Allow myself to introduce....myself...

HadMatter · Post by **HadMatter** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 12:59 pm

Hi everybody! Name's Matt. I've wanted to check out Burning Man for YEARS!! I'm determined to make 2010 my year - it's a nice round number for such things. I just sent in my scholarship ticket application, so we'll see how that goes. If not, prostitution's legal there in Nevada, right? .. I did say I wanted to try new things. <gulp> [not gulp in a gross way, perves...er, potential clients]

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Nut[me]shell:

I was born and raised in a tiny farming village here in Texas (you probably had more people in your high school graduating class than were in our elementary, middle, and high schools combined.) I "came out" there my sophomore year, which was fun. Actually, I didn't catch much in the way of adversity or anything - people just didn't really know what to make of it so for the most part they ignored it. I guess in its own way it was a pretty progressive little town - even our high school white supremest clique had a black guy! [seriously]

Motivated by an optimistic desire to climb out from under that rock to experience and gain insight into everything this world has to offer, I moved to Austin as soon as I could - the single, shining oasis of liberal acceptance in a state of oppressive conservative ignorance. I got a job at a club and proceeded to party like it was 1999 - because it was! I fell in love with the whole party/rave scene. Why was I so drawn to this scene? Maybe because it was the ultimate manifestation of the excitement and acceptance I so craved growing up; people coming together regardless of any lines that divide to celebrate the joy of living. Maybe it was all radical therapy to counter an entire childhood's worth of programming that obscured my true nature. Or maybe I just really enjoyed dancing on ecstasy.

Eventually, I tired of the partying (and the felonies) and turned my attention toward developing solid career goals. I struggled with choosing a career path which left me pretty bummed. Finally, one day it all clicked and I realized that electrical engineering offered a perfect balance of constructive purpose and omnipotence. Yes, yes, it's meant tumbling even further down the nerdy hole, but at least I'm back on my path to experience and understand everything.

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Yeah, so I'm looking to Burning Man to help reconnect me with that outlook of wonder and excitement while providing inspiration for my studies.

I do have an idea; I don't know if it constitutes a "theme camp." Basically, I've had this idea kicking around in the ol' noggin for some time, and I thought it could be adapted nicely for Burning Mam - a giant, billowy, tree-like structure to provide shade to weary travelers. Before I commit to it, though, I've got to crunch some number and figure out how much free time I'll have to devote to it. I also thought I'd try my luck at getting some of the materials donated although I've never been able to so much a haggle a price, much less talk somebody into giving me something for free. If anyone has any experience or advice in that area, I'd be much obliged. I'm sure I read there is no advertising allowed, but is there anything in the way of a carrot I can dangle in their faces to convince them? Can they write it off as a donation? Think I'll catch more traction as a school project?

HOLY CRAP, I have to go to work!! Did not intend to talk this long. I look forward to familiarizing myself with this site: learning more about Burning Man and perhaps making some new friends. See ya around the water cooler!!

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:09 pm

Try this for your theme camp action.
http://www.burningman.com/themecamps/
And welcome home!

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 4:56 pm

Welcome eHome.

Big tree thingy? Sounds intriguing, be ready to factor in the extreme winds. Make sure it cannot shed in any way and make MOOP. If you've been reading, you know what MOOP is already. Sooo... billowy? Interesting.... or you could use your first year to fine tune your idea and simply experience the playa...

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 6:18 pm

This is definitely an idea that can wait. This year, you'll be doing research. Walk up to people in camp that have a structure that incorporates some technique or whatever that you might find useful and ask them questions. It'll be a good sort of conversational fodder to have. There is an active BM community in Texas, and it has its own regional (Flipside) earlier in the year. If you don't get the ticket for the big burn, go there instead.
And, um, you don't want the state of Nevada peering at your crotch every month. Besides, by the time you get your work card, the burn'll be over.

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 6:24 pm

Bring a notebook!

Post by **Elderberry** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 10:14 pm

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

JK

HadMatter · Post by **HadMatter** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 11:16 pm

Your Honors, I'd like to petition the court to have the word 'billowy' stricken from the record! Move to find & replace with 'rigid shards of broken glass.' Gift economy, eh? My gift is your life!!....maybe!!!....also I'm working on bottling the sound of a baby's laughter - the greatest gift of all....

Yeah, I think the Who's-Its Physicist is right. After checking out Swan Man's link and seeing the April deadline, I began to think a recon mission was more in order. Especially when I saw the blurb about the 40 mph winds. That's when I realized the picture in my head might not necessarily match the actual results. Plus the picture in my head was pretty blurry, anyway. Also off the table is my power kite ..... although...airfare for the trip home don't get much cheaper.....

Ok, so let me ask you all this: How big are our campsites? Are we allotted a certain amount of space, or do we just pee along the perimeter and fight off the Engines? I ask because I'd planned to build some solar panels on top of the tree to provide power; now I'm thinking: cut down the tree, keep the panels, offer free toothpicks and electricity to charge sacrilegious phones, cameras, and widgets. Also, at high noon every day - hot toddy, whiskey luge shots off the panels!! Woo!!!

So say we all !!!

Lowz · Post by **Lowz** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 2:12 am

well this is a big shell..
Welcome to eplaya !

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 6:51 am

We aren't alloted space unless we are a placed theme camp or village. You basically show up, look at the map given to you, try to find an open spot. Chat up the neighbors and if it feels right, camp there.

zifra · Post by **zifra** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 7:03 am

My theme camp will be doing the playa version of your vision. It takes quite a secure structure to survive the high, gusty winds. Anything the wind can lift it can take. Our structure us not what you would call "billowy", but it will be warm, welcoming and there will be lemonade!

We are still accepting camp mates, give me a shout if you are interested.

Zifra

Pandamonium · Post by **Pandamonium** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 7:31 am

lemonade?? awesome. count me in!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 11:36 am

Don't pee on the playa. That's just gross.

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 11:38 am

theCryptofishist wrote:Don't pee on the playa. That's just gross.

Unless you pack it out with you, which could be grosser.

curiousgnate · Post by **curiousgnate** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:01 pm

while a billowy tree sounded great a glass shard tree sounds well i don't know. not as organic. anyway fellow gay boy over it raver dj here. my recomendation is to not plan a project this year, and have a blast. I would try and camp around 830 and f and this is in my opinion the best area for us gay boys on the playa period !!!!!!!! There is an all day old school house bar/dance club IE pink mammouth sp? and many gay camps including the best one by far, comfort n joy!!!! you will be amazed and so so so so happy. don't camp on the other side of the playa. red light district all the way head to the front of the line, no VIP needed! pancakes for breakfast as well as coffee, and i don't know what the camp was across the way but they played the best old school 80'S dance tunes while consuming the said pcakes and coffee so you can dance and consume!!!! You will have a blast, recon this year save some cash for the next year or year after that and you really have an idea that you must share with us all. oh yeah and stop by stag camp, in the general vicinity for some grilled cheeses n funk tues or thurs sunset!