“THIS IS THE SKETCHIEST ADVENTURE SINCE I HITCH-HIKED TO SEE THE ROLLING STONES”

French Valley, CA – The hours are now counting down till lift-off for the Burning Man Project or BMP from here on out. After a night filled with drama (not my own) and nervous anticipation from not knowing any details or times concerning the trip, Friday morning, after the latest episode of ‘Days of Our Wives’ was over, I received news of the travel itinerary and the day took on a ‘let’s get you packed for camp’ kind of feel to it. A business call turned away from being totally professional when the senior buyer found out I am going to BMP. “We went about 6 years ago, before the kids, me and the wife. Awww, you’re going to have fun. There are a lot of highly educated people there from all over the world.” After that, the conversation seemed to be a little more on the personal side, which, if you knew the entire situation for the phone call, was a good thing, a very good thing.

Another brush stroke of the BMP ‘elephant’ was painted. Grabbing my ‘desert’ bandana (yeah, I know what I said in the Dirt Tour story but this is different), I headed down the hill on my bike to work. Not far from the now defunct Cuppy’s I was hailed down by Paul of the Green Cleaners, which is about two doors down from Cuppy’s. I put this bit of luck down to some BMP karma as I never get a pick-up riding to work. We reminisced about the scene and then had a delicious ‘home-made iced Raspberry/Vanilla tea from the shop I visited Wednesday on the way to Mr. Pete’s. Turns out Paul is a regular there at the month old shop (Aghh! I was scooped by the Valley News on this one) and walking in with him just put a ‘scene spin’ to the whole visit. But wait, it gets better! As we all converse socially, as happens in a gentile environment, a side conversation about songwriting from the owner’s wife leads to a mystical version of Password, with her guessing the first and last initial of the name I’m thinking to help her get noticed professionally (in the scene). Still never saying the name I said, “We’ll do lunch, when I get back in town,” then Paul and I left so I could return ‘A Tree Grows In Brooklyn’ (with a ‘tip ‘o the hat to the Sex Pixi for her recommendation). Another interesting footnote to BMP and I can tell the adventure is starting. I think if Las Vegas is the adult Disneyland, then BMP is the adult version of ‘summer camp’. Let’s see, fedora, bull whip, compass, light sabor …