Wow.. I wish I new about all of it long long before...

Neek · Post by **Neek** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 10:29 am

Hey guys. I am Neek 27 yr old prom Philly PA.
The whole idea of freedom expressing the art just conquered my brain and I am counting days already.
I've read the blogs, forums, f.a.q. etc., and feel like I am ready for 2011.

The only thing I am still not clear about is the choice between the tent and RV.
I am poking my friends worldwide to have a great time next year in the Black Rock city. If they all leave me on my own, I guess I will go by myself.

Anyway, Greetings to everyone and hope to see you all next year.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 11:33 am

Things will get muddier as you learn more. Trust me.

Post by **Elderberry** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 12:02 pm

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

JK

H.G.Crosby · Post by **H.G.Crosby** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 12:05 pm

i wish people knew how to spell.

unless it was a pun intended, in which case, BRAVO!

welcome, may the neek inherit the earth.

Post by **Elderberry** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 12:30 pm

H.G.Crosby wrote:i wish people knew how to spell.

unless it was a pun intended, in which case, BRAVO!

welcome, may the neek inherit the earth.

If you are referring to "new" and "knew" it's probably not so much spelling as it is not knowing (or is it nowing?) that they are two words both spelled differently. Or, as I have come to notice lately in my posts, I sometimes use the wrong word because I'm in a hurry or my fingers are spelling more phonetically and quicker than my mind is thinking. I usually find this out after the time to edit the post has long past or some asshole like you has bothered to point it out to me.

It's this guy's welcome thread, for god's sake. Cut the guy some fucking slack.

JK

H.G.Crosby · Post by **H.G.Crosby** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 12:44 pm

absolutely not.

it's a rite of passage.

dragonpilot · Post by **dragonpilot** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 12:57 pm

Neek wrote:The only thing I am still not clear about is the choice between the tent and RV.

I guess I will go by myself.

If you can afford to rent or buy an RV, go for it. Don't let anyone tell you doing BM in an RV will diminish your experience of the event. If you're going to rent, better get with it...rental reservations go fast, especially in the Reno/SFO area! El Monte RV tends to be Burner-friendly, but shop around.

I was going by myself my first year, but ended up doing a rideshare. Didn't know anyone, but it didn't matter...you make friends fast on a trip like this.

Cheyenne · Post by **Cheyenne** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 1:40 pm

I would second the 'reserve RV quickly' sentiment... I have been researching RV's for the best part of 2 mths for 2011 and only managed to book the 'right' one for BM just two weeks ago.. and pretty much ALL the RV's that are more than 4 birth in the SF area are already reserved... Road bear and booked out and they were FAR cheaper than El Monte.. Road bear rent to Burners but I'm not sure how much their additional BM deposits are.

I ended up reserving ours from LA instead as it was actually alot cheaper than getting one in SF EVEN with the mileage packs.

Ours is 6 berth and cost 1700 for 11 days with ALL convenience, kitchen and bathroom sets + additional waiver insurance.

I booked with Calfornia cheap RV rental - a third party which negotiates huge savings on vehicles - our works out less than 150 US dollars a night with pretty much everything except generator use included - (which we have to watch - but it shouldn't need anymore than 2 hrs a day to keep the electrics going in the van over the space of the week)

Claire

Neek · Post by **Neek** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 2:48 pm

thx for the info. The more information I have the more prepared I become.
I guess RV is a nice option, again in depends on amount of ppl I convince to go with me. If to say by truth, I don't feel that convincing is a right word. It's either Wow or Whatever. I don't mind going by myself. Now I regret, I've bought a sports coupe, not a Hummer

The misspelling part was made on purpose, it just felt to be right this way. If I knew about BM before, I would get new friends, new emotions, new vision, new smiles, new memories sooner
thx again!

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 3:01 pm

H.G.Crosby wrote:i wish people knew how to spell.

unless it was a pun intended, in which case, BRAVO!

welcome, may the neek inherit the earth.

How wearisome. Everyone's a freaking schoolmarm.

Neek · Post by **Neek** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 3:57 pm

option 1
Flight Philly - SF $400
Rent RV ( $1300 + Burning Man $500 charge ( avoidable ? ) )

option 2
Flight Philly - Reno $300
Rent Budget truck ( $250 + 92 cents/mile which is $600 + tent and other equipment )

option 3
Drive 2 and a half days from Philly ( $ 600 in gas + $100 hotel/motel + tent and other equipment )

If somehow it is possible to avoid the BM co-charge fee, the first option looks much better. Did anyone have experience with this co-charge ?

