Advice for Burnign Man newbs V 2.0

[Eric]

What about MyLArry who wears his utilikilt on a regular basis OFF the playa? Especially when we're on vacation?

That makes all the difference- MyLarry lives his clothes, they're not "costumes". I also bet he doesn't go around dissing what others are wearing.

Note: I have nothing against costumes. I wear them a lot (we just call it "drag"). I just get tired of the sameyness and the expectation that everyone wants to wear them.

[lucky.bastard]

for the drive home from our regional burn the other day i put on my "in-cog-neat-0" clothes ( blue jeans and a polo shirt ) ... to which my special lady friend said "and now your best costume yet ".......

[AntiM]

I do take perverse pleasure in telling rangers they are wearing cute costumes.

[theCryptofishist]

What about MyLArry who wears his utilikilt on a regular basis OFF the playa? Especially when we're on vacation?

Well, he's only imitating his playa look in default. That makes him so derivative he could write for News of the World.

(Actually, I think the world of your Larry, as I think you know. He's a treasure, no matter what box you put him in.)

[motskyroonmatick]

Scour the garage sales, flea markets, and Goodwill stores for unusual clothing to make costumes so that you'll look very individual in order to fit in with everybody.

But don't be afraid to wear blue jeans or khaki pants if you don't get into wearing costumes. If someone tells you you look like a tourist, tell them to fuck off and call them hippies.

I wear blue jeans and a tee shirt nearly every day at the burn. I've been heckled a few times but figure the heckler is not as well adjusted as me and shrug it off. It is a utilitarian outfit. Jeans are tough and provide great sunblock for my terribly white legs. It is also nice to not have to change out of the ever present fire hazard tutu to do a little bit of welding. My plumage shows when I fix something not how I strut my unique textiles on the Playa.

[StevenGoodman]

Make sure the Mutant Vehicle + Bar knows where to drop you off when you can't remember your name....or where you are.... or what this damn party is called....

Martini Steve

[gaminwench]

^^
Have a buddy,
be safe...

Hydrate.
Gyrate.
Moderate.
Elevate.
Participate.
Create.
Emancipate.

As dusk falls, your first night on the playa, walk out your nearest 'time' street toward the Man at least 200 yards past the Esplanade...
turn around, and find your bearings back to camp -
Lights, tall things, lights, banners, shapes, lights...
then look out to the Temple... get those bearings, too.

The realization that you cannot/willnot see it all is quite freeing...

Wear comfortable shoes.

[jella]

Scour the garage sales, flea markets, and Goodwill stores for unusual clothing to make costumes so that you'll look very individual in order to fit in with everybody.

But don't be afraid to wear blue jeans or khaki pants if you don't get into wearing costumes. If someone tells you you look like a tourist, tell them to fuck off and call them hippies.

I wear blue jeans and a tee shirt nearly every day at the burn. I've been heckled a few times but figure the heckler is not as well adjusted as me and shrug it off. It is a utilitarian outfit. Jeans are tough and provide great sunblock for my terribly white legs. It is also nice to not have to change out of the ever present fire hazard tutu to do a little bit of welding. My plumage shows when I fix something not how I strut my unique textiles on the Playa.

Hey Motz like da man says..It's looks good on ya baby ! ((Hugs))

[The Bee]

^^

As dusk falls, your first night on the playa, walk out your nearest 'time' street toward the Man at least 200 yards past the Esplanade...
turn around, and find your bearings back to camp -
Lights, tall things, lights, banners, shapes, lights...
then look out to the Temple... get those bearings, too.

This is great advice. But you need to re-orient and get your bearings every night, not just on your first night. It's amazing how the city changes as the week progresses.

Of course, it's OK to get lost too. That's how you make new friends.

[Eric]

^^

As dusk falls, your first night on the playa, walk out your nearest 'time' street toward the Man at least 200 yards past the Esplanade...
turn around, and find your bearings back to camp -
Lights, tall things, lights, banners, shapes, lights...
then look out to the Temple... get those bearings, too.

This is great advice. But you need to re-orient and get your bearings every night, not just on your first night. It's amazing how the city changes as the week progresses.

Sometimes you wont have a single "thing" to guide you home- last year I had to use 2 art pieces to get me close enough to see the BRBC radio tower in our camp (Ein Hammer was great for bringing me close enough!). Of course, I wasn't sober so YMMV...

