Burning Flipside is our own little social experiment where we come together to enjoy to gorgeous hill country and each other to the fullest. There are very few hard and fast rules in our community but two that need some elaboration are: respecting each other’s personal boundaries and taking responsibility for your own experience. The interplay of these two rules forms a social contract that makes our event a safe place to explore your own boundaries while encouraging respect for each other.
One of the wonderful things about this group is the level of closeness and intimacy, physical and otherwise, that is so freely expressed. I think that most of us love it and enjoy it, and wouldn’t trade this for the world. However, please keep in mind that there are no expectations in this vein and that different people have different comfort levels with physical intimacy, as with emotional intimacy. We must not only respect everyone’s boundaries, but also ensure that every person is free to express their boundaries. Our community needs to be a place where anyone is comfortable in saying NO to any intimate request, which means there has to be a request to say NO to. You MIGHT be intuitive enough to pick up on subtle cues, but don’t count on it…ASK when in doubt; and, in fact, don’t assume you have no doubt and simply ask anyway! It is always wise to ask before laying hands on someone for the first time. Who knows? Those shoulders you want to “selflessly” massage may be sunburned. Don’t think of checking in or needing to stay tuned to subtle cues as a kill-your-buzz obligation, think of it as a gift; such a connection can have its own rewards!
So what does all this mean in practical terms?
When someone says NO, it means NO.
Everyone should feel free to say no at any time regardless of what has happened prior to that moment. There should be no cajoling, begging, pleading or other emotional blackmail after the utterance of NO. Who wants to be tagged as a “creep” (or worse)?
I have a hard time saying “no.”
YOU are responsible for your own experience. Perceived fear of “confrontation” or “not having someone like you” will only detract from a positive experience. This event is good place to push your boundaries by establishing your boundaries! YOU are in charge of those boundaries and how they get pushed or not. Respect for yourself will harvest respect from others and respectful people will respect you when you tell them no.
I said NO but that person will not leave me alone!
When you are able, alert others to your situation, asking them to help monitor it. You might even try talking about the person where they can hear you. Try standing your ground and see if these steps will send the person on their way, or if not, try asking friends to accompany you and try to put some distance between you and the person in question.
I established my boundaries and walked away with friends, but now they are following me. What should I do?
If possible, walk towards a heavily populated area such as the beach during the day or a dance floor at night. Engage yourself with as many people as it takes to create a “wall of protection” and alert them to your situation. If this doesn’t work, or you feel it will only stave them off temporarily, seek, or send someone to find, a ranger.
Someone just requested for my help about a ‘creepy’ person. What should I do?
If it is possible for you to help, do any or all of the following:
- Actively listen to the requester and try to help as much as you feel capable – try not to cast doubt upon their perceptions. Try the "silent, but strong" approach – talking too much might lead to invalidating their feelings ("Oh, Pat? S/He's harmless!" or "What did you do to encourage Pat?") OR lead to amplifying their discomfort by over-validating their fears (chattering away by relaying rumors or your perceptions of "Pat")
- Enlist a friend to go find more support (more friends of the requester if possible) or a ranger, if steps taken with friends don't prove fruitful.
- Stay with the requester until they feel safe.
If it is not possible for you to help, try to help the requester to find another person to help.
Please be mindful of such requests to the best of your abilities. Assume that *you* are the “someone else” who can take care of the something that needs to be done—as in all aspects of a event founded on “participation.” There is no reason to be heroic in your efforts, just pay attention to the space around you, and own it. If all else fails, please help them find a ranger.
ABOVE ALL REMEMBER, FLIPSIDE IS A SEXY PARTY, NOT A SEX-PARTY.
There is no THEM. It’s all US, baby. Here’s an intro to a few of the many people who make ir go.
Jen Gover
Who the hell are you?
Jen Gover aka JenGo aka Ice Queen
What do you do for me?
Well, I’m a CC member, I’m the Area Facilitator for Site Operations and I’m the frostiest queen of them all. I cool the fires of Pyropolis as your Ice Lead. I’ve also been involved in DaFT, Site Ops, VC and greeting in past years. On the Playa, I’m an Ass Operator for Camp Arctica (ice sales).
