One Item for BM a Day (2010-2012)

Questions, answers, tips & tricks for newbies and veterans alike
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EmilyD
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Oh & Forgot to mention

Post by EmilyD » Mon Apr 05, 2010 4:08 pm

I forgot to mention today's item...OUR FOLDING BIKES!!! They're great! Full size cruisers that fold up so we can store them in our popup trailer or inside the minivan. It was the best solution for our complicated situation. Thank you Camping World. Now I just hope the suckers stay welded together on the Playa.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/it ... bike/37700[/img]
You don't have to be skinny, naked and under 30 to be a Hottie!

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lucky420
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Post by lucky420 » Mon Apr 05, 2010 4:50 pm

ooohh sweet ride...

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danibel
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Post by danibel » Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:38 pm

First - I am a huge fan of this thread. It's one I read almost every time I log in.

Secondly - I am sorry I haven't chimed in before. Sometimes I don't have a daily item, but I do dream and think about the playa every day. In fact as I buy everyday items the first test of it's value is if it is playa worthy. giggle.

So. To make up for lost time here is a list of things I have recently purchased, found, or prepared for BM 2010:

(kind of in order)
Pink Cruiser Bike purchased for $40 off CL.
Unrolled and repacked the north pole party tent. ( I really enjoyed deep inhalations while doing this task)
Purchased Ticket!
10 LED light stars purchased for $1.50 each off a clearance site for gifts to my campmates.
I spent hours researching and reading the playaflies instructions and part list.
Acquired solder and solder kit for above mentioned playaflies.
Purchased Camelbak from Costco.
Started food list.
Consulted with a hair dresser about corn row/braid options and cost.
Purchased big bottle of Absolute vodka from Costco with coupon savings.
Purchased fiber optic wig for night-time fun off Ebay.
Purchased 3 small LED flashlights for me to use or to gift.
Purchased blue silk parasol for $1.50 at thrift store.
Reserved cargo van.
Saving and putting away empty Altoid containers to give to smokers without an ashtray as gifts.

Items I am still hunting for:
Kick stand for cruiser
Rear rack for cruiser
Comfy seat for cruiser
Playa boots (the ones I used last year got filled with playa dust when left outside the sleeping area :shock: )
Any cool blinkies or solar lights
Straw hat with chin strap
More tights/clothing options


If I had to leave for BRC tomorrow, I would be OK. I have everything I *need* today. Well, I would much rather have the comfy bike seat and the playaflies finished, but for the most part I know I could survive and thrive with what I have on hand (I would have to stop at a TJ's on the way, but you know what I mean).

Dusty hugs to all!

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EmilyD
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Post by EmilyD » Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:47 pm

danibel wrote:
Pink Cruiser Bike purchased for $40 off CL.
10 LED light stars purchased for $1.50 each off a clearance site for gifts to my campmates.
Purchased Camelbak from Costco.
Started food list.
Consulted with a hair dresser about corn row/braid options and cost.
Purchased big bottle of Absolute vodka from Costco with coupon savings.
Purchased fiber optic wig for night-time fun off Ebay.
Purchased 3 small LED flashlights for me to use or to gift.
Purchased blue silk parasol for $1.50 at thrift store.
DAMN you're a smart shopper. You're getting some great prices on things! I love that you already got your booze and your wig, top priorities! When you find the bike accessories please post here. I need a couple of baskets for ours now. Already have the lights...and I learned from folks here (and on the Tribe) to use velcro ties rather than zip ties (which become Moop). I too think about it everyday. It's a wonderful obsession!
You don't have to be skinny, naked and under 30 to be a Hottie!

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Elliot
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Post by Elliot » Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:56 pm

:D
I hate sending anybody to Wallyworld, but they do have the lowest price on comfy bike saddles -- around $20,- -- good and wide, and with springs. Do not spend two extra dollars on the "gel pad" ones -- those pads peel right off. They have luggage racks also, but I don't remember prices.

