Things I f&%#ed up this time...

universalspirit · Post by **universalspirit** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:04 am

well, where to begin? i lost my bag on the night of the burn that was full of wine, goggles, wine opener, and other things. i was tripping and thought it was my dog. i walked it for a while, and then like a bad owner, forgot about it. i also lost on various nights; my earrings, scarf, and sweater. i took some guys sweat shirt that i slept with because it was warm and i left his tent after telling him i was just going to the bathroom. i had oral sex-both giving and receiving on the street in front of one of the clubs ( which one?) i got burned by the fire (of the man) because i was shrooming really hard and practicing capturing the fire magic. i had to bring my own plastic throw up bag around with me and use it during a couple of nights and then empty it into the porta potties. the throw up, not the bag. i kept wandering from my friends, as it was my first burn (not theirs) and they would get worried. i yelled at someone at the popcorn place because i thought they were insulting me because i was drinking my wine from a bottle. i took liquid by accident. i didn't bring rebar and the rangers had to help my tie my structure down. is this list long enough for anyone?

universalspirit · Post by **universalspirit** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:04 am

well, where to begin? i lost my bag on the night of the burn that was full of wine, goggles, wine opener, and other things. i was tripping and thought it was my dog. i walked it for a while, and then like a bad owner, forgot about it. i also lost on various nights; my earrings, scarf, and sweater. i took some guys sweat shirt that i slept with because it was warm and i left his tent after telling him i was just going to the bathroom. i had oral sex-both giving and receiving on the street in front of one of the clubs ( which one?) i got burned by the fire (of the man) because i was shrooming really hard and practicing capturing the fire magic. i had to bring my own plastic throw up bag around with me and use it during a couple of nights and then empty it into the porta potties. the throw up, not the bag. i kept wandering from my friends, as it was my first burn (not theirs) and they would get worried. i yelled at someone at the popcorn place because i thought they were insulting me because i was drinking my wine from a bottle. i took liquid by accident. i didn't bring rebar and the rangers had to help my tie my structure down. is this list long enough for anyone?

universalspirit · Post by **universalspirit** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:04 am

well, where to begin? i lost my bag on the night of the burn that was full of wine, goggles, wine opener, and other things. i was tripping and thought it was my dog. i walked it for a while, and then like a bad owner, forgot about it. i also lost on various nights; my earrings, scarf, and sweater. i took some guys sweat shirt that i slept with because it was warm and i left his tent after telling him i was just going to the bathroom. i had oral sex-both giving and receiving on the street in front of one of the clubs ( which one?) i got burned by the fire (of the man) because i was shrooming really hard and practicing capturing the fire magic. i had to bring my own plastic throw up bag around with me and use it during a couple of nights and then empty it into the porta potties. the throw up, not the bag. i kept wandering from my friends, as it was my first burn (not theirs) and they would get worried. i yelled at someone at the popcorn place because i thought they were insulting me because i was drinking my wine from a bottle. i took liquid by accident. i didn't bring rebar and the rangers had to help my tie my structure down. is this list long enough for anyone?

Blonde Iguana · Post by **Blonde Iguana** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 5:21 am

Brought a satellite phone with me in case of home "emergencies", and ended up having to leave Saturday before the Burn because of a home emergency.

Made a bunch of really cool little soaps with Burning Men inside to give as gifts and didn't package them properly, so they all melted and got grossly covered in dust.

Brought cheap Target awnings to use as shade structures....they were pulverized by the wind.

Brought a tent with mesh....it filled with dust the second night and we ended up sleeping in the truck.

Came to Burning Man. Now I seem totally incapable of re-integrating into the "default world". I'll be fucking up again next year...

sparkletarte · Post by **sparkletarte** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 11:12 am

universalspirit, sorry to laugh at your expense but I am. hahaha! Oh my, some of those things are pretty funny. I held back on some substances because I didn't want to puke or recoup in that desert environment, and it sounds like you did enough for the both of us.

On the other hand, some of that stuff sounds like things you did right. At least you'll be oh-so-much-more prepared for next year (hopefully). I hope you had a good time in spite of yourself. hahaha. sorry.

sparkletarte · Post by **sparkletarte** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 11:15 am

oh btw, we did use a proper sledge to hammer in those bent rebars, but what happened is they just kept on bending and curving around. Stuart showed me his which were bent but on a straight angle rather than curved, which made more sense.

Thanks for the link for the googles. There's some here from a friend's store that I'll probably get for next time (I was too cheap to spend the $30 before leaving and we chased around the Resto Hardware stores on the way looking for the cool old ones someone posted about on here but they didn't have any). Those changable lenses sound pretty cool.

