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

[Savannah]

Hi Slack, Hi Samri, Hi Syk20! Welcome.

Samri, you won't need to stuff to "trade", just gift (and don't obsess about it your first time; seriously--worry about taking care of yourself, and your own needs). Some gifts are free, like putting on some gloves and helping someone pound a bit of rebar. Others are simple, like beckoning a stranger off the street for a cold soda and a place to sit in the shade.

Playa gift ideas
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=25128

[Joto91]

Hey guys,
My name's Matt, I'm British, 22 and I work as a graphic designer and former rock combing instructor.
Since a kid I wanted a job in the arts. Through school, college and uni that was all I thought of. I got a job.
...
Then I thought, 'now what?' No one told me that bit.
Since I discovered Burning Man a few months ago it's all I can think off. It makes sense. It's right.
So I'd like to show my love for every person who does it. Who takes time, money and effort and goes to BRC
I hope to do it for the first time next year and would love to hear real experiences from people who have done it.
Cheers.

[Ratty]

Joto, Welcome. You have come to exactly the right place. Stories! These boards are full of them. AND all the info you need for the journey. Join in the conversations. Search out the heart of the tales. Get to know us. We will embrace you with our virtual arms. Glad to meetcha.

[Savannah]

Hi Matt!

If you're still in the UK, take a look at this:
http://www.euroburners.org/wiki/HomePage

Welcome!

[LaughingMagi]

My name is Marc and I plan on adventuring to my first burn in 2014. I'm driving from PA/NJ boarder, it's going to be a hell of journey. I do Maintenance at an apartment complex and it very much drains my soul.

I've been spending to much energy being angry.

I hope to see everyone there.

[Savannah]

Hi Marc! Sounds like a valuable period of introspection is taking place for you right now.

The board's a little slow this time of year, so continue to read and look around, and google keyword + eplaya for the things that aren't super obvious; we'll fill in some of the blanks if needed, especially if it looks like you tried first.

The Open Discussion forum is busiest right now; you're welcome there.

[Ratty]

Welcome Marc. I admire people that travel to the burn. Us California Hippies are so spoiled. We grouse about the 6 or 7 hour drive. (Including several stops).

[Thibault]

Hey guys !
My name is Thibault, 28, living in New York.
I used to go to the Parisian catacombs pretty often these past years. I discovered a world based on self reliance in harsh environment (no lights, 95% humidity) but driven by freedom and participation.
The more I read about BM, and the more I love it, I just wish it was a real city, a year long project every year !
My wife is a pre-K art teacher and I am a video technician, we are both virgin and will definitely attend '04, and are starting to plan things ahead of time. We are still figuring out if we should create own camp which might seem likely, and what out project is gonna be.
I already found a lot of answers on the forum, I love the attitude here and the respect of different points of view.

You guys rock !

[lucky420]

Hola and hello...


psst that would be 2014

[theCryptofishist]

Really? I thought Trilo's kitten had discovered time travel. And opposible thumbs.

[Ratty]

Thibault and wify, Welcome to Eplaya. I'm glad to meet you. Virtually. Great that you guys are doing your homework. Every minute you plan will come back to you many-fold in the form of comfort and joy. Get to know us and we will love and help you. Of course we are snarky but that's our nature.

[Thibault]

Yes Lucky, I meant 2014 !

I guess I wish I was 18 again !

[Savannah]

Welcome, Thibault & Madame Thibault.

[lulu_Mou]

Hello Everyone!!!
I'm Lulu*
29 yo from Melbourne Australia.
and I'm a Burgin
Working towards making 2014 my first burn and I'm so super excited about it.
I just wanted to ask you all about the eplaya meet & greet. I've read bits and pieces but haven't found any solid info about it. Is it something that your invited to or is it for all eplaya users?
Would really like to meet you all on the playa
Much love xxx

[Ratty]

Hello and welcome Lulu, You can find the info about the M&G later as it gets closer to the event. Hang around this dysfunctional group and let us get to know you. It'll be great to meet in person. There will be a sign up list for food and drink. It is a party for us to have a real drink together and marvel at how fast the year slipped by. Then we can go out and not let the party end. Days tend to mash together on the playa so alot of people don't make it to the M&G. There is too much to do.

Get excited about your first year. Do lots of research and prepare as best you can. There's nothing like it. Great to meetcha.

[theCryptofishist]

The eplaya meet and greet is for all eplayans. It will take place at 6:00 pm on Wednesday at Barbie Death Camp.
Unless we reschedule it. It was on Thursdays for a decade or more, but with the CORE burns, people couldn't attend, so we moved it.
It's a potluck, but if you don't know what to bring, you can always buy a bag or two of ice that day. It's a shindig where we trade hugs and schwag and gossip and the like. Lately, it's been crashed, so be sure to say that you are from eplaya when you arrive.

