to throw a Burner party where there were no drugs, pot or alcohol? Well, since I dont do these , all my "parties" are like this anyway. What would it be like to have partygoers be sober all night and still have a great time?
What would happen at such a party?
What would happen at such a party?
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Los Angeles
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Re: What would it be like--
Sun, March 25, 2007 - 11:35 PMI have been throwing beach burns down at Dockweiler for a couple of months... there has been booze and weed in abundance. It didn't effect me too much, last weekend the little gathering blew up and I got caught up in the madness. I drank and toked, I am in a program of recovery and as such I had to come back and take a newcomer chip.
I would be down with helping to throw sober events. I think it might be a revolutionary idea to have a sober party. Everyone would have to be present. Why not?
I think that the setting would have to be carefully chosen. There would have to be something to keep everyone's attention like a theme or a communal purpose. I don't know... I will meditate on it.
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Re: What would it be like--
Mon, March 26, 2007 - 12:55 PMI'm not sure you could ever have such a thing. There's always people who find it amusing to come to "sober" parties high or drunk.... or who just don't respect others enough to abstain. Or those who can't come to parties without "social lubricant" of whatever fashion.
That being said-- it would definitely be interesting. Probably not well-attended, but fun!
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Re: What would it be like--
Mon, March 26, 2007 - 2:58 PMI concour with you. I don't think that it would be possible, but it would be awesome to have it happen... even if it's not well-attended. -
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Re: What would it be like--
Mon, March 26, 2007 - 4:56 PMI have a partner with an audio system and d.j. setup. I manage the fire... I think that I could convince him to abstain from drinking for the evening. I will be tied up for the next two weeks, but I could even put it out there that soul burn (the event we host @ dockweiler) would be held on an off week for the sober crowd.
At the last burn there were about 70 people who showed up, fire spinning, breaks, good times. I can post it on the Soulburn tribe and see what people think. I don't know if people would come without being wasted already. We could ask those people to leave or have another bonfire for them further down the beach..? Sort of like a containment pen for people who can't help themselves and would otherwise compromise the event's sobriety.
I think that it is entirely feasible to have a sober event, it just needs to be planned and executed. To recap, I have power, audio and deejay, who want's to throw a party?
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Re: What would it be like--
Mon, March 26, 2007 - 9:23 PMokay... a little transparency is in order. I am an addict in recovery. I am powerless over drugs and alcohol. Does this mean that I should hang up my affiliation with Burning Man? Does this mean that I cannot participate in that which feeds my soul? In short... absolutely fucking not!!!
For the last two months I have been nurturing a beach burn down at Dockweiler state beach in Los Angeles. At the last party I became overwrought with pride at having helped to build such an amazing event. As they say, pride precedes a fall. The committee in my head unanimously voted in approval of having a drink and then smoking a little bud. As an addict I suffer from an allergy to substances and drink. I relapsed and reneiged on a commitment to myself.
In short, I was most upset that I used and that I can no longer do what I love which is spin fire and be amongst free spirits such as myself. Today I had an epiphany. I can still be an organizer of parties but that I can channel my energies into providing venues for my brothers and sisters in sobriety.
So, if you would be willing to attend I am going to start promoting beach burns with kick ass music, fire performers and fellowship. I will follow up with details as they become available. I am going to begin building it, it is the people who will make it special. That's means you.
I would love to hear what you all think, I would love it even more if you contribute to the success of this endeavor with your collective creativity and spirit. I know that these parties are going to be incredible and will send a message to people who suffer from addiction that you can have an awesome time in sobriety.
Love and Light : ) -
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Re: What would it be like--
Mon, March 26, 2007 - 10:38 PMThat's awesome that you're being so proactive about it! I love it when people actually DO, rather than just TALK. :-)
Congrats!
If I lived anywhere within about 6 hours of you, I'd be there, but...alas. Have fun and report back! -
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Re: What would it be like--
Tue, March 27, 2007 - 9:26 PMsounds great , Adam!
I really dont think its been done before, at least in this region. I can see the inherant confususion when inviting friends to party at a party where they cant "party". It would take a great leap of faith for friends that use to try partying without. I like the social experiment side of this....
And my transperancy: I've 'partied' in the past, but the come down is so unfun every time that I no longer choose to party like that. And I've been a non drinker all my life. Alcohol is like drinking straight vinegar to me and I cough after every sip. it dont work with my system. -
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Re: What would it be like--
Tue, March 27, 2007 - 11:38 PMI love it. Adam, excellent work!
Let's see if this 'experiment' works (I know it will).
Will you be 'advertising' this particular burn on other tribes? Do you want help spreading the word?
I can bring it up to my '06 BMan campmates in our own little tribe.
I think 'Sober Burn' sounds a little sad. Sober sounds too much like 'somber' to me. Being free of drugs and/ or alcohol for a social event is, to me, exciting, challenging the first few times, yet ultimately gratifying and empowering. What about a more exciting way to phrase it?
