Greetings from Texas

[Skuzzy61]

So my Wife comes up to me one day and says, "We are going to Burning Man!" And after I pick my jaw up off the floor, I inquire as to what happened to my loved ones sanity as our idea of camping, to this point, was "No room service".

She tells me she just wants to do it before we get too old to enjoy it. All the while I am thinking, "How the heck are we going to enjoy it?" But, once she makes up her mind I know better than to argue with her. So,...Burning Man 2016, here we come!

Yes, we are going the RV route. It is a compromise. We will fly the flag, "Camp: We got this!" It's more a prayer than a declaration. Two stick figures being twirled about in a tornado. Yep, that says more about us than any words I could come up with.

We both like art and odd things. She is the party animal,...sort of. I am the dead weight holding her to the ground. We both look good. We are the first to admit we have had a pretty good life and are thankful for it. She has beaten off two bouts of cancer. I am damn proud of her.

Me, I am clueless. Mostly socially ignorant, but very intelligent. Yes, a dork or geek, if you will. We leave our mark, but it will not be visible as we will not leave anything behind.

We are both very laid back and open minded. I think she will fit right in, and I will be the square peg trying to squeeze into that round hole. It may take the week, but I bet those corners will get rounded off!

Oh, and we like hugs. If you see a couple of virgins walking about with a confused and dazed look on their faces, just give us a hug and point us in the right direction.

Oh, one other thing. Me being the anal critter that I am. We have been reading everything there is to read about Burning Man. The Wife will be gifting her favorite alcohols and I will be gifting clip on LED flashlights. Did I mention she is the party animal?

We look forward to meeting everyone.

[lucky420]

Hola and hello...

thanks for the introduction. Stick around and join in the conversations. We dont bite...hard

[tamarakay]

You sound exactly like my husband and I lol
If you are ever in Fredericksburg send me an email. I'll buy you a drink.

[Skuzzy61]

Actually, the local Cobra club visits Fredericksburg for lunch, on occasion. I'll give you a heads up, the next road trip there.

Thanks for the welcome folks.

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

[Skuzzy61]

Thank you!

Good to be here! Of course, I can say that from the air conditioned, latte sipping, comfort of my recliner.

Check with me after Burning Man.

[Elderberry]

I can guarantee you one thing--you'll either love it or you'll hate it.

[Elorrum]

some are strings, some are balloons: they need each other.

Sounds like you've got the right attitude to start... let 'er rip, and see what happens.

A friend here I've missed seeing in a long time has a great website called The Civilized Explorer which contains a large section dedicated to Burning Man and Burning Man experiences and resources. Phil, I hope you are well. It looks like his last update was in 2013, but much of the information there is timeless. lots of links.
http://www.cieux.com/bm/bmtoc.html

I also suggest the Alternative Energy Zone's pages on preparation. There's a lot that is not directly related to alternative energy with regards to Burning Man preparation. Lots of links.
http://ae-zone.org/alt-energy-guides-tips/

[Skuzzy61]

I can guarantee you one thing--you'll either love it or you'll hate it.

No such thing, in this context. It will be another life experience. We will learn, for example, whether or not we can live in the confines of a small RV, in less than perfect conditions, while not killing each other. See, it is all about looking at it in a positive light.

some are strings, some are balloons: they need each other.

Sounds like you've got the right attitude to start... let 'er rip, and see what happens.

A friend here I've missed seeing in a long time has a great website called The Civilized Explorer which contains a large section dedicated to Burning Man and Burning Man experiences and resources. Phil, I hope you are well. It looks like his last update was in 2013, but much of the information there is timeless. lots of links.
http://www.cieux.com/bm/bmtoc.html

I also suggest the Alternative Energy Zone's pages on preparation. There's a lot that is not directly related to alternative energy with regards to Burning Man preparation. Lots of links.
http://ae-zone.org/alt-energy-guides-tips/

Being the anal critter I am, I have already read both before I signed up for the forum. I have read hundreds of pages of stories. If I had to distill it down into a couple of thoughts, they would be;

1) Leave nothing behind. I'll have to keep moving or my sweat could form a mud pool in the playa.
2) Be ready for anything and nothing. There is almost an absurdity to the level of control I will have to relinquish in order to prosper at this event. The playa giveth, the playa taketh away.
3) Drink water. Got the 50 ounce camel backs all ready to go.
4) Bring a lot of hugs. I suck at talking to people, but I can hug.
5) Leave your fear at home. Easy for the Wife. She is a freaking social butterfly extraordinaire. I'll tag along and clean up after her.

