MonkeyBoy is off to the Desert this Morning

MonkeyBoy is off to the Desert this morning and he won't be back until Wednesday September 3rd

Black Forest Bar 2008 -

We love us some eggchairsteve, so this year we are camping with his crew at the Black Forest Bar. Eggchair is a graphic artist and we met because when I was making tshirt transfers and silkscreening he generously let me use his art. So through the years we have become good friends. So this year we got invited to camp with he and his friends Several of his campmates are neighbors from other camps that have joined his along the way and I think that bodes well for the fun factor in camp.

We will be at "The Wheel and 10" That is the outside of Center Camp. I think we will be across the street from the Explanade and 6:15. I will post a map as we get closer.

So come on by and have a drink.

Burners Without Borders Fundraiser Tonight

Hi Gang, Come out to the BWB fundraiser tonight night at House of Sheilds!

WHAT: Fundraiser benefiting the Pisco, Peru Reconstruction Project

WHERE: The House of Shields Saloon 39 New Montgomery St. San Francisco

WHEN: July 31, 8pm-Midnight Closing out with da FUNK!

COST: $15-20 Donation at the door

Thank you to Sellers Market and the House of Shields for donating finger foods.

BWB T-shirts and Hoodies will be available.

Come out and help us celebrate the successes of the Burners without Borders community this past year with San Francisco artists, Alorahset, Vow3l Movement, Megs and dr. booty (see bios below) who are generously donating their musical talents to this evening.

This is a great opportunity to show your support for this relentlessly creative community. And if you can't make it, please consider making a donation online at http://www.burnerswithoutborders.org/ under the Donate link.

What are we celebrating? August 15, 2008 marks the one year anniversary of the 8.0 earthquake that devastated the Pisco region of Peru and the final day of Burners Without Borders' incredibly successful nine month reconstruction program in Peru. The schools that are being built, the opportunities BWB has created for Peruvians to build permanent homes, and the hundreds of other projects volunteers have spearheaded have been realized by over 300 selfless volunteers who have graciously donated their time and energy to this amazing reconstruction effort.

But, none of this would have been possible without the support of YOU, the larger community, who has contributed over $80,000 thus far to BWB's reconstruction efforts in Peru. Visit http://www.burnerswithoutborders.org/ to see what we've been up to and how your hard earned money has been put to use.

Be sure to check out the BWB Blog to read about the projects through the words of the volunteers.

Band and DJ Bios

***Alorahset Alorahset is an experimental/indie/hip hop/idm project produced by Bay Area native, Matthew Miller. Alorahset has played with such acts as Flying Lotus, Machine Drum, Anasia, Flight Orchestra, and The Mess. Alorahset's eclectic sound ranges from danceable to moments of crescendos that push one to drift away in an ambient daze. Look for his first CD release, 'Good Morning Sunrise To You' coming soon. In the meantime, check him out at www.myspace.com/alorahset. When not working with Alorahset, can be found drumming for the bay area based alt post rock band Cloud Archive, and guitar and laptop for the dance-oriented electronic rock band, Newblue (www.myspace.com/thebandknownasnublue), as well as supporting non-profits doing important work like Burners without Borders.

***Vow3l Movement Bryan Von Reuter has been composing on and developing free opensource music software for about as long as the concept has existed. His music is rooted in the Amiga / Commodore64 chiptune scene of the mid 1990's. He is currently exploring the relationships of (and the space between) meticulously programmed sequences and spontaneous improvisational freakouts.

***dr booty doctor booty is a remix artist/dj on a mission of healing using the power of the Funk. through a combination of old school Funk tracks, newfangled mixing techniques, and live improvised keyboard parts, the doctor creates a sonic elixir designed to free the hearts, minds, and asses of soul seekers everywhere.

****Megs Meghan Rutigliano is an actress, comedienne and chanteuse and also a member of the Burners Without Borders community. She will deck the House of Shields out with her jazzy vocal stylings. Meg is a fabulous gorgeous girl and I can only hope I can stay up late enough to see her perform....

Bent - The movie

It is always interesting at our house, sometimes neither of us know how a movie gets on our Netflix list, but I assume I put it there. I have always had a compelling interest in homosexuality, tried it, not for me, but I have always been interested in "the closet" how one gets there, how one stays there, how it feels. But this closet is Berlin in 1934.

Beautifully acted, physically dark in spots and thus hard to make out the visuals at times (one of my 2 chronic complaints, tooo long, tooo dark). On the other hand, some scenes are very bright and obviously creating a contrast. The movie is engaging, thought provoking, not as painful as one might expect, and has one of the most sensual sex scenes I have ever seen.

Clive Owen is gorgeous, and did I forget to mention that Mick Jagger plays a drag queen.

Burning Man - New layout for 2008

So a few weeks ago I posted a copy of the 2008 Burning Man map with the Street Names. And most of you are aware that there has been a new design of the city. The Esplanade is further from the Man and thus bigger, and the camping space is thinner so there is more street frontage to camp on and those boring spots in the middle of each block have disappeared.

