Black Rock Jedi's topics - tribe.net

Need building designs.

2008-09-10T00:05:36Z

OK, so for 2009, the plan is to build a space station out of light sabers. This space station needs to probably be shaped out of the 18x20x36 light saber boxes, like we had in 2007 and 2006.

The proposal will be for 40,000 swords. We are going ALL OUT! Thats 333 boxes!
And the proposal will be multi-headed. We will be sending out 10 proposals, each with different space stations.0

So.... please submit your plans for the space station.

Thanks

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

2008 battle of blue.

2008-09-10T00:01:32Z

We had about 1000 swords this year, so it was more of a die hard turnout. 1/3 of the swords was given out at 3:00, 9:00and 6:00 and the esplanade, and people walked over to the man.

Every sword was bright blue, which made for an interesting scene. Once there were about 60 of us, the battle happened spontaneously. Then I yelled "Everybody go after the red one!"

It was a good battle, with generally two classes of fighters: the gifted sword fighters, and the FX come to tear your head off folks.

Thanks to Keyoshi-San for organizing the event.

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

Have fun Y'all!

2008-08-22T20:27:45Z

Sadly my blade will not hum over the desert this year, I will be stuck at home twitching furiously and trying to convince my cats to duel.

Have fun!

-Will

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

one in spain!!!!!!!!!

2008-07-24T20:36:41Z

when i was at Nowhere, the spain regional....i saw one of the light sabers and i kicked myself for not bringing mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

2008 - die hards ready to fight.

2008-07-24T00:47:42Z

Word has it that this year's sabers will be blue only, and about 24 inches long. There will only be about 1000 given away this year.

Bring the old school swords if you want that 36 inch reach advantage!!!!!

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

Wattos Junk yard theme camp - open enrollment.

2008-07-07T16:49:55Z

Are you a Jedi?

Do you need to battle other Jedi all the time?

Then Wattos needs you!

Wattos Junk yard, the prestigious theme camp devoted to bringing light sabers to the Playa has some spots available for dedicated Star Wars fans. Out theme camp is devoted to give out light sabers, and will coordinate the largest light saber battle in history on thursday night. Be a part of it! Join us, and together we can rule the Playa!

What is provided:
o Thousands of light sabers.
o Generator power.
o Sound system and music.
o A video projector.
o A Tesla coil gired to a mannequin of Darth Sideous sending force-sparks into Yoda.
o Space to battle.
o 3:00-ish placement

Rules:
none.

Skirmishes:
All skirmishes will be settled with ones prowessof a light saber.

Food:
none - Radical Self-Reliance folks.

Shower:
Do your own.

Primary time of activity:
Nighttime - light sabers are prettier at night.

Entry cost:
none.

Big event:
We will need 10 philosophical leaders for each of the 10 pylons surrounding Burning Man. Each leader will raise an army of 1000 and launch the hoards of participants towards the man.

We also need about 40-100 Generals to lead groups of up to 100 troops to do the generals bidding.

If interested, send me a message.

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 4 replies

Super Sword

2008-04-08T16:41:57Z

I have an idea - to have the light saber drive 5 or 6 Luxeon lights instead of one, and use fiber optics to increase the brightness.

The goal: to have a sword that glows in broad daylight!

What is the best sword you know of or have seen?

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 2 replies

Wheeeeeheeheeeheeee I'm doomed!

2007-12-12T18:04:32Z

Here's what I got in the mail yesterday:

http://www.plushdeath.com/stuff/pics/sabers/box.JPG

PARTS!

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 2 replies

PermaBurn

2007-11-03T01:11:30Z

So I am a member of permaburn.org - the year round burning man site. I am going to check out the property this weekend.

This is such a different animal, with ideas of well water, power, it is a neat challenge to undertake.

If nothing else, this will be a good overflow place for those of us who want Burning Man to be like a month instead of a week.

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

A saber reborn!

2007-09-26T23:21:55Z

So I tore my forcefx saber to bits and popped in the conversion kit from ultrasaber and a dueling blade from Custom Saber Shop. While the saber now weighs about 600 pounds and feels like I could beat an elk to death with it I am not entirely pleased with the brightness of the blade. I suspect that driving directly off the forcefx board is less than ideal.