[Sham]

That's great advice. A few years ago, a day visitor parked his car at our camp (6:30 and C) and headed off to see the Man and the Temple. I took him by the hand and made him memorize landmarks to get him back to his car. I also gave him a few energy bars, 2 bottles of water and a bandana, since he had no freakin' clue as to what he was getting into. In parting, I wiped a few handfuls of playa dust on his nice button down shirt and wished him luck. (it was the least I could do for him )

[AntiM]

... He's a treasure, no matter what box you put him in.)

That is incredibly filthy. And true.

[gaminwench]

bump

[illy dilly]

^^

As dusk falls, your first night on the playa, walk out your nearest 'time' street toward the Man at least 200 yards past the Esplanade...
turn around, and find your bearings back to camp -
Lights, tall things, lights, banners, shapes, lights...
then look out to the Temple... get those bearings, too.

This is great advice. But you need to re-orient and get your bearings every night, not just on your first night. It's amazing how the city changes as the week progresses.

Of course, it's OK to get lost too. That's how you make new friends.

And having to stop and ask folks if they know what street it is.
Sadly, it must have been 'cool' to steel street signs last year.

[Savannah]

I heard a Medic say he'd never seen the street signs stolen so early in the week before. Yeah--not super cool.

[The Bee]

never seen the street signs stolen so early in the week before

Wow. Stolen early in the week before. Before the event even starts. That is early. [sorry, couldn't resist ]

It's true that you can't rely on street signs because they do disappear. But you can rely on asking a stranger where you are, and you'll always get a helpful answer. Well, maybe not always helpful, if they're lost too!

[Savannah]

You naughty monkey!

[motskyroonmatick]

I wear blue jeans and a tee shirt nearly every day at the burn. I've been heckled a few times but figure the heckler is not as well adjusted as me and shrug it off. It is a utilitarian outfit. Jeans are tough and provide great sunblock for my terribly white legs. It is also nice to not have to change out of the ever present fire hazard tutu to do a little bit of welding. My plumage shows when I fix something not how I strut my unique textiles on the Playa.

Hey Motz like da man says..It's looks good on ya baby ! ((Hugs))

Thanks Jella!!!!! I'm looking forward to seeing you and figment on the playa this year.

On rereading my post I wish to state that I fully support the creative, awesome, inspiring, humorous, use and lack of use of textile clothing on the playa and all points elsewhere.

[robbidobbs]

Re: TP
Scott toilet paper is just fine out there. It is 100% paper, and doesn't cost as much as RV tp.
(this coming from the Shit Queen of Burningman)
Re: Signs
There are orange foam tubes over the T-stakes at every corner that have the street name on them (A & 3:00).
If you're lost, just get to a corner, find the Man (unless he's burned up) and get your bearings.

Drink water, drink water, drink water.
Wear the shoes that you intend to bring out there pre-event. Make sure you can wear them ALL DAY. Your feet WILL swell from the heat/dehydration. Bring mole-skin. Bring more than one pair of really comfortable shoes: they can get wet, lost or blown out.

Regardless of the SPF of the sunburn goo you have, make sure it's moisturizing too. Dessication is a reality. Don't get that "dry" shit.
Bring one good jacket, one that you don't care if it gets dirty, burned, or lost.
Bring twice as much beer and cigarettes than you think you will use. No, really.
Make up a box of donation food for DPW from your pantry - they need food during the Event too. Throw in cigarettes while your at it.

Put a string on your sunglasses. They don't get lost that way. Same with all your hats.
Take a gallon of vinegar out with you. You can wash your feet, your friend's feet, or someone who is in need (who's probably wearing sandals).
PROTECT YOUR FEET!

All of your plans, expectations and wishes will disappear once you jump off the pavement. Count on it. Enjoy it.

Yours faithfully,
RobbiDobbs

PS: I call them "virgins". After the Man burns down, then they're de-virginized. It seems appropriate. YMMV.

[Savannah]

I wear blue jeans and a tee shirt nearly every day at the burn. I've been heckled a few times but figure the heckler is not as well adjusted as me and shrug it off. It is a utilitarian outfit. Jeans are tough and provide great sunblock for my terribly white legs. It is also nice to not have to change out of the ever present fire hazard tutu to do a little bit of welding. My plumage shows when I fix something not how I strut my unique textiles on the Playa.

