Whats with the bell???

TandJ · Post by **TandJ** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:47 pm

Okay another researched topic and I have found very little in regards to anything more than a simple mention.... Whats this I hear about a "Welcome home" bell... possibly at the front gates? Any information would be appreciated.... Thanks.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:32 am

New people can ring it as they go through the greeter's gate, or not.

Post by **Sham** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 1:34 am

This is a virgin bell. As you enter BRC for the first time, you will be asked to follow the greeter to the bell and you get to ring it and declare loudly, "I am no longer a virgin"! The bell is about 3 feet tall and I think made from an opened propane tank. You ring it with a 4 foot piece of steel. In my case I got a nice hug from a greeter, but your greeting may vary. No matter what they ask you to do, just go along with it since this is a right of passage.

Don't forget to have a camera ready and make sure if you're not asked if you are a virgin, to let them know. Take lots of pictures of this, as you will want to hang a framed 8x10 in your living room.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 1:47 am

The 4 foot steel and chanting is news to me.

I think he's just making this up.
But that's how all traditions start here.
Rumour.

If they let you through the gate, you're no longer a virgin.
The bell is annoying unless you're twenty miles away.

Post by **Sham** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:47 am

Gyre is right. I posted that from a sound sleep and was somewhat delusional. I never should have mixed Ambien CR and vodka because it causes crazy things to happen. As far as I know, I was never a virgin and I don't recall even attending Burning Man. I did however see the episode of Malcolm in the Middle about Burning Man if that counts for anything, and I got the answer to the Jeopardy question correct pertaining to the BM festival.

Pay no attention to my above response, it was nothing more than the incoherant babblings of a mad man!

Deb Prothero · Post by **Deb Prothero** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:11 am

I got spanked instead!!!

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 6:31 am

I have never rang a bell, nor been spanked. I was nearly forced to hit the bell @ BM, but the greeters wouldn't let us - much to the disappointment of the two out of 8 people who weren't BM virgins on the bus.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 6:32 am

well.......

on my virgin entry, I had to make a dust angel......then, climb a step ladder and place my testicles on the bell, while, the gal greeter rang it........yikes.......
so did my friend, he got the same treatment, we both came out together in my truck.

Then, when my friend got down, he was told to lay face down in the dust and a "Rubinesque" greeter gal rode him like a bad donkey in a rodeo.....

hahahaha,

that was quite a "welcome home".....

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:28 am

When I first attended, there was no such ritual. So this year I did it for the heck of it. Yeah, the heck of it. Yee-ha!

Post by **Elderberry** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:32 am

I got to sit on the bell while someone else rang it. Whoo Hoo!

I don't think they do that anymore.

JK

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:01 am

There was a sexual harrasment suit--or something like that--that ended the spankings. And probably some of the other stuff talked about. The bell is still there, but I think it's optional. Greeters may or may not push that depending on factors.

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 11:05 am

I got the bell, hug, and dust angel. I MUST be special.

dragonpilot · Post by **dragonpilot** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:11 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:There was a sexual harrasment suit--or something like that--that ended the spankings. And probably some of the other stuff talked about. The bell is still there, but I think it's optional. Greeters may or may not push that depending on factors.

Last coupla years there's been a Naked Greeters shift...Weds 12-4 PM...Greeter guys waving the distinguishing mark of their sex in the faces of newbie ladies...how long before that's ended, like the spankings? Hmmmmmm? Sexual harrassment?

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:57 pm

Never rang any bell. Got spanked my first couple years...I lied and told em I was a virgin. Think if you ask, they may still give out spanking vouchers. But you have to redeem them at greeter's camp.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:26 pm

TomServo wrote:Never rang any bell. Got spanked my first couple years...I lied and told em I was a virgin. Think if you ask, they may still give out spanking vouchers. But you have to redeem them at greeter's camp.

Wow, you lied so you could be spanked.

My new hero.

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:27 pm

You guys are lucky. I was told to turn around with my fucking Barbies and never come back. I think Badger was the greeter at the time.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:36 pm

Ugly Dougly wrote:
TomServo wrote:Never rang any bell. Got spanked my first couple years...I lied and told em I was a virgin. Think if you ask, they may still give out spanking vouchers. But you have to redeem them at greeter's camp.
Wow, you lied so you could be spanked.