They say it better here:

2008 Black Rock City Plan Changes

Did you feel the squeeze in 2007? Well there are some BIG changes to our city this year! Remove 2007's three inner blocks -- Esplanade through "C" -- and you have our new Esplanade for 2008. After the Esplanade, the streets for 2008 run A-K. Since we've taken the three shortest concentric streets from the inside, we added two longer concentric roads at the back of the city. The distance from the Man to the Esplanade road is increasing from 2200 to 2700 feet, which also means the length of the Esplanade grows over 2500 feet longer than last year. See below to see a comparison against last year's plan. See you inBlack Rock City!

But I think that a picture is worth a thousand words and this representationreally shows you how different Black Rock City is going to be.

The comparison is set up two different ways:The Left side compares Center Camp 2007 and 2008, you can really see the size difference.

The Right side compares the distant from the Man to the Esplanade 2007 to 2008.

http://www.tribe.net/template/pub,PopPic.vm?picURL=http://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/cdd/ca2/cddca21d-43c0-4ec6-8a2b-2096b6468f17&altText=2607625123_eb84941382_o.png

So bring your bikes. It is ALL bigger and further apart.

The Man Build - June 2008

DSC03832, originally uploaded by visvadas.

MonkeyBoy was part of the Man Krew this year. They built the Man at the Ranch and then put him to sleep until mid-August.

THE MAN BURNS IN 35 DAYS!!

design: eggchairsteve

Stickers ordered...gettin' ready

Works Sucks!

Finding work VERY difficult right now. I want to quit but know I can't really afford to. Feeling picked on. I am too old for this shit. I really thought I would be such a grown up by now that no matter what was thrown at me I would be okay....ooops, didn't happen.

I'm Not There

I'm Not There, the film "about" using the term loosely, Bob Dyan, is non linear, and does not even replicate the protagonist's actual occupation in some spots. In one thread "Bobbie" is an actor married to a painter, in another, dating a socialite, someone Edie Sedgwickish, so it is a little disconcerting. Plenty of edge, fabulous acting, although it irritates me that the poster above does not include the black kid who represents his teens.

This is one you will have to judge for yourself.

The Dark Knight

We got tickets to a private screening of the Dark Knight (thanks Scott Beale/Laughing Squid). It was very cool, it was VERY dark, dark photography, dark performances, dark ambience. Heath Ledger was legendary, evil without being kitchy.

I found I was frustrated that the scenes were so dark that I could not always tell what was happening. My friend Dee suggests that it was all moving a little fast to be entirely sure what was going on.

So it broke all box office records and I hear people are going to see it again, adults, so perhaps it will attain some long term cult status.

So all in all a little too evil for my soul, but most of you will need to determine that for yourselves.

CALL FOR ENTRIES — wdydwyd exhibitBURNING MAN 2008 Deadline: July 31, 2008 Submit tagged "BM08" More info about submitting below
Answer “Why do you do what you do?” using text & imagery in a creative way.

http://www.polldaddy.com/survey.aspx?id=31aebae917e31ad4

Blogging from my iPhone. Our backyard

Obama Makes Three Point Shot

Voyage in Utopia - San Francisco Premiere

A beautiful film, produced and directed by a sweetheart, Laurent le Gall. Beautiful photography, beautiful production values.

The BRAF Pack

MonkeyBoy, Dusty and M2 at the after party at Cafe Flore. MonkeyBoy won his vest at the BRAF auction from GlowFur, a very generous contribution to the Black Rock Arts Foundation auction at the cocktails fundraiser. Thanks David http://www.glowfur.com/

Represent! photo: Scott London

Scott London's beautiful Burning Man photos were also a generous contribution to the BRAF auction. Thanks Scott. http://www.scottlondon.com/

Jen and I at the Afterparty
Jewel, MonkeyBoy and ActionGirl

That's ME

Current TV Gets Emmy Nomination for Burning Man Documentary

NEW APPROACHES TO NEWS & DOCUMENTARY PROGRAMMING: ARTS, LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

TV Free Burning Man

From the press release by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences: "Nominations for the 29th Annual News and Documentary Emmy® Awards were announced today by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). The News & Documentary Emmy® Awards will be presented on Monday, September 22 at a ceremony at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, located in the Time Warner Center in New York City. The event will be attended by more than 1000 television and new media industry executives, news and documentary producers and journalists. Emmy® Awards will be presented in 33 categories, including Breaking News, Investigative Reporting, Outstanding Interview, and Best Documentary, among others.

http://current.com/topics/76253382_tv_free_burning_man

We had a scare recently

MonkeyBoy got his prostate test back this week and the PSA was undetectable. YIPPEE!

The doctor had called a couple of months ago and said that he wanted MonkeyBoy to get a test every 4 months instead of six months, so it was a little scary....

YIPPEE!!!

MonkeyBoy off to the Desert - 2006

MonkeyBoy is leaving for the desert this am, in just a couple of hours.
Thu, August 3, 2006 - 6:37 AM


Comments
shekky
Thu, August 3, 2006 - 7:27 AM
lucky monkeyboy! look at that smile!

