An old virgin to be deflowered

Ogre · Post by **Ogre** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 8:46 am

Hello Everyone;
For years I have envied all of you that have attended Burning Man. Events in life just would not let me attend. I'm awfully old to be a "virgin" but I do fit in that category in the Burning Man tradition. I look forward to reading all the reports after the burn of 2005. I am already preparing for 2006 and will purchase my ticket as soon as they beome available. Those of you that will need a ride to and from the burn of 2006 watch for my posting in the ride-share section.

Ogre

B-Rella · Post by **B-Rella** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 4:32 pm

Ogre,
I have lived on the west coast since the age of 5 and here I am, over 30 years later, planning on BM 2006 to be my deflowering. Nothing ever really came together before now, so I have decided it was Karma. Just today I was in the local mega store, stocking up on after Halloween glow sticks and things. When the cashier asked what they were for, I said Burning Man next year! She gave me a blank stare and vague nod, but the guy behind me (mid-70's I'd guess) asked: are you camping on the Playa or bringing and RV? Which started a nice little conversation. He had yet to go, but was considering it. I hope I find him, and you there next summer.
Barbararella

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 7:03 pm

Welcome!

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:44 am

Hi there old man!
I'm old too. This will be my third burn. I must say the first one was very hard for me ('04), windy, dusty, hot and i wasnt prepared. I thought i was, but i wasn't. This years burn ('05) was much more fun, cause i was more comfortable. This next year ('06) I am trying to contribute more.
You will prolly also go thru some sort of evolution as you start attending. Just be sure you are ready for extreme conditions so your first burn isnt arduous.

Crankful · Post by **Crankful** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 11:23 am

I also have three BM's under my belt and I can say that contributing is a MUST! I braved the conditions in a motorhome but any day on the playa can be a weather event. I gave head on the playa last year (wigheads that people decorated and brought back to a platform I built near the man)and this year I am torn between a art car or nothing....nothing being just the bare minumum (tent, WATER, food)...I find that I think of this event as my trip to Mecca and the eplaya is a good way to stay in touch with the spirit so come on down you virgins and get dusty.

kpax · Post by **kpax** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 11:55 am

I too, look forward to the coming BM 2006.
It will be my first (I am over 50) from Missouri.

B-Rella · Post by **B-Rella** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:25 pm

As a virgin burner, I am trying not to do TOO much for my first event. Crankhead - I don't know if I would set up to give head, but I am planning on foot rubs and massages to give as gifts.

I am creative (I shy away from the term artist - too long to go into here) and want to bring a gift of visual interest to the Playa also. Being a newbie, I don't know if what I am envisioning has been done before. I know in the mundane art community, there is a lot of scorn placed on derivative art or "copy-cat art": how is the Playa? Of course I want to play with wind, and colors against the bare backdrop. I guess I am not really asking for reassurance: I will make what I see in my mind, and go from there. But there is this little corner of my mind that warns against stepping on peoples toes. Have any of you non-virgin folk been troubled by such?

B-Rella · Post by **B-Rella** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:27 pm

bad, bad: Crankful, not Crankhead.

DallasPlaya and SkyGod: I would appreciate your thoughts also.
BRella

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:06 pm

kpax wrote:I too, look forward to the coming BM 2006.
It will be my first (I am over 50) from Missouri.

Kpax, have you joined Midwest Burners yet? It's a pretty active regional group that's always got something going on. Rumor has it they may be introducing Kansas City to Santarchy next month among other things....

If you haven't joined already here's a link to check out:
http://www.midwestburners.com/

Also B-Rella is on to something very important. It's good to want to contribute on your first trip but try not to do too much. Give yourself plenty of time to go explore and take in the event. Then you'll go home inspired and the second year you can go crazy with ideas, art cars, projects, etc.

And it's always good to see someone new from the Midwest around here. Welcome to the eplaya!

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:23 pm

Crankful's project was splendid, I had a blast doing head for him!