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 4:10 pm

yeah, but you're still a 27 year old prom!

Agree with others to ignore any sentiment that going in an RV is somehow being less of a Burner. If I could afford it, I'd go in an RV. If you tent camp, understand that there is no setup by which you can prevent dust from getting inside your tent. Good setups merely reduce the amount of dust. That being said, a little dust never hurt no one! (Bad grammar intentional)

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 4:13 pm

Welcome newbie! If only you knew about Junglesacks big box truck method...it's a middle ground between an RV and a tent......a very do-able way to save big bucks!

Do try to cover the logo if you camp this money saving way (logo=ugly)...also look up LoveLight's RV thread...(and Cheyenne's)....and you will see more of how to go about doing it "right in the middle"..so to speak.

No Tent, No RV, Big Box truck is the way to do it right for me!

PS Use playa mud to cover the logo if you have to, ok? Make a big Sun w/mud!
PPS The mud will wash off, no lie.

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 4:23 pm

Do you already camp? Have you even been camping where you set up your tent yourself? Makes a difference.

JStep · Post by **JStep** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 8:18 pm

Neek wrote: If to say by truth, I don't feel that convincing is a right word. It's either Wow or Whatever.

Welcome fellow virgin!

I concur wholeheartedly with the convincing sentiment...

I have run the idea past several folks that I thought were likely to be good participants. I don't think convincing should take place. Somehow I get the feeling that this is too special and (speaking as an atheist who doesn't use this word lightly) sacred to drag along any halfhearted spectators. Either they click with the ethos and ideals or they don't. Don't try to force it, it's better for you and BM I think.

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 10:21 pm

This might rub some the wrong way, if so I'm sorry. I'm not in the mood to dilly dally...and I won't even touch upon the man burn (OMFG!) and that night!
Here's a tiny slice of my burgin burn and what I got to do, see and enjoy.

I have friends with a camp smack dab on the esplanade....mostly 20/30's...if I were 27 I would try to join a camp smack dab on the esplande! Or some other very busy, exciting camp...BUT you better be ready to go FULL bore...ASS busting and probably non-stop! They had awesome playa views!
There is NO way I could do that....but at age 27, YES!!

OR

Join a camp on the back steets, go with a group of your friends and do that mellower sort of experience. There was a camp called distrikt, they were sorta back street I think...(hahaha, IDK, mid-city street maybe?)...great tunes and some other friends were right next to them...it was loud (PBR helps) I asked "did you choose this spot?!" answer; "no" but they sure liked the scenery! Early in the week people were dancing thier asses off! Also a slip n slide was there and drum cirlce peeps and priate ship ravers...what a bizzare mix! Early week jump rght in, don't waste a minute, there's more fresh energy, cleaner, less crowded, burners gave eachother space and wore the finest outfits, in that one block they seemed to make it all work ('twas a good day!)
a Tuesday

I don't think going alone is for most, or even possible in the sense everyone befriends eachother for the most part, there are so many choices....small camps etc....I met some very spiritual burners, veterans types, your age, that wanted to camp alone on those back streets...very interesting and nice and they knew thier neighbors well. Also knew how to travel the tropics and all this other interesting stuff...and carry BM spirit with them after the festival, into defaultia. That was a mellow evening for me...

It is NOT a giant yahoo cocktail party...but I like excitement...I ran busy casino bars at all hours for many years...the camp I was in was also in a VERY busy friggin' spot and I LOVED it!

Wild Wild WILD stuff...musicians came into our living room and played LIVE music LOUD! Open 24/7...we encouraged accusitc music, live! Great stuff! right smack in the front part of the camp. Megaphone gal got right in my face too! Flattering! I'm 48...made me fall out of my chair, then smiles, laughs etc

Also, had some total, complete bonkers, spun out, gals (and guys) "visit" holy crap...one gal wanted me to go with her, she'd run a 100 feet away into the busy midnight street!, then run back, over and over, could not speak, too drunk...finally we sat her ass down and she mellowed out, phew!...it was something I am used to...wild fun...I'm from casino land man....Boring...comparatively because burning man is a wild and untamed place!! Bring ear plugs! There's nothing like some strange giant green lizard art car arriving EVERY morning to blast you out of your tent! Whoa! I TORE threw my gear on day 2 and found those ear plugs and they helped a LOT! Yes!
I wouldn't change a thing! I have another intense camp in mind for next year but we won't go there now. Next year I'll tell all..hahaha...

