second year burnout?

rubyredalys · Post by **rubyredalys** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:23 pm

Hey there!

I went to bm 04 with lots of love and excitement. I went to 05 and felt...ugh. A lot of weird feelings. I didn't enjoy myself as much as I thought I would. Spring has arrived and I am considering 06.

any suggestions to an improved 3rd year? did anyone else get the second year disappointment?

i volunteered last year, and have been in theme camps both years.

Lorgasm · Post by **Lorgasm** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:37 pm

Just buy the ticket dammit.

See ya there!!!

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:51 pm

Find a new way to participate. Get involved early. Build something using tools you've never used before. Go with a different group. Interact with people in a different way. Invent a new persona and pretend to be that person for the week. It's easy to fall into a pattern and it can get old when the novelty wears off.

There's always something different to do if you're willing to step outside your comfort zone.

phil · Post by **phil** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:57 pm

There is always something of a second-year let down, as it wasn't as new, exciting, good as the first year. It's a totally overwhelming exciting thing to have happen to you the first year. The second year, not so much.

How you deal with it is up to you. I'm sure you'll get lots of advice, and maybe something will speak to you. I think Lorgasm has the right advice. But if it's not right for you, it's not right for you. I can deal with that.

rubyredalys · Post by **rubyredalys** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:09 pm

I wasn't sure if anyone else had those feelings as well from the second year. I am thinking about BM almost every day now...ah the playa calls!

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:27 pm

It isn't always the second year, burnout can happen anytime. Go for it!

ThePikey · Post by **ThePikey** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:33 pm

Didn't you know? Burning Man was always better in the past, the further back in the past you go the better it was. Personally, I blame Sensei; it's all his fault.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:37 pm

Don't worry about it too much. My sixth year was my best, ever, by a mile, even better than my first year. What did it for me was getting way more involved than ever and bringing real friends.

Lorgasm · Post by **Lorgasm** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:43 pm

So, have you bought the ticket yet or what...

My first time was great. My second had its ups and downs. My third was quite unique and beautiful. I missed my fourth journey and have been kickin myself in the ass for it. It ain't gonna happen this time.

YOU CAN DO IT.

C'mon...be cool...be one of us....We're all doing it.

Don't end up kickin yourself in the ass like I did. It hurts and people look at you funny.

Kisses!!!

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 2:36 pm

Become a jaded old timer. Tell everyone how it was better last year. Sleep most of the day, and when you are awake, never leave your camp. Sit in a chair facing the street and let your righteous indignation for the people and the event waft over everyone. Don't even bother visiting the man the whole week and when it burns position yourself to be sleeping on a sofa in Center Camp Cafe, if someone tries to wake you up or asks you to move, demand that they bring you a double decaf latte with extra foam and a shot of vanilla. Better yet, leave on Friday. Accuse people who are not wearing a costume of being "spectators". Refuse any gifts of food, beverage or people trying to mist you, cite repeated anecdotal accounts of people being "dosed", then immediately solicit said person(s) for drugs. Tell a Ranger to "fuck off" for no apparent reason. Walk into first camp and ask Larry if they're going to contract an imagineer to make the many fully animatronic next year. Yell at the person leaving the porta potty for peeing on the seat, regardless of wether or not they actually did.

And most importantly, remember to have fun!

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:05 pm

Chai Guy wrote:Become a jaded old timer. Tell everyone how it was better last year. Sleep most of the day, and when you are awake, never leave your camp. Sit in a chair facing the street and let your righteous indignation for the people and the event waft over everyone. Don't even bother visiting the man the whole week and when it burns position yourself to be sleeping on a sofa in Center Camp Cafe, if someone tries to wake you up or asks you to move, demand that they bring you a double decaf latte with extra foam and a shot of vanilla. Better yet, leave on Friday. Accuse people who are not wearing a costume of being "spectators". Refuse any gifts of food, beverage or people trying to mist you, cite repeated anecdotal accounts of people being "dosed", then immediately solicit said person(s) for drugs. Tell a Ranger to "fuck off" for no apparent reason. Walk into first camp and ask Larry if they're going to contract an imagineer to make the many fully animatronic next year. Yell at the person leaving the porta potty for peeing on the seat, regardless of wether or not they actually did.

And most importantly, remember to have fun!

Well said, Mr. Chai Guy

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 5:49 pm

Chai Guy wrote:fully animatronic

Damn I thought you said "fluffy animatronic" and got all excited.

Fluffy Man. Hm...