DVD Burner · Post by **DVD Burner** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 11:15 am

Hey Blonde,

Did you bring your son and how did that work out?

wovenone · Post by **wovenone** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 5:47 pm

first of all, i used foot-long stakes that came in a four-pack at

wal-mart and they go all the way into the ground almost, so no trippy-cuttey. secondly, my tent zipper broke on the first day i was there (monday) so if anyone knows how to prevent this my big new tent next year will be fun to visit when we meet.

echohaus · Post by **echohaus** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 7:56 pm

bullD wrote:---Told the woman riding in my pedicab all night that i was camped between 4:00 and 4:30 and pluto.

We were very near you, at about 4:15. The Penske truck covered in mylar, with a globular art car in front. Where were you?

bullD · Post by **bullD** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 9:14 pm

echohaus wrote:
bullD wrote:---Told the woman riding in my pedicab all night that i was camped between 4:00 and 4:30 and pluto.
We were very near you, at about 4:15. The Penske truck covered in mylar, with a globular art car in front. Where were you?

COOL!!! I was about 4:10, I think, and on the Sedna side. My shade structure was a LARGE silver tarp with many slices in it so the wind could flow through. Later in the week, wed, my buddy and his wife from Utah (only one wife, he he he) showed up pulling a 30' white trailer that he parked right next to the shade structure. That might spark your memory. I'm afraid that I don't remember a Penske covered in mylar.

bullD · Post by **bullD** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 9:18 pm

wovenone wrote:first of all, i used foot-long stakes that came in a four-pack at wal-mart and they go all the way into the ground almost, so no trippy-cuttey. secondly, my tent zipper broke on the first day i was there (monday) so if anyone knows how to prevent this my big new tent next year will be fun to visit when we meet.

A little zipper surgery would most likely fix the old but, new tents are funner.

wovenone · Post by **wovenone** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 11:34 pm

what's zipper surgery, m'dear?

bullD · Post by **bullD** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 6:54 am

In most cases the zipper can be fixed or the opening can be switched from one side to the other thus utilizing the side that was rarely used. So, when you say the zipper broke, exactly what broke and where in the opening (i.e. side, top, bottom) did it break, also what is the zipper made of (hard nylon or metal)?

samtzu · Post by **samtzu** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 3:34 pm

Wellllll................

I Did not acclimate prior to arrival. Heat stroke, dehydration, sick, sick, sick. Moaned in my camp for the first two days. Did drink massive amounts of water, once I realized what the hell was going on... but it took some serious recovery.

The seat on my bike felt like an axe blade up my ass, and my legs weren't ready for all that exertion (What exertion? The Playa is FLAT) I bent the seat into shape and my legs eventually just toughened up. Next year? I'm getting in shape before the event. Great Shape!!!

I Left everything pretty much open, not realizing that the dust gets into everything!! Had some wonderful, crunchy, mineral rich meals and drinks.

I Did not plan on attending anything, just thought that I would let the spirit move me. Well, the spirit didn't think that I should see Critical Tits, visit the dance floors and parties at night, or get out of the sun... Bad spirit! Bad, Bad spirit!! Missed meeting many, many people. On the other hand, I did see a lot of art, studied the underside of my shade structure, read a book (????) and got a great sunburn/tan.

I got very depressed that Burning Man wasn't living up to my expectations. I mean, very depressed. After the man burned, I wandered over to Center Cafe and watched the monkey drummers (Whoever they were) drive the non-organized (and really beautiful) drummers out with their cult routine. More depression. I was pathetic... then I picked up a piece of paper that was on the floor and read a poem by someone calling himself "Papabear" out of Denver. In a matter of seconds I hit the other end of the emotional scale. It was actually a message from the Universe saying, "Schmuck! What you are looking for isn't here, it's out in the wilderness. However, you can still have a good time here and meet a lot of people... dickhead!! Pay attention!!" Duuuuuuhhhh.... Next, less expectations, more planning.

All in all, I had a good time, even though, at the time, I wondered when it would happen. It's so easy to miss the good times if you're facing the wrong direction.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 4:45 pm

My mistake was during the temple burn. Shortly after the thing really started going, a big cloud of embers started landing around where I was sitting and I got up and ran a little to my left to get out from directly downwind of the fire and sat back down. Maybe it was the shrooms that caused me to panic a little ... anyway ... I regretted doing it immediately. I left behind my water bottle (which I eventually got back once the DPW pulled the last of the structure down) but most of all, I missed the woman I had been sitting next to. Now don't get me wrong, it wasn't a case of playa love or even playa lust ... and I had never met her before I sat down there. I just for some reason (okay, maybe that was the shrooms too, i don't know) felt very safe there. I felt like I could have shared anything in the world with her for some reason and now I had run away. I had been cold before the burn started, but now I felt even colder. It was odd how I longed to see her again, like I had just lost my best friend. I thought I caught a glimpse of her a couple of times but honestly, since I had never actually seen her straight on, I couldn't be sure if it was her and I got no reaction back so I let it pass. I guess I wish I had been able to get to know her beyond exchanging small-talk. I was alone at the burn that night and it would have been nice just to have someone to talk to. I ended up just hanging around one of the fires after, trying to make what conversation I could and generally had a very nice time but something kept nagging at me about running away like that.

angelgabe · Post by **angelgabe** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 10:28 pm

well,here goes-

1-brought my freaking e-bike for the 4th time in a row.The stinking thing weighs almost 100 lbs,the battery is almost completely dead,and it was my only transportation.I learned in other years not to bring it,but forgot:).

