First time Burner

maggiemay · Post by **maggiemay** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:31 am

I'm 48, a mom, grandmom, former Reno resident, coming from the South for my very first burn in 07. I'll be joining my sis who still lives in Reno and bringing one of my grown sons. I can't wait. I've wanted to go to Burningman for years. Never had the resources or it was bad timing. My Husband has no idea - He wouldn't approve. :shock:

I determined last year after the hearalded event came and went that I wouldn't miss the next one. See everyone on the Playa -

GRITS - Girls Raised In The South

Burp! · Post by **Burp!** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:44 am

So now that you are on your way, you need to think about what you will bring to the event, besides your self and all your gear. Think of BM as a big potluck and you as well as everyone else should bring something to it. What that is, is the fun of the whole event. What I recommend is don't listen to the folks who say "Oh just bring something to pass out to people, like a necklace or key chain, or a drink holder or a shwag bag or a pin or a lighter with stuff glued onto it or....." To me that's the easy way out and bit old. Think outside the box, avoid the shwag and think of something that involves people actually interacting with you or your camp, like a game to play, a puzzle to solve, a task. Just a few thoughts.

T.

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:52 am

Howdy.

Ah, don't worry about the trinkets and schwag unless you're really into such things. I'd think first-timers should get a pass on that anyway, enough to worry about with the essentials. Hah! we brought a snowcone machine our first year.

the maggiemay made me blink; I used to go by maggiemayday but have morphed into Anti M (auntie em).

Welcome home. Read the Survival Guide!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:56 am

I thought you had some issues with Ms.

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:00 pm

Ms? the letter m? Noooo, I just hate being called maggie and no one would leave the maggiemayday all in one piece. M is a lovely member of the alphabet.

maggiemay · Post by **maggiemay** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:22 pm

We've been trying to determine what to bring - we've got some ideas. We it to be different and unique.

Hah - I'll bet that snow cone machine in the desert was unique. :)

I cannot wait.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:25 pm

It's easy to be unique, just like everyone else.

Try to not be unique.
That will make you stand out.

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:28 pm

maggiemay wrote: Hah - I'll bet that snow cone machine in the desert was unique.

Actually no, there's often plenty of snow cone machines around. What was unique about ours is it is really an antique japanese cast iron shave ice machine, like the one in memoirs of a geisha. Same brand I think!

But everyone still liked the fluffy snow.

Burp! · Post by **Burp!** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 4:20 pm

AntiM wrote:I'd think first-timers should get a pass on that anyway, enough to worry about with the essentials.

I disagree, it's not like there aren't enough burners out there these days to help with ideas. For me it's always been about one upping myself and making next year better then the last, but to do that you need to start somewhere. Why not the first trip out. Part of the whole experience is contributing to the event so that it is your event and not just one you happen to be at. I believe somewhere on the ticket there something about "No Observers", might be way down in the small print underneath the "Burning Man is Dangerous" part (still not bitter). Going to Burning Man to be an Observer is just wrong!
T.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 4:25 pm

Newbies definitely get a pass on contributing material things to the event. She's planning early, so she might want to prepare some things. If she's talking in here in winter, then she should get the essentials down pretty quickly and will be able to do something above and beyond for a first timer.

I'd say make sure you get the essentials first, then figure out something to share. It doesn't have to be stuff, it could be something to look at, play with, listen to, eat, etc. Everything you get to do past the essentials is icing on the cake and worthwhile, but not required.

StevenGoodman · Post by **StevenGoodman** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:44 am

And sharing doesn't have to be any kind of shwage. My first year I just wandered around with a couple of bottles of good booze, people were happy to seem me!

I wonder why!

Now I just bring good stuff and bartend. And maybe a nice "Propane fire effect" to play with. Seems to keep people happy.

If a newbie wants to help people out, just bring a couple of bottles of mixers, and a cheap bottle of vodka. EVERYONE runs out of mixers, and will love you! And the cheap bottle of vodka is in case your local hang out happens to run out!

My camp from BM2006 had so much left over booze it is in storage in Gerlach for next year. Everyone just needs to bring one 1.75 of cheap booze and mixers for BM2007!

First time Burner

First time Burner

Swag and such

Re: Swag and such