Desert Duck · Post by **Desert Duck** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 12:05 am

Y'know, I guess I'm lucky. My first year was fantastic, but I continued to have a great time by presenting myself with new challenges every year.
Last year was actually not as fun during the event. I was involved in multiple projects, and had tried to take a companion with. The pressure to be in nine different places at once and having to take reponsibility for other (veteran) burner's participation (or lack thereof) in our work camp, combined with being on the playa for two weeks finally left me completely frazzzzzzled by the end of the event. This year I'm taking a much more relaxed position in our camp, and actually camping elsewhere. I think this year might be my best year yet.
So I guess my thing is-you're going to have fun or ELSE!!

Just relax and it'll come to you. Welcome home.

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 6:51 am

Tell yourself you can't go, then rebel.

regionalchaos · Post by **regionalchaos** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 2:12 pm

If you don't feel like buying a ticket then don't. Chances are at some point the playa will call to you. Then you won't wonder if you should or shouldn't. You'll know.

Personally, my first year(2004) was so so. I had an amazing experience, but also saw some relatively disturbing things. I didn't know if I wanted to go back or not until half way through the year. Last year was solid. No doubt about it. I knew what I should be expecting, as much as you can anyway, and was prepared for it. This year I've become much more involved, much earlier on. It has a different feel to it. But I can't wait to be back out on the playa. The week will go by waayy to fast...

Token · Post by **Token** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 3:02 pm

Fist year hit me like a runaway freight train.
Second year I fell into the trap:

1. Expectations which inevitably lead to some level of disappointment
2. Inspiration that demanded I do something big

Second year was a letdown. I joined a big theme camp and worked my ass off. Our group of capable, respectable people in the default world, turned into a bunch of unruly tantrum prone unsupervised children in a playa second. Not what I had in mind.

Third year is where the rhythm of Burning Man set root. This may not apply to everyone but worked for me:

a. No "Working Man" under any circumstance.
b. My default world best friends will likely hate me after Burning Man if we camp together.
c. Shelter build time not to exceed 30 minutes.
d. 100% self reliance.
e. Have only the following expectations: No Email; No cell phone. Everything else could happen.

Another side effect of year three was the lack of desire to go see stuff, replaced by the desire to do stuff and the knowledge of what can be reasonable done. Year three is when participation really started for me.

YMMV.

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 4:11 pm

Year three is when participation really started for me

Yeah, but at year four you get to eat at the cool kids table in the commissary.

Sharky · Post by **Sharky** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:54 pm

2004 was my first year.... went with my wife and had an absolutely mind blowing and life changing time! Everything seemed more intense, crisper and unknown............ Last year I decided to commit fully to an art project and actually pulled it off! The second year's experience was definitely different than the first. It definitely seemed like I belonged, was "home", and not quite so much like I was just visiting. It didn't have that "new lover" feel to it... it was more familiar and in many ways a deeper journey into the community. My wife came away from our second trip to the Playa a bit disillusioned (saw a bit of the darker side of the Law Enforcement presence and really felt that the experience was not as "unrestrained" as it was the first). She has opted out for this year, so I'll be headed down solo........
I'm going into this year with no expectations, and preparing to dive in and imerse myself completely...... only have to look out for, and think of myelf this time.

So I guess I would say, find a new side of the event to explore this year. Build an art piece, volunteer, do something that is outside of your "normal " box, and above all try to leave all expectations behind and accept 2006 for whatever it ends up being! Part of the magic for me is that the experience is never the same twice and for that week on the Playa, anything is possible!

Got my ticket in hand.... See ya' on the Playa!

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 1:30 am

Take more acid.

Burp! · Post by **Burp!** » Wed May 03, 2006 1:19 pm

For me I think having a major project to do while there really gets me into the whole process. Going to BM and not having something to contribute to would really be a major piece missing from the whole experience. Something more than swinging a hammer on some other persons project, I mean that's that's fine, but having your own project that either you do alone or other's swing hammers for you, will really get you into the spirit. And then one-up yourself each year to keep it fresh.

T.

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Wed May 03, 2006 1:51 pm

Recognize that it's played out for you (at least this year) and take the money you would have spent and use it to create a mind blowing peice of art or gift giving in your very own community. Then take a shower that night and sleep in your bed.

Listen to your instincts.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Thu May 04, 2006 8:43 am

People are frendly if you touch more yourself in public

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Thu May 04, 2006 11:32 am

You don't have to go if you don't want to.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri May 05, 2006 8:29 am

Way to let someone out of the cult, UD.

Rockdad · Post by **Rockdad** » Fri May 05, 2006 8:49 am

You can get out of the Cult? what about the implant? do I still have to wear the tin foil hat for a few years? and actually I think I am now addicted to the kool-aid is there a suppport group? KA

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Fri May 05, 2006 9:58 am

They come back. They always come back.

serafaery · Post by **serafaery** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 4:09 pm

I unexpectedly felt 2nd year burnout this year (2006). I fell so madly in love with the playa in 2005, and 2006 was hard, frustrating, lackluster, and sad. But I still don't plan on ever missing a year. I just keep thinking of ways to make it better.

