Butterflies in stomach

[winterdream28]

So I have dreamt, heck even obsessed about making it out to the playa for almost 4 years now. Now that it is a reality, I have butterflies in my stomach!
I can't tell if I am nervous or just excited like a kid on christmas morning.
I am even dreaming about being there, no clue how my brain is creating these visions to something I have never experienced myself

Is this normal for a burning man virgin?
Any tips or tricks on how to calm these excitement/nervous/happy/thrilled vibes.

[FIGJAM]

Yes it's normal.

Quick, swallow a kitten to deal with those flitterbys!!!

[VultureChow]

So I have dreamt, heck even obsessed about making it out to the playa for almost 5 years now. Now that it is a reality, I have butterflies in my stomach!
I can't tell if I am nervous or just excited like a kid on christmas morning.
I am even dreaming about being there, no clue how my brain is creating these visions to something I have never experienced myself

Is this normal for a burning man virgin?
Any tips or tricks on how to calm these excitement/nervous/happy/thrilled vibes.

Absolutely normal. I'm in the same boat right now and this is my second year.

Last year, months before the burn I was having dreams about it. Just enjoy the roller coaster of emotions. There's not any good way to be prepared for the total experience, just get yourself prepared for the logistics of getting there and set up. On those rare moments when I'm not actively working or arranging things for the burn, I like to plan out in my head the shopping I have to do in Reno, how things will fit into the rental car. The order in which I will set things up. It's a fun logistics puzzle. What is the most efficient use of my time?

But I approach all trips this way. My paris google map was a study in obsessiveness.

[winterdream28]

HA I will try to get the cat to help me out
I have been reading on here a lot. It has been helping answer these looming questions I have in my brain.

I agree about planning things out in my head. I think I may have over planned. We are 3 weeks out and really besides socks, dried fruit, and jerky(strange combo).... we are all ready to go lol.
I have lists made, and checked off and double checked in some situations. Maybe my brain can help our camp layout ( small group of friends) but no one has figured the logistics out of that yet.


One thing I am worried about is my heart. I have SVT and when I have episodes my heart goes into a uncontrollable flutter and I end up at the ER and they like restart my heart with this shot.
I have reached out to the med tents to make sure they have the medicine I need should it happen, which they do, I just can not envision getting the shot they give me in a middle of a dust storm out there.
They were very kind, and very accomidatng, and gave me other precautions but man everyone and their dang mother is say "omg what if you have a episode, are you crazy for going out there"
I should say that this is a bi-yearly thing, not a weekly thing. And like I get it..... I have a dumb heart, but that will not stop me from living and enjoying life and going on journeys I have dreamt about.

Hmmm I think I just had an ahh ha moment. Because I am all packed up, and the lsits are all checked now my brain is worrying about the only thing it has left to worry about.

[VultureChow]

One thing I am worried about is my heart. I have SVT and when I have episodes my heart goes into a uncontrollable flutter and I end up at the ER and they like restart my heart with this shot.
I have reached out to the med tents to make sure they have the medicine I need should it happen, which they do, I just can not envision getting the shot they give me in a middle of a dust storm out there.
They were very kind, and very accomidatng, and gave me other precautions but man everyone and their dang mother is say "omg what if you have a episode, are you crazy for going out there"

I get it. My brother has an inoperable brain condition which any moment could go pop (literally) and he has a similar attitude. Are you with a pre-placed village or camp? If not, you could try and position your camp on the close side to the main medical camp.

The best you can do is to let people you are with or around the camp know what to expect and or the warning signs you exhibit. Keep your ass parked in the shade for the first 24-48 hours. Believe it or not, it is actually possible to walk and navigate in a sand storm. It is not pleasant, or fast, and there are safety issues, but a medical emergency is worth risking it for. People are immeasurably helpful out there.

[Savannah]

HA I will try to get the cat to help me out
I have been reading on here a lot. It has been helping answer these looming questions I have in my brain.

