The last 30 days before you go.

TheJudge · Post by **TheJudge** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 1:22 pm

For me, the last 30 days before I am on the playa is a time of focus. Over the years its become a private ritual of mine. I spend the last 30 days cleansing myself. Preparing, exercising, meditating, hydrating, etc.

Does it mean something to you, or is it just the typical "holy shit! I only have 30 days to get all my shit together!" What do you go through in the last 30 days?

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 2:40 pm

Start drinking A LOT of water.

At least, I try.

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 10:18 pm

I generally spend most of this time repacking my gear, and getting my house cleaned before I leave. I also make the pottie signs, make additions to my costume ensembles and purchase supplies. Since I'm minimalist anymore, I take about 2 hrs to pack my truck on on the day I leave to the Playa.

On my first year I spent 2 mths preparing, fretting and stressing on what to bring, making multiple lists, and driving myself insane. Since then I just accept that I'll forget SOMETHING, and try to make sure it's not tobacco or sunscreen. I'm sure Albertson's in Reno loves our forgetfulness.

Rendrag · Post by **Rendrag** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 11:48 pm

TheJudge wrote:For me, the last 30 days before I am on the playa is a time of focus. Over the years its become a private ritual of mine. I spend the last 30 days cleansing myself. Preparing, exercising, meditating, hydrating, etc.

Does it mean something to you, or is it just the typical "holy shit! I only have 30 days to get all my shit together!" What do you go through in the last 30 days?

Although I am a BM virgin, I would like to point out that based on my personal experience approaching the event, these two options are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Lysergic · Post by **Lysergic** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 12:21 am

Being a total noob, I second that!

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 12:11 pm

figure out what day we are packing the RV. Backtime from there to make sure I can, in reverse order, program and test the remote macro, burn discs, create l-r-c masters, render final 2160x486 master, lay out the whole piece, finish individual segments, get supplies.

PurplMyst · Post by **PurplMyst** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 2:17 pm

Well since last year I didn't even know I was going until 2 days before I left, I'll just have to see how it shakes out this year. So far it looks like a "dry run" camping trip to test out the shade structure, putzing around the neighborhood to test out the bike rack for the car, and finally getting around to some meal planning. Oh, and looking at everybody's packing lists to find all the little things that I didn't think of.

sparkletarte · Post by **sparkletarte** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:15 pm

I'll be going to another big outdoor party- Shambhala- and testing out some of my gear.

For me too it will be a time of focus on holy shit there's only 30 days left. But probably it will be when there's only 2 weeks left. And then I'll get everything done that really needs to be done/brought and everything else didn't really need to be done/brought anyways.

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:43 pm

The past six Burns it's been, "AH SHIT, 30 DAYS, I'M NOT READY!!!!!" panic, but this year I think I've finally got it down. No upturn in the blood pressure in sight.

Doing a slow, five-week ramp-up to Burn departure, already have the car cleaned out and starting to prepare her for the journey. New tires, drivetrain check is next, and in the meantime I'm making curtain rod hooks for the inside windows and a roof rack/canopy system out of oak. Figured I could make it cheaper than buying one, and it'll be stronger/no logos/make it exactly the way I want it.

Washed out the liquid container and starting to carry my hydropak around with me, it's decorated up with some Scribbles and silk foliage. I've even got my Intergalactic Towel safety stowed with it and a number of useful things — lighter, lip balm, nasal saline, etc. — stowed in the pocket.

Projects are progressing nicely. Umbrella stands are almost done, sewing the shade canopy cloth today, painting it tomorrow with suns, moons, stars, galaxies and asteroids.

Forty days and counting, right on schedule. Weather is even cooperating, nice and gentle today!

Stormy · Post by **Stormy** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 9:08 pm

I tend to buy most of my camping gear during the 30 days prior to BM, than during the rest of the year. I also find myself attending some mandatory Fire Conclave Rehearsals during this time period.

