Entries by TATIANA

I had many MOMENTS at Burning Man.....you know when you suddenly get overwhelmed with an emotion like extra happiness or sadness, just feel more alive and aware in that moment. Let me tell you about one moment in particular. I was out riding my bike and exploring the playa during the day, it was hot, I was thirsty. I came across two large containers, one filled with some sort of Gatorade or something and another with water. Cold. Some nice person had out of the goodness of their heart put the containers there for people to quench their thirst and get refreshed. Lots of similar random acts of kindness at Burning Man and totally FREE!

So I stopped for a drink, it tasted soooooo good. Well, after a while it was me and three other people there drinking. And we had a moment. A group of strangers that shared a few minutes of connection, conversation and a group hug. I was so moved that I cried a little and I know that at least one of the others cried too. It was......beautiful. It made me feel so happy and I will never forget that, I cherish that memory. We were all from different parts of the country, Kenai, Philadelphia, San Diego and San Francisco but we were there at Burning Man together and had a moment.

It's been two weeks now since I arrived at the playa located in Nevada's Black Rock Desert. Burning Man is held up in northern Nevada just outside a small town called Gerlach. I left Las Vegas Monday afternoon and arrived at Burning Man around 1 am Tuesday.....then it took about three hours in a slow moving line to actually get through the entry gates to camp. For one week I stayed at 7 50 and G......and I would gladly loooooveeee to be back there right now for another week because the fun was over before I knew it. The first thing I did after getting there was to hop on my borrowed bike and head towards something......I just wanted to SEE and FEEL what was going on and this is one of the first pics that I took. The Man, on top of his craft. I knew within my first few minutes on the playa that I was in for a great experience, I could feel it in my whole being.

What do you need to bring to Burning Man to get by? Well, the very obvious, you need shelter, water and food. I was lucky and stayed in a rather comfortable motor home.

But there were plenty of people there that stayed in tents. So that is also perfectly doable, although I think I would prefer some form of RV for comfort. And many make shaded and comfortable lounge areas in their camp by the help of tarps, flowing tapestries, pillows etc. I already have a theme and color idea for the camp I want to make next year. Another thing you need is a bike. The playa is large and it saves you a lot of time if you bring a bike. I am the kind of person that wants to see and do as much as possible. I encountered a few people at the event that basically only hibernated in their camp, took a daily trip to the porta-potties and then made a trip to see the Man burn, that's it. Eeeeeh what? I think you need to get out there and see what Burning Man has to offer, because it is A LOT. Here is my bike. Note my very cute backpack. It got a lot of attention for being so cute.

This is Sarah aka Wonderhussy, being fabulous as usual. We shared camp. Camp ChakaLaka that you can see in the background of the pic. You can read her very fun, amazing and informative blog here She has some great Burning Man stories up right now......! That is how we met a few years ago, through our blogs.

And here I am with Sarah, her sisters Anna and Eliza and some other person.

A lot of people transformed their bikes into moving artwork. There is lots of wonderful creativity at Burning Man.

Here are some random cuties, there were lots of cuties to look at too.

Here I am pedaling my way around the playa one night.

I have much more of my Burning Man experience coming up. I want to break it down in pieces. Besides it is latte time!

Another week came and went.....it is late Sunday here and I think that time goes by way too fast. It's almost like it is speeding up. I spent my Sunday doing errands, the never ending errands.....and doing fun stuff with Chhaya, we went down to the beach earlier to catch today's last rays of the sun. Of course I took pics. I always take pics.

Some late night thoughts......I think it is really lame that a lot of people are coming down so hard on Miley (Cyrus). Hello, the girl is 20, she is full of life and happiness. It is obvious. * IF * anything then criticize that nerd Robin Thicke with his lame songs about de domesticating women and giving it to them (eeewwwwww) and his even lamer video with naked chicks. He is a middle aged married guy. What is HIS problem? That suit that he stuffed himself into at the VMA's wasn't too hot either. Why bash Miley and not him....if anything. I think Miley should have fun.....and wait to get married, she is too young. She is far from the only celeb that put on a somewhat controversial performance. And come on.....it could be a lot worse. Sure her "twerking" is kind of funny looking and she will soon realize that sticking her tongue out like that is not so flattering. On the other hand Gene Simmons used to perform with his tongue hanging out and that was ok? But at least Miley is doing SOMETHING......music, the girl can sing! Why is Kim K famous again? Oh, for having a sex tape out......wow......THAT is so NOT impressive, not to mention her quickie for cash and more fame marriage to that neanderthal Kris Humphries. And people look up to her? I sure don't. I'd rather be Miley.....she seems like she is having fun. My kind of fun.

