I know where Syd Barrett LivesThis weekend I read Breaking Open the Head, "a psychedelic journey into the heart of contemporary shamanism" by Open City founder Daniel Pinchbeck. It's about his search for greater spiritual meaning &c and contains enjoyable anecdotes about traveling to exotic climes to partake of the entire Erowid catalog. There are also a number of chapters devoted to his examination of the occult and mysticism and philosophy, which aren't as much fun to read, because while Pinchbeck decries those who hand-pick selected bits of tribal wisdom and folklore in order to justify their own spiritual travels/travails, it seems that this is exactly what he's doing, often referencing the same Benjamin or Gurdjieff quotes in different chapters. This could be due to the fact that some of the chapters appeared in magazines and newspapers as stand-alone pieces, but this could've been remedied by some astute copyediting. Anyhow, I was generally appreciating much of his rumination until I hit page 106, where he wrote I returned to New York City. Ten days after the spectacular burning of the "Temple of Tears" [at Burning Man], Laura and I were caring for our three-week-old baby when we heard the loud thrust of a low-flying airplane and then a sickening thud.He goes on to describe the events of 9/11. He finishes up with It was past 11 am. Up in the blue sky, between two towers, a two-thirds wedge of lunar opal was clearly visible, beaming over the city....Suddenly, I realized what was happening, if Gurdjieff was right: The moon was feeding.OK. Ignoring that absurdity about the moon, do the math: He was cavorting out at Burning Man mere days after his child was born. What gives? I mean, it's one thing to say, "Oh, I'll do the dishes after I get back from the bar." It's another thing to say "Oh, while you're coping with the physical exhaustion and emotional upheaval that come part in parcel with bringing another being into the world, I'm going to be painting my body and riding my fixed-gear on the playa. Sorry about the episiotomy! Ta." Posted by Dana at 11:49 AM
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Theatre Is the Life of YouAlso, the moon was almost exactly half-sized, not two-thirds. Unless the moon was really feeding.
Posted by: Grant Barrett at February 7, 2005 02:54 PMFun fact: I know where Grant Barrett lives, too.
Posted by: dana at February 7, 2005 03:00 PMDamn hippies.
I still maintain that Burning Man is nothing more than a more pretentious version of Spring Break for the math club.
Posted by: jonmc at February 7, 2005 03:47 PMBetcha they took the baby there. More or less ridic? Dunno. I think it's pretty bad... not at all something I would do to Lil' Acquaintance, or Mrs. Acquaintance in that situation but I suppose rational people may differ. I generally think camping is a bad idea though.
As for:
> I still maintain that Burning Man is nothing more
> than a more pretentious version of Spring Break
> for the math club.
I was a Mathlete and Guess Again. The smart kids were not making art cars or dancing. They were doing math. No shit. It's more fun than you think.
Math not Meth y'all.
Or better yet, Math on Meth.
Then BM is Spring Break for the Drama Club and the Art Club. I just have very little patience with people who feel they have to dress up the normal human urge to ingest pychoative substances and expose ones goodies in a cloying coat of ridiculous pretension.
Posted by: jonmc at February 7, 2005 04:47 PMJon, is this how you are IRL? Do you just walk into a room and start spouting off to everyone about how Your Favorite Hobby Sucks and how the way they choose to spend their vacation time makes them pretentious poseurs?
Why should you give a shit? Why do you insist of shitting all over other people's sites, as you go on this quest to rid the internet of (your definition of) pretension?
You act like you're some sort of Holden Caulfield for the new century. But you forget: No one liked Holden Caulfield.
And where do you get off bashing both the math club AND the drama club in the same breath? Can you please provide a list of things it was OK to do in high school? I mean, besides jerking off and listening to the Mats.
Posted by: jpoulos at February 8, 2005 10:25 AMSugar, you don't know where I live any more. I moved! I was tired of the scratching at the door, the notes in the mail slot, of having to walk around your tent and sleeping bag every morning. I tell you again: when everyone has met on the plains of Armageddon, they WILL NOT then be having the after party at my house.
Posted by: Grant Barrett at February 8, 2005 01:11 PMpoulos, the 'Net's more or less an open forum, where we all, you included, spout off on pretty much anything we see. People tear apart things I like all the time online, it's expected. Hell, I've seen you tear apart things you think are stupid/silly/ridiculous. I had people on my own 'blog tearing me a new one. It's part of life in the big bad world where you have to deal with (gasp) people who disagree with you. There's no law of the 'net that says we have to walk around saying that we think everything is wonderful. I'm not trying to rid the internet of anything, just say what I think. If you want an echochamber, go find an empty men's room. If you want affirmation, go buy some books from Hazelden.
Second of all, quit taking it all so damn seriously. I'm making broad general facetious statements. It's not a debate society. It's casual coversation. And the original post was making fun of BM, fer chrissakes.
But you forget: No one liked Holden Caulfield.
Being liked has never been a priority.
And dana's a big girl. If she minded me speaking my mind on subjects she posts, she'd have no trouble telling me so.
Posted by: jonmc at February 8, 2005 08:16 PMFor the record, I was involved in both art and drama in school. I wasn't asking your opinion about Burning Man. And I don't appreciate being called a "big girl." Comments are closed.
Posted by: dana at February 9, 2005 09:15 AM