Moocher Watch

Post by **mdmf007** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:07 pm

So, its that time of year again. Any day now the sob stories, will start about why an individual needs your hard earned dough to buy a ticket for them.

I particularly like the stories that offer "labor" as their only resource. Dont get me wrong SOME of these stories may be true, But why wait until 30 days before the event to start scrounging.

My favorite is the couple of girls that offer up inuendo for a free ride to BM. I am sure someone bites on that prospect -

so Drop your sightings, and favorite stories on this thread.
later

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:30 pm

tick tock tick tock........

I give it 1 more month before it starts....

tick tock tick tock......

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 9:14 pm

Hell, we already had some of that a few months ago.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 10:30 pm

mdmf007 wrote:So, its that time of year again. Any day now the sob stories, will start about why an individual needs your hard earned dough to buy a ticket for them.

I particularly like the stories that offer "labor" as their only resource. Dont get me wrong SOME of these stories may be true, But why wait until 30 days before the event to start scrounging?

so Drop your sightings, and favorite stories on this thread.
later

Maybe I should raise my hand here?
After making plans and buying tickets for years and not making it out there, I had several years where it was totally impossible to go at all.
Then I had a really disastrous year involving theft of my entire business and seizure of the property without due process, lawsuit pending.
I realized on August 1st that it was time for burning man and my immediate reaction was "Fuck, I'm going to miss another burning man!"
"This is really depressing."

Then, even though I was in shock, I gradually realized that, other than being homeless, having no money, no ticket and no car, there was no reason I couldn't go, after trying for more than ten years.
So that's why I posted one of those letters a month before the event.
And it seems fair dues to answer any questions anyone asks if you're asking for a ticket.
I was mostly hoping for a discount ticket, but if someone had one they weren't using, much better.
I borrowed everything I spent to go that year.
The day I bought a discounted ticket from someone, I heard from someone else who had a ticket and decided not to go.
They had felt isolated and unwelcome the year before and weren't going back.
And they offered me their ticket.
They couldn't afford to, but they did.
So it does happen.
I ended up letting them sell the ticket instead, but I am still grateful.
And I think my experience that year got them to give burning man another try.

And last year a very generous friend gave me my ticket.
At the time, it helped make the trip possible.
The night I left early to help with a project in oakland, my storage was broken into, so last year cost me about $15,000 I can't afford.
And the people I came out to help stranded me in oakland with my luggage. Nice, huh?
So I went to do what I could at the shipyard.
I passed a lot of other shops on the way that were begging for help, but only the shipyard was smart enough to put a phone number on eplaya.
How stupid is it to think everyone is online all the time?
California is really hard on nonresidents too for library access-"Welcome to California- Library Use? Go Fuck Yourself!"
So, is that last year's sob story or this year's?
Not sure, but I have my ticket this year.

The first year I made it I was pretty traumatized and unprepared.
And it was just what I needed.

I always wanted to go to burning man for excitement.
But I end up going to relax.

Post by **mdmf007** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:56 pm

Gyre -

your one of he exceptions, a burner in need, Not a mooch that heard about it 20 minutes ago from someone going in a month.

I know that when cut, you bleed playa dust as well.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:44 am

I was born to burn.

I wonder if people often don't communicate well though.
It's a bit intimidating going worldwide asking for a ticket, as it is.
I was as straightforward as I could be, and I still got some insulting comments.
I just answered any questions.

Incidentally, one of the people I rode out with the first year had been homeless since he was a teenager.
He was bindiving for fast food on the way and entered burning man with a small backpack, all he had.
He slept outside in the windstorm the first night.
I think he went to work for some camp and made his way.
I always hope he ended up in some permanent home.
I wonder if he joined the dpw?
I bet he made some sacrifices to go.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 10:03 am

Me and the other girls are almost there sweetie, but it looks like our car has broken down, just outside of Omaha. It's going to take a lot of money to fix it. Do you think you could send it right away?

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:04 am

Hey do you guys have any thing to eat? I ran out of the food and water on Tuesday. Where are the food courts and water fountains?
And I cant find a dumpster any where. Where do they keep those?

Ohâ€¦ Do you know where I can get a back stage pass for the main stage?

Do you have a smoke? Can I drink some of your beer? I forgot my smokes and beer at 7-11.

Hey is there room for one more to sleep in you RV?

Can you take me around the city on your art car so I can find this girl I met at 7-11?

She was hot. She said she would meet me just beyond the trash fence.

Is that where the dumpsters are?

Hey where are you going? Can I come?

What?

Post by **mdmf007** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:32 pm

"Will do anything for a ticket and ride to Burningman"

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 1:09 pm

I'm waiting for the fuck-o's to start trotting in here pretty soon myself.

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm

Hey guys, I know this is frowned upon but I need you guys to start sending me some money for the Moonshine Tavern. I am hoping that you eplayans will go ahead and pay for all of the booze and also our food, gasoline and shade structures. Oh, and if you wouldn't mind, could someone go ahead and sew up a dome cover for us? One last thing, can someone hold my dick while I pee?

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:46 pm

BitterDan wrote:Hey guys, I know this is frowned upon but I need you guys to start sending me some money for the Moonshine Tavern. I am hoping that you eplayans will go ahead and pay for all of the booze and also our food, gasoline and shade structures. Oh, and if you wouldn't mind, could someone go ahead and sew up a dome cover for us? One last thing, can someone hold my dick while I pee?

