NEWBE

spyke · Post by **spyke** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:27 am

Hello...my name is...spyke. I am a rookie to the BM. Over the past few months i have been learning and studing the ways of the festival, i hope that I too can find my own way, to contribute to the community. Any suggestions towards making my time as a rookie smoother??

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 11:14 am

1. Read the First Timers Guide and the Survival Guide one-hundred times. There will be a test on this material.
2. Get a shelter for your shelter. The Costco-style carports work very well and only cost about $150. Put your tent in there and you will be able to sleep about an hour longer during the day.
3. Get some costumes. Browse BM pictures and get an idea of what we mean by "costumes".
4. Try to hook up with some burners in your area or if thats not possible try to hook up with some burners online. You will enjoy yourself much more if you have a camp to stay with (ok that's just my opinion. Lots of people camp alone out there).
5. Don't worry too much about contributing your first year. You will need to acclimate to the weather, the people, the lights, etc and I wouldn't volunteer for anything for at least the first couple of days. If by Wednesday you feel that BM is your kind of town then you can go to Center Camp and volunteer for something (Lamplighters is pretty easy and fun for first timers. Greeters is also fun if you are a sociable person).

Post by **AntiM** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 12:32 pm

First, make sure you get your ticket when they go on sale early, like in January.

Ditto on reading the survival guide and there's a lot of good stuff in the recommended reading. Start shopping and saving and squirreling away your basics NOW! Tent, etc.

Find your local burn community, they're probably good people and will point you the right way. Also a good way to find rideshares.

Costumes, well, if you want, but I wouldn't worry about planning elaborate ones the first year. A big ass shade hat however, is essential.

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 3:55 pm

Make that 2 big ass shade hats. Just in case one gets stolen, blown off, sat on, etc.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 4:05 pm

spyke, dont listen to the voices of reason, really the best thing is to go to walmart and buy anything you think you might need for say, any situation.

one year, there was a pallet of machetes on sale for 4.99$ each....i bought like 20 of them, just in case....

also, you'll need 3 gallons of booze a day, per person....

Some people like to pretend it's easy to do coke on the playa, well i've been around since 96', and let me tell you, it aint....just bring the ready-rock, the crizackalacka if you know what i mean...and a few stems, you'll be breaking them...

DO NOT USE BIRTH CONTROL!

The Playa is one of those rare enviorments where no germs, or diseases, or pubic lice can live......and no one can get pregnant...

oh yeah, one last thing, there are alot of assholes out there like me, avoid us like the plague, and whatever you do, never EVER believe a word we are saying...

ps....Take Jungo Rd. in your rental car, it's fun.

Zulegoona · Post by **Zulegoona** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 8:35 am

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 8:59 am

oh yeah, i forgot one more thing.....bring guns, lots of them, you'll need them over in Camp Detroit.

Post by **mdmf007** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 11:19 am

Simon of the Playa wrote:oh yeah, i forgot one more thing.....bring guns, lots of them, you'll need them over in Camp Detroit.

Just dont let the law dogs see em, or you get to go home early.

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 1:21 pm

From my cold, dead hands.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:11 am

Simon of the Playa wrote:oh yeah, i forgot one more thing.....bring guns, lots of them, you'll need them over in Camp Detroit.

For cracking walnuts, maybe....We Michiganders don' NEED no steenkin' guns! I killed a thirtypack of Milwaukee's Best Light with my bare hands, once. And every member of my immediate family has killed deer with.....a motor vehicle. The only thing that's hard to kill in Michigan is the six months until Spring.

If you've got a Pantzooka, by all means bring it to the playa. And I always bring THESE guns....*kissing own biceps*

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:42 am

Mylarry once dropped out of a tree and killed a deer with a knife. At least, I think it was only once. I'm not certain, could have happened more than the time I know about. People think he's harmless, but don't underestimate a hillbilly.

Lip balm which will not immediately melt in the heat, on a string around your neck so you use it all the time. And a sense of humor heavily laden with grains of salt.

Lord Of Ruin · Post by **Lord Of Ruin** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:36 am

[quote="BitterDan"]1. Read the First Timers Guide and the Survival Guide one-hundred times. There will be a test on this material.
2. Get a shelter for your shelter. The Costco-style carports work very well and only cost about $150. Put your tent in there and you will be able to sleep about an hour longer during the day.
3. Get some costumes. Browse BM pictures and get an idea of what we mean by "costumes".
4. Try to hook up with some burners in your area or if thats not possible try to hook up with some burners online. You will enjoy yourself much more if you have a camp to stay with (ok that's just my opinion. Lots of people camp alone out there).
5. Don't worry too much about contributing your first year. You will need to acclimate to the weather, the people, the lights, etc and I wouldn't volunteer for anything for at least the first couple of days. If by Wednesday you feel that BM is your kind of town then you can go to Center Camp and volunteer for something (Lamplighters is pretty easy and fun for first timers. Greeters is also fun if you are a sociable person).[/quote]

I generally agree with the above with a couple exceptions. Last year was my first year.

