Burner Resume: Showman
/Burner Handle(s): Showman
Defaultia Region of Origin: Ann Arbor, MI
Years Burning/home burn: 4
NSFW: Safety Third, Read at your own risk
Years of Servitude, ahem, volunteering: 3
Role: Transportation Authority and Car Oversight (TACO) Lead
Why: Because "Parking Lead" sounds way less exciting then "Transportation Authority and Car Oversight," that's why.
Why does your dept matter? Much is made of the journey, of those who undertake it, of roads diverging in the woods, and of paths less traveled by... but frankly when a you burners decide to all take the same less-traveled road, on the same day, at the same time, things can get a wee bit out of hand. Someone's got to set up some temporary barricades and make sure people don't just park anywhere or drive however they want instead of using the shuttle...because, no offense, but self-disciplined traffic management is not among your strong suits community... I have seen what happens when someone isn't there to wave you in and tell you to PULL IT IN CLOSE.
Why does volunteering improve your burn/make you happy/work for you? Volunteering is the closest you'll get to burner-friendship speed dating. Show up, meet new folks... and then after 2 hours you can either all find a way to hang out again or just be casual acquaintances in the community. Case in point; I met my friend and now co-lead Salil working the infamously low-key "Sunday morning" parking shift in 2015.
Why should someone consider volunteering for you? Someone shouldn't consider volunteering for TACO, they should do it! They should do it because this is a job that needs doing, it is an undertaking in need of undertakers, a task in need of task masters, and a venture in need of adventurers.
What's your favorite volunteer story? First volunteer shift I ever did was at Lakes of Fire doing... you guessed it... parking. There were two guys standing at the end of the row talking to people before sending them down to me. Everyone approached really really slowly no matter how much I waved at them to hurry up and they were all super concerned about hitting me... like I didn't have legs and wasn't just going to jump back out of their way.. The next day I ran into the two guys at the end of the row, and commented on how frustrating everyone's driving was. This was when they let me in on the joke... that they had instructed every single car to approach me with the utmost caution, claiming that I was on some concoction of drugs that made me dangerously unhinged. They told everyone that a fast moving vehicle, or one that even bumped against me might just set me off. I must have parked half the event that afternoon... best burner initiation prank ever...
What's your best burner skill? Ability to dress nicely and still be functional while camping.
What's your choice nugget of wisdom for a virgin burner? Bring ear-plugs. Your idea of what happens when sound camps 'turn down' is not what happens when sound camps 'turn down,' nor should it be given that this is a 3-day long 24/7 party.
Why do you love burning? It is a chance to apply yourself to something that you want to do, and that you choose to do, for your own reasons in your own way.
Have burns changed your life? How? I used to shower every single evening, and I would feel gross and greasy if I ever missed a night... let alone two. One lakes of fire I did DPW pre-event and didn't shower for the whole burn... and now I actively have to remember to shower every couple of days... I just don't notice anymore... and so just like that, I quite a life-long habit, cold turkey.
What does consent mean to you? In brief: Saying 'Yes' in a situation such that the speaker feels comfortable saying 'No.'
Which principle is primary for you and why? Radical Self Reliance, because I feel that the minimum anyone can do for the community, is to have their own shit together enough that it isn't someone else's problem.
What keeps you sane in Defaultia? Sanity is over-rated.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Already grown, and it's working pretty well for me.
What's your drink of choice? Flask Whiskey... Whiskey... in a flask...
