After the premature torching of the Burning Man icon, there were a few days of just an empty spot where the man should have been located atop the green tent. The tent was still open, and people were able to explore the various exhibits on earth-friendliness, but finally the Man went back up on Thursday. For a time, the head still hadn't been attached, and before they were able to complete the Man, our festival was greeted by the first strong wind storm. Our camp nearly came completely apart, and we were forced to re-secure the rebar in the middle of the white out. Everything was completely covered in dusty sand. There was no place the sand could not get; it was inside our tents, on the furniture, the food, everywhere. We camped out in the truck for a little, and I decided to leave when a group of people started smoking.

Amazingly, the playa was still teaming with life. People rode their bikes and walked around as if there was no storm at all. There were times when I couldn't see more than a few feet or so in front of me, and some people decided
to walk their bikes instead of ride them. Much of the time, I didn't have to pedal at all because the strong winds pushed me along my path. I finally arrived to The Deep End club, which plays house music, and it was more crowded than ever. Everyone was wearing goggles and dust masks, and the party continued! I joined them and danced the storm away.

Anyway, back to the Man. Some pieces were reused from the old Man, but much of it was completely new. The unusual cloud cover today shaded the way for the rebuilders, and there were rumors of impending rain. Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, its return is a symbol of the self-renewal that many people experience when they come to Burning Man. Today, Friday, the head has finally been afixed to the Man, and it's construction is complete for the scheduled burning tomorrow night.