I'm coming! -Ariela from the Bronx

[ArielaMelody]

Finally going to BRC after years of being thwarted! I'm looking for people in NYC or the northeast in general to travel with, plan with, talk to, brainstorm projects/gift ideas, and learn from on this first trip and forever after.

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

Have questions? Read this first: http://www.burningman.com/first_timers/
Everybody on eplaya is always excited to help first timers; but in sympathy for some of us old timers, please get your required reading out of the way before posting. As hard as it is to rein in the the excitement and enthusiasm, and as unbelievable as it might seem, most of your questions have already been asked and answered, if you just take a moment to read.

Now, let the adventure begin!

[Drawingablank]

Welcome to eplaya.

[Bin Noddin]

There are many active burners in NYC. Look here to get in touch: http://regionals.burningman.com/

[ArielaMelody]

Thanks, yes I've been doing my research, plus I befriended a wonderful gang out at baker beach in San Francisco (where I hear this all began) who are goldmines of info as well. Just wanted to introduce myself and make this official. It is so nice to have all of these amazing resources at hand. I'm on the NYC list, as of recently.

[Savannah]

Hi Ariela!

The http://rideshare.burningman.com site should update to 2011 in a few days . . . I think.

[ArielaMelody]

Thanks Savanna, I'll definitely make use of the rideshare board. I discover that the more I search, the more I find, so I'll be very sparing with my questions. Have a very happy hump day all! I'm so excited I can't sleep!

[Sigmund]

Hello Ariela ! You're a scientist ? What's your field ?

[ArielaMelody]

I'm not a working scientist. In the past I assisted in various studies in plant ecology, trying to find effective ways to cull invasive plants taking hold in Northern CA and rehabilitate native grasslands. Most recently I've worked in public health- housing and healthcare- and now I'm trying to get into med school to strengthen my sway in that arena. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to say I have a scientific perspective on life. Are you a researcher?

Ariela

[Sigmund]

No Ariela, I'm a journalist and I work for some french scientific magazines and website. Most of the time I write about astronomy and space exploration, but I also wrote some articles about ecology, medicine, etc.

[ArielaMelody]

What a cool job! So nice to have a lot of variety in material, and notice all the connections. Ecology and space exploration can be pretty closely related. Serpentine, a green rock type found along the west coast, comes from the bottom layer of the oceanic plate, and is responsible for some of the very bizarre plant life around CA. It's also found in very large deposits on mars! I once worked with a few NASA geologists who were using serpentine to test out some machinery that was sent on the last mars rover. Pretty wild stuff (I think).

I wonder if there are any BM projects focused on the evolving geologic history and ecology of the Black Rock Desert..

Ariela

[theCryptofishist]

The Friends of Black Rock/HIgh Rock and the BLM team up with an informational camp in the inner circle. I don't know how much it goes down the road you want. Badger, Isotopia and Rhino all have some geographical expertise, and it can be interesting to talk to them about it on the board. Iso is the one most likely to meet and she can be sharp at times.

[ArielaMelody]

Sharp? I'm not easily hurt, but I won't waste my time. Thanks Crypto, I'll see what I'll see.

[whiskeywhore]

Hi, Ariela,

NYC has a weekly Happy Hour at Revival, 129 East 16th st in Manhattan, Wednesdays, starting at 7ish, til we get tired or the bar tells us to leave. Hope to see you there.

[whiskeywhore]

Correction, East 15th St

[ArielaMelody]

I've gotten kicked out of Revival all by myself! I love that place. Thanks so much for letting me know- I won't be able to make it this Wed (taking the MCAT, wish me luck!) But I'll be there next week absolutely. Hopefully they've restocked albino python by then.

Ariela

[jonahman3000]

Hey Ariela,

First timer from Brooklyn and very curious about rides out to BM, camps out there and likeminded people...unfortunately I can never make it to the weekly happy hours due to class and the people I have contacted about helpful info haven't been terribly helpful. Have you gotten hooked up with a camp? A ride? It's getting closer and I still don't know what exactly I'll be doing when I get there! Eek!

Jonah

[ArielaMelody]

No, no camp hookups, but I'm thrilled to be going solo and to have the chance to meet folks and experience camps this year before I commit for the future! As for traveling, I'm driving x country to SF with a friend, and then hope to carpool in with some west coast peoples. I'll be happy to talk about preparations, ideas, costumes, etc! I also plan to volunteer in some capacity- hopefully doing something that involves running all over the place. My main concern is obtaining a BIKE.

[Savannah]

You could see a lot of the city by volunteering with the Lamplighters, or the Black Rock City post office. There's a Volunteer! link at the bottom left of the main Burning Man website. However, I think both of those particular volunteer gigs can begin on-playa (though there is a Lamplighter camp with people who are already set to do it, and who absorb additional volunteers daily, several hours before showtime). Not 100% sure if the Post Office accepts walk-up volunteers, but I believe so, & you could research it on the main site.

[The Postgoddess]

Just walk right up and volunteer at the BRCPO 2.Oh in the 9:00 Plaza! Our site has lot's of info: http://brcpo2oh.weebly.com/index.html Official volunteer orientations are at 11:30AM & 4:30PM everyday and unofficial orientations are whenever you can find me or one of my Postminions. There is absolutely no better way to participate and get to know BRC than volunteering at the 9:00 plaza PO.

XOXXX,
The Postgoddess
The BRCIPO Village in the 9:00 Plaza

[Brid]

Hey! Craigslist is super handy for bikes. I just moved to the States and I got a really good second hand beach cruiser for just under $50. It's my first Burning Man this summer. Super excited. Just trying to sort out a ride from LA to the Playa but sure there's plenty of time! It's going to be some adventure! x

[ArielaMelody]

Yes yes yes! I'm so excited to start my career in the BRC postal service! I've also got to look for a ride from SF, but also not super worried about that. And as it seems I'll have quite some time to kill in SF, I'll sniff out a bike, assuming whatever ride I find can support it.