When I’m Dead Mike Gozian Transition.doc This document is a work in progress. My plan is to share this with others to hear comments and get their ideas. I welcome all suggestions, even the most outrageous. An updated version of this document can be found at www.MyStories.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dear Mike Gozian Transition Team, Well, I’m dead. I didn’t forward that email to 10 people. I knew it would happen someday. I was just hoping I’d live longer to spread more havoc in the world. But before I died, I wrote this document. It includes details about the events following my cross-over; details that are more in alignment with my personal experiences and spiritual beliefs. I also invite your own ideas. Perhaps, there’s a new tradition that you’d like to adopt for yourself. The people to whom this document is intended will understand exactly what I’m trying to do. I also invite all of you to help create a tradition that’s both thoughtful and unique. A major area that I haven’t given any though is a formal service of some kind. I’m open to any ideas that are in alignment with these principles. I won’t complain about anything I don’t like, cause… I’ll be dead. I’ll just haunt the shit out of you! Changing how we Think about Death The transition of our physical bodies to our spiritual selves is just a part of our living experience. But most societies cling to a bizarre and unhealthy view of death - the stories, language, traditions - on display during depressing religious practices and rituals. We mourn, we grief, we perform senseless religious traditions in place of celebrating a person’s character and rich life. The only tragedy is that most people don’t really live. What I don’t want to happen is an 80-year-old Eastern orthodox priest mumbling endless ear-cringing chants that never end with incense so heavy they need to divert planes. If I hated having to endure this myself when I was alive, why the fuck would I want this for my friends? We’re more concerned with extending a person’s age than providing a better quality of life for those still alive. (This is my cleaver way to bring-up death with dignity without bringing-it-up.) Why am I doing this now? Because I’m dying. Yes, I’m sad to announce that each day I get closer to pushing up daisies. So, I figured I’d do this now to get feedback from those who can be guilted into getting involved.… I mean… that I respect. Besides, let’s face it. We can bite the dust at any time. It might be 20 years, next week or even before I end this senta Just kidding. What to do with my body * Take all my organs. I won’t need them anymore, with the exception of my middle finger which should be sent to the Smithsonian (along with my jean jacket). Someone better than me can use my parts – plus imagine their surprise when incredibly bizarre shit starts to happen to them. Do I hear screenplay? (Would it be a comedy or a horror movie?) * After the doctors have picked away anything of value, I want my ashes and or personal belongings to be brought to the temple at Burning Man. Ask Frank Occupinti to build a box shaped like a hand with the middle finger. Put my personal shit in the box and burn it at the temple. Language and Terminology We are defined by language. Therefore, I want to use words that more accurately define this new philosophy. I do not want any reference to the word death. In its place, I’d like the following words and terms to be used… ‘transition’, ‘crossed-over’ or ‘has boldly gone where no man has gone before’. * Instead of toasting with ‘Cheers’, say ‘Belly-up!’ * I do not want a funeral. I would like to have a celebration of life. More on this below. * For my obituary, use the document: /MyDocuments/BOD or the old Wikipedia listing before the account was hacked. * Other ideas are welcome. Celebration of Life I feel like my home is Black Rock City. As an ordained minister, I’ve officiated some memorable wedding ceremonies on the playa. I’ve never performed a Burning Man funeral ceremony, but if I ever do, it might look a little like what I have in mind. (For my friends on the East Coast, it’s hard to explain because it means something different to everyone. Watch the YouTube video titled, ‘Ignite’.) Let’s celebrate who I was and not grief about not getting the money back that I owed you. * This party should be at least two months after I assume room temperature. This should give time to spread the word and, once the euphoria has settled, give people time to make travel plans to Oregon (or wherever else I am allowed to live). * This celebration should occur at my house since it is a reflection of my life. Guests can stay in my home – but no relatives outside my immediate family. * The weekend of the party can include or coincide with my annual Festivus celebration. * Have DJ Tenface (Louis) DJ the event. Patrick Lamb is also invited. The music playing during the celebration should be from my playlists, Upbeat, Burning Man and Death Track. Lots of Bob Marley, Elton John, Rolling Stones, Stephen Lynch, Patrick Lamb, Walter Mitty. (Guests are welcome to smoke out of my Bob Marley pipe, see below.) * The event should include a bon fire. Guests are welcome to burn their own personal items and memorabilia as a symbol of letting go of the past and starting new. * Burning Man apparel is welcome and encouraged, of course. There’s no shortage of lights LEDs, headpieces and, naturally, glow-in-the-dark finger paints. Who to contact & help run