You know, as I wrote over in the LA Burners tribe, my prefered state of mind is a *natural high*.
I wonder if presenting it to others as an experiment, as something-- as Lulie said-- hasn't yet been done in this region, as a challenge...
I'm not as talented a writer as many others on here, but if written properly, I think it would 'sell'.
-To solicit others to take the challenge and bring your freaky selves and your natural highs and see what we all have to offer one another.
-And to ask others to kindly respect the theme of the burn and not ruin the energy by using alcohol or drugs before or during the event if they elect to participate.
...and while we're revealing our 'transparancy': I'm not in any sort of sobriety program, nor do I have any sort of problem with drugs or alcohol. I don't like drugs and I only enjoy drinking on rare occasions. With the 'addictive personality' that I say I have, I've always been surprised that I never had a problem with alcohol consumption. In fact, at my first and only burn, I had one sip of champagne, and certainly no drugs. My biggest concern is my discomfort with the idea that those that choose to do otherwise feel that I'm judging them, which I most certainly am not. I think that that concern is mainly in my head, as I tend to often be over-accomodating with my friends.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be free from work that night. -
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Re: What would it be like--
Wed, March 28, 2007 - 12:07 AM****Update****
I think that this idea is being blessed by a higher power. I got an email today from a person who will remain unnamed for the time being who is going to bless this event with the most amazing fire and kinetic arts exhibition this side of BRC.
I have taken the liberty of inviting people who are in active recovery (i.e. living in rehabs) and the excitement level is palpable. This is very important to keep in mind and I am organizing the event around these people who are not involved in the Burning Man Scene in any way. So, that being said; yes... this is an experiment. It is also more than an experiment, this is a way for us burners to bring the light of personal freedom and the message of radical self-reliance and unrestricted creativity to people who are struggling with the most basic maladies associated with the human condition.
Considering that there will be people there who are coming out of traumatic life situations, THERE CAN ABSOLUTELY BE NO MIND ALTERING SUBSTANCES!!! This is non-negotiable. I will ensure and it will be made entirely apparent that there will be ZERO TOLERANCE for people who are unwilling to go along with this stipulation.
Outside of that, I think that your idea of promoting this to other burners as an experiment for them to bring their true and authentic selves to a burner event is a fabulous one. We will work with that. So really the purpose of this event is twofold. One to provide strength, courage and hope to souls that are in desperate need of having a little fun and two, to challenge our community to come as they are and be open for a new experience.
Love and Light -
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This is the maximum depth. Additional responses will not be threaded.
Re: What would it be like--
Wed, March 28, 2007 - 12:34 AMDearheart,
I am here to support you in whatever way I possbly can in this endeavor. I really do mean that.
My own transparency: I grew up in a home severely impacted by alcohol; that is where I got my deep-seated loathing of mind-altering substances. Thus, I am a rarity--but not the only one of my species: a drug/alcohol virgin. It is only after much personal growth, and learning to stand in my own space, that being around it really doesn't bother me the great majority of the time. As those of you who read my Fuente blog already know, I struggle with it at times if it's intensely in my face, or if I feel I'm the only one sober, or especially if trusted emotionally intimate friends get jacked up. But I've conquered well over 90% of this reaction of mine.
When is the first party?
Funny thing: you had this epiphany a day or two after Lulie and I were talking about creating a sober party. How f'in COOL is that!!?!
Much love to all -
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Re: What would it be like--
Wed, March 28, 2007 - 11:33 AMdunno if this will work, but we could have a lock box of some sort for those people who didnt get the memo, or who brought "stuff" on site. An empty cooler, or something, near the DJ stage. They could also just be sent back to put it in thier cars, but an onsite , out of sight out of mind place for mistakes would show we are serious about it without being to military.
I like the "Natural High" wording, too-- it has a positive vibe, and an actual payoff that people who are use to getting high, or are looking for a fun time will enroll in. I just wonder if some people will misinterpret that to being organic drugs only. Well, we have the "not -so-COOLER" for them! -
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Re: What would it be like--
Wed, March 28, 2007 - 2:44 PM>> we could have a lock box of some sort for those people who didnt get the memo
Do you mean to put the PEOPLE or their stash in the cooler??
If the former--it might end up being sort of like the Black Rock Animal Control where people show up drunk (Etc) deliberatly in order to get picked up & put in the cage....
We could use the wording of my tribe: High On LIfe. I started it & am moderating it.
We could even use the tribe to promote it.
What do you guys think??? -
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Re: What would it be like--
Wed, March 28, 2007 - 3:09 PMYes... yes... yes... The cooler (lock-box) would be a great idea. There will undountedly be people who are just cruising by to check out our scene. It's a public beach and people carry beers around with them like they are walking down the Las Vegas Strip.
