Hola, como estan?

[ACfromSAC]

I guess since this is at the very top of ePlaya, I may as well stop ignoring it. Hi, I'm Adrien. Last year was my first burn and if circumstance allows, I intend on returning every year for the rest of my life. It was one of the best and DEFINITELY the strangest week of my life. Everything was much more friendly, happy, inviting, beautiful and weird than I could've possibly prepared myself for. I went with my uncle (who gifted me a ticket) and a co-worker of his. We became good friends with a couple of fellows from Germany and a group from San Diego with whom we spend most of our week. We stayed with Camp Anonymous (as one of us is sober and part of the camp) but we set up camp in the Camp Synonymous section so those of us who wanted to enjoy a bit of booze could do so without infringing upon others' sober quarters.

I struck out on tickets this year but JUST YESTERDAY found two face value tickets on ebay with a buy it now option. I'm completely preoccupied and distracted and excited about returning. I'm bringing my girlfriend who is a virgin burner but in SO many ways encompasses the spirit of burning man in her daily life. She's never going to be the same, in the best way possible.

I have a friend that works for Bert's Bees who gave me a couple hundred lip balms to give away last year. I'm getting the same this year, so if any of you see the bearded individual in the photo to the right cruising aroung the playa, come see me... your lips will thank you.

[Savannah]

Hi Adrien!

[BoyScoutGirl]

I must say, that's a pretty epic beard.

Oh, and welcome! I hope you enjoy ePlaya as a fun place full of crazy burners.

[ACfromSAC]

I must say, that's a pretty epic beard.

I must say, I totally agree. I started growing it a couple weeks before last year's burn and have only given it a couple of maintenance trims since.

[trilobyte]

Hi, and welcome to ePlaya! Congrats on the tickets, hope to see you out there.

Peoples' zippers will thank you too - use a little lip balm on your zippers to keep them from sticking.

[ACfromSAC]

Peoples' zippers will thank you too - use a little lip balm on your zippers to keep them from sticking.

McGyver of the playa.

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

[theCryptofishist]

I have a friend that works for Bert's Bees who gave me a couple hundred lip balms to give away last year. I'm getting the same this year, so if any of you see the bearded individual in the photo to the right cruising aroung the playa, come see me... your lips will thank you.

Just be careful with the skirting the commerce thing...

[Eric]

I have a friend that works for Bert's Bees who gave me a couple hundred lip balms to give away last year. I'm getting the same this year, so if any of you see the bearded individual in the photo to the right cruising aroung the playa, come see me... your lips will thank you.

Just be careful with the skirting the commerce thing...

As long as he's not on a bike that says "Burts Bees", or carrying them around in a big branded bag, I think he's fine. I have friends who come out most years who own a local soda company (or as they call them: "elixirs") with great flavors like Mojito & Chai. They always bring out a couple of boxes of them and gift them to their favorite playa bars. The boxes are behind the counters, Burners are having part of a bottle poured in their drink without really seeing it, it's not anymore advertising than someone pouring Absolute or carrying PBR around.

[BoyScoutGirl]

I have a friend that works for Bert's Bees who gave me a couple hundred lip balms to give away last year. I'm getting the same this year, so if any of you see the bearded individual in the photo to the right cruising aroung the playa, come see me... your lips will thank you.

Just be careful with the skirting the commerce thing...

Wow, I never would have thought of that, though it seems so obvious in retrospect.

Beardy McAwesome AC, if you're got the time and energy, I believe the shrink-wrap label on most chapsticks cuts off very easily. That's less material that could become litter and it would completely eliminate the advertising. Just a thought - as Eric points out, it wouldn't really be considered a necessary step, even if it would be appreciated by some/many.

[ACfromSAC]

Hmmm... never crossed my mind last year but it's a thought. I'm certainly not cruising around the playa shouting "GET YOUR BERT'S BEES HERE!" but still. I'll have to do a test run on a label or two and see if it's worth the time investment. Otherwise, I'll just hand them out and shout something negative about commerce and hiss loudly as I pedal away.

[bluesbob]

Use a megaphone for hissing.

[Savannah]