New to BM

NickV · Post by **NickV** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 4:40 pm

Hi my name is Nick Vanryn im 16 years old and im going to burning man this year, I was just wondering firstly when it is, Iv looked around and seen many diffrent dates ranging from march break to september the 1st. could someone please help me out?

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 4:48 pm

And of course you will be accompanied by an adult who is over 21 years of age.

Maybe this year's theme should be "Teenage Wasteland"??

talisen · Post by **talisen** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 4:50 pm

Chai Guy wrote: Maybe this year's theme should be "Teenage Wasteland"??

Uh, should'nt that be Baba O'Rielly ??

BlueBirdPoof · Post by **BlueBirdPoof** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 5:09 pm

Typically, I'd be just as happy--or maybe even happier--with "Wasteage Teenland."

NickV · Post by **NickV** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 5:12 pm

Thanks for the info, now all I need is the date. And yes Ill be accompanied by an adult

Licentious Queen · Post by **Licentious Queen** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 5:38 pm

Hi Nick

My name is Lauren, and I'm 16 as well. I'm hoping that the '04 BM will be my first.

Although, it seems people aren't much into teenagers being there...just by what I've seen said around the boards. I hope this isn't true. I like not to think of ones "number" age...but the age that you assume in your mind. It's maturity, open-mindedness, and your desire to understand and know life that matters to me...

Hope you have fun and maybe see you there!

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:23 pm

Nick,

The event is held the week leading up to Labor Day. Usually, that's the last week of August but thi year the event looks like it will be split btween the last week of August and the fits half of the first week in September.

Keep checking the main web site ( http://www.burningman.com )

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:25 pm

As for the date, go to http://www.burningman.com/ and you'll find it in big letters.

It IS at heart an adult event, full of things that normal society likes to shelter youngsters from. There is lots of nudity (often accentuated with painful looking piercings) lots of alcohol, dangerous displays of fire, large, potentially unstable structures, the occasional recreational drug, sexual imagery, blasphemy, etc. You know, cool stuff. Because we're so used to worrying about not doing these things around anyone underage, we sometimes get uncomfortable when not-quite-yet-adults are around us at Burningman. That's mostly our problem, not yours. It's something we need to get over. So, if your parents know what the deal is and think it would be good for you, welcome aboard! If you're lying to them and saying you're going on a little camping trip with a few friends, please stay home. We don't need a bunch of irate parents heading to the BMORG offices carrying torches and pitchforks when they find out where you were.

You may get some uncomfortable looks from people, but if you act like an adult you'll generally be treated as one.

There are a fair number of kids there with their parents, and even a big theme camp set aside for them. I don't recall seeing a lot of teenagers there for some reason, though. Perhaps I just wasn't paying attention or I've gotten old enough (30) that I can't tell 12 from 21 anymore. They're all punk kids to me now

Licentious Queen · Post by **Licentious Queen** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:38 pm

Haha Dork...you're silly...or dorky, if that's what you're after.

Luckily I have grown up in a liberal family and go to a very liberal school where nudity, piercings (I have a few of my own!), alcohol (sometimes painfully so), recreational drugs, blasphemy, fire etc. that you mentioned have been an almost every day experience or atmosphere for me. Luckily what goes along with that sort of thing can be very beautiful and euphoric.

Thanks for the thoughts...

NickV · Post by **NickV** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:50 pm

Opps, Silly me I never saw that, sorry for my post then. Licentious I also agree that age shouldent matter at burning man. My parents ar every open minded about things and they know what goes on at burning man, as to all you adults think of it this way, When you where my age had you seen a naked women or been drunk? Were not that diffrent you and I

And I also agree that there are alot of punk kids out there alot of whom I would hope not to see at burning man. I thought burning man would have a bit more people I can relate to

Licentious Queen · Post by **Licentious Queen** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:54 pm

NickV wrote: Licentious I also agree that age shouldent matter at burning man. My parents ar every open minded about things and they know what goes on at burning man, as to all you adults think of it this way, When you where my age had you seen a naked women or been drunk? Were not that diffrent you and I

Very good point. Bloody hypocrites! JUST KIDDING! I love people. They're so silly and contradictory. Seeing as I'm the queen of the silly contradictoriness (...erm...?) . Well, I'm off to bed. Night...

Lauren

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:57 pm

Licentious Queen wrote:
Luckily I have grown up in a liberal family and go to a very liberal school where nudity, piercings (I have a few of my own!), alcohol (sometimes painfully so), recreational drugs, blasphemy, fire etc. that you mentioned have been an almost every day experience or atmosphere for me.

Ok, where the fuck was that school 14 years ago? My high school sucked ass.

NickV · Post by **NickV** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:59 pm

Drugs sex and alchol are so casual in highschools these days which is the way I think it should be

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:02 pm

which is the way I think it should be

Careful what you pray for kiddo. Hindsight has a way ouf haunting you with your idealistic words....

NickV · Post by **NickV** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:23 pm

Explain that to me, I dont quite understand ti

enthropic · Post by **enthropic** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:34 pm

I agree with Badger (as always). Nick, remember that you said that after you graduate. If! I dont mean to sound like a dick however, those ideologies wont get one far.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:36 pm

They're all punk kids to me now

Ahhhaaaaa Haaa Haaa! Just the other day I made the observation that the older I get, the more I see the 18-21 crowd as still kids and the more they see me as “old dude”. Har!! But in all seriousness, I hate that you got the feeling of being shunned somewhat, Licentious Queen. Just try to understand it form other folks’ point of view (a very important trait to cultivate, BTW). Over 18 crowd + under 18 = “Underage? Did I just hear someone call my name over that way? I’ll be going now...”. Tough place to be in for someone who finds their age group to be somewhat immature. I know, I was there. Just be patient.

