AMTRAKathon is no longer

[patent_pending]

The final ride was January 2020. It was a great run, but it's over now. There will not be an AMTRAKathon 2021.

[Sham]

The final ride was January 2020. It was a great run, but it's over now. There will not be an AMTRAKathon 2021.

Who's going to break the news to Doc?

[Dr. Pyro]

Trust me Sham, I know, I know. But if people want to (on their own dime and effort) go to Reno for a party, dial me in. I'm actually considering taking the train out of Colfax (that way I can return via Greyhound) and enjoy the scenery. Oh, and the liquor. And leave my tuxedo at home.

[ygmir]

Trust me Sham, I know, I know. But if people want to (on their own dime and effort) go to Reno for a party, dial me in. I'm actually considering taking the train out of Colfax (that way I can return via Greyhound) and enjoy the scenery. Oh, and the liquor. And leave my tuxedo at home.

well, I for one sure had great times at the Amtrakathon. Thanks, Doc, for all the years you put that together!

[some seeing eye]

I enjoyed my first Amtrakathon last year. Thanks, Doc, for the Reno mid-Winter regional!

[Captain Goddammit]

I wish I’d had the free time to do that.
I didn’t use to have nearly the available time off I do now.
I’m sure there will be future adventures.

[The Rod]

awe man.

I remember last winter thinking to myself "that sure looks like a lot of fun I'll definitely have to do that in 2021".

[Patsh]

Sad to see the end of Amtrakathon.
I had some good times in Reno with you folks!

Ratty gave me a mutated stuffed lion (at my last Amtrakathon), whom I call Road Kill, who has been to at least 2 Burns and loves going camping all over AZ with me. Just seeing him reminds me of the fun of Amtrakathon and of my dear friend, Ratty.

[ygmir]

Sad to see the end of Amtrakathon.
I had some good times in Reno with you folks!

Ratty gave me a mutated stuffed lion (at my last Amtrakathon), whom I call Road Kill, who has been to at least 2 Burns and loves going camping all over AZ with me. Just seeing him reminds me of the fun of Amtrakathon and of my dear friend, Ratty.

fun times indeed!! runs out to the frozen playa, shenanigans in the suites. Doc did good!

[Elorrum]

Was thinking about this recently. The annual in between gatherings were a lot of fun, and well attended. I’m going to think on this, the past may hold a key to the future.

[Patsh]

Was thinking about this recently. The annual in between gatherings were a lot of fun, and well attended. I’m going to think on this, the past may hold a key to the future.

I miss those gatherings! If you can figure out other excuses to get us to Reno, keep me posted...

[Sham]

Was thinking about this recently. The annual in between gatherings were a lot of fun, and well attended. I’m going to think on this, the past may hold a key to the future.

I miss those gatherings! If you can figure out other excuses to get us to Reno, keep me posted...

There's one in August. Maybe you could drag your sister and her husband. The clock is ticking.

[Popeye]

Fly Ranch will have work weekends later this year. Think some work, some soak. Haven't seen dates yet. I think they would be glad to get the skill set of this group.

[ygmir]

Fly Ranch will have work weekends later this year. Think some work, some soak. Haven't seen dates yet. I think they would be glad to get the skill set of this group.

I"m not sure there exists enough nope in this idea, for me.

[Elorrum]

. Dp

[Elorrum]

Fly Ranch will have work weekends later this year. Think some work, some soak. Haven't seen dates yet. I think they would be glad to get the skill set of this group.

I"m not sure there exists enough nope in this idea, for me.

I get it, ygmir. It’s a strong oppositional confusion for me. Like being nearly apostate and seeing an offer for a Vatican sleepover. They’ve lowered the price for volunteering, er “stewardship camp outs.” it was closer to $150 when they offered it a few years ago. Down to $40 now. Good elbow rubbing opportunity for ticket begging, but have I any pride? It would be nice to see old friends though.
https://here.burningman.org/event/fly-stewardship

[some seeing eye]

Now might be a good time to plan a 2024 so people have time to schedule it into their lives. We send some from the NW.

[ygmir]

I"m not sure there exists enough nope in this idea, for me.

I get it, ygmir. It’s a strong oppositional confusion for me. Like being nearly apostate and seeing an offer for a Vatican sleepover. They’ve lowered the price for volunteering, er “stewardship camp outs.” it was closer to $150 when they offered it a few years ago. Down to $40 now. Good elbow rubbing opportunity for ticket begging, but have I any pride? It would be nice to see old friends though.
https://here.burningman.org/event/fly-stewardship

yeah all that. I sorta resent the "if you come work for us, we'll let you camp here" idea, as relates to TTITD and the tenants thereof. And, if they charge you to go work for free? less so.
I mean, who the F*%$ cares enough to see that place, and get a spot in the dirt to sleep, to pay and volunteer to do their work?
yeah, no.
They've pushed this "if you work for us, or pay us, you can hang with us cool kids, at the cool spot" as far as they can, with me.
That said, I'm not dissing anyone who wants to dance to their music, I'm just saying, it's not for me.

