Hello from Denver!

[Solo80017]

Hello from Denver! Burngin, just accepted to volunteer with Play Info - and SO FREAKIN' PSYCHED!!!!!!!!!

HOW THE HELL DO I FOCUS FOR THE NEXT 180+ DAYS???

Otter

[Ratty]

Hello Solo. Welcome. Believe it or not six months isn't nearly enough time to do all the things you plan. You must log on here several times a day. Then you buy a whole lot of stuff you don't need and will never use. Start making lists and then make a list of your lists. When you start worrying about survival, get out the house paint and put some stripes on your father's old suit. Buy more large tubs and examine rope at Ho Depot. Collect an extra of everything from shoelaces to bike tires. Get a small book that you will use at the event. Write the names of people and camps you want to see in the flesh. OK. That should hold you for about a week or two. The rest of the time you can just lay on a chaise lounge and eat bonbons. Welcome to eplaya.

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

[Solo80017]

Elderberry - thank you for the welcome! Ratty - was it a fluke that I happened to be on your thread "Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper" when you posted here??? I think not, and your welcome was pretty much a summation of the last year of my life when the need to finally make this real kicked in!

I expect the old Singer to be working overtime the next couple of months...

[Papa Bear]

Welcome! To answer your question, it depends what you want to focus on!

If you're just trying not to obsess about Burning Man, then if you haven't already done so you could get involved with Apogaea, the Colorado regional burn event. They always need volunteers, and there are even some ignition positions still open that will earn you a guaranteed ticket, the right to vote on the board, and definitely keep you very busy into the first couple of weeks of June.

After that, you can commence panicking about all the things you haven't gotten done for the playa yet.

[Savannah]

Welcome, Otter! Have you burned before? You seem new--but then I got curious because I know Playa Info (usually) chooses people who have been once before. Doesn't matter--either way, it's very cool. I'm just nosy.

. . . I love it that Ratty welcomed you while you were reading her most brilliant thread.

[Solo80017]

Hey Papa Bear - I've been looking at Apogaea as well thinking it might be a good way to cut my teeth. I'm not freaking because I don't feel prepared as a virgin, more so that I'm just so anxious to experience this. I've been reading and preparing for this for over a year now (maybe over thinking it), it's just that I can't wait for all that Burning Man offers - the sights, smells, the emotions, the release of getting to participate and be amongst other burners; I feel like a 5-year old on December 24th waiting for Santa to come

So Savannah - you guessed it, green as they come and that ain't being nosy, messages from you and others, well it already makes me feel welcome

[Papa Bear]

No worries, Otter - and I was (mostly) joking about panicking about the things you don't have done for the playa.

Apogaea is definitely a good way to get involved and get to know others in the Colorado community, and it can be a good "first test" for any structures, costumes, or gadgets you may be thinking about taking out there. It's a good idea to make that decision sooner rather than later, though - the first round of tickets were snapped up in four seconds (plus some extra time for all the payment info to go through), and the second round is coming up on March 21st.

There are plenty of other local resources for meeting and collaborating with other local members of the burning man community, too. For example, are you familiar with the Monday pot luck dinners at the Fusion Factory?

[Solo80017]

I had heard about the dinners at Fusion Factory some time ago but had forgotten all about them, and it would be a great resource - thank you for the reminder. I have to admit I was way scared about ticket sales so I sucked it up and did advanced sales; I thought the "extra" cash required was a small price to pay for making sure I was guaranteed a ride

I've been planning for some time and after combing over 50 gazillion blogs, ePlaya, and every other resource I think I have a pretty good checklist and most of the items on it - and I'm spending countless hours every week revisiting these resources to make sure I'm not "that guy" on the playa who's forgotten the most basic of necessities! Currently working on my shade structure and the final determination of whether to go it alone (as I usually do fly Solo) or join a group/theme camp, as both seem to have pros and cons.

Thanks so much!

Otter

[Papa Bear]

I was actually referring to the first round of sales for tickets to Apogaea selling out in 4 seconds. Sounds like you've got a pretty good start on being playa-ready, though!

Also, keep an eye out for the announcement of the "virgin BBQ", usually held in early August in a park in Westminster. It's a good information-sharing resource and all-around fun time... and despite the name, we don't actually barbecue the virgins.

[Elderberry]

I had heard about the dinners at Fusion Factory some time ago but had forgotten all about them, and it would be a great resource - thank you for the reminder. I have to admit I was way scared about ticket sales so I sucked it up and did advanced sales; I thought the "extra" cash required was a small price to pay for making sure I was guaranteed a ride

I've been planning for some time and after combing over 50 gazillion blogs, ePlaya, and every other resource I think I have a pretty good checklist and most of the items on it - and I'm spending countless hours every week revisiting these resources to make sure I'm not "that guy" on the playa who's forgotten the most basic of necessities! Currently working on my shade structure and the final determination of whether to go it alone (as I usually do fly Solo) or join a group/theme camp, as both seem to have pros and cons.

Thanks so much!

Otter

Hahaha. That's impossible. No matter how meticulous the list, you'll always forget something, or wish you'd have thought about bringing something. One year I forgot all my underwear. Another year we forgot our bike locks, only to find them on the back porch when we got home. It all works out. People have extra, and we were able to call others arriving later to bring those forgotten items. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS.

[Ragnar63]

Hello and welcome to ePlaya !

[Solo80017]

GOOD GOD I LOVE ALL THE PEOPLE HERE! Everyone is so welcoming and helpful!

Elderberry - are you telling me that I can/need to stop spending an hour a day on my 7-page Excel spreadsheet???? To tell the truth, there are a ton of packing lists out there from long-time burners - I merged a group of them and then starting weeding the list to my taste and needs, assuming what items are truly a priority for health and comfort on the playa (food, water, shade, sunscreen for pasty Irish boys), what's a "nice-to-have", and what was frivolous and/or unnecessary.

BTW - underwear did NOT make the short list but the sunscreen did

[Savannah]

GOOD GOD I LOVE ALL THE PEOPLE HERE! Everyone is so welcoming and helpful!

Quick, everyone! Bookmark this thread.

We don't always hear that, honest.

BTW - underwear did NOT make the short list but the sunscreen did

[Elderberry]

Actually, I'm not saying don't do your lists, I'm just saying don't get stressed out about it. Most of the items we have forgotten over the years were actually on our lists. If you come prepared, but you get on the playa and find out you are missing something, I guarantee you there will be someone that will help you out. You might be surprised to find yourself helping out some else that forgot something.

[Ratty]

Bring an extra fork, knife, spoon, bowl, water bottle and a bowl. Oh, and a ceramic coffee mug. I guarantee you can give it all away in the first hour. We used to be 'over preparation camp' but we're trying to pare it down.

[Solo80017]

Savannah et all:

Too bad you don't hear "newbie" appreciation enough-all hints, suggestion, and slaps up-side the head for being a dumb-ass are greatly appreciated.

Underwear still ain't makin' it on the list, making room for the extra mug, water bottle and utensils as previously suggested

[dragonpilot]

Lists are good! Continually updating my own. You'll see everything from someone naked under a lean-to surrounded by water bottles and granola bars to $1 million motorcoaches with functioning satellite tv dishes...and everything in between!

[theCryptofishist]

GOOD GOD I LOVE ALL THE PEOPLE HERE! Everyone is so welcoming and helpful!

Quick, everyone! Bookmark this thread.

We don't always hear that, honest.

Yeah, it's that damn snarky, vicious, bitter highest eplaya poster getting into all the threads and making them contentious.