Just tie the find string on that limp limb up round your neck..

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:25 pm

First sighting is mine! Where's my prize!

britzbitz · Post by **britzbitz** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:40 pm

[quote="theCryptofishist"]First sighting is mine! Where's my prize![/quote]

hey don't label me as mooch. did i ask for someone to buy me a ticket and give me a ride? um, i think not. since when is being frugal mooching?

also, i'm not dumb and check the rest of the forums. trust me, i ain't here for no free ride.

Post by **mdmf007** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:20 pm

Kinda of young to go to BM - looks to be about 12

britzbitz · Post by **britzbitz** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:22 pm

mdmf007 wrote:Kinda of young to go to BM - looks to be about 12

add 10 to that, doll.

besides that, age is just an arbitrary number.

thirt33n · Post by **thirt33n** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:26 am

hey bitz-

even though you're not actually even close to as "moochie" as people are about to get here(and have annually), when I read your ticket post I felt it qualified for this thread. You even used the key phrase "sob story".

Don't let these humorous, wonderful, incredibly snarky friends of mine get you anything but smiling.

It's some friendly eplaya ribbing...

$210-$250-$295
you still have 70 some days, we are all sure that anyone can come up with the difference and EVERYONE is pinching now. (there are tix posted for sale at lower prices right below your ticket post. i say you get one while you can)

...nothin' wrong with asking for help just as there's nothing "wrong" with being the first "mooch" on this thread. congrats!

britzbitz · Post by **britzbitz** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:37 am

yes, yes, yes. i did use "sob story". and here, i thought i was being funny.

guess i'm the joke.

Sensei · Post by **Sensei** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:34 am

Not at all, Britz. As a (hardcore!) Shambhala vet, once you get the feel of the place you'll do just fine.

My only advice for you is to NOT compare the two events too much. Shambhala is Shambhala and BM is BM. While there are many similarities, there are probably even more differences.

Similarly, the eplaya is the eplaya. As you've discovered, we're pretty snarky on this board. Believe it or not, it serves a purpose. For me, it's a reminder that we're all heading into an extremely harsh environment and that we'd better have our shit together. Which you do: I've seen it in action, remember?

The playa will be the playa, and the attitudes there will be completely different than here (though interestingly, from many of the very same people!).

Oh, and bring as few expectations as possible. That's a fucking rule and it's there for your own good. You'll see.

I have no doubts about you out there, BB. None. You're going to fly.

britzbitz · Post by **britzbitz** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:43 am

Thanks Sensei.

I certainly do not and have never compared the two fests....I'm well aware of how different they are! I've always wanted to do both though! Seems like now is my chance.

I'm glad you think I have my shit together! You must've caught me on a good day! But, no...'doing' Shambhala has become a thing of comfort and ease for me, even with being on the Ranch for 2+ weeks. I'm ready for (and looking forward to) the challenge Burning Man poses; I need to get out of my element. It's time.

No expectations, no problems.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, love. This is gonna be one helluva ride.

Sensei · Post by **Sensei** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:47 am

That's the ticket.

Take it easy on the American boys, Britz. They ain't seen nothin' quite like you yet.

britzbitz · Post by **britzbitz** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:50 am

I'll try, but I can't make any promises!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:22 am

thirt33n wrote:You even used the key phrase "sob story".

Not to mention that bastard verb "to manifest."

And I deliberately did it here, not in your thread.

britzbitz · Post by **britzbitz** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:28 am

oh, but dear...as cheesy as it is...manifesting works. rather than saying "i think" or "i want" to go...I'm GOING. Works much better. And I'm not particularly fond of staring any post topic with the word "wanted".

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:34 pm

One word: thesarus.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:59 pm

Hundreds or, maybe it was millions of years ago the mighty thesaurus roamed the earth in large herds, pretty much scaring everybody.
Then they died and now we roam the playa.

britzbitz · Post by **britzbitz** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:18 pm

gyre wrote:Hundreds or, maybe it was millions of years ago the mighty thesaurus roamed the earth in large herds, pretty much scaring everybody.
Then they died and now we roam the playa.

*sigh* damn, and i was going to make some cutsie stupid comment like "the...saurus...? isn't that like, some sort of prehistoric creature"?

oh well. too slow.

JezebelinHell · Post by **JezebelinHell** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:26 am

No other moochers yet? Really??? And this one barely counts since she's just looking for a discounted ticket, although why more broke bitches (like myself) don't utilize the low-income ticket system is beyond me. Seriously guys, I filled out an application. I told them honestly and directly how much money I made, why I needed a low-income ticket, why I loved Burning Man, etc. and they sent me a ticket for $145. The BLM will seriously help your ass out if you can send in a form by May 31st. I know it's too late for this year, but keep it in mind for 2009.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:10 am

For those that haven't received one yet, there are also scholarship tickets at a very good price.
Also past the deadline for this year though.
http://tickets.burningman.com/#lowincome

britzbitz · Post by **britzbitz** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:31 pm

I don't think I'd qualify for a low income ticket...If I had a whole year of planning, this would be a piece of pie. However...having decided a week ago, it doesn't leave a whole lot of time for planning.

On a positive note, I believe I may have found myself a ticket. hooray.

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