peice]
- [note: cannot imagine a case that would warrant an A]
Citizenship:
- I told them they needed to practice to spin, they didn't, they understood.
- I told them they needed breathing lessons for OOF, they took them
- I told them which parts of the breathing training were not to be used, they weren't.
- I told them no mention of Bearclaw was to be used, none were.
- They asked people for inteviews.
- They were maticulous (around me) about asking before filming nudity.
- I told Charlie to be stone sober for breathing, he was.
Problems
- They started way too late
- They overtoned the drug thing a little.
- They obviously camped up or set up a couple of scenes
- Other than breathing, I think Charlie was pickled most of the time.
- He obviously missed the point that he wanted to throw eggs at the man while they were loading the pyro.

- Did I think he "got it?" No. Charlie is a combat seasoned journalist. He's got a pretty thick skin. I think he simply had a good vacation.
- Did I like the piece? Yes. In fact I was digging it right up until Twan called and I had to pause the TiVo for like 20 minutes. :) He called before I managed to see myself which is how I make the separation. After I hung up was when I showed up in the peice, and I still kinda liked it.
- Was the flower thing planned? No. That was the first time I had seen it and they recorded my genuine reaction to it.
- Was I advertising Inferno Inc? Yes, But not for Discovery. Many of the people who signed up for the Ocean came through Inferno Inc sources (like Courtney's email ads, for example). I wanted them to be able to spot me easier. Also, it seemed to be the appropriate thing for the evening. Besides, I wasn't really sure that the Discovery crew were even going to show up (note their grade on followthrough).
- Was the piece my idea? No.
- Did I support Discovery anyway? Yes. Discovery and History are my two favorite channels. And even if UPN had been the network, I probably would have given some support to a media outlet willing to be as upfront and fair about things as these guys were.
- So, am I against the SaveBRC movement? No, I just don't understand it. There are SO Many affronts to Burning man, so many unfair "documentaries" done without being as up front about it, so many BIG media appearances (like Malcolm) who don't donate or bother to provide final cut. This /was/ a documentary, it was /Charlie's Art/. Who are we to deny him? As for the media exposure, well, that's inevitable, why not get some good press while we can? It's not like anyone going to BM is expecting NOT to get filmed in some way.

LA terror?

OMG!!!!
Didja hear? Good ol' Dubya and his gang of Neocons are sayying that they stopped a terror attack on LA in 2002.

WOW! Thank gawd for that, I might've seen a terror strike. Now, i'm filled with pride, and I feel that the pressydent should be given nukular strike capability at will and the power to scan emails, google searches and phone calls, too. YAaaaayyyy....

While we're at it...
We should lojack everyone and get rid of money. We should enjoy-joy the new language suggestions that our double-plus leaders have provided. We should give Dubya a line item veto and elect him permanent wartime president. And of course, if we aint doing anything wrong, we should have no problem with them watching everything we do.... until we have a thought crime...

Call it a straw man arguement if you wish, but [censored]

For the Record....

I'm getting sick of even hearing the phrase "Intelligent Design". So, let's break this down.
The people who think the Theory of Intelligent Design is just as valid as the Theory of Evolution are basing their arguements on the single word: Theory.

Let's take a look at that.
- Selection is the process by which external forces give advantage to one or more creatures in a genetic pool (species) via the slight differences in their genetic makup. This is a definition.
- Natural Selection occurs from a variety of passive sources like food availablity, geography, etc. We can observe it take place each year when the next Flu virus gets produced in Asia. This is a fact.
- Intentional selection is when an intelligence (like man's) directs the process of selection. Every pet that is legal in the US and most farm animals in the world are a direct result of recorded Intentional Selection. This, too, is a fact.
- Evolution is the process of increasing the variety of life, increased number of species, and wider genetic variety, usually through a process of Natural Selection, mutation then selection, or intentional selection. This is a definition.
- The Theory of Evolution stated that these facts are what lead to the wild variety of plants and animals on the planet today through a very long process of evolution. It will remain a theory until we have the process available to collect the evidence to proove, without a doubt, that this was the case (probably time travel).
- All evidence available currently validates Evolution: fossil records, carbon dating, etc.

Intentional design says that God did it.
- There's not a shred of evidence to back up this theory.
- There is only one way to prove this theory: meet the Intelligence behind creation.

I.D. claims to be the only working theory other than Evolution and therefore should be taught side by side.
In his Hitchhiker's trilogy, Douglas adams provides several other theories, including one specific to earth. All of these are EXACTLY as valid as I.D. They should be taught too.

I know I'm preaching to the choir by now, but for a scientific theory to get that title, it must EARN it. Science does not bandy about word use the way the rest of the english speakers do. Intelligent Design, in scientific terms, is a hypothesis at best. Since it is not only unprovable, but is untestable, it shall be relegated to the embarassing annals of pseudo-science containing the Crystal spheres, Flat Earth theory, and the Subluminiferous Ether.

