Need Help! So Confused!

Jandreasson · Post by **Jandreasson** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:22 pm

Hi everyone.

My name is Jared, Im 23 and spent the last (4) years on a Navy Nuclear Submarine.

I run and Maintain a Travel Website, and this will be my first Year attending Burning Man.

I would really like so Veterans to help me out here, and give me some direction to go in as I plan my trip!

I will be coming from Indiana in a car, and plan to bring obviously the necessary survival items, and plan either to make camp in a Military Style Tent, or a Garage Port of some sort.

I understand how Burning Man works, and am super excited to go this year after finally getting off the damn submarine.

If someone could please give me advice on "Camp Themes", Good Items to bring, ect. I was thinking of doing a camp that will basically be a supply store for other people who need certain items, although Im sure there are alot of those, but I think people will always need stuff If I am correct.

All I really want here is someone to bounce some ideas back off, ect, and Give me advice as I am Trying not to go into this alone, and want to be knowledgeable before I go. Thank you so much![/b]

SilverOrange · Post by **SilverOrange** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:40 pm

Hey Jared. Welcome to the eplaya.

So I gotta ask you a question. Did you find it wierd to sleep in a bed again? I had been working as a commercial fisherman and last October I quit, and fuck, it took me months to feel right sleeping in a bed again. I always felt better on the couch, I guess cause it approximated what I had gotten used to.

So first, go to the burning man website and read the first timers guide, and then read the survival guide. Then do it again. Now just fall back on all of that money the government spent on your training and you should have a good base. You're first time out will be educational to say the least. On that note, fuck doing anything. Go out to the desert and squeeze as much from the tit of burning man as you can. Planning on doing something more will probably cheat you of part of being new to bm.

Jandreasson · Post by **Jandreasson** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:46 pm

So basically, Just so what I think I am suppose to do and be alright?

Im in the process of trying to convince someone to take this excursion with me, but if all else fails Im gonna go at it alone. I don't really care, Im just super-excited to go.

Anyway, Ill just go for it I guess and hope to meet some cool people along the way.

Thanks for the help so far!

J

Token · Post by **Token** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:18 pm

Welcome!

The best gift your first year is to take care of yourself and have some fun. Don't worry about theme camp stuff untill you actually get some dust on you.

If you want to hit the ground running, here are some ideas on things that gift very well on the Playa.

Air - a good air pump for pumping bike tires is a fabulous gift.
Flat tire repair - always a favorite
Batteries - always in demand
Lip balm - unopened chapstick or similar
Spray on sunscreen - always fun
5 pound mallet - someone always asks to borrow
Vise Grip pliers - very popular during teardown time

Just be sure to mark your tools in a creative way, like attaching small stuffed animals to them so when youngo looking for the mallet with snoopy attached to it people go " oh yeah, I saw it over there"

The ultimate gift of course will be all the stories you bring to the burn barrel. Four years on the sea with all them nice men ... Mmmmmmmmmmm.

SilverOrange · Post by **SilverOrange** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:28 pm

And PBR and bacon.

Jandreasson · Post by **Jandreasson** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:31 pm

Maybe Ill do a Camp LipBalm. No one can hate on that.

Ill just drive up with a truckload of LipBalm.

HeironymousJosch · Post by **HeironymousJosch** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:48 pm

You may be misunderstanding the whole theme camp thing. Not every camp at burning man is a theme camp, lot's of people set up their own small camps just like you would going camping with friends. Also, themes and gifting aren't necessarily the same thing. Yes, most theme camps use their theme to give to the community, i.e. booze, food, art, music, etc. but you, as a solo BRC citizen can choose to give things to friends even if you aren't part of a theme camp. Good luck planning your trip and have a blast!

Barbie · Post by **Barbie** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:26 am

ALOHA! Hi HeironymousJosch, Don't worry your pretty little Head!!! All is good in BRC... and just think you've had PRO Training!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE SUB GUYS! THe Sub Marine Ball here In Honolulu ROCKSSS soooooo much fun to see everyone dressed up in their WHites..... any way No worries you will be fine- with friends or without- If you really want to bring gifts your first year trust your GUT feeling- Like if your going thur store and something JUMPs out at YOu saying bring ME- buy and bring! Really the BESt gifts are when your needed- be helpful- if you see someone struggling with some thing offer to Help. Thats a true gift! Come by Blackie's Bar and Grill for a drink 9:15 and second to last ring.......

Jandreasson · Post by **Jandreasson** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:31 am

I went to Sub Ball for the last 4 years, I prolly know you somehow. Anyway, Yeah....Im just super excited, and will just buy a lot of random stuff that I think people will need. I appreciate that everyone is so helpful!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:58 am

Shade over a tent is good.
Bring comfortable goggles for dust.
Enough lights to be seen on foot or on a bike.

You could set up a take and leave fence on the street and stock it to start.
Make sure everything is pinned on well and sealed so it won't moop.

I have an idea you might like for next year, if you want to email me.

Go and enjoy.
There is plenty to do.

It will be just like being in a sub, only with no sub and much less water.

Token · Post by **Token** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:20 am

You know you have a community when you can smell it.

- The Man in the Hat

Need Help! So Confused!

Need Help! So Confused!

Ok.....

Thanks

Sub Ball