Armadillo
Thu, August 3, 2006 - 9:01 AM
Did you find a coat for your hunny bunny?

Jenni
Thu, August 3, 2006 - 9:13 AM
I've been the one to stay at home, out of touch for several weeks before heading off to the event, I know how you feel! However, I always find that I get so much more done when I'm not distracted, I hope you enjoy your freedom, and don't miss him too much!

.☆DIVA
Thu, August 3, 2006 - 9:17 AM
Oh, I'm so jealous!

affinity
Thu, August 3, 2006 - 9:52 AM
Thanks for your concern Jenny &Armadillo but it is fine with me as long as he is safe and having fun. I lived alone for a long time and also enjoy my alone time, if only to get the hand wash done... Armadillo: I did order a coat from Forplay but it has not come yet. I am worried about whether it will fit, although it said sz 14-16. Thanks for asking. I will post a report.

Quiet Girl.
Thu, August 3, 2006 - 10:01 AM
The Aftermath loves Monkeyboy!!! We'll take good care of him for you until you show up. Then we'll fawn over both of you for a couple of minutes until work takes over. See ya out there!

Lying Bare.
Thu, August 3, 2006 - 10:22 AM
Yeah, it's time! 22 more days for us.... Have a safe journey.. and enjoy the "quiet" in about 3 weeks all that hard work will be rewarded by a sense of pride and completion.... have a GREAT Playa time... see ya soon bare

Lura
Thu, August 3, 2006 - 10:29 AM
oh my! love the slippers!

Shine on Thursday - 2006

A good time was had by all www.flickr.com/photos/shinesf/194498000/
Fri, July 21, 2006 - 6:58 AM

Our sweet apartment is sold and the deal closed! YIPEE!!!

Lot's going on here....Love the new neighbors, even more liberal than we are if you can believe that.... Someone called me about a FULL time job but I love being part time and flexible...My prior boss who is now at Fidelity wants to use me as a contractor, MonkeyBoy signed his contract for the Playa yesterday... and we got the check for the sale of the apartment. I should be investing instead of bloggingggg. I keep thinking things are going to slow down, but that does not appear to be the case. I was concerned I would be weird about people in my old apartment since we live right nex door but it feels like their apartment, not ours. And they are very sweet. I love my life, I am stunned by the abundace that MonkeyBoy has helped me manifest just byfalling in love and choosing to buy an apartment. I don't know what the future will bring but I am grateful every day for being able to love someone, for being part of this edgy wild community, for having friends who love me without judgement, and for being able to make choices about work that are driven by what I want rather than what I have to do. I can't believe this hippy boy from a commune has brought such depth and breath to my life. Thank you MonkeyBoy
Tue, July 18, 2006 - 6:58 AM

Comments
Sunburn
Tue, July 18, 2006 - 9:36 AM
Congrats!!! the nervouse sweating is over... now comes the happy sweating...he he

Jenni
Tue, July 18, 2006 - 9:40 AM
hooray, I'm so glad to hear that you sound so happy and that we're all living in such fun and exciting times!

HunnyBunny
Tue, July 18, 2006 - 9:53 AM
Yay. This is excellent news indeed! I am so happy to hear the update. You've been on my mind lately. XO HunnyB.

.DIVA...
Tue, July 18, 2006 - 12:44 PM
Congratulations doll! That's just wonderful news!!!! It looks beautiful! *Big-Hugs!*

*Ali Baba...
Tue, July 18, 2006 - 6:29 PM
Awesome, congratulations!Fantastic, hooray! Very cool.

Moze
Sun, July 30, 2006 - 3:12 PM
Yay! You and Monkeyboy always brighten my life. You two are perfect for each other and I'm so lucky to have met y'all. Congrats on the apartment!

Best Burning Man Picnic Ever - 2006

Rooster, Hunny Bunny, Dan, Lyen and PartyRadar did a spectacular job with the picnic, the music was fabulous. Thanks for all your work. Here is a photo of PartyRadar and MonkeyBoy obviously having fun.
Fri, June 23, 2006 - 7:44 PM

Camping with Cafe Village This Year

Gadget is letting me use his art and I have added text for a camp silkscreen. Very excting, no what where when...
Fri, June 9, 2006 - 7:21 AM —

Okay, were having fun again!