I replaced a wheel on one of my Playa bikes today. Only 4 1/2 months to get them all ship-shape!
:D

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Bling
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Post by Bling » Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:07 pm

Fiberoptic wig? How cool is that?! :D

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AntiM
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Post by AntiM » Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:00 pm

Bike baskets don't have to actually be bike baskets. Anything sturdy, lightweight, deep enough so stuff doesn't bounce out, can be attached easily can be a bike basket. Like, um, er, a bike basket.

BIKE LOCKS. I repeat, BIKE LOCKS.

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danibel
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Post by danibel » Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:55 pm

Ah. Yes. I am a price shopper. My son makes fun of me because I never buy anything unless it's on sale. Last year I spent whatever I wanted on BM items as I was employed, this year is different. :(

Thank you Elliot for the tip on the saddle. I have been stalking ebay for a deal and so far no luck. I took a mountain bike last year and the seat made riding awful. I could care less about the gears (I go slow and if I have to get off and walk a bit, so be it), but the SEAT! OMG. It must be wide and comfy. I also like being able to hold it in my hands before purchase. It's hard to see if it's soft enough in JPG. ;)

The fiber optic wig just looked too cool to pass up. It wasn't cheap but I am sure it will be fun! :D

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danibel
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Post by danibel » Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:58 pm

Oh! And yes! I own a lock (and I use it). It's a word one. Much easier for me to remember a word than numbers. And no, the word is not burn. Though I did consider that as it has 4 letters! LOL

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Sham
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Post by Sham » Tue Apr 06, 2010 1:57 am

danibel wrote:Oh! And yes! I own a lock (and I use it). It's a word one. Much easier for me to remember a word than numbers. And no, the word is not burn. Though I did consider that as it has 4 letters! LOL
I can't stand the suspense any longer. Tell us the word! Also, what does your bike look like? :shock:

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danibel
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Post by danibel » Tue Apr 06, 2010 9:31 am

haha! My combo is for me to know, and you to never find out! ;) I already tole ya, it's pink! giggle.

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EmilyD
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Post by EmilyD » Tue Apr 06, 2010 9:35 am

danibel wrote:haha! My combo is for me to know, and you to never find out! ;) I already tole ya, it's pink! giggle.
Anything pink is A-okay by me! And yes, AntiM we have our locks too.
You don't have to be skinny, naked and under 30 to be a Hottie!

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illy dilly
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Post by illy dilly » Tue Apr 06, 2010 9:39 am

danibel wrote:Thank you Elliot for the tip on the saddle. I have been stalking ebay for a deal and so far no luck. I took a mountain bike last year and the seat made riding awful.
I made the same mistake. Never gonna do that again.
Why don't ya stick your head in that hole and find out? ~piehole
Plan for the worst, expect the best. Make the most out of it under any conditions. If you cannot do that you will never enjoy yourself. ~CrispyDave

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Ugly Dougly
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Post by Ugly Dougly » Tue Apr 06, 2010 9:43 am

I found a dirt bike at Target for $75 last year.

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C.f.M.
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Post by C.f.M. » Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:12 am

My bike was $30 off Craigslist, and it was awesome.

It's still sitting in my front yard, needing the pedals put back on and the handlebars twisted back around so I can ride it here...

Yesterday, I got a TICKET.

Today, I had an idea to raise money.

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Mojojita
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Post by Mojojita » Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:40 am

Yep, this has become one of my favorite threads ever. It's a great stress reliever at work to have the e-playa connection with all you guys that don't just live the playa one week of the year - especially this thread that seems to outline how we are keeping our heads in the game.

My hubby has suggested that if I ever actually brought all the things I have collected for burning man, I would need a semi to get it all there.

Purchased last weekend:

Pink silk parasol (garage sale)
motocross goggles (garage sale)
4 cases of organic chocolate milk (Costco)(I feed a lot of people)
4 cases of chocolate soy milk (Costco)

This week I will pull out my trusty Burning Man thumb drive and start tweaking my "lists" for this year. Since I feed about 30, planning and prep is essential if I want to be able to relax and enjoy myself - and I do!

