Hello and Welcome... What's your name? Tell me about You...

[xzlostzx]

Welcome to ePlaya, Tara! Now, to get you started right, please list the sections of the main website that you have read so far (so we don't have to tell you to read them).

I have read thru most of the sections on the main burningman site, with the new format, things are a bit different. I made sure to read thru the survival guide and even watched the preparation videos. They are super adorable. The first timer's guide directed me to start receiving Jackrabbit Speaks emails, which keeps my excitement up, Playa living(bringing lots of water), leaving no trace (definitely no feather boas), Getting there and back (mapped out the route from my play to the playa!),etc. I have made sure to bookmark the site so that I can come back and refresh my memory often.

[Elliot]

You are off to a good start!

[IAMYOU]

Hello!
Xavier from Miami FL here!

[Sham]

Hello Xavier, tell us about yourself in 100 words or less.

Welcome to eplaya.

[daisys+]

Hi:) my name is daisys+ I am a musician, mother of one, and free soul in life. I heard about the from Omega Red. This will be my first Burning Man 2015

" live life, don't let life live you"

[Ratty]

Welcome Daisey+!! Hang out and let us get to know you.

[Just_Joe]

I heard about the from Omega Red.

We are doomed. Welcome!

[omegared]

I heard about the from Omega Red.

We are doomed. Welcome!

Oh come on Just_Joe, I'm not that bad. Welcome to ePlaya daisy+ !!!

[rocketeer]

.
For 10 long years, I jealously watched Burning Man from the outside world before finally taking my first jump.

That was in 2010, and it was everything I imagined, and much, much, more. Arriving at the gate, our eyes were like kids experiencing Disneyland for the first time.

How could so many artistic ideas come together and be contained in one place?

I marveled at the creativity of people, and the incredible lengths that they would go to.

I loved the music; the bike exercise; getting up early to experience sunrise in the desert; the dust-devils; and flat lighting making it perfect for photography.

In the span of just a couple of hours, I could get spanked; drink a 'chainsaw margarita'; hug strangers;
get shocked with a cattle prod; talk to God from a phone booth; go for a ride in a Flintstones car; meditate inside a ring of fire; watch scenes play out in front of me like a Mad Max movie set; hand out cold beers just for the fun of it; stare up in awe at massive structures rising out of the desert; watch a ship sail by in the sand; and see costumes that are hard to describe.

And the sheer size of it all!! Even with 7 days, you can only scratch the surface of what's going on.

When I came home, people asked me if it changed me, and would I go back. My conservative side impulsively said no, but that it was certainly an awesome experience, and loads of fun. No, no need to go back, I said. I had managed to complete a bucket list item.

But I was wrong.

Over the next couple of years, I had trouble getting it out of my mind. The costumes, the artwork, the mutant vehicles, the lights....the magical city in the middle of a desert.

It was also about being in one of the few places on earth where people aren't constantly trying to sell you something. No billboards, no commercials, no TV, virtually no cell phones or computers. It was a vacation from both technological chains and the unrelenting noise of commercialism. A place you can go and get a genuine smile -- not forced because you' represent a potential sale.

And it was simply riding a bike freely in the open desert, feeling the wind and warmth of the sun on my face.

So opposite of riding the office elevator, everyone around me with their heads silently bowed and faces bathed in the light of smartphones....

And so my buddy and I returned in 2013.

It was even better! Wonderful, warm weather. Busy. Active. More people, More music. More Art. More everything.

I was home.

Again, I thought that was it. I had gone to Burning Man, not once, but TWICE.. NOW I could die a happy man!

But I was wrong.

Here we are, 2015. And I'm so looking forward to coming home, bringing my art, and seeing you all again.

Thank you Burning Man. You changed my life.

Sincerely,
rocketeer.

[silverfish]

I'm just joining the eplaya community, but I've been fortunate enough to go to burning man the last three years. After my first year I didn't know if I'd go back, but then I kept thinking about all of the amazing things at the burn. After three years I am more committed to burning man and contributing to burning man. Last year our camp built a Vietnamese Coffee house. We are tossing a lot of new ideas around for this year.

[Back To Mine]

Greetings and salutations from Sean and Kaz, two BM virgins in Melbourne Ozland!

At last, after continually missing BM due to clashing life commitments or shit internet connection for tix (Oz is 44th in world rankings for internet speed) we will at last be joining BM15 Yipyah!

In previous years we kept missing out on the general tix sales but were determined to make it this year so we took the first opportunity to spin the 2015 Wheel of Fortune and after saving hard bit the bullet over the pre-sale $.

We got a bite of two tix, surprisingly quickly and easy. We're relived we don't have to bid for tix again in the last chance scramble with crap internet and if our good fortune subsidises someone less fortunate to share the experience - all good.

I woke up this morning thinking about the great adventure that awaits us, excited but apprehensive bit like a kid looking forward to Christmas haha.

Really looking forward to the whole BM experience including the long journey to the playa, meeting lots of open minded folk and being part of something unique.

Onwards and upwards!

[Sham]

Welcome Back To Mine. I hope things continue positive for you. Keep reading on your upcoming adventure.
There are some useful links in my signature below.

Sham....

[CrispyCritter]

Hey y'all,

I'm a WI native transplanted to SC eight year ago. Before starting the next chapter of our lives (grad school) & moving to another state, my fiancé and I are hoping to embark on a journey across the country to Burning Man. It has long been a dream of ours to participate in Burning Man, and with just a little bit of luck, that dream will come true this year.

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.

Much Love,

Sasha

[Elliot]

... ...
You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.

...

Welcome to ePlaya!

