One Item for BMan 2013 a Day

[otakup0pe]

Got the hexayurt out of storage today. Started the process of getting it ready. Amazed at how badly the bifilament tape degraded after just under two weeks of UV exposure. All the tape hinges were under foil tape and are just like new. It was just the bits that we used to assemble the four pre-made pieces.

On the weekend I splurges and got a pelican case for my drone. Blasted thing cost half what the drone + RC mod did.



Unfortunately I won't have it playing free bird this year. That is my project for 2014.

[9ah]

A friend gave me this as a gift. In LOVE!!

[Savannah]

I have one of those with a Soviet logo! I love them.

Make sure it's all the way lidded if you carry it on the outside of your pack. The lid may pop off.

[Ratty]

My clothes and costumes are PACKED. (Down to the last sock and undie). Whew....

I got my heavy rubber gloves for my 'clean up' shifts as a greeter.

[winterdream28]

[quote="Ratty"]My clothes and costumes are PACKED. (Down to the last sock and undie). Whew....

I packed everything up last night too:)!

[Ratty]

Winterdream, Feels great doesn't it?!

[winterdream28]

It really is a nice, a weight off my shoulders. I wish I could make more fun outfits... but I guess gas money is sorta a essential item;) One less thing to worry about! Now to figure out that shade structure thats my next to-do:-D I cant wait, I now have a count down on my desk at work to get me through the days.

[ohCarie]

My aluminet arrived in the mail. Woohoo! I've wanted it for soooo long and finally got it. Great deal too, $190 for 70% 20x25. It's huge! I hung it up as curtains and love the cool room with a perfect view of outside. Why don't people make aluminet curtains? I looked and nada. Possible idea for you entrepreneurs out there.. you could make a fortune!

[MikeGyver]

Went through my list of stuff to pack and it seems too easy. I have to be forgetting something important.

[Oldguy]

Food box filled with cans of spam, pork-n-beans, veenie-weinees, chunky chili/beans, hash, and a variety of soups to heat up or eat cold.

Freezer filled with chopped/prepped veggies, sausage patties(precooked), and protein bombs. Protein bombs took 2 days to make: yesterday I put 3 lbs. of black angus stew meat into crockpot to cook overnight, today I wrapped a dozen 3 inch cubes in bacon and fried them up.

In 3 weeks, I will put together my perishable cooler box: bread, eggs, milk, chocolate, etc...Every year I stop in at the Safeway grocery in Lovelock, Pershing County, Nevada to stock up. I then eat a good breakfast at Mickey D's, and gas up there in Lovelock, before the last push to the Playa.

[tattoogoddess]

Signed up for two DMV shifts today (all we could do as of right now) so if you have your mv and need it licensed, I will be there Sunday (before gate) 11-5 and Tuesday 11-2.

Started packing clothes

Went and sorted the last of the stuff in the garage

Shit!! We leave in 27 days!!!!!

[Oldguy]

Most soups are pre cooked ( pasteurized at the factory), so all you are really doing is heating them up at home. I personally prefer clear soups, tomato, meat broth; and certain creamed soups I put on pasta or mix with other ingredients. I like cream of mushroom soup, hot off the dashboard.

Good mornin' all, happy TGIF.

[Elliot]

Last night took the power sander to the calluses on my heels, and applied Flexitol Heel Balm. By the time I go to the desert there will be no dry calluses to crack and hurt.

[Ratty]

I eat progresso soup hot off the top of my van.

[9ah]

Shall do. They were intended to use at a bar she works at.. But it's going to the playa as well. Maybe next year I''ll pack her too!

I have one of those with a Soviet logo! I love them.

Make sure it's all the way lidded if you carry it on the outside of your pack. The lid may pop off.

[otakup0pe]

Last night took the power sander to the calluses on my heels, and applied Flexitol Heel Balm. By the time I go to the desert there will be no dry calluses to crack and hurt.

I am not at the point where I am literally using the dremel on my heels but my pumice stone has been getting a lot of use recently.

Yesterday I gave up on trying to figure out how to securely attach a decent rear cargo rack to my bike. I'm just going to get a trailer.

[Elliot]

60 grit sandpaper on an orbital sander.
In the movie The World's Fastest Indian (about a vintage Indian brand motorcycle), Anthony Hopkins' character uses an angle grinder to trim his toe nails. If that's good enough for the great Anthony Hopkins....

Anyway, in an other One A Day Item.... I'm now investing a few minutes each day sunning myself, to build a protective "base tan".

