One Item for BM a Day (2010-2012)

shroom · Post by **shroom** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 2:36 pm

While shopping today, I found a cover for the back of my pick up truck (the tarp kind) and a canvas tarp for a ground cover. I didn't buy them yet, but am excited to know where to get them!

Orchid · Post by **Orchid** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 7:41 pm

Today we purchased a hot glue gun and some cheap comfy shoes to decorate. My living room already looks like an eccentric transient left all their stuff in somewhat organized piles of camping gear and bright fabrics. The tents have been set up, cleaned, and re-packed. Yesterday I cooked a crock-pot full of stew to freeze for a delicious re-heated playa dinner.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 8:56 pm

Orchid wrote:Today we purchased a hot glue gun and some cheap comfy shoes to decorate. My living room already looks like an eccentric transient left all their stuff in somewhat organized piles of camping gear and bright fabrics. The tents have been set up, cleaned, and re-packed. Yesterday I cooked a crock-pot full of stew to freeze for a delicious re-heated playa dinner.

Hi Orchid, Hot glue melts on the desert.. You might look a Goop glue for a better hold.. Big K and Home Depot..

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:12 pm

unjonharley wrote:
Orchid wrote:Today we purchased a hot glue gun and some cheap comfy shoes to decorate....

Hi Orchid, Hot glue melts on the desert.. You might look a Goop glue for a better hold.. Big K and Home Depot..

Yes Orchid, you should use Goop or silicone caulk or your shoe decorations will quickly turn into Moop.

Orchid · Post by **Orchid** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 4:14 am

Duly noted, thanks!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 10:12 am

So there's poor orchid, what will she do with that glue gun?

Post by **Savannah** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 10:32 am

There's also a cold glue in a small white bottle w/ green & purple accents called "Jewel Glue"--it's a white glue, dries clear, & works well for putting sequins and small gems on shoes or fabric. (If the fabric will be tightly stretched, I stitch the sequins on instead). Jewel glue should be allowed to dry for 24 hours.

trystanthegypsy · Post by **trystanthegypsy** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 2:04 pm

wwonka wrote:
trystanthegypsy wrote:
EmilyD wrote: YIKES! When you put it that way I panic. So much still to do. And...if the guy we bought our shade structure from doesn't make it tall enough we'll be screwed. Trying not to stress....thinking calming thoughts. Aieeee!!!
ohmigawd ohmigawd ohmigawd.

I bought a buff (survivor face mask thingy) and went goggle shopping but they were all too big. Also looked at some bikes in a different city, but still haven't found the perfect beach cruiser for a good price. I hate coaster brakes! but all the cheap ones have them! rawr.
Coaster brakes are fairly easy to remove. You just need a little time, a little space and a couple crescent wrenches/elbow grease.

You obviously wouldn't want to do this unless you have traditional cable brakes on the bike, as disconnecting the only braking system can be -gulp- dangerous.

Or you do want to, because your hardcore like that and don't care. IE, you rip the tags off mattresses, you eat undercooked eggs and meats, and attend burning man

aha yes, yes I do! I AM hardcore! Last year the brakes broke on my bike and I kept forgetting to fix them... hilarity ensued!

I have actually found 2 bikes i'm considering, both for $350. one is new, one is used. I have to compare and consider! maybe i'll start a thread and you can all tell me which one to get

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 2:11 pm

trystanthegypsy wrote:
I have actually found 2 bikes i'm considering, both for $350. one is new, one is used. I have to compare and consider! maybe i'll start a thread and you can all tell me which one to get :P

We bought these folding, full-sized cruisers for half that price from Camping World: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/it ... bike/37700

trystanthegypsy · Post by **trystanthegypsy** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 2:53 pm

See unfortunately i'm a bike snob... I want hand brakes, a couple gears, a big fat seat, and a nice colour. Also, shipping anything across the border to Canada (even if the company will do it) is a HUGE pain in the ass. I like to be able to touch and ride a bike before I buy, too.

Damn my snobbiness. But, I also want to do a lot more riding around my neighborhood too, so I will spring for a little quality to make it last. I could go on and on about modern society's habit of buying the cheapest thing possible, even if it isn't what you need or it will only last one season. I've been riding my current bike for over 10 years and unfortunately it got left oustide through the winter a couple years ago, so though it's still rideable it's taking more money to fix it than it's worth. but hopefully my boyfriend is going to ride it!

thanks for the link! were you happy with the quality of your bike? how about weight/speed/ridability? did you decorate it? (can I see?

