PolyParadise - 2009 - What Worked
Thursday December 1, 2009
As each Playa year passes I use this space to reflect on our collective
experience as a Theme Camp, as Benevolent Dictator what I see we did right and
what we did wrong, where we can improve for the following year. With each
passing year PolyParadise gets better & better, attracts more people as a camp
and to its events.
I thank you all for being part of the 11th Anniversary
of PolyParadise.
Anything said here is not meant ill will towards anyone or any situation. It is an open
dialogue, an airing of issues so that we may move forward.
I offer my own observations and as always welcome Comments, Praises, Bitches &
Roses....
Post Playa Dr. J & I had a conversation about the medical incidents on the
Playa. I share excerpts of it here with you.
Again, I appreciate everyone who was involved in assisting our fellow campers,
but as a camp PolyParadise will not collect, require or inquire or be
responsible for any campers medical issues or resulting injuries. People need to
be responsible for their own stuff and their own self.
You all should be very proud of the Community you created & nurtured all week
long.
****PolyParadise****
PolyParadise's population increased by 32 campers in 2009, to an On-Playa
total of 140. Within our borders there was an additional 35 people who did not
use the camp infrastructure, who wanted to be part of us but separate, I know
they all enjoyed their Playa Address.
We had 62 veteran campers return and 78 new campers and of that number 35
VIRGINS I thank all of the returning campers for making PolyParadise your Playa
home, I so depend on each & everyone of you in making our camp an amazing loving
space. I hope that all of our Virgin campers have seen what Community really
means, and I hope that you will all camp with us again.
One of the greatest compliments for me as Camp Daddy is praise that comes from
former PolyParadise campers that have camped elsewhere and will be returning
because they see what I see, they see and feel Community!
I hope that everyone had an amazing time as a PolyParadise Resident.
Finally in 2009 we had the Playa footprint to be able to create the PolyParadise
Community I had always envisioned. The Community Space, Serving Area & Kitchen
was an INCREDIBLE space in both day light and at night. It was awesome to have
the separate Events area, it really gave us back our Community Space for hanging
out.
PolyParadise continues to be a ‘Camp Drama Free Zone’, I mean everyone seems to
get along, no assaults, no fisticuffs between campers. But we did have a
situation with Medical Services visiting our Playa location twice in one day for
two of our campers. As I was out of camp for the day, I very much appreciate the
efforts and response of those that there present to assist in the aid of our
campers in need. Thanks to Stagger for being my Stand-In on Thursday. A
special callout to Dr. J (Jeff Patterson) who showed an exemplary heart in his
concern for his campmates, you are a gift to this Community and I thank you very
much!!!
On-Playa you asked me about Medical information gathered about our campers, I
mentioned to you that is not something I have done in the past and did not think
that other camps collected such information. I do not know that for sure, but
your original statement has had me thinking.
I guess I am caught between a rock & a hard place in that I really want & need
the Playa & PP experience to have some part in Radical Self-Reliance and that is
all about taking care of yourself and your own Medical Conditions. It was great
to have you as a Dr. in camp and very much appreciated that experience & caring
as our camp needed it on Thursday afternoon. But as I continue to think about it
people need to be responsible for their own stuff and their own self. If I do
require this information of our campers, what do I do with that information,
whom would I trust with that information other than myself. If I do require this
information do I or the camp become responsible because we knew about it but did
nothing to assist or stop someone from doing something adverse to that known
condition?
If you take medication make sure you have enough for the time on the Playa and
make sure to take it…Be aware of what you are ingesting and make sure to DRINK
ENOUGH WATER!! Radical Self-Reliance!!
A special Callout to all Rangers & Medical Staff that cared for campers of
PolyParadise and all Playa Citizens. Your dedication and sharing of your heart
and skills is a real gift to our Community and I thank you so much.
****Playa Location****
Our Theme Camp Registration did not specify a Playa location preference as much
as size allocation. I was very pleased with our Playa Footprint & location. It
was great to be on the other side of 6:00 and see that side of the city. Being
between two Porto Potty Banks and being between C & D between 4:30 & 5:00 was
very nice. We had great neighbors whom we shared with all week…This was an
awesome Playa Address!!! It was unfortunate that our location that was part of
the Playa Map but was listed with an incorrect address. We had great foot
traffic in our Community Space and awesome attendance at all of our camp events.
I would certainly be in favor of requesting the same Playa Location & Dimensions
for 2010.
What were your impressions of 4:40 & Chaos
between DNA?
