"Doc" Livingston's Page

Hello. My name is Chris AkA “Doc”. I was introduced to this wonderful scene by Timm-e AkA Dj Arison. He attended a mountain party that a friend and I threw named When Nature Calls 06 and insisted that I go to Apogaea. So I did and I was instantly hooked. After an absolutely crazed weekend, at the “pretenda burn” I remember him asking if I was interested in going to Burning Man. Well, that was an easy choice and it was then that I was called home for the first time. It was written in the stars that I would be there and everything went sooo smoothly getting out of town. Before I knew it I was ringing the bell at Heavens gate. I had no Idea that my life was going to change forever and I am blessed to have been able to go.
I have tried sooo many times to explain Burning man to my unknowing friends and family but have realized that I simply can’t do it. Not even in a million words. Most will never realize and only a few actually do. All I know is my own story. Just before we arrived to BRC in 06 a fellow burner I had traveled with said to me “Sometime in the next week the desert will take your life and shred it to pieces right before your eyes. You will find yourself surrounded by either the choice of Hope or Fear. It will tear you from your inner soul to your reality. You will be helpless and will have no where to hide. This I promise.”
I remember thinking he was crazy and that I was a lot tougher than he thinks. All week though I listened to his voice in the back of my head and I waited. I had camped with the Jungle Gym and was completely led astray from what I thought the plan was. I didn’t mind though being that there was sooo much to see and do. I met the most beautiful woman in the world early in the week and was having the best time of my life. I know that Burning man 06 represented hope but the fear was only about to begin.
The last day I spent packing, cleaning and wishing it would never end. For the first time in my life I was fearful to go home to Denver and back to my normal life. Did I already say I didn’t want it to end? after the temple burned I returned to my huge pile of crap sitting by the side of the road. Thinking that the RV had already left without me I finally broke down. The desert finally won. In my last hour it took the very last breath I had and suffocated me with it. I was completely powerless and had no control of my own thoughts or feelings or my body. It was hope that finally brought me back to my knees along with the idea of there being a whole new life ahead of me when I could get up again. When the RV finally pulled up I don’t remember how I managed to get everything loaded up. I do remember still crying the whole way down that long, dusty road. It took a couple months to recover or decompress as we say. My life was new again and I was filled with a new dream. I can’t thank who we call The Man enough and am forever grateful for everything the playa has given me.
At Apogaea 07 Timm-e and I hosted Moonbass camp. This year we grew a bit and were responsible for Kingdome. I am also the mastermind behind the event called When nature Calls. Sharlotte and DC put up with a lot of my crap but in the long run without any help from all the Sell-Out’s, we pulled off one hell of a party. Every time I spend some time in the mountains or the desert I learn a lot, and every time I get that much better at doing what I do. Being the Doctor.
I was supposed to be getting married at Burning Man 08 but things have changed.
I thought for a while that I wouldn’t ever go again during my depression session but have been strongly called home once again recently. So, its crunch time. I got to quit typing and get some things done. I have a lot of work to do. Trust me when I say that. I am extremely glad to be going again this year and have absolutely nobody or anything standing in my way. My heart was with you all last year when we hosted our own backyard, kiddie burn due to not being able to go all the way home. We did it right though, you know how I do.
Lastly I have something to say to all you folks who aren’t going due to this year’s theme. I recommend moving somewhere else. Take your ass out of the States but leave your American dream here. Me, I Dream to be free. To do whatever I want to do. Things like going to Burning Man and spending my Economic stimulus check on doing so. My American dream has changed a hundred times in my life and being American gives me that freedom. So if you want to bitch about this country than first ask yourself what did you do to contribute to its greatnesses and/or its weaknesses and go ahead and moan and pout about that while the rest of us party our gratefully, free asses off.
I know, Call me what you will but being American also gives me the right to free speech and to have my own political opinions. All I know is that I am going to Burning Man 08 and if all goes well I will come back with a new American dream. Who knows where life will take me. I am an American though and as we all know it will be an interesting ride I’m sure. Hope to see you all on the playa soon. Travel safely and Namaste.
Lots of love and respect, Doc.