Since my regular life isn't all that different than Burning Man, I simply try to bring some of who I am during the year with me. It's not the *big* experience and the rest of life pales in comparison kind of thing for me. If anything, I think BM has reminded me to make sure I'm doing fun and cool things frequently in my day-to-day life. Exercise, meditation and silliness are important to me all of the time. (OK, except for when I break my arm and my ass grows a size or two, but I'm working on that.

)

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 9:56 pm

Stormy wrote:(OK, except for when I break my arm

Girlfriend!
When/how did that happen?!?

Stormy · Post by **Stormy** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 10:06 pm

diane o'thirst wrote:
Stormy wrote:(OK, except for when I break my arm

Girlfriend!
When/how did that happen?!?

Towards the end of April, I was building a bookcase in our crowded living room. I tripped and started to fall backwards, dealing with a bookcase falling on me and landing on a metal wine rack. So I broke the radial head, which is sometimes referred to as an elbow fracture. The bones seem fairly well healed but the muscles are tight and there seem to be some issues with the joint that was operated on.

Result: it has cut into my exercise routine and I've gotten a bit plumper. Though have lost 10 pounds recently and still working on it. I will try very hard not to do something else klutzy this year.

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 10:24 pm

Come by Opera Camp and I'll setcha up with some sun tea and some Tiger Balm to rub on it. We'll sit in the shade canopy and hide from the sun

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 10:25 pm

Start my tan with the arc welder

Stormy · Post by **Stormy** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 10:28 pm

diane o'thirst wrote:Come by Opera Camp and I'll setcha up with some sun tea and some Tiger Balm to rub on it. We'll sit in the shade canopy and hide from the sun

Aw, that's awfully neighborly of you. I will stop by and say hello.

Cooky · Post by **Cooky** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 10:03 am

Stormy,

I had a radial head fracture (well 3 seperate fracture spots off the radial head) last October when I fell setting up for the Michigan decomp night. I ended up not doing a cast or surgery -- instead went the route of intensive therapy and used a sling in public for a few weeks. I'm still finding that I'm healing and continuing to regain little bits of motion, flexibility and strength even months later. It's a slow process...

I think the one of the most frustrating parts was returning to yoga and finding one arm shorter than the other -- makes "downward dog" difficult and a bit amusing.

Have you tried the turning pages of a book therapy? I found that one really helpful. I also find walking with 5 pound weights to be useful for stretching out the arm.

Cooky

Stormy · Post by **Stormy** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 2:45 pm

Have you tried the turning pages of a book therapy? I found that one really helpful.

I am sorry, confused here. You found a book helpful? Do you have the full title and author name? I would like to check it out. Thanks!

Cooky · Post by **Cooky** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 2:55 pm

Sorry, just re-read my post and I was totally unclear.

What I meant to say was that my physical therapist had me practice the motion of turning a page in a book to get the correct rotation restored in the elbow. You can either do it by actually turning pages or by pretending to turn pages. Whichever way you practice, try to keep the arm quite still, upper arm held still against your chest, arm bent 90 degrees at the elbow (like in a typing posture) and have the turning motion occur just in the wrist and hand -- that apparantly creates the proper movement within the elbow joint to restore better motion. I remember it hurt terribly after I did about 10 of those when I first started but it really worked.

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 3:48 pm

I've started stocking up on hookers and blow. My last will and testament is updated. Mom still hasn't finished sewing the name tags on my under-roos, but that's coming along. I bought a case of spam and two cases of scotch. I've programmed my TIVO so I don't miss ANY of my favorite shows. The bail bondsmen in Reno are alerted and on stand-by. The catherter's in the auto-clave, all we need is the OK from central command. My closet refinery finally has all the kinks ironed out and I'm tranmitting on multiple channels. All my toys have received a generous and loving application of whitch hazel.

Looking pretty good, yessiree, looking pretty good!

-------------------------------

BTW swimming is excellent all around PT for recovering from broken bones.