I agree about planning things out in my head. I think I may have over planned. We are 3 weeks out and really besides socks, dried fruit, and jerky(strange combo).... we are all ready to go lol.

I love weird shopping combos! I went through the checkout line one year on the way down with . . . I believe it was . . . 8 cans of cooking spray, a bedpillow, an automotive funnel, Christmas underwear, and men's soccer socks.

(When the cashier looks at you funny, sing out "Camping!!" in your best Master Thespian voice.)

I have lists made, and checked off and double checked in some situations. Maybe my brain can help our camp layout ( small group of friends) but no one has figured the logistics out of that yet.


One thing I am worried about is my heart. I have SVT and when I have episodes my heart goes into a uncontrollable flutter and I end up at the ER and they like restart my heart with this shot.
I have reached out to the med tents to make sure they have the medicine I need should it happen, which they do, I just can not envision getting the shot they give me in a middle of a dust storm out there.

So you might already know all this, but Emergency Services near Center Camp (about 5:15 / Esplanade) is the branch with Advanced Life support and helicopter transport, etc. If you stop at the other places 3:00 & C, 9:00 & C, or near the 7:30 plaza this year (which is a new thing and that's all I know about it) it's still staffed by all kinds of medical professionals (MDs, Medics, RNs, EMTs, etc) but the equipment is for Basic Life Support. If you need serious meds, you will probably be transported to the main branch on the Esplanade, so if you are close anyway, default to there. Make sure your campmates know this. (And I assume you've got a bracelet that says SVT on it . . . you must, if you deal with this occasionally in regular life?)

They were very kind, and very accomidatng, and gave me other precautions but man everyone and their dang mother is say "omg what if you have a episode, are you crazy for going out there"
I should say that this is a bi-yearly thing, not a weekly thing. And like I get it..... I have a dumb heart, but that will not stop me from living and enjoying life and going on journeys I have dreamt about.

Good for you.

And like Figjam says--butterflies and nervousness are normal. I still get 'em and this will be my 9th Burn.

Hmmm I think I just had an ahh ha moment. Because I am all packed up, and the lsits are all checked now my brain is worrying about the only thing it has left to worry about.

Hee.

[oly14]

I have been reading on here a lot. It has been helping answer these looming questions I have in my brain.
I agree about planning things out in my head. I think I may have over planned.

Glad to hear others, fellow birgins and veterans, are in the same boat. I suffer from the same character trait (flaw?) of preparing like crazy. The difficulty, from everything I've read, is you can prepare but your can't really plan. We can't begin to anticipate what will happen once we hit the playa. For obsessive planners/organizers, this is very disconcerting. It's going to be a great adventure.

[winterdream28]

This is wonderful advice! I was no made aware of one camp being more equipped that others so is much appreciated guidance! We are not with a place camp just 8 buddies making our little camp but now that I know where the better equipped on is I will def. ask my camp to consider localizing around that area!

Luckily when it starts I am fully aware and conscious of what is going on but will also pass on to folks what signs to look for and to listen to me when I say I am having an episode.
Just have to watch the alcohol intake mostly anything that is a stimulant. Thank goodness I have kicked the coffee habit.

it is reassuring to hear that folks who have been going for some time get the excitement jitters still:) Makes me feel a little more normal

Thank you again for your wise words guys! Always can count on you!

[graidawg]

this post has got me a little more excited remembering how i felt going out in 2011, its a wonderful thing - don't try and control it, go with it.


this is also a perfect way to join ePlaya, asking for good advice (like, am i mad?) and showing a bit of research has been done. don't forget the bacon

[Savannah]

Indeed, watch your intake. Alcohol and substances will hit you harder out there than it will in regular life.

Check out this map. You can't camp in the purple Theme Camp areas, but I see some unshaded areas near 5:15 and C or D streets you could aim for once Gates open. Or 5:30 and G, perhaps.

http://www.burningman.com/preparation/m ... Web_LG.jpg

I am persnickety enough that I would print it out, mark the medical locations on it and tape it facing out of the driver's side of a car window.