[Ratty]

Crispy Critter, Welcome!! Hang out here for a few months and you'll have some friends when you get there.

Let us entertain you. Let us make you smile.

[sustainable Scott]

Fellow Burners!

I participated in Envision Festival 2014. I really wanted to attend this year, but I am working in the states.
I will participate in Burning Man this year. I have been twice before.
I am reaching out to this Tribe to see who is also going to BM this year!
I will create and implement some Sustainable designs that can practically be used at BM. In time I will continue to introduce ways to make BM a more sustainable event.
So the real question is …..
Who is going to BM, and can we start to plan for the event? Can we plan together?
I also will be relocating to the greater San Francisco Bay area very soon so …..
Namaste
Scott

[jsrankin3]

Hi,
John Rankin here. My better half is Em. We live in Orange County NY and are hoping to attend this years burn. As first timers we are hoping to get to know lots of new friends and help out however we can. Thanks.

[Ratty]

Welcome Jsrankin3 and Em. So glad to have you stop by. If you have questions about the burn just do a little bit of research and then ask us to fill in the blanks. Eplaya is an endless resource of entertainment and information.

[Traiiler Park Gypsy]

Howdy. I'm Donna. I have friends that go to Burning Man. I heard of it through them. I'm just looking forward to the whole experience, seeing if I can not melt to death in the desert, and having the best burn I can. I'm bringing a friend. Can't wait to make some Burner friends

[Ratty]

Welcome Donna. I love your eplaya name. Have you signed up for the Jack Rabbit Speaks emails? This will keep you informed. It will be invaluable in preparing for the unknown. See you in the dust.

[Traiiler Park Gypsy]

Yes, Ratty, I've been getting Jackrabbit speaks for about 3 months. So I'm informed of at least when to get tickets. My eplaya name comes from me being a gypsy that lives in a trailer park I can't wait to get dusty. Wish me luck getting there.

[hug+kiss]

Hi! My name is Amanda and this will be my 4th consecutive year. Last year was the first time camping with Destiny Lounge. I'm so glad that I did because I found a the best group of people. Really felt at home. This year I vow to see more, do more and stay up all night to see the sunrise.

Love ya!

[DanseurIgnoble]

Salutations, all you lovely people!

I'm Asher, and as I am finally graduating from a university that is absolutely lovely in every way except in its failure to schedule the academic year around the Big Burn, I'll be back this year (2015, if you're playing along in the distant future! This thread is amazingly enduring!) for my third go 'round this year after a two-year break. My better half, meanwhile, will be on his fifth consecutive trip Home.

As you might have inferred from my username, I'm a dancer. This year, I'll be bringing the ballet at Friendzied Serenity (and, of course, mixing it up with my better half, McGayver, and our various Canadian and Portlandian counterparts). I'm hoping to connect with some other dancers (with or without formal training -- if you're game, I'm game!) and get some collaborative choreography going. Beyond that, I plan to spend most of my time feeding my campmates, dancing at other camps (anyone know if Opulent Temple will be there this year?), and rolling around the playa, communing with my inner whateva.

Before all that happens, though, I guess I have to get through one more semester without imploding!

[Savannah]

Welcome, Asher!

I love ballet, and hope to see you perform this year. Be sure to post performance news on the board later, when you have it!

[Netty58]

Morning all. I've already been helloed and welcomed and managed to attend my first M&G without my cup. Red face.

Now I'm trying to see if I was actually sufficiently adept and managed to upload a picture.

[BillPaul]

Hello All,
My name is Bill Paul from Pittsburgh, PA. I'm a 28 year old man trapped in a 61 year old body. I ride motorcycles, bicycles and spin bikes.
I'm a metalsmith, photographer, guitar player, traveler and conversationalist. Karaoke makes me uncomfortable.
Burning Man is calling me. It has been for years. I am fortunate that the stars have aligned. I will have the opportunity to attend this year.
This is my first Burn and hopefully the first of many. I can't explain what's calling me to Burning Man, but I know I belong there.
Learning and preparing for this gathering is joy and an adventure. I am looking forward to meeting so many new and interesting like minded Burners! Can't wait to ride my funkily decorated playa bike all over the place. See you on the playa. Let's have a coffee, or a beer, or both!! Cheers!!

[marctronico]

Hey over there !

This is Miguel , I am traveling from central México for The my first time to The Burning Man . I am a guy that likes to share and smile , Down to earth and very excited about this experience but also a bit concern since I am traveling by myself to this lovely adventure.

I do some fire dancing and love to listen memories from people , I would love to also share my experience and be part of such a beautiful project .

Now I need to plan in order to be able to get as much Fun and also be able to entretaian ...

[liberacion]

Hi there, my name is Steven. I'm from Amsterdam, Netherlands. 2015 will be my first year at BM. I'm super exited and very much looking forward to this amazing experience. I already did a deep dive on BM survival. I want to help out so if anyone of you needs a crew member, let me know. To any of you coming from europe: give me a reply. Maybe there are possibilities to hook up and share a van or travel together!

[-FireChild-]

Hello I'm Carly, from Portland, Oregon. This year will be my very first Burning Man experience and I could cry tears of joy over it. I am a musician, a hoop dancer, and currently a student here in Portland, studying the Russian language. I am beyond thrilled to be joining you all on the playa. See you in 196 days, m'loves.

[Elliot]

... ...

What is that thing???

In high school, the smartest kid in class started taking college courses on the side, and she took Russian. Most of the kids thought that was just ridiculously comical. And I suppose most of those kids are still pushing brooms and flipping burgers.

Welcome to ePlaya! A few years ago we had some faux Russian-speaking activity around here, as theatrical art, but you are probably too late for that. You will fit right in anyway.