I wonder how some things are lost.

Deadpanick · Post by **Deadpanick** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:24 pm

I have never heard of this event in my life, until this last week. And since then I have become infatuated by the idea of going to this event. Though I am starting to get mixed feelings about this place. With two extreme views on what people think of it. Some say magical, some say pretentious.

So anyway, I figured I would start with these forums and maybe get a feel for the people.

I am Nick aka Deadpan.

I am wanting to attend this show this year. Even if I go solo and wonder around in the dust.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:30 pm

well......
welcome to eplaya.
not to be confused with "the playa"..........

but, a fun place non the less.......lots of info here, but, first, read the 1st timers guide, and survival guide, available on the main Burning Man page........

learn what you can there, then, ask more questions, or, just "interact" here........

be prepared, though, some of us can be snarky and sarcastic............

Deadpanick · Post by **Deadpanick** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:33 pm

I am very familiar with the forum world. And snarky and sarcastic can be some of my best characteristics.

And I have read the survival guide already. I've done some rustic camping in the past on an island for 7 days. But the guide is a good read none the less.

Also in my readings, the biggest challenge is getting all your need to the playa.

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:42 am

Transportation is an issue; one of the biggest expenses. We've been to the event nine years, and we still make drastic logistic decisions at the last minute. Bring the crystal chandelier or the Bucky skeletons? Seriously, that was a question this past year. We went with the spare four wheeled bike instead. All a matter of priorities. Do you want a full kitchen? A shower? Then you're going to concentrate on your evap pond or hauling greywater out. Have an art project? Then you'll be making room for that. And so on.

Welcome e-Home.

Deb Prothero · Post by **Deb Prothero** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:44 am

Welcome deadpanick

With a name like that you'll probably catch on real quick to the snark.

You're right about getting your stuff to the playa being the biggest part especially from a distance. Try to find some local burners by looking on the Regionals listing on the main page. Hook up with folks in Minnesota now and you'll start to form relationships with folks that have gone before from there.

Make plans to go to a Regional Burn to meet some folks from your area. The Lakes of Fire event is for all states and provinces that touch on the Great Lakes. It will probably have some Minnesota burners at it. That's in late June, IIRC and it's just north of Chicago on the east side of Lake Michigan. A bit of a trek for you but worth it, in my opinion.

In early June, the rideshare boards start to heat up and you can arrange to share transportation with other burners. Or you can offer a spot in your vehicle to help with gas expenses.

If you're thinking of flying into Reno, there's information about ridesharing from there too. A couple of pick up spots are regularly identified, burners stop there to pick up folks from the airport and there's are also the Bio-bus option from the airport.

Eventually you'll figure it all out.

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:45 am

and there is always the pool table to think of, or the casket.

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:49 am

***momentary thread hijacking***

What is brown and green, has four legs, and will kill you if it drops out of a tree on you?

A pool table.

****please return to your thread now, thank you****

Post by **Elderberry** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:30 am

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

JK

Deadpanick · Post by **Deadpanick** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:02 am

[quote="Deb Prothero"]Welcome deadpan

With a name like that you'll probably catch on real quick to the snark.

You're right about getting your stuff to the playa being the biggest part especially from a distance. Try to find some local burners by looking on the Regionals listing on the main page. Hook up with folks in Minnesota now and you'll start to form relationships with folks that have gone before from there.

Make plans to go to a Regional Burn to meet some folks from your area. The Lakes of Fire event is for all states and provinces that touch on the Great Lakes. It will probably have some Minnesota burners at it. That's in late June, IIRC and it's just north of Chicago on the east side of Lake Michigan. A bit of a trek for you but worth it, in my opinion.

In early June, the rideshare boards start to heat up and you can arrange to share transportation with other burners. Or you can offer a spot in your vehicle to help with gas expenses.

If you're thinking of flying into Reno, there's information about ridesharing from there too. A couple of pick up spots are regularly identified, burners stop there to pick up folks from the airport and there's are also the Bio-bus option from the airport.

Eventually you'll figure it all out.[/quote]

Thanks for the great advice, and I got the nickname Deadpan because "You always look so serious. You never have any expression on your face."

So people can be naive and get snarky, if they wish. :)

Deadpanick · Post by **Deadpanick** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:00 am

[quote="AntiM"]Transportation is an issue; one of the biggest expenses. We've been to the event nine years, and we still make drastic logistic decisions at the last minute. Bring the crystal chandelier or the Bucky skeletons? Seriously, that was a question this past year. We went with the spare four wheeled bike instead. All a matter of priorities. Do you want a full kitchen? A shower? Then you're going to concentrate on your evap pond or hauling greywater out. Have an art project? Then you'll be making room for that. And so on.

