holy shit, the Man burns early

[metaphorge]

i mean really really on fire, originally uploaded by Focal Intent.

If you're like me and not going to be on the Playa this year, but still want to see what's going on, check this out:

http://laughingsquid.com/burning-man-2007-remote-access-through-photos-video/

Some interesting stuff has already happened, such as an arsonist setting fire to the Man during last night's lunar eclipse (for those of you not familiar with the event, the Man is supposed to be burned at the END of the festival, not the beginning). Luckily the explosives and fuel used for the final burn had not been attached to the Man yet. The fire damage was too severe to repair, so apparently the plan is to construct a replacement Man over the next 72 hours in time for the final Burn.

More photos from Focal Intent are here.

Edit: This just keeps getting weirder:

Joe Garofoli from the San Francisco Chronicle has reported that the person arrested in connection with the arson is Paul Addis, who portrays Hunter S Thompson in the one man show Gonzo, which is currently scheduled to tour the west coast starting next month.

Comments

[divineseduction.livejournal.com]

Also, check out sol3's recent posts, direcetly from the playa. He shot a bit of a play by play of it catching fire, being all fiery, and then being put out.

[metaphorge.livejournal.com]

It seems like the photo I linked to above is his. Small world, huh?

[divineseduction.livejournal.com]

Small world, huh?

Unsurprisingly, yes. Figures, though. ;)

[candent.livejournal.com]

Why would someone do that?

[metaphorge.livejournal.com]

Hard to say, but I imagine it was some variation on "DUUUUUUDE, wouldn't it be AWESOME if the Man burned during the ECLIPSE?!?"

[warpanda.livejournal.com]

Well, I think he also has an ax to grind, as if you google him, you can find a 2002 letter regarding a BM article in SFWeekly. Basicly he was railing against how the leadership seemed to making it a more controlled event.

[metaphorge.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I had posted this response before Addis's name had been released. This should be very very interesting to watch play out.

*pops popcorn*

[thatdamnninja.livejournal.com]

What a douche.

[metaphorge.livejournal.com]

http://valleywag.com/tech/burning-man/the-arsonist-of-black-rock-city-294407.php

[thatdamnninja.livejournal.com]

There was an ad for a shirt that said DOUCHE the 1st time I loaded that page. Seriously!