Also the blade didn't really fit well in the emitter, it took a bench vise and some work to get it completely in place and I suspect it isn't coming out without taking a lot of plastic with it. I may have to pick up the conversion kit from Custom Saber Shop which replaces all that plastic with aluminum, but at this point I think I will let this hilt be what it is and concentrate on a MHS based custom hilt with a board that can drive the LED at a higher wattage.

I suspect I have gone mad and I suspect my wife agrees... ah well there are sith out there in need of a good smacking!

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

Damn you people!

2007-09-15T02:42:07Z

In 2006 I was rudely poked awake and commanded to follow... I found clothes that weren't entirely encrusted with playa and followed my friend grumbling and blinking my eyes.

Barely awake I was handed a pair of sabers and told to start recruiting, to my amazement there was a pile of boxes and a bunch of people getting ready for a fight!

In short, I had the time of my life.

So then I find out that it's back in 2007, bigger than before AND the camp would be within spitting distance of my own (well if you were a very very impressive spitter).

I had to prepare! I unpacked my sabers from last year and despaired, no amount of coaxing would get the LEDs to light and the blades rattled in their thread from the beating they had taken the year before. I needed something better.

My eye went to the Hasbro toys sticking out of the bucket where I keep toys that I can whack my friends with... not good enough! I knew there were nicer ones, I had seen them on the intertubes! My search began anew!

Holy crap these things could get expensive!

With time a-wastin' I decided that the ForceFX was my best value for the money what with time being a factor and all my other projects running over budget. It was not considered a great dueling choice but what the hell!

To shorten this part as well... time of my life.

Now I have conversion parts on order to refit this saber with a Luxeon and a tougher blade; and I have my eyes on building a custom MHS based hilt... It's looking a bit like an obsession...

Damn you people, this is too much fun!

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 4 replies

Sami Land in 2008

2007-09-06T02:09:16Z

Have you seen the cool looking oriental inspired costumed warriors on the Playa? Would you like to become one? I've been noticing a growing number of costumed combatants wearing El-Wire samurai outfits & weilding lightsabers, or walking on stilts with a light-up staff, or just with a cool rice-picker hat, a long handkerchief around their face and neck, and a double-bladed lightsaber.

It is not only my intention to express myself by putting together one of these costumes but to encourage others who are feeling this urge to do the same. Samurai, Mortal Kombatants, Ninjas, Monks, and radiant warriors of all types may unite under our banner.

The ultimate goal would be a night out together or a collaborative performance on the Playa in 2008 perhaps involving some of the chinese dragon types as well ...

http://tribes.tribe.net/samiland

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

Progress towards BM 2007

2007-08-21T00:32:16Z

Pylons
10 small mini-temples. Peace, Love, Screw, Jedi, Nada, Pasta, Logic, Evil, Star, and Burner will be interspersed sorta-circularly between the Man and the esplenade. These pylons will be the launch points for the thursday night battle.

I need about 5 more people to be pylon leaders, who will make sure that when the swords are distributed, we leave no trace on the playa.
Also, if you have ideas and/or doo-dads that you would like to embellish the pylon -- tailor it to the given philosophy -- let me know.

Besides that, there will be a signup sheet for Generals. If you have a need to lead, lets do it.

Wattos Junk yard will hopefully be larger this year, so that we can have a space for training and mock wars.
If you wish to join the theme camp, let me know.

4000 light sabers are in the US. 7000 more are on order. The timing is such that they should just clear customs in time. If not, well, I plan to create a huge army out of the San Francisco homeless community -- Think lollilove meets Braveheart!

This year I ordered lots of spare batteries, so we can fix the dud swords.

The swords will not be labelled this year-- it takes too long.

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 6 replies

Need venues for light saber events

2007-04-27T19:45:53Z

OK, fellow Jedis, the time has come.
The light sabers are in Oakland, and will be in my hands tomorrow.

We need to raise money, and have fun doing it.
My proposal: Bombard various clubs and parties with light sabers.

So, Give me some ideas! Where do you think that an influx of 100 swords would be fun, and help out cause.

Badass

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 3 replies

Get your Black Rock Jedi light sabers online.

2007-01-26T07:03:06Z

I have set up a new site for those of you who would like to get light sabers:

LightSaberDonation.org

All proceeds go to the big 2007 event.

So please, help donate to the cause, and get a dozen light sabers as a free gift!

