So, there's this bomb that has a long tradition in Seattle. Arts groups have stolen the bomb from each other for well over a decade. Its been in the hands of INB, Stronghold, Arson Island/Machine camp and several others dating back over a decade. The bomb is about 7-feet long, and weighs about 200 lbs. Its an old vietnam test bomb as far as we can tell, decomissioned of course.
Back in 2007, we brought the bomb and camped next to a group out of Eugene called Carbofuckingnation. As should be expected from our camp, there was a bit of pranking that ocurred, including slingshotting snack packs of pudding into their camp. At the end of the week, we realized that we were short one bomb.
Before TEITD this year, several members of our camp spent some time trying to figure out where the bomb ended up, to absolutely no avail. Most people thought Amani knew, and she was bombarded (heh) with inquiries.
When we got to Burning Man this year, our camp members were reading through the what/where/when (something that usually does not happen until the end of the event, mind you) and found this post:
http://earth.burningman.com/brc/2009/playa_event/742/
"We took your bomb as our trophy in '07, come claim it! We want: Proof, Liquor, Sexual Favors, and something... fantastic. We're in the same spot we were in '07."
It was clear at that moment what must be done.
We rolled in later that night with the treehugger/spinal tap bus (ugliest "art car" ever) and the Birthday Cake filled to the brim with candy ravers. We sent in the ravers with the instructions that this was our camp, the drinks were free and plentiful, and that the more surly people were the more free drinks they would get.
While the ravers were creating the distraction me and chris airola removed the bomb and ran it back to the treehugger bus and we began our escape. Running with the bomb is hard, and I fell. Lots.
Did I mention I was wearing a leather full-body captain america jumpsuit? I was wearing a leather full-body captain america jumpsuit.
As we were making our escape, their camp members reached into the hole left by the bomb and grabbed snack packs of pudding (genius) and began pelting us with them as we drove away. "DON'T FORGET YOUR PUDDING!"
We had planned to rendezvous with the cake at the wedge (for those that didn't go, the wedge was a giant 2-story astroturf slip n slide that was responsible for more injuries than anything else at burning man this year:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaynakatherine/3912014824/)
I knew what must be done.
I got a crew of 6 or so people to haul the bomb to the top of the wedge, and some rope to rig a bit of a handle onto the front. I had already been advised by several of my attorneys that what I was about to do was a BAD idea. I agreed and ignored their advice.
Did I mention I was wearing a leather full-body captain america jumpsuit? I was wearing a leather full-body captain america jumpsuit.
I straddled the bomb, grabbed my ghetto rope handle. A very large clearance in the crowd was made and a wall of somewhat cushiony things was made at the bottom. I got a big push.
I made it about 1/2 way down before the bomb tipped me over, i bear-hugged it the rest of the way down, crashed through the wall and went about another 15 or so feet beyond that. It was a good thing I was wearing full leather, cuz the rugburn would have been terrible. I escaped unscathed and with no collateral damage amongst the onlookers.
The bomb is once again back home and I had one of my favorite nights ever at burning man. I hope, oh how I hope, just one person got a picture.
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