The last 30 days before you go.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 10:38 pm

I always end up thinking too much about all the gear and getting it all out way in advance. This causes me to pack and repack way more than is needed. Now, I know what I've got stashed from the last few years, I know what I've bought and am going to buy, and I'll get the crap all piled up in the living room 2-3 weeks in advance. Otherewise I'll need to be locked away and medicated....oooh, wait on second thought...

TheJudge · Post by **TheJudge** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 7:48 am

My wife accused me of being a pack rat. Looking at my gear as I pulled it out of storage I realized she was right. (damnit)

I plan all year for the event, which means that when I see something that would make a cool gift or a nice feature to my camp, I grab it and sock it away. The end result is a lot of shit that now has to find a way into the finite space in my pickup. Its not easy.

The last 30 days are your chance to take inventory. You need to really think about what you NEED and what you WANT out there. What is going to be nice, and what is just going to take up space.

Is less more? Each person answers that question differently.

Water. Food. Pack clothes. Socks. Never enough socks.
Pull out, set up and check the tent.
incidentals like lip balm, soap, deoderant, toothpaste, talcum powder, etc.
Check the truck: Oil change, brake job.
Packing, planning re-packing, re-planning, etc.
Panic because not everything is going to fit. Re-pack again.
Maps. survival items. GPS. Compass.
Accept the fact that not everything is going to fit and consider throwing everything out.
Emergency contact numbers. Medications needed and packed.
etc etc etc.

If I have the time, I also try to clean up the apartment and make sure that there is a bottle of gatorade waiting for me when I get back. There is nothing better than coming home to a cold bottle of (whatever).

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 8:11 am

If I have the time, I also try to clean up the apartment

Totally agree! I always deep clean my aprtment right before I leave. I like to make sure to make the bed and put my favorite set of sheets on it.

TheJudge · Post by **TheJudge** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 9:07 pm

Ivy wrote:
If I have the time, I also try to clean up the apartment
Totally agree! I always deep clean my aprtment right before I leave. I like to make sure to make the bed and put my favorite set of sheets on it.

Which is funny since after spending two weeks out there, the dirtiest thing in my apartment would be me. I usually leave a ring on the bathtub.

But DAMN if a nice bath after getting back isnt the best thing in the whole world.

kiddo · Post by **kiddo** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 2:45 pm

The first year I went I didn't know I was going until like two weeks before and I had no idea what Buring Man was, except for those vague urban myths that float around. My friend just convinced me to go with her and said I'd have the time of my life. So I just pretty much got camping gear and such and was ready (as far as I knew). The night before we left we were packing up her janky RV and I jumped out and tore all of the ligaments in my ankle. So on the way to the playa we had to stop in town and go the doctor. He said to stay off it for two weeks and I said 'Sorry, can't, going to Burning Man like Right Now.' So he gave me one hundred 1000 miligram Vicodins and said have fun. Then when we stopped in Reno I was hobbling somewhere between Ben's Liquor and Cigs Cheaper and I lost the hundred dollars I had left to buy food. Instead of becoming massively stressed though I was so excited about the unknown adventure ahead that I just went with it, and my friend was right, I had the time of my life.
The next year I knew what to expect and I stressed myself out trying to get it all done. Then I missed a year much to my dismay and last year I didn't know I was going until like 5 minutes before I got in the car and left, and I left with NOTHING. But the playa giving and the Man in benevolent and I wanted for nothing. So this year I am prepared, I am bring many gifts and enough of everything to hopefully return the kindness I was shown last year. I'm definitely still not done, but I don't know if I'll ever have my shit that together. Ha. Can't wait to see you all.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 2:27 pm

Ha, and now it's the last 10-15!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 2:28 pm

Ha, and now it's the last 10-15!

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:38 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:Ha, and now it's the last 10-15!

And I *just* firmed up my travel plans yesterday (morphed from buy an RV to buy a trailer to rent an RV here to fly to LA and rent an RV) even though I've been planning since we got back last year.

Basically all I have left to do in the next 12 days or so is ship my crap to LA and get some costumes ready.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 4:27 pm

I'm lacking the usual frentic energy I expand this close to the burn. I get a little bit of something done and just space out. Talking to larry today, I told him I feel like I've already been to Black Rock and am just trying to put everything away.

I didn't even get excited when the solar panels arrived today. I keep postponing major painting chores that cannot wait much longer, and I've been avoiding the sewing room. Anyone else ever get a "don't care" slump? I mean, I do care, and I'm looking forward to going, I'm seemingly stuck in a pre-burn rut.

Perhaps I need to put on a costume to do housework.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 4:31 pm

<stupid unsolicited psychonanalizing> Possible you've got a sort of anniversary reaction/hangover from the really stressful circumstances of getting ready last year? </stupid unsolicited psychonanalizing>

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 4:42 pm

my brain is usually busy working out camp logisitics. I don't really take care of my own shit until the weekend before I leave. I swear I was more personally prepared the first time I went.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 5:15 pm

AntiM wrote:I'm seemingly stuck in a pre-burn rut.

Yeah. Take a break from all of it for a day or so. You'll be back.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 6:42 pm

I just realized I don't have a bike.

