So...when are you going to start planning for next year?

antron · Post by **antron** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 5:31 pm

Will you do more or less?
Will you camp with more or fewer?
Art ideas?
Inspiration?
Recovery plans?

RebA! · Post by **RebA!** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 5:45 pm

We start before we even leave. We get ideas while on the playa on how to improve on things we had done. Things we need to do and things we need to make.

Like between two of our friends camps. There was a camp that had a grey water circulating thing? Not really sure what to call it. We want to make something similar, just on a smaller (2 person scale)

ANother thing we are thinking doing is to create a small shade structure for our tent only and open up our current shade are to more friends and family.

Art ideas? nah. I will stick with doing crappy photography at the event. And our beer label. Thats our "art" perse. I am sure the real artists out there are scoffing at that but eh.. they dont get to drink our good beer.

Camp with the same amount. My husband. Unless we are able to recuit people, like our friend bill and or our friend kelly.

But who knows. Its a long year

clandyone · Post by **clandyone** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 5:55 pm

We started planning in the car on the way back. So far we've come up with the following ideas:

KISS. Pouring our hearts into a mongo theme camp kept us on a short tether. I don't feel like I've gotten out much the past two years, and I'd like that to change -- nothing wrong with being a little spectator-y.

We want to be Rangers next year. I'm coping pretty well with "veteran ennui", but would like to see the city from a different perspective.

We're done with drugs. Too old for that shit. I didn't even get that loaded, and by the end of the week I was like unto the walking dead. Will stick to getting drunk, like sensible people.

And I, independent of hubby, am composing a list of potential newbies I want to jump in. So far, the folks I've introduced to Burning Man, directly or indirectly, number in the dozens and they're all terrific additions to the community. Besides, I like watching their little faces.

Lydia Love · Post by **Lydia Love** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 6:06 pm

I have an art project already buzzing through my head

Some sort of stucture (pillars, a box, i dunno) covered with xeroxed, scanned and traced hands that I collect from other burners. The xeroxed and scanned ones would, of course have to come primarily from the eplaya community... but this might be too early to start collecting. The traced hands could come primarily from burners on the playa. I'd want 'em decorated by the hand-owner in some way (if they wanted to) and would prefer they be signed.

I don't know. It's been percolating for about 24 hours now and it's starting to really interest me.

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 6:55 pm

Next year?

I'm just working on getting through today...

Seriously, though, I've already had and dismissed many ideas.

PJ · Post by PJ » Wed Sep 10, 2003 7:19 pm

Lydia Love wrote:I have an art project...Some sort of stucture...covered with xeroxed, scanned and traced hands.

Why waste the rest of the sheet of paper? I vote for Xeroxed butts instead.

Lydia Love · Post by **Lydia Love** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 7:22 pm

of *course* you do.

However, the hand is the easiest body part to stick on your work copy machine - without getting caught with your pants down.

PJ · Post by PJ » Wed Sep 10, 2003 7:25 pm

Lydia Love wrote:the hand is the easiest body part to stick on your work copy machine.

Not true. Your head is. Leaves your hands free to push the button and snag the copy.

Also, as the optical scanner passes you can roll your head from one side to the other, making an interesting panoramic image of your head.

Lydia Love · Post by **Lydia Love** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 7:37 pm

hmph

Well I think i'm either sticking with hands or ..."possibly" leaving it open to whatever body part the person desires...

But if you wanna do "the ass" project go for it.

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 9:12 pm

I'm downsizing. PALIO is staying at home next year, I'm going to get one of those grilling/barbecuing chimeneas and I'm also looking into getting a chocolate fountain. Saw one at a bakers' trade show last spring and instantly thought, "There's the party, right there!" Didn't inquire as to the price.

Yes, no more baking on the Playa. I scratched my "Ooh! Wouldn't it be fun to do fresh bread on the Playa?!" itch and found out what a logistical pain in the sphincter it was. I had two or three times my body weight extra dunnage in flour, water and wood for the darn thing and the oven trailer fishtailed the whole way. Brakes survived only barely and I can't afford to replace them and the transmission every year. Yes, definitely downsizing...the chocolate fountain, requisite chocolate and dippables and chimenea + fuel should only come up to a tenth of the weight, wear and tear of what I took this year.

Borris · Post by **Borris** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 3:56 am

Well, plans start even before we leave.

Ivy what about the Center Cafe project we have??

III · Post by **III** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 9:45 am

>composing a list of potential newbies I want to jump

can i pretend to be a newbie?

Zane5100 · Post by **Zane5100** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 9:59 am

I'm still having some very conflicted emotions about Burning Man.

No new plans, that's for sure. NO MORE EXPANSION!!

I'm not going to decide anything until January...

January, at least.

Tiara · Post by **Tiara** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 1:51 pm

I have no plans to repeat my experience as the primary organizer of a theme camp. Doing all that work allowed me too little time to enjoy the event myself. It was a valuable learning experience, but I choose to apply the lessons learned to my interactions in other endeavors in the future.

I am, however, interested in coordinating a camp along the lines of SoLoCo: Shared space and energy, individual responsibility. Anyone interested in helping coordinate (and/or camping in) an eplaya village or camp next year?

The art car was a great success. People's positive reactions made all the hours of sewing faux fur more than worth it. Next year the threshhold will be higher to qualify for a DMV license, so we'll just have to begin work sooner and create something even more fantabulous.

Greeters shifts were wonderful! Loads of fun, and a valuable gift back to the community, IMHO.

Rangers shifts were slightly more work, but I found it rewarding to be part of a larger effort to support the event. It saddens me to hear of negative interactions people had with Rangers--I want to do what I can to improve those bad impressions of what I think is a great organization.

