theBaba.com

atop the pyramid he stands
dirty khaki meets worn leather
cradling tired feet
a face neglected, etched
by blowing sand

unkept nails scrape stone
carved by long dead men
hands work furiously
as body fights wind
the force of mind
molds an aerodynamic form

the model complete
time to depart
a strong arm
in one motion

 a plane flown
   the picture
     a lost love
       now gliding

falling

with dry wind

  and

sand.

By all accounts across the internets the Post-Apocalyptic Prom was a resounding success. The effigy and burn were the best I've ever seen. The new location was also overflowing with most-awesomeness - trees and shade everywhere, great water and generally burner-friendly all around.

BAD continues to shine with our people, our bar and our snowball fight.

Willie and I built huts this year and brought a ginny to power some AC. Initial construction was a bit rough, but having a sanctuary from the heat was a big hit. There are a few pictures of the huts if you are curious.

There are most excellent pictures at one.flame.in.the.fire and from Jose Ole on Flickr.

Now, at this point, you're probably asking Where the hell are your notes from Flipsides 2008 and 2009?

Well, they're in my head but my analog-to-digital converter's been busted for a while and they never made it out. Flipside 2009 was good, as far as I can remember. Last one out at Flat Creek Crossing, and the first for my brother, Willie. It was where he learned that everything was a front. We didn't get to burn, but had fun anyway. Our cousin Marcus and our friends Daniel and Leah had their first Flipsides as well. Sean stomped through half the place and Willie damn near got mauled by a massive hamster wheel. The snowball fight was awesome, as usual. Whip it, whip it good.

Flipside 2008? Don't remember much - I must've had a good time.

I am
the Baba

Since my mad musings about Flipside 2006 have been headlining here for, like, ever, I thought it best to share a thought on Flipside 2007 before Dr. Tiki's Combustible Medicine Show actually happens.

SO! What about Flipside 2007?

Flipside 2007 was wet. Really fucking wet. Seriously, it rained a lot.

Also, we manufactured a snowball fight.

-Fin-

Flipside was brought to the Baba by camp Beer and (Arcadia) Darts, home of the Happy Barrel Monkey Lucky, the glowing throwies (sorry Andy, forgot the real name) and the glowing throwie tree, the iScream truck, the Rain Room and the Hippie Hunting Blind. — thanks for the great times guys and gals!

Important things I learnt

• Yes, it is actually possible to get desensitized to seeing hot naked women (and naked people in general). The only other piece of art in the world that has given me this kind of effect is Verhoeven's Showgirls, which can make even the horniest man sick of seeing boobies. While Showgirls is entertaining in its own way, I prefer the burner method.
• If you're not glowing or blinking, you don't exist.
• Drink lots of water. No, seriously, drink lots of water.
• People... people are fascinating.
• Zombie weddings are cool.

Quick Highlights

• Captain Banana Bread
• getting spanked by a hot naked woman on the way in at the greeter station
• camping in the Texas Hill Country
• topless girls riding a vintage fire truck
• the huge jukebox playing Roky Erickson's Burn the Flames during the burn
• human "horses" in bondage gear pulling the bride's carriage for the zombie wedding
• fire
• good times with good friends

Moral of the Story

• I truly hope when distant future generations look back on us in this severely fucked up time of ours, that they consider things like Flipside and realize that we could sometimes be interesting and creative and get along with each other, and that there were some of us who didn't spend all their time trying to steal money from someone else.

phone of the future
consolodating my life
god of my data

multifunction joy
wireless world is mine
hope tumor not come

the shower caddy
true yuppie accessory
not bohemian

my shower caddy
keeps my soap from eroding
but it's so ugly

new bane of my life
shower caddy delima
my innocence lost

nut cracking dope fiend
without a shower caddy
seven dollars lost

protector of soap
representative of kitsch
un-bohemian

my soap and scrub brush
now near loofa and shampoo
brings calm in shower

	in the lobby i now wait
	my mind in a futile state
	i listen to a string quartet
	liquor in my stomach sets.
	an ambassador of france
	who directs a formal stance
	from many a worldly man
	and some with an iron hand
	[here i sit and contemplate
	 meanings of the number eight]
	there two black clad women are
	before they will find a car
	a man with gloves of white says
	"here is where the action is"
	his picture they will now take
	a mem'ry for them he makes.
	now comes the ambassador
	with ambiance his voice soars
	to every ear near the stand
	"i'm going to disneyland"	

Notes: from an experience in Bangkok, Thailand

	hiding behind old curtains
	peering out the large window
	a young boy, one misty morning,
	views sights of secret joy
	
	bare feet on cold marble
	hands rubbing eyes, a yawn
	he sees grandfather in the garden
	long white beard, flowing blue robes
	
	peaceful stillness and fog
	living in a separate world
	grandfather with a wooden basket
	of intricate, delicate carving
	
	gemstones large and small
	showing many wonderful colours
	in this worn, loved basket
	carried through a wizard's garden.
	
	the wizard bends down
	with gardener's tools as
	an early morning chill