I'd blow off the costumes. Instead, concentrate on a distinctive garment....a top hat, a cool overcoat, etc. Trying to guage what fits in on playa without ever being there is just odd...I know, I tried!

Second, I don't agree with the "don't volunteer" early, especially if you are alone. I went with seasoned burners but I immediatly got involved with a couple of the groups (Gate/Perimeter). This is a very, very good way to get involved in one of the sub-communities of BM for a newbie. You'll meet many people and get invited to many events. Difficult to do unless you are a very outgoing person on your own. That being said, I wouldn't volunteer for tons of shifts. Do a Lamplighters, maybe volunteer at center camp. Do these early, and if you like it you can always volunteer for more!

People tend to look at volunteering as a job..and it can be. But it often becomes your Burn, with each group having its distinct rituals and feel.

Just my $.02

LoR

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:49 am

Basically I was telling the person to wait on the volunteering until he/she has acclimated to the environment. Nothing will ruin your day faster than getting heat stroke at the greeters station because you weren't ready for the weather.

RE: blowing off costumes. You can blow off the costumes if you like but people will glare at you for wearing your street clothes the whole week. Plus, costumes make it more fun IMHO.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:39 am

If you're costumephobic or costume-confused, bring a few basics ... an interesting hat or two (with chinstraps), a sarong, jammies or a kimono, maybe a dress or slip or skirt, an interesting coat or jacket for night. If you haven't thought through your footwear wardrobe, get crackin', do not put anything on your feet which is not comfy. If it looks mundane, so be it, go for funky socks. Lingerie is always a good choice for any gender, as are the old stand-by, kilts.

There are costume exchanges and boutiques all over BRC if you look for them, one visit and you may find your perfect playa outfit. Or not.

Just remember, no feathered wings!!!!!!!!!!! And wigs die horrible deaths out there more often than not.

I'd be more concerned with blinkies or el-wire and other fun nightlights.

Post by **mdmf007** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:54 am

Blasphemy!!
dressing up or don is a BM staple behavior. Ive worn wedding dresses, skirts, kimonos, cocked a shirt or two, lights, top hats. (my mates clockwork orange outfits and mine were a big hit)

hit up a goodwill or vinnies - all you need is there.

you wont regret it.

Valkyrie · Post by **Valkyrie** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:11 pm

I agree with Mr. Bitter about the costumes, but think he's missing the point of the "key elements" mentioned earlier. Don't do a head-to-toe thing if you're into that. You'll never get it right for the playa which is demanding and unforgiving. It's best to find a few bits that are really really distinctive that you would feel comfortable wearing all week with all your other clothes - both really warm and negligible. I even got glares even though I only took off my *really loud* bells on my ankles to shower.

Post by **mdmf007** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:20 pm

True - be yourself NEWBIE. You think there are a lot of places a 73" 250 pound guy can wear a wedding dress and not be a freak? I think not.

You can do anything at BM and its ok, Participation is very much appreciated though

I think that the guys that dont do a damn thing are missing a part of the aura, not to say that I expect everyone I come across to be in character 100% of the time, but participation is evident.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 6:51 am

BitterDan wrote:Basically I was telling the person to wait on the volunteering until he/she has acclimated to the environment. Nothing will ruin your day faster than getting heat stroke at the greeters station because you weren't ready for the weather.

RE: blowing off costumes. You can blow off the costumes if you like but people will glare at you for wearing your street clothes the whole week. Plus, costumes make it more fun IMHO.

....Although they could volunteer for something less heat-of-the-day, such as a nighttime Greeters shift or Lamplighters- Or something in the shade like Artery.

It might be fun to construct something that blows off costumes...hmmmm...One strategy is to construct a costume from a number of elements that can be added or subtracted as comfort and weather dictate, much as we Michigan folk dress ourselves two-thirds of the year. Instead of a full Mugatu suit, maybe a separate Mugatu mask, furry vest, arm and leg pieces and Mugatu kilt.... And carry extra Mako root to cure those that react to your bite, 'cuz Mugatu bites can be verrrra' nasty.