Take this friends... go, squash this little trend.

Media Whore

Okay, so i got a double whammy of media. First, the long awaited episode of Only in America will be aired on Feb 2nd at 8pm. This acquired a lot of attention because they wanted to imbed the star of the show with tthe fire conclave. Instead, they participated in the Ocean of Fire project and just did a lot of interviews of my troupe.

Next, two reporters called me within a week of each other to interview me for the LA Business Journal. I guess they were really hot to have me or something (though I privately blame some dumb error like a secretary giving a copy to the wrong person). Anyway, Bearclaw is featured in their Jan 23rd Edition, you can get a free peek here.

Thought for the day....

The Nurmburg laws of Racial separation in Nazi Germany that kept the Jews apart from the rest of the population were originally endorsed and promoted by...

The Jews.

They thought it would make their homeland more secure....

New Flamin Year

After pondering at length the issues that I've observed in many fire troupes, I think I see the true core of many of the problems involved.

Fire performers suffer from a crisis of perception. Ask any 5 performers why they spin and you'll get 8 answers. People tell you they love the art, the whooshing sound as the fire goes by, they think spinning is fun, they think it'll get them laid, they think it'll get them money, fame, respect, etc. And I'm certainly not one to say which theory is right. Perhaps each one (or two) is right for each person. But this is not where the crisis lies.

As fire performers we have the fairly unique performance attribute of being able to throw down, nearly anywhere, at the drop of the hat. Moreover, fire performers get that call to spin at a friend's birthday party, corp event, etc much more than actors, street performers, dancers or even jugglers and similar entertainers. So, for most performers, joining a troupe isn't necessary. All the fun, fame, respect, and such is attainable without the assistance of others.

So, why join a troupe? Once passed through the filter above, the reasons narrow severely: money and artistic expression that requires numbers (like choreography). Everything else could be readily achieved in a basic solo career, and even some money filters to the soloists; though most still goes to the troupes.

So, why is it that I hear in EVERY single troupe: "remember, we're supposed to be having fun..." Bull. We're supposed to be making money. If it were only about fun, you'd be at a party with people you know, chewing on a pacifier and hugging everyone in sight. Instead, you're sober as a judge, smellin' of fuel and getting all stressed about choreography.

This isn't to say that you can't have fun as a fire performer in a troupe. But you have to keep it in perspective. You don't join a fire troupe in-order-to-have-fun, you join a fire troupe instead of selling plasma because it's a more-fun way to get the cash, plus all those side benefits: fame, whooshing sounds, etc. You join a troupe instead of spinning solo because there are events you can cover that provide much more cash than spinning alone.

When a troupe is trying to build (or advance, or just maintain) a name, it has to deliver a good product, plus provide assurances that future products will be as good or better. This means adding things like safety, costuming, and such, to the basic spinner-on-a-stage scenario. It means following a code of conduct for certain events (like, no flyering the governor's birthday with rave notices), and consequences when they're broken.

I know, it's hard enough to reprimand friends. It's even harder to point out flammability flaws, sobriety rules, or safety issues to someone who taught you how to spin (or might as well have). But in order for a troupe to build or maintain a quality product (fire show), it must be ever diligent on these issues, it must have a code. That's how the successful acts in our community have been allowed to continue to perform, and how all of us have a chance.

If fire performance is 'all about the fun,' then a troupe has no incentive to maintain a quality product. As long as everyone gets their jollies, it's all good. But when you stop and realize that you're actually created a little business with a service product, then you know that there must be consequences for failing to keep the code. This code must be followed whether or not you're getting paid, even if your group's name isn't attached to the event.

Why? Because everything you do echoes back to the group. You spin for free at a small venue, but a producer for larger shows is there. If you jack around and deliver a sloppy show, your name goes down and you don't get that big show. If you spin alone and they find out you're with a troupe, it echoes again. Heck even things you don't do might reflect on you, like someone leaving a beer can in the green room. The promoter or stage manager might see it and you together and add things up.

Now, I know that anyone likely to read this is an adult, and probably has figured this out for themselves. But the real crisis comes in when we forget.
It's one thing to grab the NAFAA regs and say, "we'll follow these", but the first time you slam a beer before going on stage, is most likely to be that time you light your face on fire.

So, when you're making a resolution this year, be resolute. If you're going to put on the veneer of a code of ethics or safety, follow them. Don't just pay them lip service. Be sober, check your tools and costumes, make sure everyone your spinning with has done the same. And don't just do it when you have an accident, do it before, do it long after, do it when you see the color red.

Our crisis of perception? "oh, we've done this a million times before" If you do it a million times with safety and respect, then do it again without respect, without that one little safety rule, without being your best ... that's the time you've have an accident. If not now, soon. If not soon, then you can keep losing a little safety here, a little there... get it?