Category Archives: 2014 Burning Man

STEP program for Burning Man tickets now open… also progress on our Placement application!

2014 Burning Man, Camp, Ideas & Concepts, Logistics, News, Tickets
Revised 2014 Christian Science at Burning Man camp placement layout
Revised 2014 Christian Science at Burning Man camp placement layout

First of all, if you’re thinking of joining us at Burning Man this year, you’ll need a ticket. To get this ticket (if you don’t already have one) you’ll need to register for a Burning Man profile and then click the button that says sign up for the STEP program. This will put you in a queue to purchase tickets when other people put them up for sale. That’s it for now! We’re still looking for a few more tickets for our core team so if you happen to have an extra or two, please let us know.

In other news, we’ve made some good progress on our application for Placement (i.e. a reserved space) for our camp at Burning Man. Specifically, we’ve completed the first draft of our camp layout diagram (a required part of the submission.) What do you think?

What’s your gift?

2014 Burning Man, Prayer

Do-you-need-any-help

The next topic the Spiritual Playa metaphysical team is addressing is the second Burning Man principle of gifting and the second Commandment. Join in and comment your inspiration!

Gifting
Burning Man is devoted to acts of gift giving. The value of a gift is unconditional.
Gifting does not contemplate a return or an exchange for something of equal value.

Ex. 20:4-6
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

You’re included!

2014 Burning Man, News, Prayer

all-are-welcome1_0You’re invited to join the metaphysical preparation team as they pray to see the spiritual impetus and meaning behind both the 10 commandments and the 10 principles of Burning Man.

The first commandment is: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (link)

The first principle of Burning Man is Radical Inclusion: Anyone may be part of Burning Man. We welcome and respect the stranger. No prerequisites exist for participation in our community. (link)

What does (de)commodification mean? [Video]

2013 Burning Man, 2014 Burning Man, Videos

Worth a watch!

From the 10 Principles blog series, an ongoing exploration of the history, philosophy and dynamics of Burning Man’s 10 Principles in Black Rock City and around the world.

To commidify oneself (or to be commidified) is to be easily measurable, rankable, and knowable.  Burners, who come out of a capitalist counter-cultural context, tend to think of that in economic terms – and that’s certainly true.  The term “commodity” means something that is bought and sold.  But the process of commodification – of turning something into a product suitable for purchase – also has everything to do with social class, with big data, with the quantified self, and with the kind of psychology that seeks to make us all simpler and shallower rather than deeper and more complex.

When we commodify we seek to make others, and ourselves, more like things, and less like human beings.   “Decommodification,” then, is to reverse this process.  To make the world and the people in it more unique, more priceless, more human.

We are not objects, you and I.  We are not apps, we are not code, we are not commodities.  Nothing that we are can truly be bought or sold, and we are more important than things. The principle of Decomodification is a reminder of that, and a challenge to bring that insight into our lives.

Full post (and comments) here: http://blog.burningman.com/2014/02/tenprinciples/what-does-it-mean-to-have-decommodification-as-a-principle/

Burning Man Low Income Ticket Program Opens Today!

2014 Burning Man, News, Tickets

2013 Burning Man ticket

If you would like to come and camp with us and might qualify for a Low Income ticket (you need to be able to demonstrate your financial need) the cost is $190 (1/2 price!), and TODAY is the day to apply.  Last year one of our participants got one, so it’s definitely possible.  Check it out here: http://tickets.burningman.com

Below is from The Jackrabbit Speaks Newsletter:

Low Income Ticket Program Opens March 4

The Low Income Ticket Program application will open on Tuesday, March 4 – that’stomorrow! Here are the details:

  • 4,000 Low Income Tickets are available at $190 each.
  • Low Income Tickets are one per person and are awarded through an application process.
  • These tickets are not transferrable and are held for Will Call pickup at the Box Office of the event.
  • You must be able to demonstrate your financial need to qualify.
  • Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, so don’t delay if you are planning on applying.

Full information on the Low Income Ticket Program can be found on the tickets page.

Teams, Tickets and Next Meeting Date (Recap of 3/2/14 call)

2014 Burning Man, Camp, Logistics, News, Organizing

DSC03900

Hi all,

We had a really productive call tonight.  Thanks to all who were able to participate!!!  Please review the notes below and if you are a Team Coordinator (marked with a * in the list below) please work with your fellow team-mates in the next 3 weeks to be able to present the Deliverables (listed below) we all agreed on tonight.

