Hello and Welcome... What's your name? Tell me about You...

Jaclyn02n · Post by **Jaclyn02n** » Tue May 08, 2007 7:12 pm

Thanks so much Mike. Somehow I feel like I maybe I am researching too much into it?? Its not so much the culture differences that I am worried about, but more or less not dying in the desert, that would def. be a first time downer. Is it possible to look to much into Burning man?

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Tue May 08, 2007 8:52 pm

Jaclyn02n wrote: Is it possible to look to much into Burning man?

Yes, it is possible.. It can build in to many expectations and that can kill the BUZZ.... Just look at the survival guide and come prepared. If you miss /forget something just ask for help.Thats where the experience comes alive.
find yourself lost?? ask... find yourself overwhelmed?? ask for a hug.. You get the picture... No expectations and a open mind will give you the trip of a lifetime...

Jamm'in · Post by **Jamm'in** » Tue May 08, 2007 8:55 pm

Hey Jaclyn, I know Im virgin too, with burning man....but in my opinion I dont think so at all. I dont know how many times Ive read the Burning Man homepage/safety/experiences....etc.... and Im pretty sure I log onto eplaya every day. Its always better to be prepared, you can never know to much. Hope you have a wonderful time on the playa.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Tue May 08, 2007 9:04 pm

I like to compartmentalize the aspects of burningman. There is the survival part and the fun part (needs and there are wants). Take care of the needs first. Expect the hardest camping you've ever done. For many people it is. If you've camped a lot and have a lot of outdoor experience, this may be some of the easiest camping, but you can still never be too prepared. After you're packed for the hard camping trip and know you could survive on your own fairly comfortably, then and only then should you worry about all the other junk. Other junk is good and can add to your experience, but if you're missing any of the things you need, all that junk you thought you wanted won't mean much.

After you're completely packed for desert survival camping, bring things that are you. Things you can use in the very hot and the very cold weather, because you'll probably experience both. Bring things that are more fun that you can use instead of some of the survival stuff, but still bring the sturdy survival stuff in case you need it. Goggles for example. You'll need them to get around if there is a dust storm. You might have a cool funky pair held together by hot glue and a good pair for skiing. Bring both. The cool pair might survive and be fun, but if they melt and fall apart, you want the good pair to fall back on. If you can survive the event and stay healthy, you'll have a blast and have a good idea what you'd like for next year. It's hard to know what to bring beyond survival stuff until you've been. Anything that you made yourself and is artistic in any form you'll probably appreciate (costumes, gifts, music, art display, food, anything). If it's something you can share with others, even more so.

Jamm'in · Post by **Jamm'in** » Wed May 09, 2007 11:47 am

Hey Mike, quick question, has their ever been heavy winds/dust storms at night? Thinking about getting some goggles with yellow lenses, making it easier to see at night?? Thanks for the input.....

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed May 09, 2007 12:43 pm

Definitely.
I'm not sure that a tint won't just make it harder though.
One year you could see going out to the temple, but not coming back.
It was strange.
I kept getting lost and people were casually passing me going the other way.
You would not believe how fast you change direction either.

Make sure you have goggles that fit well.
I barely used them last year.
But when you need them, you need them badly.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Wed May 09, 2007 2:55 pm

I'd suggest clear goggles at night. check your local welding supply place, since they usually have some well built, affordable goggles in shades from clear to very dark.

I use a shade called "smoke" for the daytime (about like dark sunglasses) and clear at night. The winds can get very intense both at night and during the day. I don't think I remember a night out there that the tarps on the dome weren't being rattled.

As far as too much information, I'd take Mike's advice but add a personal take on it. I spent three years trying to get to Burning Man. That was a lot of time to plan and read and still avoid dreaming about what it would be like. So I took to heart the advice of not having any expectations. I dreamed, imagined, and watched a couple of movies about the burn several times over. But when I actually did point my truck west in '04 I left all those ideas behind. I consciously understood that those ideas were just that... ideas. And they were based on other peoples experiences. So I just went out there to see what was there for me. The speculation was just an exercise to keep me inspired and moving towards the playa and when it was time to let it go, I did. And my first burn was everything and nothing like I'd imagined... and much more intense.

So imagine away, but do it with purpose and understanding for what it is.

Jamm'in · Post by **Jamm'in** » Wed May 09, 2007 3:00 pm

Thank you black cat, that was well put. That exactly what Ill do, I know its an experience to remember.

So on that question answered(thnx), has anyone ever seen kites in the air at night.? I plan on bring my variety of stunt kites, but Ill need at least 15-20mph winds>? We'll see I guess.

Jaclyn02n · Post by **Jaclyn02n** » Wed May 09, 2007 3:01 pm

Well I greatly appreciate all of the input. I am so excited you have no idea, and looking forward to meeting all of the wonderful people. I am already feelin the good vibes!! Wohooo!

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Wed May 09, 2007 3:07 pm

Better have some good kite string. Winds can top 60 mph out there. You should check out the BRC Department of Tethered Aviation for kite info. They've done some pretty cool stuff with some beautiful kites both day and night on the playa.

And these are the type of goggles I've used for years and they've never let me down.

http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/30061.html

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Wed May 09, 2007 3:09 pm

Jaclyn02n wrote:Well I greatly appreciate all of the input. I am so excited you have no idea, and looking forward to meeting all of the wonderful people. I am already feelin the good vibes!! Wohooo!