****Kitchen & Stuff****
For 2009 PolyParadise had a Community related ‘Requirement’ that was to be part
of the daily cleanup or cooking & sharing a meal. The Community Kitchen was an
awesome success! Thanks so much to Uncle Bob and to everyone else who helped
setup and maintain the kitchen all week long.
The kitchen setup allowed for a clear definition between serving & cooking
areas. Though we could have used additional Prep Space. The new 3-Burner Cast
Iron stoves worked awesome and their placement in the center of the space
allowed access from either side. These stoves worked so well, the existing
Coleman Camp Stoves will be replaced for 2010.
Thanks to everyone that took the time & effort to create some awesome meals all
week long. There were so many great courses served each day. Thanks to everyone
who assisted with Trash Can Pizza & Trash Can Turkey!!! Thanks to everyone who
cleaned up, picked up, MOOPED up.
It was awesome to see the
2009 MOOP MAP and know that our efforts have us
now in the GREEN!!!! YEAH!!!! Freakin AWESOME!!! Thank you to everybody that
helped all week long and to those that stayed for teardown and beyond...You guys
ROCK for making those last sweeps through our space.
We are looking into ways of modifying our Trash Cans so that we do not have to
dig in the Playa for the Pizza Racks (Trash Can Pizza) as that may have been the dark spots listed
on the
2009 MOOP MAP.
The layout of the kitchen would be better suited in the future by adding an
additional 20’x20’, increasing space and thruways during meal preparation.
We had plenty of snacks for everyone, and all seemed satisfied with the
selections available. We do need to purchase a few more Metal Racks & Tables to
better organize all the Kitchen materials and Dish Drying.
Dishwashing and keeping the Pots/Pans washed and available for the next person
was much better this year as some campers this option as their contribution to
the camp.
No matter how many times you look over your packing list & recheck the bins and
crates, invariably you will forget something...In 2009 it was Dishwashing
Liquid. Thank you to our neighbors @ 4:30 & D for gifting some suds our way to
make it thru the week.
With regards to Syrup - We had many campers volunteer to make pancakes/waffles
or things that needed syrup. The food items were delicious & tasty but each
person brought their own supply of syrup, which means we have lots & lots of
syrup. We now have enough syrup for pancakes/waffles to feed several armies. So
if you plan to cook Pancakes/Waffles for 2010 WE HAVE SYRUP, no need to bring
anymore.
Having the Menu & Volunteer list printed poster size and displayed in the
Community Space was awesome, it let everyone know what was going to be cooked at
each meal and who volunteered for what events. For 2010, we will endeavor to
have the Font Size a bit bigger to make it easier to read from a distance.
Thanks so much to Stagger for heading up the Trash area and to everyone that
assisted in bagging & tapping up trash. More importantly, thanks to all of you
for taking some trash home. We generate this trash a camp, we need to deal with
its removal from the Playa as a Community. Because of your efforts and
commitment and Love of Community Trash…We transported ZERO bags of trash off the
Playa in the truck. We did have 5 buckets of general slop, generator oil, left
over food stuff slop, the remnants of many a thing on the Playa.
Thanks to
Shadow & Knotch for having the extra room and willingness to take a few items
left over (Bikes, Ice Cart…) that would not fit into the truck. An awesome
result of that kindness was that Uncle Bob & I got to visit them in Southern AZ
and share their lovely property & home for a day. You both are awesome
campers!!! Thanks again!!!
Thanks again go to Twist for the Dishwashing Station. A marvelous portable
double sink with drain…
The addition of the Hand Sanitizing Dispenser was awesome, great suggestion post
Playa ’08!!!
****Community Meals****
In 2009 PolyParadise had a Community related ‘Requirement’ that was to be
part of the daily cleanup or cooking & sharing a meal. The meals and the variety
of all things cooked was amazing!!!! There was never a want for food, there was
always choices.
Special callout to everyone that assisted in the creation of Trash Can Pizza
on Tuesday, Of course to UncleBob for coming up with this crazy idea...Thanks to
Dawn for the Checkered Table Cloth, Thanks to Joshua for being Jonny on the Spot
with a watch to track optimum Pizza cooling times. Thanks to for everyone that
assisted with Trash Can Turkey and a HUGE Thanks to David for jumping right in
and carving up all 4 turkeys while an anxious crowd awaited food…Amazing!!!
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to the planning, cooking,
serving & cleanup of each and every meal. Thanks to all who contributed to the
AZBurner Pot Luck. For when we share a meal and break bread together we grow
from just being friends to being FAMILY!
