Greetings from Kentucky

[Biscuit Eater]

Yep, another noob-burgin. I'm hoping to make it to my first burn in '14. I'm a self-proclaimed introvert, hoping to break out of that shell and have some fun.

[Elliot]

Welcome, Biscuit Eater! There is a thread called something like "Tips For Shy People" around here somewhere. And I'm one of those (in some ways), so you are in very good company.

[lucky420]

Hola and hello...


You're name is fantastic!

[Biscuit Eater]

Thanks guys! Elliot, I saw the thread you posted about your bus with the garage in the back-very cool!

I've spent a little time on here reading up on stuff.

[Elliot]

Thanks guys! Elliot, I saw the thread you posted about your bus with the garage in the back-very cool!

I've spent a little time on here reading up on stuff.

You should see the garage I keep the bus in! (kidding)

Yes, there is a ton of info here if you just bother to plow thru all the general chit-chat also. To search for something specific, Google works better than the built-in search function -- type "ePlaya" and whatever you are looking for.

Be sure you read the Survival Guide and other first-timer info on the main BM page, and sign up for the Jack Rabbit Speaks e-mail newsletter.

[burner von braun]

Greetings Bisquit Eater. Now is a great time to sign on, you'll have plenty of time to learn more and prepare for the adventure! Welcome to eplaya

[AntiM]

Welcome!

[Biscuit Eater]

Thanks guys! During my research I came across a thread titled something like "complaints for 2012". There was a discussion about "roving bands of thuggish young males". Seemed to be mostly college-age guys causing trouble and intimidating folks. Do any of you ever feel unsafe, like wandering around at night? I am physically handicapped and don't want to get into something over my head. That being said, I am a 46 year old adult. Just would like to hear your thoughts on this, are trouble-makers a problem?

[Elliot]

Well, I'm pretty much a "day burner", but I cannot imagine any real danger even at night? What we sometimes talk about is what's called "frat boys" -- foolishly-young guys who come to BM just to ogle, heckle and otherwise spectate, as if they were at spring break on some bikini-beach.

BRC is heavily patrolled by officers from both the county and BLM, so I doubt any habitual troublemakers would get very far.

[Savannah]

Thanks guys! During my research I came across a thread titled something like "complaints for 2012". There was a discussion about "roving bands of thuggish young males". Seemed to be mostly college-age guys causing trouble and intimidating folks. Do any of you ever feel unsafe, like wandering around at night? I am physically handicapped and don't want to get into something over my head. That being said, I am a 46 year old adult. Just would like to hear your thoughts on this, are trouble-makers a problem?

Based on my experiences there and observation of the event culture over the years, I feel safer there than literally in any other city in the world. i.e. pretty safe. Not perfectly safe. There is no perfectly safe place. I'm still careful in various ways. And so far, so good.

I can't say that roving bands of thuggish young males have ever come to my attention. We are more likely to call obnoxious young men "frat boys". (Not quite fair to my favorite camp leader, who was part of a fraternity in college.) Most of them dance badly on the top of mutant vehicles, hoping you're impressed.

Theft is the crime most likely to affect you. Lock your bike. Opportunistic, disorganized bike theft by some tired drunk--or the theft of an expensive gennie with no security measures--is not uncommon. Tools and bottles of booze should also not be left unattended and visible from the street when you leave camp. Lock your phone, wallet and other valuables out of sight in your vehicle, & hide the key in a place memorable to you. If you carry the key when you go out, have a spare back at camp. People lose their keys all the blessed time.

Some thoughts on the subject of crime here.
http://blog.burningman.com/2012/09/tale ... t-matters/
.

[lucky420]

Never felt unsafe day or night.

In 2011 I did my first year with my little bar wagon called "Shot in the dArk". I went out to deep playa and also roamed the city streets at night offering shots. I did this all by lonesome. Had many great and fun interactions and never felt unsafe.

However there was one moment when I was out in deep playa and I thought to myself "wow a serial killer could totally kill me right now and no one would know".

And then I shook it off

[BBadger]

And don't bring your damn passport out with you when you go dancing. I couldn't believe how many "lost passport" (some being US passports?!!) threads there were this year in the Lost and Found forum. Who the hell brings a passport out with them onto the playa? Do people bring birth certificates and Yellow Fever immunization cards too? Just photocopy it if you really need some photo-ID for bar-hopping.

[FossaFerox]

And don't bring your damn passport out with you when you go dancing. I couldn't believe how many "lost passport" (some being US passports?!!) threads there were this year in the Lost and Found forum. Who the hell brings a passport out with them onto the playa? Do people bring birth certificates and Yellow Fever immunization cards too? Just photocopy it if you really need some photo-ID for bar-hopping.

I was under the impressions that the major bars, especially the ones on Esplanade, wouldn't accept photo copied ID, especially if you look young. I never put this to the test, though, as my camp had other plans for me on the one night I wanted to check out Spanky's...

As for safety in the city, I never felt anything less than safe. The "Frat boys" are hated for their spectating and gawking, not because (to my knowledge) sexual harassment is a big issue. Beyond even that, I imagine things going extremely poorly for anyone dumb enough to physically harass someone, especially a woman, especially someone with any kind of disability.

The burners I met were great people, and most are gentle as they come, but I'd bet good money that any outright violence against a clear victim would be met by a swift and brutal vigilante response along with a prompt summoning of rangers and LEO. The nice thing about the city is that there are pretty much always people around.

[Biscuit Eater]

Thanks for the response folks. I happened across that one thread that made me feel a little uneasy, so wanted to hear some more opinions. I'm a pretty easy going guy and I don't look for trouble, I think I'll be ok. If I decide to go. If I can get a ticket. If I can sack-up enough to make it out there.

[dragonpilot]

-- foolishly-young guys who come to BM just to ogle, heckle and otherwise spectate, as if they were at spring break on some bikini-beach.

Of course it's the ladies they're ogling...but most of the ladies at BM are not your typical sparkle pony frat girls...most are tough, independent, strong-minded and good looking....these guys usually get put in their place in short order, and if it's early in the week, by mid-week they've been shamed into submission. You'll see them...spiked collars with leashes held by said ladies.

[FossaFerox]

-- foolishly-young guys who come to BM just to ogle, heckle and otherwise spectate, as if they were at spring break on some bikini-beach.

Of course it's the ladies they're ogling...but most of the ladies at BM are not your typical sparkle pony frat girls...most are tough, independent, strong-minded and good looking....these guys usually get put in their place in short order, and if it's early in the week, by mid-week they've been shamed into submission. You'll see them...spiked collars with leashes held by said ladies.

Just don't assume that anyone wearing a collar is/was an ogling prick.

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

[HLP2014]

Biscuit Eater,

Message me at [email protected] - I to am near your local area in KY and am going to Burning Man 2014 or Bust... lol...

If nothing else - we should at least caravan together...

Hit me up,

Thanks,
Tony