Northeast Newbie

KMama · Post by **KMama** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:52 pm

So, I finally decided to step out of the ePlaya shadows and into the sunlight. 2010 is finally going to be my first burn, so I thought that I'd introduce myself and spend some time on the ePlaya before heading west in a few months.

About me, in broad brushstrokes... I currently live in the Boston area, but we're in the early stages of moving somewhere in the NYC area due to work stuff. The move will hopefully be complete by mid-summer. On paper, I'm a mid-40s suburban mom; in person, I'm a boot-wearing, young-minded sensualist with an art degree who figured out a very long time ago that I would be happiest somewhere outside of the mainstream.

I stumbled onto Burning Man one night a couple of years ago while going down the rabbit hole on the internet, and everything about it just felt, well... RIGHT. Comfortable. And, yes, HOME. So, here it is a few years later, and I'm finally going to actually be there and immerse myself in it. I've read the first timer's guide and survival guide several times in the past months (and will several times more in the next few months). I've done a fair bit of research about the logistics, and have started getting things together already, but still have things to look up, figure out, and divvy up with my campmate. A little bit at a time and it will all get done.

Expectations? Beyond discovering what Burning Man will mean to me, the only things that I really want to do are explore, play, meet people in the community, and maybe getting some fire spinning in while I'm there (and perhaps see The Mutaytor perform because they're what started me on this journey to begin with). Besides generally helping my neighbors (or anyone else) when I'm able, I was also figuring on gifting my time to the community sometime during the week by volunteering in some capacity.

Anyway, I wanted to say hello and that I'm looking forward to meeting the community both off and on the playa! )'(

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:58 pm

Welcome eHome.

Mutaytor may be playing the Utah burn in June, I've seen them at a few regionals out here. Love them!

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 6:39 pm

Hey, you sound like a perfectly mainstream Burner, KMama. (Waittaminnit -- something's wrong here....)

What I mean is, it sounds like you are ready for Burning Man.

Read the main web site, specially the Survival Guide; sign up for Jackrabbit Speaks e-newsletter.

On the Playa, I'll be listening for a lady who speaks like those This Old House guys.

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:20 pm

Kmama-cita es muy bonita!!!
Welcome to ePlaya! I found that the blog was way more helpful than the survival guide (not putting the survival guide down). If you've been thinking about it and reading about the burn for years then you're definitely gonna be prepared.
Good luck and I hope to meet you on the Playa

KMama · Post by **KMama** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:58 pm

AntiM- Thanks! That's really cool that you've seen them and may be seeing them in June. It looks like such a cool show!

Elliot- Hahaha! Mainstream burner sounds like an oxymoron.

Survival Guide- Check! Thanks for the info about the enewsletter... I'll make sure to sign up for that.

LOL ... Or like those wicked smaht Car Talk guys, only not as funny?

illy dilly- Thanks and nice to meet you here! Thanks for the info about the blog Suggestions are all welcome! Yeah, I've been perusing the site since before last year's burn (I was hoping to make it last year, but couldn't)... and have read essays, and seen documentaries, and watched seemingly countless burner videos... LOL I almost feel a little overprepared in some aspects, but I figure time on prep now will be time well spent.
Hope to meet you on the Playa, too!

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 8:05 pm

I felt the same way last year (my first) its a good place to be! It still paid off camping with some experienced folks. I was prepaired, forgot a few minor things, but nothing huge. No matter what you read or how prepaired you are to survive, nothing can prepair you for the experience and the culture change.

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

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

JK

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:49 am

Kmama, I will be in Boston to run the marathon from April 17-19. Some of us are getting together Saturday evening for brews and whatnot. They are all from our camp (Barbie Death Camp & Wine Bistro). If you would like to join us and pick our brains, we would welcome the company.

KMama · Post by **KMama** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:41 am

illy dilly- Right now it looks like I'm going with another virgin, thus the research and advanced prep... other than that, I'm pretty good at just winging it. I look at the whole reading and video prep kind of like watching, say, skydiving on tv... you get a good basic idea, but it just can't convey what it's really like. I'm really looking forward to the actually being on the Playa!

jkisha- Thanks! Nice to virtually meet you!

Dr. Pyro- That's great that you're running the marathon! Things are kinda nutty around here with the pending move, but we'll probably be in town that weekend and meeting up with some experienced burners would be awesome! Just let me know the details when you know more.

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 11:28 am

Sounds like you're way ahead of the game!

KMama · Post by **KMama** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 11:42 am

Well, I'm doing what I can so that I can concentrate on the event while I'm there and fewer of the details.

I was curious... as an experienced burner, is there anything that you would do differently on your next burn than you did on the first?

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 11:47 am

Make sure that the people I drive 19 hours with, I can stand for 19 hours.
As a personal regret, I would stay a little more sober/clear headed and remember more of the nights.
*edit* I also wouldn't call my self an experienced burner, I'd call my self an experienced newbie *edit*

KMama · Post by **KMama** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 6:05 pm

19 hours in a car with someone you can't stand sounds like quite the experience, and not in a good way... I hope that you find some better car mates for the next trip! And I hear you on the clear headed thing... I hope that you find a good balance.

Experienced newbie? I like that! Well, you do have one burn under your belt, so you can rightly claim that experience.

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 6:13 pm

We used to s\leave Sunday morning and drive straight back to northern Utah. No more. We go to Reno to shower, eat and sleep. We're all happier.

KMama · Post by **KMama** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 6:36 pm

That's sage advice. Thanks, AntiM!

I'll have to figure that into my travel plans. Come to think of it, sitting for 5 hours on a plane next to someone who was fresh off the Playa after a week of camping wouldn't be so great... or prehaps "fresh" isn't the right word.