EAST COAST FIRST TIMER's

MRGUMBY · Post by **MRGUMBY** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:40 pm

Please tell me you can come to burning man even if you are fat.
Please tell me you can come to burning man even if you are middle aged.
" " " " " " " " " " " " " broke.
" " " " " " " " " do not have a camp yet.

So, experienced ones, can a couple of middle aged guys leave life behind for a week and have a good time...even if they do not have a camp set up?
What if we just want to 'wing it' and see/touch/feel the land and try to find our own way around?
Is it okay to come with a bunch of tools and mechanical know how to help those with mechanical issues on the playa?

Is it okay to primarily be interested in other vampires, preferring to be out at night and sleeping a little during the hottest part of the day?

I thought we were coming out for the week to party, engage our fellow humans, help build/repair/wire as needed...tour the night sights...party some more.

Is it just me, or should I be getting excited like a kid on xmas eve?

swampdog · Post by **swampdog** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:51 pm

"broke" is your biggest risk. You need to get transport from the east coast, basic camping gear, food, water, etc etc (here's the obligatory "be sure to read the first timer's guide http://www.burningman.com/first_timers/ and Survival guide http://www.burningman.com/preparation/e ... index.html reminder). You need tickets. It all costs money.

Helping people with their mechanical stuff on the playa is a good idea. Don't know what you'd do to get your tools out there.

There's stuff going on at any time of day or night. It can be tough to sleep in the day due to the heat, but if you're tired enough you'll manage.

(as far as the other issues - there are plenty of us fat oldsters. More than you might expect. Many many many threads on eplaya about "do you need to join an existing camp?" and many many many resounding "NO" answers.)

Post by **Sham** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:03 pm

Where on the east coast are you? If you plan to go this year, you must spend most of the next month planning and shopping. Are you driving there? Will you be renting a car when you get to Reno? If you can ask specific questions, we can help you!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:25 pm

MRGUMBY wrote:Please tell me you can come to burning man even if you are fat.
Please tell me you can come to burning man even if you are middle aged.
" " " " " " " " " " " " " broke.

Heck, I've done middle-aged and fat every year, and broke in 02, 03,04, and 05.

MRGUMBY wrote:Is it okay to come with a bunch of tools and mechanical know how to help those with mechanical issues on the playa?

You'll be worshipped as gods. Are you good with bicycles? Lots of those need repair. Might be a good idea to bring along some spare innertubes, if you go that route.

MRGUMBY wrote:Is it okay to primarily be interested in other vampires, preferring to be out at night and sleeping a little during the hottest part of the day?

No problem. Definitely do some sort of shade structure, so you don't bake and dehydrate n a tent.

MRGUMBY wrote:Is it just me, or should I be getting excited like a kid on xmas eve?

It's not uncommon.

MRGUMBY · Post by **MRGUMBY** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:42 pm

To clarify, 'broke' is relative.
My van and my popup are both tip top. Tickets are purchased.
Though this is the first trip to BM, my supply shopping list is small, since for 20+ years wife and I have been avid campers/boaters/roadtrippers...(Besides a few tarps, we are pretty much all set.)

For 2 guys, we plan on bringing 50 gallons of water.
Sleep during the day will be with the help of a silent Honda EU2000 and the micro A/C unit in the van...zzzzz, zzzzzz, zzzzz

I can fix cars, bikes, stereos, ham radios, solar panels...whatever.

Maybe I am reading too much of one kind of thread about the burn.

Other festivals I have been to, the attitude is: "Over 40? Where is your diesel pusher towing the rover?"
I show up in an old van, built with my own hands and often, even among hippies, I am the freak. (Or is it that I am the real hippie?)

I am trying to connect with other people out there who found themselves in a cubicle, stood up (naked) and screamed "I'm mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore!" Then quit the big money for a very modest country home, meager income and the smell of cow shit in the morning.
Everyone TALKS about it.
No one seems to have actually DONE it.

The festivals I have been to are commercial venues designed to sell you 6 dollar beer. I'll praise Jah and drink iced tea, thanks.

I really hope there are some drum circles and acoustic jam sessions going on along with the techno-trance.

What part of Burningman would a 50 year old hippie, seeking a Dead-Lot scene go? I am all for the trance and might even end up with wide open pupils and a smile before its all over, but can a Dead Head find the tie dye universe alive and well at burningman?

Please tell me it is...otherwise, this little kid will be cryuing at the xmas tree.

MRGUMBY · Post by **MRGUMBY** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 7:08 pm

I would be happy to haul some gear. Maybe a short hop into the playa, but not the long ride since I only have two seats and two seat belts. I will likely have a full roof-rack available.

swampdog · Post by **swampdog** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 7:31 pm

You are going to have a blast. There are plenty of us olders around. Many many people on the playa love it because they don't quite find a niche that really suits them here in the default world.

There are:
hippies
punks
ravers
artists of all types
goths
freaks of all sorts
I can't even think of enough categories to describe the people you will meet at Bman.

You've got ticket, transport, tools and sounds like plenty of self reliance and experience.

You're going to have a blast.

MRGUMBY · Post by **MRGUMBY** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 7:55 pm

Cool!
Is there a camp area to look for with a high concentration of hipsters?

FrankA · Post by **FrankA** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:21 pm

I don't know if you receive the "jack rabbit speaks" but, I was just going though one and this sounds like what you may be looking for?

BIKE ROCK CITY REPAIR SHOP SEEKS BIKE MECHANICS

Bike Rock City, Burning Man's central bicycle repair shop needs
mechanics. Our shop is looking to fill shifts Monday - Saturday of the
event. Shifts are from 10am-1pm, or 3pm-6pm. Last year we were
overwhelmed with the amount of repairs, so this year the shop is
expanding to accommodate the crowds. Our shop will be more full
service, so we need people who know how to fix a bike the playa way
and keep the line moving. Ideally, you would even bring your own tools!

If you want to help wrench some bikes and drink some cold beers while
you do it, shoot an email to [email protected].

Please include the following information: Name (real or imaginary)
- Contact e-mail
- Day and time you want to help out (M-F, Morning or Afternoon)

Hope to see you in the shop.

David
Bike Rock City Manager

swampdog · Post by **swampdog** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 12:50 pm

re: hipsters - I really don't know, I think it's mostly an NYC phenomenon. I wouldn't know a hipster from a popster from an emo. I'm sure there are plenty of them out there. I think if you come out and set camp with your friends you'll find any type of person you want to play with quickly enough.

H.G.Crosby · Post by **H.G.Crosby** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 12:55 pm

[quote]I really hope there are some drum circles[/quote]

thats cool, as long as they stay the fuck out of my no drum circle circle.

i hate that shit.

MRGUMBY · Post by **MRGUMBY** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 6:22 pm

[quote="H.G.Crosby"][quote]I really hope there are some drum circles[/quote]

thats cool, as long as they stay the fuck out of my no drum circle circle.

i hate that shit.[/quote]

Perhaps you would prefer a murd square instead?

EAST COAST FIRST TIMER's

EAST COAST FIRST TIMER's

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