3/2/14 Call Notes

Topic for our call tonight: Discuss who was able to purchase tickets and next steps for the group.  Bring your ideas for what specific team(s) you’d like to participate on:

Present: (Tickets, Vehicle Passes purchased?)
– Gabriel (0, 0)
– Amanda (0, 0)
– Anna Lisa (2, 2) – 1 extra
– Drea (2, 2) – 1 extra
(Julian (2, 1)) – Genevieve gets 1
– Mike & Nancy (4, 1) – no extras
– Alexis (0, 0)
– AJ (0, 0)
– Michael (2, 1) – 1 extra
– Patricia (0, 0)
– Ansley (2, 2) – 1 extra
– Genevieve (0, 0)
– Tonte (0, 0)
– Emanual (0, 0)
– Carrie (0, 0)

Total Tickets purchased: 14 – We will almost certainly need additional tickets, will get them through the STEP program when it opens (or Craigslist)
Total Vehicle Passes purchased: 9 – We have sufficient quantity

There is a LOW INCOME ticket opportunity starting March 4.  Look for info about this here: http://tickets.burningman.com

Teams: (Coordinators marked in bold and *)

– Lecturer Selection / Logistics Team
*Drea, Michael, Alexis, Ansley, Genevieve

– Metaphysical Preparation Team (Prayer Team)
*Nancy, Drea, Alexis, Patricia, Ansley, Michael

– Kitchen Team
*Anna Lisa, Drea, Nancy, Alexis, Patricia, Gabriel

– Finance / Bookkeeping Team
*Amanda

– Transportation / Homestay Team
*Gabriel, AJ

– General Logistics / Physical Planning Team
*Gabriel, Amanda, Anna Lisa, Mike, AJ

– Art / Design Team
*Gabriel, Anna Lisa, Michael, Alexis, Ansley, Genevieve

– Communications / Outreach Team
*Gabriel, Anna Lisa, Michael, Patricia

Deliverables for next call:

1) Meet as a team at least 1 time (Coordinators will organize this with their team, off-list.)
2) Team develops (very) rough draft of an estimated budget.  Amanda will communicate with the Team Coordinators about the specific info needed.  This is due via email to Amanda by Wed 3/19 so she can present an initial draft of the overall budget needs (useful for our future fund-raising).
3) Each team roughs out major timelines / deadlines and top-level items.
4) Team Coordinator prepares brief report (~5 min) to share with the group at our next call on  3/23 at 6pm PST.

Note: If you decide / realize you cannot make your commitments, please just communicate this to either your Team Coordinator or to me directly, and we’ll make adjustments as necessary.  Life happens, and this is O.K., but it will be very helpful to have the heads-up so we can cover all the necessary bases.

Teams / Contact Info:

Here is the list of confirmed (and potential) camp participants along with which team(s) they’ve currently signed up for.  If this information needs correcting / updating, please feel free to make changes.  We’ll keep this up to date, and if you’re on the core team you should be able to make edits.  If you’re on the info list you should be able to view it but not make edits.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1J1nf5Ca_ydxJzV8VDq2Z1BORKeDhe0I4qJAYvb6S8ns/edit?usp=sharing

Schedule for our next call:

Sunday 3/23 at 6pm — Please add this to your calendar!

(619) 326-2772
Access code: 1246521

Agenda for next group call:

10-15 minutes – Inspiration Sharing (Metaphysical Team to present)
45 minutes – ~5 minute sharing from each Team Coordinator with high-level overview of where they’re at, if they need assistance with any specific things etc.
10 minutes – Closing, discuss next steps

THANKS AGAIN everyone for participating, this is truly what makes this camp a reality!  If you have any questions, feel free to reply or call.

Pre-Registration for 2014 Burning Man Individual Tickets is now OPEN!

2014 Burning Man, Logistics, Tickets

2014 Burning Man Tickets Pre-Registration Now Open!

PRE-REGISTRATION is now OPEN!

If you haven’t done so already, please visit http://profiles.burningman.com between NOW and Sunday, February 23, 2014, which is when Pre-Registration CLOSES, and click the “PRE-REGISTER FOR TICKET SALE” button.   This is CRITICAL for being able to purchase one (or preferably 2) ticket(s) when they officially go on sale on Wednesday, February 26, 2014.

This applies to everyone who would like to camp with us this year!

Thanks,
Gabriel

Burning Man Venice Beach Drum Circle this Sunday!!!

2014 Burning Man

Beach

Hello Brothers and Sisters of Love!

The Christian Science @ Burning Man Team (www.spiritualplaya.org) will be hosting our first Drum Circle Prayer Service this Sunday beginning with a reading of the Sermon on the Mount from 2:30-3:00 PM. At 3:00 we will explain about our ministry at Burning Man, pray, dance, sing and have a great time together! You are welcome to park in the parking lot of the Church of Christ, Scientist on 132 Brooks Avenue there in Venice. Just walk down Brooks, walk straight towards the ocean past the public restrooms, and you will run smack dab into So Cal’s biggest and most awesome drum circle!!!

Call or text me at 818-823-0468 if you can’t find us. We will be joining in the festivities, dancing, making music, playing, talking about this year’s Burning Man outreach, and praying with the Christian Science Bible Lesson on Mind.

If you are interested in attending this year’s Burning Man Art Festival, please sign up for an account today so you can purchase tickets tomorrow: http://profiles.burningman.com/

They go on sale at noon SHARP tomorrow and you need a log-in to purchase them. I’ll send another reminder to you all before noon tomorrow.

