Getting very close to the BurnTime, and the pressure is building to get everything prepped, in order, certified, tested, and approved for the great journey and event. At this point, a proper state of mind, energy, focus, leadership, and motivation are just as critical as physical elements.
Any of you "very" experienced Burners have any advice on keeping the logistics and plans for camps, and art running smoothly in spite of the approaching BurnTime?
This is going to be my third Burn, but I am still seeking new tips and lessons on the special tips, skills, and plans to enhance or safeguard this yearly migration and event.
I could quit my job, or avoid maintaining my house, but that is not very practical. Looking for some really helpful tips that may not be obvious nor very intuitive.
Requested TIPS for Mental Focus - Nearing BurnTime
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EricMagic
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2004 12:20 pm
- Location: MI, CA, OK, VA, FL, TX - USA
- Contact:
Requested TIPS for Mental Focus - Nearing BurnTime
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Relax, Be Bold, Dream, Live Large, Elevate
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Relax, Be Bold, Dream, Live Large, Elevate
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AntiM
- Moderator
- Posts: 20301
- Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 5:23 am
- Burning Since: 2001
- Camp Name: Anti M's Home for Wayward Art
- Location: Wild, Wild West
Eh, go with the flow. Make lists for the most important items, i.e. ticket, water, shelter, booze, food, hat, and let the rest happen as it happens. I'm not saying not to make lists or not be prepared, or not try for the perfect costume or art project, but don't beat yourself up over it either. We've forgotten things every single year and we've survived. There is no perfect plan, simply perfect moments arising in the dust.
(No, not even the Peterman's Plan is perfect. GASP! Heretic!)
This advice brought to you by the matron of a camp composed entirely of alpha control freaks.
No, if you aren't enjoying the process now, you'll fret over imperfections on the playa. There's a balance in there, and the tipping point between preparedness and anal obsession varies for each person. Stay on the calm side of your breaking point, and you'll be fine.
(No, not even the Peterman's Plan is perfect. GASP! Heretic!)
This advice brought to you by the matron of a camp composed entirely of alpha control freaks.
No, if you aren't enjoying the process now, you'll fret over imperfections on the playa. There's a balance in there, and the tipping point between preparedness and anal obsession varies for each person. Stay on the calm side of your breaking point, and you'll be fine.
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dragonfly Jafe
- Posts: 1877
- Joined: Tue Sep 02, 2003 11:08 am
- Location: the Oregon Trail
No plan survives contact with the Playa....and they typically don't do too well during the travel part either! Plan to Play, but don't Play the Plan. After all, plans are expectations, in a way. I usually put away my clipboard and don't look at it again once I hit the gate. Everything was better last year anyways.
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Arthur Schopenhauer
Ditto.
I try to keep a little Dammit Fund, for buying that critical component that wasn't critical enough to remember to pack...
And when you get there, try to just chill for a few before tearing into the sack with the tentstakes. Think about packing so that once you're parked you can sit in the shade (or under the stars) in a comfortable spot with a lovely beverage without having to remove every single thing from the car. (This can be more of a challenge than it seems, if it's a long trip like mine. Those provisions bought on the road, like beer and water, are usually the very last thing that could possibly be stuffed into the car and often end up tumbling out during Gate inspection.)
Formulate an emergency plan for getting to your spare tire under all that crap, and make sure it's sound and inflated.
Try to arrange your cargo so that you can still recline the seat for a Power Nap when necessary along the road. (I've had to Snoopy It on top of the car, or crash on the grass at rest stops, because I packed badly.)
Pack the night before you leave if possible, and have a leisurely cup of coffee in the morning before departing, during which you can review your packing job anew. (Unless you have to leave in the evening, of course.)
It helps to pack so that you can reach (and open!) your cooler. Especially when you turn off of 447- First on-playa beer is among the tastiest!
Remember Your Ticket. (Unless it's at Will Call.)
Bring Your Manners. You can usually use them to get help when you need it.
I try to keep a little Dammit Fund, for buying that critical component that wasn't critical enough to remember to pack...
And when you get there, try to just chill for a few before tearing into the sack with the tentstakes. Think about packing so that once you're parked you can sit in the shade (or under the stars) in a comfortable spot with a lovely beverage without having to remove every single thing from the car. (This can be more of a challenge than it seems, if it's a long trip like mine. Those provisions bought on the road, like beer and water, are usually the very last thing that could possibly be stuffed into the car and often end up tumbling out during Gate inspection.)
Formulate an emergency plan for getting to your spare tire under all that crap, and make sure it's sound and inflated.
Try to arrange your cargo so that you can still recline the seat for a Power Nap when necessary along the road. (I've had to Snoopy It on top of the car, or crash on the grass at rest stops, because I packed badly.)
Pack the night before you leave if possible, and have a leisurely cup of coffee in the morning before departing, during which you can review your packing job anew. (Unless you have to leave in the evening, of course.)
It helps to pack so that you can reach (and open!) your cooler. Especially when you turn off of 447- First on-playa beer is among the tastiest!
Remember Your Ticket. (Unless it's at Will Call.)
Bring Your Manners. You can usually use them to get help when you need it.
Howdy From Kalamazoo
Just keep in mind that things can completely turn to crap and you can still have a wonderful experience.
Many of my current camp mates went through a huge shit storm on their way to the event - camp organizer who had all their stuff in a seperate vehicle and couldn't be located, having to stay in Reno with no change of clothes and no idea where their stuff was, followed by a camp split which pulled out a lot of necessary gear, all before the gates opened. A few years later we have a drama-free camp and two of the burners who went through it are getting married.
