I totally relate, I came back from the West coast(8yrs in Seattle and 2 in Portland) and felt the same way. Don't be fooled though, there is a great network of midwestern burners we're just a little spread out is all. But when we come together, its fully on! The next event I know of is feb 24th in Three Oaks (se MI near Lake Michigan) at the gorgeous Burner owned Acorn theatre(www.acorntheater.com). There will be a Mardi Gras Burner Ball and if you want to be in on the planning, I suggest you join the Great Lakes Regional Burn list(set up as Lakes of fire on Google Groups) at groups.google.com/group/Lakes-Of-Fire . Also there is a Chicago burner tribe(chi-burners) and website worth checking out at www.burningmanchicago.org/. Not to mention all the fun stuff on the above mentioned Michigan BM yahoo group. Good luck and hope to see ya at some event sometime!