[Elliot]

.
This morning's Item was servicing Millicent's plumbing.




Millicent is a converted school bus. She has conventional RV plumbing -- toilet, shower, sink, waste tanks, fresh water tank.
This applies to all RVs! Do not expect your kindly uncle, and certainly not an RV rental agency, to service the plumbing before your trip.

Attach RV drain hose to RV drain outlet, and the other end to a house sewer pipe cleanout or other sewer intake such as at campgrounds and some rest areas.
Drain "black" tank -- toilet holding tank. Close that drain valve again.
Drain "grey" tank -- wash water tank. Do it in this order so the grey water rinses the black water thru the hose. Close that valve again.
(Some RVs have only one combined drain valve.)
Pour generous quantities of non-formaldehyde RV no-stink chemical in both tanks. This chemical can be bought even in regular hardware stores -- try the drain cleaner shelf in the plumbing department. Auto part stores also carry it. Follow the label for the quantity, then add some more. And bring the bottle with you.
Fill fresh water tank with tap water. Use a drinking-water-rated hose -- usually white with green stripe -- if you can. With a regular garden hose, let the water run a while to flush out the rubber odor. Add 1/4 (quarter) cup of regular laundry bleach per 50 gallons to kill any germs that might want to grow in the tank.

Enjoy your trip.

[171/348]

Brought the RV home from the shop today. Hopefully we're done with that until after the burn (save one more possible visit to fix the speedometer... cruise control would be nice on the 7000 mile drive). Fluids and filters on the engine, tranny and gennie. Ended up replacing all 3 batteries (ouch!). Gotta remember to get extra air filters to put in post-playa.
Made a huge dent in the most burdensome life crap I need to get out of the way before the burn too.

I hit the road 2 weeks from tomorrow!

[TT120]

..........Any tips on small tent rebaring? some of the stake loops are rather small. There's 4 guy lines and 4 stakes, making 8 total. I was thinking of just candy-caning some smaller rebar, but I'd like to hear what you guys have to say on the matter. I'd rather not be a sailboat :3

I'm going to try these giant 12" nails with a big washer on each one for my tent loops. Drive them into the Playa at an angle and flush to the ground. That will keep my tent down and no trip hazard.

[Savannah]

I use 10" Coleman stakes that are very similar (big nails, basically) except for green plastic thingamabobs under the heads to help prevent them from getting lost in the earth. A 30" Fulton wrecking bar helps get 'em back out.

[Ratty]

My big canvas tent I don't rebar the tent, only the many ropes that secure it. around the tent it's self I use little stakes.

My little tent is held down entirely by the tools, extra rebar and bins of food inside. It ain't movin. (But it's a tiny little dome).

[Malcolm]

I use 10" Coleman stakes that are very similar (big nails, basically) except for green plastic thingamabobs under the heads to help prevent them from getting lost in the earth. A 30" Fulton wrecking bar helps get 'em back out.

I was going to go with the 12" nails (I didn't think about the washers TT120), but found that my particular tent needs the pegs with the beveled ends, so I went with the 10" Colemans.
I was worried that they wouldn't be long enough. Have you had any issues with them?

[maladroit]

..........Any tips on small tent rebaring? some of the stake loops are rather small. There's 4 guy lines and 4 stakes, making 8 total. I was thinking of just candy-caning some smaller rebar, but I'd like to hear what you guys have to say on the matter. I'd rather not be a sailboat :3

I'm going to try these giant 12" nails with a big washer on each one for my tent loops. Drive them into the Playa at an angle and flush to the ground. That will keep my tent down and no trip hazard.

Instead of the washers, I'd take a page from FIGJAM (as should we all) and get a piece of chain that has links just big enough to fit over the nail, but not the head. Cut up the chain into two-link pieces. Now you end up with one secure link and one floppy link to tie off your guy lines. The difference is that FIGJAM uses giant lag screws and a power drill to zip them in and out of the playa.

[FIGJAM]

[tattoogoddess]

Jesus is figjam bill nye in real life? He seems to know everything. I need him on speed dial!

[FIGJAM]

I know a lot about a few things.

I know a little about a lot of things.

I don't know everything about anything.

[Elliot]

But he is a wise man who knows how little he knows.

[Ratty]

Fundraiser today. (That's my one thing.) I'm anxious to be done with it so I can concentrate on ME.

Elliot, Eplaya can be very humbling. I can't follow the building and lighting threads.

[Elliot]

Ratty, I don't even try. I just skip around randomly, just like I live the rest of my life -- and even more so in BRC.