The View From Space » LIB

Back to Life

spaceman23 — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:47:00 +0000

(image from the UK cover)

It took me a little longer to get back into the swing of life after getting back from the forest (and i certainly did not work as hard as some!). I have spent the last few days trying to get back into life in the big city, and it has definitely been challenging.

I liked having my little canvas cabin in the woods, I liked having my meals catered, I liked the simplicity of working all day, going to sleep and doing it all over again. Now, it has all gone back to normal and dealing with the mundanity of life bores me to unconsciousness. Traffic makes me want to doze off almost immediately. Where the hell do all these people come from?

Here’s what I have been up to. Don’t judge me.

1. I have been reading Little Brother by Cory Doctorow. When I was visiting San Fransisco, I walked by a window advertising a signing by Cory. I am a huge fan. He is one of the editors of Boing Boing and one of the brightest minds in science fiction. But alas, the signing was going to be while I was at LIB. The sweet people at the shop offered to send it to me when he came.

Because Cory is the super-coolest writer ever, amd he believes obscurity is a bigger problem than piracy, you can also download the book for free at http://craphound.com/littlebrother/download/

“To Spaceman, Live Free” the inscription read when I got home. The book is incredible. It is a young adult novel, his first foray into that realm. It is basically a novelized manual for how to beat homeland security at their own game for young people. I would say that young adults like us should read it too. I am seriously considering doing an online companion site for Little Brother, a resource for the tech and countermeasures taught in the book.

2. My dad had a birthday the other day. I can’t believe that my dad is 60. He doesn’t look it, at all. It is always this great check on ourselves to note how long the years really can be. I deeply love my dad. He’s such a good guy.

3. I stayed away from the sugar and the alcohol at LIB and am recommitting to hitting the gym 3 time a week at minimum again. My body image has been shifting in the last few weeks, and I am liking what I am seeing. It is true, I am one sexy mothafucka.

I am also recommitting to getting content on this blog every godsdamn day. I miss blogging, I am back.

4. I registered a theme camp this year: Voodoo Bistro. Camping and Voodoo. Limited capacity. No slackers and no big art. We shall see if the BORG approves it. http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=layout1bs1.jpg

5. Wolfie, ever the pusher, has been hounding me for weeks to start in his little World of Warcraft cult. “Come over,” he says, “we’ll have a few laughs, kill a few monsters and take their stuff” he says. This week, I caved and played. I am so scared, because it is so much fun.

There is deep social meaning in this. It is an incredibly well designed game. I can’t help but think that these will be the new secure chat rooms.

6. My flip video camera rules. I got some great footage out at LIB. I want to cut some of it together, but am daunted by the quicktime-imovie thing. It is just so many steps. A video monkey who can help me on this ill win my eternal gratitude and a nice dinner or lunch. Please help me.

7. Oh yes, I saw Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull the other night. I was impressed. I thought there were some really cool references to some stuff that I am really into like multidimensional thinking, area 51, and forbidden archeology. AND it is a genre action film, thought best of as a pulp novel brought to life. Go into it expecting unbelievable two fisted tales, and you will get what you paid for.

The Party is Over.

spaceman23 — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Wonderful. Mad. Beautiful. Exhausting. Inspiring. Conspiring.

***Tried to post this the other day, failed. I am home, ready to sleep! Here she is!***

I am spent. I had an epic good time at LIB. It seems that just about everyone had an epic good time at LIB.

I lost my iphone. This is sad, and I still would like to find it. I lost it sometime before dawn, and I brought this upon myself. Was it worth it? YES. But please, if you hear of anyone finding an iphone with steampunk gears on it, please send them my way. I’d rather not have to buy a new one.

***Update*** I found it. It was in my tent. I like to think that a time travelling me from the future took it, used it for a little while and then put it back while I was working. Either that, or I was so out of it when I came home sunday night that I just misplaced it. Either way…. HAPPY!

Highlights:

1. The Yard Dogs: Yeah, like I said, fucking incredible! There was one song, this mournful Etta James song, it lifted me up. I actually had to keep checking behind me to see if someone was lifting me up, or fitting me with an arial rig or something, I was sure I would fly away over the stage. It was magic.

2. Building the festival. I knew every inch of cable adding power to the show. I knew every path and golf cart route. I felt real ownership of my contribution.

3. I met great people everywhere! New members of the Do Lab, people from my past, people I have met in the future, and just smiling loving faces at every turn.

4. Gnoming it up. I scared and tricked so many of my friends, and lit up the faces of many strangers.

5. Wolfie’s set at 1:30 Saturday. It was like a family reunion. I danced, and played for the whole set. Ali and crew, you guys rocked me! I got some fantastic video, I should have it up this week.