Crankful · Post by **Crankful** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:29 pm

oooohhhhh,

one of my artist has appeared....what did you head look like?....I have pics and would be glad to email....wrong kind of head barbella (only kidding.....first year bring things you make to gift and looook around at the wonder

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:33 pm

Welcome Virgins - I hope I get to be your Greeter. I just love the deflowering ceremonies - empowering and invigorating.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:49 pm

Crankful wrote:I think of this event as my trip to Mecca

Great analogy. I'm stealing it.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:50 pm

kpax wrote:I too, look forward to the coming BM 2006.
It will be my first (I am over 50) from Missouri.

Age is not a factor. Attitude is. I've brought people who are my age (mid to late thirties) who didn't have a good time. I've met people over 40 who always have a great time. And when I say "great time" I don't mean just partying. It's all about the people.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:53 pm

B-Rella wrote:As a virgin burner, I am trying not to do TOO much for my first event. Crankhead - I don't know if I would set up to give head, but I am planning on foot rubs and massages to give as gifts.

Good ideas. You might want to add "foot wash" to the foot massage thing. Not necessary but you'll see some dirty feet that want massaging. Maybe you could just use wet wipes.

I am creative (I shy away from the term artist - too long to go into here) and want to bring a gift of visual interest to the Playa also. Being a newbie, I don't know if what I am envisioning has been done before. I know in the mundane art community, there is a lot of scorn placed on derivative art or "copy-cat art": how is the Playa? Of course I want to play with wind, and colors against the bare backdrop. I guess I am not really asking for reassurance: I will make what I see in my mind, and go from there. But there is this little corner of my mind that warns against stepping on peoples toes. Have any of you non-virgin folk been troubled by such?

Everything is derivative. Don't sweat it. If someone calls you on it, just say, "Hey is that Larry Harvey over there?" Then run. YOINK!

dr.placebo · Post by **dr.placebo** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 1:24 am

A bunch of good ideas have already been noted here.

Besides the material preparation, bring an open heart and an open mind. Be ready to be generous and kind, including to yourself. Be ready to recieve generosity and kindness.

There will be difficulties: physical, social, emotional, and spiritual. There will be people whose apparant mission is to make your life harder. Don't worry about them too much. There will be friends you have not yet met who will help you, and who will gladly accept your help.

May you be delighted.

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 7:02 am

My head was purple, like the Dreamer, with little peg burner people glued around the bottom. A project of mine that wasn't getting off the ground, and their your project was, all ready to take it in. Wonderful!

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:32 pm

Hiya Barb, Ogre
A lot of people disagree with me, but I think a virgin should get their first year "free".
Free of expectations that they contribute. I mean, certainly do what you want, but I had a really hard time physically, and emotionally, my first year. I can see each burn getting better!
It's ok with me if virgins just be a sponge and soak it all in.
Some people jump in the deep end, others have to walk slowly into the shallow side and feel the water creep up.

ZaphodBurner · Post by **ZaphodBurner** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 4:02 pm

kpax wrote:I too, look forward to the coming BM 2006.
It will be my first (I am over 50) from Missouri.

What's amazed me this year has been the near uniformity of surprise when I say "You're never too old for Burning Man."

("Seriously? I didn't realize that.")

I -did- have one woman (early '30s) respond that the parties on South Beach are the same way, it's the same thing. "I mean, you see people there that are 30, 35 years old..."

-zb

B-Rella · Post by **B-Rella** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:16 pm

I have been surfing the ePlaya and came across a thread proposing a Parade of Virgins at BM2005, with prizes given to wranglers bringing in the most virgins, and organizers handing out white bands for virgins to wear - identifying them so others could approach with advise, welcomes and forgiveness for newbie on the Playa errors. This was, of course, non compulsory and meant to help virgins break the ice and jump in to active participation. It sounded like a goofy, fun and wonderful idea. Does anyone know if it actually happened? Here is the thread to refresh memories.
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... highlight=

Crankful · Post by **Crankful** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 3:17 pm

I have pics of your stuff.....I remembered you now after looking at your [email protected]

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 8:57 am

B-Rella wrote: Parade of Virgins at BM2005, It sounded like a goofy, fun and wonderful idea. Does anyone know if it actually happened? Here is the thread to refresh memories.
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... highlight=

As far as I know, it didn't. Like a lot of good ideas it fell to one person to carry out and perhaps the burden was too much. It was Geekster's idea, I don't see him on the board very often any more. That doesn't mean that reviving it and putting on your twist is vorboten. As before, I have those glue guns I was going to donate!

