One Item for BM a Day (2010-2012)

[SquirrelHead]

I took down the tent in the living room for the weekend since people were visiting. An hour after they left 2 of the 3 hamster trail tents were up. I have some testing to do with them but I like the setup and think they will work. I need to get the air mattress in the smaller one to make sure it fits OK when inflated.Then it is on to figuring out how to block all that mesh and make sure that the tunnels between the tents won't let dust in.

[Drawingablank]

Woirked on some leather designs including a belt with matching buckle.

[wh..sh]

Woirked on some leather designs including a belt with matching buckle.

Photos appreciated

[Drawingablank]

Worked on some leather designs including a belt with matching buckle.

Photos appreciated

It is just going to be a leather belt with matching buckle to hold up my pants, but I am planning to stamp it with flames and stuff. They are barely past the design stage (buckle half stamped and belt not started yet - so nothing much to show yet. I'll post pics once some progress has been made.

I am also working on a fabric utility belt (purple crushed velvet) but that is also only half done because I am waiting on some more hardware.

[Oldguy]

I was able to get my batteries charged, but several have low fluid levels. I found the speed switch was broken. I was able to back my buggy off the trailer, but not go forward ; and the solenoids need checking. There are 5,( forward, reverse, A, B, and C.)

I found replacement speed switches at ZPaul components on the web today. The specific part was obsolete but there were 2 similar to use instead. Both were under 5 bucks and shipping was 10, so parts under 20 total. Next week I'll fix it. Before I buy batteries, I'll get components fixed.

[Clar-i-ty]

Every year at this time, I start to get excited, start planning, and get antsy to be there. But for at lease the last 5 years, I always have to face the likelihood that I may bot be able to go. As of now, I'm fully planning on being there.

[Thorormr]

I was able to get my batteries charged, but several have low fluid levels. I found the speed switch was broken. I was able to back my buggy off the trailer, but not go forward ; and the solenoids need checking. There are 5,( forward, reverse, A, B, and C.)

I found replacement speed switches at ZPaul components on the web today. The specific part was obsolete but there were 2 similar to use instead. Both were under 5 bucks and shipping was 10, so parts under 20 total. Next week I'll fix it. Before I buy batteries, I'll get components fixed.

If you lived closer I'd give ya my temperature corrected hydrometer. If you charge them until they gas freely and the specific gravity isn't up where it belongs you've got sulfited plates. Then you can decide if you want to low buck fix by adding distilled water and charging them a long time to attempt to desulfite the plates, just adding straight sulfuric acid to bring the gravity up, or buying new batteries. Which you might have to do if you find a cell way out of whack from the rest in a battery. I don't know what sort of charger you've got, but I'd see if it has an "equalization" cycle. If you know of a tractor/trailer shop nearby they may have a battery tester with enough capacity to check yours. Or a golf course with their own maintenance shop. Just some thoughts to save you some bucks.

[Savannah]

This weekend I used the routine replacement of my hot water heater (and the accompanying wild disarray) as a springboard to toss a few things and rearrange my tightly packed storage closet at length, since all my Burn stuff had to come out and clog up my living room. So now my desert rubbermaids each have their own spot, rather than being stacked in the off-season. So now, although the rubbermaids are still technically blocked by . . . a cot, and a camp recliner, and some camp chairs, and a tv tray, and a couple of suitcases, and a concrete mixing tub and some lumber and a tarp . . . . . . I can at least fill-&-stow at the end of an afternoon, rather than take them out & have to leave them out. Having to leave things out actually leads to procrastination because I don't want to Deal.

The mundane adventures of an apartment-dwelling Burner trying desperately to maintain a semblance of order . . .

[Drawingablank]

I spent 3 hours cleaning my tent - vacuming, vinegar bath, scrubbing, rinsing, drying - but it still looks like it hasn't left the playa lol.

[theCryptofishist]

Have you considered that it might be a quantum tent, in two places at once?

[Savannah]

Have you considered that it might be a quantum tent, in two places at once?

That's going to keep me awake at night.


Quick, DrawingaBlank! Put the tent up, go inside, then emerge and see where you are. Report back.

If you don't post by midnight, you have my fondest congratulations.

[Drawingablank]

Ok, sadly I have to report - it does not have a worm hole in it.

I left it up to dry, and although it still smells and looks like playa (more grey than blue) - it has no magical teleportation abilities.

I could probably compete for worlds dirtiest tent though.

[theCryptofishist]

I dunno, the Afghanis put a lot of work into that event, and have centuries of experience. They brought down the Soviet Empire--they could smack you down before breakfast...

[Drawingablank]

Well this not an item that is solely for BM, but last night I finally managed to spin a windmill with my poi after months of trying.

The funny thing is I had knocked back over a dozen PBRs since cleaning the tent and just grabbed the poi and did it on the first try - I was so shocked it didn't even sink in at first that I had actually done it.

[theCryptofishist]

Ah, relaxed...

[MyDearFriend]

I recommend bringing lots and lots of PBR to BRC, DAB... I wanna see that windmill.

[Drawingablank]

Ah, relaxed...

I guess, sometimes with spinning it helps to not think about it and just let it flow.