Lots of Love!!!
Michael

Burning Man Call Recap / IMPORTANT TICKET DATES & INFO

2014 Burning Man, Camp, Logistics, Tickets

Hi all,

We had a productive conversation last night.  As a group, we discussed what our mission statement for 2014 should be and agreed on a slightly edited version of what Anna Lisa had sent in.  Here is what we agreed on, based on feedback from everyone on the call.

2014 Mission Statement:
Our mission is to actively share God’s love for man in Black Rock City.

2014 Camp Name:
Life, Truth, Love: The Christian Science Experience (the same as last year)

We can further tweak / modify these if there is a good reason to do so, but otherwise this is what we’re going with.

— IMPORTANT TICKETING INFORMATION —

If you want to come camp with us at Burning Man this year, or are on the fence and thinking about it, or want to support the group by helping buy tickets, NOW IS THE TIME to pre-register for a Burning Man Profile account if you do not already have one.  Please please do so here right now, it will take you less than 2 minutes: http://profiles.burningman.com/register/

This is a NECESSARY step in order to PURCHASE a ticket to Burning Man.

This is in preparation for the next IMPORTANT DATES:

Thursday, February 20, 2014 12pm (noon) PST: Individual Sale ($380) registration begins
Sunday, February 23, 2014 12pm (noon) PST: Individual Sale ($380) registration ends
Wednesday, February 26, 2014 12pm (noon) PST: Individual Sale ($380) starts

AFTER you have registered for an individual Burning Man Profile, you next need to PRE-REGISTER to purchase one or two ticket(s).  The cost per ticket is $380, the same as last year.

Here is where you go to PRE-REGISTER, between Thursday Feb 20 and Sunday Feb 23: https://tickets.burningman.com  — PUT THIS ON YOUR CALENDAR NOW!

Thirdly, after you have your personal Profile account setup, and have Pre-Registered, on Wednesday, February 26 at 12pm (noon) PST, you can then visit https://tickets.burningman.com to purchase your ticket(s).

If you are able to, please purchase 2 tickets.  There is a sell-back program if we don’t end up needing all the tickets, but most likely not everyone will be able to purchase tickets.  Please be as prompt / on-time as you can be to buy the tickets, there are not a ton available, and last year they sold out pretty quickly (not everyone who tried was able to buy tickets).  In addition, we need at least 4 people to purchase a Vehicle Pass as well.  The additional cost for this will be $40 per pass.  These can also be re-sold, so if everyone who is able to purchase a ticket can also try for a vehicle pass as well that would be great.

Put it on your calendar, Burning Man is only 6 months and 6 days away!  Your participation in this step is very important to the success of our camp this year!  In no way can we guarantee a ticket for anyone who did not actually purchase it themselves, so this is the best way to ensure you have a ticket to Burning Man this year.

THANK YOU THANK YOU!

P.S.

Our next call is scheduled for March 2 at 6PM PST.  We’ll be discussing candidates for our lecturer this year, how many tickets we all managed to purchase, and group together for specific teams / tasks that need to be accomplished.  Please add this to your calendar as well since you won’t want to miss it!

Next Burning Man Call: Sunday 2/16 at 6PM Pacific Timezone (9PM Eastern, 8PM Central)

2014 Burning Man, Christian Science, Ideas & Concepts, Logistics, Organizing

Burning Man 2013 hands sculpture

Hi folks,

Let’s all try to be on this call (we’ve had 2 calls so far for the 2014 Camp and about 1/2 of us have been on each call, some haven’t been able to make either yet.)  We have some new people who are coming this year, and people who went last year who are for sure wanting to do it again.

If you’re on the fence about joining us this year, feel free to dial in and be part of the call.  We’re targeting ~1 hour for the call.  Remember, your participation is key to us having a successful camp this year!

Conference Call number:
(619) 326-2772
Access code: 1246521

Here is the suggested topic, assignment and agenda for this call:
 
Topic: Mission Statement & Official Camp Name

Pre-Call Assignments — Please do each of these!

  1. Read the story of foot washing in the Bible and think about its significance for our group: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_washing#Biblical_reference
  2. Read / re-read the 10 Principles of Burning Man – http://www.burningman.com/whatisburningman/about_burningman/principles.html
  3. Email Gabriel (gserafini@gmail.com) your draft idea(s) for a Mission Statement, or add directly to this document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PWiQ-G_vqkpH3KjKeRFl6NNNvQbZDAjb4wLORWF_VQ4/edit?usp=sharing
  4. Make sure you are registered at http://tickets.burningman.com with a user account so you’ll be prepared to purchase tickets.

Proposed Agenda:

  • 10 minutes – Inspiration sharing time, open
  • 5 minutes – Introductions for people who are new / haven’t been on last 2 calls
  • 5 minutes – Optional, time for any quick questions people may have
  • 40 minutes – Discuss / work towards a shared Mission Statement the group can agree on.  This will be a guiding statement we can all turn to as we begin work in earnest over the next few months on the Camp.
  • 5 minutes – Next steps – in our next call we’ll start organizing into specific teams / groups for logistical / task purposes.  Set time for next call.

Feel free to forward / share this with anyone you think may be interested in joining us at Burning Man in 2014.

Thanks!
Gabriel