Virgin Burner here: Bought the Ticket, Taking the Ride

Cuauhtemoc · Post by **Cuauhtemoc** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:15 am

Ahoy ePlaya!

Another first timer here, flush with the thrill of excitement that happens only when something you've wanted to do for so long it's seemed like a fantasy starts to become real. Long story short, I first learned of Burning Man when I was in my teens, and then (like many, it seems, browsing the forums) got trapped in banality, waiting for conditions to be perfect before I decided it was my year to go into the desert. Of course, I could (and did) wait around for years, eventually to the point where when I heard something related to Burning Man, I would just chime in with a "I really want to go to that someday" and then forget about it for another year.

NO LONGER.

After hearing about Burning Man again in early August last year, I logged on to see if I might be able to make it, only to find out it was less than three weeks away. I had no unspent vacation time, no type of logistics march planned from one end of the country to the other (I live in South Florida) and was as close to broke as I could be. What I did have, was time to make a commitment, so I did. Next year. But for real though. I began reading everything I could about Burning Man, from narrative histories of the eighties on Baker Beach to practicums dedicated to exploring the best ways to cover exposed rebar. I hesitated from posting on ePlaya, afraid that I might jinx the whole thing somehow. But I sent out messages to my friends, telling them that for me anyway, 2011 was the year, and they were welcome to come if they wanted.

Some expressed interest, and some swore they would buy tickets. So far, it's just me. This is the type of thing that in years past, would be enough for me to say "Next year." but no, no, not this time. I'm going, and it feels great. It's obviously going to be a little more of a logistical nightmare getting me and all my stuff from A to B alone, so I'm hoping to connect with other South Florida Birgins or maybe hook up with a theme camp (I've read a lot of back and forth as to if this is a good idea or not for one's first Burn)

The basics: I'm a dude, late twenties, Boy Scout who found out what happens when you eat the mushrooms from the horse pasture. Not particularly into Untz Untz but not against it, either. Enthusiastic about art but essentially talentless. I cook professionally, but again, that may be of limited utility on the playa. I guess I'm just trying to find some ideas of how a first-timer can participate whilst still having flexibility to "take it all in" Suggestions are welcome, road dogs are even better!

See you at home!

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 5:38 am

Welcome.

You are not "talentless". You simply haven't found it yet. I'm confident you have a huge hidden talent.

You'll get there. You're here, aren't you?

tamarakay · Post by **tamarakay** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 5:52 am

welcome! hubs and i are first timers too, started getting ready to go last august lol. anyway, kenman has discovered some hidden talents, jewelry making, el-wire construction, and other artistic bents. look up the regionals list for your area, i bet there will be lots of people there with tips on trekking cross country. we aren't rich either so are buying a little each month and adding it to the playa pile. little at a time instead of one big hit.

*edited to take out weird randon word, must use PREVIEW more often*

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:01 am

Welcome!

Cook is a talent, and doin' the dishes too, that makes a great cook for LNT

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:25 am

Cuauhtemoc wrote:I hesitated from posting on ePlaya, afraid that I might jinx the whole thing somehow.

That reminds me, what part of the forum did we stash the "keep those virgins out of the event" voodoo dolls? We really need to start thinning out the herd.

Edited in hopes of finding a weird random word, because that would be cool.
Alas--nothing.

lucky420 · Post by **lucky420** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:32 am

Hola and Hello...

JStep · Post by **JStep** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:17 am

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

:p

I concur on the talent thing. My woman swore she was not a creative person when I met her, despite the fact that she was a stylist for 12 years. It came down to a misunderstanding of what creative talent really is. She expressed some interest in making jewelry so I helped her buy the materials and get started. She now makes some of the most unique and beautiful handmade jewelry I've ever seen.

Talent is just practicing the techniques until you can do them well and having an eye/ear/whatever for what is good. I'm sure you weren't born knowing how to cook. But you know what tastes good, learned the techniques, practiced... viola! You're a cook!

Hope this is encouraging to you. I hate hearing people block their creativity because they think they weren't born with "talent".

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:15 pm

JStep wrote: Hope this is encouraging to you. I hate hearing people block their creativity because they think they weren't born with "talent".

