A Love Letter To My Burning Man Camp: Friendgasm

My fellow Friendgasmers,

​I wanted to write to you to thank you for what you've done for me. Two years ago, after 7 consecutive years on the playa, I was in danger of burning out, of becoming too cynical about the burn. I'd strayed into territory best avoided by those who wish to continue to enjoy Burning Man, and while that's not the end of the world, I've spent many years loving the burn and pouring energy into it, and it made me sad to feel my passion for it slowly erode. 

This is the camp I've always wanted, filled with people I love and who love me back. Friendgasm v1 was great (though not the heat), but with Friendgasm v2 we really hit our stride! You are the most incredible hard-working, hard-partying, tender, fierce, loving, supportive, non-judgmental group of people I've ever been privileged to be close to. You've reignited that exquisite lust I had for the burn, and I can't thank you enough for it.

We formed this camp to focus on community, after some of us had had a bad experience with a camp in 2016 that had very little focus on community, and it's worth protecting. We limit ourselves to 30 people to stop us breaking into sub-communities. We allow no randoms, and require all new members to have a camp sponsor who can vouch that they will be the kind of person we want to burn with. And it works. It was a simply superb Burn and while I wasn't sad to leave Burning Man at the end, leaving you all was pretty depressing.

I want you to know that at least twice during the week I was talking to Maybe or Ginger about our camp and broke down into tears, overcome with all the feels thinking about how much I appreciate and love all of you and what we've created.

I've made a little video to help us remember our time together. Hope you enjoy it! 

• Ginger - My friend, my brother. Thank you all the energy and work you bring to camp. I couldn't lead this camp without you right there with me. You are one of the kindest, most approachable, loving men I've met. Can't stop, won't stop! I love you!
• Biscuit - You've become one of my best friends in the world, and I hope we can consciously continue that for the rest of our lives. Thank you for being such a strong part of camp community this year. Let's bless some rains together. I love you!
• Jeremy - You constantly amaze me with your range of talents. Thank you for everything from masterminding the dome to the dome's lighting to DJing to volunteering at gate. I love you!
• Shagrin - You're such an awesome motivator, and your connection to the Fwedding Chapel is so strong. Thank you for putting the energy into organizing group outings that you do. I love you!
• Jenni - Nothing seems to get you down out there. You just roll with it while simultaneously busting ass to volunteer and still help out at camp. Amazing. I love you!
• Carmen - You're like my long-haired chihuahua Chairman Mao. You're pretty fancy, but kind of edgy, and while you're sweet and cuddly as hell with people you love, god help anyone who pisses you off. I love you!
• Josh - My friend, you are one of the most interesting people I know. I'm so impressed with your sobriety and legal work, and you're also one of the most observant people I know. Thank you for anchoring the Kansas City faction. I love you!
• Rick - Dude! You're a fucking firefighter. A hero. On the playa, you're a big teddy bear, and while you had a wounded wing this year, you didn't let that slow you down at all. I love you!
• Lisa - Even when you're having a tough time, you are unfailingly cheerful. You're a joy to have around, and I also thank you for your de-mooping work. I love you!
• Noah - You're a many of many talents! Whether it's teaching me how to slice off my own ear with a whip or teaching other people how to eat fire, you were a damn solid addition to camp. I love you!
• Bronwyn - From the time you arrived, you had a smile on your face, and you brought nothing but positive energy to Friendgasm. Thank you. I love you!
• Poopmaster - You came into it hating Africa, but I'm fairly certain it now haunts your dreams. Time to do some things you've never done! I love you!
• Leanna - You came into Burning Man a little hesitant but you've proceeded to grab it and embrace it. I love watching your evolution as a burner. Thank you for running the mindfulness seminar. I love you!
• Ran - You brought the energy with RUM-HAMilton, and the Highlander game! Thank you for your enthusiasm and lightsaber. I love you!
• Inon - My Israeli-now-Italian brother! Thank you for being such an awesome birgin. You really know how to ride the flow. I love you!
• Babybird - You're one of the most considerate people I've met, and you really went out of your way to make sure that you were as prepared a birgin as possible. I love you!
• Bubbie - You and Babybird win the award for most prepared birgins, possibly ever. Thank you for the group meal, the additional hangout space, and for your unflappable attitude. I love you!
• Where's Matt - You came in not knowing anyone but Shagrin, and given your travails on the way in, that must have been a little intimidating, but damn, you dove right in. Glamcocks! I love you!
• Mait - You're a camping stud! Thanks for coming in, taking care of camp garbage, and providing that awesome camp stove. I love you!
• Autumn - For the second year in a row, it was great having you in camp. You brought the energy to our parties and were always up for anything. I love you!
• Duchess - Where is Ben Jones? Nobody knows. Fucking guy, amiright? When we find him some day, we'll take appropriate action. Thanks for spelling colour with a u. I love you!
• Cinder - Your tireless efforts at the Temple meant I didn't get to spend as much time as I would have liked with you, but you and I are clearly of the same mold. Canned artichokes! I love you!
• Hilary - You were so fun and always trying to rev people up for a good time. Thank you for prepping and bringing food for our campmates who needed it. I love you!
• Emily - You're consciously empathetic and introspective, and your laugh is infectious. I know the burn was challenging for you at times, and I really appreciate that you handled it well. I love you!
• Bojangles - You're a multi-talented wizard! Thank you so much for lighting the Fwedding Chapel and providing that beacon home we needed, and for your lighting work on the Temple. I love you!
• Madeline - Your reserved exterior hides a fierce interior, and that dichotomy is one of your great charms. Thank you for your generosity. I love you!
• Hayley - You're one of the most positive, fun-loving people I know, and the fact that you guys came from Australia, in a tent, is amazing. I'm not sure I know anybody who travels better than you two do. I love you!
• Mickey - You crazy motherfucker. You'll do anything, anytime, anywhere, and live to laugh. I sometimes feel like you should be Dr. Yes! I love you!
• Maybe - My wife, my rock. You are the most important person in my life, and that's never going to change. Thank you, thank you, thank you. There are too many things I'm thankful for with you to enumerate here.. You're my ideal burn partner and life partner and I love you more than I can tell you. Thank you baby!

Let's do it again next year! Rum Ham!