Interacting with people has always been a hit or miss proposition. You know the person in the crowd who seems to always be trying to hard? You know the one. The one who opens his mouth and makes everything awkward? Yep, that's me. I lack that filter that controls what is okay to say and what is not okay to say.

I was at a pool party one night. My next door neighbor was there with her date. I was across the pool when I heard her date say, it is hard to believe you are only 30. I laughed, and yelled across the pool, "That's because she is 42". Well, it got so quiet you could here a bird in the tree farting. Needless to say, I was never invited to anymore pool parties.

I digress. I am going all in for Burning Man. Told the Wife, if she expects me to have fun in the desert, then she better get ready for me to do my best at embarrassing myself. She laughs, "Hon, you never embarrass me.". She's a keeper. I think.

[Skuzzy61]

Oh, in case you did not notice.

Never ask me a question you really do not want the answer to, because I will answer it.

And, I have a decent vocabulary and I am not afraid to use it (translated, I am a wordy SOB).

Have patience,...for this too shall pass (same phrase works in the porta-potty. Such a handy phrase).

[ygmir]

......................................
Interacting with people has always been a hit or miss proposition. You know the person in the crowd who seems to always be trying to hard? You know the one. The one who opens his mouth and makes everything awkward? Yep, that's me. I lack that filter that controls what is okay to say and what is not okay to say.

I was at a pool party one night. My next door neighbor was there with her date. I was across the pool when I heard her date say, it is hard to believe you are only 30. I laughed, and yelled across the pool, "That's because she is 42". Well, it got so quiet you could here a bird in the tree farting. Needless to say, I was never invited to anymore pool parties.
.............................

you'll do fine.......welcome.

[Ratty]

Skuzzy61, Welcome to eplaya and I hope you make it to the burn. (There are no guarantees of anything. Including attendance.) If you hang out here with us, then you'll have a foot-up on fitting in when you get there. Don't be afraid to join in the conversation. I'm 28 by the way. Just in case it ever comes up in person. It's great to meetcha. Say hello to the misses for me.

[Skuzzy61]

Thank you for the welcome folks.

Yes, it is true there are no guarantees we will get tickets. So we are keeping our fingers crossed and hoping we will be able to make it.

I am okay with the written word. I think. Better than being face to face. Not sure why, but then again, I probably should not question it.

First step first is to get the tickets. I have registered for the newsletter and I'll be hanging around here tossing the oft sideways remark into the fray. You never know what might stick.

[Ratty]

Skuzzy61, You'll have the opportunity to meet most of us face to face at the Meet & Greet. We eat and drink and hug for a few hours.

[Drawingablank]

Welcome.

[Skuzzy61]

Thank you for the welcome!

Of course, no matter how much we read about it, there is still questions.

Like, what "Meet and Greet"?

Or, "Do we pick our camp site, or is is assigned?"

We have been looking at the various camps from last year, trying to decide if we want to hook up with a theme camp or not. The Wife is concerned we will be stuck in the middle of a lot of young people who would not want a couple of old schlocks, like us, hanging about. Me, I am not concerned. Like me, don't like me, does not matter to me. I like me.

Looking forward to meeting everyone. Well, we hope to get to meet everyone.

One other thing. Camel back: yes or no?

Wait,.."one other thing"....yeah I am sure there are gong to be a lot of those, "one other thing" things.

[Elliot]

Welcome to ePlaya, Skuzzy!
I'm a day late, but you wrote one of the best introductions in a long time.

The ePlaya Meet-n-Greet is Wednesday evening at Barbie Camp -- Doc Pyro's camp.

The average age of Burners may be higher than you think. As is the education level.

And social awkwardness is not at all uncommon -- and tends to "go away" in Black Rock City.

[Skuzzy61]

Thank you Elliot.

Ok, Meet n Greet....check!

I dunno. I take awkward to a new level and my Wife will not hesitate to back me up when I say, I am socially inept. You ever see a giraffe in an ice skating rink? Well, I'll make it look good.

Does not mean I will not try. I will,...and it usually gets great laughs from the surrounding masses as they watch in wonder asking, "How the heck did he make it to his 60's?"

So,. what's the deal on the camp site? We pick it? It is assigned? When does it happen? Why are my shorts riding up today?

[Skuzzy61]

Oh wait, I am derailing the intent of the forum.

Seem there are other areas I need to molest for answers to those burning questions (I am pretty sure I did not mean to make a pun there, but it if it made you snarl or giggle, then my work here is done).

[gaminwench]

Hi!

Theme camps receive placement in advance.
All others are in open camping, first come.