I recommend bringing lots and lots of PBR to BRC, DAB... I wanna see that windmill.

Lol, well now that I've done it once I can do it sober also. I find that once I accomplish a move once, it takes little practice to master it. I practice daily about 2 hours sober and another hour if I'm doing any drinking with the aim of being able to spin in any state of sobriety (or lack of). I don't actually spin fire so safety is not really an issue - the worst that ever happens is a nasty shot to the nads.

I will not likely ever get particularly good at at and it is probably taking me way longer to learn than average. I'm certainly not a natural talent with it and the arthritis in my hands makes it a lot tougher than it could be, but I chose it as my main form of exercise since I hate going to the gym.

(not that I won't bring lots of PBR anyway)

[Thorormr]

I guess, sometimes with spinning it helps to not think about it and just let it flow.

There is that. Your windmill is also hiding in the transition from three beat weave forwards to three beat weave backwards, you just have to raise your hands over head and not turn around all the way. It's also hiding in the corkscrew, and split-time shoulder reel. I found my windmill by accident, actually I had watermill down first on account of indoor practice with an 8' ceiling and having to dodge around a ceiling fan. Not much overhead work is possible. But with the weather getting warmer I'll be outside more and be able to open things up. I have a set of foxy sock poi I put some cheap floating LED pool lights in and they really stretch, very eerie in just how slow I can get them, we're talking almost 11' tall flowers here.

I finally ponied up and made my flowtoys order.

[Drawingablank]

Yes, I picked it up from a weave transition, but like usual bringing in the second hand properly was giving me fits. As for practice space I lucked out there - I have high ceilings at work so can practice all winter. Although it was fairly mild this year so I got in lots of outdoor practice too.

I learn my moves with 3 ounce fluffy poi. For stuff I have down already I switch to 7.5 ounce high output led balls from HoP as it's a much better workout with the heavier poi. I don't use my sock poi much as they are much harder to control with arthritic fingers. I also made a set of short tails for the fluffy poi if I need to slow them down. The tails give almost as much drag as the 8 ounce poi so are great for learning stuff where I'm hitting myself a lot but can use the control of spinning slowly.

[BoyScoutGirl]

Did a complete 180 on my travel plans. Instead of heading out from SoCal, I will be visiting a friend in Utah before the burn. Tonight I bought a train ticket from Salt Lake City to Reno, but now I have to figure out how to get my gear to Utah

Totally worth it!

[tattoogoddess]

Did a complete 180 on my travel plans. Instead of heading out from SoCal, I will be visiting a friend in Utah before the burn. Tonight I bought a train ticket from Salt Lake City to Reno, but now I have to figure out how to get my gear to Utah

Totally worth it!

See yeah on the train if it is the train getting into reno on sunday!

[BoyScoutGirl]

See yeah on the train if it is the train getting into reno on sunday!

Heck yea! I was thinking of you when I bought the ticket (your posts gave me the idea in the first place) but I thought you were coming from the West. We should plan good times world domination.

[Drawingablank]

Finally broke down and washed the canvas drop cloth we used as a floor in the monkey hut.

Shaking it out provided a delightful mini dust storm. I then used the air compressor to blow as much dust off as possible. We gave it 3 soakings in vinegar / water, 4 rinses in plain water, then hung it up to dry.

Just for the hell of it I tried hosing it down after all that and the water running off it was still playa color. I left it hanging out in the rain all night so hopefully that will help a bit.

[theCryptofishist]

Struggled some more with the Russian alphabet. Or Cyrillic to be precise.
Otherwise, it's been an annoying sick day. Bah!

[Savannah]

Get well soon, Fishy!


. . . My one item today: requested my volunteer shifts! I've got my fingers crossed for getting my favorite ones.

[peyote2004]

Even though I'm not going this year, I really enjoy reading this thread.

I have already started acquiring things for next year.

This week's purchase ... 3 large bins with hinged lids. My preference is for Rubbermaid style, but I thought the hinged ones would be better because they're clear. I believe clear bins are better for crossing the border, because you can see onto them without removing them from the car.

So... I now have 3 bins dedicated to store my fabric and other finds between now and BM 2013.

[tattoogoddess]

See yeah on the train if it is the train getting into reno on sunday!

Heck yea! I was thinking of you when I bought the ticket (your posts gave me the idea in the first place) but I thought you were coming from the West. We should plan good times world domination.

Nope I am coming from the east (iowa) I know one other person is getting on in Salt lake too. I wonder how to get us all in one car?

[theCryptofishist]

They may try and get you in the same car anyway, by destination.
Of course, it may not work, if some of you have sleepers and others don't.

[EmilyD]

Did a complete 180 on my travel plans. Instead of heading out from SoCal, I will be visiting a friend in Utah before the burn. Tonight I bought a train ticket from Salt Lake City to Reno, but now I have to figure out how to get my gear to Utah

Totally worth it!

Used to be the train was pretty reasonable for freight shipping. Might still be. It's worth looking into.

[Oldguy]

My speed switch/ microswitch came via brown truck today. I installed it in my buggy. Buggy wants to go forward and reverse, but motor/ starter doesn't seem to pull enough juice from batteries. Next stop is the battery store.