Here, read my long ass-rant: The most important thing Ive ever learned from the burn scene, burner community, festival culture, whatever you want to call it, is radical self reliance. What this means to me is not only embodied in bringing enough supplies to sustain yourself and keeping enough control over yourself to maintain autonomy, but it means bringing your own energy, and your own good time. The first burn I ever attended was PDF, in the fall of 2011. It was amazing, and when I went to the same burn in the spring, I learned that not only do you have to bring enough stuff to sustain yourself, you need to bring enough energy and spirit to sustain your own party. Sometimes our events (burns or festivals or whichever) dont live up to our expectations. What this instilled in me was a sense of what is here is here - all we can do now is make the best of it. Freeform is a party in a field. Yes, there is community, yes there is spirituality, holiness, sacredness, reflection - but there were over 1500 of us dancing and talking and singing and drinking and having a good time. That, to me, is a party - and the idea behind a party is to have fun. If I find myself at a party, at any point, not enjoying myself, the onus is on ME to move myself. This moves dangerously close to the realm of victim blaming. I dont want to do that at all. Certainly, if the event were produced dangerously, or if there was no sort of community or ideals behind it, then the situation changes. But Freeform, all in all, was not a travesty. There may have been mistakes made, but we are all human, and we all make mistakes. There was *without a doubt* a warmth and kindness to Freeform this year - perhaps not always in the same spot, but always somewhere was a safe place to hole up and put my head on straight. With that said, I believe that in any situation (clearly, stolen cars aside), we are able to make the best of what were given. What else is there? Complaining will do nothing - either try to have a good time where you are, or step up and fix the problems that you see. To return to default world was exhausting and depressing after this event. I miss my loved ones - my new family that provided me with kindness, with love, with everything I needed to enjoy myself. Sure, there were moments (beer cans in the bathrooms, moop on the ground) where I was a little nonplussed with the efforts of some of us who attended - but those situations are easily rectifiable. And they are certainly not worth expending energy on complaints or butthurt rants. There will *always* be those who do not live the way you live, or live up to the standards youve set for yourself. The best you can do is try to help them - but complaining on Facebook isnt helping anyone. I think that the temple burn was great. I think the effigy burn was great. Hell, I think the entire experience of Freeform was great. Part of what I enjoy about these (festivals / burns / whatever) is that they always present me with a new challenge. Whether its weather, people, landscape, or even my own mindset - I come out the other side stronger for having experienced adversity even when I consider a burn home or vacation. If you do not like challenge, if you do not like adversity, then perhaps youre in the wrong place. If you dont like people having different opinions than you, or celebrating in a different way than you do, then perhaps youre in the wrong place. Life is full of diversity - in people, places, actions, everything. We are all different, and if I did not find beauty in that, then I wouldnt attend an event that is almost expressly defined as a place to explore our differences. That said, I love you all, and freedom of expression is also one of our most important concepts. Rant away if you must - just try to be aware that your expectations and emotions are yours and yours alone. To tell anyone else how to burn is defiant of everything we stand for - just look at the name Freeform. Be merry, for tomorrow we die.
Posted on: Thu, 19 Jun 2014 02:34:27 +0000
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