My new hero.

I've done more than just lie. Pain is poetry.

winebuff · Post by **winebuff** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:22 pm

Can I lie and say I am NOT a vrigin even though I am? Ok with the spankings but dust angels dont sound too great. My daughter went this year and she wouldnt tell me what happened at the gate. Hmmm, should I be scared in 2010? I heard a guy was blowing dust into rvs. I am bringing a small rv that I am tricking out. Maybe I better lock the door upon arrival huh?

Post by **Elderberry** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:27 pm

winebuff wrote:Can I lie and say I am NOT a vrigin even though I am? Ok with the spankings but dust angels dont sound too great. My daughter went this year and she wouldnt tell me what happened at the gate. Hmmm, should I be scared in 2010? I heard a guy was blowing dust into rvs. I am bringing a small rv that I am tricking out. Maybe I better lock the door upon arrival huh?

I pretty much felt the same way my first time. If someone tells you to do something you don't want to do, just tell them to fuck off. (in a nice way, of course)

But frankly, the second time I went, I had a whole different attitude about dust angels--just one good dust storm and you'll have more dust on you than if you did half a dozen dust angels, then rolled over and did 6 more.

JK

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:29 pm

winebuff wrote:Can I lie and say I am NOT a vrigin even though I am? Ok with the spankings but dust angels dont sound too great. My daughter went this year and she wouldnt tell me what happened at the gate. Hmmm, should I be scared in 2010? I heard a guy was blowing dust into rvs. I am bringing a small rv that I am tricking out. Maybe I better lock the door upon arrival huh?

you can always lie......but, when asked the "returning veterans" question, and, if you miss it, you're branded as a "ner-do-well", and, then, sent to see Torquemada, for your initiation...........

don't bother locking the door, you have to let them search........and, if you think you're going to keep the dust out of your tricked RV. well............

I might suggest you read a lot here, and the past threads related to weather and dust conditions out there, before thinking you can keep your RV dust free, especially if your going to open the door..........

not trying to scare or put you off, but, it might be good to do more research into what you are planning, and, expecting.............
for, expectations, on the playa, have a way of not being fulfilled........

lose 'em, and, just have fun.

winebuff · Post by **winebuff** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:34 pm

Great info. I appreciate everything I am learning. Guess there is no way to fully take it all in until you are "face to face" with the playa dust so to speak

Is it doable to bring a portable shower and put it up when it is calm outside then take it down? Do people do that? Just not sure how to capture the water unless you put a kiddy pool under it and syphon it into a gray water tank. Thx everyone. Over-preparing and planning since this is a solo trip, me, myself and I.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:38 pm

anything is doable........there are lots of threads here related to showers, designs, grey water, etc...........

again, reading will be helpful.........asking questions is good, and, you'll even get some "real" responses...........

but, "radical self reliance" is part of this gig......and, well..........

jump on it........I'd suggest checking out the threads, though, that already exist, I'd bet all your answers are there...........

Post by **Elderberry** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:39 pm

winebuff wrote:Great info. I appreciate everything I am learning. Guess there is no way to fully take it all in until you are "face to face" with the playa dust so to speak

Is it doable to bring a portable shower and put it up when it is calm outside then take it down? Do people do that? Just not sure how to capture the water unless you put a kiddy pool under it and syphon it into a gray water tank. Thx everyone. Over-preparing and planning since this is a solo trip, me, myself and I.

We build a six person shower for our camp that stands the entire event. Water is drained into an evaporation pond. There are plenty of design ideas on showers on the board.

JK

Post by **Sham** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:41 am

You can always go to the human carcass wash for all your showering. You don't get real clean---but who cares!

littleflower · Post by **littleflower** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 1:09 pm

i arrived this year - my first - in a sandstorm, and the last thing i wanted to do was get out of the car and ring the bell! fortunately, my greeter did not like the bell, and was relieved when i didn't want to ring it. but i had to tell her i was a virgin ... i didn't know where to go ...

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:33 am

hahahaaaa, I didnt have to ring the bell my Virgin year...I had the unfortunate luck of knowing my greeter from Default....

