My Letter to the DMV

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:55 pm

Isotopia wrote: You should check out the DMV web site. It should mentioned - as has been the cae for a few years now - that part of the registration process involves submitting a proposal. Basically what you do is put your idea down to words and include pics, illustrations, CAD drawings, etc. of your idea. That way if the DMV determines that yes there are wayy too many pirate ships you'll be notified before you start investing time and resources into your project.

Ahh they take drawing too? Oh good. I read through all the info there and I came away with the idea that you had to send them a pic of the vehicle. Thanks for the info Iso.

Again, its not another pirate ship, but I can see how it could be viewed as such. Still brainstoming idea so it's not "just another ship" on the playa.

I'm trying also to figure out a way to hang EL wire off of it so that at night it looks like it has sails. Hmmm... maybe find some UV/black light reactive large-gap mesh (so it doesn't catch the winds) to use as "sails" and then make it glow with some cold cathode black lights.

The CO · Post by **The CO** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 3:10 pm

Bay Bridge Sue wrote:
As to why they're not art cars?? Part of the reason they're not decorated is... simply.... so they stand out. You see a plain-jane pickup driving through BRC mid-event, you *know* it's someone who prolly has a radio and means to get hold of someone in case that person who impaled themselves on that rebar just won't stop bleeding. Same reason Rangers wear Khaki and cool hats, or we ESD people wear bright yellow... so you can FIND us when you need us. bb

I find when in doubt, I look for the person (ranger et al) in the uniform, not the vehicle. Exception made for LEOs/Medics. I have no objection to DPW/Ranger vehicles clearly marked as such (Logo on side, amber flashers); Most (check that: all) "plain jane" vehicles that I have seen driving in BRC are full of yahoos or guys in suits, not rangers.

Bay Bridge Sue wrote:
How about a new rule - ANY art vehicle, to be allowable in BRC, CAN NOT be made from any component part that was, at any time, part of a motorized form of transportation.
bb

That criteria sounds great, but...
A buddy of mine had his trike impounded last year on arrival. The trike was built from the ground up entirely by him (metal cutting/shaping/welding) from raw stock steel, used lawnmower wheels, custom bicycle transmission... the only motorized vehicle parts were the muffler and moped engine. So it seems that DMV doesn't consider certain types of welding & metal work art enough.

spectabillis · Post by **spectabillis** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 9:17 pm

capjbadger wrote:That coming from you isn't a surprise SB.

ja, I know, I can be a real smart ass, but my prob is I am one of those who think there are too many ships at sea, and music blaring bar cars that glue on lights and fur and call it 'art car.' its a slow but steady dillution of people exercising additional creativity to come up with something new.

besides, new is fun...

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:39 pm

spectabillis wrote:ja, I know, I can be a real smart ass, but my prob is I am one of those who think there are too many ships at sea, and music blaring bar cars that glue on lights and fur and call it 'art car.' its a slow but steady dillution of people exercising additional creativity to come up with something new.

besides, new is fun...

I too don' t like the cheesy bar cars pounding music and furry golf carts.

Are there really that many ships already out there? I can only think of two (Contessa and some odd white covered thing).

I'll write up the DMV form and hope they like the fleet idea. The more I think about this, the more I want this thing to look really cool at night.

spectabillis · Post by **spectabillis** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 12:16 am

There were a few last year that I remember, dont know the number, but there seems to be a few every year.

The CO · Post by **The CO** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:33 am

I have seen a couple of ships that were genuinely cool. But I've seen far more "ships" that were an rv with only token decoration and a lot of drunks on the top yelling "aaarrgh!"

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:36 am

The CO wrote:
I find when in doubt, I look for the person (ranger et al) in the uniform, not the vehicle. Exception made for LEOs/Medics. I have no objection to DPW/Ranger vehicles clearly marked as such (Logo on side, amber flashers); Most (check that: all) "plain jane" vehicles that I have seen driving in BRC are full of yahoos or guys in suits, not rangers.
consider certain types of welding & metal work art enough.

Only people I've seen in suits out there are... hmmm... can't think of when I've seen people in a suit in Black Rock City. Unless it's a birthday suit! >giggles< Also remember, people coming in or going out can be in their plain jane vehicles. Lotsa people arrive at the last minute... and still others pay to leave.

