Virgin noob from MA! :)))

JTowne · Post by **JTowne** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 1:08 am

Hey everyone! Super pumped to finally be on this burn ride, I'll be fairly honest, I just learned about BM about 20 hours ago but I'm inexorably hooked.

I've been feeling a little purposeless recently, whether it's this constant dark weather or the repetitive nature of going to work, classes, internship, and then back home again to do homework I've started to turn into a graduate student zombie. Only 24, my friends are off exploring the world and in different states, I'm still stuck here where I started.

Until this morning, fate found me bumping into an old friend whom I haven't seen for 5 years on the early morning train. We were catching up and before I know it he's excitedly inviting me to this thing called "Burning Man". I'm like, that sounds absurd! Then I visited the site, and realized it was everything I've been missing. One way or another I'll get my hands on a golden ticket, and hell yeah we're driving 2900 miles to see you all.

Are there any suggestions/advice right off the bat? I feel like there should be some manner of hazing to be expected

Post by **Sham** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 1:57 am

Welcome. The etiquette is not to haze new people. I will tell you however, that you don't have to drive those 2900 miles, there are planes that will take you there.

I think you will find exactly what you are seeking at this gathering. Aside from the official site, the are oodles of various sites, with photos and videos of this amazing place.

Where in MA are you? There are lots of us hiding around here. You can't spot us right away, but we are here!

Again, welcome and make yourself at home here. There are lots of interesting people to meet here.

Sham....

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:57 am

Ah, but the cross-country road trip is a Rite of Passage in itself.

Welcome eHome.

Post by **Elderberry** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 9:02 am

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

JK

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 9:37 am

I will be, baring injury or disaster, running in the Boston Marathon. If you'd like to get together maybe on Saturday for a beer and pick my brain (which would be a very short conversation) I would be happy to get together. I will be staying at the Embassy Suites Logan but will have a Charlie Pass for the MTA.

Rice · Post by **Rice** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 9:56 am

Hi, Welcome to the ePlaya!

I have made the 3000 Mile (return) trip from Canada to BRC 3 times and I flew into San Francisco once.

The long drive is certainly a right of passage, and a worthwhile experience if you can afford the time. It is nice to be able to bring all the gear you need and whatever you need. Travelling through 3 states is interesting. That first time you encounter another burner on the road is really exciting..

When I flew, I was not able to bring some stuff due to the airline restrictions, two hockey bags of stuff may seem like a lot, but trust me, it isn't. I had to buy a bunch of extra gear when I was driving my rental through Reno and it ended up costing me more than I expected. It was nice to save 2 days of driving each way though.

Flying promotes a minimalistic camp that was more challenging to plan and execute. Driving gives you an opportunity to have more gear with you, but takes longer.

Your experience may be different than mine. The ability to improvise is a valued and essential skill regardless of how you get there.

Love Rice

JTowne · Post by **JTowne** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:38 am

Thank you all for the kind welcome!
I'm about an hours north near the Newburyport area.
And although I'd be tempted to take a flight out there, you're right, doing the drive is going to be a huge part of the rite of passage. I've traveled to the polar ends of the country but have never seen the middle, and I don't know when I might be able to take another road trip.

When I did out the math it's going to cost us about 800$ round trip driving, but split between 4 people it should be less expensive than a plane ticket.
At least that's the theory behind it

Post by **Savannah** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:49 am

Hey JTowne! I love it that you only heard about Burning Man a day ago.

You're like a brand new baby! Except your head is probably normally shaped. (But I don't like to presume.)

Go nuts in the "Q&A Tips & Tricks" forum. The most important stuff tends to be in the first 7-8 pages. Heh. And of course, read these:

http://www.burningman.com/first_timers/
http://www.burningman.com/preparation/
http://www.burningman.com/preparation/event_survival/

Then try the "Search" function at the top center of the page for specific search words. It's hit & miss, but worth a shot.

The more you do for yourself before asking questions, the nicer people tend to be about answering them. Snark is a sport here, but (usually) it's not personal.

JTowne · Post by **JTowne** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:59 am

Haha thanks Savannah, yeah I spent the entire day reading the site at work instead of actually doing work. Ignorance often brings flaming, so I'll continue to check out the Tips and Tricks. My first thought that comes to mind is that as there will be no trees (and I'm an avid camper) it may be hard to construct something to provide a decent area of shade. But I'll look into it!

Edit: and my head is normally shaped, thanks hahaha.

dragonpilot · Post by **dragonpilot** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:27 am

JTowne wrote: Ignorance often brings flaming

Get used to it...there are lots of flames at *ahem* Burning Man...

lambert13 · Post by **lambert13** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:39 am

Welcome.

Driving out from Upstate NY for my virgin year as well.

jella · Post by **jella** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:06 pm

Welcome JTowne
I found out about burning man just a month before my first burn and I've been obsessed ever since

. This will be my 3rd burn ,enjoy the whole process. In the mean time this will get you in the mood
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... omfort+own

JTowne · Post by **JTowne** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:22 pm

Haha that's fantastic! Yeah, I've always been a little bit of a pyro. Drinking doesn't help, and daring me to light my friend's hair on fire wasn't a smart idea either...

Smelt terrible.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:26 pm

Check your messages!

JTowne · Post by **JTowne** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:44 pm

That's a smart settup, I'ma look into portable compatible setups that are relatively cheap. I'm so glad I found out about BM so far in advance, the planning is a lot of fun

Post by **Savannah** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 1:05 pm

I'm so glad I found out about BM so far in advance, the planning is a lot of fun

Tell us about it! It's a tradition for some of us to start making plans about how to "do it even better next year!" when we're idling during Exodus (the typically lengthy process of leaving the event).

Damn, Jella has me beat. I think I had only 2 months to plan for my first burn, knew next to nothing, and wouldn't be on eplaya for another . . . 8 years. It's shocking how well things turned out that first time.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 9:19 pm

[youtube][/youtube]

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 2:22 pm

Whenever I spend any time in Boston I always get the Charlie Card for the MTA. And hum that tune. Nostalgic, isn't it?

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 6:50 pm

Yeah, but a nice sample of folk singer humor...

Post by **Sham** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 7:38 pm

Dr. Pyro wrote:Whenever I spend any time in Boston I always get the Charlie Card for the MTA. And hum that tune. Nostalgic, isn't it?

Call me Doc, I'll be glad to give you a ride. At least my car doesn't smell like urine!

The beer is on me!

JTowne · Post by **JTowne** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:38 am

Yeah I just wish the MBTA was reliable. 3 weeks of snow (you'd think they'd be prepared) and every schedule gets changed/late/canceled. Not conducive to my paycheck.

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:58 am

Dr. Pyro wrote:I will be, baring injury or disaster, running in the Boston Marathon. If you'd like to get together maybe on Saturday for a beer and pick my brain (which would be a very short conversation) I would be happy to get together. I will be staying at the Embassy Suites Logan but will have a Charlie Pass for the MTA.

This is a generous offer from Doc, I would take him up on it!!

Welcome!

Also, look up "regionals" and try to sign up for your region, both on the "announce' list and 'discussion' if they have both, you can meet other burners in your area and discover all sorts of good stuff happening.
If you haven't already, try JRS too, good info.

edit: typo

JTowne · Post by **JTowne** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 10:34 am

Absolutely! As it gets closer to the event I'll be looking to do all these things. Right now I'm easing in slowly, every day I get a new idea from a member on these forums that I'll be bringing with me to the event