Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2007 21:52:47 -0800
Reply-To: Mike Miller <mwmiller@CWNET.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike Miller <mwmiller@CWNET.COM>
Subject: Re: bURNINGvAN whys and wherefores
In-Reply-To: <HHEAJIOMDPBGGCKHACGJMEKLCJAA.al_knoll@pacbell.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
The appeasement was done.
Hecht showed up in Matilda, or at least some of the millions in attendance
say they saw them.
The case was burned, and the van as well. We have pictures. Paul of Valley
Wagen Werke in San Rafael lent his presence as well as the the type 1 case
and the sawzal used to whack it up. And the sledge hammer used to encourage
said bits into smaller bits. ]
It was bright.
BenT, the other Paul, the one with Dot who also showed, showed. Blake,
Warren, Christian and Persephone, Keith, Eldon, Linda, Frank, and vans in
their hundreds, well nine.
Mosaics were admired. Crazies on the beach made their annual appearance. A
few sprinkles of rain, it warmed up as the evening progressed. Chris was
there. Jaro wasn't. Tim the tomato man forgot. I have photographic proof of
everything. Even the Lambie who tried to convert Warren [now that was funny.
Blake and I were trying not to laugh. Regrettably we failed]
Food. Drink. And the fire smoked.
P mail for pictures. I may send them.
Mike
On 1/27/07 11:21 AM, "Pensioner" <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET> wrote:
> Call it what you like, teen-age fantasy, rites of winter, any ol' excuse to
> watch the hissing demise of the sun into the pacific, dancing around the
> fire, (ask Mikey about previous BVs), dancing in the fire, stepping on
> ancient articles such as poptops ... but do take note of a few interesting
> historical markers. The first known burning van event took place under the
> auspices of Martha of flannel and California Camping Crazies fame at
> Panamint Springs 'resort' under a mysterious full moon. Long ago and for
> those in the far frozen east, far away. There were incantations, ibibing of
> various spiriti fermenti, sacrifices of sorts and the attendees and it
> seemed loyalists were blessed by the Vanagon deities with some protection
> from bad fortune, nigerian financial winnings, unscrupulous vendors,
> unforseen adventures, mechanical demons and failure to perform.
>
> Subsequent offerings of dead VW parts in various locations around the world
> may have helped us along the road to Muir's vision of enlightenment and
> elemental understanding of our high maintenance ladies of the superslab and
> blue highways.
>
> I noted that in your early days of a rubber tramp / road gypsie, you make no
> mention of shamans, altars, incantations, chanting around a sacrificial fire
> or appeasing the vanagon deities by burning the dead. However I did notice
> repeated references to bad fortune, misadventures, mechanical demons and
> failure to perform in your writings. I also noted a large number of cries
> of dispair, breakdowns, and such. Perhaps there is a connection to be
> found.
>
> Mike graciously takes time out of his busy day to help appease the deities
> by presenting BV and providing some of the sacrificial objects and location,
> invitations, and various accoutrements. By paying suitable homage either in
> person or in spirit one may be granted exemption from various vagaries of
> vanagon ownership. However, insulting those who watch over our humble
> conveyances, may reap a harvest of tears, curses, and gnashing of teeth at
> the side the road. Hence the annual ritualistic offerings and solemn vows
> of maintenance and assuming the mantle responsibility.
>
> Perhaps more attention to appropriate homage and preventive maintenance will
> make the road to come even more enjoyable. Or I could be wrong.
>
>
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