Photo:herby_fr, Creative Commons, Flickr
I'm taking a week away from stock research, trading, credit meltdowns and blogging for The Panelist.  I'm leaving the Default World and heading to the to a dry salt lake bed called Black Rock City. 

I heard there might be Internet access. If there is, I'm going to try to report on how people spend money at Burning Man.  Because far from the hippy-dippy laid back party everyone thinks it can be, I noticed people spending huge amounts of money at Burning Man.  They spend it on art, on preparations, on vehicles, on sharing, on gifts, on music, on propane, on travel, on food and a whole range of equipment gear and supplies.  Perhaps it should be called a Burning Money Man.  As some artist figured out last year in this photo I took of the night of The Burn.
Photo:Rubin 110, Creative Commons, Flickr

Here's something similar to what I said last year:

1. Instead of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, I'll be interacting with the Bureau of Land Management. 
2. It's not the NYSE open I'll be watching, but the sunrise over the sand.
3. I won't be chasing earnings reports but chasing an art car with a full bar roaming The Playa. 
4. I won't be hanging in New York City, I'll be  in Black Rock City. 
5. I won't be waiting for the market to close, I'll be waiting for The Man to burn.
6. I won't be trying to figure out esoteric series of Thornburg preferred shares (TMAprC), I'll trying to figure out how to find a snow cone.
7. I won't be busy being disgusted by out of control CEOs ripping off shareholders, I'll be busy holding my nose waiting in line for a porta-potty in 100 degree heat.   
8. Instead of watching the Dollar fall, I'll be watching the Temple burn. 
9. Instead of braving CNBC reporting, I'll be braving dust storms.  
10. And, instead of sharing my economics and investment views, I'll be giving hugs, sharing beer, meeting up with old friends and making new ones. 

Disclosure:  I did buy Thornburg Mortgage (TMA) Common and Preferred (TMAPRC) last week.  

Burning Man Disclosure: I do rent an RV at Burning Man and stay in a camp with bio-showers.  Entheon Village also spends a lot of money putting on lectures, seminars and art exhibits.  I'm in Entheon Village at 2:30 and Artic if you want to stop by to say hello. 

This photo is of me packing is still in New York.