Badacting SceneStealer
posted by:

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

Get your own light sabers online

2007-01-26T07:02:21Z

I have set up a new site for those of you who would like to get light sabers:

http://LightSaberDonations.org

All proceeds go to the big 2007 event.

So please, help donate to the cause, and get a dozen light sabers as a free gift!

Badacting SceneStealer

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

You can get lightsabers online for cheap.

2007-01-26T06:59:09Z

Go to http://LightSaberDonation.org to get your own dozen light sabers.

Throw a party! and also help support our playa event,

Badass

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

Light Sabre Whips

2006-12-04T06:38:30Z

Halloah Jedis!

I saw a really cool jedi at the "Battle of Innocence" 2006 who weilded two light-sabre whips. One was blue and the other green. Does anyone have pictures of this?

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

NYJedi.com announces NYC Lightsaber Tournament, Feb/2007

2006-11-15T21:03:13Z

Hi All!

Just found you guys and I am PSYCHED!

The New York Jedi are about to launch a new website called SABERWARS.com. It's Kick-off competition will be held in New York City's NY Comic Con to be held at the Javits Center. This will mark the first of several "Saber Cons" that will move across the country over the 2007 year to present a new kind of costumed contest - LIGHT SABER CHOREOGRAPHY.

I welcome you all to check out our site and get a mutual conversation going. We saber enthusiasts are EVERYWHERE!!!

We'll be joining y'all on the playa next year!

-=flynn=-
NYJedi.com

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 1 reply

Help me make a huge LS battle in San Francisco

2006-11-09T22:40:57Z

I am making a proposal to the Black Rock Arts Foundation to try to bring the lightsaber battle to the streets of San Francisco.

Can any of you (Kristine?) review what I got so far before I send it out?

Here is the text minus the pictures:
Letter of Intent
Proposal for a Jedi Light Saber Battle of 5000 participants in the streets of San Francisco

By: Badass
A.K.A. Badacting Scenestealer.
returntheclonesback@gmail.com

Summary
I want to inspire a new interactive game for adults of the world to participate in. I want to cause one or more huge Jedi light saber battles to take place in the city of San Francisco, using 2500-5000 toy light sabers. The battle will be pre-announced, but also actively recruit passers by. People will be able to dance with the light, or dance with each other, and get out aggressions in a peaceful, fun, healthy, and artistic way.

Hopefully, this movement will grow to cause battles to ocurr on any given night at bars, nightclubs, general outings. And later on, it could grow to add an extension of symbolic power to non-violent protests (imagine a million JEDI march on the capitol), and benefit the liberty of mankind.

Physical

I have negotiated the purchase of toy light swords from a company in China. They can be purchased at $2.00 per saber. These swords come in boxes of 12, pre-installed with 3 watch batteries. A button allows the changing of the sword color to 8 different colors. The plastic swords can swoosh to expand their length from 12 to 36 inches.
Sample of participants with the light sabers.

Each saber will be individually marked with a label identifying the saber, and labeling the person who uses it. Each will have a unique JEDI name that is randomly created from words that are intended to be like Obi-Wan Kenobi's name, but comical, and somewhat suggestive. An example: “Wooki Fun HaHotti”.

Each label will also indicate a unique association of three classifications of the Jedi: Their Philosophy, Home planet, and Power Element. Participants will later be able to go on-line and get a individually tailored web page that describes what the symbols mean, telling the participant, in a interesting way, who they are, what the believe in, and where they come from. This classification is to help show that group classification is arbitrary and combat racism.
The sabers come in large boxes of 120 – each containing 10 smaller boxes of 12. They will be pre-labeled at the factory.

Example box of light sabers.

Interactivity
Although there is a following of Jedi enthusiasts, recruiting ordinary people to participate with light sabers is extremely effective. I have found that 90% of people, whether on the Playa, or off-Playa will take an offered light saber and want to play (some use the excuse that it is for their “kids”). Any busy tourist area would be an ideal setting to spawn armies. Children in the event will be encouraged to take two light sabers, as to offer an advantage against adult participants.
After given the light sabers, participants would then expand their sword, and see a crowd of people swinging around them. A desire, and lust for the hunt and kill, of being glorious in a war, will succumb them. They will use the sword to contact other members, playfully expelling their aggression without causing real pain or suffering.
Some participants will be further evolved from the baseless whacking of swords at each other, and will dance instead. The sabers act like large extensions of the hand, causing flowing, noticeable movements and enhancing all forms of human motion-emotion. A portable music system will help set the mood for this peaceful playfulness as well.
Subgroups will be formed by various means, and strategies will be formed. Harmless chaos is harnesses into an artful “dance of certainty” between thousands of people who otherwise would just walk past each other. After 2 hours, the people will start to disperse, taking their toy with them.
After the event, Participants will look at the symbols and artwork on the sword and see a website listed. Some will go to the web site, and find a form - asking for their JEDI name. Once entered, the web server will show a personalized site explaining the nature of the symbols on the saber. A dissertation of their home planet, philosophy, and power element will be amusing, similar to a fortune telling. Also on the site will be links to an online community, and event listings.
Those so inclined can take their sword with them to Burning Man, where a much larger event is planned for 2007 (at least 10,000 swords).

