Newb from Chicago area. Looking forward to 2010!

Crimson13 · Post by **Crimson13** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 6:31 pm

Hey guys and gals,
Another BM newb here, looking for some tips and ideas!

Little about myself, I'm 19, currently a student, and I am looking to make 2010 my first burn! Currently I'm trying to get some friends to come with as I don't want to do my first burn alone (and to share travel cost). Right now I'm looking at trying to find a theme camp/village to be a part of and learn the ropes from.

I am also planning on bringing some of my personal projects out to the burn. One is a solar panel I am creating from b-stock solar cells, and the other is a vertical axis wind turbine. Both of these things will charge a bank of marine batteries which can be used to recharge things, run lights at night, and run small fans.

Another project I am looking at doing is some sort of shelter. I've been looking at the geodesic domes, hexayurts and some others. I also have my own idea of something that structurally is along the lines of a really big paper lantern.

If any one has ideas for the stuff above (camp/village, alt energy, and shelters) Please let me know!

Thanks,
Crimson

Post by **Elderberry** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 6:48 pm

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

JK

Crimson13 · Post by **Crimson13** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 12:33 pm

Thanks for the warm welcome JK!

Post by **Sham** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:14 pm

Keep your head down Crimson, that thing is going to blow any minute now!

Good luck with your preparations. I will give you a bit of advice and tell you that you should keep things nice and simple your first year. Don't try to bring all sorts of elaborate contraptions that will take over your week. Read the survival guide and work from that. After your first year, you can go as crazy as your want and you will have a better feel of what will work.

Welcome and brace yourself for the best time you ever had.

Crimson13 · Post by **Crimson13** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:11 pm

Thanks for the welcome Shambala!

And yes, the thought of over doing it my first year has crossed my mind, but for me it all comes down to what I think I can do.

I'm also not adverse to testing things out my first year too. I'm a huge tinker-er and I love making things with my hands so the thought of just buying a tent or something just makes me go "why not build something better?" Not that I'm totally adverse to doing that its just not my first instinct.

Oh well 2010 BM is a while off so I have some time to figure stuff out.

Thanks guys!

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 3:15 pm

Shambala wrote:Keep your head down Crimson, that thing is going to blow any minute now!

seems you've gotten your metaphores mixed...........hahha

Welcome, Crimson13.....

jump on in, we're fun, and snarky, occasionally helpful, and, witty, or, at least half-so..........

Crimson13 · Post by **Crimson13** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 4:21 pm

Welcome, Crimson13.....

jump on in, we're fun, and snarky, occasionally helpful, and, witty, or, at least half-so..........

Thanks for the welcome!

Oh and I've read enough of the eplaya to figure that out!! That's all good though cause I'll fit right in!

Post by **Sham** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 4:57 pm

You can do some very creative things, but don't let these projects take the whole week. Once you get to BRC, you are going to want to check out the entire place. This is virtually impossible not matter how hard you try, but if you find yourself with two days worth of projects before you can explore, then you are not going to be happy.

Yes, you do have some time before you head off to Black Rock City, but August will be here before you know it. Start packing soon!!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 6:40 pm

Also be aware, the heat and altitude can slow you down. If you don't have enough projects, you can always help other campers or the organization. If you have too many projects, well that's just frustrating. Able tinkerers have no shortage of options.