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 2:15 pm

Although I'm totally with Zane on this one (trying HARD to NOT even think about planning anything until at least January), depending on where SC heads next year (not sure yet), I might be interested in joining an "eplaya" village of some sort. Still tentative.

Your guys' art car kicked ass. I thought it was one of the most well made things I've ever seen, not just at BM. Put together very well with all kinds of attention to detail. Very nice.

PJ · Post by PJ » Thu Sep 11, 2003 4:01 pm

Sounds like Tiara and Ivy should camp together next year.

Being an under-the-wing airport camper I doubt I'll ever join, let alone coordinate, a theme camp. So I don't have any opinions on how to run one. But I wonder: if the group meals were eliminated would that reduce the ongoing workload significantly?

Am I correct in thinking that major camp structures (shade domes, dance floors) represent significant labor hours--especially the first year they exist--but that the work comes at the beginning and the end of the event?

consumer · Post by **consumer** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 4:09 pm

I've already been working on my plans for next year!

I'm going to make the first subterranean camp. I'll be bringing out a backhoe about a week early and plan to dig at least 10' down. I'm going to try and qualify for a village so we can all make tunnels between each other.

Anyone know what the average cost is for renting a backhoe/dozer that will do the job?

Lydia Love · Post by **Lydia Love** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 4:27 pm

eplaya village or camp next year?

This is sounds like a plan worth pursuing. Let me know what I can do. After I've caught up on my sleep deficit though.

precipitate · Post by **precipitate** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 4:49 pm

> if the group meals were eliminated would that reduce the ongoing
> workload significantly?

You betcha. The camp kitchen I used to run was the most work both
before and during the event. It was a lot of fun, but a lot of work.

> represent significant labor hours

Sometimes. Depends what you do.

> the work comes at the beginning and the end of the event?

Yes. Which can result in significant inequalities in the division of labor if
you've got people who show up late or leave early or both.

tbone · Post by **tbone** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 5:18 pm

diane o'thirst wrote:I had two or three times my body weight extra dunnage in flour, water and wood for the darn thing and the oven trailer fishtailed the whole way. Brakes survived only barely and I can't afford to replace them and the transmission every year.

Just for future reference, load the trailer so there's more weight on the front. If there's tongue weight, it tows much better and flatter.

Fishtailing is an almost sure sign of not enough tongue weight, although tire inflation on a dual axle trailer makes a difference too. Unfortunately, it you have a smallish car, tongue weight weighs the back of the car down and makes it drive worse.

Big truck + air bags = good tow.

BTW, a chocolate fountain sounds great, and I'm not much of a chocolate fan.

Booker · Post by **Booker** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 7:24 pm

Ditto Ivy's admiration of the Sawb. Dunno if I took time to mention it, but the tight cover had to be a buttload of work, and that much attention to detail is admirable. Comfy lounging inside, too!

E-playa village would swing, I think. Better imo than e-playa camp, esp. if it were to incorporate some of the camps that e-playans already do. Lots of people doing their own projects and sharing space is a good model. Everybody cooking dinner at near the same time = cooperative meals anyway, but with less of the feeling of ants & grasshoppers that seems to accompany group kitchens (and to alienate people wherever it occurs). Pot lucks rock!

Love the way a bunch of separate camps facing one another form a sort of natural zocalo.

nymphgonebad · Post by **nymphgonebad** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 8:59 pm

Booker wrote: E-playa village would swing, I think.

are we talkin bout a swingers camp? whoo hoo, sign me up and tie me down!

the princess

Lydia Love · Post by **Lydia Love** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 9:06 pm

Well *I'm* not - but would you mind terribly if I spectated?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 9:34 pm

you mean you'd just sit there and watch me? without joining in?

sigh. have it your own way.

Lydia Love · Post by **Lydia Love** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 10:57 pm

Anyone remember Spectator Camp - the bleachers where you could sit and demand that passers-by be entertaining?

I only did that for about 10 min. but it was a hoot.

RebA! · Post by **RebA!** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 11:07 pm

Wow so like if all you folks all camped together..it would make it so much easier to find people.

As for us? We will probably do another year of hushville, we really like the people there..but there are always powers of persuasion.

Zane5100 · Post by **Zane5100** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 8:43 am

RebA! wrote:Wow so like if all you folks all camped together..it would make it so much easier to find people.

It could also make it easier for us to start getting to know one another in ways that we are not comfortable with...

Tiara · Post by **Tiara** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 9:00 am

Zane5100 wrote: It could also make it easier for us to start getting to know one another in ways that we are not comfortable with...

If that's what you seek, just come stay at my house for a while. 3 eplayans in residence, and a continual stream of (very-welcome) eplayan visitors.

I hear they did a re-enactment of Illuminaughty the other night. I always miss the good stuff when I'm out of town for work : (

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 9:21 am

started to down size on the way home. no i didn't throw any shit alone the road. Down size is my theme for 04. Little theme camp with joiners that are self. The art car will take about a 100 hours to build. starting at the dirt on the floor to the top. That's not much while it's raining all winter. The camp: starts with a condom for the front & rear of the vw van ( water cooled ), then no extra MOOP in bulding the shelter, pasive sun\wind fans to cool my sweet ass, water treatment system, swamp cooler to use treated water, A small dryer to dry wet food stuff. I going for the LNT. Twenty five min. to set the shelter once on the paya

TestesInSac · Post by **TestesInSac** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 12:23 am

Zane5100 wrote:I'm still having some very conflicted emotions about Burning Man.

No new plans, that's for sure. NO MORE EXPANSION!!

I'm not going to decide anything until January...

January, at least.

Wish I had that luxury. For me, the longer I take to decide, the less time I might allow my campmates, some of whom really depend on me, to find alternatives.

So...when are you going to start planning for next year?

So...when are you going to start planning for next year?

Tiara's Home for Wayward Burners

down size!!!