Starting with Fire Arts, I was still tired, but I got to see Steve23 and Juicy (still thinking about you every day), a little short visit with Alibaba at PlayaInfo, an hello to Francis behind the bar, hey to our friend Carl and his Cousin with the cat, lots of time with the Other Robin who I am loving getting to know, some time with LadyBee, Curtis and his girlfriend, Rob and Sunset with a hello to Terry and Harley, Jewel was there, so a very social event, GREAT fire art. Then, a very quiet weekend, meeting with the potential buyers and I can't remember anything else but quiet and rain. Then this week MUCH better at work, My boss being very positive about my staying, Saw Art School Confidential, another meeting with the potential buyers and the other co-tenants, went well, one of my friends fussed at me about being up tight and I said, YOU ARE RIGHT!!! Time to stop worrying and just let it be...bar-B-QUE Sat. Party Sunday at Marie's had a great time, lost my cell phone,,,,no worries... some fabulous MonkeyBoy and Affinity time on Sunday morning...and a little bar-B-Q in our back yard on yesterday, such a beautiful day, with our fav neighbor and Burner Jane. Life is good.....Both MonkeyBoy and I are feeling much better, almost no coughing...and ...a short week. ahead!!!! How sweet is that!!
Tue, May 30, 2006 - 8:37 AM

Comments
steve23
Tue, May 30, 2006 - 11:32 AM
Look at that smile!I'm so glad to hear you and MonkeyBoy are doing well. Are you ready for another weekend of burning fun? On Friday evening the Flaming Lotus Girls are throwing a fundraiser at the Cracktory and then the Pre-Compression party on Satyrday night at the Pound. I hope to see you there - we'll be setting up a table to talk about the upcoming installation of the Passage in SF.

Lying Bare
Tue, May 30, 2006 - 2:13 PM
YEAH!!! YOU time... it's soooooo special... not to mention important..... I wanted to be at Fire Arts... but alas we were hiking the Montana Wilderness... not that I mind,,, but there are times I wish there were 2 of me so I could do all the things I want... just dont think the world is ready for 2 of me though... glad to hear things are good..... HUGS!!! Bare

photo: our friend Sowelu firedancing at Fire Arts

photo: Waldemar Horwat

Victory Garden at City Hall

Last year I had a chence to interview John Bela, who is part of REBAR, the artist's collective that first conceived of PARK(ing) Day. He was a delight, smart and commited to making the world mor walkable, greener, and this is his new project!

After 10 days of incredible action—sod removal, bed and ground preparation, installation of irrigation lines and fencing, the building of a fantastic soap box—the lawn in front of San Francisco’s City Hall was transformed into the Slow Food Nation Victory Garden. It was a perfect planting day as 150 volunteers helped moved nearly 4,000 plants into their new homes. Teams divided into zones with their leaders and peacefully planted lettuce, tomatoes, beans, herbs, flowers and so much more. Good thoughts and prayers (including those from the next-door religious meeting) were had by all. Together, we built a “garden of communities,” as Victory Garden Manager John Bela calls it.

Written By Naomi Starkman

photos: Scott Chernis

Voyage in Utopia This Friday at the Castro

What could be more fun than hanging out with a bunch of Burners and watching a Burning Man movie together, seeing your favorite art piece again on the big screen or getting to whoop and holler when someone you know shows up bigger than life in front of you?

In the fall of 2005, along came the San Francisco Sneak Preview of Beyond Black Rock. I was the Wedding Coordinator for Burning Man at that time and one of "my" couples who had gotten married on the Playa the year before came to town from Texas, they were excited to be here and we were thrilled to see them in their Playaglam wear. The "Mighty" was packed and you could almost smell the playa dust in the room.

So, while you are gearing up for Burning Man this year, come have an off-playa taste of Burning Man. Come join us at the gorgeous, 1922 Castro Theatre where we will be viewing Voyage in Utopia. The website has clips of the movie, and commentary about the film, check it out.


This is what they're saying about the film:

“Voyage in Utopia is a remarkable piece of story telling. It does what our event is said to do : it evokes the inexpressible, it invites imagination to inhabit the unknown”.
Larry Harvey, founder of Burning Man

“Lovely interpretation of who we are !”
Artist David Best, temple builder

“ I watched your film last night and was very moved. The cinematography is superb and the editing very intelligent. You really capture the feeling of being on the playa, the emotional drama, and what we're really all about in terms of the community and our principles. Bravo! ”
Christine Kristen aka LadyBee, Art Curator of Burning Man

“One of the best films about Burning Man I’ve ever seen!”
Andie Grace aka Actiongrl, Communications Manager of Burning Man

"Forget John Ford or better yet Sergio Leone, Laurent Le Gall's “Voyage in Utopia” captures le coeur of the real Wild West : The Good, The Bad and The Otherwordly in the Black Rock Desert. Giddy-up!"
Jane Sullivan Director, Santa Cruz Film Festival

French Filmmaker, Laurent le Galland, and artist and Temple Builder, David Best, will be introducing the film and will be available for Q and A after the screening.

"Burning Man: Voyage in Utopia"

Castro Theatre in San Francisco (429 Castro Street)

Friday, July 18, at 8:00pm

There are three ticket options:

Regular Admission
Film Premiere Screening and Discussion, 8pm - $10

VIP Reception:
with Film Maker Laurent le Gall & Artist David Best, 6-7:30pm in the theater mezzanine
Includes hosted bar, appetizers and reserved seating. Benefits the Black Rock Arts Foundation. - $75*

Host VIP Reception:
Includes all of the above plus premiere seating, Director & Artist-signed DVD, name ID at the venue) - $150*

*$50 of each VIP ticket sold benefits the Black Rock Arts Foundation and is tax deductible.

