Hello and Welcome... What's your name? Tell me about You...

[Savannah]

Welcome, Jake! Welcome, Crash!

[poolness[hello]]

Hello! My name is Lara. I'm going to Burning Man for the first time. I live in Beirut. I'm planning this on my own, so I feel a bit nervous! I'm not exactly sure how to do this, how to get there with all the things I need to take with me?! I'm reading a lot of things online, but I'm finding it hard to meet other burners, especially living in my area. So i found myself here, hoping I could get some guidance on how to find a camp, or meet some burners [solo or not] that would want to join forces and do this together! I will be in San Francisco on August 15. So...[hello] help!
Oh and I'm about to leave to work, won't be back for another 10 hours! but please reply!!!

[Ratty]

Welcome to eplaya poolness. This is a great place to start your trip. Read all the recommended guides. Start making lists of things you need. Figure out your luggage allowance and make note of the things you have or want to bring from home. Do a little research and then start asking us questions to fill in the blanks. It will all become clear and fun as time gets closer. Don't stress! You won't die or even suffer much. It will be worth the trip. Good to meet cha.

[Mars68]

Hello! I am Mars (not a pseudonym).
I am a fiercely lion-hearted willow in the wind with a squirrelly brain and abundant creative energy.
Today is the third anniversary of my new life.
This is also the 365th day of my year of saying YES to everything.
BEST YEAR of MY LIFE!!! I am renewing my subscription.
See you all on the playa.

[Ratty]

Welcome to eplaya Mars. Tell us a bit about yourself. You said earlier that you are planning to bring art. What kind? Oh, and what kind of things did you say 'yes' to this year.

[Mars68]

Welcome to eplaya Mars. Tell us a bit about yourself. You said earlier that you are planning to bring art. What kind? Oh, and what kind of things did you say 'yes' to this year.

Living a pretty conventional life in Northern Canada.
Kids moved out, regular job, enjoying a new found power in single life, etc.
Working on a theme of Cathartic Confession...bringing an interactive, sturdy, but highly flammable confessional, plus Wind socks, Tattoos, decorated Playa bikes, etc.
Made an amazing connection with someone last fall who asked if I'd ever been to BM and would i be interested?
That was a big YES! and we have been plotting and planning ever since.
Ventured to several locations last year that i'd never seen (Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Ucluelet, Tinder, Helicopter ride, etc. hahaha).
Rekindling some lost passion in Art and social connections.
Planning for BM is both exciting and terrifying...but if it wasn't my brain wouldn't expand.
At worst this should be a trying comedy of errors, at best i think it will be mind-blowing.

[Elliot]

Inside tip, folks: That someone of the amazing connection is a Bicycle Technician, and he has contacted a certain bicycle repair camp. So this could be the beginning of another GYS (Great "Yes!" Success). (I have had my own "Yes!" campaign, as some may remember.)

[Gypsy Daisy]

Hello all!

I believe that it's always a choice between making memories or just getting through it. I try to live life with purpose, passion and creativity - no matter how small or insignificant the event may be- I believe in making it spectacular!

Burning man has been an experience I've always wanted to give myself and this year it all came together. I've been scouring the boards for information to guide us in being good participants and contributors. I will be there with my best friend/daughter who just got out of the army - she is a painter and illustrator who will be studying art this fall and I am an animal photographer- saving hounds from death row. (not very well paid but I wouldn't do anything else!) She is a bad ass paratrooper that trained to survive in inhospitable conditions for months at a time and I am the bad ass single mom of three which has spent a lifetime showing them how to snowboard, camp, travel and enjoy their creative talents.

We are pumped and making our wardrobe for the playa!

