second year burnout?

serafaery · Post by **serafaery** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 1:21 pm

Thanks so much for the prompt and thoughtful feedback, all. I wish the camp leader wasn't so anti-carport, because I think it'd be less work (though maybe more weight) than the dome and would offer us more shelter and ultimately make for a more relaxing camp. I love the dome, but it's a pain in the ass to set up and take down, and the parachute does jack for shade and we have zero shelter from the wind. I know nothing about these things, but reconfiguring it to block more wind somehow is not a bad idea - people rave about billboard vinyl. Maybe I can keep an eye out for some of that stuff. I think I have a grommet punch lying around somewhere....

I like the 'stop trying so hard' advice, too, phil. Personally, my favorite part about Burning Man is my costumes and stuff, but maybe gifting so hard and trying to think of ways to force my campmates to have more fun is the wrong way to go. Our camp leader lamented that he had no time to do any projects for the event, and I'm trying frantically to help him do that - but I can't force it if he doesn't care to try harder himself. I will try to relax, and think about ways to make us happy without working too hard. I would love a "be here now" shirt - I must come find you! What is your camp's name?

Maybe I just need another camp altogether. Or somewhere to at least associate and hang out with some laid back people? Why is it so hard for me to find that? I tried last year - wandered into camps asking what was going on and got "who the hell are you" looks and "we're having a party for FRIENDS" replies. :( Gimme some love, peoples. I'm cute dammit!

phil · Post by **phil** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 1:32 pm

> I must come find you! What is your camp's name?

Louise and I camp in Hushville (with Anti-M, by the way). Drop me a private message in August when I know where Hushville will be, and I'll let you know where to find Hushville.

edit:

See this thread:
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=15848

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 1:36 pm

We camp very near Phil, we're both Hushvillians. Drop by Anti M's Home for Wayward Art and adopt art, stick your head in our shade and say hi, there's usually someone at home.

I over-scheduled last year and ended up sleeping through our temple guardian shift. Larry and I are scaling back, perhaps a small playa installation, of course the Wayward Art and the eplaya meet n greet, and Rocky Horror if it goes on again. Otherwise I'm going to spend some time at the Golden Cafe washing glasses. Love that camp! They rock!

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 4:05 pm

I had a little second year let-down, too. It was hard not to compare this year's temple to last year's or this year's Man to last year's...But I will note that I tend to edit my past. You probably do too. You forget those five hours in the hot sun waiting on that train to roll into Venice, but years later you do remember the great food, art, and even insignificant little details that made a favorable impression.

What I discovered this year is that your neighbors really impact your experience more than you might expect. If you are lucky, you will be at a popular intersection with funky and cool neighbors all around. You'll hang out with them, make friends with them, etc. Fortunately the odds of having cool neighbors is much much higher at BM than in Defaultia. My camp had unlucky placement in that the surrounding lots contained more cars than tents. My friend's camp was on a corner with a lot of buzz and activity in the street.

I also discovered that what I liked most about 2005 was being alone at night riding my bike in the deep playa interacting with the amazing art and having random encounters with people.

Drifting on to shade structures, I can attest for the wonders of billboard vinyl. It weighs a ton, sure, but mine was free of charge from a sign company only too happy to unload it. I parked my Subaru next to my 10-man Coleman mother-of-all-tents, strapped 2 inch PVC to my roof rack to extend over the entire car and tent, and with grommets and rebar completely enclosed everything. The vinyl kept the heat down and the morning sun out. The area around the car was a great place for the pee-funnel and pee jug.

timburly · Post by **timburly** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:45 am

[quote="serafaery"]...I tried last year - wandered into camps asking what was going on and got "who the hell are you" looks and "we're having a party for FRIENDS" replies. :( Gimme some love, peoples. I'm cute dammit![/quote]

I don't get people who act that way. The burn is all about meeting new people for me. We let anyone in camp, come on by and have a beer, there is plenty of it going around. Come sit at the fire and chat, its great to hear other people's stories.

We're usually listed at center info under Mallard, come find us!

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 3:15 pm

Chai Guy wrote:Sit in a chair facing the street and let your righteous indignation waft over everyone.

Bwaahhaahhaa! Chai, You ARE The Man!
Don't forget the beer cozy.

My first year suxxored so bad, '04, it has gotten better everyyear since. I have met some of the best people on earth.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 3:36 pm

I tried last year - wandered into camps asking what was going on and got "who the hell are you" looks and "we're having a party for FRIENDS" replies.

I noticed that at a lot of camps. They had what appeared to be an open space but if anyone approached it was all "what the fuck do you want?" or they got real quiet like they aren't used to interacting with people face to face.

You are always welcome at Iron Rose, if we are home, and there generally is someone home. The burn barrels and benches for seating are out front right near the street. If you are cold, pull up a seat and warm up. Thirsty? Go inside and get yourself something to drink (we even have water and other non-alcoholic stuff in addition to booze/beer). There might even be some bacon we could fry up on the barrel.

It just varies from camp to camp, I suppose. And if a group has had a particularly trying day, it might be difficult to be all cheerful and stuff. But one of the things we do is hospitality. It is our gift to the playa. Your smile is your gift to us in return. And you don't even have to take off your shoes!