How long have you been doing it?
This will be my 6th or 7th Flipside, I think. I lose count. It seems like I’ve been doing this forever!
What do you do for you?:
I go hiking, wakeboarding, off-roading and playing around in the sun. I build things, I dream, I act on whims, I explore and create.
Favorite burn or burn moment:
Intergalactic Circus, Flipside 05?? I was on DaFT that year and we spent nearly the whole event working on building the rocket effigy. When we installed the skins on the rocket, we strung a rope through the bottom of them. I pulled these in tighter than planned and tied them with the rope. When the effigy started burning, the rope caught fire, snapped off the bottom of the skins and they all got pushed outward simultaneously while the fire rushed up around the bottom. The effect had worked! It might not have even been noticed by most, but I saw it and it made me so happy to see it look as if that rocket could actually take off. That was a lovely moment, surrounded by the rest of the DaFTies. DaFT rocks.
What’s your sign, baby?
Aries - headstrong fire sign.
Name your poison: (and if it’s tasty, provide a recipe!:
Good sippin’ whiskey...or tequila
Favorite rant subject:
Ravers who think dancing all night and sleeping it off all day is somehow contributing to our community. I wish they would go start their own event - a rave maybe? Also, people who like to bitch about how the event/organization is run, but won’t lift a finger to help change what they don’t like.
Turn-ons:
Power tools, heavy machinery, bacon & chocolate cake
Turn-offs:
Oonce-oonce-oonce. C’mon, PLEASE play something different! How about getting a little more creative? I love to shake my booty, but not to the same tired music/beat. I want to see more live music at Flipside, like the Lovers. Now that is some art.
Tom Lambert
Who the hell are you?
Most people call me Tom, but I’d like people to call me the New Johnny Bravo from now on.
What do you do for me?
I’m on the cc, but this year I’m portapotty lead too, so I’m in charge of a lot of crap.
How long have you been doing it?
I’ve never done potties before. Well I’ve made potty a bunch of times, but I’ve never been portapotty lead. 2 years ago I was the AF for City Planning. I joined the cc almost 3 years ago. I’d never been a lead before that. I think that the only reason they took me on the cc was because the jacket fit. That’s why I think I should be the New Johnny Bravo. And I’m referring to the Greg Brady Johnny Bravo, not that silly 90’s cartoon. That’s for children.
What do you do for you?
I like politics, kayaking, tubing, building things, drinking, and pissing people off (only jokingly). I’m also quite opinionated, and I love trying to coerce others to think like me.
Favorite burn or burn moment:
Kid beyond under the rocket with a lightning show in the backdrop.
What’s your sign, baby?
Leo. As in Leopardy.
Name your poison: (and if it’s tasty, provide a recipe!
RicinFavorite rant subject:
I love to start arguments with people who say they like Ron Paul. Turn-ons:
Hairy bears, BO (the Barack Obama kind), and creeksTurn-offs:
Fairies, fairy parades, BO (the stinky kind), sports, and republicans
Chris Lord
Who the hell are you?
Locally: Chris Lord, Ghost
In BRC: Medic 24, Poltergeist, Backhalf
What do you do for me?
I’m the newest member of the LLC, so a little bit of everything.
How long have you been doing it?
Playing with the LLC? A few months. Going to Burn events? Since Flipside 2004.
What do you do for you?
Pays (most of) the Bills: I’m a licensed paramedic.
Eats my (non-LLC) Flipside time: creating art installations with the Furies
Consumes my Summers: I help build and takedown BRC Medical Stations, take care of injured/sick folks in the desert, and fret over the color of my shirt.
Keeps the Mad Scientist Hamster Running: figuring how to bring BoozeWhiz, Spray Bacon, and the MeatJet Printer to the masses.
Favorite burn or burn moment:
At some point during every burn, I get this giddy realization that I’m a part of something vastly larger than myself that promotes a system of community values that I believe in.
What’s your sign, baby?
