It could be you aren’t making it out to the playa this year, or perhaps you want to take a peep at the current weather conditions in Black Rock City, perchance you’re an avid people watcher, or maybe its 2:30, you’re in need a distraction, and cat videos are getting old (psh, unlikely). Doesn’t really matter what you’re situation is. This video stream is awesome! Watch Burning Man live.

Direct from Black Rock City:

Free live streaming by Ustream

Big thanks to the hard-working Burning Man technology team for making it happen.

A note to first-time burners: First moments on the playa.

In less than a week, burners will return “home” after a year away from their temporary address in temporary Black Rock City, population: 60,000+. Playa neighbors will embrace as if they’ve known one other for a lifetime, hugging notably tighter if meeting for the first time. As a newbie, the friendliness and sincerity of the Burning Man community will push all your expectations off balance. Succumb to falling flat on your butt, un-grounding the dry desert dust that’s now clouding your body and mind. As the puff of dust slowly unveils the world around you, surrender to its clearness, its normalities… if there is such a thing. Regain balance, release the shame that has built up from being so taken back by no-strings-attached kindness, drop any persona you uphold in your everyday workweek, and let your Burning Man virginity shatter at your feet.

A hug from a burner will be undoubtedly the warmest embrace you’ll ever experience; it’s endearing, welcoming… real. Without hesitation, burners lend a hand to help set up their new friends’ camps, not expecting or wanting anything in return, just sharing a heart-warming smile. Burners are more than friends. They get to see the real you. Whether “you” is skipping through the dust singing aloud and proud that song stuck in your head, passing out thousands of hand-crafted necklaces tired fingers have been stringing for months, or admiring world-class art, bare-bum naked… nothing is ordinary or unordinary on the playa, it is truth.