The Blight - Photography by Neil Girling   

The weather’s been beautiful this week. Connectivity to the Internet has never been more piecemeal or intermittent, so I’m keeping this brief. See my flickr stream for near 70 new photos.

The weather today disobeyed the forecast and took a turn for the fabulous and granted us a much-needed respite with a chill breeze all the way until noon, and even now is forgiving. Here are a few photos — see the rest at flickr.

Shrine, the artist behind Basura Sagrada, this year’s Temple.

Eric’s big-red-walking-ball was put up on top of the Cirque Berzerk Big Top within Red Nose District, much to his dismay.

Your obligatory Man post, complete with barbed wire up top

Yours Truly (in NATO gas mask) with two captured operators of unlicensed breasts (Santi’s idea) during our day of shenanigans in Monday’s epic dust storm.

See the rest on flickr and check back here for updates.

Bex Workman of senior staff

This morning greeted the new Burning Man arrivals (thousands and thousands of them) with a crippling white-out storm. While the wind isn’t as bad as it could be (gusts are currently up to 45mph, but 60 is rumored) the dust kicked up by all the newcomers is blowing straight over the city.

Pictured above is Bex Workman of senior staff at Burning Man, protesting against the wind: and that was yesterday, before today’s storm. The forecast (that I overheard in the daily briefing to the various law enforcement agencies (crap, nosebleed, standby…) this afternoon says the storms should continue throughout tomorrow until perhaps to mid-Wednesday, when “normal” Burning Man weather returns.

Half-moon over Center Camp Saturday night

I have managed to explore the open playa somewhat, by following roads created by heavy equipment and vehicles working on the various art pieces; but deviating from the tracks results in fishtailing and utter immobility. Then you have to walk your bike until you find suitable hardpack to get anywhere.

Dust be damned, today three of us donned miscellaneous European army jumpsuits and held up traffic, investigating contraband with a plastic squeeky dog an demanding papers; the two below joined our party and contributed to the shenanigans, entering RVs and frisking our detained suspects.

Dusty troublemakers

The Blight is still missing a core crew member, missing in action since an engine died; our camp is dusty but in good spirits. I returned today to find one of our tents upside down and mine barely holding together (I wasn’t aware fiberglass rods could bend that far) so we broke it down and covered it in 2.5 gal water jugs. I’m currently holed up with Bex in her trailer (spending way too much time trying to obtain a wifi connection) and drinking Moscow Mules. My apologies to anyone with whom I had plans, but I’m currently closed for business and am waiting out this weather.

From Camp of Doom (of Doom!) –

it’s dustier than last year (surprised?) making bike-riding cross open-playa near impossible. One has to stick to the city roads and the promenades, lest you become stranded and have to walk (less than entertaining).

Not posting any photos yet, as this comes from Bex’s computer and not my own, but if you haven’t made it yet (or aren’t already on your way) come find The Blight at 6 o’clock and Dart (we have been officially placed) — we’re right next to Lunarville. Today was super windy and dusty, but as the sun sets, it finally seems to quiet down.

More later, hopefully.

See the gallery here.

Last Friday — 8-8-08 –  saw a fine lineup of performers including Vau de Vire Society, Gooferman, Bad Unkl Sista, Fou Fou Ha!, Lapsus, The Tongues, Dr. Abacus, and more. This was a fundraiser for KSea Flux’s project, Big Top Magazine, which recently won the SF Bay Guardian’s Best of the Bay Award for local zine.

We rode in on the Fandango Freedom Bus, adorned with clown-noses and rocking out to tunes from Bootie mashup, then joined the fray; and our compatriot Monica of Lollyphile fame (purveyors of the delight that is absinthe and bacon-maple lollies) took over the unattended coat check booth and proceeded to work it without permission or pay. These are shenanigans of the responsible variety.

Pictured above is a performer with Lapsus, the dark belly dance troupe.

Double-rainbow over the Red Nose District at Burning Man 2007

The Blight will be located within Fandango this year, near 6 o’clock and Dart (directly behind The Wheel/Center Camp).

We arrive Friday the 22nd, and if all goes according to plan, will have an art car (acting as a mobile photo studio). We should be easily recognizeable.

What are you plans? Leave a comment below.