[Elorrum]

I mean, who the F*%$ cares enough to see that place, and get a spot in the dirt to sleep, to pay and volunteer to do their work?
yeah, no.
They've pushed this "if you work for us, or pay us, you can hang with us cool kids, at the cool spot" as far as they can, with me.
That said, I'm not dissing anyone who wants to dance to their music, I'm just saying, it's not for me.

Yep. They’ve peeled the sense of communal effort right down to the hard dry seed at the middle, just for the inner core. Sitting at the table with stars isn’t my goal. I wanted to be making something again with interesting people.

They just started a new “volunteer” google list for Reno residents to join, to be easier to contact for support, mentioning that there is an org office in town. They mentioned an upcoming event in February, but did not describe it. They are calling it: R.A.B.I.D. “Reno Area Burner Identified Doers.” Pitched through fb groups. It doesn’t feel like being invited to join in the fun. It feels like a staffing list.

[ygmir]

I mean, who the F*%$ cares enough to see that place, and get a spot in the dirt to sleep, to pay and volunteer to do their work?
yeah, no.
They've pushed this "if you work for us, or pay us, you can hang with us cool kids, at the cool spot" as far as they can, with me.
That said, I'm not dissing anyone who wants to dance to their music, I'm just saying, it's not for me.

Yep. They’ve peeled the sense of communal effort right down to the hard dry seed at the middle, just for the inner core. Sitting at the table with stars isn’t my goal. I wanted to be making something again with interesting people.

They just started a new “volunteer” google list for Reno residents to join, to be easier to contact for support, mentioning that there is an org office in town. They mentioned an upcoming event in February, but did not describe it. They are calling it: R.A.B.I.D. “Reno Area Burner Identified Doers.” Pitched through fb groups. It doesn’t feel like being invited to join in the fun. It feels like a staffing list.

BAM!
not only that but "unpaid, but petting on the head nicely" staffing list.

[some seeing eye]

The BORG is a nonprofit corporation with an income statement and a detailed expense center budget.

I would guess they would look at events beyond BRC with an income and expense view. Their burdened cost, assuming medical insurance, Medicare match, etc. is probably about $150/hour per staff unit. So they have hours planning, then staffing, cleaning up, and writing reports for any event. Doubt their fees cover the expenses, but fees can separate the wheat from the chaff.

It costs money to run the BMHQ.



Fly (Esalen II) Resort has year around carrying costs, staffing, improvements, probably including land tax. Then there are capital construction costs for art, a mausoleum, and the founders retirement home (humor)

[Elorrum]

I honestly do understand that none of it runs on sunshine and unicorn spit. I can no longer afford it, and if one cannot pay, one must work. If it were fun, I might happily contribute. I'm trying very hard to find the balance. $40 for meals and snacks and a campout is affordable. Building trails or other outdoor features isn't bad work and to be outside with interesting people and have some laughs like the old days might be the burner experience I can manage now financially. I am trying to figure something out, but I don't like feeling second class. It has a different feel when you feel you are contributing to something you will also get to enjoy over time. Like being in a club, if the dues aren’t onerous, or restrictive, and they don’t ask you to wear black and carry a plate with nibbles.

[Elorrum]

2022 report for Fly ranch included this as part of the summary "We prototyped Fly Ranch Stewardship Days and hosted eight of these volunteer action days between April and October with more than 80 registrants." I wonder what the number of unique participants actually was, if the same ten to twenty folks kept coming back. IIRC 2022 volunteering cost about $150 per person. That's not a lot of man hours, but it was a prototype. The new steward weekend events are providing food, two days of work, cutting trail, fixing fences, eliminating non native plants, and other maintenance, and do include overnight camping @ only $40 plus $2.00 service fee. They also need to staff trained volunteer docents for the nature walks. I feel promoting this spirit of fun and community pulling together was already a well worn method when Tom Sawyer needed to paint his Aunt's fence. The kids were all Tom's friends and neighbors. The reno C.O.R.E. town hall was on Saturday, with a $10 pancake breakfast. The Generator pitched it's membership, Fly asked for volunteers, Black Rock Rangers need volunteers getting you a discounted ticket your second year, meals and showers with a 32 hr. work week commitment. There's a leadership summit and a private "playa academy" camping event with some spaces still available too. Besides the Reno CORE project, there was one playa art project presented, and one woman is making a golf cart art car to do ice runs for folks on the outer edges. Three projects, and five pay or pay to volunteer activities. The fine line between participant and customer/labor is getting harder for me to discern.