Community
The amazing thing about this event, is that almost everyone offered a sword, wants to participate. All people from an age of 5 to 65 have seen some of the Star Wars movies by George Lucas. This sets up a untapped instinctive pattern to join in.
Another instinct is in play: the instinct of war. Although we like to think of ourselves as enlightened beings, we are basically animals, and much our childhood play has a base with the excitement of violence in order to gain advantage. Other forms of childhood play are more artistic or social. What a trick it is to combine all of these forms with a simple toy.
Men, Women, Children, Workers, Tourists, Retirees, all get the game. They will enjoy it, and then tell others about it.
A more dedicated sub-group- the Star Wars fans, will also enjoy this beyond recognition.

Volunteers:
5 friends, and 5 random volunteers will help to disseminate the sabers in a quick amount of time. This is essential in order to create a point of saturation that engages people. Distribution of the swords will be done with a rented moving truck, and will only require myself to perform.

Outcomes
1.5000 people will have a memorable moment to talk about for years to come.
2.More people will come to Burning Man as a result, bringing new ideas and expericnes to people, and keeping Burning man fresh.
3.In New Orleans, Men will use the swords to collect bead rings from women, doubling the amount of interaction in this fun, but recently troubled town.
4.Eventually, instead of going out to a bar, drinking, and looking at a TV, people will go out to a bar, drink, and then take out their light-sabers. Women and Men can indicate attraction by “whacking” potties on the buttocks.
5.In the future, when liberties are ensnared, I wish to have a march of one million Jedis to peacefully demand and invoke change for the benefit of Mankind.

Why
1.The world needs new peaceful outlets for aggression.
The current method of releasing aggression in a peaceful way, has been reduced to watching sports on Pay-Per-View. It is not as satisfying as this aggression would be. The ironic twist is that a fight with light sabers turns into a creative and kinetic dance.
2.People need to interact more in this life.
Every time we walk past a person, and not say hello, it is limiting. And it happens a lot. Imagine all of the missed opportunities, connections, and chances to learn, and teach between people! I know that for myself, I am either disinterested because of preconceived judgments ( this person is not like me, and therefore I do not want to talk to him/her), or because of fear of rejection (she is too beautiful to want to talk to me, I am not like them). It takes some courage to talk to people. Burning Man helps us break these barriers and engage more interesting people. A toy sword does the same.

