THAW BURN '09 PICS!!!

XMAS TREE BURN '09 a.ka. THAW BURN, MUD BURN, The SLURRY

Well, you did it.

You proved that once again this outfit cannot be stopped, and can party hearty and party ARTY in, under, over, and around conditions that would put lesser souls into a state of terminal buzzkill.

We thought last year's infamous Freezer Brrrn showed us that we could tackle even the most inclement weather-related challenges. I dare say that the Thaw Burn of '09 may have topped even '08 in terms of sheer audacity and bravado. We thought "Hey it's gonna be warm out - that'll be awesome!" And it was. Then it was 57 degrees. Then there was snowmelt. Then there was mud. Then was more mud. The Gods were fuckin with us, but by soldiering on, and rockin it right on through to the Motel, we fucked with them right back. Long live the mud people, and their little mud puppies!

Thanks to everyone, especially Shirley for being such a fabulous host.

Next year we'll be saying: "Damn, I hope it's cold out!"

Synchronicity's 8th Annual Xmas Tree Burn

WHO:
You.

WHAT:
Synchronicity's 8th Annual Xmas Tree Burn. This is a giant, artful fire celebration and outdoor event, complete with cold beer, hot fire, pot luck pitch-in dinner, fun music and even funner friends. We will once again be putting the torch to hundreds of Xmas Trees.

WHEN:
Sattiday, February 7th, 2009. Our Xmas tree sculpture will burn a little while after sundown.

WHERE:
The Bridgman, Michigan location is just a little over an hour away from Chicago. It's a familiar site to many, but at our host's request, specific address details will be available only to those who RSVP to dave_h@illmeasures.com.

WHY:
Fire. Fun. Friends.

FAQ'S:

I HAVE AN XMAS TREE, WHAT DO I DO WITH IT?
If you're in Chicago, you can drop off your Xmas Tree in the side lot of Quencher's Bar - located at 2401 N. Western, on the corner of Western & Fullerton. YOU MUST DO THIS ON A SATURDAY, or email dave_h@illmeasures.com to make other arrangements. When you arrive at Quenchers, please ask for Steve-O, and he'll help you get into the side lot. Of course, you're always welcome to simply haul your tree out yourself.

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?:
Synchronicity is officially BEGGING anyone and everyone to help us out with loading our Chicago trees, unloading them when they arrive in Bridgman, and building our awesome effigy. This is labor-intensive process, and we need bodies. We're planning a load-out, and work/build weekend for 1/24/09. Beyond that, you can show up early enough on Saturday, 2/7 to help with our build. It's more fun to do something than to just show up. Beyond that, you can bring food for the pot-luck, fire to spin, your dancing galoshes, or just bring your bad self.

WHERE DO I CRASH?
We're encouraging everyone to join us at a local Super 8 motel in Bridgman, and are working on providing a comprehensive local van service to and from. We absolutely insist that you do not drink and drive, and the van service should help you in that. The van service is for everyone, but we will not get a hotel room for you. We hope, however, to use the Super 8's facilities for something of an after party. Details still emerging. "http://www.super8.com/Super8/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=13835"

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Xmas trees. Plenty of warm clothing. Food. Camp chairs. Propane heaters. Propane cookstoves. Poy. Fire spinning equipment. Work gloves. Ladders if you got one.

WHAT ABOUT BOOZE?
Delicious beer will be provided. The rest is BYO.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Although we will be passing around the hat to help cover the considerable expenses related to this event, it will be on a give-what-you-can donation basis. We'll cover the van service to and from the Super 8. Your hotel room, however, will be on your dime.

I HAVE A QUESTION YOU HAVEN'T ADDRESSED:
No problem - email me at dave_h@illmeasures.com

Hope to see you there!

I think some people had some fun!

Hey Y'allMark your calendars, the Annual BunnyCon Bar Hop is coming up on the appropriately solemn holiday of Good Friday. This yearly bunny-themed Bar Hop is going down on Friday evening, March 21st! Watch the Chicag-list for details, and make sure you've got your bunny ears!

FreezerBurn Photos

More FreezerBurn Photos

Synchronicity, the slutty red-headed stepchild of the Chicago Burning Man Community, is once again proud to invite all of you to the 7th Annual Xmas Tree Burn!

WHO:
You.

WHAT:
Giant, artful fire celebration and winter camping event, complete with cold beer, warm fire, music, and friends.