Elle

[Elliot]

[ccdancer]

Well I just deleted my entire entry so I'll make this one short and sweet! My name is Cassandra Cole...Cassie for short. This will be my 2nd burn and I couldn't be more thrilled! only thing is my camp (Juicy/Frequency) decided to take a year off so i'm flyin solo. As much as camping on my own or with a couple people would be a great experience, I would like to have a camp family again this year! I am 26, just moved to LA with my boyfriend, and I have two jobs involving catering events, and serving food. I am in a dance company called Embark Dance Theatre, which is based in Orange County. We are officially non-profit and getting on our feet, which is very exciting to witness and experience I have met so many incredible people through the burn and love running into them in LA. It shows what an intimate community we are. I can't wait to meet more of you! If you have any suggestions on camps or about anything in life, I'm all ears. Thanks everyone!

[Elliot]

Welcome to ePlaya, Ccdancer!
When posting something lengthy or important, I often write it in MSWord, saving frequently. Then copy and paste, and verify the post before deleting the original.
Carry on!

[Stewart_Robertson]

Hey everyone!

My name is Stewart and I will be Burning for the first time this year.
I'm from Melbourne, Australia and have my tickets all booked. Wooooooooooooo!!!! So excited!

I love music & DJ all around Melbourne. I'm passionate about self development as I'm a Kinesiologist and love experimenting through new adventures.

This BM is a pilgrimage for me this year. It has been an epic 18 months. But I'am here, right now! Extending out my arms for a big pre playa hug *opens arms*....

So far I have planned to fly into San Fran on the 25th August.. Am yet to find accommodation but am looking to possibly couch surf. From what I have gathered it is possible to camp with a tent on the playa. This is fine for me, yet I'm thinking I would like a vehicle of some kind to store my bike(s). So happy to join with an awesome companion or two to make this happen!

My budget is pretty set around food, water, costumes, fun, tent & my essentials to survive on the playa. Going to re read the first timers guide for sure!

So HELLO!

Looking forward to chatting more!

Melbourne is chilly today. 10 degrees C...

Bring on the suuuuuuuuunshhhiiiiiiiiinne!!!!! x

[AliCat903]

Hey all!

I'm Ali. This will be my third burn and I've been lurking around eplaya since before my first burn but apparently I've never introduced myself.

Short story: I'm a farm girl from southern Indiana transplanted into the SF Bay Area. I was diagnosed with PTSD just about a year ago and burning man has done wonders for my healing process, although it does cause me to have some strange reactions to things out there at times. I've been an organizer for Asparagus Forest since the day I decided I could do this whole burning man thing. And it's just been an amazing experience.

I can't wait to get home this year!

[Elliot]

Welcome to ePlaya, Ali!

[Savannah]

Hey everyone!

My name is Stewart and I will be Burning for the first time this year.
I'm from Melbourne, Australia and have my tickets all booked. Wooooooooooooo!!!! So excited!

I love music & DJ all around Melbourne. I'm passionate about self development as I'm a Kinesiologist and love experimenting through new adventures.

This BM is a pilgrimage for me this year. It has been an epic 18 months. But I'am here, right now! Extending out my arms for a big pre playa hug *opens arms*....

So far I have planned to fly into San Fran on the 25th August.. Am yet to find accommodation but am looking to possibly couch surf. From what I have gathered it is possible to camp with a tent on the playa. This is fine for me, yet I'm thinking I would like a vehicle of some kind to store my bike(s). So happy to join with an awesome companion or two to make this happen!

My budget is pretty set around food, water, costumes, fun, tent & my essentials to survive on the playa. Going to re read the first timers guide for sure!

So HELLO!

Looking forward to chatting more!

Melbourne is chilly today. 10 degrees C...

Bring on the suuuuuuuuunshhhiiiiiiiiinne!!!!! x

Hi Stewart!

You can absolutely camp in a tent on the playa. 50% of the city does. Select a model with little to no mesh--or be prepared to block all mesh with fleece fabric and spring clamps. The dust is like baby powder and gets everywhere.

Having shade to put next to (or over) your tent is strongly recommended, because an unshaded tent will be unbearably hot from 8am to 5pm, and you will need a place to relax in the heat of the day.

Have you met your fellow Australian Burners? They will have a wealth of knowledge about how to Burn internationally. You also might be able to network re: sharing a vehicle or a shade.

http://regionals.burningman.com

Note: Most people do not store their bikes inside vehicles (you could do so in a cargo van if you really wanted to). Instead, they lock up their bikes. Don't bring a valuable bike, it'll get trashed or stolen--just bring a cheap cruiser-style beach bike with fat tires.