6. Watching Adam Freeland from the lighting booth Sunday night.

7. Partying like a rockstar on a sunday night, just like old times, eh gang?

8. My camp. It was so sweet. I was surrounded by good friends that I really wanted to connect with, my tent setup was super sweet, and I leveled my futon frame perfectly. After Matt Cole hooked me up with a new blanket, and scotty picked up a jacket for me I was warm as could be.

9. People saying to me “Oh you’re Spaceman!” Apparently people are actually reading this! That makes me happy! It seems that people have been talking about me, forwarding my lists, and reading without comments.

10. That kiss.

*** 11. Wrapping all the lighting in 1 1/2 days.

*** 12. The amazing sushi dinner on tuesday night for the crew. I love being a part of the Do Lab!

Notes from the Bottle 2

spaceman23 — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:28:00 +0000

Cold today and tonight. f you are a vendor, bring warm stuff. I will buy it. I had to run into town to get some thermals I was so cold. I will also take cuddle partners, purely for body warmth and survival, I assure you.

We made a lot of progress today and things really are starting to come together. The stages look amazing!

Wind. It’s windy. I used to say that LIB was like burning man without the harsh weather conditions. Turns out, this year not so much. Maybe it will be mild on the playa this year. I wish I brought my goggles and dust mask. Of course, the canvas super-tent is still up and dust free. I love this thing.

Wow, I am looking forward to the festival starting. See you guys tomorrow. Cell phones work here (for now), call me when you get here. Come camp near me, right now there is still lots of space, although I won’t be able to hold any.

Time for sleep now.

Notes from the Bottle

spaceman23 — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:19:00 +0000

Notes from the Bottle

1:20 am. First free minute to try and get a blog post going. I got a touch of video today, but there is no way I can get it up on our limited bandwidth. I decided to do this tonight, even though I am very tired.

Bugs. Yes. There are bugs. Bring bug repellent. Also, I have heard that if you take B1, mosquitoes don’t like your blood. Please confirm or deny.

The days are mild and sunny, the nights are cool and a bit damp. Word on the street is that it should get colder as the weekend progresses. Bring a good jacket, I didn’t. Pack the extra blanket.

We are turning the electrical meter backwards with solar power. That is pretty dang cool.

There will be ice vendors.

The Do Lab crew is working 18+ hour days to bring you the best event we can. There is tons of equipment that we are putting all over the place. We have whole crews managing the logistics of this huge event. My request is simple, show the love. By the time most of you get here, we will have been working a long time. Be appreciative and generous. People of note to shower with love: Josh, Jesse, Dede, Aaron G., KJ, Monika, Brian F., Alphi, Travis, Tyler, Ian, Y2 and Brian Shaw, Heather Shaw, Charlie and Carl, Brent H and John G, Shena, Derek and Derek, Jedi and all the others I have forgotten or don’t know well enough to say. Bring presents.

It’s Jesslynn’s birthday and Charlie’s Friday! Sweet!

I forgot about the wild turkeys! Crazy.

Stay away from our power. Power? You brought ‘er!

Ok, Spaceman signing off for now.

Heading to LIB

spaceman23 — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:49:00 +0000

I am heading out today. It’s going to be a blast! I will be attempting to post from there, with details on the ground. I am running very late. as long as I get there before dark, I am good.

Prepping for Lightning in a Bottle part 2

spaceman23 — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:11:00 +0000

More practical stuff.

1. Did you know that LIB open it’s gates at 4pm on thursday? This means that you can set up your camp and be ready to go when the festival actually starts on friday! Last year, it filled up very fast. Arriving early should mean that you get a good spot. I am not involved in this aspect of things. But as someone who heads out to the playa early every year, the best times are had by those who get out there at the beginning.

2. Bring cash. I do not think there will be ATMs on site. Last year there were some amazing things available that I just couldn’t buy because I didn’t have the money. Bring enough cash for the long weekend. There will be even more vendors this year.

3. Figure out who you are camping with before you get there!

4. Pack things in bins, especially food. There are chipmunks everywhere at LIB. I like to think of them as very small and adorable bears. Bins also make things pack neatly into your car, and chips cannot be crushed in them.

5. Beware of holes. Watch where you are going. There have had a couple of injuries at LIB over the years. Please be careful.

6. Earplugs. Not for the music, cause it stops pretty early. But for your loud-ass campmates in the morning having deep conversations about the nature of the universe.

7. Car camping is completely sold out. If you didn’t arrange a car pass, you will not be able to bring your car to your campsite. Keep this in mind when packing. Use wheels if you can. Pack a little lighter.

