All By Myself

kirby · Post by **kirby** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:46 pm

Are the people receptive? Because I don't think I'd be good at selling this, like being all enthusiastic and engaging in my presentation. They would need to be internally motivated, to want it.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:08 pm

Doesn't matter.

No portaloos = no event.

It is a crucial volunteer job.

Post by **Savannah** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:16 pm

Are the people receptive? Because I don't think I'd be good at selling this, like being all enthusiastic and engaging in my presentation. They would need to be internally motivated, to want it.

You're a kick in the pants, kirby. I like how you express yourself.

I don't know how much evangelizing will be required, but you could ask Robbidobbs about it. It might involve labeling potties with informational poems and graphics, not necessarily pulling people aside on the street or something. But I'm not sure.

The person I know who participates in the Potty Project labels the insides of doors.

But if potties make you worry, you can see that there's lots of other stuff to do and it's a very personal decision, so don't feel that you have to choose in front of everyone. I didn't formally volunteer 'til my 4th burn.

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:27 am

kirby wrote:Are the people receptive? Because I don't think I'd be good at selling this, like being all enthusiastic and engaging in my presentation. They would need to be internally motivated, to want it.

I'm gonna try to sell ya on the ice thing again

Of course the folks are receptive, they are there to buy ice. They came to you, not you to them!
Plus every year I meet really cool people that I'm working with.

kirby · Post by **kirby** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:35 am

I am sold on the ice thing.
I am struggling with the excrement thing.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:14 am

Try Exlax!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:42 am

Most burners understand how important it is.

One of the primary reasons for the greeters is to communicate the rules about the portaloos to new people, and remind idiots.

The blm would not allow the event to continue without adequate potties.

Post by **Savannah** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:31 am

FIGJAM.

I am sold on the ice thing.
I am struggling with the excrement thing.

Then just do ice, kirby!

Seriously, most people don't volunteer at all their first time out there. You are ahead of the game.

You can do enough for the potty situation by never putting wipes or trash down there (pack 'em out in a baggie), never hovering, and using only 1-ply, which is supplied (bringing your own 1-ply camping t.p. is handy occasionally). The situation is quite good, & pumped by professional contractors a couple of times a day.

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:29 pm

kirby wrote:I am sold on the ice thing.
I am struggling with the excrement thing.

Sweet! in the email that was sent out with the shifts for Ice Cubed there were no 'Pushers' listed for Tuesday noon-3. This is likely be a typo.
Though, you could always try signing up, and asking for that position, on that day at Ice Cubed (3 O'clock side) and maybe we can work together!

Apox · Post by **Apox** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:32 pm

Ice Ice Baby... na na na na nan ana, na na na na nan ana, Ice Ice baby....

kirby · Post by **kirby** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 4:12 pm

There's Apox!
I didn't get that email.
I'll fill out the form on this site regarding volunteering and request Arctica.
Is it open 24 hours?
There's so much to bring. For a never-been-camping virgin, packing for this is going to be interesting. Luckily I'm limited by the size of my van.
In the past, what did you all wish you had brought but forgot-and make sure not to forget again?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 4:20 pm

Most important is comfortable dust goggles.

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 4:58 pm

kirby wrote: In the past, what did you all wish you had brought but forgot-and make sure not to forget again?

A third pair of sun glasses! I only really wear sun glasses in BRC or when I'm fishing, so I'm not very good at keeping track of them.

More chap stick! Loads of it! Last year it seemed I was having to open a new one every day!
But don't be worried because when you get home and start cleaning up, you'll start finding a lot of them. Put them in a drawer and use them throughout the rest of the year.

Lots o Socks!

kirby · Post by **kirby** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:26 pm

I love how nice you all are.

Post by **Savannah** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 6:12 pm

I love how nice you all are.

I love how variable the opinion of how nice we are . . . is, as a message board. Some just love us, others hate us immediately and get really pissed.

I have complicated but overly obvious theories as to why . . . but anyway.

Stuff I forgot as virgin: extra flashlight batteries (I fell asleep with mine on) and Sprite--which I rarely drink, but craved really badly out there. I don't think I had a small lanyard/hands-free flashlight for the bathroom, but it didn't bother me. (It would bother me now). I didn't bring enough cocktail fixings, or an especially festive cold weather outfit. I looked very boring on Burn Night, which was emotionally painful.

Over the years I added many more things to my packing list, but they reflect personal choices & my travel situation more than remembering vs. forgetting. For example, I like a wastebasket and a tv-tray in my tent. Is it necessary? No.

A good tool for a virgin who's volunteering is a travel alarm. This is also good if you have difficulty napping during the day, but want to attempt a disco nap from 6-9pm rather than sleep the night away unintentionally, which many of us have done (though often it was a good idea, and a playa sunrise--and a general feeling of well-being--was a great reward).

(Don't let a digital alarm have the full sun on it in a hot tent; it affects the reading of the digital display at least temporarily.)

some seeing eye · Post by **some seeing eye** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 7:17 pm

Along Savannah's theme - search ePlaya for "packing list" and there is also a day pack thread, what to carry with you throughout the day. Searching the Internet for "Burningman packing list" will produce lists too. You can boil down those into your own. Same answer applies to the brainstorm new thread, everything and nothing is new at Burningman.

It's good to be prepared, but realistically if you forget anything, there are probably at least a thousand people who can help you out with it. Except don't forget your ticket!

Post by **Savannah** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 7:35 pm

Oo, good idea Someseeingeye. Day packs for the win! I pre-packed mine prior to the playa this year, which was great, 'cause when I arrived I went immediately to a volunteer orientation after having driven all night. My newest Day Pack trick: use a sharpie to small-print the "ingredients" on the inside fabric, near the top of the bag. Put asterisks next to the few things that are day-only (like sunscreen or dark goggles, which takes up a bit of room). You're much less likely to forget essentials--or have more crap to lug around than you truly need.

As far as ickets go--the idea of forgetting my ticket gives me the cold chills.

I don't like to travel with someone else unless they show me their ticket too (or their ID & will call confirmation # etc). My 1st year the driver forgot his--actually, there was a problem at Will Call; he forgot his number, ID or something. He bought another ticket on the spot. I'm glad, he was a great guy, snarky & hilarious. Looked like a young Dr. Gonzo . . . liked to inject his insulin into his abdomen while driving 70 mph.

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:00 am

Savannah wrote: I don't like to travel with someone else unless they show me their ticket too (or their ID & will call confirmation # etc). My 1st year the driver forgot his--actually, there was a problem at Will Call; he forgot his number, ID or something. He bought another ticket on the spot. I'm glad, he was a great guy, snarky & hilarious. Looked like a young Dr. Gonzo . . . liked to inject his insulin into his abdomen while driving 70 mph.

O yeah! Super Crucial! Especially since there will be no gate ticket sales this year!

Also, we don't tear our tickets off the big piece of paper they come stapled to. We figure the bigger it is the harder to loose. We leave them in the cardboard envelope too.
Also if they get misplaced its easier to find, cause that big cardboard envelope would be hard to slide down a seat cushion, get stuck in the crease of a purse, get lost in the wrong pocket of yesterdays pants, etc. etc. etc.