I wonder if we should inaugurate this year's thread. Mel? Doc? Yes? No? Maybe?

[Savannah]

Hi Lulu!

[exhaust]

Hello! I'm Erik and I'm from Philadelphia! I've always had a wanderlust and wanted something different than the traditional rat race way of life. I met a Burner one day and after talking to him it just clicked. The people, the idea, the event and the freedom are incredible. It's something I need to experience. The thought of BRC is on my mind everyday and the calling just gets stronger. I'll be driving cross country this year and am incredibly excited.

I'm a jack of all trades kind of person and can't wait to help out on the playa. I can cook, build and fix things so I'm ready to help. More than anything else I can spin a wrench so if anyone's RVs/trucks breakdown I'll be bringing parts and tools.

See you all in August!

[Elliot]

... It's something I need to experience contribute to. ...

Fixed it for ya, Erik.

You will indeed find opportunities to built and repair all manner of things. People are sometimes working far into the week assembling their art.

Biggest need for vehicle repair may be around Exodus. The exit road if often clogged with broken-down RVs, old school buses and whatnot.

Oh.... Welcome!

[lulu_Mou]

Thanks for all the info Ratty & theCryptofishist ..... Loving this community to bits already and my love for ya'll is only gonna grow. I'm gonna keep my eyes peeled for this info when it comes out closer to the date. I guess I should focus all my positive energy on getting my hands on a ticket, and now that the site inspection was passed, BM organisers must be in the process of working out all those finer details

Hi Savannah!! I have to tell you I really like reading all your posts.

and yep I've done loads of reading and research and thanks to all of you this forum is bursting with loads of info I can really sink my teeth into.
I'm teaming up with my new friend that I've meet here on eplaya for both our burgin experience also hopefully joining some fellow Australians coming over.
I want you all to come check out our camp and have a beer and tell me a story....
I tell you guys I'm super pumped and if you need me for anything just let me know.
Much Love xxx

[Dr. Pyro]

I wonder if we should inaugurate this year's thread. Mel? Doc? Yes? No? Maybe?

Mel said she's taking this year off from TTITD. We'll get one of our more responsible Barbiebarians to head the event. I will bring back the 2014 M&G Thread sometime after the first newsletter in January.

[Ratty]

Hello Erik and welcome! Anyone with mechanic skills can keep busy helping all week. (Be careful to leave some time to have fun). A lot of our brains are 'stuck in the playa loop'. How many months till the burn? Weeks? Days? Where are my notes from last year? Etc... It's great to have a vacation/reunion to think about. Read up on anything you're interested in. The info is here. So great to make your acquaintance.

[Savannah]

Hi Savannah!! I have to tell you I really like reading all your posts.

Aww, thank you so much, Lulu_Mou!

Hello! I'm Erik and I'm from Philadelphia! I've always had a wanderlust and wanted something different than the traditional rat race way of life. I met a Burner one day and after talking to him it just clicked. The people, the idea, the event and the freedom are incredible. It's something I need to experience. The thought of BRC is on my mind everyday and the calling just gets stronger. I'll be driving cross country this year and am incredibly excited.

I'm a jack of all trades kind of person and can't wait to help out on the playa. I can cook, build and fix things so I'm ready to help. More than anything else I can spin a wrench so if anyone's RVs/trucks breakdown I'll be bringing parts and tools.

See you all in August!

Hi Erik! Mechanics and other handy people are in their element in Black Rock City . . . you won't need to advertise, people will find you. Ratty's right--make sure you aren't fixing things the whole time.

Welcome to the board . . .

[Verve]

Hi, aspiring 2014 new burner from Central Coast, Ca. Have been reading eplaya for awhile, finally registered a couple of months ago to see images attached to threads, which makes a difference. Love, love the prep threads and have found them very helpful in planning, so thank you to all for your contributions, perhaps even the snark.

[Savannah]

Hi Verve!

[Verve]

Hi Savannah, I always enjoy your posts

[Savannah]

Thanks, Verve!

I like your sig. I happen to be a fan of Thompson myself.

[Verve]

Nice Pic, I figured that quote to being pretty pertinent to BM. I think you must be about the most quoted person on signatures on Eplaya
which says a lot.

[Ratty]

Hi Verve, Welcome to the snake pit. There's quite a community of Burners in the Santa Cruz area. You can hook up with locals through the BM home page. (Don't know exactly where, but it's there.) Glad to have you join us.

[Savannah]

The "Regionals" link is near the top right of the main site in relatively small print next to a bunch of other little gateways.