The problem as I see it is containment. We will have to have people on the look out. There are three perimeters so we will need to have communications between people who are "on watch."
What do you guys/gals think of the name "Burning Desire" for the tribe? I am starting a tribe for this and other upcoming events... I am open to name suggestions and will change the name of the tribe according to general consensus. There are 17 days to the first run... (April 14th)
This is the time to be proactive and creative. I am going to flexible on all aspects of this event, I would like to have a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous prior to the event. Say at about 5:30 (This will open the event to those in active recovery from substance addiction) The hour long meeting will be followed by a barbecue and pot-luck. Then we will usher in the sunset with some light music, discussion, dancing. Then @ 7:30 the show will start. Fire, Breaks, Trance, Hooping, Bonfire, etc....
I am going to start the tribe now... invite generously, as my friend Robert says.. "Burn Brightly"
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Re: What would it be like--
Wed, March 28, 2007 - 3:39 PMAdam, your new tribe will be about the Dockweiler beach burns that are for those completely sober?
Just making sure what the tribe is about.
If so, perhaps the tribe name can indicate that in some way. I'm trying to come up with words besides 'burn clean', and I guess the word CLEAR comes to mind. Or there could be a play with words CLEAN & DIRTY. I like indicating that there are no lack of highs-- the sexiness, the blow your minds- art, stimuli, sensuality, etc... simply without the use of drugs or alcohol. Is not the point to rock out and create and celebrate still-- and in the long run even harder, for there will be no burnOUT nor blues the day after?
Just writing as I think. Positive words. But I must kick this tribe addiction today to get some work done!
Horray for all that you are accomplishing. -
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Re: What would it be like--
Wed, March 28, 2007 - 4:21 PMhahahahaha... you are addicted to Tribe. Rally the forces for an intervention. We will assemble a tactical strike team to come and unplug you from the internet : )
I suffer from a similar affliction, I feel your pain. Yes, this is definitely going to be for the sober event. I am distancing myself from SoulBurn for personal reasons. I just wanted to help get that going and now that I have... well, I have been throwing gahterings of that sort for a long time. I want to create something that has meaning and this appears to be it.
But, after this initial formative discussion is finished I want to step back and just nudge where necessary. I am working one of my friends to invest in the hardware that we need to be self-contained.
Let's all confer (those that are choosing to be active in this thread) by say... Friday and launch the tribe over the weekend. I want all of you to contribute to the success and overall model for this event and the ones to come. We will need a secretary for the "meeting," a treasurer, a communications/promotions chair and an operations person (of which I humbly offer myself for consideration) let me know what roles (if any) that you are willing to fulfill and I will do my best to ensure that there is minimal time drain for each person involved. This in no way should turn out to be a labor of anything other than love; love for expressing our creative and fun selves. -
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Re: What would it be like--
Wed, March 28, 2007 - 11:22 PMOh, you guys, I am SO addicted. I am seriously considering setting myself 10 minute Tribe limits during the day when I should be working to pull in business.
I've never done MySpace, but I think this is SO much better...because it translates into real life activities.
What do you mean, Adam? Are we meeting online or in person?
Count me in!! Keep me posted! -
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Re: What would it be like--
Thu, March 29, 2007 - 11:11 AMYey, this is the best post/discussion I've read in a long time...yeah, I'm sober.
I work with adolescents in a rehab in Malibu. We have a really fun holistic approach, and actually teach the kids staff spinning. I've been wanting to take them to see some fire, but all the events are too sketchy. So I am super excited and so grateful...
Let me know if there is anything I can do to support the event, ok. -
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Re: What would it be like--
Thu, March 29, 2007 - 4:26 PMwe gotta get this on Twans list and LA Burn announce list-- and get Da Bomb to pod cast about it...! -
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Re: What would it be like--
Fri, March 30, 2007 - 1:50 AMWe can promote through SoulBurn.. I have all the kinks worked out. We have all the sound gear, we could use another really bomb D.J. maybe one would be down for the cause..?
We have power, audio system, fire performers, other acts are in the works. Let me know what you all think about this. I am going to move the discussion to Soulburn...
All of you have been so incredibly helpful in the inception stage of this event. This is going to be an amazing event. I can't wait to meet those of you that I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet.
: )
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Re: What would it be like--
Tue, July 10, 2007 - 12:19 AMI am a drug virgin as well, though not a alcohol one if you consider I can barely finish a glass of wine ;)))
I have to say it's wonderful to see that some people are just like me!
I just can't believe it...
In France (where I am from) only my best friend is like me, we can party and dance all night or talk all night and do not need anything else than...ourselves...
I love being myself and having fun, I am actually "naturally high" just as someone above just mentioned, I have been using that term a lot in my life to explain that yes I do have fuuuun!
Peace,
S.
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