Unless you're referring to the management of Burning Man as "suits"... but that falls under "official vehicles". There's a LOT more going on than just fire/medical/ranger response. LOTS more. (Remember, BRC isn't just a camping trip but a city of 35K people, and like any other large city,there's a lot of infrastructure involved.) Why unmarked? Because some deal with city infrastructure (internal communications, logistics, management functions, etc.) Just like any other city government. (Plus, there's a lot of borrowed/rented vehicles out there, and part of their usage prohibits putting permanent stickers on the doors, etc...)

On the other 1/2 of this post...

I'm sorry your bud didn't get the OK to run by DMV, I know that probably doesn't set well... but there may be other factors involved in their not issuing a license. Was it pre-approved? (This is a Bg #1 cause for rejection.) It may have looked good but not passed the mandatory safety inspection. It's not just if it's artsy enough - is it safe to run in a city of 35K, mostly pedestrian traffic? Did the brakes work really good? Was it reliable? I dunno, but the hotties prolly told the owner why they wouldn't liccense his machine. Can't think of when they haven't, in fact... and if they didn't I sure as hell would have asked, so next year, I would have been approved.

Now...How about that submarine? >grins<

bb

The CO · Post by **The CO** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:00 pm

Bay Bridge Sue wrote: Unless you're referring to the management of Burning Man as "suits"...bb

No no no. In this context, I was referring to silicon valley types out for their first time (I assume), or LEO-looking types. Didn't stop them to ask, they usually don't stop when you wave, say hi, etc. Just gawk w/cameras.

Bay Bridge Sue wrote:
(Remember, BRC isn't just a camping trip but a city of 35K people, and like any other large city,there's a lot of infrastructure involved.)bb

Dear lord, I know it all to well. I run my own festival in the PNW, and work in the entertainment industry doing large, multi-day festivals. BRC is the only one I attend that I don't work for.

Bay Bridge Sue wrote:
(Plus, there's a lot of borrowed/rented vehicles out there, and part of their usage prohibits putting permanent stickers on the doors, etc...)bb

(just my opinion)
I understand rentals. I just think the management/volunteer crew should lead by example. Ambulances and LEO vehicles can and should be clearly marked. Rangermobiles & DPW vehicles should be clearly marked. Advertising technology has developed magnetic signs to the point of near obsessiveness. Bmorg can invest in enough for "critical vehicles".

Bay Bridge Sue wrote:
On the other 1/2 of this post...
...
Was it pre-approved?
...
is it safe to run in a city of 35K, mostly pedestrian traffic? Did the brakes work really good? Was it reliable?
...
Now...How about that submarine? >grins<
bb

No, not pre-approved, which is why he didn't raise a big stink. However, it had been approved the two previous years at the gate, so I expect he figured it had a grandfather clause.

Safety (in order). Yes, yes, and yes. The only specific reason he was given was the "substantial and permanent modification"; see discription in previous post.

Who told you about my submarine? Heads will roll... Open tubes 4 & 5!

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:12 am

Starting from the back and working forward...

(1) Subs?? I want a playa sub. Preferably a BDRM Delfin. (I think it's also called a Delta IV class sub in the west...) >grins<

(2) MV - The pre-approval is what sunk him, then. They were really sticky on that last year (and will be again this year, so submit early and submit often). What's killing me is I have the plans for mine, but I don't have the $$$ built up yet for the build, and by then it may be too late for this year.

(3) Marked Vehicles - They did have some magnetic stickers, but not enough. Oops. Plus some disappeared off vehicles. Sad, but true. AT least they do have DMV license stickers, but that's not readily apparent unless you know what to look for. Plus, there are some instances where you don't want a marked vehicle for security reasons (transporting money or negotiables like tickets or whatnot, or dignitaries, or whatever.)

(4) Workin' for the Man. We do the same for Strawberry Spring - Won't work for it. Would have at one time, but now it's unwind time instead. Might change in the future, but... why?

(5) Suits. Yeah, I know who you're talking about now. I think a lot of VIP's and media were there. And a lot of LE (especially undercover - amazing what you find out from behind the scenes). Since I am pretty busy burn weekend I don't get to be out playing around too much, so I don't see a lot of the suits. Suits me, tho! >giggles< ANd the Frat Boy Syndrome - I think they'll always be there.

More later...

bb