***Community Space****
This was the first year that we got to fully realize a Community Space that was
not infringed upon by our discussional Playa Events. The space itself was
awesome, area for chairs Pillows, crash space and the Massage Table. Thanks
again to Dr. J for that wonderful gift to the community.
I thought the space worked out well with the Community Space, Serving Area,
Kitchen all just one big connected space. The layout of the kitchen would be
better suited in the future by adding an additional 20’x20’, increasing space
and thruways during meal preparation.
The space really kicked ass at night. With all the lights, the Glow Stick
Arches, Lighted Signs, Rope Light…It was really an awesome sight!! Thanks to
everyone that helped create such an amazing space.
****Playa Events****
This was an amazing year for PolyParadise Playa Events. We had lots of amazing
events that drew large crowds each day. Being able to have a separate space away
from our main Community Space had a huge impact.
Poly High Tea >> Human Carcass Wash >> Mind Melt >> The Heart of Now >> AZBurner
Pot Luck >> Understanding Jealousy >> Human Evolution, Culture and Polyamory
Major Judos to the organizers _Greg & Crew (HCW), Facilitators of Poly High Tea,
BrotherLuv (Mind Melt) , Keith & Lenel (Heart of Now) , Aurelia & Dio
(Understanding Jealousy) & Leanna (Human Evolution, Culture and Polyamory). You
all are aces in my book!!! Thanks to everyone who assisted in each and every
event. The events are as much for us as a camp as well as sharing with the Playa
Citizenry.
The Human Carcass Wash most certainly needs to have a bigger space to
accommodate the large crowds that gather for this event. We will need to
purchase some additional shade structures and associated tarps.
****Perfect Place for Poly Play****
We all must collectively thank Tailfeather for his amazing efforts on the Poly
Playa Space. Each year the space has evolved and creates an awesome addition to
our Community. A space to let loose, a space to explore sexually. Thank you
Tailfeather. Thanks to everyone that assisted in the assembling & teardown of
the dome.
Again, I thank Tailfeather and everyone involved in this project for all their
efforts in making a Playful Space for Poly Play.
****Poly Shower****
Major kudos again go to Tailfeather & Twist for the shower base & frame the
worked very well again this year. We did try and make the shower surface a bit less slippery
with non-skid strips, but they did not seem to stay in place. We will look to
purchase shower mats to improve this safety issue.
Thanks to Twist, the shower drain had an identical pump system to the kitchen
sink. When the water level filled the container, the pump would turn on and
shoot the water to the storage tank. Well Done TWIST!
It has been noted that we need a better way to secure the hoses to the top of
the Gray Water Tank so that they do not go to far in, as this creates a suction
backflow. The drain basins then overflow and we get wet…Very Wet Playa.
****Survival Guide****
2009 marked the second year of the PolyParadise Survival Guide. This year, the
survival guide was emailed to all campers upon registration and available via
the web site for review. I hope that each of you found it useful.
****Gray Water Reclamation****
Our Gray Water disposal was again assisted by Twist with the drain system for
the sink and the shower that emptied into the holding tank provided by Sani-Hut.
As noted we do need to better secure the hoses to the top of the tank so that we
do not get backflow. But that part aside, this system provides us as a camp a
no-worry way to deal with the Gray Water issue.
During breakdown of camp on Monday, the generator will be turned off as all
electrical cables are being pulled. On breakdown day all remaining waste
water will be poured directly into the top of the Holding Tank.
The Tank delivery, service and pickup were without incident and thanks have been
given to Sani-Hut. Over the course of the week we generated just over 850
Gallons of Gray Water. There is no doubt that we will again use the services of
Sani-Hut in 2010 for our Gray Water collection & disposal, it is well worth the
cost.
****Generator Power****
When it comes to the camp’s Generator, there is someone who needs special
THANKS!!! TWIST!!! Hats off to you my Right Hand Rocket Scientist!!!!
In 2008 the generator stopped working and a group of people attempted On-Playa
Generator Surgery that was less than successful. Major Kudos to Twist who
rebuilt the damaged threads! Major Thanks as well to UncleBob who has been
instrumental in maintaining the generator all year long. We are on a monthly
schedule of routine running, oil changes, air filter and spark plug maintenance.
Post Playa UncleBob & I changed the Spark Plug, we were able to see first hand
how difficult a process that is under the best of conditions, that being
daylight. It is no wonder that when this was attempted in 2008 that it ended
badly. No generator maintenance should be carried out in the dark with
flashlights.