)

ETA: So yes, I certainly found a cruiser even cheaper than yours ($159 CAD) locally but it doesn't meet all of my needs. When I spend money I want it to be something that makes me happy and is functional, otherwise i'll just want a new one in 2 years.

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 3:49 pm

a great book on doing your own bike repairs...Anybody's Bike Book: A Comprehensive Manual of Bike Repairs by Tom Cuthbertson.

I still have my 1970's copy with the cheesy little cartoons and illustrations, but they are so accessible and the descriptions are very hands on sensible. probably worth my while to get an updated version since things have changed a bit, (though not all that much)

wwonka · Post by **wwonka** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 4:36 pm

is this bike just for burning man or for the real world too?

because a bike that got left outside for a while will work fine on-playa with some penetrating lubricant (its the whole reason i got into the thread, was to talk about penetrating lube) and a bit of oil. so long as the cables aren't fraying and the bike shifts every once in a while (desired or otherwise) it would work fine out there.

but if you want to bring it back and clean it up and use it in your day to day life of cruising, well, thats a whole different story.

Orchid · Post by **Orchid** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 7:04 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:So there's poor orchid, what will she do with that glue gun?

*sniff*
Don't worry about me... I'll... I'll think of something.
*sobs*

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 9:22 pm

trystanthegypsy wrote:See unfortunately i'm a bike snob... I want hand brakes, a couple gears, a big fat seat, and a nice colour. Also, shipping anything across the border to Canada (even if the company will do it) is a HUGE pain in the ass. I like to be able to touch and ride a bike before I buy, too.

Damn my snobbiness. But, I also want to do a lot more riding around my neighborhood too, so I will spring for a little quality to make it last. I could go on and on about modern society's habit of buying the cheapest thing possible, even if it isn't what you need or it will only last one season. I've been riding my current bike for over 10 years and unfortunately it got left oustide through the winter a couple years ago, so though it's still rideable it's taking more money to fix it than it's worth. but hopefully my boyfriend is going to ride it!

thanks for the link! were you happy with the quality of your bike? how about weight/speed/ridability? did you decorate it? (can I see? :))

ETA: So yes, I certainly found a cruiser even cheaper than yours ($159 CAD) locally but it doesn't meet all of my needs. When I spend money I want it to be something that makes me happy and is functional, otherwise i'll just want a new one in 2 years.

LOL! Yeah we're happy with them but we won't know how sturdy they are until we playa test them. Yes, we'll definitely decorate them but because they fold up, the decorations have to be portable. I'm thinking velcro-attached fur and lights.

Today's item/s I started hoarding canned and packaged food. There was a really good sale on packaged tuna, chicken, and salmon at the grocery store so I stocked up. Also bought enough "Oxylent" which is our version of Emergen C. It has less sugar: http://www.vitalah.com/oxylent.php

much2naughty2 · Post by **much2naughty2** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 11:23 pm

While cruising Craigslist last night, I found an ad for a matching pair of cruiser bikes. I was going to bring our good bikes, but after reading so much on eplaya, decided these two for $60 for the pair was a better deal.

I forgot how coaster brakes worked, but the bikes do have mounting srcrews for standard cable brakes so that will be my task for tomorrow. We got one bike wrapped with fur tonight and if I have time tomorrow,

I'll order a couple elwire kits for color. I've searched on here for the link to cool wheel flashers, but haven't found it. Can someone point me at the source for those. If BM is half as much fun as the daily prep, this is going to be awsome.

oldsoul · Post by **oldsoul** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 11:28 pm

Bike snob or no, I don't think I'd want to take any bike out there I paid more than 20 bucks for, and it would definately have to be a cruiser. I can imagine the playa wreaking havoc on exposed gears.

MisaBlue · Post by **MisaBlue** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 6:31 am

My item for BM today is my flight ticket....hurray!

Bling · Post by **Bling** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 7:08 am

We hit a Tucson flea market over the weekend and found an awesome silver colored belt and sneakers for our daughter who's going with us, and battery-operated fiberoptic lights that I'm thinking will make fun hats. The fibers are secure--not moopy. And just $3 each!