this event With social media, it’s pretty easy to let the word out that I pulled the plug (FB groups, BM groups, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) Nevertheless, please contact local media and particularly the outlets that published articles about me: CNN, CSPAN, Bloomberg, Inc Mag, etc. You’ll find all articles about me stapled to the ceiling above my bed. This event should be coordinated by people who want to do this and have the understanding to make it happen. BM folks tend to be intelligent and creative (a dangerous threat to the status quo.) They’re a good place to start. There are many online groups. Some of these are in my favorites. Here are some others who can be blackmailed to help. * Any Burning Man camp organizers, regional chapters including BM HQ in SF. * Invite the online communities of Abraham Hicks, Landmark, Omega, Escalon & Hollyhock. * Invite my time travel club. Next meeting is scheduled for the same time last year. * Invite Joe Dispenza and the black guy who talks about the universe. I don’t want to burden anyone financially, so I’d like the cost to hold these events to come from my estate, more specifically, the deposits on my soda bottles and whatever you can get for my original ponytail that was cut just before my presidential run in 2008. (My original BM guides, maps and tickets, for each year I attended, can raise $2000 to go towards this event). Note that all these activities will cost a fraction of the cost of a traditional funeral. I welcome all suggestions (particularly what a formal ceremony might look like.) In fact, many of the better ideas here were suggestions made by strangers who asked what I was doing at the bar pretending to look important. Everyone I’ve spoken to about this are excited to see the final product. Together, let’s create a tradition that reflects our beliefs and aspirations. (Well, not really ‘together’… I’ll be dead!) Peace & Gratitude, Mike (Jingozian) Gozian MikeJingozian@gmail.com PS. There are a few projects that I would like to see continued. These are described below. All passwords and login details for all my current projects are available to those who believe in these principles and have the desire to pursue these goals. (See Angie or Nate). PROJECTS TO CONTINUE Reset America.com I would like my three projects to continue. These are Reset America and My Stories. It is my dream that the movement Reset America continue. It’s an important mission and the only way that we can fix our corrupt system of government and save our planet. * We’re not going to change our disastrous trajectory with the same system that created it. As Ben Franklin said, “Change can only come from one direction… Outside.” * The iPhone wasn’t created by AT&T, Amazon wasn’t created by Sears and Porn Hub wasn’t created by penthouse. * When a building is so damaged and can’t be repaired, you need to tear it down to building something new. Enough with the clever quotes. To learn about Reset America and the My Stories project, visit our websites. (Folks who attend the celebration are welcome to raid all the Reset America merch!) I hope that I’m remembered for helping ignite a political revolution. But, if I never get Reset America off the ground, I’ll be happy with changing how we look at death. My Stories.com I would also like to see the My Stories Memoir project continue. The following text is copied from MyStories.com. “In addition to creating your personal memoir, we provide a framework and various tools to foster honest and frank conversations with family and friends about the details of your passing, such as death with dignity, what happens to your body, and all the options for celebrating your transition including how you want to be remembered, material possessions to give to friends, minimizing regrets and tying-up loose ends. In other words, purposely and intentionally living our lives after our physical life has ended.” Why not tie-up loose ends while you’re still kicking? * Are you pleased with how the stories of your life will be passed to future generations? * Are there things that you want to tell people while you are still alive? * Are there things that you want to tell people after your dead? I’ve already met with my family about what to do before I go sleep with the fishes. Knowing that I’ve already done this, removes any pressure or anxiety when my number finally comes up. As a matter of fact, I’ve already met with my family about the following. * Location of passwords * Secret hiding places * Home upgrades * Items that have sentimental meanings * Where things are and who gets what * Valuable possessions * Are there items that have special value which others don’t know about? For example, I own a pipe that was smoked by Bob Marley when he last visited NYC in 1980. I have a branch of a tree that was lying on top of the grave of Ben Franklin. Quantum-particles from Ben escaped his body and attached themselves to this branch. I would like this to be burned at the celebration (toss in Josh’s black belt karate boards for good measure). To anyone else, these items would look like stuff that was kept by someone with a serious hording problem. Without the story behind these items, they’d just be thrown away. Belly Up! PS: I don’t know if you feel the same as me, but the phrase ‘Dead as a Door Nail’ never made much sense. Door nails are not dead. Now, Coffin nails are dead. Shouldn’t it be ‘Dead as a Coffin Nail’?) Mike Gozian MikeJingozian@gmail.com 2