howdy from AZ

Nomad AngEl · Post by **Nomad AngEl** » Sun Dec 26, 2010 8:15 pm

hello everyone I'm Nomad Angel (or Nae for short), I reside in Phoenix, AZ. I've been talking to a BM veteran who runs his own theme camp for a couple of years (and from the first conversation I've been hooked), I can't wait to take the journey in 2011, I'm hoping to talk to a lot of wonderful people here, so here's to connecting to as many heart, souls and minds as I can...

JStep · Post by **JStep** » Sun Dec 26, 2010 8:16 pm

Welcome fellow Zonie. I'm long disconnected from AZ, and truthfully have no desire to return, but I have many fond memories of growing up in the desert.

Nomad AngEl · Post by **Nomad AngEl** » Sun Dec 26, 2010 9:04 pm

I hear ya J, if it wasn't for family, I would be long gone...

junglesmacks · Post by **junglesmacks** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 11:08 am

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

JS

burner von braun · Post by **burner von braun** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:03 pm

Hi Nomad AngEl,

Welcome to eplaya

Post by **Elderberry** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 8:23 pm

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

JK

Nomad AngEl · Post by **Nomad AngEl** » Wed Dec 29, 2010 10:21 pm

thank you for making me feel welcomed, everyone...

the best advice my buddy gave me was, "read as much info about burning man as you can", and I've struck gold here...the one thing that blows my mind is...there are a lot of veterans here who tells you to leave all expectations behind (including my buddy) but in the next breath informs you as to how wonderful this perpetual journey has been since the cherry popping and why it's so improtant to return year after year...I ask you, why shouldn't I expect the same thing to happen to me, when I see myself in so many of you...I know bm effects everyone in different ways and it'll be what it'll be to me (that I understand) but I can't help but to have high expectations about the journey...can someone straigten me out?

I hope this hasn't been discussed before, if it has I haven't found it yet....

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:50 am

A few burgins place high expectations on the event, such as expecting every moment to be enlightening, every person to be funny,kind and welcoming, every day to be a amazing, that when they hit the wall on a bad day, they trash the entire event in their minds. Others hold high ideals and expect all others to do so too, when they find out about coffee sales or the surly DPW or not being able to join in the Great Circle spinning poi, they whine and rant and hate the event. They don't get laid, they get busted for drugs, their SO runs off with the circus. Insert almost any negative scenario and a negative over-reaction here.

Being prepared physically will make you more comfortable and able to enjoy the event more fully because you aren't dealing with annoying crap. Being prepared mentally... that is the sticky place. The event is full of potential and possibilities. It is not a promise of milk and honey. You will have a bad day, a bad moment, an hour of despair. Drink some water, take a nap and try again.

I have had people ask me how to get the hell out of there and back to Reno. Flat hated it. It happens. Have an exit plan.

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:55 am

"A few burgins place high expectations on the event"

I did my best to expect absolutely nothing and enjoy whatever happened. As you may or may not know, I didn't care for it at all (overall).

Post by **Savannah** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 10:48 am

the best advice my buddy gave me was, "read as much info about burning man as you can", and I've struck gold here...the one thing that blows my mind is...there are a lot of veterans here who tells you to leave all expectations behind (including my buddy) but in the next breath informs you as to how wonderful this perpetual journey has been since the cherry popping and why it's so improtant to return year after year...I ask you, why shouldn't I expect the same thing to happen to me, when I see myself in so many of you...I know bm effects everyone in different ways and it'll be what it'll be to me (that I understand) but I can't help but to have high expectations about the journey...can someone straigten me out?

I hope this hasn't been discussed before, if it has I haven't found it yet....

This is an excellent question.

We talk about "no expectations" so much because it's impossible to know what kind of time you'll have as a unique individual, & to make promises about it is unwise. When people say how wonderful it is & how they cannot stand to miss a year, they're really only speaking about their own chemistry with the desert. Note: Not every fond Burner goes every year. One of my best friends goes 1-2 years in a row & takes a year off. Similarly, I skipped 2002 because the idea of preparing for the desert that year was just too much.

The desert will really test your mettle, and while you might get lucky and have a perfect first burn, it will probably be a fascinating mixed bag.

We all know someone who had a bad time out there--sometimes the whole week (through bad luck, ill preparation, or a week-long series of unfortunate events), but sometimes for just an afternoon. Short-term: I've seen a 3rd year burner throw a fit & threaten to leave halfway through a 7-hour windstorm on the first day. (She had a snack & a nap, then recovered). Longer term: I know another burner who developed medical issues, went to Reno for treatment & came back full of painkillers, his experience that year somewhat necessarily curtailed. (I'm glad that wasn't his first burn.)

My first burn, my modest struggles included rained-on damp bedding on Burn Night, freezing my ass off during the Temple Burn, a general costuming Deficit, & being too reserved and shy and therefore intermittently lonely. I enjoyed that Burn, but it was not my best or most significant burn by any means. I'm fortunate that--quite by accident--I had no expectations, or I might have been disappointed.