And just consider the “punk kids” stuff to be a right of passage. You get to look back at your own life through the lives of those younger than you... and maliciously laugh at them. Time has a way of changing perspective, boy. At 21 I thought I was a kid at 16. At 30 I thought I was a kid at 21. And before you know it you're saying "I think those skater kids across the street are up to no good". I’ve friends a good bit older than me who consider me still a pup. I have no doubt that when I reach their age I’ll agree completely. Just the way it is, if you don’t already, you’ll understand soon enough. The older I get the smarter my parents become. Just remember, as with anything in life (especially anything I say), don’t take it too seriously. Sounds like Dork made about as good a reply as any... sound advice.

I can't tell 12 from 21 anymore

It’s the hormones in the chicken, man.

That’s why I date women my age or older (well, not the only reason). Besides something happens between 25 and 30... women go through a psycho-presto-change-o thing. Well... that’s been my experience anyway. Ahmm... That by NO means goes for all women either. Heck... I bet it’s only a real small part that loose their minds. A real small, anomalous part (Phew... that was a close one).

Oh... and Hello to all from an eplaya virgin. Sorry if I went on too long there, but hey... it IS about conversing, right?

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:37 pm

Careful what you pray for kiddo. Hindsight has a way ouf haunting you with your idealistic words....

i.e. Perhaps when you get older and have suffered some of the consequences of casual sex, drugs and alcohol you might feel differently about them.

Does anyone else envision the State Board of Alcohol Beverage Control paying a visit to the Playa next year?

NickV · Post by **NickV** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:47 pm

Iv yet to experience that, Well im sure that im not going to be the only 16 year old at burning man, I think it just adds to the diversity of the festival, and it is better off leting the youngsters get a glimpse of how the Vets do BM, because in a good 5 years, My age group will be the majority of the people attending BM. You dont want us to get the wrong idea about it, or it could just turn into something like mardi gras.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:56 pm

You dont want us to get the wrong idea about it

A valid point. Always remember, the younger generation is going to be voting on your medicare one day. Heh Heh Heh

enthropic · Post by **enthropic** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:58 pm

ooh, We have a smart one!

NickV wrote: Well im sure that im not going to be the only 16 year old at burning man, I think it just adds to the diversity of the festival, and it is better off leting the youngsters get a glimpse of how the Vets do BM, because in a good 5 years, My age group will be the majority of the people attending BM. You dont want us to get the wrong idea about it, or it could just turn into something like mardi gras.

A great responce!

Don't take it all to serious here, and welcome home!

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 9:43 pm

nick,

Didn't mean to be hitting when i posted that.

Actually, i have my own ideas about what words we say and when we say them. I'll get back with you on what i men if you really want to but... for the time bieng I think it'd be a good question to ask your parents as i suspect they'll know exactly what I'm talking about to some degree.

I'm betting that they'll give you a very good idea (and perspective) using some of their own ideas and words they might have uttered 'way back when.'

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 9:44 pm

remember, the younger generation is going to be voting on your medicare one day.

I better be sweet to this kid.

dj_john69 · Post by **dj_john69** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 1:54 am

I think that it's great seeing a younger generation on the Playa. If you are supervised and get in...you are going to have a great time. I have seen people aged from 1 - 100 years old out there. There isn't an "appropriate" age to enjoy and be free. There are alot of people on this BBS that don't agree with me...be happy that they aren't your parents !! Enjoy yoursef and be safe. Happy Burning my friends !!

~John - Reno

Licentious Queen · Post by **Licentious Queen** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 5:16 am

Dork wrote: Ok, where the fuck was that school 14 years ago? My high school sucked ass.

Yeah, I know...I'm super lucky. It's an alternative Democratic Education school with only 50 some odd students. It's not exactly what you call a normal High School.

Licentious Queen · Post by **Licentious Queen** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 5:18 am

dj_john69 wrote:I think that it's great seeing a younger generation on the Playa. If you are supervised and get in...you are going to have a great time. I have seen people aged from 1 - 100 years old out there. There isn't an "appropriate" age to enjoy and be free. There are alot of people on this BBS that don't agree with me...be happy that they aren't your parents !! Enjoy yoursef and be safe. Happy Burning my friends !!

~John - Reno

I think it's cool too. If they didn't truly want to go, they wouldn't. This thing costs money. I think if younger people want to have these experiences, then more power to them. Unless they are doing it for stupid reasons...butI guess even then it's not stupid because everything is a learning experience!

NickV · Post by **NickV** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:52 am

Dont get me wrong badger, I wasent replying in anger either. Forums are just fun for debating things

Stupid computers, its virtually impossible for someoen to express emotion

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:23 am

There isn't an "appropriate" age to enjoy and be free

Absolutely. And the more folks there are out in the world with a mind-set that is not so “unilateral” the better off we are.

Unless they are doing it for stupid reasons...but I guess even then it's not stupid because everything is a learning experience

Very insightful. The trick is learning to recognize when something is “not so wise” and thereby making your own learning experiences much less painful. And consequently the ripples of your learning felt by others. Everything you do effects everyone else. And I second Nick V... tone of voice is hard to hear through a keyboard.

Matt

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:49 am

I'm sure I would have taken any of my kids to BM when they were 16. Myself an old hippy that has never grown up. My kids got to do a lot of thing others did'nt. We (Grandfather and I) enjoy watching the young people. Grand father is well into his 80s and I'm 67 this year. We would help in a min. if one of you get into trouble.

/
aka Grandpa

NickV · Post by **NickV** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:30 am

Thanks Unjon, well I will be attending BM this year my parents have given me permission and my brother who is 21, will be attending it with me. Now im deciding on a costume

New to BM

New to BM

Wecome Nick V

ooh, We have a smart one