Well, I guess I was lucky when I went—no rain and no illness.  However, I must admit that I didn’t get much sleep (but that was by choice because there’s just so very much to see and do) and there were some dust storms, the worst one by far being right as I arrived on the first night.  Dust storms are inevitable on the playa of Black Rock desert.  The “city” is constructed on an ancient lake bed (the playa) surrounded by mountains. The playa is flat as a pancake and is covered by a layer of white powdery dust.  When the wind blows, the white dust covers everything and goggles are needed to see.  The playa of Black Rock desert has the appearance of a moonscape, but the harshly remote and rugged conditions are actually perfect for BM.  Having now been there, I can’t imagine it being held anywhere else.  Since 1983, the world land speed record has been set not at the Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah as was historically the case, but rather on the pancake surface of Black Rock desert.  That record is currently 763.035 mph.  That gives you some idea of the physical setting of Burning Man.

As happens to be the case, I’ve been blessed to see and visit literally hundreds of art festivals and museums around and throughout the world including the most famous (the Louvre in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Del Prado in Madrid, the various museums of Vatican City, etc., etc. etc.).  Don’t get me wrong—BM certainly does not compare to those venues, but that would be like comparing apples and oranges.  BM is most basically a gathering of radical self-expression.  As the BM website states: “Trying to explain Burning Man to someone who has never been to the event is like describing colors to a blind man.” In fact, before going, I read Brian Doherty’s 300 page book “This is Burning Man.”  Having now attended BM, I realize how inadequately Doherty (the Senior Editor of Reason Magazine) described the event.  Yet, I doubt that anyone else could have done better. The problem in setting forth a description is that there isn’t anything else in the world quite like BM.  Some things simply can’t be described; they must be experienced. Nevertheless, I will try.

So what is BM?  It is “new age”, yet primitive.  It is counter-culture; yet most of the attendees are well educated—often professionals—in the hum-drum of their everyday lives (was it Thoreau who said that “most men live lives of quiet desperation”). Attended by young children with their parents to those over 80 and everywhere in between, over 50,000 people were in attendance last year making it for one week the third largest city in Nevada behind only Las Vegas and Reno.

The organizers of the BM event do an amazing job laying out a “city” (and it is a city, streets and all), some working year round to do so.  Yet, when it’s all over, not a speck of anything is left on the playa.  With no electricity or water or anything else by way of infrastructure, those who come must bring everything with them and, when they leave, they must take out everything they brought in. The heightened sense of environmental awareness is shared by one and all.

As to the event itself, first of all the artwork (especially the mutant vehicles and art carts—the only moving items allowed within the city) is the craziest, most interesting, most imaginative and creative, and in some cases the zaniest I’ve ever seen.  It is truly a delight to observe. I was particularly blessed because I ran into some wonderful friends from Tahoe, Hawaii and elsewhere whom I had just recently met at Lake Tahoe and they invited me to travel with them on the “properly registered” vehicle they had made with great skill and with the expenditure, no doubt, of a heck-of-a-lot of time and money.

As for the people, as I’ve implied, they come from all walks of life.  Is there nudity?  Of course, there is.  Perhaps 10-15% of the people go about naked day and night.  If I may be a bit sexist for a moment and, since I’m writing this, who’s to stop me, some of the women were drop-dead gorgeous.  On the other hand, some weren’t all that alluring at all, looking as though they had eaten five meals a day for years at McDonald’s.  In other words, it’s real life.  I suppose if the sight of the human body offends you, you shouldn’t come to BM, and you certainly shouldn’t come for the nudity. It’s really a non-issue. It’s just there.  In any event, the costumed revelers are generally the most interesting thing to watch insofar as people are concerned.  I witnessed some of the best pole dancing, fire dancing, juggling, etc. I have seen anywhere in the world.  And the music goes on non-stop, day and night (if you go, take ear-plugs). In fact, the other 85-90% of attendees go about in clothes, often costumes of the character whose identities they have assumed for purposes of BM (some of the time I was “Leonardo Piero”, the great genius of the Renaissance known by most people today by the small village in Tuscany from which he came, the village of Vinci—hence Leonardo da Vinci).

People have asked me about drugs and alcohol on the playa.  Alcohol is certainly consumed in large volumes, but surprisingly I didn’t personally detect any drug use.  Of course, there were daily warnings on the internet for a few weeks before I left Lake Tahoe that there would be undercover (perhaps literally I suppose) agents looking for drug use and warning people against using drugs while at BM.  Since I don’t do drugs anyway, it was no big deal to me but I was surprised that I did not observe a lot of drug use.  Perhaps there was in the early days of the event, but apparently not all that much anymore.

