What did you learn this year?

[burn_shady]

I'll start it off:
I learned the critical importance of proper weight distribution when loading all yer shit onto a pickup truck.
It was a harrowing ride to BM just to wait in line an extra 20 hrs for things to dry at the gate. On the plus side, I'm one of the few who have been hailed upon while at BM.
With about 150lbs less in water weight, better overall weight distribution and no biblical weather, the ride home was far easier and less tailgatey.

[geospyder]

Monkey hut is 12 foot wide and 10 foot long NOT NOT NOT 10 foot wide and 12 foot long. Discovered while trying to place the cover on. Neighbors thought I was leaving when they saw me pulling up rebar and nailed down floor tarp

[lucky420]

I pack way to many clothes.

10 ft truck was way to small.

Having a fantastic trike made a world of difference.

I have the best campmates ever ( ok I already knew that)

[Sunbeam56]

Wearing stilettos on the Playa is stupid.
I wore stilettos to the meet & greet, trying to dress like my avatar, which is a stupid bit of vanity too. The heels broke through the crust, got caught in the softer sand below, and i twisted my ankle - had to leave early, walked home barefoot.
(Sigh)...

[VultureChow]

1) Never use spikes again. 10 inch tent stakes only. Okay maybe I'll give the lag screws a try.
2) New way to remove ribar. The rain really seemed to cement them in.
3) I love the bullhorn. Never, ever let me have one.
4) Outgrowing a minivan with all of my stuff. If the art comes together for next year, I need to upgrade to a cargo van or small box truck
5) I am a lot braver than I thought I was. Did at least three things I never thought I'd be able to do.

[winterdream28]

- Never doubt mother nature. ( Bring more large zip lock bags for rain shoes)
- Stop trying to agree on places to go as a group just got and journey on your own when decisions get hard
- Eatting better more substantial foods saved my stomach this year... it does take longer but it is well worth the no tummy problems:)
- Saying hello to your neighbors early really does set up a wonderful vibe:) I enjoyed all my neighbors this year so much because we made efforts to really get to know one another:)

[otakup0pe]

Pulling T-Stakes that were set after the rain is easier than pulling those that were set before the rain. Oh, and aiming a twelve inch dish at the top of a twenty foot mast towards the NOC in center camp is kinda hard.

[MFOB]

- Never doubt mother nature. ( Bring more large zip lock bags for rain shoes)

I found that Ice Bags worked awesome. If you open the bag correctly a foot with shoes, boots, etc will slide on in. Used what I had and the Ice Bags were the trick. With a lil duct tape of course.

[Eric]

I'm moving this to Tips & Tricks since it's a better fit for more general answers.

For me:
More solid food, less snack food. I don't know if it has to do with getting older, but I was craving more "meal" type foods this year than in the past. Mashed potatoes are definitely on the list for next year, as are actual greens. I would have killed for a salad by Friday.

Use only carabiner clips on my belt - fiddling with the other types of clips got real old, real quick.

Don't be afraid to do that incredibly stupid thing you should never, ever do - like take the plummet down the Volcano Slide. Totally exhilarating, totally terrifying, an absolute blast, and completely outside of my comfort zone. I need to step up breaking out of that zone more often.

Never think you're not cute enough for that person you have the hots for, you might just be surprised (contrarily, don't get bent out of shape if they're not interested)

[unjonharley]

That that damn Eric didn't make it to the M & G..

[jneilvindy]

I'm moving this to Tips & Tricks since it's a better fit for more general answers.

For me:
More solid food, less snack food. I don't know if it has to do with getting older, but I was craving more "meal" type foods this year than in the past. Mashed potatoes are definitely on the list for next year, as are actual greens. I would have killed for a salad by Friday.

Use only carabiner clips on my belt - fiddling with the other types of clips got real old, real quick.

Don't be afraid to do that incredibly stupid thing you should never, ever do - like take the plummet down the Volcano Slide. Totally exhilarating, totally terrifying, an absolute blast, and completely outside of my comfort zone. I need to step up breaking out of that zone more often.

Never think you're not cute enough for that person you have the hots for, you might just be surprised (contrarily, don't get bent out of shape if they're not interested)

When did you go down the volcano? I was tossing people down on Tuesday from 9pm to 1:30isham!

[theCryptofishist]

Going down slides sounds like such a bad idea for me. Maybe if I could land in a roll. Kaiser roll--all that german blood.

[remi]

- I walked a lot more and biked a lot less.. opened myself to a lot more interactions.

- Funky Town had the most amazing bloody Mary's... with bacon, asparagus, pickles, olives.. the whole sh-bang!

