S P A C E C O W B O Y S

By now most of the community has probably heard about the John Law vs BM trademark lawsuit. It’s been on Laughing Squid on BoingBoing and even on CNET

The summary of what I’ve read is that John Law wants to the Burning Man trademarks to go Public Domain, while the BM organization wants to retain control because, according to Maid Marrian’s response to the suit, they are concerned about commercialization.

I don’t know a ton about copyright law, except that it’s a tangled ugly mess, and so far I haven’t heard anyone talk about an option that would involve Creative Commons licensing. But to me, this seems like a prefect application of the “Some rights reserved” approach. CC offers flexible licenses that would, for example, allow a Burning Man fan to use the Burning Man trademark in an art piece that goes on public display, but would not allow Mattel to launch Burner Barbie© next x-mas. There are a variety of legal attributions, detailed on the CC site, and I hope when this matter goes to arbitration the parties involved think about what’s right for the community, and keep that in the forefront, regardless of how much they want the other party to eat shit and die.

I know it’s a little late into 07 to be talking about New Year’s resolutions, and I generally don’t even go in for those sorts of things because the only time I seem to remember them is right before the next new year starts to approach. I frantically read Gravity’s Rainbow and Finnegan’s Wake at the same time, then spend quality time with all the friends I hardly see because they live more than 3 blocks of my home (or worse, in the East Bay), then meditate until I’m able to slow my heart beat like a ninja, then I quit drinking (again), then I finish a novel and rewrite a couple stories, and then update the Space Cowboy blog, and then take the clothing I bought but never looked good in to Good Will, then getting my finances in order, and then finally I go on a diet and lose 10 lbs, all in one day. Resolutions are just too much pressure, IMHO, and I decided if I want to make an effort to be a better person, I’ll just do it whenever the fuck I remember to do it, and so far that seems to be working out. Still, I do think there’s room at the end of the year for some small resolutions. One year I decided to figure out what the lyrics to Interpol songs mean – “She can read, she can read, she can read, she’s bad” – WTF? I’m still at a loss. The other sort of resolution I dig is the ones when people agree to ditch some cultural phenomenon that’s been overplayed, like “That’s how I roll”, or wearing big sunglasses and bangs. This year I’d like to suggest we say goodbye to the Pirate. I know everyone loves Jack Sparrow, but the last movie was a sad sibling of the first – a Stephen Baldwin to the first’s Alec Baldwin, if you will. And there’s a good chance the next one could be worse – it could be Daniel. But I’m not going to pull your Pirate without giving you something in return. No, I’m suggesting an exchange. You put down the Pirate, but for 07 you get to pick up the Hobo. How’s that for a trade? The Hobo is the perfect iconic figure to replace the Pirate – like the Pirate he’s a bad dresser, like the Pirate he smells of booze and like the Pirate a Hobo is all about Freedom. But the Hobo finds his Freedom on the land, riding rails with his brother ‘boes, all while hailing the Man with a one-fingered salute from here to Poughkeepsie. Stylistically, the Hobo’s grunge is the natural next step after the Pirate’s new wave. So next time you’re waxing the tips of your moustache and slipping into your skinny, tapered jeans, take a moment to Google images of Chaplin’s tramp, and think how much cooler and more comfy his baggy outfit is…

is spray-painted on the side of a warehouse down the street from my house here in E’ville – Emeryville that is. It inspired me today to write a little something about my and your BOC experience. I have received via tribe lots of wonderful thanks and kudos to me, Kirk and the Space Cowboys and I wanted to share some with everyone. I also wanted to express to everyone that came to our party how much it means to me personally that it means so much to you personally – if that makes any sense.

One encounter that I will never forget – well of course I have forgotten her name – was a woman who told Kirk and I that 2 years ago during his set her boyfriend proposed marriage. Yes, right by the stripper pole – to your right of the dj (that was not there that year) but in that vicinity. She said yes, she got married and came to this year BOC with an awesome story to share. I never met the husband – he was passed out somewhere I believe. Every once in a while – while I was rocking out during Kirks set I would see her on the dance floor dancing her arse off!!

I danced like I have never danced before. Kirks chunky bass and breakdowns possessed me – I was bouncing and bounding to my favorite person in the world. The energy level was intense. I was truly happy – as I think a lot of people were. One tribe email asked me, “to confirm that the breaks room was levitating?” And well my answer is, “yes it was!”

Thanks to everyone who came out to play, to work and to experince BOC2007.

My highlights for the beginning of 2007: Ending the bus in three not four hours, the smile on Erik’s face and I saw him dance, Yeah! Eva’s racing outfit – purrs, the giraffes and the parrot – the sunshine, Sara aka pink koosh on the pole during Kirks set – hot! Kirk and the look in his eyes as every track dropped – and the dance floors explosion of heads banging and bouncing, Amazing, every room was going off!! But the very best thing was seeing new and old friends there having the time of their lives, at least for now. What a way to bring in the year – I feel blessed and honored to be a part of this slice of life.