JimHillas.Org                           Spanky's Village
                       "We won't do anything to you that you won't beg for again tommorrow"
NOX NON FAMILEA

(pronounced "knocks non fa-mee-lee-yay")

Roughly translated "a night without family"

Nox Non Familea is a voluntary experiment in social interaction...  
A way to break free of the bounds of your comfort zone...  
A catalyst of new friendships...
A commitment that you make, to yourself...  
A mission.

Here's how it works.

You (or you and your significant other) pick one night at Burningman
to leave your camp and your friends.  On that night, you seek out a
new group.  This group could be another camp in your village, a camp
outside your village, or even a group of people walking down the
esplanade.

But (this is important) it should be a group that in some way is
slightly different from the burners that you would normally hang out
with.  For example, if you are young, find an older group... if you
are extroverted, find a quiet group... if you are scientific, find
an artistic group... etc

When you have found a group/camp, introduce yourself and let them
know that you are participating in 'Nox Non Familea' and give them
a short explanation.  (Stop by Spanky's Wine Bar if you want a flyer
that explains Nox Non Familae - you can show the flyer to your group
when you approach them).  Then ask them if it would be OK if
you spent a few hours hanging out with them tonight.

You could hang out in their camp.  You could go out and explore the
playa with them.  You could help them with their project.  You could
just party with them... whatever.  But spend the time trying to learn
about them (and from them).  And tell your tale as well.  Experience
their vibe.  Try to embrace their differences.

Some groups might not want to participate, and that's fine.  If that's
the case, just move on to another group.  But I have a hunch that
most burners would welcome you.

And at the end of the night, you will surely have a good story or two
to share with your 'familea'... and perhaps have some new friends...
maybe even some new perceptions.

Life is short!
Break free of your boundaries!
Meet new people!
Share your life!
Learn from others!
Life is for the living!
Because, after all... "Omnes Una Manet Nox"

~Admiral Painjoy~