BURNING MAN 2008

Against all odds, it turns out I’m heading to Burning Man this year. I originally had planned to skip this year, too many things seemed outawack for it to work out, then all of a sudden it seemed like the universe said “Brian, you are going!” I got offers for rides in RV’s, all my best friends are camping next to where I would have camped, discounted tickets were offered, our group got one of the best locations at BM, etc. So last time I had (8) months to plan, this time I have (5) days, holy crap! BM2008, here I come.

YEAR TO COME

This year I’m going to be more active. I’m updating my online profiles, getting more involved in the communities that interest me, looking to travel a lot more, start some new activities, and follow where my heart takes me. I’ve been a bit bored lately and it is about time I did something about it.

http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/17/the-great-office-war/

(hopefully I can get an actual post up this week)

http://obsoleteskills.com/Skills/Skills

1. I’m moving! Yes, I’ve just signed a renters lease and should be moving by the end of the month. I’m really looking forward to this, I get my own kitchen, bathroom, I get to unbox all of my stuff (most of it PRE-Austraila) and feel like I have my own place again (ok, not really my “own” place, I will have a roommate) WOOT. I’m so happy. It’s a nice two bedroom on the second floor, and we get a garage (which is really saying we get free storage space). And by “we” I mean Morgan and myself. She’s going to be my (un?)lucky roommate (along with Charley and Cooper, the cat and dog combo that are her “kids”). If you want to see some pics, you can find them here: http://picasaweb.google.com/binarynomad/NewHouse NOTE: these pics are with the previous tenent still there (sadly, the big tree out front is now gone :’-( sniff sniff )

2. My business is doing very well, I’m book almost every day now, I’ve got prospective clients lined up, and I am having to decline people due to my schedule. It’s great! I’m also looking at revamping (or finally building) my business website, and actually getting business cards (which I’ve been sorely lacking).

3. Taxes are over and I’m thinking of using my Federal Stimulus package on an iPhone (you cannot seen the enormous grin on the other side of the computer, but believe me …. it’s there)

4. Social life is busy, I’ve got friends with weekly events happening almost every night of the week, and this coming summer seems to be filling up quite quickly.

5. Travel has been quiet lately, I wanted to goto Austin, TX for SXSW, but my budget and client load talked me out of it (especially with the looming costs of moving fast approaching). I’m looking forward to going to Defcon in Las Vegas at the beginning of August, and perhaps LISA in San Diego in September. I also am working on plans for Christmas in Austin with my brothers and then Australia in January 2009 for http://linux.conf.au/. I had a tempting possibility for Thailand in Dec, but I haven’t seen my family in a while and it is about time.

6. I’ve got too much I want to learn. Always more and more on the tech side (security, networking, communications, business solutions, etc) and almost no time to study. I’ve been missing my photography bug (and yet I still have over 280 directories of photos I still need to process…guh). I’m hoping to ramp up my cooking skills now that I’ll have a kitchen. I’ve also got two possible options to learn dancing (which is still a phobia).

7. My “anal-retentive/organizational side got an unprecedented booster shot the other day, THIS came in the mail. All I need now is a laminator and I’ll rule the world (oh wait, I can find one at CostCo Business Center…muhahahahahah). It’s sad, I now get just as excited when I walk into a Staples or Office Depo as I did walking into Toy’s R Us when I was a kid (what’s wrong with me … don’t answer that).

I think that’s enough for now. Ciao.

• This world is sooooo lucky.

It started off with Si introducing me to The Wave Organ which is this amazing art project situated in the bay, just below the Exploratorium. It consists of about 25 pipes that run into the bay to create a hydro-powerd natural organ:

View Larger Map

Afterwards we made our way through the city over to Amber’s house, for tea, and socializing where I got to see this video of this amazing young (untrained) singer Nick Pitera. From there we dropped by the Futon shop so Si could check out her new (possible) bed options, and then finally ending back at her house where we watched Wings of Desire, a beautiful german movie which is in essence a love story about the city of Berlin (trailer)

All in all, a great way to spend a Saturday.

Rules for “Game of Questions”

1. The game starts with first player asking a question.
2. The second player has to respond with a relevant question.
3. Scoring is done when a player fouls. Fouls can be called for:
   • statement: player fails to reply with an actual question
   • hesitation: player takes too long to reply or grunts or makes a false start
   • repetition: player asks a questions identical to or synonymous with one already asked this game (not match)
   • rhetoric: player asks a rhetorical question
   • non-sequitur: player responds with an unrelated question

When a foul is called on a player, his opponent is awarded one point. First player to get three points wins a game. Matches are played to best out of three games.