Realize that you can't spend or prep your way into a fun week. It can make you more comfortable and have more to show off, but in the end all you REALLY need is food, water, sunscreen, warm clothes, and a tent.
Many of my current camp mates went through a huge shit storm on their way to the event - camp organizer who had all their stuff in a seperate vehicle and couldn't be located, having to stay in Reno with no change of clothes and no idea where their stuff was, followed by a camp split which pulled out a lot of necessary gear, all before the gates opened. A few years later we have a drama-free camp and two of the burners who went through it are getting married.
Realize that you can't spend or prep your way into a fun week. It can make you more comfortable and have more to show off, but in the end all you REALLY need is food, water, sunscreen, warm clothes, and a tent.
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pbmaniac2000
- Posts: 127
- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 9:22 am
- Location: Colorado Springs, CO
my advice for the drive out there. Is AAA and a credit card. That got me to burning man last year. And will most likely be getting me there again.
Once you are on the playa don't "plan" for anything more than a few events. I plan to go see a couple of djs, ocean of fire, and the burn. Besides a couple things don't plan. They will just end up getting forgot anyways.
My "plan" that i tell everyone i'm with when i get there is this. Meet me back here on monday morning. Has yet to fail me.
Once you are on the playa don't "plan" for anything more than a few events. I plan to go see a couple of djs, ocean of fire, and the burn. Besides a couple things don't plan. They will just end up getting forgot anyways.
My "plan" that i tell everyone i'm with when i get there is this. Meet me back here on monday morning. Has yet to fail me.
Make sure you have dust goggles that fit.
Anything else you might find out there if needed.
Anything else you might find out there if needed.
"Everything is more wonderful when you do it with a car, don't you think?"
-girl by the fire, watching a tree moved by car bumper in the bonfire
It would be a shame if I had to resort to self-deception to preserve my faith in objective reality.
-girl by the fire, watching a tree moved by car bumper in the bonfire
It would be a shame if I had to resort to self-deception to preserve my faith in objective reality.
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FabFascist
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:07 am
Plan how to get there and back...
Once you get off I-80, turn off your cell phone.
Once you get to the gate, put your watch in the glove box.
Once you pitch camp, drink lots of water.
Once you drink the water, grab your "go bag" and take a long walk.
What happens, happens... serendipity.
Your at Burning Man... welcome home.
Once you get off I-80, turn off your cell phone.
Once you get to the gate, put your watch in the glove box.
Once you pitch camp, drink lots of water.
Once you drink the water, grab your "go bag" and take a long walk.
What happens, happens... serendipity.
Your at Burning Man... welcome home.
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FabFascist
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:07 am
Been mulling this over in my head...
Water - collapsable containers allow you to travel to and from the area with les volume/weight.
Nutrition - Calorie dense items and a bottle of multi-vitamins. There are also some nifty electrolyte replenishment driinks out there now that have a protein boost. A couple boxes of granola bars, cured ham, dried fruit, home-made trail and chex mix, a few decent protein bars, beef jerky, etc. Multi-vitamins are great because if you slack off on the nutrition side, at least you aren't completely hosing yourself. If you are planing on multi-person meals, well, there are about a million things you can do with rice and pasta.
And - yes MRE's will stop you up like there is no tomorrow, but they are calorie and nutrient packed so they are good for a fall back item. That being said, NEVER try to live off them for an extended period of time - you will be as solid as granite and when the blessed day does come - you will pray for someone to drop a granite slab on your head....
As much of a pain in the ass as it sounds - load plan your vehicle a couple of weeks before you leave. Then, once it is loaded, diagram how you got all the crap in.
Prior to drawing the diagram, fill the gas tank and take note of the odometer.
Load it, diagram it, then take a day trip that is a few hours away. (Make sure you put at least 100 miles on it.)
Unload it Sunday night before work and then go fill the gas tank. Take another odometer reading at the pump and divide the difference by the number of gallons. This should give you a rough estimate of your gas mileage.
Budget accordingly.
Water - collapsable containers allow you to travel to and from the area with les volume/weight.
Nutrition - Calorie dense items and a bottle of multi-vitamins. There are also some nifty electrolyte replenishment driinks out there now that have a protein boost. A couple boxes of granola bars, cured ham, dried fruit, home-made trail and chex mix, a few decent protein bars, beef jerky, etc. Multi-vitamins are great because if you slack off on the nutrition side, at least you aren't completely hosing yourself. If you are planing on multi-person meals, well, there are about a million things you can do with rice and pasta.
And - yes MRE's will stop you up like there is no tomorrow, but they are calorie and nutrient packed so they are good for a fall back item. That being said, NEVER try to live off them for an extended period of time - you will be as solid as granite and when the blessed day does come - you will pray for someone to drop a granite slab on your head....
As much of a pain in the ass as it sounds - load plan your vehicle a couple of weeks before you leave. Then, once it is loaded, diagram how you got all the crap in.
Prior to drawing the diagram, fill the gas tank and take note of the odometer.
Load it, diagram it, then take a day trip that is a few hours away. (Make sure you put at least 100 miles on it.)
Unload it Sunday night before work and then go fill the gas tank. Take another odometer reading at the pump and divide the difference by the number of gallons. This should give you a rough estimate of your gas mileage.
Budget accordingly.