Hey Motz like da man says..It's looks good on ya baby ! ((Hugs))

Thanks Jella!!!!! I'm looking forward to seeing you and figment on the playa this year.

On rereading my post I wish to state that I fully support the creative, awesome, inspiring, humorous, use and lack of use of textile clothing on the playa and all points elsewhere.

You're just saying that so I don't link the photo of you wearing fluffy black faux fur boot covers from knee to toe.

[Packoderm]

One piece of advice I would give is to get in shape and get good footwear. I worked in my backyard for the past two days, and I was surprised how heavy my workboots felt after a few hours. I decided I will wear my boots when I go shopping, walking, bicycling, and whatnot for a few weeks. I would caution against buying a pair of boots "for the playa" and not putting some time into them before going to Burning Man. If you haven't rode a bike in a while, you might be surprised how hard the seat can seem after a ride on the playa. Again, I'd caution against buying a bike "for the playa" without putting in some time riding before the festival. REI, or maybe bicycle shops, sells padded underwear made for bicycling that will literally save your butt when you go riding. http://www.rei.com/product/794384/novar ... riefs-mens

[robbidobbs]

Get a wide, spring-loaded Grandma bike seat, there are gel covers for seats to go over it.
A couple years ago Gonzo and I liberated a couple moop bikes after the Event (all bikes are moop as of Tuesday). Mine had a cushion made of foam rubber and duct tape. It works pretty good.

Duct tape is your friend, especially when your shoes blow out.

Bring q-tips. Playa really sticks to ear wax and becomes concrete.

If you think your costume is playa safe, throw it in the dryer for at least 10 minutes. This is the closest thing to "field testing" you can do off-playa.

Leave your metal buckles at home. Use rope or elastic to hold up your pants.

[ygmir]

Get a wide, spring-loaded Grandma bike seat, there are gel covers for seats to go over it.
A couple years ago Gonzo and I liberated a couple moop bikes after the Event (all bikes are moop as of Tuesday). Mine had a cushion made of foam rubber and duct tape. It works pretty good.

Duct tape is your friend, especially when your shoes blow out.

Bring q-tips. Playa really sticks to ear wax and becomes concrete.

If you think your costume is playa safe, throw it in the dryer for at least 10 minutes. This is the closest thing to "field testing" you can do off-playa.

Leave your metal buckles at home. Use rope or elastic to hold up your pants.

pants?

[MyDearFriend]

Get a wide, spring-loaded Grandma bike seat, there are gel covers for seats to go over it.
A couple years ago Gonzo and I liberated a couple moop bikes after the Event (all bikes are moop as of Tuesday). Mine had a cushion made of foam rubber and duct tape. It works pretty good.

Duct tape is your friend, especially when your shoes blow out.

Bring q-tips. Playa really sticks to ear wax and becomes concrete.

If you think your costume is playa safe, throw it in the dryer for at least 10 minutes. This is the closest thing to "field testing" you can do off-playa.

Leave your metal buckles at home. Use rope or elastic to hold up your pants.

pants?

no pants!

[Savannah]

If you wear contact lenses, drip some of that saline in your nose daily, too. Or just bring some proper nasal saline. It may help prevent nosebleeds after several days on the playa. My first kleenex of Day 4 usually has a bright red hello-to-you! if I don't do this myself.

[Elorrum]

Do not choose a parked art car as a landmark. even if you see it there always... one night it's going to move away.

[ygmir]

If you wear contact lenses, drip some of that saline in your nose daily, too. Or just bring some proper nasal saline. It may help prevent nosebleeds after several days on the playa. My first kleenex of Day 4 usually has a bright red hello-to-you! if I don't do this myself.

or, don't chase parked cars.

[Savannah]

or, don't chase parked cars.

If it's a well-kept '65 Mustang, I'm going to press my face against it, and there's nothing you can do about it.

[Elderberry]

This is the best! We bring it every year. http://www.neilmed.com/usa/sinusrinse.php

If you wear contact lenses, drip some of that saline in your nose daily, too. Or just bring some proper nasal saline. It may help prevent nosebleeds after several days on the playa. My first kleenex of Day 4 usually has a bright red hello-to-you! if I don't do this myself.

[ygmir]

or, don't chase parked cars.

If it's a well-kept '65 Mustang, I'm going to press my face against it, and there's nothing you can do about it.

*searching for 46 year old wild horse boxers*