2-didnt preregister an art car in time.I was fustrated about that the entire week

3-brought 2 newbies(a couple)I knew the male of the couple well,but not the female.She turned out to be a pwer tripper,and almost ruined the whole event for me.Next year-let someone else bring the newbies...

4-Did not bring a pen/pencil with me everywhere.There were so many people I wish I could stay in contact with,that if Im lucky,I"ll see at Decomp,or next year.

5-Got some mind alterants(?) for the night of the Burn,and didnt take them.Made me feel kinda out of place,and not really my self.

6-smoked way too much pot.It made me tired,lazy,and complacent.

7-failed to meet my step brother(Ranger TeaCloud) at Tokyo Camp.He was going to show the Vaults of Heaven to me,and I missed that.Also failed to meet up with just about everyone else I was supposed to meet.

8-Made a misting tent,and never used it.Just wasnt hot enough most of the time.

9-Agreed to let the newbies that I went with to pay for the cargo van rental.They actually wanted to sleep in it the entire time,and werent willing to share the space when I needed it.Again,Im leaving the newbies at home next year.

10-Brought only the skimpiest blanket even with me(was distracted while packing)It wasnt until 3 nights out that I managed to borrow another one,and by that time I had already gotten a cold.

11-Left before the Temple Burn.That was a double wammy,because I was also supposed to be in the Opera,which was right before it.I have a feeling that if i had participated in it,I would have let with a much better feeling about B-Man this year

wovenone · Post by **wovenone** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 10:51 pm

the zipper stopped connecting at about the 2/3 mark of the upside-down "u" of the door. i tried redoing it several times and then at one point gave up, returned to trying later in the week and then just gave up and lived in a relatively minor amount of dust (there was a car blocking the door). someone suggested wd40 sprayed on the zipper would work, so i'm going to try that - hope it helps if anyone else is having this problem.

safetythird · Post by **safetythird** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 12:50 pm

I was a virgin this year so please keep that perspective in mind;

Got really drunk my first night and ditched my campmates (and my ride) out somewhere past the temple. Had quite the adventure on my way home. If it wan't for worrying my campmates (omg, it's his first night on the playa and he's going to die out there) I would actually recommend this to newbies.

Way overpacked clothes. Good thing they were zip locked so I didn't have even more stuff to wash when I got home.

Too many costumes that were too hot for the day but not warm enough for night. I will be working on weirding up my warm clothes.

Brought way too much alcohol. Even after contributing to a few bars I ended up with many unopened bottles that I brought back home. Next year, more mixers, everyone needed them.

Had a friend make some tea. Forgot to give him the other 1/8 of ingredients, didn't realize it until the next day, just thought it was weak ass stuff.

Didn't know the environment would make me need to consume more substance to realize same effect. Next year, double everything.

Didn't roll up smokables before getting there. After arriving the last thing I wanted to do was sit around doing that.

Took a midday nap in the RV with the door and windows open and awoke to my gf informing me we were in a dust storm. So much for keeping the RV clean.

Didn't attend any of the M&Gs that we intended to. Somehow I'm not all that sorry about it, the distractions in route were wonderful.

Didn't spend any time in camp with our campmates. They were a bunch of veteran playa ho's and just wanted to beer bong and BS all day. Heard lots of good stories later. Next year I'll devote 1 day to pure camp involvement, unless I get distracted again.

Capt Godammit was always 30 seconds ahead of me. I should have picked up my gf and ran after the cruizer.

Pee funnel and pee bottle. Way to many excursions cut short by detours to the JOTS.

Didn't read the WWW and missed some cool stuff.

Didn't walk up to enough camps and introduce myself. Met lots of great people but could have met more.

Didn't use any substances the night of the temple burn. All those embers falling all around would have been awesome in an enhanced state.

Didn't jump on any random art cars. Kept feeling a clique'ish vibe from them, realize now I was probably wrong.

Thought Swinger's Camp would actually contain swingers. Nice zip line though.

Whatever I did to end up with all the gashes, bruises and soar spots. Or maybe not, just wish I remembered how I got them.

No playa hands or feet for me but playa nose took almost 2 weeks to clear up. Lubricate nose early and often.

Should have spent more than one day in Tahoe on the way home. One day was nice and helped recharge me for the rest of the journey, a couple would have been most excellent.

