How do I know what to do when and where

scorpio69md · Post by **scorpio69md** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 12:00 pm

OK as a fist timer preparing for my first burn, I need some advice. Got all the camping packing and stuff downâ€¦I thinkâ€¦ but now it is what to do when and where. There is sooooo much info on the web about camps, what they do and what they are about, and the events happening at each camp, but I will not have web access out on the playa :( So do I copy and paste all the info I â€œthinkâ€

Magpie · Post by **Magpie** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 12:03 pm

You will get a copy of the What, Where, When at the gate when you arrive, I believe.

gaminwench · Post by **gaminwench** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 12:08 pm

Welcome! At the Greeters station, you will be properly welcomed, then given a WhoWhatWhereWhen guide, listing thousands of fabulous ThingsToDo. It's traditional to spend hours reading & marking all of the stuff you want to see/do, then miss every single thing on your list!
One of the first things to realize is that there's LOTS of stuff happening ALL the time, you will not/can not see it all... the sooner you give up trying to 'experience it all' and just go with the flow, the happier (IMO) you'll be...
One of the fun things is watching photos post after the event, and getting to see all of the stuff you missed...

Post by **Eric** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 12:09 pm

scorpio69md wrote:but now it is what to do when and where.

Nothing on the playa ever happens when it's supposed to. Some things in the WWW never happen at all. Time really becomes meaningless, unless you're one of those people who has volunteered to work shifts out there.

First thing you do is take off all time-telling instruments (watches, useless cell phones, etc). You are now free of the timecentric reality of the default world.

Now go wander. Walk up to people & say hi. Follow crowds towards music. Pop your head into friendly looking domes & talk to the people there.

Trust me, you'll find plenty to do at all times.

gaminwench · Post by **gaminwench** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 12:18 pm

Eric is right, but...
I always start my classes when the guide says... one year this meant teaching on Thursday, because the Guide was printed with Tuesday's events also as Thursday's events... talk about a bunch of confuzzled Burners!
Soooo... the only thing for which I actually use the Guide is to confirm my own workshop times (so I can adjust them accordingly, if need be).
I have had as many as 75 folks show up, so lots of someones are paying attention!!

BurningRando · Post by **BurningRando** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 12:26 pm

There are two "times" and two transition events every day on the playa.

DayTime, NightTime, dawn and dusk.

These are fairly accurate and reliable.

You can also try to guestimate with:

Noonish, High Heat afternoon and such, but those are open to interpretation.

Its good to aim for events in the evening, dusk or dusk thirty.

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 12:38 pm

I used the guide. We looked and planned a few things. Not one thing was where or maybe when it was supposed to be. Only 5 or 6 things. Took me twice doing that before I gave up. I am now making a short list of places I want to go, most without times, but plan on being pretty flexible and choosing, I think, carefully. But I'm basically doing the same thing as last year. I wonder how many time trying that before I finally, really, give up.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 12:53 pm

Get the WWW and mark all the things you think you want to see on your map. Then go to all the places on your map that you DID NOT mark. Since most of the events you marked won't be happening, or won't be happening on time (there are some exceptions), you will be sure that you have not missed a thing.

There is a lot happening out there that will NOT be in the WWW, like Bluegrass at Iron Rose on Thursday at 2pm.

swampdog · Post by **swampdog** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 1:02 pm

I can get compulsive when I travel. When I get to a new city I have a really good idea of what's "important" to see and I try to see it all.

That totally breaks down at Burning Man. You can not see it all. You can run yourself ragged and get frustrated trying to get from that yoga class at noon on 2:30 and E (that may never happen) to that dance performance at 7:00 and C (that may never happen) 2 hours later.

I'm a person who always wants to do the BEST thing, do it RIGHT. Burning Man is a lesson for me in ignoring that voice and listening to myself to do what I want. I try (very hard) to let go of where I'm supposed to be and just try to be where I am. Oh look! Over there! what are they doing? Think I'll go check it out.

ETA: One exception - the eplaya M&G, 6 PM Thursday @ the good Doc Pyro's. I won't miss that.

scorpio69md · Post by **scorpio69md** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 1:34 pm

I thank you all this is good information, it will save me a lot of time in not planning ahead trying to memorize all the â€œmust seeâ€

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 3:17 pm

To repeat, Eplaya meet n greet, Barbie Death Camp, Thursday. I'm still trying to decide what sort of treats to bring. Sweet or meat?