Libra – it explains a lot, once you get to know me. =)
Name your poison: (and if it’s tasty, provide a recipe!
Chatham Artillery Punch – Three parts fruit, seven parts liquor…whatever’s on hand on both counts. – Joe Odom, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Favorite rant subject:
Only my therapist knows for sure.
Turn-ons:
Religion of Work Cultists, Stompy Boots, Clean Sound, Real Food at Burn Events,
Turn-offs:
Topping Statements, Rhinestones on Portable Electronic Devices,
Russell Mystiek
What do you do for me?
I’m putting my ass on the line for you, as one of the four “Directors” of Austin Artistic Reconstruction LLC. We are the “legal and financial face” of the event. LLC means “limited liability company”. It shields us from some legal and financial repercussions of the event, but it’s a limited shield. We still run the risk of lawsuit or even criminal charges that might result from what YOU do at the event.
How long have you been doing it?
I joined the LLC in July of 2006. This will be my second Flipside as an LLC member.
What do you do for you?
I make my money programming computers for Whole Foods. I have a 2 year old son. When I have a few spare hours, I get some sleep.
Favorite burn or burn moment:
It was a series of moments at Burning Man 1999. It started with a hilarious, sexy, wildly sacrilegious “service” at the Church of Holy Fucking Shit. Then a group of us helped carry a brutal piece of art memorializing a friend of the artists who had been murdered a few months beforehand, and there was not a dry eye in the crowd by the time we got it into place. On the walk back, we passed by a relatively traditional Jewish religious ceremony, commemorating one of the high holy days that fell during the event that year. The variety, honesty, and immediacy of these three things all in the same half hour really summed up the event for me.
What’s your sign, baby?
That archer with the horse cock, what’s he called again?
Name your poison:
Belgian beer, other beer, or whatever you got.
Favorite rant subject:
Do-ocracy.
Turn-ons:
Responsibility, clear boundaries, generosity, kisses on my ears, toying with my mind, surprises. Breasts, smiles, hugs, tears.
Turn-offs:
Blame, defensiveness, objectification, kisses on my nipples, toying with my heart, stagnation. Dicks, liars.
!Bob
Who the hell are you?
I used to go by Bob, got named !Bob on one of the lists. I think it was Damon’s suggestion.
What do you do for me?
Main. Hah.
I admin all your email lists. I sit on the CC. I am the communications Area Facilitator. I program and run Bob’s list, if that counts. I ranger. I write code for L2C.
How long have you been doing it?
About 255 feet.
What do you do for you?
I work as a code monkey. I play with fire, computers, and blinky lights for fun.
Favorite burn or burn moment:
In 2003, we had a minor glitch with the fuel delivery system for the effigy. The minor glitch left the effigy covered in about 5 gallons of fuel mix - white gas, paraffin, and God knows what else. Rocky had left me a little tiny fuse in the center of the effigy that I was supposed to light with my staff. That woosh is one of my all time favorite memories...and made a decent video. :)
What’s your sign, baby?
Libra Sun with most planets in Libra, Virgo, or Scorpio (and one random one in Sagittarius)
Name your poison: (and if it’s tasty, provide a recipe!
White Gas
Naphtha is obtained in petroleum refineries as one of the intermediate products from the distillation of crude oil. It is a liquid intermediate between the light gases in the crude oil and the heavier liquid kerosene. Naphthas are volatile, flammable and have a specific gravity of about 0.7. The generic name naphtha describes a range of different refinery intermediate products used in different applications. To further complicate the matter, similar naphtha types are often referred to by different names. (recipe taken from Wikipedia, 10:43pm CST 2/12/2008 -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naphtha)
Favorite rant subject:
Hrm...Rough question. There are so many good rants. I’d have to check my archive, but if I did that, I’d never finish this survey.
Turn-ons:
Brains
Turn-offs:
Poop
Step 1
Make something. Anything.
Art, hype, announcements, poetry, pictures.
Step 2
Attach it to an email
Step 3
Send that email to flipsideflame@gmail.com
Step 4
Thank you!