Oh how the mighty have fallen

Today we discovered we are now officially middle aged. We cannot deny it any longer. How can we be sure? Because The Flaming Lips are headlining at Xingolati: Groove Cruise of the Pacific.

Picture a "what if Carnival Cruises sponsored burning man" event that seemingly distills the worst of all possible worlds (floating man?).

For instance, this is from the FAQ:

The navy has a ritual for new sailors when they cross the equator. Are you doing any kind of ritual? I see there is a trident in the Xingolati logo. Is that the trident of Neptune?

There is depth to the name Xingolati. We didn't just create a word to be different. It's a puzzle. Ritual is an important element of any event. This cruise is about the path to getting there. . .crossing the line. . .taking it to the next level. Any kind of spiritual growth requires a rite of passage. There are many artists on board that will take us through this journey. The Mutaytor will help us make the transformation that occurs during the voyage. Neptune is the God of the Sea; we certainly want to respect the gods. There will be expressions that come from people inspired by the atmosphere, the music, and the interaction with others. It's like a seminar or a retreat. You will have to take some time to process the experience and decide how to apply it to your life. It's about accepting the broader realm of possibilities.

Um yeah. Okay. I'm thinking some serious drug use played a part in conceptualizing Xingolati (and the depth of the name eludes this blogger--it sounds to me like something a Mexican coffee lover would name his dog).

But just because you're ritualizing your spiritual transformation doesn't mean you should ignore the meat container. Because god knows, what's nirvana without maribou. The "What to Bring" section tells us:

Xingolati is a fashion fabulous event, so bring your best threads. Exaggerate your character and bring out those beautiful items you keep for special occasions. This is participatory theatre, look your best!

Evening gowns
Super heros welcome
Fake furs
Wigs
Gaudi jewelry (hmm...necklaces with colorful tilework?)
Questionable hair styles
Rings & jewels
Fake mustaches

I'm going to perform an intervention here and tell any prospective groove cruisers that, no, you should not bring your fake mustaches. There is a really useful distinction to be made between "fashion fabulous" and "you look like a horse's ass." If you're not clear on where that line falls, consult with a friend before packing. Please.