I have to go to the geek n greet on Wednesday, but later the Utah fire conclave is practicing and then performing at Basscamp. They are very good, although our best hooper is in the hospital. I'm thinking she won't make the event. I have to do both events (I'm a fuel master as well as a moderator), and MyLarry is going to do the conclave without me. Yikes. Can I drink at the greet and make it to the fire all by my lonesome? Hahahahahahaaaaa. No.

Or you'll be headed to an event, stop and say hi to someone, or look at a shiny thing, eat some gifted food, dance a little and then... well, the playa isn't a place for schedules. Don't make yourself crazy, just go crazy!

baconqurlyq · Post by **baconqurlyq** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 4:34 pm

I have two things solidly planned for burning man.

Firstly, I signed up to participate with wdydwyd, a collaborative photo installation.

Secondly, my husband will be playing keyboard with other members of our camp Friday night in an impromptu band. The playlist is a secret.

The rest of the time, I'll be wandering the Playa and running into cool stuff and people.

I know there's a list of stuff to do, but I have a feeling I'll be far from a "planning" headspace.

robrob · Post by **robrob** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 4:40 pm

as a first timer, i'm not committing to a goddamn thing except not having any expectations or plans.

the greeters can save the map and tourguide for someone else or recycle it for me.

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 5:50 pm

robrob wrote:as a first timer, i'm not committing to a goddamn thing except not having any expectations or plans.

the greeters can save the map and tourguide for someone else or recycle it for me.

keep the guide. it has other uses than as a schedule. You will hear names of camps in sentences that also include "freaking amazing," or "could not believe what those guys made" I personally appreciate "I laughed so hard, I almost wet myself." These things I must go see. Then the guide is good to find out where said camp is (If hopefully it is a registered camp. But have no fear, this spectacular thing you absolutely must go see, might be near a registered camp that was given as a locale for this not to miss experience thing.) Name of camp... in wwww, and voila... location. You might meet someone, they'll try to shout in your ear, over the music/noise/jet engine, "Stop by and say hi, I'm with galactic pneumatic jello factory camp" you will nod and not try to shout in their ear for the location, since you have the guide... The numbers and letters might be forgotten, but sometimes the name of the camp will stick in your mind. I really love Bounce's suggestion of sticking avery labels on his handlebars, or the handlebars of someone he gave his address to.

shroom · Post by **shroom** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 5:55 pm

Isn't the guide online too? Maybe an unofficial one? I thought I had seen it before.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 6:16 pm

robrob wrote:as a first timer, i'm not committing to a goddamn thing except not having any expectations or plans.

the greeters can save the map and tourguide for someone else or recycle it for me.

The maps are wonderful works of art. Do keep it, if nothing else, you can gift it on to someone who desires another one.

robrob · Post by **robrob** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 7:06 pm

ok, you convinced me to keep the map. but i'm still not making a schedule!

hollywallydoodle · Post by **hollywallydoodle** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 8:20 pm

i was EXTREMELY excited when i received the fun little booklet at the gate. the next day (post apocalyptic whiteout) i read it cover to cover while sipping coffee in my pool chair. i highlighted, made lists, got fired upâ€¦

and thenâ€¦i ended up doing NONE of it, and i still had an even better time than i could have imagined!

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:03 pm

One of the most useless things on the playa is a watch.

Peacebandchick · Post by **Peacebandchick** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 7:10 am

Magpie wrote:You will get a copy of the What, Where, When at the gate when you arrive, I believe.

Do you know if this will be posted online? Trying to just look at events that will be happening to get into the groove even sooner. :D See you on the playa!!

zorro sings · Post by **zorro sings** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 8:47 am

http://earth.burningman.com/brc/2010/playa_events/1/

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 9:38 am

Peacebandchick wrote:
Magpie wrote:You will get a copy of the What, Where, When at the gate when you arrive, I believe.
Do you know if this will be posted online? Trying to just look at events that will be happening to get into the groove even sooner. :D See you on the playa!!

It's already posted on line, and the on line version has more events. STart on the burningman.com page and look for a link to calendars and then to the on-line calendar.

By which I mean, the on-playa calendar.

shroom · Post by **shroom** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 6:10 pm

http://playaevents.burningman.com/brc/2 ... _events/1/

^^^online list. It is VERY long!

How do I know what to do when and where

How do I know what to do when and where

Re: How do I know what to do when and where