Drive across CA's central valley at night. The RV and it's occupants didn't really like the 105 F drive for hours on end.

... But my biggest mistake definitely has to be not attending BM until this year.

S3

shell'sgrrrl · Post by **shell'sgrrrl** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 10:14 pm

Telling burners camped near me that I'm in pharmacy...I'm amazed at the number of pills they brought me to identify! (but I am grateful they at least had the sense to find out what the pills were before swallowing 'em!)

wovenone · Post by **wovenone** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 11:13 pm

on the tail of my play(a)boy i stopped in once on a small circle of dazed high school intelligence with a quart mason jar of mesclun paste passing the hormel chili test with a silver spoon dug deep, and i followed my boy out without a spoonful.

Imagigrl · Post by **Imagigrl** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 9:35 am

I know this is way late in the discussion, but.... AT ANY TRULY REASONABLE COST, STAY. Get out in the nice part of the morning and walk around. You'll come across smiling faces that really have the warmth in them that you need when your mind is going postal on ya esp. if you can't get your 150 foot mylar "g" shaped tunnel up (the focal piece of the theme camp "Gonzo's Inner Sanctum") up due to human error and the worst dust storms in the history of BRC and failing to do so in your fabulous location of the 9:00 Plaza with the Gonzo mobile from Muppetville driving around in vail, looking for you for the entire week... with you too ashamed to identify yourself afterall. Still, it could've been worse. It could've rained. (Remember that scene in "Young Frankenstein" as Dr. Frankensteen and Igor dig out the grave for their reanimation candidate?)

I just read the latest newsletter and this excerpt inspired me. No matter what happens, I'm going to keep working towards perfection without fretting about whether or not I make it!!!

"I had a huge amount of fun; despite dust storms, heat, exhaustion, more exhaustion and heat, many critical debates about the event, more lack of sleep (am I getting too old for this? When do I get to stay in an rv?) I just returned home a few hours ago (and after a run out for fresh sushi am beginning the email returns). When I walked in the door, the magnitude of the effect of the last week was completely magnified. It was strange that it hit me so hard, but I wasn't feeling any of my usual bman withdrawal/readjustment to indoor plumbing and being inside in general until I opened my front door and it was like I had just put on a pair of glasses with a new prescription on them and the whole scale of my apartment felt different, the view out my bedroom window looked new and I felt like I was looking at everything with a fresh perspective. Ahhh. Yes, that is so precious, such a nice state to attain and it takes so much to get there and climb out of ruts.

-- Miss Molli Amara Simon after lack of sleep for days…."

In parting...

"He who knows it not, who can no longer feel amazement, is as good as dead, a snuffed out candle." -Albert Einstein

Always with love, Imagigrl a/k/a Jen

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 3:31 pm

[quote="sparkletarte-ran out of vanilla Stoli on Thursday! Duh! Apparently I drink more than I think I do sometimes.

[/quote]

Well you never mentioned that to me!! I had Grey Goose vanil on hand...
But you're welcome for the ride home.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 3:37 pm

safetythird wrote:Capt Godammit was always 30 seconds ahead of me. I should have picked up my gf and ran after the cruizer.

oops.

safetythird · Post by **safetythird** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 1:15 pm

Heh, almost caught you on burn night. Saw the cruizer parked near (Lush? or one of the loud camps on the Esp). We decided to go in the orange dome next to whatever camp that was and chill for a bit. Feeling refreshed we came out and the cruizer was gone.

Maybe next year, ... maybe if I have a harpoon gun or something, hrmmm?

S3

Otisserie · Post by **Otisserie** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 5:58 pm

angelgabe wrote:..brought 2 newbies(a couple) I knew the male of the couple well,but not the female. She turned out to be a pwer tripper,and almost ruined the whole event for me. Next year-let someone else bring the newbies...

The problem isn't bringing newbies, the problem is letting the newbie you know to bring the newbie you don't know. Veteran burners know what BM is and are pretty smart about judging which friends can handle BM. The problem is when the newbie, who has no clue about what BM really is, invites one of their friends. Since they don't know BM, they have no ability to judge whether their friends can handle it. In my experience and the experience of everyone I've talked to, it's not the friend you brought who's the problem, it's the friend they brought.

If I could add one piece of advice to the JRS this year it would be "feel free to bring your friends, but leave their friends at home".

III · Post by **III** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 6:14 pm

that's some damfine advice. mind if i add it to my repretoire?

sextini · Post by **sextini** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 4:24 pm

This was my first burn and I could go on and on and on about all the stuff we messed up on..... but I did make it to BRC, so I did something right.

Things I f&%#ed up this time...

things i fucked up

things i fucked up

things i fucked up

~

~

My mistake...

Re: ~

Newbies bringing newbies

mess ups