[gyre]

Remember the altitude and pace yourself.

[DrYes]

So I have dreamt, heck even obsessed about making it out to the playa for almost 4 years now. Now that it is a reality, I have butterflies in my stomach!
I can't tell if I am nervous or just excited like a kid on christmas morning.
I am even dreaming about being there, no clue how my brain is creating these visions to something I have never experienced myself

Is this normal for a burning man virgin?
Any tips or tricks on how to calm these excitement/nervous/happy/thrilled vibes.

I'm far from a birgin, and regularly have nightmares along the lines of it being Wednesday and somehow I still haven't left for the playa. Burning Man tends to breed obsession!

[Riv]

Ahahaha, me too with the butterflies and the obsessing and the planning, soooo much!

[slvrnmph]

The preburn excitement/jitters just hit me really hard today and this is my 9th year. I did also buy a van today, to take to the burn and that was pretty exciting. Still exciting, actually. It was my big in progress thing towards the burn and now I can focus more on sewing more things.

[pink]

Hey, it's normal not to be jaded about going to the Burn! With your heart condition, I'd watch for adrenalin rushes too. You're going to be more amped than ever and won't notice exhaustion as easily. It's advice to everyone to remember to listen to your body.

The medical camp is actually quite nice and dust free.

[Sundial]

Heh. Once the dreams start, they never stop. I dream about the Playa from time to time throughout the year (obviously more when the Burn is closer). Often times my dreams are about making a journey there and being ill prepared, or about trying to get there but never quite making it.

The butterflies are normal too I think. I'm getting nervous myself. Just roll with it and direct the energy into your learning and preparations. =p

So I have dreamt, heck even obsessed about making it out to the playa for almost 4 years now. Now that it is a reality, I have butterflies in my stomach!
I can't tell if I am nervous or just excited like a kid on christmas morning.
I am even dreaming about being there, no clue how my brain is creating these visions to something I have never experienced myself

Is this normal for a burning man virgin?
Any tips or tricks on how to calm these excitement/nervous/happy/thrilled vibes.

[theCryptofishist]

Do you have a medic alert? Might not be time to get one. Write instructions on your arm with a Sharpie? The less time they spent dicking about the better, yes?

[Riv]

A couple of nights ago I dreamed that I got into the city without going through the greeters' station somehow, and I wanted to go back and ring the bell and make the dust angel (but I was worried I'd be in trouble for skipping it!)

[gyre]

You're not required to ring the bell or flail in the dust.

You will be vetted to see if you will be allowed in however.

[trilobyte]

Yep, it's normal. It'll get worse, too The tip I'd give you is every time you get that feeling, drink a glass of water. That'll help you condition yourself for all that crazy water-drinking you'll be doing out in the dust.

And as someone already suggested, consider a medic alert bracelet. Also, make sure any important medical information pertaining to your health (including regular meds or any known allergies) is on a card that your campmates know how to find (we make a list for the camp and keep it in our first aid kit). This way, in the unlikely event that you need medical attention and aren't conscious or able to communicate, they'll have the necessary info.

[moonrise]

Fishy nailed it, write your condition on both of your arms in BIG letters with a sharpie and freshen it up daily too.
I'd also want it to state "I have SVT, please call a ranger etc for HELP to medical! Just in case you're far away from one of the medical tents (very clean and usually calm inside the med tents, bravo to those volunteers!!)

They do sell a low cost life flight plan on the burningman.com website btw, can save you big bucks if you needed that.

Savannah also nailed it, KNOW where those meds tents are...try to seek them out if you can find the time and do it amongst the many many distractions of fun and what not, hehe....

If you're alone (say for instance out in the open BIG playa) and need help and you don't see a ranger ask anyone, preferably someone on a bicycle to GO FIND someone official looking with a RADIO...they'll then radio for a vehicle to come to YOU and get you the shot you need.