I started this letter by saying that some things just defy description.  BM is such an event.  Camaraderie is the coin of the realm (it had better be, because there is no use of money at BM). Starting less than 20 years ago by a few friends on a beach in northern California (where else), BM has become by far the largest event of its type in the world.  If you haven’t attended before, I would encourage you to do so.  Keep an open mind and don’t prejudge it by anything you may have read or heard in the past.  The civility and kindness of those who attend will be an unforgettable experience and, most assuredly, you will meet some of the most interesting and intelligent people you’ve ever met. By and large these are people who “walk the talk.”

“Burners”, as they call themselves, see BM as a mecca; a way of life.  It is its own culture, absent of the ready-made boxes and inhibitions that most find in their respective daily lives.  It is most basically a place for people to find something good and to hopefully take it back home with them.  I remember reading that in 2005 just as BM opened its gates, Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast.  Upon hearing of the devastation, a groundswell of aid and volunteers flowed out of the “city” and headed south.  Within 48 hours, $40,000 and 7 tons of food were gathered for Katrina’s victims.  Volunteers drove to Mississippi, taking with them a crane and tractor.  “Burners without Borders” camped in Pearlington and Biloxi for more than seven months helping with relief efforts while the Federal Government twiddled its thumbs.  Approximately 200 “burners” volunteered for this effort. Is there another city in America that matched that effort (it was rumored at the time that the rather wealthy community of Incline Village at Lake Tahoe volunteered to take one Cajun chef, but then only if he came from Pete Fountain’s restaurant in the French Quarter)?

In closing, I refer the reader to some great photographs taken a few years ago that can be found at www.scottlondon.com.  For more current information, go on the Burning Man website.  Then go to Burning Man yourself and experience an unforgettable event!

This was an inspirational story that brought to life the journey of one man back from the brink of disability. I had never heard of this person before, but the story was definitely one that was so open. The author shared so much about his life and if you are like me you will be amazed at not only his journey back, but also what he turns his life into and how he now serves others. The book makes you look at your own life to consider how you would react under the same set of circumstances. The book left me wondering what would be next for the author, I for one look forward to hearing more in the future!

http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/back-to-the-summit-by-senator-omer-rains/#more-8206

http://www.neuro-ifrah.org/Back%20to%20the%20Summit.pdf

I recently read a book that completely changed the way I view life and wanted to share my recommendation with My Life Motivation blog readers.

The book is Back to the Summitby Omer Rains, former State Senator in California.  It is an inspirational story of Omer’s life and his fight to recover from a stroke and brain aneurism.

This book gets my highest recommendation for anyone and everyone.  While there is a lot of talk about business and politics, every chapter of the book is thoroughly entertaining.  When I say it will change the way you look at your life, I truly mean it.

Back to the Summit is more than inspirational, it will make you think about your own situation and how you can rally yourself to solve even your greatest of challenges.  I highly recommend you give this book a read.

 

His entire review can be found below:

Sen. Omer Rains Shocking Comeback

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Former California State Senator Omer Rainshas earned a place in California history as one of the state’s most dedicated and accomplished individuals — and he went through sheer hell to get there.

The story of Omer Rains encompasses life, death, regeneration, redemption and renaissance in the most dramatic ways imaginable.

For years, Rains’ professional resume was the envy of many across the state of California:

• Political Science degree, Law degree, University of California, Berkeley
• Attorney for Civil Rights Movement and the Environmental Movement
• Chairman, Ventura Planning Commission
• Chairman, Comprehensive Plan Advisory Commission of California
• Lawyer for corporate CEOs, Hollywood superstars and music industry legends
• Popular California State Senator representing 1-million constituents for three terms
• Chairman of 10 Senate committees
• Women’s Equality and Environmental legislative champion
• Colleague of Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Anwar Sadat, Menachem Begin and Nelson Mandela
• Athlete, daredevil, explorer, amateur scientist/archeologist and international summit peak climber

Omer Rains was respected, accomplished and at the top of his game at age 61 when a stroke, a brain aneurysm, a coma and paralysis struck him down.

“You’ll never walk again,” doctors told him.  Life came to a cruel halt at the crossroads.

A lifelong fighter on behalf of everything and everyone else, Omer Rains was forced to fight for his own life.  He rose to the occasion with his teeth clenched.

Not content to wait around for some ethereal jury to decide his fate, Rains made a conscious choice to, once again, defy impossible odds with the little he had left.

To the disbelief of medical professionals, colleagues and the public, Rains taught himself to again walk, play tennis, bike and ski after paralysis.

That, my friends, exemplifies the determined California Spirit.

Omer Rains’ new book, Back to the Summit: How One Man Defied Death & Paralysis to Again Lead a Full Life of Service to Others, is the legendary Californian’s own story of his amazing battle toward recovery as he forced the limits of human potential.

His autobiography is a roller-coaster through the pits and peaks of determination, pain, endurance and unprecedented victories from start to finish.  Rains’ candidness is shocking in a book that inspires all the way to the core.