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gypsy68
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Post by gypsy68 » Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:32 pm

This is becoming one of my favorite threads also!

Ok, so my first thought "Wow Costco has coupons for vodka"
Second thought "Hey, Costco sells vodka?"

Sometimes living in Oregon can suck.

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AntiM
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Post by AntiM » Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:35 pm

The Utah Costcos don't sell booze either. The one in Kona was a revelation! So much booze, so cheap!

Today I fiddled with an art box to give away. I really have to get the art production up and cranking.

Does moderating the eplaya daily count as preparation?

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Bling
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Post by Bling » Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:36 pm

I just love that I'm not the only obsessive person who thinks about Burning Man pretty much every day! :D We went to a regional campout this past weekend with our camp folks, which was a blast, and we got to try out our lighty jackets and such. (Nearly done, but still fun to try them.) Last night I blinged a couple more skirts--one left to go. Still have to work out bicycles...

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Mojojita
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Post by Mojojita » Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:48 pm

AntiM wrote:The Utah Costcos don't sell booze either. The one in Kona was a revelation! So much booze, so cheap!

Today I fiddled with an art box to give away. I really have to get the art production up and cranking.

Does moderating the eplaya daily count as preparation?
Yes, moderating counts double! The Costco in Reno is always the next to last stop on the way out of Reno and that shopping list/trip is a work of art - have all my college-agers split up the list and fetch. We would rather buy in Reno than schlep that much more stuff many a mile. Have had beer and soda expand beyond their cans coming over Donner Pass. Chip bags explode with a loud pop too. The very last stop is usually a regular supermarket where we can get good beer in cans and refresh ice and dry ice.

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illy dilly
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Post by illy dilly » Tue Apr 06, 2010 1:15 pm

Mojojita wrote:Yep, this has become one of my favorite threads ever. It's a great stress reliever at work
I agree, this is one of my favorite threads. I keep being reminded of things I could get this early.
I know if I got booze this early, it would be drank this early.

I find that this whole ePlaya is a major distraction at work. Since I've signed up, I probably average 15 hours a week at work.
Why don't ya stick your head in that hole and find out? ~piehole
Plan for the worst, expect the best. Make the most out of it under any conditions. If you cannot do that you will never enjoy yourself. ~CrispyDave

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AntiM
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Post by AntiM » Tue Apr 06, 2010 1:23 pm

We have a plastic tote/bin for booze to donate to The Golden Cafe. We add a bottle or two each month, and mixers, so we have a nice selection to bring to their bar. So far we've been buying super inexpensive "Military Special" half gallons on base of basic booze. Great for the mass quantities they serve. Nothing fancy so far, although I bet Lucifer would love my old port I have down in the pantry.

We've been picking up free flashlights at Harbor Freight for gifting. Again, we have a bin set aside for "readiness" gear. Hats, gloves, goggles, basic working lights, bandannas and such. We have costume and boot totes, but those don't get filled until later. We have a kitchen box with all our camping dishes, utensils, foil, towels, coffee maker, etc. ready to go to anyplace we camp out. The food bins are filled later. All the camp gear and shade structures are out in the garage or on the patio storage extension. Tool boxes, bikes, chairs, everything. After ten years, we could go with short notice.

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illy dilly
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Post by illy dilly » Tue Apr 06, 2010 2:05 pm

Yeah all my small camp gear is in two shallow totes (shallow so you don't have to dig and unorganized stuff). One for the kitchen/cooking area, in CO our cooking area is set up next to the fire when we cook. The other for small stuff: random rope, a broom thats broken so it works in a dome tent, fire extinguisher, hatchet, first aid kit, and much more.