B-Rella · Post by **B-Rella** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:37 pm

skygod - I feel I have waited too long to go to BM. I have known about it for almost a decade, but each year I let it go by without joining in, due to all sorts of reasons/excuses. I feel I need to create something for the playa more as a declaration of my ability to finally overcome these obstacles. I appreciate your sentiment that virgins should be allowed to just come and experience without feeling obligation to return the gift. For me, I feel like a small part of me has already been there, and that I go next year to rejoin it.
Sorry - wacky pseudo-spiritualistic babble

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 3:05 pm

well, barb, there will be thousands of people ready to help you unfold your chrysalis.

I am the River you saw Ye · Post by **I am the River you saw Ye** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 1:05 am

if you are going to be doing any massage, check out the heebeegeebee's camp. it is also a good idea to bring vinager. vinager will counteract the caustic playa on your feet
I don't think there can be any age understanding amongst us. Only a brain age. I think that has less to do with knowledge and more to do with understanding. There are old souls in young bodies and young souls in old bodies. it is wherever it ds you and the timing has less to do with your expectations and more to do with what you are capable of handling.
going 4 a walk can be a burningman experience; it depends on how wide open you are to all that is happening around you. I am an older burner as well and I know that if I had come when I was just in my 20's, I wouldn't have gotten it. Well, I would have partied a great deal, and there is nothing wrong with that; just that I am capable of so much more now. Everthing we allow to enrich our lives, does. find the lesson in whatever you do. Realize that ALL of this is a lesson and don't be the kid that is kept behind 4 summer school(though, that is okay too!)

Remark · Post by **Remark** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 6:44 am

Decide to go, prepare, and then go.

You won't get it 100% "right" the first time anyway. The second time, you'll worry less about getting it "right."

We want you there.

B-Rella · Post by **B-Rella** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:49 pm

After reading all the good advice here, and really thinking about it, I've decided not to worry so much about making a "big splash" my first time out. Instead I'm going to focus on the essentials: water, attitude and costumes.
(Costumes may not be essentials for everyone, but as someone who gets up nearly every day asking "who do I want to be today, and how shall I show it?" - it's necessary for me.)
Thanks for everyone's input!
B

EleganceAndChaos · Post by **EleganceAndChaos** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 1:59 am

Last year was my first year at Burning Man and I spent most of the
time trying to take most of it in. It can be overwhelming due to it
sheer size and amount of things going on.

I would suggest you absolutely bring a costume. In fact two costumes.
One for the day, it is outrageously hot. One for night,
it can get pretty cold. I had a pig costume and just about
died the first day it was so hot. There were one guy in a complete
chicken suit. Try that at 105 degrees. I don't know how he did it.
People look at you more as a spectator if you are not wearing a costume.

I found that people were more approachable and more people were willing to approach you if you were wearing a costume. As much as people talk about Burning Man as this huge collective event, it can
be pretty isolating if you are not outgoing. It can be a stressful event
also for couples, I saw a number of domestic fights because one party
wanted to go off and do something different from the other party or one party felt left behind because the other party had gone off without them.

At 42 this was my first Burning Man. Age is not really an issue at this event. There is some much going on that if you don't like one event just move to the next one. Age is just a mindset at this event. You should not let it stop you because you think you will look silly. Everyone looks silly. Trying having a conversation with a man in a 9 foot bear suit. It is hard to keep a straight face.