This morning I fully assembled my shade structure for the first time. Last weekend, I’d put up the center pole and support ropes, but today I collected all my gear and timed my assembly time. In total, it took me about 1 hour to assemble all by myself. I’m pleased with the result so far, but I’ll reserve final judgment until it’s been playa tested.

Also, I received my El Wire and outfitted my bike today as well!

Playa Pounder Post Pimp At Night

Today there were 42 days left before the man burns, and I got into gear. Yesterday I picked some 12″ galvanized spikes and washers for tent anchors, some more plastic totes, a small tarp, Gorilla Tape, and some Reflectix 2′ x 25′ Double Reflective Foil Insulation.

This morning I hit up the Goodwill 50% off Saturday sale for another pair of shorts and pants, two more shirts, a sleeping bag, a battery operated radio tape player, and a small pair of speakers. Came home and got to work rigging up my playa pounder (my wife’s cruiser bike that I’m commandeering for the burn).

playa pounder before modification

I affixed a basket to the handlebars, added the speakers, and connected the radio so I’ll be able to tune into BMIR and the other stations only available on the playa. I have some spoke blinkies, and I’m waiting on some EL wire from BikeGlow.

I then set about making a cooler koozie cover out of the Reflectix and Gorilla Tape. The sleeping bag wraps around the whole thing to make a super cooler!

the fuck?

ohh, a silver box

super cooler!

Oh, perhaps the best find of the day at Goodwill was a set of metal trophy mugs for an easy to clip on cup solution.

1979 HHSA Summer Climax Mixed Doubles "A" Winner

Slainte!

In such circumstances the mind is influenced through the body.  Though your mouth glows, and your skin is parched, yet you feel no languor,- the effect of dry heat; your lungs are lightened, your sight brightens, your memory recovers its tone, and your spirits become exuberant.  Your fancy and imagination are powerfully aroused, and the wildness and siblimity of the scenes around you, stir up all the energies in your soul, whether exertion, danger, or strife.  Your morale improves; you become frank and cordial, hospitable and single-minded; the hypocritical politeness and the slavery of Civilization are left behind you.  Your senses are quickened; they require no stimulants but air and exercise; in the desert spriritous liquors excite only disgust.

There is a keen enjoyment in mere animal existence.  The sharp appetite disposes of the most indigestible food; the sand is softer than a bed of down, and the purity of the air suddenly puts flight a dire cohort of diseases.

Here Nature returns to Man, however unworthily he has treated her, and, believe me, when once your tastes have conformed to the tranquility of such travel, you will suffer real pain in returning to the turmoil of civilization.  You will anticipate the bustle and confusion of artificial life, its luxuries and its false pleasures, with repugnance.  Depressed in spirits, you will for a time after your return feel incapable of mental or bodily exertion.  The air of the Cities will suffocate you, and the careworn and cadaverous countenances of citizens will haunt you like a vision of judgement.

Source:
Personal journal entry of Richard Burton during his Pilgrimage to Meccah and Medinah circa 1853. From ‘The Life of Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton’ by Isabel Burton, published in 1893 (via books.google.com).

/via Lost’n'Found via [BManUpdate] V14:#22:07.08.10