Goodvibes are what it's all about!!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed May 09, 2007 3:54 pm

If you wear glasses, make sure you have something you are comfortable with, over them.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Wed May 09, 2007 4:33 pm

I have to agree that untinted goggles for night are best. I've been stuck with tinted ones in the dust at night and blind with or without them.

warneduabout · Post by **warneduabout** » Mon May 14, 2007 12:38 am

[color=darkred][/color]Good day to you all. My name is John and I'm from the philippines; currently residing in San Diego. I'm an old school club kid from manila with california hippie roots (UC Santa Cruz). I'm seriously thinkin about going to BM this year but don't know anyone I can talk in to coming with. Being the only one of my circle of friends who still hasn't grown up has its drawbacks. I noticed something someone wrote about local BM communities. Could I find one in my area? Anyway this isn't the forum for Q&A. Once again howdy y'all. Hope to see and be seen at the playa.

rubixcube · Post by **rubixcube** » Mon May 14, 2007 3:22 am

Im so excited...... I was supposed to go last year but I found out I was pregnant, so - now that the babe is here, I can attend! I dont know anyone going and would love to meet people before then since Im a tad clueless.

i cant wait to go - Im a 26 yr old girl from Alameda, CA and this year will be the best since its my 1st...heh.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Mon May 14, 2007 7:44 am

warneduabout,

Check the regionals page on the main site. And donâ€™t forget to read the survival guide!! Do your research.

And happy late Motherâ€™s Day, rubixcube.

Welcome to you both.

JnglstTICAL · Post by **JnglstTICAL** » Mon May 14, 2007 9:07 am

New to B-man this year!! Still reading all of the info for newbies!! Hope to meet some new life-long friends!! Oh yeah, my real name is Calvin.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Mon May 14, 2007 9:48 pm

Welcome Calvin...

There's lots to read here. Take your time and check it all out and please do hang around. Good folks around here.

JnglstTICAL · Post by **JnglstTICAL** » Mon May 14, 2007 11:05 pm

[quote="LeChatNoir"]Welcome Calvin...

There's lots to read here. Take your time and check it all out and please do hang around. Good folks around here.[/quote]

Thanks for the welcome!! I'm certainly anything butt shy, so I'll be asking questions all the time!! I can't wait though!! Still reading all of the info on the B-man web-page.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Mon May 14, 2007 11:12 pm

And check out The Bar thread in Open Discussion sometime. Folks hang out there often.

trypical · Post by **trypical** » Tue May 15, 2007 2:46 pm

HI! my name is lisa.
this will be my first burning man. I am more excited than scared. I am going with a group of people that I love, am very comfortable with and have been before.
The thing I am most scared about is driving out there. I have never driven through the desert and it worries me a little.

More excited than I can say. Don't know who I will meet or what I will see but I can't wait for it to come my way!!!

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Tue May 15, 2007 3:38 pm

Lisa - no worries about desert driving. Just be sure your car is in good shape, check the fluid levels, tires, etc... and, if for some strange reason you break down, remember that there are 40,000 more of us tavelling the same roads.

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Tue May 15, 2007 8:30 pm

Lisa,

Welcome. That last bit of driving in the desert before I get to the playa is my favorite part of the drive. There are things to look out for like cattle, antelope, deer and other drivers. Try to heighten your awareness of what is happening near the road so that you can spot livestock or wildlife before they are on the road. Deer tend to be mobile in the evening and early morning. Think peripheral vision. Do not swerve to avoid the rabbits(sorry). Now the regular safety stuff. Maintain such a speed and following distance that emergency manuvers can be done safely. Know your limitations. Anticipation and fatigue are my two bigest enemies. It really helps to have a buddy that you can talk to or share driving duties with. I'm good for the whole 10 hour drive but one of my friends can only drive about half way and then needs a nap. Put a burning man on the back of whatever you are driving so that fellow burners can recognise you and stop to help you out if you need it. See you on the playa!!!

Gaiantwilight · Post by **Gaiantwilight** » Tue May 15, 2007 11:54 pm

I like to eat guitars, and then I eat your bars.

dandy_andy · Post by **dandy_andy** » Fri May 18, 2007 4:40 pm

hey everybody, I'm Andy!! i'm currently a virgin to burningman but I'm planning on going this year!!!!! I'm a special fx make-up artist and love my job since each day is a fun challenge and I'm constantly meeting new people. I'm a gypsy most of the time living in my car and traveling though I'm about to move to LA for work. I'm looking forward to being de-virginized this year!!

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Fri May 18, 2007 11:34 pm

Come on out Andy. Do your research and planning (first-timers guide)beforehand and it will be a good expierience for you. And hang around here too, if you like. Good folks and good advice are always easy to come by here.

newburner40 · Post by **newburner40** » Sat May 19, 2007 9:58 am

Hello,
This'll be my first Burning Man event. My brother has been before and is giving tips on living on the playa. We've been working on costumes and are getting ready. I'm a liberal person that likes to think outside the norm for answers to problems. My Bro is more of a cosmic thinker.
Looking forword to a week on the Playa,
NewBurner

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Sat May 19, 2007 10:08 am

Welcome newburner40!!!

Gaiantwilight · Post by **Gaiantwilight** » Sat May 19, 2007 6:32 pm

Hey there bro! This is Jess.

I see you made it onto the virtual playa!

105 days 'till the man burns!

de leeuw van weenen · Post by **de leeuw van weenen** » Sun May 20, 2007 10:05 am

I'm not sure WHAT I'm doing, and wonder how this works
My sister and I will come to the Burning Man this year, we were so lucky to be invited and Fran is our tinkerbell.
This is also the first time I am on a forum.....so I did what you asked me to, Da Hagster, now I wonder if you can see me here..
Zuss sisters from the Netherlands

Hello and Welcome... What's your name? Tell me about You...

Hello all!

Burning Man Virgin! <---------------

New to B-man

Greetings earthlings.

googly boogly

Salutation

Burnin'

introducing ourselves