Part of the problem with the backflow of the gray water system was that if the
generator was off the power to the pumps is off. When the generator needed to be
serviced , the camp was without power. The previous year we had a battery backup
system provided by Twist. Pre-Playa this system was not working so we went
without. Since the generator does go off line, the purchase of battery backup
for the Gray Water system.
****AZBurners Pot Luck****
The AZBurner Pot Luck Party on Wednesday was a SMASHING SUCCESS!!!
We had 100+ people hanging out, eating, drinking and having a
GREAT
TIME for well over 2 hours. I thank all of you that contributed some
Food-Stuff to the Pot Luck and helped clean up afterwards. I hope you all
had an AMAZING time hanging out with all of our
Arizona Friends.
****Early Arrival & Exodus****
Early Arrival
- Many, Many thanks to all of our Early Arrival crew. Kudos go out to
Airman, Jayme, Trouble, Sista, Azriel, Brotherluv, Jacques, Theresa, Knotch &
Shadow, Aurelia & Dio, Stagger, UncleBob, Touch, Stealth Angel, Owl, Keith &
Lenel.
All thru the day on Saturday there was a stiff breeze and we all felt it was not
a good idea to attempt shade structure erection. As night arrived the winds were
calmer and everyone pitched in to get the structures up in the air and tied
down. A special callout is warranted…That goes to Lenel…The structures cannot go
up without incident if the rebar stakes are not already in the ground. Lenel
worked hard out in the sun with me pounding in over 50 pieces of rebar…My thanks
to you Lenel!!!
Taking down the entire camp is equally as an undertaking as setting it all up.
Maybe even more of a task because we now have to find a place for everything,
all that stuff needs to go into bins, crates and loaded in the truck. I cannot
require that campers stay till Monday and be available to assist with breakdown,
this years crew was incredible. Thank you all so much for doing the dirty work
and being there to pack away our community for another year. Special callout to
Trevor, regardless of being a Virgin Burner you put in veteran effort. Thanks
for everything; I hope you will be back!
General LNT efforts for PolyParadise were awesome. The
2009 MOOP MAP shows our efforts have us now in
the GREEN!!!! YEAH!!!! Freakin AWESOME!!! Thank you to everybody that helped all
week long and to those that stayed for teardown and beyond...You guys ROCK for
making those last sweeps through our space. We are looking into ways of
modifying our Trash Cans so that we do not have to dig in the Playa for the
Pizza Racks (Trash Can Pizza) as that may have been the dark spots listed on the
2009 MOOP MAP. These dark areas may well have been the wet Playa that
happened from the backflow of the Gray Water system.
Thanks to Shadow & Knotch for having the extra room and willingness to take a
few items left over (Bikes, Ice Cart…) that would not fit into the truck.
2009 was my 10th Burn and the 8th serving as Camp Daddy, Benevolent Dictator of
PolyParadise. Each year we come together from all parts of the world to share,
learn & grow share the passion & commitment to Community and the lifelong
friendships created on the hallowed grounds of BRC and within the borders of
PolyParadise. I cannot imagine my life without Burning Man or PolyParadise. I
thank you all for being part of it all with me.
The Burning Man/PolyParadise experience is different for each person. It is my
hope that each of you felt you had a home & a family within the borders of
PolyParadise and that each one of you had the MOST AWESOME TIME EVER!!! I hope
that if you return to Burning Man again, you will camp with us and again help
create the Community we love, PolyParadise in BRC!
A special callout to UncleBob!!! He officially became an Arizona Resident in
Feb. ’09 and a member of our house and a right-hand Burner thru & thru. I
appreciated his guidance and assistance in all Burning Man/PolyParadise projects
throughout the year! UncleBob, you are a great friend and brother of WildChild.
I thank you for your patience, enthusiasm and true Burner spirit.
The special, special Callout goes to my Life Partner, Wife, Friend & companion,
WildChild. You teach me each day the value of a Big Heart and are constantly
there all year long with a smile, encouragement and new ideas to make the
Burning Man/PolyParadise experience better & better each year.
Again, it has been my pleasure and honor to be your Camp Daddy (Benevolent
Dictator). Each year brings a different set of challenges, a different set of
lessons to be had & learned or stumbled upon; you just never know what the Playa
will bring....
We will learn from our mistakes, we will again come alive with PolyParadise,
Version 12, it will be better than ever!!!
August 30 - September 6, 2010 - 271 days left till Burning Man!
Scotto
Camp Daddy - Benevolent Dictator - Burning Man Lifer