Zulegoona · Post by **Zulegoona** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 6:59 pm

I was just on my bike for the first time since last year and I just realized I don't have the legs or butt to ride a bike.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 7:16 pm

<stupid unsolicited psychonanalizing> Possible you've got a sort of anniversary reaction/hangover from the really stressful circumstances of getting ready last year? </stupid unsolicited psychonanalizing>

Gee, there's a thought. Actually, hadn't occured to me, but you're likely right. I should be really thankful I'm even here to get ready for a burn at all. Let me rephrase that, not should, but am. Thanks for the reality smack fishie!

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 7:16 pm

Zulegoona wrote:I was just on my bike for the first time since last year and I just realized I don't have the legs or butt to ride a bike.

No shit. I bought a bike (partially because of burning man and partially for non-burning man but mostly because I'm 6'6" and it's hard to find a bike my size unless I get it custom). Anyway, I've had it for 2 months now and I keep meaning to get on it and "practice" riding. Originally I got it because I really wanted to ride up to Black Rock Point but I'm hearing that I wouldn't be allowed to go up there (something about us not being allowed to leave the main BRC vicinity). Maybe I could bike up the highway to get there.

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 10:20 pm

AntiM wrote:
<stupid unsolicited psychonanalizing> Possible you've got a sort of anniversary reaction/hangover from the really stressful circumstances of getting ready last year? </stupid unsolicited psychonanalizing>
Gee, there's a thought. Actually, hadn't occured to me, but you're likely right. I should be really thankful I'm even here to get ready for a burn at all. Let me rephrase that, not should, but am. Thanks for the reality smack fishie!

I'm carefully taking notes...'cause that's where I'm gonna be next year...

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 10:22 pm

DallasPlaya wrote:No shit. I bought a bike (partially because of burning man and partially for non-burning man but mostly because I'm 6'6" and it's hard to find a bike my size unless I get it custom).

Have you checked out recumbents?
They're all-around better bikes anyway. More power to the pedal, 360º field of vision, easier on the spine.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 6:36 am

Zulegoona wrote:I was just on my bike for the first time since last year and I just realized I don't have the legs or butt to ride a bike.

I'm taking the Element over to Holland (Michigan!) for a checkup before the Big Drive, and throwing my playabike in the back for a test ride- Haven't hardly been on mine, either. Recently got diagnosed with carpal tunnel, and need to figure out how to ride without gunching my wrists. And it's unprecedented that I would have the whole triple-geodesic structure apart and (almost) ready for travel before we even go single-digit!

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 7:44 am

Well, now that I finally figured out I'll actually be attneding (knock on wood)...

It's less thant wo weeks and I just relaized last night that I haven't started hydrating. As dehydrated as I spend my normal waking life, this is not good.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 8:45 am

Glad you'll make it Ivy. (knock on wood.) Hope to see ya burnin up a storm and shaming us all with your costumes!

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 9:20 am

diane o'thirst wrote:
DallasPlaya wrote:No shit. I bought a bike (partially because of burning man and partially for non-burning man but mostly because I'm 6'6" and it's hard to find a bike my size unless I get it custom).
Have you checked out recumbents?
They're all-around better bikes anyway. More power to the pedal, 360º field of vision, easier on the spine.

I wouldn't be comfortable being that low. I already ordered and received my 22.5" frame bike that fits great. Now I just need to get used to riding a bike again. Lazy me.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 9:23 am

Ivy wrote:Well, now that I finally figured out I'll actually be attneding (knock on wood)...

It's less thant wo weeks and I just relaized last night that I haven't started hydrating. As dehydrated as I spend my normal waking life, this is not good.

I've learned that if you keep a bottle of water nearby (preferrably delicious spring water) that you'll drink a lot more than if it wasn't right there. Works for me so it might work for you.

PurpleKoosh · Post by **PurpleKoosh** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 10:12 am

Ivy wrote:Well, now that I finally figured out I'll actually be attneding (knock on wood)...

It's less thant wo weeks and I just relaized last night that I haven't started hydrating. As dehydrated as I spend my normal waking life, this is not good.

Yesterday I actually drank less water than I normally do....

Shall we take turns kicking each other's ass, dear?

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 12:16 pm

I first read kicking as licking. It was not an improvement...

PurpleKoosh · Post by **PurpleKoosh** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 1:17 pm

While I certainly wouldn't object to licking Ivy in general, your mental typo, Fishy darling, is Not My Kink.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 3:50 pm

If it were---TMI

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 3:50 pm

If it were---TMI

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 3:57 pm

shit Ivy,

I recommend you run to smart and final and get a 30 pack of Tecate then. If you kill that, by yourself, over the next week you ought to be good and prepared.

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 8:48 pm

AntiM wrote:I'm lacking the usual frentic energy I expand this close to the burn. I get a little bit of something done and just space out. Talking to larry today, I told him I feel like I've already been to Black Rock and am just trying to put everything away.

I didn't even get excited when the solar panels arrived today. I keep postponing major painting chores that cannot wait much longer, and I've been avoiding the sewing room. Anyone else ever get a "don't care" slump? I mean, I do care, and I'm looking forward to going, I'm seemingly stuck in a pre-burn rut.

Perhaps I need to put on a costume to do housework.

Roger that, AntiM. I've got a white board in my garage and everytime I wipe out a task it gets replaced with two more. It's a harsh mistress for sure and that's what I signed up for with all these projects I could have said "no" to. He's right, we need a break. Sometimes I finish a task and look at the board and realize it was never even up there so I don't even get the colored thumb reward from wiping it off.

I stole away and watched my girls at swim lessons but I just keep spacing out into my playa mind.

I don't want to work. I just want to bang on de drum all day.