Welcome e-Home.[/quote]

Very good points, I plan on keeping it very simple for the first time around. Get a feel for everything, because to be honest I never been around such a community or event before.

But knowning me, I will just bring exactly what I took with me when I camped off a island on maryland for a week. And take some of my Army field training tips with me as well.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:20 am

Go to your profile and enable BBC code(and everything else) and your quote functions will work properly.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:20 am

oh yeah, welcome, and i like your name.

Deadpanick · Post by **Deadpanick** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:29 am

oneeyeddick wrote:oh yeah, welcome, and i like your name.

Thanks.

And for a moment I thought the forum coding was just fucked. I am sure this happens to a lot of new users.

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:33 am

Every one, almost every time.

Deadpanick · Post by **Deadpanick** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:36 am

AntiM wrote:Every one, almost every time.

Sfew, I was hoping someone didn't post next saying,
"No, it was pretty much just you, dumbass."

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:05 am

But it was

Deb Prothero · Post by **Deb Prothero** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 12:08 pm

Nope, deadpanick, it's not just you. We've all done it.

Personally I think it's on purpose so some ol' timer like OED can come along and set the newb straight. Makes them ol'timers feel important.

littleflower · Post by **littleflower** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 1:03 pm

i wonder enable stuff is not the default ... ????

welcome deadpanick! looking forward to your snark.

Deadpanick · Post by **Deadpanick** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:00 pm

littleflower wrote:i wonder enable stuff is not the default ... ????

welcome deadpanick! looking forward to your snark.

Nope, you have to select to enable it. Apprently.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:32 pm

Keeps us on our toes.

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:15 pm

Deadpanick wrote:I am very familiar with the forum world. And snarky and sarcastic can be some of my best characteristics.

And I have read the survival guide already. I've done some rustic camping in the past on an island for 7 days. But the guide is a good read none the less.

Also in my readings, the biggest challenge is getting all your need to the playa.

and back...

welcome home!

winebuff · Post by **winebuff** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:45 pm

Welcome! I am also a newbie virgin going by myself next year. Jump in. They are not too fucked up!

Actually, dont tell them, they are really nice people shhhhhh. I am learning as I go and am now totally addicted to BM and nothing will stop me from going. I waffled for a long time. Is it a freak show? Is it not a freak show?

Where is our magic 8 ball when we need it?

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:59 am

burningman IS a massive freakshow, and will be the greatest group of freaks you may ever meet.

littleflower · Post by **littleflower** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:39 pm

... and we wouldn't have it any other way!

mercury_988 · Post by **mercury_988** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 8:20 am

[quote="goathead"]and there is always the pool table to think of, or the casket.[/quote]

Someone had a casket!?!?!? WE NEEDED THAT FOR PINCHY!

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:07 am

Hi deadpanickâ€¦

My better half is from the Twin Cities area, so Iâ€™ve spent some time there myself as well. At one time, some of the Twin City area burners would meet up on Wednesdays at a place called Bobâ€™s Java Hut. Not sure if this is still a practice or not. Check the Regionals page for some local contacts.

As to the forum, there are indeed a lot of good people here. There are also a lot of interactions that really donâ€™t reflect the real playa. This board is not the playa. Say that twice. And the preconceived notions youâ€™ll come across in the media are occasionally correct in part, but are mostly out of context and geared towards â€œmade you lookâ€

Deadpanick · Post by **Deadpanick** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 12:47 pm

[quote="LeChatNoir"]Hi deadpanickâ€¦

My better half is from the Twin Cities area, so Iâ€™ve spent some time there myself as well. At one time, some of the Twin City area burners would meet up on Wednesdays at a place called Bobâ€™s Java Hut. Not sure if this is still a practice or not. Check the Regionals page for some local contacts.

As to the forum, there are indeed a lot of good people here. There are also a lot of interactions that really donâ€™t reflect the real playa. This board is not the playa. Say that twice. And the preconceived notions youâ€™ll come across in the media are occasionally correct in part, but are mostly out of context and geared towards â€œmade you lookâ€

winebuff · Post by **winebuff** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:13 pm

thx LeChat! Nice to meet you

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 12:26 am

mercury_988 wrote:
goathead wrote:and there is always the pool table to think of, or the casket.
Someone had a casket!?!?!? WE NEEDED THAT FOR PINCHY!

quotes work better if you enable your codes.

casket busy, with beer.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 5:58 am

Welcome to our mad little world Deadpanick

Now, what to add that others havent already mentioned?????

Oh yeah, buy a new pack of socks for the burn. Every morning lotion up your tootsies and slip on a new pair. They will love it, and you

Now for the requisite snark. Make sure you get to the burn early so you can set up camp right up front along Esplanade. You'll get the best views there and it's much quieter which helps you get a good nights sleep