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:26 am

much2naughty2 wrote:While cruising Craigslist last night, I found an ad for a matching pair of cruiser bikes. I was going to bring our good bikes, but after reading so much on eplaya, decided these two for $60 for the pair was a better deal.

I forgot how coaster brakes worked, but the bikes do have mounting srcrews for standard cable brakes so that will be my task for tomorrow. We got one bike wrapped with fur tonight and if I have time tomorrow,

I'll order a couple elwire kits for color. I've searched on here for the link to cool wheel flashers, but haven't found it. Can someone point me at the source for those. If BM is half as much fun as the daily prep, this is going to be awsome.

WOW! You definitely scored for that price. Is this the link you mean?

or
http://store.monkeylectric.com/ProductD ... Code=m133s

MyPlayaUserName · Post by **MyPlayaUserName** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 11:01 am

I'm ashamed to say the only thing I have bought so far is a pair of shoes, and they're already proving to not be good enough for the playa. I meant to buy an item a day, but then I realized I was poor. Need to get focused and get on this.

much2naughty2 · Post by **much2naughty2** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 11:38 am

Thanks Emily, that looks like them.

MyPlayaUserName, I'm getting most of my stuff, including shoes at the thrift stores, anywhere from 1-5 dollars. Times are really tough everywhere, but this is a chance to brighten the mood for at least a couple weeks.

This morning I realized it was costing me more to decorate our bikes than they cost. but they look gooooood. We're keeping the scraps from the faux fur to make costumes out of, so using every scrap. Much will have a loin cloth and top that matches her bilke. Does any one have a good pattern for a loin cloth and top?

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 11:41 am

MyPlayaUserName wrote:I'm ashamed to say the only thing I have bought so far is a pair of shoes, and they're already proving to not be good enough for the playa. I meant to buy an item a day, but then I realized I was poor. Need to get focused and get on this.

Hit the thrift stores...you can get most everything you need if you spend a bit of time.

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 11:43 am

much2naughty2 wrote:Thanks Emily, that looks like them.

MyPlayaUserName, I'm getting most of my stuff, including shoes at the thrift stores, anywhere from 1-5 dollars. Times are really tough everywhere, but this is a chance to brighten the mood for at least a couple weeks.

This morning I realized it was costing me more to decorate our bikes than they cost. but they look gooooood. We're keeping the scraps from the faux fur to make costumes out of, so using every scrap. Much will have a loin cloth and top that matches her bilke. Does any one have a good pattern for a loin cloth and top?

Try copying a bathing suit or underwear for a furkini. Be sure to add extra inches for the seams and the thickness (pile) of the fur. You might also check out the Playalicious and other costume groups on Tribe.

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 12:11 pm

Even better than thrift shops if you're persistent: yard sales. I'm not collecting costumes for Burning Man, but for my NoCostco at next year's regional. Found some cute dresses, velvet pants, and a couple cute tops. All burnery and ripe for costume bashing.

much2naughty2 · Post by **much2naughty2** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 12:17 pm

Emily, the lights I was thinking about are the Hokey Spokes http://hokeyspokes.com

Right now if you buy 2 they give you one free.

One used cruiser bike $30
Headlight, tail light, horn $12
watter bottle $5
tire patch kit $5
lockset $10
Faux Fur $30
Goop $4
Hokey Spokes need 6 $120
Butterfly for the handle bars $6
Basket $5
Misc decorations $10
Riding on the playa for a week Priceless

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 12:20 pm

If you do get hokeyspokes, keep an eye on them and do light housekeeping. Playa dust can kill them, I've seen it happen.

Bling · Post by **Bling** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 12:26 pm

Those hokeyspokes are cool, but really pricey. We got a dozen LED spiral lightsticks (8 colors, I think) for about $12 on eBay and were just going to ziptie them to the spokes. It'll still look cool, but for WAAAY less.

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 12:27 pm

much2naughty2 wrote:Emily, the lights I was thinking about are the Hokey Spokes http://hokeyspokes.com

oooo those are tasty. I'm going with battery operated LED holiday lights though. Plus I ordered the other ones...they're cheaper.

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 12:58 pm

printed out a packing list, checked off what i have that is in my camping gear now.

typed up my "To buy" list

geospyder · Post by **geospyder** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 1:00 pm

Just received my face masks and Fresh Bath. I can now keep clean and breath.