I love my Camelbak for extended playa excursions.

I would venture that most of us could be considered socially awkward, we're a playa of dusty misfits.

(giggle)

[Elliot]

Well, I solved the problem of the shorts-riding-up long time ago. After that, everything comes up roses.

[Skuzzy61]

Hi!

Theme camps receive placement in advance.
All others are in open camping, first come.

I love my Camelbak for extended playa excursions.

I would venture that most of us could be considered socially awkward, we're a playa of dusty misfits.

(giggle)

Thank you gaminwench!

Can I assume there will be a map of where all the theme caps will be? My question goes to what I have read, in that do not plan to see all of the city. Even if you plan to see it, you won't. So we will, like everyone else I would presume, want to be close to some camps of interest to us (i.e. a bunch of lunatics who will think we are normal...hehe...yeah,...I know...it's a stretch).

The Wife does not want anything to do with a camelback. She says it leeches poison into the water. LOL! We are getting ready to spend a week in a location where we might actually die and she is worried about chemical leeching and its long term effects.

I'll pack two anyway. Carry them both if I have to. She has never been in the desert. The again, she is one of these people who can fall into a bucket of poop and miss the contents entirely, while knocking it all on me.

Well, I solved the problem of the shorts-riding-up long time ago. After that, everything comes up roses.

Clothespins, garters, and knee high socks? It's a work in progress. Might be a new outfit for the playa.

[gaminwench]

Yes, there is a map, which you will receive at Greeters when you arrive. you can look at last year's map to get a general idea of the layout.

(it is best to use google to search here. enter eplaya + keyword to get the best forum results)

I, too, was opposed to the Camelbak at first. it really is the best way to carry bulk water on one's person.

Elliot prefers to eschew clothing altogether.

[Ratty]

Skuzzy do you both ride bikes? Bikes are your key to the city. You're in your 60's? A youngster eh? Don't worry about being close to stuff happening. Worry about being able to sleep.
Your wife doesn't have to use a camelback. Some people just stick a big water container in their bike basket.

[Elderberry]

The Wife does not want anything to do with a camelback. She says it leeches poison into the water. LOL! We are getting ready to spend a week in a location where we might actually die and she is worried about chemical leeching and its long term effects.

Make sure you don't tell her about the health hazards of the playa dust.

BTW I don't like carrying a camelback either, but it has nothing to do with leeching poisons

[Skuzzy61]

Skuzzy do you both ride bikes? Bikes are your key to the city. You're in your 60's? A youngster eh? Don't worry about being close to stuff happening. Worry about being able to sleep.
Your wife doesn't have to use a camelback. Some people just stick a big water container in their bike basket.

I am one of the types who can sleep through a tornado while a building is being demolished next door. She, on the other hand,...well....ear plugs, night shades, sound deprivation chamber, white noise generator, might help her sleep through my snoring. I suspect she will be out and about with me quite a bit.

Oh yeah, we are definitely biking. Decided to rent the bikes rather than carry ours there. That's why I like camelbacks.

Yes, I am 61 (could not get the naem Skuzzy, for some reason), she is 8 years younger, but I am not gonna tell you how old she is. She would kill me. We both look ten years younger than we are and we act much,. much younger. Why? Be cause we can, of course!

The Wife does not want anything to do with a camelback. She says it leeches poison into the water. LOL! We are getting ready to spend a week in a location where we might actually die and she is worried about chemical leeching and its long term effects.

Make sure you don't tell her about the health hazards of the playa dust.

BTW I don't like carrying a camelback either, but it has nothing to do with leeching poisons

I have done my best to warn her about the alkali dust. She figures if she needs water (and she will), it will come to her. Sort of. Her life works that way. She is just one of those when she needs something it just seems to happen for her. I figure we will be riding along and some studly nude guy will be standing there waiting for her to drink his water. Elliot, don't get your hopes up.

Alright guys, how did all of you get into Burning Man? I would use the acronym BM, but I have already made the faux pas of saying, "I am looking forward to an awesome BM experience!" The entire family in unison,..."TMI!".

[lucky420]

How did I get into burningman? I always rent a big truck. I live very close so I must bring all my things, hence the truck I'm really only 12...

[Ratty]

I got there by being a 'weird clothing' designer. When I managed a thrift store I remade clothes into costumes. Customers kept asking me if I was a 'Burner'. So I became one.

[Elorrum]

I drive my regular car, loaded to the gills. Over the years I have been removing all the seats, save the drivers seat. This fall, I bought a slightly larger car.

[Skuzzy61]

rofl! I think I found my niche!