Hey all!

I'm Ali. This will be my third burn and I've been lurking around eplaya since before my first burn but apparently I've never introduced myself.

Short story: I'm a farm girl from southern Indiana transplanted into the SF Bay Area. I was diagnosed with PTSD just about a year ago and burning man has done wonders for my healing process, although it does cause me to have some strange reactions to things out there at times. I've been an organizer for Asparagus Forest since the day I decided I could do this whole burning man thing. And it's just been an amazing experience.

I can't wait to get home this year!

Welcome, AliCat!

[Jovankat]

Welcome to ePlaya Ali.

[Stardusty09]

Hi, I'm Stardusty and I'm virgin burning with my fiance this year to be baptized in the dust and to get married! I love art, jazz, vodka, and our dog, Pepperoni. South Carolina raised. I can't wait to meet you all.

P.S. can someone direct me to a thread dealing with playa weddings? thanks xoxo, stardusty

[Ratty]

Stardusty welcome to eplaya and congrats on your up and coming nuptials. You can find everything on eplaya using Google. Put eplaya in your search along with whatever you are looking for. good luck.

Also check out this link from the home page. http://burningman.org/event/preparation ... /weddings/

[Dr. Pyro]

If you really mean what you said about wanting to meet us all, be sure to show up at the ePlaya Meet & Greet 6 p.m. Wednesday at Barbie Death Camp & Wine Bistro. Bring absinthe or ice. Or something to eat. Maybe you'll get the special RV tour I've heard so much about.

[Stardusty09]

Thanks Ratty! And dr. Pyro, as fate would have it we're actually having our ceremony at 6 on Wednesday lol. But happening by later is possible

[Dr. Pyro]

Have the ceremony at Barbie Death Village. We'll be on four acres of prime playa real estate and it's not like the first time we've held weddings there. And hay, you'll have a built in reception! And all of us would be more than happy to watch you consummate your vows!

[theCryptofishist]

What, you didn't change it back to Thursday? Or is there a CORE burn I don't know about?

[running_dyewy]

Hey Everyone, my name is Wayne and I'm planning on coming down from Toronto for Burning Man. I love the outdoors and try to get out camping whenever possible up here. I have been on many camping trips but by the sounds of it the conditions I will have to prepare for are much different then my previous experiences. I feel like I have left it a little late but am going to try my best to get organized as soon as possible. Looking forward to meeting all sorts of people on this first trip to Burning Man.

[Ratty]

Wayne, Welcome. You've started prepping at the perfect time. Just long enough to pull it all together. But not long enough to overburden yourself with 500 pounds of gifts, costumes, decorations and fluff. Keep it simple the first time. do a bunch of reading on this and the home site. Then come back and ask us 100 silly questions. Pleeeese. We all love a well prepared fetus. (No BBQ jokes please). *Standing up to shake your hand. Faking you out and giving a big hug instead.*

[barca]

Hey burners!

My name is Flavio and I live in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This year will be my first at the desert. I am going with my wife. We are both 33, but we sure feel like we're still 18. We have been planing BM for the past year and we are really looking forward to get ourselves full of dust. Se you out there!

[Elderberry]

Welcome all!

[Ratty]

Welcome Mr and Mrs Flavio. How do you do it? I can't imagine such a long journey with all the stuff and planning involved. I bow to you. By the way I'm 62 and feel like I'm still 33. Here's a virtual hug of both of you. (((( )))

[Elderberry]

62?! Damn it, is nobody here older than I am.

[Dr_X]

My name is Edward, AKA Dr_X, I'm a newbie and looking forward to my very first Burning Man. Both excited and anxious about the pending adventure. I'm 58, divorced, an attorney living close to Tallahassee, Fl. I work as an Assistant District Attorney in a five county judicial circuit in rural SW Georgia. Looking to find out all I can before I go,

[Ratty]

Unjohn