Should I go to burning man?

zachass · Post by **zachass** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:40 pm

Seems like honest motivation.

And although I haven't attended yet, one of the tenets is 'radical self expression'. I interpret that as everyone celebrating exactly who they are - nothing more and nothing less.

Other main principles are 'radical self reliance' and 'leave no trace'. That's exactly how a city of 50,000 pops up for a week, then disappears (along with a hell of a lot of work by volunteers and dpw, etc).

Many moons ago as an 18 year old I traveled across country several times by myself. That traveling was very educational for me - liberating. There are things though, that I learned along the way. I never had a major car breakdown, but I'd have been in pretty big trouble if it had. If you do it, have an emergency plan. Things can go wrong. I think that's what people are trying to impress upon you.

My best advice to you is to read about other people's experiences. Without pressing flesh and meeting other Burners in your area, that's the best way to get an idea on what to expect. Then, once you get that idea, lose all expectations - you'll hear that a lot. If you go into it with expectations you may be disappointed. Preparedness is not the same thing as expectations.

Cheers!

freeDOOM · Post by **freeDOOM** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:48 pm

Yeah, I heard that a lot about losing expectations. Thats a good idea in general relation to life I believe.

Anyway I still got some time to do research and much thinking if thats what I want to do.

I feel like I have the opportunity to travel and to go this year but who knows what life has in store for you in the future.

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 4:15 pm

[quote="freeDOOM"]Hey Zach,

I find that the whole freedom of expression is really interesting I'd like to observe and participate in it.=quote]

we snark and mock as a form of freedom of expression....

now what you say???

freeDOOM · Post by **freeDOOM** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 4:28 pm

I express myself by wearing a white hood and burning crosses.

Thats how I first got interested in Burning Man, I thought it was something different. . .

Post by **Sham** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 4:31 pm

freeDOOM wrote:I express myself by wearing a white hood and burning crosses.

Thats how I first got interested in Burning Man, I thought it was something different. . .

There you go. That's the snark we know and love!!

freeDOOM · Post by **freeDOOM** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 4:34 pm

Awwww shucks.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 5:27 pm

Why do you think there are so few black people ?

Post by **Sham** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 6:31 pm

Now that you mention it, I have seen lots of colored people, but not many black people.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 6:43 pm

oneeyeddick wrote:Why do you think there are so few black people ?

[youtube][/youtube]

freeDOOM · Post by **freeDOOM** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 6:44 pm

Black people...in the desert. Come on now.

That's like putting an ant under a magnifying glass.

curiousgnate · Post by **curiousgnate** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 7:36 pm

actually it makes sense, cause we don't get burned very easily. I saw more black peeps this year then ever. It made me very happy!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:07 pm

freeDOOM wrote: Overall it seems like it would be an experience that will not be found anywhere else and don't want to miss it and wait another year.

Is this not an answer to your initial question? Is it not, in fact, the best answer to your initial question?

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:09 pm

ygmir wrote:
oneeyeddick wrote:Why do you think there are so few black people ?
[youtube][/youtube]

Now that ygmir has given us the fun, cool answer, here's the boring, pedantic answer.

(edited for typo)

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:00 am

???
What does this explain?

Post by **Sham** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:20 am

theCryptofishist wrote:here's the boring, pedantic answer.

You had to go and use the word "pedantic, and make me look up what it meant. This is turning into work!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:47 am

Don't listen to any of these people.
I had no idea if I was going to like burning man until I got there.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:55 am

Dr. Pyro wrote: Most people on this forum who know me will likely testify that I am neither an asshole nor a jerk.

Doc, I've known you for years now.
And, well, we'll see.

freeDOOM · Post by **freeDOOM** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:57 am

theCryptofishist wrote:
freeDOOM wrote: Overall it seems like it would be an experience that will not be found anywhere else and don't want to miss it and wait another year.
Is this not an answer to your initial question? Is it not, in fact, the best answer to your initial question?

Good point.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:08 am

freeDOOM wrote:
theCryptofishist wrote:
freeDOOM wrote: Overall it seems like it would be an experience that will not be found anywhere else and don't want to miss it and wait another year.
Is this not an answer to your initial question? Is it not, in fact, the best answer to your initial question?
Good point.

you mean I wasted my poem?........dang...........

freeDOOM · Post by **freeDOOM** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:14 am

I really only like poems that rhyme. Sorry.

If you can make that poem rhyme I'll quote it and say 'Good point' if it deserves it. That is my promise to you.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:18 am

how does it not rhyme?
except, maybe, the last line.........grin........

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:55 am

I did 13 years of research before going!
this will be yr 5.

Still, LEARNING!!!!!!

zachass · Post by **zachass** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:58 am

pinemom wrote:I did 13 years of research before going!
this will be yr 5.

Still, LEARNING!!!!!!

Yeah, I've been....(can you call mental exploration research?) for about that long. Yippeeeee!

Post by **Sham** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:15 pm

For four years a friend tried to convince me to attend. The last thing in the world I wanted was to spend a week in a tent, in the desert, with limited shower facilities and a bunch of hippies. Finally to shut him up, I agreed to go for 4 days. Holy shit---the rest is history!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:51 pm

ygmir wrote:
freeDOOM wrote:
theCryptofishist wrote: Is this not an answer to your initial question? Is it not, in fact, the best answer to your initial question?
Good point.
you mean I wasted my poem?........dang...........

Some skald you are. You should be ready to toss a poem into the mix at any time. But probably not for me. I don't much like poetry.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:13 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:
ygmir wrote:
freeDOOM wrote: Good point.
you mean I wasted my poem?........dang...........
Some skald you are. You should be ready to toss a poem into the mix at any time. But probably not for me. I don't much like poetry.

I'm always ready, and, tossing, random poems...........

Funny, Fishy, that you don't like poetry....seems much of you write is poetic.........and certainly, you hand out "poetic justice" at times.............

And so friend Fish,
we wend our way.

through our dark
and dreary day.

we look to you
in times of blight.

to share some snark
or mindful light.

this poet begs, you;
carry on

from darkest eve,
to brightest dawn........

Parasitoid · Post by **Parasitoid** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 8:02 am

If you do end up going you will be surprised how far some people have to travel for the event. Hope you make it! Peace.

freeDOOM · Post by **freeDOOM** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 5:15 pm

Yeah, it seems a lot of people are coming from around the world.

Post by **Sham** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 5:35 pm

freeDOOM wrote:Yeah, it seems a lot of people are coming from around the world.

Some come to BRC from even further away!

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 5:47 pm

zachass wrote: Many moons ago as an 18 year old I traveled across country several times by myself. That traveling was very educational for me - liberating. There are things though, that I learned along the way. I never had a major car breakdown, but I'd have been in pretty big trouble if it had. If you do it, have an emergency plan. Things can go wrong. I think that's what people are trying to impress upon you.

This is good advice that should not be overlooked!
Last year I had a major, total loss RV catastrophe on the road to Burning Man! Fortunately I got a ride back home and had an entire spare rig to head back out in. I've had all sorts of mechanical mayhem over the last ten years on Burning Man trips, sometimes arriving there or home by pure miracle.
Carry every spare part you can, bring tools, and if at all possible, caravan with someone. Take care of all the stupid shit that can strand you, like belts, hoses, tires, etc. before hitting the road.