SL drove us through the canyons of Chumash territory to the site of Lightning in a Bottle. As one of the earlier arrivals at camp, I staked a claim for Bat Country and proceeded to set up my tent under a little oak tree with a view of the canyon. Hours early for my volunteer shift, I strolled the grounds to get a feel for the layout. Full of nervous excitement, I volunteered early and was sent down to the entry booth to begin set-up. After some assembly, hanging of signs, and running and securing of electrical wires, I headed back up to the main admin area to report for my official duties as Green Team. While welcomed by ST, bats flew in circles overhead in the shed – then the official work began. The primary task was moving excess bamboo from the Bamboo Stage to the recycling station, then decorating the containers there. Finally, after a good workout, I headed back to my tent in the dark, now surrounded by a full camp with trailers, canopies, and tents – but not a single person in sight. I crawled into my tent hoping to get to sleep before anyone returned. There was plenty of time, but I just couldn’t nod off; eventually some Bat freaks returned to camp, immediately launching into a spirited conversation. I eaves-dropped, finally emerging at the right moment to introduce myself. Well! Out came the Coke and Jagermeister, and shortly I was the most talkative in the bunch, delivering my alibi and spiel laced with theories, revelations and eco-dogma. We got on quite well together, and they invited me into the trailer for sweets, later wrapping me in a furry Hoth arctic jacket to stave off the cold. Finally in the ungodly hours we called it a night. I awoke the next morn to the sound of rain on the tent – there were some murmurs from nearby camps who had left equipment outside. I was snug and giddy in the tent with the droplets coming down, but I did find it a bit strange for this arid country, which must have been well refreshed by it. Intending to attend as many panels as possible, I perused the schedule, selected my choices for the day, and set out in an electric drizzle to the Temple of Consciousness.
