(no subject)

Mandatory reading for all stoners

A summary: a cannabis-like substance, anandamide, was studied by two scientists from Germany and UC-Irvine. They found that this substance is produced by the brain in response to possible psychotic episodes. The worse someone's schizophrenia is, the less anandamide was found in the brain during episodes. Unfortunately, the study also found "anandamide levels lowest in people with schizophrenia who used cannabis more frequently, suggesting it may disrupt the system."

The article asserts that we are all psychotic to some extent; most are just not sufficiently so to be diagnosed.

Burning Man

Until last night, I was not certain I would ever want to go to Burning Man.

For some reason, listening to people talk about it last night, it changed my mind. I think I would like to go someday.

Going this year, however, would be difficult.

My reasons:

1. First and foremost, the week of Burning Man is my school's first week of school. It seems to me like it would be horribly irresponsible to skip out on that.
   
2. Going for the whole week would also use up all of my sick leave for the term, leaving me with no bendiness if I get sick.
   
3. It would be awfully last minute to decide to go now; getting my hands on all the gear would be tough.
   
4. It would be expensive
   
5. Are tickets even available anymore?

What I could do this year:

I COULD take Friday off; I'd only be missing three classes rather than four, and using up only one day of sick leave out of five. I already have Monday off. Thursday I would get off at 3:40, so in fantasy perfect road trip land, we could be on the Playa by ten p.m.

I wouldn't have to be back to teach until 12:40 Tuesday, so if we left late Monday night and I needed to sleep in, that would be ok.

I just don't know how expensive this would be, or how worthwhile. Should I wait for my first BM for a time when I can be there for the whole thing?

I could probably borrow a tent from Q, and I own a sleeping bag. After that, its just comfortable clothing and a whole lot of food supplies etc., right? Edit No go on the Q tent. Hmm. I must know someone else who would be willing to lend me a tent... right? But this puts me down to just a sleeping bag.

BM take two

If
-a spot in an existing tent or the lending of someone's tent that is already playafied
-a ride Thursday to the Playa OR a friend who wants to rent with me
-a friend volunteering to be my guide to the experience

all materialized, I will then consider going this year. Otherwise, it just doesn't seem practical -- and perhaps, it seems more stressful than enjoyable. However. I think I WILL try to commit to going NEXT summer, and start looking into theme camps I can join.

I'd consider going to WorldCon, but plane tickets+reg would cost me upwards of $400, and none of the planes are leaving at convenient times anyway. And I don't feel like spending that much money on WorldCon, whereas I somehow feel more willing to spend money on Burning Man.

Anyone know of any parties going on labor day weekend? Maybe the Moonbase should have a party. Or I should find folks to do a long weekend road trip to Annwfn. Or something.

eep! *bouncebouncebounce* Burning Man!

So, eastbaygreg apparently bought an RV yesterday and just offered to let me sleep in it. He also offered to get basic supplies for me.

EEEEE!

So at this point, what stands in my way?

1. getting a real ticket
   
2. a ride
   
3. packing supplies

Getting a ticket:
Anyone know someone who is selling? I'd prefer to try to get something cheaper than $250.

Getting transportation:
Enterprise will rent to me for that time period for only $138, according to certain websites. I'd be getting an economy car, but it should be big enough for me and my stuff.
But given how long its been since I drove, I'm a little nervous about driving all the way to Reno on my own. For that reason...

Does ANYONE know ANYONE leaving SF Wednesday or Thursday? If I can find a ride on one of those days, I'm golden. Alternatively, someone who would like to split rental and gas and driving with me, or at least navigate for me?

Packing supplies:
Hopefully the BM website will give me clueful info on what I need.

Is this a bad idea? Yes, I want your opinion.

Vacation schedule

So this fall I have an awful lot of vacations due to all the jewish holidays. In particular, the weekend of my birthday is a five day weekend. I feel like I should do something with that fact, but I don't know what.

Anyway, anyone know of anything interesting going on any of the following weekends:

Labor Day weekend (3 day weekend)
Sept. 15-19 (5 day weekend beg. Wed)
Sept. 24-26 (3 day weekend, Folsom weekend beg. Fri)
Sept. 29-Oct. 3 (5 day weekend beg. Wed)
Oct. 6-Oct. 10 (5 day weekend beg. Wed)
Nov. 24-28 (5 day weekend beg. Wed)
Dec 18-Jan. 2 (Winter vacation, beg. Sat)

Y'know, if I could only find someone to road trip with, or something interesting going on at that time, it would be tempting to take off the two days between Oct. 3 and 6th and go somewhere or do something fun. As it is, I am scheduled to be at Back To School Night on my birthday (October 5th). We'll just see about that.