And know this, some young whipper snapper said to me and some older burners...it's just creepy people in thier 40/50/60/70/80/90/100's go to burning man....whoa did he get a verbal lesson on the spot...they do SO MUCH WORK to make that city happen...he appologized and they made up. Even I learned how much people in the over 40 age range do...impressive! Duh!

It was a good week to burn! My *ucking birthday is the week of the burn!
How awesome is that! I think I saw a giant birthday cake art car out there...who knows maybe we can throw a huge birthday party!
It's everyone's birthday out there! I say, age 27, get right up front! Go for it!

Also you can join "sit" camp...all ages, they serve ice water and something else (I forget) they have an awesome playa view! Seek Neek and yee shall find a great match! There are over 10,000+ things to see and do...probably more!
And be sure to go to the trash fence and grab some sunrises! 1000's of people spread along that orange thing, some meditate most Woot! for sunrises and sunsets...go with the tide, the flow, the tsunami of fun...seek the beauty and talent...it's everywhere. Have fun...

Cheyenne · Post by **Cheyenne** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 8:29 am

I have committed to helping out a camp that has been on Esplanade for a few years... doing techying sound/lighting/decor etc etc... now, I have a feeling my crew may want to camp a bit further off the main drag as my partner can't sleep period with the complete round the clock intensity. He's bringing lorazapam for that purpose... :-/

I could also add that if you are looking for RV rental in San Francisco and it is only yourself, Escape Campers are hand painted 2 berth vans that are hired at 75 dollars per day - they are converted GMC vans with the sliding doors and come equiped with everything you need - bedding, kitchen stuff, cooking facilities out of the back - the supp. insurance is 10 dollars a day, so you can rent one of these for under $1000 for the week with the additional.

I emailed them looking at taking 2 to BM - they fit three at a push but it would be a bit squished. The guy at the SF office emailed back and said that they do let a limited number of their vans to BM - they charge a deposit extra... but if you clean it out afterwards and take it back in the condition you found it, then you should get that back. They were really helpful at the office and they are small enough to be cleaned by one person.

I would recommend this if you know it would just be yourself - also, you don't need to purchase mileage packs as they come with 100 free miles a day as standard and they are easier on petrol (about 25 miles to the gallon)

They can be found at:

http://www.escapecampervans.com/

Nice

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 8:42 am

[youtube][/youtube]

Neek · Post by **Neek** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 10:39 am

I wish all people were as helpful as you guys.

Never thought of living in a van

It might work as well.

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 1:01 pm

Cheyenne has done her homework! Tempting for me to follow HER leads for a set up...but I think I have a set up in mind for 2011

Long distance burners ROCK!

I didn't intend to startle anyone away from camping on a busy street, it takes all kinds, and yea, I heard some do have other, quiter camps for sleeping
(I had a couple of others but DON'T TELL ANYONE, OK????!!!!..Shhh)

Cheyenne, a burner walked into our camp and showed us a very beautiful bronze necklace that he found as a Temple Archeologist (assistant I think)...I am still wondering what that is all about...have you heard of this?
He was very happy and I mentioned someday it may be recognized and he would have a special connection indeed! Dawned on him suddenly but he understood...someone's loved one...now carried on in memory.

junglesmacks · Post by **junglesmacks** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:53 am

FYI about the Budget truck option which I'm very outspoken as endorsing..

When you reserve the truck, select the type as business instead of residential, and look for a coupon code online. I paid $350 + $0.16/mile for 11 days. Unless you have piles of money to burn on an RV, this to me is the absolute best option for out of towners..

junglesmacks · Post by **junglesmacks** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 12:18 pm

Also..

Here's my thread of somewhat discussion on the box truck option.

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=37536

Cheyenne · Post by **Cheyenne** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 1:10 pm

Cheyenne, a burner walked into our camp and showed us a very beautiful bronze necklace that he found as a Temple Archeologist (assistant I think)...I am still wondering what that is all about...have you heard of this?
He was very happy and I mentioned someday it may be recognized and he would have a special connection indeed! Dawned on him suddenly but he understood...someone's loved one...now carried on in memory.

I don't usually take artefacts off site to be honest, maybe he had a legitimate reason for doing so, but we find lovely items on Neolithic sites (I was lucky enough to be able to work on the massive stonehenge riverside project a couple of years ago...)

But yea, it would be great to meet other archae-buffs at BM!