WHEN:
Sattiday, January 19th - Sunday January 20th Our Xmas tree sculpture will burn at approximately 8:00-8:30 local time (9:00-9:30 Chicago time). We recommend and hope you will show up early to help us build our sculpture.

WHERE:
Our wonderful friend Shirley has agreed to host this event at her private home in Bridgman, Michigan. There is plenty of room for camping. Bridgman is just a little over an hour away from Chicago. At our host's request, specific address details will be available only to those who RSVP to dave_h@illmeasures.com. Those of you who attended Fall Forage in 2005 or the Wedding of Liz & Devin last summer know the spot.

WHY:
Too many reasons to list.

COST:
This has traditionally been a free event, but as it has evolved and changed over the years, costs have gone up, as they inevitably will. For the first time, we are asking those in attendance to pitch in $5-$10, or "whatever you can" to help defray the costs for kegs, gasoline, port-a-potties, etc. You can either PayPal pocketbook@synchroni-city.org, or bring cash to the event. Either way, rest assured that your payment will be helping us continue to organize and fund sweet-tastic events in the Chicago area.

FA-QS:
1) QUESTION: Winter camping in Michigan? Are you out of your minds?

ANSWER: Yes. If you're not willing to go that route with us, we will be happy to provide you with some phone numbers for local hotels, where you can arrange a place to stay. Although we at Synchronicity will not take necessarily take responsibility for your safe arrival at a warm bed, we are working on finding a team of sober drivers to take people to their hotel destinations. Volunteers are beyond welcome for this crucial task. We're also inquiring about group rates - so please stay tuned. [I'm going to put some contact info for hotels in here once some of the bus/group rate details are sorted]

2) QUESTION: How can I help?
ANSWER: You can help by showing up early on Saturday the 19th to help us build our Xmas Tree Sculpture. You can help by pitching in a donation to make this thing go. You can help by volunteering to be a sober driver to a hotel room, or even back to Chicago if you're truly a hero. You can help by showing up smiling and ready for a great time. This is the short list.

Please feel free to RSVP to dave_h@illmeasures.com, or if you have any questions or concerns.

Hope to see you there!

Downtown Dave

Last Years Tree Burn:

CHECK OUT VIDEO AND PICTURES IN PICS&VIDS

Calling all Whiskey Santas!

Politically Insensitive
Elves! Low-rent Reindeer! And lovers of Mass
Intoxication and Group Stupidity!!!

Dig out your Santa suits, scrape off last year's
eggnog and vomit, and get ready for another edition of
Chicago's SantaKong!

What is it?
SantaKong is a mass gathering of fun-loving
Chicagoans, who, dressed in cheap Santa Claus suits,
run amok in the city for choas, merriment and laughs.
Santas will likely enjoy a drink or 10, celebrate and
spontaneously interact with the the awestruck public
on streets and in bars.

The focus is on fun, creativity, booze and the power
of a cheap Santa suit. Expect spontaneous, bawdy fun,
the singing of naughty Christmas carols, the giving of
gifts and the unpredictable jackasstics of those
involved.

• When: 5 pm, Saturday, December 8th, 2007

• Where: We're gathering in Millennium Park, with
stops all evening to include prominent Chicago
landmarks, cheesy tourist traps, holiday destinations,
bars, a live news broadcast and even an ice skating
rink.

• How: Transportation via private trolleys driven by
friendly, sober hired elves

• How many: The more people who sign up, the more
trolleys we can rent (last year we had about 90
people)

• How much: $30 per participant

• What does that get you: A seat on the trolley for
the evening, a commemorative patch or laminant, lots
of cheap beer and some sweet holiday memories

• Deadline: Trolley riders must purchase their seat
BEFORE Dec. 5

• How can I pay: Please send $30.00 via
Paypal to pocketbook@synchroni-city.org

Please sign up ASAP! The spots are finite and will
fill up quickly!

IMPORTANT: This is a reservation-based event. To
secure your seat on the trolley, you must purchase
your seat by Dec. 5th.

Do NOT show up the day of SantaKong and expect a seat.
It will not exist. Purchase your seat now; your ass
will thank you later

Also, the faster people sign up, the more trolleys we
can rent. As the season progresses, it will be harder
to reserve additional trolleys.

The sooner we know how many people are on board, the
sooner we can secure enough seats for everyone.

And we want everyone on board! More Santas! More
Merry!

Please! Please! Please! Sign up ASAP and get ready for
some big, red fun!

Ho. Ho. Ho.