Part of my problem was that I came in to 2005 prepared for 100 mph winds, 120 degree heat, rainstorms, and crazy assholes trying to "dose" me. The weather was bliss, it didn't rain, people were kind, so the event was a piece of cake. I came into 2006 thinking "piece of cake!" and we drove straight into the worst white-out conditions in 7 years. Not fun! I was not prepared for the battle, and it wore me out after 3 days of windstorms and dust in my damn food. I was so relieved when things finally started calming down on Wed/Thurs. Who's with me on that?

I know that there is so much more to the playa then getting fucked up while wearing stupid outfits, but there were several days in 2006 where it was hard to see the event as much else. It was hard for me to not feel disillusioned by the plethora of intoxicated people in furry clothes, who didn't seem to really be trying to express themselves or give of themselves at all. It's fine for there to be some of that, but I need to find a way to see more of the beauty of the art and expression around me, along with the straight up partying. And to be less judgemental in general. Maybe 2nd year I felt a bit too sure of what I thought the event was, and didn't like seeing other sides of it. Hopefully I can find a way to move past that.

I worked really hard on gifting this year, which I loved - it made me feel better to try to give and participate, but it took a lot of time and wore me the hell out. I think maybe instead of face-painting and shitty performance art, I should look into building an art car or something. I don't know.

I do know that I need to have everything gift- and costume-wise prepared ahead of time. I missed out on a lot sitting in the dome gluing together costumes and sewing my dragon bike. I could have done that at home and seen a lot more art and interracted with a lot more people.

I'm just trying to figure out how to make it more fun, and less fatiguing. We are only 3, one of which is dead weight, camp set-up and break-down takes nearly an entire day each, and we really don't have good enough shade or any shelter with our little dome and 2 tents. Carports are expensive and from what I hear the legs and support rods are very heavy, so it would be a bitch to transport with our one truck/trailer, but I'm also looking for ease of setup/breakdown.

Any suggestions at all for making year 3 the best ever would be greatly appreciated.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:27 am

Some years just roll along better then others; my best year may well be your worst nightmare.

You've hit one of the nails square on, getting ready pre-playa. Whether it is food, costumes, gifts or shelter, the more you do pre-event, the happier you'll be on the playa. I think it is unjon who always says less camp = more fun. You have a dome, can you reconfigure it into better shade?

Carports aren't that bad, some folks hate them, we adore ours. Two people can get one up in a half hour, epsecially if you've been practicing at home. Hint: ask neighbors for help. Hint 2: remember to put the roof on before you raise the legs. Four people and a gopher make it quite simple. We hit Hushville and within an hour the shade is up, leaving us to do tents and the common area at our leisure.

Our first couple years we had a cobbled together shade structure, sturdy, and Larry was quite proud of it, but it got too hot too quickly. Our camp really began to pull together once we had a carport. We have one and Genius and BL have the other; they're cross-pollinating after four years!

At first we tried an "L" configuration and a shade gazebo but that wasn't efficient. Finally we figured out to put the ports parallel and stretch doubled camo netting between held up by an ezup frame. No problems with the ezup as it is "indoors" between the carports and doesn't have the heavy canopy. Nice! We even drop the legs off the outer side of each carport to make a more clamshell shape so the wind goes up and over. Had this two years now and it makes a giant difference in camp atmosphere; we have a cool area to sit and share and even nap.

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:08 am

Or you can simply get an RV and your problems are solved!

phil · Post by **phil** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:34 am

> I'm just trying to figure out how to make it more fun, and less fatiguing.

I have a suggestion. Stop trying. Seriously. Forget giving gifts, forget the people in fuzzy clothes, forget costumes for yourself and your party. Stop. If your camp takes a day to set up, it's too much. If you're sitting in your camp sewing and gluing, you're doing too much.

Here's my mantra for you for Burning Man 2007: Be here now.

Come by our campsite in Hushville in2007, and we'll give you a shirt with that embroidered on it. Just be. Be at Burning Man. Give it a rest in 2007, and just be there, okay? Enjoy the pleasure of just being.

I'm going to start a new thread on doing BM easily. There are tons of ideas, and maybe we'll get some that speak to you. Don't try to make year 3 the best ever. Stop trying. Let it be. The best comes without fatigue, effortlessly, leisurely.

second year burnout?

second year burnout?

2nd yr burnout - my turn to rant, k?