I forgot all about 'base booze' as we called it. What a good idea!
Why don't ya stick your head in that hole and find out? ~piehole
Plan for the worst, expect the best. Make the most out of it under any conditions. If you cannot do that you will never enjoy yourself. ~CrispyDave

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Bling
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Post by Bling » Tue Apr 06, 2010 2:17 pm

You fit everything in two totes?! We're having a hard time confining it to our "staging" room in the basement!

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Elliot
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Post by Elliot » Tue Apr 06, 2010 2:24 pm

:D
Chip bags explode...
Oh, that reminds me.... I used to haul truck loads of chips for Frito-Lay, from... somewhere in Arizona or Southern California to Denver. They insisted we go all the way up to I-80. We had to buy fuel or weigh the truck or something in Rawlins, so we would have a receipt as proof that we had traveled that route. But once in a while, a "smart" driver would take the shortcut over Eisenhower Summit on I-70 (over 11.000 feet), and he'd arrive in Denver with the entire truck load "detonated". :lol: :lol:

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motskyroonmatick
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Re: Oh & Forgot to mention

Post by motskyroonmatick » Tue Apr 06, 2010 3:11 pm

EmilyD wrote:I forgot to mention today's item...OUR FOLDING BIKES!!! They're great! Full size cruisers that fold up so we can store them in our popup trailer or inside the minivan. It was the best solution for our complicated situation. Thank you Camping World. Now I just hope the suckers stay welded together on the Playa.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/it ... bike/37700[/img]
If they break bring them to me on playa. I'll fix them and paint over the welding with whatever can of spray paint I have lying around.

I'll be within a 3 block radius of 8:45 and E most likely. Possibly even registered in the database at playa info.
Black Rock City Welding & Repair. The Night Time Warming Station. Crow Bar.

Card Carrying Member BRCCP.

When you pass the 4th "bridge out!" sign; the flaming death is all yours.-Knowmad-

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illy dilly
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Post by illy dilly » Tue Apr 06, 2010 3:27 pm

Bling wrote:You fit everything in two totes?! We're having a hard time confining it to our "staging" room in the basement!
No not Everything, just the cooking tools in one: pots, pans, coffee pot, cutting board, knives, silver wair, washing tubs, soap, scrubbers, sugar, metal spatulas, tongs, and pokers
Then in the other a bunch of random stuf: Another larger pot (that doesn't fit in the cooking tote) and other random camping stuff.

Then of course we have a truck full of stuff. At least a suit case of clothes per person, the car port (fits in two navy style 50"x30" duffel bags), tents, chairs, the (old school) Coleman white gas stove, water, ice chests, beer... etc.

Elliot,
Water bottles do the same thing if you don't open them a couple times, even in the cab.
Why don't ya stick your head in that hole and find out? ~piehole
Plan for the worst, expect the best. Make the most out of it under any conditions. If you cannot do that you will never enjoy yourself. ~CrispyDave

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Bling
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Post by Bling » Tue Apr 06, 2010 3:29 pm

Ahh. Now I feel better. :D

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illy dilly
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Post by illy dilly » Tue Apr 06, 2010 3:40 pm

Bling wrote:Ahh. Now I feel better. :D
I wish it were that easy. Have a camper pop out of a plastic bin! I've been thinking of a way to get stuff to the playa with out having to drive it... all I've come up with is air drop.
We had our suburban loaded way over max capacity last year. We were burning a quart of oil every 100 miles or so.
Bling, what sort of vehicle do ya'll take?
Why don't ya stick your head in that hole and find out? ~piehole
Plan for the worst, expect the best. Make the most out of it under any conditions. If you cannot do that you will never enjoy yourself. ~CrispyDave

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AntiM
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Post by AntiM » Tue Apr 06, 2010 3:49 pm

We have a nice SUV and a trailer. Even with four or five of us, we're talking two vehicles and the trailer. Art project takes up room, as do our four wheeled biles and trikes, camp art, and cozy infrastructure. We can do basic camping, but why?

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