Yes, I was spanked....and to the point I had to leave my ass hanging out the window for cool air to soothe it all the way to 3:00 and A.
I had nice huge welts from a paint stick no doubt!

Worth every minute of it!

Oh and Dust...thats not exactly what it is....

Its more like Talcum powder...like the finest silt you ever saw/felt/tasted/relished.
And if you don't plan on getting any in your camper...shrink wrap the whole thing with saran wrap, and never break the seal.
Set up a tent and sleep in its shadow.
heheehehe

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:35 am

Oh and in defense of greeters...I ALLOWED her to spank me.

She and I are in the same fire conclave, mutual respect.

swampdog · Post by **swampdog** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 3:05 pm

re: greeters. Greeters are other burners who decide to contribute by welcoming people to the playa. They do it (I assume) partly because they want to contribute but mostly because it sounds like fun (I've never managed to get myself signed up but I do think it sounds like a blast). There is no protocol (as far as I know) except information they are supposed to provide and limits (I assume) on what they can do without permission. So a carful drives up and the greeter goofs and messes with them as it entertains them (and hopefully you). If you don't want to do something the greeters ask, just say "no". If you want a rowdy good time, be rowdy and fun and funny. If you want a hug, and they don't offer one, ask. Same for bell ringing, dust angels, spanking. That actually kinda goes for the whole event. What you bring inside will be reflected back to you in weird and wonderful ways. That's why I go, anyway.

re: shower. I'm pretty proud of my shower design for this year. There are I think 3 goals for a shower
1. Clean the body
2. Privacy (optional)
3. Get rid of the dirty water.

Most people concentrate on #3, 'cause it's the hardest. I found a solution that provides all 3 and is cheap and easy. I keep meaning to do a writeup on it, but haven't yet. Here's the short version, feel free to contact me for details.

I used PVC pipes and fittings to make a square about 4' on a side. Think of this as a clothesline. I used more PVC and fittings to raise this clothesline about 4 ft off the ground. So you've kind of got a cube outlined in PVC on the sides and top. We'll call this "the frame".

Lay out a sheet of black plastic on the playa about 2 feet bigger than the frame on all sides. Duct tape some 1x2 (or so) to make a square bigger than the towel frame. Lay it on the black plastic, roll up the sides of the plastic and duct tape them to the wooden square. Now you've got an evap pond. (yeah, you can nail or screw the wooden sides together. But duct tape is easier and more forgiving. And if this thing works right the duct tape should hardly if ever get wet.).

Place your towel frame on the black plastic and mark out where the feet hit it. Set it aside. Drive some 2' rebar on the marks halfway into the playa (yep, right through the black plastic). Put the frame over the rebar so the rebar slides up into the PVC legs. (I think tihs sounds complicated, a lot of steps. Trust me, it's dead easy). Ok, so now you've got your cube-ish PVC shape set over rebar stuck through an evap pond). Tie or strap the top of the structure down to the playa. In the detailed description you'll realize that you can pass rope or strap through the side rails of the top square of the PVC structure, but here in words it probably sounds like gobbledy-gook. Anyway, strap that bad boy down so it won't blow away.

Now, hang towels along the top square and clip them together in such a way that they won't blow off the "rack". You can arrange them to provide the degree of privacy you desire.

I used a garden pump sprayer for my water supply. You could also pretty easily find a way to support a solar shower above this structure. Let's call that an extra credit problem.

So go ahead, take your shower. When you're done, take down a dry towel and dry yourself off. Then mop up your shower water with your towel. Rehang your towel and it will dry quickly in the playa sun. For more people, get more towels. If you want to separate your body towels from your mop up towels, feel free to bring even more towels. (you're getting them practically free at the thrift store or something, right?)

I supported 4 or 5 people for occasional showers this year, I think the design would handle 4-6 daily showerers or 8-15 occasional.

winebuff · Post by **winebuff** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:31 pm

Hiya pine mom

I went to my daughters house last weekend and they went to burning man this year. I was so excited to go in their garage and scrape off the playa dust from their bikes and play with it

They thought I was nuts!
No, I know there will be dust in the rv. No biggie. Not worried about it. More to bring home and play with later with a big smile on my face!

winebuff · Post by **winebuff** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:34 pm

Great idea swampdog. Woof