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 8:26 pm

Cheyenne wrote:
Cheyenne, a burner walked into our camp and showed us a very beautiful bronze necklace that he found as a Temple Archeologist (assistant I think)...I am still wondering what that is all about...have you heard of this?
He was very happy and I mentioned someday it may be recognized and he would have a special connection indeed! Dawned on him suddenly but he understood...someone's loved one...now carried on in memory.
I don't usually take artefacts off site to be honest, maybe he had a legitimate reason for doing so, but we find lovely items on Neolithic sites (I was lucky enough to be able to work on the massive stonehenge riverside project a couple of years ago...)

But yea, it would be great to meet other archae-buffs at BM!

Cheyenne, how do I explain without disrespect to the dearly departed...nothing can be "left" on the playa (LNT)...in this example they go over every inch of burn areas with magnets to remove nails and such...the necklace had to be removed...it was left at the Temple in 2010....then the Temple was burned...I don't know the exact details of who what and when but I think you can make an educated guess and perhaps join somehow...if it interests you...I don't know if they use a burn carpet...I heard they do for The Man burn site...it just seems like something an archeologist might be into

Cheyenne · Post by **Cheyenne** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 6:55 am

I'm aware of the LNT ethos for BM... Archaeology is a bit different in that we take from a site what is relevant to the investigation and record features, find spots (for artefacts etc) and survey the site with total stations etc..

Afterwards, we have to make the ground as good as we left it if we can. So in that respect, of course - the ethos is similar in that we back fill and smooth out as much as we can as if we hadn't been there. But rarely do we find that by the next year - the ground is the same.. where we back fill, there is compacting of the earth which leaves little depressions in the ground!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:42 am

There are traces on the playa as well. Some of the ruts that form are hideous. 2008 and 09 were absolutely wretched for my ability to move. I hear it was different at different parts of the city.
I sometimes wonder what archeology would find at the site, although I guess that most artifacts would disintegrate due to the caustic nature of the playa.

Mojojita · Post by **Mojojita** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 12:35 pm

I found moop this year that was from 2003. Maybe because of the rain....

Cheyenne · Post by **Cheyenne** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 12:38 pm

I'll bring my trowel then ans start a trench off... 'Archaeology of Burning Man' could well be a possible new session at the UK Theoretical Archaeology Group conference 2011!

Post by **Eric** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 12:54 pm

Cheyenne wrote:I'll bring my trowel then ans start a trench off... 'Archaeology of Burning Man' could well be a possible new session at the UK Theoretical Archaeology Group conference 2011!

Cheyenne- you might want to email the LLC on this. The site moves slightly every year and they may be interested to see what you can find on the previous years site (or they may not want that known....)

I would definitely let them know why you're trenching- due to the tendency for trenches to create ruts if not filled properly. If they know you have a clue they might be a bit more understanding.

That said, I love the idea. I know there's already a social archeologist who studies Burning Man to get an idea of how "temporary societies" work, I think she was in Archaeology Magazine last month or the month before (I'll have to figure out where I put it), and there are other academic classes on the event. A little more knowledge couldn't hurt (I think Oppenheimer said that...)

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 1:21 pm

Interesting, I didn't mean to point out anything more than BM archeology, probably not exactly the same as a Roman site...I like Romans (I am related, hahaha) one of my countless cousin's is actually a big wheel Archeoligist in Italy and Sicily...and yeah, he has the keys to some mind blowing sites...(stop here now moonrise! shut up! hahaha)...want his ph#?, maybe, Cheyenne..I haven't called in years but...ya never know. I'd have to pull some major strings but anything for a fellow burner!

I imagine The Artery handles BM archeology...I felt it was a story you'd find enjoyable..."the burner who visited our camp and showed us the beautiful necklace from the Temple site"...I do wonder if it is bronze. (silver or gold etc would have melted, righto?)

It had to survive the Temple fire...it looked dark brown in color...and was high qulaity artwork. I remember it was an anotomical heart with other designs surrounding it on a thick chain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
on an aside~ among the 1000's of offerings I saw at the Temple, there was a BIG photo & story of a man with my exact same name and my age! (my Bday is also the week of the burn)
I wrote my pain next to his photo and then gave away all of my sharpies...over a dozen...temporal, ephemera...everything is~ Including the bronze necklace eventually I suppose~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow.. I wish I new about all of it long long before...

Wow.. I wish I new about all of it long long before...

Re: Wow.. I wish I new about all of it long long before...