Most people don't know this but I am partially disabled and camped with The BRC Department of Mobility (great wild fun camp located across from Center Camp) and MUCH of this stuff was DRILLED into our heads by our camp leader...man am I GLAD he took the time to do that because my job that first year back (I missed the previous 15 years, fuck!) was to troll the burn in a schweeet lil' gifted golf cart (thank you for the gift of Golficus Carticus Motz!!) for injured, troubled, tired burners as well as drive other non-emergency scheduled "I need a ride to and fro type" disabled burners here n there...and let me tell you....I rescued many many burners that year (2010) and it was busier and busier and became louder and louder as the burn week built up toward man burn night and the whole community sort of became one big heart beat (we were right up front on the Esplanade open 24/7!! omfg!) in the thick of everything....you could "feel" the community intensify until we the eve that we burned the man. I rescued several "troubled" burners that night...no biggie mostly manageable situations (too much fun type stuff) BTW, I do not want to discourage anyone from going to the man burn by stating this....especially a birgin! It was the best! and so much more...

As for dreams, mine lasted for weeks! and come and go to this day, hehee...thankfully so! I had none pre-burn but countless post burn....I have no cure except enjoy them and create art for the rest of your life kiddo!

Much love, moonrise

[BeeWeeDee]

I would lean more to the medical bracelet rather than SVT written in Sharpie on my arm.

Before now I had no idea what SVT was/is and seeing "I Have SVT....." on somebody's arm written in black Sharpie would tend to make me shy away from that person. Of course my mind jumps to the inevitable incorrect conclusion most of the time anyway (incurable communicable disease, most likely sexually transmitted) and I would probably not put two and two together -

Medical bracelet - yes.

[TomServo]

Pre Burn jitters or nerves are common. It's the after effects that can be bothersome...what do I do now? Why don't people believe me? Why can't I shut up about it?

[lemur]

i fuckin hate going to burning man, until im at burning man.


its one of those things.

nervous as shit in the run up, worrying about every little damned thing.. which is partly good, to be prepared.. i mean, i will be a long damned way from home...

ive done it before, know i probably wont die... i rarely worry abuout burning man itself these days

more so other shit along the way... groceries.. travel.. ..documents.. lame shit.


but once ive finally made it there, its all better...

on the way back its nice and easy too.

[moonrise]

I would lean more to the medical bracelet rather than SVT written in Sharpie on my arm.

Before now I had no idea what SVT was/is and seeing "I Have SVT....." on somebody's arm written in black Sharpie would tend to make me shy away from that person. Of course my mind jumps to the inevitable incorrect conclusion most of the time anyway (incurable communicable disease, most likely sexually transmitted) and I would probably not put two and two together -

Medical bracelet - yes.

Yep, but bracelets can fall off, be torn off and such. Maybe if there's time one of those thick chained type ones could be done.

What about this in a not so noticeable place on the arm (except to medical pros) "I have SVT, a rapid heart beat condition" I think we're all smart enough to know that's NOT and STD, lol!

Have fun and remember where the medical tents are located as best as you are able to.

[gyre]

A badge on a lanyard can be visible with anything.

[Savannah]

What about this in a not so noticeable place on the arm (except to medical pros) "I have SVT, a rapid heart beat condition" I think we're all smart enough to know that's NOT and STD, lol!

Medic alert bracelet or necklace is helpful because ESD professionals look for them, & they're typically sturdy. If there is space on there, the condition should be listed by not only its best-known medical vernacular but also spelled out (rapid heartbeat) so if a layman sees it first they know a little bit about what might be wrong.

Writing on yourself with a sharpie is not as good; it can be overlooked because the forearm or back of the hand will not necessarily be checked right away. Many people have their camp addresses or temporary tattoos or other things already scribbled there.

[gyre]

I've never heard of svt before as an acronym.

[Savannah]

I've never heard of svt before as an acronym.

Exactly!

[gyre]

Well, I knew it was medical in this case, but ford uses it very widely as a performance brand.

That would be the well known meaning.

It stands for special vehicle team.