Tickets

After party at the Cafe Flore www.cafeflore.com/index.html

photo: Scott London

Slow Down

Apartment has had an offer, yippee, we like it we like them (which matters when you are going to be business partners....) Went on vacation came home with respiratory infection, (now MonkeyBoy has it) Yesterday i find out that my contracting job that I have had off and on for 4 years is probably going to end and they did not CHOOSE ME (I actually cried last night which is pretty unusual) Today headhunter tells me a similar position at another company, a lot more $ BUT a real job, none of the part time stuff....I love part time Our apartment is still a mess from moving because MonkeyBoy worked so hard on remodeling next door.... I NEED THINGS TO SLOW DOWN, IS THERE A WAY TO PUT ON THE BRAKES. I have been trying really hard to keep things simple, not make many social plans, my volunteering is almost done for the season, BUT it is still crazy, I know I have a great life and am very grateful to be so loved but I am taking suggestions for slowing down..... Maybe the Fire Arts festival will be as much fun as Decompression..
Tue, May 16, 2006 - 12:53 PM

Comments

HunnyBunny
Wed, May 17, 2006 - 12:52 PM
Wow, that's intense. A lot of big changes!

affinity
Wed, May 17, 2006 - 2:44 PM
I love the phot of you and Luke, very playful

Moze
Fri, May 19, 2006 - 7:56 PM
they're pretty stupid not to choose you. those bastards! Congrats on the apartment. Hope to see you at the Fire Arts Festival.

tessa
Thu, May 25, 2006 - 4:12 AM
hello!at nowhere this year, my friend santiago is putting on a "morning worship ritual to the great rollercoaster" - since at one point of his recent life, he was overcome with "the rollercoaster" and i kept getting phonecalls from him going "lordy, i just want it to stop". accompanied by stories of the next intense event. well, i asked him about putting on the brakes, and he read this post and said: She says "I need to slow down". If she knew about the rollercoaster, she wouldn't be taking personal responsibility for the whims and actions for the Great Rollercoaster. and so thats my work for you. i dont really have much idea about the rollercoaster, or the brakes, despite thinking about it. sorry you were both sick! lovelove

Washington DC

Well the best thing about DC was Armadillo and Edge and how they generous they were with their time and friends. The "called" a happy hour of the DC Burners and Soup and Abbey and their Burner neighbor (the dancer) came and then we had Thai food on Monday evening and Stiltwalker (the regional rep) and Penny joined us, AND THEN they included us in a dinner with their rocket science friends and we went to this funky outside bar near DuPont Circle. Wow.....I have included a photo of where we ate since I do not have a photo of any of us. So we did museum stuff most days and then had fun people to meet several evenings, what could be more fun than that. Thanks Armadillo and Edge for making this one of the most fun vacations I have ever had.....

DC Part 2

We saw the DADA exhibit at the National Art Gallery and I loved the anti war, anti art, pro anarchy politics, and I loved their use of text in their work. But my favorite was the Matisse's 4 bas relief 5' X 7' women, different levels of abstract, and enjoyed seeing some Grant Wood Mid-America paintings (American Gothic). So now I have a little chest cold and have had a full weekend of Burning Man trainings, and am tired, but happy to be home as always.... Here is Back IV....Sun, May 7, 2006 - 8:25 PM

Comments
Armadillo
Mon, May 8, 2006 - 6:27 PM
No, Thank You!Thank you for your gifts, especially the "business" cards! We had fun hanging with you!

Banzai!
Mon, May 8, 2006 - 9:05 PM
I am visiting my family in Alexandria right now!

Reconstructing t-shirt

In the spirit of the fat girls being able to participate in life I have been deconstructing t-shirts so I can wear them. Tonight is the BRAF movie and here is my t-shirt. Great fun, feels VERY productive to remake it. Still lots going on, volunteering for the Org, things weird at work (the life of a contractor) , having the floors sanded and revarnished in the apartment we are going to sell, getting ready to go to DC on holiday next week, get to see Edge and Armadillo and some folks from the regional who are having a fire dancing practice. Tessa is here, supposed to see her tomorrow, Sowelu is fire dancing at Union Square on friday evening.... the window guy comes to give us a quote to replace all the windows on our side of the building on Sat. moving a little fast, trying to not add things in but I need this t-shirt?
Wed, April 19, 2006 - 8:59 AM

Comments
Armadillo
Wed, April 19, 2006 - 9:09 AM
Be sure to bring the T-shirt, 'cause it's warm here in DC!

Jenni
Wed, April 19, 2006 - 11:13 AM
hooray Affinity, this shirt is awesome! Where did you learn about doing this, I have a t-shirt with a stain that I'd love to try to modify like this!