Omer Rains’ mind-blowing recovery from the ultimate nightmare shaped his life and worldview more profoundly than anything that came before.

Today, at 70, Omer Rains leads a more fulfilling life than ever, liberating countless lives through his dedication to humanitarian activities around the world.

Building libraries, economic development projects and sustainability projects in several nations complements Rains’ service as Chairman ofRural Education and Development (READ) Global, which is partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Omer Rains was recently named the Cambridge International Professor of the Year for Community-Based Education and Outreach, in recognition of his tireless humanitarian efforts.

One brave dude with a California Dream faced the jaws of death and is now changing the world.  Without question, California Senator Omer Rains’ second act is nothing short of a shocking comeback.

In his autobiography, Back to the Summit, Rains reflects on a life that defines California as much as the man.  Readers will discover how intelligence can, in fact, transmute into full-blown wisdom through intense adversity.

The people, events, and history that shaped Rains’ life, gave him strength, forged his philosophy and ultimately defined his future, are spelled out in a mind-blowing book that demands repeated readings.

“When you get knocked down, pick yourself up and forge forward —always forward.” Senator Omer Rains defiantly declares.

Some of us, like the former legislator, realize that particular motivation so strongly that we hold it as our most valuable possession.

This blog has never done book reviews before, but Omer Rains’ story is so compelling that it simply must be known to every Californian and California Dreamer alike.

The fact that Sen. Rains bravely chose to tax his memory by writing and editing the book himself makes the few typos authentically endearing.

He is to be commended for tackling and completing what is a monumental task even for authors who have never known disability.

As the publisher of this blog, I have the honor of thanking Senator Omer Rains for representing me, my family and my community for many years in the California Senate.  His hard work as a public servant helped to turn Ventura County and Santa Barbara County into the world’s most desirable places to raise a family and enjoy life.

Omer Rains’ dramatic story certainly warrants some publicity.  However, it gives me great personal pride to cast an enthusiastic vote, one more time, for a genuine statesman and California hero who never gave up through the fires of hell.

If you recognize something of yourself or a loved one at this point, Back to the Summit is mandatory reading for you.  Indeed, this book is life-changing in a candid way, written in the author’s very unique style.

Watch the following video message from Sen. Omer Rains himself, then visit the official ‘Back to the Summit‘ book site to get your copies.

 

I am humbled by a blog about “Back to the Summit” that has recently come to my attention. Written by a lady named Ruth Hill, it does me great honor, especially coming from a somewhat unexpected source. Ms. Hill writes “as I read all of the wrongs [Rains} suffered quietly throughout his life, I was stunned,” …and I marveled at the fact that he did not let bitterness and hatred … consume him as I have seen…do to those who are closet to me. The way he responded in word and deed tended to put me to shame….He has acted more Christlike than a lot of people who call themselves evangelical Christians-myself unfortunately included….Yes, Senator Rains has indeed won me over. I have decided that the book deserves a 5-star rating, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to my readers.”

http://www.mydevotionalthoughts.com/2012/01/well-spoken-wednesday-back-to-summit-by.html

Her entire review is posted below:

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was not sure what to make of this book once I began reading it.  I was impressed that the senator chose to tell his own story without relying on”ghost writers,” but this was indeed a long, detailed account of a man who lived most of his life during a time with which I was not familiar. It was quite a daunting task.

I was initially drawn to his story because of the brain injury he had incurred and survived.  I was not drawn into his early life that much. And even his political career failed to capture my interest. I could have done without much of the detail, profanity (which proved to be much milder than I first thought), and stories of his exploits. I had planned on giving this book a three- or four-star rating.  I felt this book was written for a generation previous to mine.

However, I began to find myself talking more and more about this book with others.  I got past the halfway point, and I suddenly found myself drawn into the storey.  The stories of his travels, ex-wife troubles, and physical ailments began to engross me.  I had never heard of some of the places he visited.And as I read of all the wrongs he had suffered quietly throughout his life, I was stunned.  I found myself saying that he was a better man than I would have been. And I marveled at the fact that he did not let bitterness and hatred eat him up and consume him as I have seen those horrid

feelings do to those who are closest to me. The way he responded in word and deed tended to put me to shame.  Here he is a religious man who acted more Christlike than a lot of people who call themselves evangelical Christians-myself unfortunately included.

Yes, Senator Rains has indeed won me over. The very fact that he is living, breathing, and living a more active life than the majority of people half his age is a miracle and a tribute to him. i have decided that the book deserves a 5-star rating, and I would whole-heartedly recommend it to the majority of my readers.  There are some “colorful” words in the pages, but I found that any of the language used really was not too offensive in light of the story being told.  It is a true saying that no matter how bad your lot in life may be, there is always someone worse off than you!  If you do not believe me, I challenge you to read this book and see for yourself.