- I love yurts... might make an epic yurt/bucket cooler combo and migrate away from the comfortable RV for next year.

- Don't organize your night around a DJ that might/might not happen/might be late. Just go out and play, explore, meet people.. let the music come to you.

- Polish Ambassador (the only DJ sets I made sure to catch,) is way to awesome for a small stage. Ego Trip on Wednesday and Sacred Spaces on Friday were not prepared for the onslaught of humans.

- Like Erik mentioned, cooking meals this year was epic. Bringing a bbq was a great idea. You need the good food to get you through the week.

[Ano]

- Conduit Steel Shade.

- Monkey Huts don't scale well.

- The worst part about PnP is the bitching.

- I know nothing about how BM works, and ultimately, hardly anyone knows anything. It's a big ugly weird beast.

- CONDUIT. STEEL. SHADE.

- Bring an RV or a trailer with amenities. Having one in camp turned being in camp from being a slightly uncomfortable experience to utterly godlike. The look on the faces of people on sunday afternoon when we busted out frozen chocolate. Oh man.

- Build a bucket cooler. They are amazing.

- My Megaphone is a toy not to be loaned to those who suck at using it, but merely a toy for myself.

[skippy3k]

More solid food, less snack food. I don't know if it has to do with getting older, but I was craving more "meal" type foods this year than in the past.

Totally agree. Our whole camp felt this way. Something was different this year...we think because it wasn't as hot and dry? Not sure. But we ate a ton of food and wanted more.

[bluemiragemi]

Intention and energy and where you direct it is EVERYTHING. BM is just a microcosm of the universe. Put your energy and attention on the right things, at the right time, and make shit happen.

And I love you all.

Squish <3

[theCryptofishist]

That there are some people on this board whom I deeply love and I wish I coulda hugged.

I will have to find some way to do that, now.

[maladroit]

I learned that Black Rock Rangers are at best an official-looking bystander if you get physically attacked. Which I understand is the way it has to be...but they aren't even a deterrent.

[motskyroonmatick]

I really need to make time to see the city and art. I missed seeing a lot of cool things again.

[Simon of the Playa]

i've kinda known this all along, but without a doubt, the thing i learned is "IT'S ABOUT COMMUNITY"




and we have a helluva family here...the burn, the party, the dust, the music, and the art all are a stage for a

FAMILY REUNION.



we don't all agree, we don't even like everyone, but, it's our family...



best pot-luck ever...and i would not miss it for the world, because even if i only get to say hello for a minute, it is worth it.

[shieldbearer]

Make it your own Burning Man, don't let your camp mates dictate where you all should go and/or do.

Do not expect others to help you out with transportation not matter how much you help them out with their needs.

Say hello more often to others and don't be afraid to chat it up.

Take more solitaire adventures through out the city.

Volunteer more.

[AfricanFire]

I would have killed for a salad by Friday.

We had salad to spare on Sunday. (The perks of having an actual fridge in camp). The perfect end of week meal when you're really not all that hungry anyway.

I learned that BRC doesn't cure my shyness and that I really struggle to meet people even in a place like Burning Man. I learned that you can be unbelievably lonely even when surrounded by people.

[danibel]

Real food is good. (vs. snacking all day)

Paper plates are good.

I should let my partner take the shade down any way he wants.

Remember to bring BOTH plastic cups with lids and straws.

It's super fun to invite kids to afternoon ice cream.

Keeping a "night" bag and a "day" bag is a great way to save time.

A pee funnel is the best thing ever.

More Kern's next year.

I need a new kickstand and better decorations for my bike.

[chuckularone]

It's about people...
then art...
then things burning...
and then lastly it's leaving a little sad it's over and very hopeful about next year.

[skippy3k]

Paper plates are good.

Press 'N Seal over metal camping plates are better. Less trash, no washing, fun to peel off.

[forty_eight]

kids belong at burning man

there were a couple teenagers in our camp, and i met a bunch of kids at sk8 Kamp

they were loving it and that is infectious

[Zrob]

I am not 20 years old any more.
I can actually volunteer too much.
If I volunteer too much I make for a shitty volunteer and end up having minimal fun on what is supposed to be my vacation.

[FIGJAM]

I learned that I am a "Fucking Asshole" AND " a Pussy"!!!

[tatonka]

I need a electric trike , by the time I bike anywhere or hike im pooped . So I need transport so I be refreshed as I arrive to any situation

[unjonharley]

I learned that I am a "Fucking Asshole" AND " a Pussy"!!!

Even so, I like ya