Quiet Girl...
Wed, April 19, 2006 - 11:16 AM
Have you heard of The Gossip? Beth Ditto, the vocalist, is of a similar body-type and makes all of her own clothes. Innovative and a beautiful bombshell dyke, she also has one of the strongest female voices in American music right now. www.wweek.com/story.php

Lying Bare...
Wed, April 19, 2006 - 12:05 PM
I Like it...... very attractive.... and fun..... have a great time... MwahhH!! bare

Ali Baba...
Wed, April 19, 2006 - 3:52 PM
Huzzah, it looks awesome! Very cool, congrats! Yay for remaking shirts!

My new look

Selling our Apartment - Part 1

March 2006

Okay this is very excting. We own 2 apartments and we are selling one, with the long term goal of moving off the 70 stairs with lousy parking. I have lived in the neighborhood since 1979, time for some change. So, MonkeyBoy and a couple of friends including the infamous Brook, who is hopefully having great sex and a drink on the beach in Mexico RIGHT NOW, are remodeling the apartment we are selling. The sink was the original 1915, scuzzy kitchen all around. It looks fabulous, what a ton of decisions and some not so pretty moments (frustration and dehydration sometimes create disagreements, bet you knew that). Then we wrote a flyer, since it is a tenants-in-common building the financing is very challenging. Then we showed it to 3 sets of people on Sunday. WooHOOO! Very exciting, very stressful, do we have it right, can we help the buyer understand the deal... So if none of these acquaintances are interested then we will hire a regular real estate broker and it will move to her purvue. But, in the meantime, there are real estate brokers in SF that are willing to do nothing but close the deal, at a deep discount if they do not list it with the Multiple Listing Services, etc. Selling my home is a little sad and makes me feel like a grown up. Another BIG adventure with the MonkeyBoy!!!!!

Comments
Jenni
Wed, March 29, 2006 - 12:51 PM
hooray, I've been hearing about this from Brook, I can't wait to see pictures!

Moze
Fri, March 31, 2006 - 10:54 PM
You landowner you. We're saving our pennies, up to 90K for a down payment, to buy into the market in SF.IF that's not enough, we've got a TIC couple we're checking out. Ah burgermeisters. It's the fucking monthly that's killing us. renting at 1100$ a month is SO nice. But we're hoping the market tanks. Good for you for selling right now. In 6 months, I think the bubble's gonna burst. Sell Sell!

Moze
Fri, March 31, 2006 - 10:55 PM
oh btw I'm so sick of giving my good for nothing landlord money. This place was paid off in the 70s.

affinity
Sat, April 1, 2006 - 10:26 AM
Being a renter

As you know Mozr I come from poor white trash, so not only had I been a renter my whole life but I had been evicted a lot with my Mom as a teenager. so when I got to about 40, and had passed the bar exam, and felt like I had worked hard to get where I was, but was not really successful in the business world, I went through a horrible time where I could just not figure out how anyone who worked as hard as I did could not buy a house. I would drive by people's house and think to myself, "they could buy a house, what is wrong with me that I can't" I lived in a little basement, low ceiling, damp, tiny apartment for 17 years, one year with the MonkeyBoy. So when MonkeyBoy and I were able to buy a place in a neighborhood I loved, in my favorite place in the world, I thought I was in heaven....it was very scarrrrry but wow, how exciting. So I wish you well on your journey to ownership. It has been a gift in our lives.

Getting Ready for Burning Man

This will be our 9th Burning Man. So some things we feel like we have mastered, although in this moment, nothing I can think of....but some things we feel like we could do better. MonkeyBoy had some blood tests several years ago, after having been on the desert for a month, and the only problem that showed up was that he was low on potassium. While I on the other hand have always struggled with the heat, and with getting older and being a "big" girl, makes dehydration pretty constant. So for the past couple of years we have been trying to improve that, and for me, doing that without adding sugar is a struggle.

So this year we are trying several new products. I like G2 which is the new Gatorade product that has about 1/2 as much sugar, and Gatorade Endurance which has 2 times as much potassium and sodium as regular Gatorade but our big revelation is Pedialyte. Pedialyte has less sugar, more than twice as much potassium, and more sodium than even the Gatorade Endurance, and we can use it as a little treat because it come in little popsicles....and the Gatorade site told us about it....

http://www.gatorade.com/products/beverage_comparison.pdf

We love that Gatorade and Gatorade Endurance come in powder form. I have some Emergen C left over from last year, so we will be using a little of this and a little of that to stay hydrated. Come on by and have a Pedialyte Pop, they're frozen, so how bad can they be on a hot day on the desert?

The Russell Boys

In the spirit of Andie's post, I am going to write about my family. One of the things that I have always loved is that my father had 5 or 6 brothers? and they were real hellraisers. I always heard stories about "when the Russell brothers come to town you better watch out, just like one of those western. and MY Dad was dirt poor but a dandy which I always thought was pretty interesting. So although the asshole routine was not always a gift in MY life I have always felt like I came by my rebel, eccentric behavior honestly.... My Mom on the other hand was the smart one in her family and I think it made her want a little more than was available in her dirt farmer upbringing. But that on the other hand did benefit my life and got me to college and law school from a poor white trash background.... So although Mom and Dad had mental and emotional problems in their 50ies and beyond they did inform my life and as MonkeyBoy would say, it got us to here.... In the spirit of my arbitrary post (wish i had a photo of the Russell brothers to include) here is a photo of MonkeyBoy and I assembling Gort on the Playa in 2004.


