One item for BMan 2014 a day

[jewelzontheplaya]

Well I put up my tent to measure it and make sure all the tent stakes were there. I also put it up to measure it because I got a new 10x10 enclosed EZUP to put my tent inside! Last year was my first burn and boy was I lucky it didn't rain, that would have been insane! I don't really want it to rain this year but if it does, I feel like a I'm a little better prepared! I also checked my "spare" tent and all is well with that too! I'm so excited!

[trilobyte]

Congrats on the wee bit of shade, jewelz!

Sham, good luck with that! As Unjon and others have mentioned, don't forget about packing it back out again. Rolling it up might work, but only if you don't go too nuts with the vacuum to begin with. Worst case scenario, if it won't all fit back in for the return trip you can ship stuff back (via ground frieght so it won't get too expensive).

I got some work done on a project, and I picked up a posh fez. I'd been thinking about getting it for years and years, but things didn't line up til now.

While I was off at the workshop, our computers were slaving away on a massive render. 4K resolution image with all the various settings tuned for maximum quality. I didn't dare try running something like that before (it would have taken several days), but with the new machine in the mix our stable of machines was able to knock it out in 15 hours 20 minutes. Thankfully I don't normally render stuff in 'ludicrous' mode, at normal HDTV/movie quality that shot would take about 12 minutes.

[gustavh]

I had my first BM stress-related nightmare of the year. This time I was pregnant and due to have the baby the week before BM started. Still, my plan was to have the baby and somehow make it to the event anyway...?

...what would Freud say?

Interestingly enough, these BM stress dreams have pretty much replaced the "oh shit I forgot I registered for a class and now I must take the final or fail the class" dreams I used to have. They're much more interesting anyway!

[bluemiragemi]

Kept panic-ing. Decided to just say fuck it and place my final order of crap online through Amazon, instead of searching the local stores. Got my shade structure (EZ UP), ear plugs, respirator dohickies, goggles, LEDs for the body, tent and bike, and an air pump for my air mattress. Whew. Next year, costs will be like...negligible

[FIGJAM]

Just keep telling yourself that!!!

[Savannah]

Kept panic-ing. Decided to just say fuck it and place my final order of crap online through Amazon, instead of searching the local stores. Got my shade structure (EZ UP), ear plugs, respirator dohickies, goggles, LEDs for the body, tent and bike, and an air pump for my air mattress. Whew. Next year, costs will be like...negligible

It's quite smart sometimes to save yourself the time and gas and just buy everything for yourself in one fell swoop.

Careful with that EZ-Up; you're going to have to tie it down like crazy. Here some threads about their characteristics.

EZ-Up Tents on the Playa
viewtopic.php?t=35469

EZ Up Canopies
viewtopic.php?t=56035

I camp in an EZ Up.
viewtopic.php?t=29539

[BeeWeeDee]

Probably the biggest item in my preparation list just happened. I purchased both a ticket and a vehicle pass through the STEP program!!!!

So much to do now. So little time.

[Hope-a-Lope]

Had my first Burning man dream since September. I was back at BM, but it was in a forest and I was staying in a cabin. And pissed that there wasn't any dust.

[lucky420]

Congrats BeeWeeDee!

YaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaY

[Train Wreck]

Patched up the yurt and added metal tape to the seams so they'll last the requisite two weeks this year.
Made some changes to the figjam swamp cooler so the pump stays put in the bottom of the reservoir.

I think this year is going to be the earliest and most prepared I've ever been. Even the art project I'm working with(MerKHANa) is way ahead of schedule. Dustvanasary here I come!

[BeeWeeDee]

Whew. Next year, costs will be like...negligible

yeah right.

1st year going - Honda Insight, Monkey Hut, Small Bivy, Dried foods and water.
2nd year going - Truck, Teepee, Two Monkey Huts, Tent, Dry Ice chest, Ice Chest, Stove, Oven, Chocolate chip cookies, Egg Bakes, Prepped Dinners for Meet& Greets etc.etc.

Now - The list grows with art projects, people, their gear... the madness must stop.

[FIGJAM]

Maintain the madness!!!

[bluemiragemi]

Hahaha. Good point. I've heard the idea of "improving upon the camp" is what brings a lot of folks back!

Savannah, thank you! I'll be sure to read those. My campmates, the Pretty Pickle Camp, use the EZUps over their tents so they have experience in actually securing them. Grateful for that.

I shall keep telling myself that...cheaper next year...yep

Mmm cookies.

[melodiousdirge]

So many more items to deal with than one a day between now and burn departure. Anyone else feel a little overwhelmed? This is my fourth burn prep, and arguably the least ambitious set of projects for me, but still I am walking a thin line between enjoying the projects and being stressed out.

Having said that I finally figured out how I'm going to put together my lithium ion battery pack in the form of a batman utility belt. Of course I haven't finished any of the projects that will need that kind of wearable power though!

Oh hey, also, I made some steel feet for my 4/9 3v dome so it doesn't tear the shit out of the "floor" tarp:

[Joeln]

Hit a nice thrift store and got some great clothing options - mix n match style!

[trilobyte]

+1 to what BeeWeeDee said (and congrats on the ticket, too).

After your first year, you'll either be done (bucket lister, tourist, didn't enjoy the experience) or you'll have fallen down the rabbit hole. You'll replace the stuff that didn't work well (or at all) with better solutions. You'll realize that, as a burner, these ridiculous things are long-term investments (because you'll re-use them from one year to the next) and justify the purchase of more gear. You'll build and bring more art, maybe even big art, and your playawear wardrobe will expand.

It's probably worth pointing out that many of us who are posting in this one-a-day thread... have been going for years. It's madness all right, but a wonderful kind of madness.