I think I love my new gray bra.....I wasn't for sure about the color gray on me but I like it. I have some gray Honey Dew's that match ok and some pink ones with gray lace and details. I am not overly obsessive about matching, as long as it is kind of the same color I am ok.
Or something that goes together well.



So.....some stories from work last night perhaps? We had a fun and nice group of guys in the last two nights, they all live in Hawaii and they are here fishing. They are also very generous. Last night they threw so many dollar bills at me when I was on stage that I asked them to stop throwing money because it was another girls turn to go on stage. That, according to my friend Sharon that I work with, goes down in stripper history. A girl in the strip club asking guys to stop throwing money on her already.

Another kind of hilarious thing that you will only hear in a strip club......while I was on stage one of the guys in that group said that if he died and had to come back as a VAGINE......it would be mine. He didn't use the word VAGINE (I use it to make it more fun sounding).
He used another word that start with a P. That was kind of funny and we were all laughing about it and I also felt kind of embarrassed. I don't do anything too crazy on stage, especially not when I am totally nude, I am rather conservative if you can use that word for a dancer, no spread wide open legs or doggy style, it is not my style but some girls do that and make it look nice and sexy (and others should just avoid those positions all together). I am going for the more sensual and pretty style I guess, if I had to try to describe it.

I had some time for shopping in Vegas.....I love shopping. Even though I don't need anything......I know this but I still like stuff.
So of course I had to go to Victoria's Secret to see if they had some new cute bras. And I found two, a light pink one and a gray one. Since I don't like their panties too much I went looking for Honey Dew's and found one pair. I guess I have almost every pair of Honey Dew's boy short style that came out so I have to wait until they come up with some new designs and colors.



Then I got this pink net top, perfect for Burning Man next year. I want a long one too.
And there is a new Juicy perfume out, VIVA LA JUICY NOIR. It smells really good and I love the bottle. I have saved almost all my Juicy perfume bottles, one day I am going to make some sort of an art project with them, that's the plan.



I walked by ALDO and found these boots, I tried them on and liked them. I didn't buy them that day but I am still thinking of them so I will probably order them online. I have been looking for some boots with silver details. I found a pair at a small boutique on NYC last December that looked a lot like these but more expensive and they were also out of my size. These are nice too, I think I am going to order them later today.
I also tried on and liked some very nice and soft leggings from Rag & Bone that I might have to order.



Then.....I saw and fell in love with these sneakers by Giuseppe Zanotti. I want them BUT they are kind of expensive, about $ 700. But sooooo nice! After looking at some more online, I also fell in love with the turquoise ones with the fringe. WOW. I NEED! LOOK



I went to work last night.....I was there for a little over four hours before I was over it and asked to go home. Drama, negativity.....ugh....I wanted to be back at Burning Man. I can't tell you how nice it is that I can remove myself somewhat from the stuff that annoys me at work by hiding out on the couch with either a book or my laptop. Until somebody comes up and wonders what is wrong and why I am sitting all alone that is. Typical. Speaking of reading....
I have started on the Dan Brown's latest Inferno and I like it.
I think I am going to start breaking down my Burning Man experience on Monday with a series of blogs and of course pictures to go with it.....so keep on reading if you want to know how it was!

Here is a brand new pic of me at Burning Man. I was lucky enough to run into a very nice person and also a great photographer while I was sitting by myself at Center Camp sipping on an iced latte. We started talking and a few days later he took some pics of me. The statue in the background was one of my favorite pieces of art at Burning Man, I called it The Lady, not sure if that is the correct name. More pictures of the statue another time and I have more pictures to show from the shoot too.
It is raining and windy out. I am going to get dressed and head out for my latte, a hot one today. Then I have errands to do and possibly work tonight.



Photographer Michael Helms.