Stormy · Post by **Stormy** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 3:50 pm

Thanks Cooky!!!

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 3:51 pm

I've started stocking up on hookers and blow. My last will and testament is updated. Mom still hasn't finished sewing the name tags on my under-roos, but that's coming along. I bought a case of spam and two cases of scotch. I've programmed my TIVO so I don't miss ANY of my favorite shows. The bail bondsmen in Reno are alerted and on stand-by. The catherter's in the auto-clave, all we need is the OK from central command. My closet refinery finally has all the kinks ironed out and I'm tranmitting on multiple channels. All my toys have received a generous and loving application of whitch hazel.

Looking pretty good, yessiree, looking pretty good!

-------------------------------

BTW swimming is excellent all around PT for recovering from broken bones.

Stormy · Post by **Stormy** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 3:54 pm

LMAO blyslv!

Stormy · Post by **Stormy** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 3:54 pm

LMAO blyslv! So do those hookers come in 6 packs or cases?

_tears_ · Post by **_tears_** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:04 pm

At the moment i am drinking a lot of water, taking a few pills to aid my body, Hunting for a ride to and from, doing bits of shopping.

Also looking at pictures and getting all giggly

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 6:36 pm

dragonfly Jafe wrote:Start my tan with the arc welder

That's what it's like here! Wire-feed, grinder, air ratchets, junkyard trips, tuning, cleaning, fixing, holy shit the deadline's coming, ....

JezebelinHell · Post by **JezebelinHell** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 9:53 am

I always drink ridiculous amounts of water, so I'm not too worried about hydrating. Last year I did the mad scramble, but this year I've got almost everything I need already. The month prior gets easier once you've been out on the playa a few times and have figured out what you actually need to bring with you. I'm going the MRE route this year. After living off of Ramen for the past month (gotta save that extra BM cash somehow), it'll be a welcome change. And I know from my two previous visits to BRC that my least favorite thing in the whole world is doing dishes with no running water. If I get free time, it goes towards working on costumes/gifts...but there's really no stress this year. It's kinda nice.

Sensei · Post by **Sensei** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:48 pm

Time is moving much too quickly. I keep putting shit off this year. We're coming around the bend...

_tears_ · Post by **_tears_** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:58 pm

Sensei wrote:Time is moving much too quickly. I keep putting shit off this year. We're coming around the bend...

I am glad i am not the only one!

I still have A LOT of work to do and i just keep putting it off and putting it off.

My new job is keeping me SO bloody busy!

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 9:02 pm

I hear ya. As I'm getting my shit together and finishing projects, I'm finding out...

"Wow! I need this! Wow! I need that! Wow! I don't have enough money for the other thing but I can make it, so here I go!"

I've streamlined down my giftables this year and those are going together tonight — got all the components — but for example, I found I need a rack of sorts to raise my coolers off the ground. I want a pretty camp this year so I got going with the Rotozip to carve out a couple recumbent figures to go on the ends of the palette I'm going to have. I know I could just shine it on but I'm almost done...and like I said, I want a pretty camp

I also figured out it was cheaper to build my roofrack rather than buy one so that's another project. Fortunately, it's only a weekend job and I had a bumper of two weekends before Pack-Up and Go.

Four weekends of work-time...four paychecks...time to boogie, folks...

EB · Post by EB » Mon Jul 26, 2004 9:54 pm

In the past, I've focused too much on the mechanics of the event and not enough on the spiritual side.

My camp has incrementally gotten better (this year: evap pond and battery power!) but I tend to be gift-less and art-less (not to be confused with "shiftless and heartless.")

This year I'm El-wiring up my bikes and clothes and I plan to read some cool passages from Heller and Vonnegut, Jr. at the cafe. Maybe something from my own collection, too.

The last thirty days are about getting that kind of stuff together this year.

The last 30 days before you go.

The last 30 days before you go.

Last 30 days...

Re: The last 30 days before you go.

hehe

~