Introduce yourself!

[Mardie Oakes]

We have some new peeps joining this year, so it we thought it would be good for everyone to add their two cents of introductions...or how about to keep us on our toes, three cents.

(1) Describe yourself in five sentences or less.

(2) What is one unexpected thing that happened to you in the past year?

(3) Why this year for Burning Man?

Interpret as you'd like... or just ignore them and answer your own questions!

[andy fyfe]

My name's Andy. I met Tony when he was picking up his art installations from the Hub. I'm a drifter. I just got back from traveling everywhere south from here and now I'm back in this concrete jungle with my backpack in my closet. Can't wait to spark some vibes this weekend with all of you. Most unexpected thing in the last year? Hmmm. Trekking to a ruin off the border from Belize in Guatemala. Showed up on my birthday and met some other nomads from South America and they threw me a surprise birthday party with all the goodies my pack was lacking. Big ups to lovely strangers. Can't wait to cross up with some new ones. Why this year? Because Tony asked me why not. And I didn't have an answer. So I told him I'd see him there....Blessings all. One.

[Bassel Hatoum]

Hello everyone, I feel blessed to be here!

1. I am an engineer of sorts; I like to play in many areas. Electronics, mechanical things, computers, and fire! I recently started to explore my artistic side. That has resulted in a computerized fire show and a love for acro yoga!

2. I injured one of my knees and only then realized that I'm not invincible. On a positive note, I fell in love! Wait, that's two things..

3. I went to several regional burns and the thing I loved the most is the sense of community. This year I have the opportunity to go to Burning Man with some wonderful people, so here I am!

[bryan]

BTW I just put up a silly pic of both me and Sarah for my profile pic. Don't think Sarah will have time to put up a profile, but she's psyched to come!

[Merrill Gruver]

1. I'm an actress, improvisor, and teacher, though not really in that order. I think about why I do what I do all year, but I wait until I get to the playa to figure it out.

2. I realized it is possible to keep my head in times of stress. Sometimes things get so wild that inner calm is the only reasonable option. An even better unexpected thing is that my daughter and I are getting along again, which is unbelievably wonderful.

3. This is my fifth year, but my first coming without my husband Ted, who, very unhappily, has work commitments from which he cannot disengage. I do not foresee a time in which Burning Man is not on the calendar. It is too vital a reminder of what is possible. I always think I'll remember, but I often forget.

4. I'm very pleased to be a part of this camp this year. Wdydwyd made a big impact on me my first year and it continues to inspire.

[Todd Delaune]

I'm a yoga teacher acroyoga performer music maker thai massager people lover.

I painted myself in gold body paint from head to toe a few nights ago.

It's my first Burning Man, why is this year the first? Because I'm slow. =)

[Michael Warshal]

1.) Been to 45 countries. Only been to BM once ('99). I love artichokes. I only run when being chased. I want to learn to levitate.
2.) Nothing unexpected has happened. It's going to happen at BM 2010.
3.) Warmed up at some regional Burns (Alchemy in GA, Transformus in NC), time for the big one. (I'm really just stalking Lisa J. I would follow her to Hades and back again.)

[bryan]

Mardie looks like what Coach Sylvester would look like if coach Sylvester were hot and looked different.

[Mardie Oakes]

This is why I love you!

[bryan]

1) I have been rigorously toning my body to be seen on the playa by exploring the world of Belgian beer. I'm an old friend of Tony's and then Mardie's and then of many others of their old friends. I shoot documentaries which I love for being a physical collaborative artform that deals with traveling the world, meeting exceptional people, and telling stories that are happening in front of me. Very lucky.

2) I have just unexpectedly moved into a new house that's a smoky mountain paradise in California. Very unexpected -- one day I wasn't expecting to move at all -- two weeks later all my possessions were in boxes.

3) I remember the first time I told Mardie I wouldn't be going back to Burning Man that year... And the look on her face has haunted me for years. the wedding thing was a very clever plan to get us all back but also FINALLY the stars are all realigned and I also get to bring my lovely gf who initially may have thought it was just a big rave and that maybe we outgrew such things fifteen years ago but who in fact will have the greatest time as she is very suitably silly. However it seems that if I do any original body painting for the Critical Tits parade, as has happened in past, Sarah may be mounting a painting service of her own for a parade of her own invention that sounds...undesirable.

[Sara Olsen]

(1) I alternately a) sense that I am on the cusp of really catalyzing a shift in the way investors understand the value they create, and b) wonder if I should can it, buy some land in Colorado and just raise chickens. I love what I do and who I do it with. I'd like to have 2 kids, but grapple often with the reality that, given my chosen career path and lover, I might not have the security or time to do so. This makes me sad sometimes, but other times I figure the planet doesn't really need more people and also whatever Fate wills will happen one way or t'other. My alter ego is a James Brown backup dancer.

(2) I got dumped by someone who loves me "off the scale."

(3) Why this year for Burning Man?
Why not?