Me, too. And I'm kind of an art snob. But I won't go with "Art" because that's putting too much weight on it.
And then, one of the horrors of modern american culture is the over-specialization that we organize people into. It's like "I'm a salesman, so I can't be an artist." Weird. I would say that music and dance is something we all have an innate draw towards, although most of us get no training so we're completely clueless about its power within us.

everythingis0dd · Post by **everythingis0dd** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 2:14 pm

HAI there, I am from Birmingham and just know this is my year to go too!
However I am also without a group and am wondering how to connect all the dots
-peace

Cuauhtemoc · Post by **Cuauhtemoc** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:32 pm

I appreciate all the warm-and-fuzzies regarding my perceived innate talent (or lack thereof) I hope I didn't come off as too sad-sack so as to make them necessary. I have something of a complex from living around amazing, devastatingly gifted visual artists who make such obscenely good pieces I feel like Clapton when he first heard Hendrix or Salieri when he first heard Mozart. I get my jollies when these same people cannot make a boiled potato to save their lives and I get to bust out gratin d'Auphinoise or somesuch and wow them that way. I'm an experienced and functional camper (no need to worry about me coming to the playa looking to trade shelter for aura readings) who is skilled at things other than visual art.

Maybe the positive vibes (I promise I'm not a hippie) I just electronically received are indicative of something different, though? My natural assumption is to assume I was reassured because my original post conveyed weakness or insecurity, but maybe it's not even about me? Maybe there's something to this whole affirmation of humanity at Burning Man, even on the ePlaya? Maybe the rumors are true, and burners are just genuinely. . . nice?

Either way, I'm excited.

Nice to meet all of you.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:43 pm

Just prepare up and give yourself permission to be a tourist for the first go-round. Reckon you're the sort to be inspired by the oddball wack art that you'll see, so just take it all in.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:46 pm

Welcome! Can you cook a gourmet bacon dish? or just gourmet bacon? That would be an incredible gift! And you participate, by indulging our bacon fetish...

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:01 pm

Oh, I have my piranha side too, it's just that if you don't see the wealth of creative talent innate to humans at burning man, I gotta ask if you've been emulating Oedipus and gouging out your eyes.

Cuauhtemoc · Post by **Cuauhtemoc** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:12 pm

TomServo wrote:Welcome! Can you cook a gourmet bacon dish? or just gourmet bacon? That would be an incredible gift! And you participate, by indulging our bacon fetish...

Hmm, I could dehydrate maple-glazed candied bacon after candying it and it basically becomes a jerky. Miso-glaze is pretty good, too. Hopefully TSA won't question a ten-pound vacuum-sealed bag of candied pork.

Post by **Elderberry** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:15 pm

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

JK

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:16 pm

Cuauhtemoc wrote:
TomServo wrote:Welcome! Can you cook a gourmet bacon dish? or just gourmet bacon? That would be an incredible gift! And you participate, by indulging our bacon fetish...
Hmm, I could dehydrate maple-glazed candied bacon after candying it and it basically becomes a jerky. Miso-glaze is pretty good, too. Hopefully TSA won't question a ten-pound vacuum-sealed bag of candied pork.

Or worse yet, eat it.

jerroc · Post by **jerroc** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 5:52 pm

Welcome... Bring extra single ply ass wipe for the porta pooh's. Number 1 number 2 and single ply T.P. only.

maryanimal · Post by **maryanimal** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 6:45 pm

Welcome welcome welcome! It'll also be my first burn this year!

Cuauhtemoc · Post by **Cuauhtemoc** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:42 am

jerroc wrote:Welcome... Bring extra single ply ass wipe for the porta pooh's. Number 1 number 2 and single ply T.P. only.

I was hoping there was nothing in my posting implying I would do otherwise, but looking through jerroc's posting history reveals other tips for first timers as well!

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 1:04 am

Cuauhtemoc wrote:
jerroc wrote:Welcome... Bring extra single ply ass wipe for the porta pooh's. Number 1 number 2 and single ply T.P. only.
I was hoping there was nothing in my posting implying I would do otherwise, but looking through jerroc's posting history reveals other tips for first timers as well!

I dont know why this came up...but bring single ply....and Bacon!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 6:28 pm

TomServo wrote:
Cuauhtemoc wrote:
jerroc wrote:Welcome... Bring extra single ply ass wipe for the porta pooh's. Number 1 number 2 and single ply T.P. only.
I was hoping there was nothing in my posting implying I would do otherwise, but looking through jerroc's posting history reveals other tips for first timers as well!
I dont know why this came up...but bring single ply....and Bacon!

Double ply bacon is just fine.

lucky.bastard · Post by **lucky.bastard** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 6:13 am

hey now!

Post by **Savannah** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:09 pm

Double ply bacon is just fine.

mudpuppy000 · Post by **mudpuppy000** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:32 pm

Savannah wrote:
Double ply bacon is just fine.

Double ply bacon ends up clogging the port a potties too

Virgin Burner here: Bought the Ticket, Taking the Ride

Virgin Burner here: Bought the Ticket, Taking the Ride

Re: Virgin Burner here: Bought the Ticket, Taking the Ride

Another Virgin