3.End racism and Xenophobia.
All sub-groups of humanity are arbitrary. We all have the same ancestors- our arch mother lived 120,000 years ago, and out arch father lived 40-60,000 years ago. This fact is almost never talked about, and I find that people get angry with me when I bring this idea up. It strikes them wrong.
The ten Philosophy's described could be a way for people to group with the light sabers: Love, Jedi, Burner, Screw, Peace, Star, Nada, Pasta, Logic, and Evil.
So could the 26 planets, or the 118 elements, or the 8 light saber colors be construed as a grouping of participating warriors.
Imagine a group of people on the Playa, all deciding to go out as green swords, and attack anyone who isn't green. One of the green group wanders off and sees a Red sword, and goes in to attack. All the sudden, he looks at her sword and sees a Star symbol on it. Instead of fighting, he says “your a Star! I'm a Star too!”. The new group of “Star fighters” join each other and help defend against the non-star people, until a new grouping is made.
4.Extend the power of civil disobedience.
The only thing that brings the message of nonviolent dissent from a protester to a tyrannical group is the eye. Several methods of avoiding eye-to-eye contact have been implemented – such as protest zones away from protested orginazations, Limited news coverage, or coverage where crowd sweeps are shown, and no eyes are seen. The toy sword can be a symbol of defiance, showing the intent to invoke abrupt, even violent change, with a restraint of resorting to violence. It is a powerful stance, and the sword is easier to see and understand from a distance, than the eye.
There will come a time, not now, but when something really goes wrong, that members of this nation, and this world, will need to stand up and change the nature of society. When this moment comes, I want to be ready. I want this game to have spread far enough, we could have a march of a million people. What a difference we will make, what a movement- where we show the strength, and inherent goodness in humankind.
5.Ego
To be blunt, it is a great ego boost to raise an army of Jedis. I enjoy being acknowledged for such accomplishments, and also humbly thank those who helped make my vision to be realized.
I am Badacting Scenestealer, leader of 5000 Jedis in the Battle of Innocence- Burning Man 2006. It was a great thing to do.
But even Ego has a place that helps others.
One early Tuesday morning, after having many nighttime adulterated adventures on the Playa, I raise the troops around me to go to the Man to watch the sun rise. Right outside my camp, was a beautiful young lady named Sarah, who joined us. It was her first time, but the morning burning light showed in her eyes, the knowledge of ages. Bellowing in pride at my light saber job, I looked to her, and said “I have created an army of peace. But I cannot imagine, from this, what will you do?”

Accomplishments
I have self funded 2 light saber giveaways at Burning Man 2005 and 2006.
In 2005 I gave away 1000 light sabers, which was not enough to create a saturation point.
In 2006 I gave away 5000 light sabers, 3000 all in one night. The event was deemed to be the Battle of Innocence, and had thousands of participants battling around the man.
My day job is as a computer consultant, which I have been for 13 years.

I am the moderator of the Black Rock Jedi tribe, a group dedicated to creating, well, light saber battles.
http://tribes.tribe.net/black_rock_jedi

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

Help. How do I convince the elders.

2006-11-09T22:07:51Z

I have sent a proposal to Burning Man personel about getting funding for light sabers, and have received no response.
Does anyone have a Burning Man councel member I can talk to?

Here is the text of the plan:

Proposal

For Improving the Safety
and Aesthetics
of Burning Man Participants

By:
BADASS

November, 2006

Written and conceived By Badass
A.K.A. Badacting Scenestealer
returntheclonesback@gmail.com
Palo Alto, CA
408-316-2578

Intended Audience:
Harley K. Dubois Playa Security Council
Joseph Pred Emergency Services Operation Chief
Danger Ranger Director of Genetic Programming
Larry Harvey The Guy at the top of the Man

Problem

As the Burning Man event starts to progress beyond 40,000 participants towards the 50,000 mark, the nature of nighttime excursions changes. It is no longer safe for the participants, now numbering in the thousands, to walk around without lights. These “moving speed bumps” only participatory act is to work as bumpers for hundreds of dark bicyclists, and art vehicles.

In essense, it is a pinball game without the whizbangs.

Although personal lighting was strongly stressed in the survival guide, many of our good citizens will not heed the request until they “get it”. Additionally, the cost for the personal lighting (i.e. EL-wire and LED lights)for our citizens is relatively expensive, ranging from $5.00 to as high as $40.00.

Solution

Provide 5,000 Expando Light Savers
to the children, the Playa virgins,
and the needy.

The Greeters (or Jedi volunteers) could provide toy light savers, similar to those dispensed by Wattos Junk Yard in 2005. These would be dispensed to the virgins, and children. Also they would be given to those who are deemed unprepared by said greeters.

The light savers in question are rugged, and long lasting. They have 3 watch batteries inside, and have 3 bright LED's that allow a choice of 8 different colors. They will stay lit for multiple nights.

The Sword part can be unscrewed making a makeshift flashlight.

The cost for the swords, with batteries, is $2.00 a unit delivered – for a total cost of $10,000. They come in 50 pound boxes of 120. 7 Cubic yards of space and 1,600 pounds would be the gross weight.

Benefits

The extra lights will make it easier to see participants at night, who would otherwise be unprepared. The participants who choose a light sword for the night will also be more active of a participant, more likely to “play” with others. This icebreaker will make it easier to find and engage new people and make friends.

The total cost of going to burning man will be reduced, with only a minimal impact to the Burning Man Organization. Also, giving such a neat gift will help our friendly greeters in their excellent work of setting a welcome stage for whats to come.