@bluemiragemi - sorry to hear about the panic, but congrats on being able to place an order to cover your most urgent things.

@melodiousdirge - great job on the dome feet! I'd had a few years where things were overwhelming, and upon realizing that wasn't an ideal experience I changed my approach. We tend to start earlier, but more importantly we have a couple times throughout the year where we give ourselves a reality check and we pull projects. For example, going into this year there were probably 4 clothing projects that I wanted to make happen for this year (on top of all the other stuff I was doing). As other projects came into focus and I got a better idea of time commitments, I tabled two of them. I still may table a third, we'll probably decide that over the 4th of July weekend. If I didn't do that, I'd be stressing about everything, and in an effort to get as much done as possible I'd end up doing a half-ass job on a few of those projects. By being more aggressive at picking my playa project battles I find the whole experience to be a lot better. Good luck finding the balance that works for you.

On to my own thing. We got a new staplegun yesterday. Our old one died horribly last year (it really pissed me off, so I chopped it up with an angle grinder). The new one's fancy and posh (with an on-board compressor), we use it for projects on and off the playa so my gf was determined to go deluxe.

[melodiousdirge]

I'd had a few years where things were overwhelming, and upon realizing that wasn't an ideal experience I changed my approach. We tend to start earlier, but more importantly we have a couple times throughout the year where we give ourselves a reality check and we pull projects. For example, going into this year there were probably 4 clothing projects that I wanted to make happen for this year (on top of all the other stuff I was doing). As other projects came into focus and I got a better idea of time commitments, I tabled two of them. I still may table a third, we'll probably decide that over the 4th of July weekend. If I didn't do that, I'd be stressing about everything, and in an effort to get as much done as possible I'd end up doing a half-ass job on a few of those projects. By being more aggressive at picking my playa project battles I find the whole experience to be a lot better. Good luck finding the balance that works for you.

All good advice; thanks for that. I wish I could turn off the inspiration mechanism in about February, so I could get the projects done that are already on the books. Unfortunately sometimes I have incredibly exciting ideas late in the game, and self control isn't always easy! If only I had an army of minions who could read my thoughts and bring my ideas to life - the ones I don't have time to build myself, anyway.

One thing I've found helpful (though not easy) is to try to prioritize projects by how much they will actually enhance my experience (and others' experience) out on playa. The dome feet were to make setting up and tearing down easier (two of my least favorite parts). The evapotron thing I was going to build would have served a function, but the effort to benefit ratio was pretty low, considering I usually only haul out about 5 gallons of grey water - I only wanted to build it because it was cool, and now I'm glad I didn't bother.

[Meat Hunter]

Thanks to whom ever it was for mentioning the solar light strings that Harbor Freight had on sale.

While they were still on sale, I went by my local Harbor Freight store today and purchased ten of the solar LED light strings for my guy wires and edging around my shade cover.

Harbor Freight is not normally known for selling grade-A products, so I expected that at least one of the ten light strings to be DOA out of the box. I checked every one and to my surprise, all the batteries were charged and every light string worked on constant, blinking, and off modes.

So that I will only have to only run my little generator to charge the battery on my trike and not for a dining and lounging light, I also purchased three of Harbor Freights solar powered 'shed' lights; Two lights for the outside sitting area and one light for inside of my tent.

[AntiM]

We have had amazing good luck with HF solar lights. The solar door number panels make cool little "license plates" for the bike.

[kittyrodriguez]

I am so much more organized this year! We have actually packed everything we need except for clothes and food! Oh, and the new flat-top shade connectors that I ordered. My checklist is complete!!! Woohoo!

Also signed up for our shifts and got on the camp list. We almost didn't make it. Our camp filled up in 30 minutes!

Everything from here on out is fun stuff!

Fun stuff I am working on now-

1. Fiber Optic tutu- I haven't worked with fiber optics before, but I am having fun experimenting.

2. Hoop skirt for my 90s goth day.

3. Etched glass "man ash/playa dust" bottles to gift.

[Meat Hunter]

AntiM,

HF solar door number panels for bikes - what a great idea.

Does the kit come with both letters and numbers?

Looks like I might be making another road trip Saturday.

[Monkeystyle]

went to a thrift store and found a hat for my all green day, also found a red, corduroy jacket that I want to alter a little, and got my truck mounted bike carrier, and basket roof rack for the car delivered today.

[Meat Hunter]

For late night/early morning dining; today, I cooked, froze and vacuum packed 20 grilled cheese and bacon sandwiches.

The bacon was from one of the pork bellies that I salt cured and smoked over apple chips last December.

[JayBobBoy]

Had a great day going to the thrift stores with my daughter. She's 12, and has a great eye for BM costume stuff. We scored an amazing iridescent, rainbow colored, long jacket. It was just meant for the desert!

Mostly, it was just fun spending time playing with all the stuff with my daughter, the jacket was a bonus...

[Sunbeam56]

IKEA had solar light strings on clearance sale. Only got 3... May go
Back

[Molotov]

Just finished sewing up playa dust covers for all the upholstered cushions in my travel trailer (Sort of oversized pillow cases made of old cotton sheets.)

[fernley1]

Been building a bar for basshenge sound camp. About half way done.

[Savannah]

Food & baby wipes nailed down.

A little something for each end.

[Milayna]

The most fabulously magical thing happened. Just as I was about to buckle down and attempt to build my swamp cooler an old friend (the guy who was my rideshare to my first burn!) got in touch with me because he had a bunch of Burning Man stuff he needed to give away before he moved. So I go to pick up the stuff, and lo and behold.....he gifts me a fully built, playa tested swamp cooler!!!!!

I seriously could not express to him how happy and grateful I was, but I did try with several hugs So I now have a swamp cooler ready to go, just need to get a battery, and do a test run.

[Savannah]

That's wonderful.