Comments
Ali Baba
Mon, March 27, 2006 - 11:39 PM
random comment: I love that you're wearing matching socks!And, I love the Russell brothers story. ;D "I have always felt like I came by my rebel, eccentric behavior honestly...." That is a great quote. :D My mom had two uncles that each owned a Harley dealership, in the 1950s and 60s, I believe. We should start a collection: Great rebel uncles of the mid-20thcentury.

Quiet Girl
Tue, March 28, 2006 - 12:29 AM
You're speaking my language. I was lucky to have grown up around 2 other girls (childhood friends -- my DPW documentary is dedicated to Regina, whose photo appears at the end) who had a background and desire to get the hell out the same as I did. Now that I've grown "up", there are lots of things about having a tough background that I appreciate, even as I'm breaking (and have broken) the shackles of the ones that pulled me down. Thanks for sharing.

Enameling the Tub

Okay so the guy is coming today to re-enamel the sink and tub. I have always been pretty interested in this (weird huh) like you can kind of paint it on rather than throw away (including moving it down 4 flights of stairs) the bathtub and sink. I can't help but like that. And our cleaning lady came yesterday and our house FEELS better. but I got my feelings hurt last night and felt dissed by my "team leader". so what, We went to Ritual Roastery and Glow and Aristotle were there and their friends what a bunch of sweeties. I love the diversity that Burning Man brings to our life and these kids "get us". HunnyBunny and Isabel and coming to help me silkscreen for the VCs next week. How fun is that???? just prattleing on a little....

Comments

HunnyBunny
Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to silkscreening.

glynda
Sat, March 25, 2006 - 1:08 PM
I, too, am fascinated with the enamel paint. They can do kitchen appliances, too... Also, you *know* that I *LOVE* the silkscreens that you do... I have two that I love & wear *all the time*... Sometimes, even just under what I'm regularly wearing, because the shirts feel a lot like love to me... Anyway, my question is: Should I bring a light shirt or a dark shirt? I'm sorry that your team lead dissed you and hurt your feelings... That super-sucks... Especially when you are suck a f&cking ROCK STAR!!!

affinity
Sat, March 25, 2006 - 6:38 PM
Shh it is a surprise....T=shirts, what t=shirts...

Ali Baba
Tue, March 28, 2006 - 12:41 AM
;P Huzzah for the reuse and reduce enamel solution.

Moze
Tue, April 11, 2006 - 11:41 AM
You'll always be my team leader!

affinity
Tue, April 11, 2006 - 1:14 PM
The first couple of times I saw the clock in LAdyBee's office, and sometimes rhinestones, I will say to the person, that is really cool, and then will realize I made it or did it for them,,,kind of funny.....

It's All About Me

Wed, March 22, 2006 - 11:08 AM

So I love it when I can say "I am the happiest I have ever been in my life". I have everything I want, my beloved with his asute way of living, good friends who want the world for me, comfort financialy, and home.

WOW but, I am completely stressed, the smallest thing knocks me off my equalibrium, my apartment is in disaray from moving, my job is dicey, I feel like I used up all my reserves from Tom's cancer (yipee for a cancer survivor but there are still repuscussions from all major surgeries) and now it was time for a break and we are selling our apartment and have moved, so what kind of a break is that. there are sawhorses between my bed and the bathroom, whine whine whine....

I can't seem to get ahead of my volunteer gig at Burning Man, several peers (old boyfriend, etc. have died in the last 3 years and one more one the way....)

I have for many years had it as a goal to make life look easy because mine is. I am not going to have to sell a child so the others can live. I can own property in my name (women still cannot own property is some places and couldn't 150 years ago in the good old U S of A.) I have great medical care and clean water and someone who knows how amazing I am and that I make his life better (can it get any better than that). I have always wanted to be the fat girl that was an example of life lived gracefully. I believe peace begins inward and radiates out, and the world benefits each day I am kind to myself and others.....

So, it's all about me. NOT.NOT. NOT. so I don't know what to say but I feel better writing this, thanks.

Comments
Andie
Wed, March 22, 2006 - 12:15 PM
You are a beautiful, conscious woman, and totally inspiring. Go Affinity Go!

Tony
Wed, March 22, 2006 - 11:15 PM
You're a reflector Affinity. Thank you for sharing your positive attitude.