Also, I have a personal agenda for my art project. Last year, I coordinated the self funded giveaway of 5000 light savers to create the “Battle of Innocence”. I intend to give away 10,000 light sabers for a final expression in this genre. By funding this safety program, I get to save some money and time on making my dream a realization.

Caveats

I do not think it is the job, nor should it be, for Burning Man Inc. to give out toys. It would be too tacky, and commercial, and limit the participants experience to only one point of view. This specific proposal is a case of a sharing of multiple causes by a single action. It should not be repeated. If in subsequent years, this pilot program is found useful, a more neutral light source could be chosen for the same effect.
Wattos yard would also be willing to have our own volunteers distribute the light savers, next to the greeting stations.

I do not think that Burning Man should be, in any way, affiliated to a single outside cause or commercial theme. Although the light savers are similar to the lightsaber that was used in the Star Wars films, strong steps must be made to keep out the endorsement or acknowledgment of George Lucas's commercial venture. This is why I choose the name
“Light Saver” as in a light that saves peoples lives. This is something I was criticized for in the 2006 performance, and I will not do it again. I believe that the gift of safety, and the performance, have transcended the roots. If you have any ideas on how to further distance this light saver, please provide me some welcome feedback.

I am not trying to make money on this. I have spent $12,000 of my own money for the performance art, and intend to spend as much next year. I am a computer consultant, and enjoy earning a living doing the technical work. The light saver idea is entirely for fun. That is the crux of my dream.

Appendix A:
Pictures of Light Savers:
Box of 12 Light savers. For 2006 I had to unwrap each sword prior to transporting to the Playa. I am working with the manufacturer to come up with less wasteful packaging.

Example Light saver prototype.

Note that the blade can be unscrewed, making a cool multi color LED flashlight.

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

Who won the Battle of Innocence?

2006-09-16T03:19:31Z

From where I stood, looked like the Sith won.

Any pictures?

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

Badass is the new leader of the pack!

2006-09-16T03:18:06Z

Teach has given the reigns to the man who rightfully should be running the show! Go Badass!

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 1 reply

IMPORTANT: Working Sabers?

2006-08-20T07:04:32Z

This is really, really important...

Whose got working Sabers?

Anyone, anyone....

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 13 replies

We have a theme camp

2006-08-04T07:23:12Z

http://www.burningman.com/themecamps/06_camp_vill_w.html

Wattos Junk Yard will be the center of the galay.

http://www2.kcd.com/watto

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 1 reply

We need press.

2006-07-14T08:02:14Z

Can someone write an article for Piss Clear about the Jedi Effect?

It might make the battles that much funner.

Yesterday was the Fourth of Juplaya -- which, unfortunately, I missed out on yet again. However, it did remind me, "Oh shit! I better start working on PISS CLEAR!"

Yup, it's that time of year again. And if you're getting this, that means for some reason, you're on my PISS CLEAR mailing list. If you don't want to be, just let me know.

So this is the part where I send out our annual CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS. This is going to be our 12th year of publishing on the playa -- and quite frankly, I'm getting a little burnt out. So what I'm hoping for is that people will send me a bunch of really great, sassy, well-written articles that I barely have to edit. That way, I won't have so much work.

So send me stuff! Here's what I'm looking for: Sarcasm, wit, intelligence, bitchiness, humor, blah blah blah. You know, we're sorta like the Vice magazine of the playa. I want snarky rants, cultural commentary, funny lists ... and maybe, just maybe, a hard-hitting piece of real journalism.

What I don't want is a 1000-word treatise all about your personal theme camp or art project. There are hundreds of camps and artworks in Black Rock City -- we may play favorites in the name-drop department, but there's simply too much out there to devote precious column inches to just any one thing. In other words, keep things broad, general, and specific to the Burning Man Experience(TM).

Here's what I'm looking for:

* Articles, rants, commentaries, whatever!
* Comics and illustrations
* Cool photographs
* Fake ads
* Pictures of people at Burning Man, for our Fashion Dos and Don'ts

Plus, we need contributions for the following regular lists and features:

* Items for the "What's Out/What's In" List
* Playa Lingo (words, expressions, catchphrases exclusive to BM)
* I Remember When...
* Black Rock City Rumor Mill
* Random Quotes about Burning Man
* Haiku
* Top 10 Albums for the Black Rock Desert

We have three issues planned, each with a loose theme. Here they are:

* The Happy Issue! -- sarcastically positive articles about Burning Man
* The Drug Issue -- yay, let's piss off the BMorg!
* Fashion Dos & Don'ts Issue -- just like Vice magazine, but with playa fashion

This is all subject to change, depending on what the hell ends up in my in box. If you've got something juicy with all the dirt, we want to hear about it! So let me know if you've got any ideas. The deadline is MONDAY, AUGUST 7th.

