Goals/Life Update - Day 65/1001

A warrior must learn to make every act count, since he is going to be here in this world for only a short while, in fact, too short for witnessing all the marvels of it. ~ Carlos Castaneda, Journey to Ixtlan

Goals Completed: 3
Goals in Progress: 17

On the way to Burning Man (#91), we stopped and camped for a night at Summer Lake Hot Springs (#92). As it turned out, we needed it. Burning Man was hard this year – the unusual weather early in the week, problems with the Box Office, and the heightened level of crisis made any relaxation time precious. Although I’d planned on riding my bicycle (#9) more, I spent more time riding in or driving Ranger and ESD-logoed vehicles because of general exhaustion or because I had to get places faster than usual. Although there was a lot of interesting music (#99) I wanted to listen to, that simply did not happen.

I worked two 24-hour shifts as usual with the Emergency Services Department Crisis Intervention Team, and I was the first response for many of the most difficult calls this year – most of which I cannot discuss in detail at this point. I also worked two 24-hour shifts as the Green Dot Ranger Long (one shift unplanned), overseeing the tactical and operational deployment of Rangers trained to work with emotional crisis. I was also a Green Dot Sandman for the first time, protecting the Temple Burn from suicidal and substance-altered people running into the fire. Finally, I was a primary support for a Ranger who was non-consensually dosed and required intensive support and reassurance at Rampart, the field hospital at the Burn. The only way I was able to do any of this was with incredible support of all of Ranger Outpost Berlin, and especially a certain Ranger Hazelnut.

I did have time to write my usual haiku (#19) in the Temple of Grace, and I did have a night to actually see the Man before they burned it. There was time for brief training at the Black Rock Kwoon (#93), completing that goal, but plans for more training got prioritized by the escalating crisis. I did attend a geocaching event (early) completing the supplemental goal of the Seven Souvenirs of August. Additionally, I also found another of the Grimm geocaches (#86) in Sandy on the way home.

I’m tired, and sore, and in need of some decompression and some self-reflection – but I’m safe, and home, and I helped others who really needed it. That’s what’s really important.