Armadillo
Thu, March 23, 2006 - 6:04 AM
Thank You!I am going to print your words and carry them with me. These are words to live by!

tessa
Thu, March 23, 2006 - 11:04 AM
wow, check it out, you have a lot of female admirers affinity. and im one of them. i was reading this, and thinking maybe also you can take a break from how you wish you were thinking, and just let yourself feel shitty for a while. the big stuff is taking your energy, and the small stuff is annoying, and maybe that just needs to come out. maybe you can have a whine holiday. that can be your break. just get it out. i think you can have faith that letting it out wont deter you from your real goal of making life look easy. and if you ever wobble in that faith, im sure one of us will be happy to remind you how great you are, judging from these comments of appreciation. im writing this aware that its not really possible to make a comment thats necessarily accurate, im so far away from you, and the medium of email isnt the most expressive etcetc, so if the comment isnt that great, i hope you can take the love and support from behind it. tessa

affinity
Thu, March 23, 2006 - 11:19 AM
Love and miss you Tessa

glynda

Sat, March 25, 2006 - 1:27 PM
Stress + Massage = (-Stress)I don't know you well enough to know how you take care of you... However, I'm a firm believer in the power of massage. My friend, Stevie, is a massage therapist and will travel to your house and give you a massage for $50.00. I try to do it once a week, but it turns out to be more like every other week... It totally helps. What you need to know about Stevie: She's still in school. She's certified in the Western ways and working on certification in the Eastern ways. Hence, the reason that she is so low-cost. She is a born-healer. She is one of those people who was born to touch people. She's amazing. Everyone I've sent to her has been thrilled.

ALS & Friendship

Wed, March 15, 2006 - 12:40 PM

Last night I talked to one of my friends from Palm Springs, circa 1970, and she has ALS, she can barely talk, she cannot walk and has to have a caretaker. She has a year or 2 to live and then she will die of not being able to breathe. My straightest friend, a little redneck, good catholic, very generous to me after my divorce when $5 was an issue, she and her husband pick and tease each other and I have a lot of judgement about it so we have not seen each other much in the last 15 years. Saw her at 30th high school reunion 8 years ago. I am so sad. My other Palm Springs friend and college roomate died 7 years ago of heart failure, a stoner, BIG girl, brilliant, and a much tougher than I am.

The factors 100 year olds have in common: dealing with loss well, community, passion, activity.....

So, how do I deal with this. I am sad. I am grateful for my amazing life, right now in this moment, in the midst of moving, in the midst of remodeling next door, in the midst of my job changing. I love my life, I love my beloved and have amazing friends and no debt, I am so blessed....

I am about to go to lunch on the run with one of my most difficult friends. I will tell her how much I love her and am blessed to have her love in my life.... Why is it difficult, can't all friendships just be filled with love and RESPECT..... .

Comments
Jenni
Wed, March 15, 2006 - 12:46 PM
You are so caring and kind to those around you, I know that these things are hard and don't feel good. However, I'm so touched that you are such a wise person to recognize how blessed we are to have what we do, and be surrouded by love. I love you.

Lying Bare
Wed, March 15, 2006 - 1:10 PM
Have I told YOU how important you are.... and how special you are..... and though we don't see each other often I look forward to your smile and hug..... Each person has a particular space they fill in our lives.... some easy.. some not so easy.... When Dan died some of our commune family that hadent seen each other in years ALL came together to celebrate Dan's Life and passing.... I dreaded seeing someof the more difficult "friends" but somehow in that place we ALL had one thing in common.... Our Love for Dan..... and all the Difficult stuff just didnt matter anymore... and now.... we are all in touch again.. some are STILL difficult... but the difference now is the realization that we are here to give Love and receive love, To Teach and to learn... and it makes the difficult ones easier to understand...... and to open up to.... embrace Life and Love..... and Learning and teaching. Mwahhhh!!!! You are truly a beautiful light in this world.. bare

affinity
Wed, March 15, 2006 - 2:20 PM
Jenni, Thanks, I love you too and wish we saw each other once in awhile. Would love to see you at a Spark Club some time. You are always a delight... For knowing me so little you are always so kind, I guess this is what blogging can look like and what an online community can be. THANK YOU PS. I am enjoying Brooke so much, what a pistol....

affinity
Wed, March 15, 2006 - 2:24 PM
Bare, Thank you too for your kindnessYou have become a beacon in the BM online community for sanity and caring. Thanks for your generous email. I always look forward to what you have to say.... I sent Dan's daughter a little money, hopefully it will help a little.

HunnyBunny
Thu, March 16, 2006 - 9:07 AM
No, it doesn't make sense. I'm all too familiar with losing people, and it's a rotten, painful inevitibility. You are a loving person and you too are very loved.

Ali Baba
Tue, March 21, 2006 - 10:20 PM
Owwie.Sorry to hear about that, and, yeah, I have a hard time understanding the picking and teasing type of couple, myself. Better, maybe, to know why you've spent less time with her, at least...some people seem to fall by the wayside, and perhaps they are some people that are just "for a season"...but it can still be sad. I'm young enough, and fortunate enough, to have not permanently [ie through death] lost friends, but from a family old enough that my father and all my grandparents have gone. Some of their siblings still live, though. Endurance, communtiy, passion...necessary to make it to 100, yes, but important in general, too. Probably big factors in why so many of us are drawn to you. You have a great mind and a big heart, and it shows. ;D Also, I still want to see your place[s]! If there is clutter, don't worry, I'm immune. ;P Love, Ali