Pass this on to anyone who might be interested, and I hopefully, your submissions will get me more excited about dragging my ass out to the playa this year. Thanks!

Adrian Roberts, Editor
----------
PISS CLEAR
Black Rock City's favorite alternative newspaper
Burning Man's snarky reality check since 1995
----------
pissclear@pissclear.org
http://www.pissclear.org

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

We need new names, and new ways of marking the light sabers.

2006-05-03T07:14:13Z

Next year is going to be tough. I need to come up with 3000-4000 new names for the pasawan recruits.

Last year, I had 10 possible first names, 10 possible middle names, and 10 last names = 1000.

This year I need 4 times that, and we shouldn't clash with the names already out there.

First names were
wooki obi tuni giki drundo undi funi bobi digi todi

Middle names were
mor kan won ton bin son woz iz pak lip

Last names were
tomodi hahotti udaddi digiti Endodi kenobi aroundi mimommi divorci aroundi

So,
A. Which names should we keep for next year?
B. What new names can you think of?
C. Any special names you want added: BushNo Fin BinLadin, or Busta Lip YuTalkin no problem!

Marking the light sabers took me 80 hours to do! So next year I was thinking of just doing labels and wrapping them around the base when the light sabers are given out.

Any ideas here?

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 4 replies

Need more planets, religions, or something!

2006-05-03T06:15:05Z

Heres the thing:
The original had 25 planets,- A-Y,
7 religions: evil jedi peace love screw Star Burner
and 6 colors: Red orange yellow blue purple and green

Next year, we will have only 3 colors: red(pink), blue, and green,
so we need many many more planets, religions, or something else to categorize people.

So Please, help me out! what else can we use? year? number? taste? smell?
I don't know!

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 1 reply

light or dark

2006-01-15T22:18:40Z

im just curios as to where i stand in here with you likes of everyone else. so are you a lightsider(boring) or a darksider(if only you knew the power)....lets tally up them polls

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 4 replies

jedi robes...

2006-01-11T17:57:31Z

anyone know a good source for them online...
or perhaps a fabric pattern?

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

Master sighting!!!

2006-01-07T20:21:43Z

That's right fellow Jedis! The Master of the Masters!!! I saw him fighting with a Dark Angel Jedi this past Sunday! Anyone else see him?

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 4 replies

all you O.G. jedi get invitations to party in reno

2005-12-31T01:41:51Z

two nights of debauchery with black label reno
sat. Feb. 4th the bromance ball(guy on guy prom action)
you and your date must be taped together your date must be a dude
will be required to participate in all physical challenges
women welcome you have the important job of the saboteurs
sat.5th starting at noon-3pm stupor bowl party
all day drunken bike blood bath

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

Attention all O.G. DPW jedi:

2005-12-26T00:35:44Z

State of the posse address:

Our numbers grow strong since the inception of the Black Rock Jedi many months ago. With the addition of Bad Actin Scene Stealer(the bestower of the sabres), we now have a true master in our midst. We now have rebel forces in far reaches of the galaxy...Alabama and Portland! Also joining us is a true forger of sabre hilts! As always, the O.G.(original gansta) DPW members will continue to sit on the high council, but we welcome these new members nonethlesssssss. May the force be with you all this holiday season. Let your sabre glow brightly!!!!

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 2 replies

Ways to practice "The FORCE"

2005-12-07T00:19:51Z

o Every time you are in front of an automatic door, use two fingers and swing from left to right, and "force" the door to open!

o When you see a hottie, walk up to him/her, with a lightsaber in one hand, and the 2 fingers swinging in the other hand state the following:
"You will take off your shirt"
(for some reason, females can influence males more often than the opposite. The males muste be more "weak minded").

o Visit your home town in the midwest in January, go to the nearest lake, and practice levitation by "walking on water".

o When loosing a battle to another in agressive negotiations, stick your palm out solidly, and push the other person backward under some huge stucture that is about to collapse. Works every time.

o Dark siders: wear socks, slide around the room alot, extend your gingers menacingly, and shock the arrogant fool!

o Discuss family relations with certainty and strength. "Tim, I am your Brother!" Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

o Drive with the cruise control off. No need for the targeting computer.

o In riddles, talk you must. Like grover, you must sound.

