Lance Pugh

November 21, 2005

Essentially Ashland

Burning Man embers remembered

Ashlanders contributed to many random acts of kindness at annual event

Note: History is being written every day. When I first moved to Ashland, I never stopped to think about this, letting vast vats of information swirl and churn. Fortunately, much of it swam on back in a form that insinuated itself into The Daily Tidings for your enjoyment and reflection. The following ties into some adventures of locals that will be remembered as long as our minds are open and our spirits still have legroom.

As Katrina bore down on the Big Easy, laying waste with water and wind, another city of frivolity and fevered fun, deep in a western desert, dodged the wet bullet and went for heat and frigid nights, there to dance to a usually similar tune of total abandonment, captivating music, frenzied party-going and … a sense that life is more than punching the clock and hoping that you get the next open parking space.

While the Big Easy has been a regular diversion year-round, Burning Man is a compressed event: an instant city of approximately 35,000 constructed in the middle of the Black Rock Desert once a year. Burning Man is dedicated to the proposition that time and space occasionally fold and collapse on the planet, allowing us fungi a chance to mold to the mood of pressing music and people who manage to drop all pretenses, making it possible for us to appreciate that our planet is one giant living organism that requires our attention and protection.

Susan Chester and Garth Sahli cruise the desert at this year’s Burning Man festival. Submitted photo

This year’s contingent from Ashland to Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, in sharp contrast to last year’s adventure was less a non-stop party in a fixed camp than a mobile exploration of the entire Black Rock City, this in search of new friends and artwork, as well as a plateful of mirth and merriment.

The mobile, nautically themed Playa Sand Castle of last year underwent a makeover by Garth Sahli, resulting in the 2005 version named simply The Nomadic Castle. Gone is the metal palm tree with its sky shooting, 20-foot propane flame. The drum set and rooftop dance floor are also noticeably absent. While the sea theme drifted elsewhere, a new spirit of comfort and privacy prevailed. A royal tent and shower were installed on the upper deck. Susan Chester, owner of The Black Sheep, put her artistic touch on the whole, resulting in the most comfortable rolling digs in the desert.

The impact of Katrina upon Burning Man was both slow and subtle, at least at first. Information seemed contradictory and unbelievable. By the time the Gulf event was more fully unveiled, Burning Man was well underway. It became obvious that no one could unwind such wicked weather, nor effect rescue or repair from thousands of miles away, so the general mood was more subdued and generally social … people opened up more and enjoyed each other’s company, while filling the ether with positive thoughts and prayers for those caught in the basin that is New Orleans.

This year’s Burning Man was brimming with good deeds, done by good Samaritans who expected nothing in return. A couple of examples, as witnessed and relayed by Susan Chester:

• “Our friend Isaac hurt his ankle while dancing too enthusiastically one night, and then couldn’t walk. Next day we discovered that some kind soul had provided him with a set of crutches and a golf cart to jet around in! We had a blast bombing about parties in that ...”

• “The night of the burn we invited the camp across the way to ride with us, as they had someone who was injured and couldn’t get around. Made even more friends that night! The next day, they thanked us with a gourmet breakfast of quiche and fried potatoes. Yum!”

• “Garth helped a man repair a huge mechanical dragon head as we were passing by, making a sling with an electrical cord from his driver’s seat in the Nomadic Castle.”

Charity and kindness are the hallmarks of all truly great societies. Such spontaneous behavior happens all the time, whether at Burning Man, New Orleans or in Ashland. We expect it in our government institutions as a reflection of the generous citizens of our country. Yet, when the upper reaches of government seem packed with political appointees with little, if any, background in the organizations they purport to manage … it makes me want to be surrounded by friends and not dependent on cronies and fundraisers, who get the job because they are “loyal,” not competent, compassionate or caring.

I’m looking for the real deal.

Future columns will focus on various businesses as well as key individuals and events that will lead the charge from times past to lend perspective to the revival of Ashland. Send your favorite remembrances to: lance@journalist.com.