8. Bring a towel. There are showers at the event. There are also infinite uses for a towel. Also, think about some sandals or crocs for the showers.

9. Do not miss the Yard Dogs Traveling Road Show. Two years ago at LIB I saw them. They completely changed my life. One of the most compelling shows I have ever seen. They are an incredible band.

10. Meditate on actually capturing lightning in a bottle, think of the equipment and danger involved, the lightning rods, the vacuum tubes, the dials and levers… It’s so crazy it just might work.

Prepping for LIB pt 1

spaceman23 — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:13:00 +0000

I got my Flip Video camera to work with imovie. Uncharacteristically, the mac software requires 3 extra steps (export to .mov files in quicktime pro, move them to the right folder, import them into imovie), so if anyone has a better work around, let me know.

I leave for LIB in a few days. There is still a lot to get ready for.

1. Food and Drink: This year, LIB will have more vendors for food. I loved that last year, that when my ass was too tired or brain-dead to make something there was always an option. Still, cold drinks and water are important. I am thinking of it kind of like burning man, my appetite will be significantly lower. I will pack my small butane stove, I gotta check that. This is also a good way to test some f your burning man recipes.

2. Lights: Headlamp, flashlight, lantern… make sure al of these have fresh batteries ready for the event. Very green.

3. Coolers: Clean those puppies out! I think they are clean, but it can’t hurt to hose them off and use a bleach based cleaner on the inside.

4. Bug repellant and sunscreen. Last year, no mosquitoes, the year before, I got chewed alive. I think that once the festival really gets going, the mosquito to partier ratio gets really skewed and it seems like there are no bugs. But I will be there a week for setup, and my scandanavian blood is beloved by parasites. Bring sunscreen. I bought some spray on stuff and some face stuff. Years in love with an esthetician taught me the value of sunscreen and the importance of protecting yourself against sun damage and premature aging. Oh yeah, and cancer.

5. Costumes. If I am working, I always forget this one. I need to referb my gnome costume before I go!

6. My bike. I am really debating weather I should bring my bike. LIB is big! I gotta dust the thing off and fill the tires. but I think it will make a difference.

7. Bed. I am bringing up my futon mattress. A futon is SOOO much more comfortable than an air mattress. I am also considering bringing the wood frame for it. There is something inherently human about sleeping 12″ up off the ground. That extra storage and firm seating in my tent will make a difference.

8. Tables and chairs. Never underestimate the value of good seating and working surfaces.

9. Solar chargers. I am in the market for a solar battery charger for my electronics. I am going to be out there for a while, and I need to keep my freelance-ability going. Keeping with the green theme, a little phone charger is a good thing.

10. Luggage lock for your tent. It is probably safe. A luggage lock will not stop a committed thief. But, it will stop two things, the theft of opportunity and unlawful searches if you are not there. I heard one or two reports last year of some kind of theft. Kind of a bummer. Be responsible with your valuables. Lock them in your car or don’t bring them.

Fell out of the practice

spaceman23 — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:31:00 +0000

So, keeping up with the media fast and blogging every day collided. I wasn’t able to really do both right, so I did both half assed. The exercise was a success, I did fast from the media for 5 days and came out of it hearing about an earth shattering earthquake in china. Still though, my not knowing the news did not severely affect my life. Ram in the brain has been freed up for other things, like video codecs.

Here’s what I have been up to:

1. I got a new camera, a flip video Ultra. It’s awesome, cheap and cute. It stores 60 minutes of video, works on two aa batteries and plugs directly into my computer. Now, if I can just get the flip video avi files to work in imovie 08. I know it is possible.

2. I saw Speed Racer today. It was so much better than I expected. When I was really young, my mom tells me, i used to watch this show all the time. Probably long before I had true understanding of it. Man, they did it right. It felt like an anime! They stayed true to the story and kept it real. It is being considered a flop, because it only made $20m it’s first weekend. It was up against Iron Man after all. It is so worth seeing. Love the bright shiny colors, love the sweet stylized acting, love the physics defiant cars.

3. Lightning In A Bottle is coming. I am so excited for this! I have been going to this event for years, and I have had the privilege of being a part of it for five or six of those. This year, I am going to be there for just about the whole dang time. I head up next Monday and will be working through the 28th. It’s going to be incredible. But, there is much to prepare. Tents and sleeping bags and bug repellent. I will be blogging with video from LIB this year. That is, if I figure out this Flip-imovie thing.

4. I really love my mom. I had a great time yesterday. I am constantly reminded how lucky I am to have a great family that lives so close. They rock.