Any others, my Jedi nights?

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

The force is STRONG with yu.

2005-11-22T16:31:28Z

Hello there, This is BADActin SceneStealer, also known as BADASS, the leader of 1000 Jedi.

And I have finished my exile. And re-emerged and much more powerful!

Join me, And together we can free the galaxy! and have many grand adventures on the way.

The last time we met, we were finding ourselves in Mos Eisley looking for the sith! But Lo, the sith stayed hidden! and then we were all scattered and dispersed around the galaxy in the great Exodus of 2005.

And we all got some sleep.

Some of you saw a gathering that almost happened-- when there was a decompression in the force. And the new blue light sabers were tried.

Alas, though the sabers did not explode on contact like the originals, they too had problems. The blinking lights could pull out! And they cost more in alterian credits.

And heretofore we blah blah blah yadda yadda yadda.

Then one fateful night, what seemed like mere chance was not, when Squirrel, DA, and Bean met the master disguised as a geeky republican in the city of Couracant.

It was meant to be.

It was our destiny!

So now reunited, we must embolden ourselves! rebuild the Jedi order. There is much to learn and do if we are to survive.

For in the future, we will have more Jedi than Lucas has money. I intend to gift at least 3000 light sabers to the next burning man. And most will be given out all on one day-- so that we may have an all out war.

A tri-millenial dance of certainty.

But I get ahead of myself. We must first do the following:

1. Get kicked out of a bar.
I say we pick a day to all come into a quiet nightclub, and start a dramatic scene, then the two proponents bring out their light sabers in the battle. Then all 20 of us whip out the pink tipped thermo-blades and renact the forgotton battle of grenikor. Then, just before the cops arrive, we stealthly will lead on to the next bar, and the next and the next. It might be good to film this thing for the permanent archives.

The forseen quote of the day: "Honest officer, its not a weapon, its a sex toy!"

2. Ask Larry Harvey for money.
I have a fully written proposal for a art grant from burning man. But the future is cloudy. I will need my supporters, and about 60 more people we can recruit off the street to walk in to Black Rock headquarters with me and use our methods of ............ persuasion.

3. New years.
At decompression, this smooth techno music was playing, and a wonderfully sweet woman was singing a perfecting song, all was dancing. I gifted 20 sabers to the croud and one to her, and we all danced and swung in unison. That is the moment we shall have, and more I want to do for this day, which means much to the general western world, but for us, the true new year is still 9 months away.

4. Skywalker ranch.
Lets go to the ranch, Michael Moore style, and see if we can influence a free lunch at their cafeteria. Who knows, we might even be able to shave a wookie!

5. Whatever the hell you want.
The tip is pink for a reason. ;)

So Jedi knights, what say you, shall we have some fun?

Do you want to play?

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 1 reply

Yodas Wisdom

2005-11-22T06:48:45Z

Come come, all of you.

The puppet, you might a question ask?

If its knowledge you must want, then be, it will.

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

New pics of the Master and Jedis!

2005-11-01T04:58:49Z

Check it out. Decompression Jedi!!!

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 0 replies

When're you Jedis arriving?

2005-10-10T04:10:40Z

Well?

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 2 replies

Bring on the Jedi-ness!

2005-09-21T03:57:23Z

Whose got Jedi wisdom or Jedi photos from the great battle of Black Rock. Especially looking for the Fat Tuesday Battle of Jub Jub photos. Oh baby bear...the force is strong within you...

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 4 replies

We have a Sith in our midst!

2005-09-19T20:52:04Z

As moderator of this tribe, I inquired about our newest (unknown) member, Jason. Here is what transpired:

Teach wrote:

> Short Questionaire:
>
> 1) Do you own your own saber?
>
> 2) Where did you get it?
>
> 3) Did you fight in any of the great battles of
> Black Rock?
>
> 4) Do you know any of the other Jedi members?

1) Not yet
2) Planning to build one
3) No
4) No

I'm actually more of a Black Rock Sith: Darth Precious.

posted in Black Rock Jedi - 2 replies