Greetings and salutations from Capnjonny

[capnjonny]

Cap'n Jonny from Silicon Valley here on the board for the first time.

Glad I found this forum as there seem to be an unending series of questions, Ideas, and thoughts that came into my head after my first burn Last year. Having just completed my second, I am looking forward to hearing stories and telling a few too.

I have been hearing about the event for years . About 4 years ago , when I started fixing bikes with the bike Exchange, I got to meet a couple people who were regulars and who encouraged me to come to the Playa with them to do bike repair. The first year I tried valiantly to jump through all the hoops necessary to get my Golden ticket but was unsuccessful even though I logged on 1/2 second after the start. Rumor had it that some Silicon Valley Pukes hacked into the system and tried to buy a large block of tickets and succeeded in crashing everything.

My second try last year there was a different procedure that didn't encourage people to use multiple computers and automated programs to log on a millisecond ahead of everyone else to be first in line. I got a ticket and I was IN!

In 2016 I took my 10 ft Classic Shasta Compact travel trailer and it was wonderful having everything set up ahead of time. All I had to do was park it and put up the awning and I was done. I did bike repair all week and helped out with our camp's coffee service in the mornings. I was fortunate that one of my bike repair mates acted as my guide and introduced me to many of his favorite haunts as well as riding allover the Playa exploring with me.

I was not prepared for the flood of emotion that came over me when another camp mate and I went out to the temple. I was moved to write a short note and add it to the many many others , mine honoring my 40 year friendship with my recently deceased friend Dimitry.
He and I had many a long phone rant about Road Warrior fantasies. I'm sure he would have loved the place.

This year I broke my hip about a month before leaving. I had 3 screws put in me and the doctor said (1) I couldn't drive my stick shift truck (so no trailer) and( 2) I couldn't ride my bike. I e mailed my camp mates saying I wasn't going to be able to go and within an hour got an offer to use a mobility scooter. I drove up in a van with auto trans and tootled around on the scooter with one eye on the Power meter. I brought a tent, a cot, a folding table, and a chair and managed to get by in spite of my gimp leg.

Having been to the event for 2 years now ( and hopefully many more) the thing that I am amazed at is the size . There is just sooo much to see and do and be ! It is overwhelming. And it is a completely different place during the day and at night. Last year we rode straight out the 6 o'clock line to the trash fence about 11pm. Turning around and looking back at the city it stretched out in a throbbing, flashing neon laser ribbon like some sci fi amusement park. It has a heartbeat that thumps 24 hr. a day.(bring ear plugs)

I can't wait for next years burn. I plan to do much more exploring and hope to make friends with a lot of new people. hopefully some that I meet on this forum. My leg is healing well (just saw the Dr.) and I plan to have an awesome camp with a hot tub and swimming pool, so Ya all come on down for a cocktail and maybe some skinny dippin.

Capnjonny

[lucky420]

Hola and hello...

[seven17]

I'm not new on here but I am no longer just lurking and reading. My first burn will be 2018 and I loved reading your entry.
So hello!
All the way from the caribbean

[Ratty]

Hello Capt and welcome to eplaya. In the beginning of your post you mention a 'bike Exchange'. Would that by any chance be in Berkeley? I middled a deal for that Exchange. The Sheriffs trade their adult bikes for small kids bikes. The sheriffs give bike rodeos with hundreds of free bikes at the local schools.

Anyway, welcome. Next year, when you're on the mend, will be better.

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to ePlaya!

[AntiM]

Welcome aboard.

[River Dweller]

This is my first time to eplaya as well 2017 was my first burn and boy your right, so much to see! I couldn't say I'll look on this side of the Playa tonight then the other side tomorrow night because almost everything moved!
One night when I went to use the Porta potty there were people sitting in chairs facing the potty's. I'm thinking what the hell? Then one put a megaphone to her face and said to a guy getting ready to open a door "OH NO! Don't use that one, don't even open the door!" The guy looked at them, opened the door and went inside but quickly came back out. "I told you not to use that one, someone shit on the seat". The guy went to the next door and started to open it "nope, not that one either! Try the next one". I went to the "Bitches" potty and took a seat. I could hear the voice still and someone slammed the potty door next to me. I nearly flew out of my skin then the voice says "HEY YOU! Don't slam the door!" Hahaha! I was laughing so hard, for so long at the Bathroom Monitors that I couldn't even pee! The monitors offered the people coming out of the doors a dab of hand sanitizer, toilet seat covers, a squirt of body spray, a dab of lotion and breath mints were among the items in their briefcase.
I hope they return next year!