Hello from Houston!!!

[youngha]

names youngha,

and if everything goes accordingly, i wont be a virgin after the next few months! coming from houston and im excited, curious, anxious, and EXCITED! all that is left to do is buy a ticket, find a camp to help build, pack gear, say my goodbyes, and hellos!

cant wait to meet you all!

[Savannah]

Hi Youngha! You've got a lot to do, and soon . . .

You've read the Survival Guide, right? http://www.burningman.com/preparation/e ... index.html

Tickets are probably going to sell out this year and won't be sold at the door, so consider buying online from Burning Man soon (easiest and most secure, if not always the cheapest) or look in the 2011 Tickets forum, or on Craigslist. There are a # of threads here about how not to get scammed. Look around, read all you can. Radical self-reliance is one of the 10 Principles of the event, so practicing it in advance of the desert really helps.

If you already know how to stake a tent and shade structure, you don't need a camp. You will have neighbors and can visit camps all day long. However, there are benefits . . .

Here's the Cryptofishist's helpful thread about how to join a theme camp:
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... 88&t=36767

Then check the 2011 Theme Camps forums and take matters in to your own hands. Also, click "Regionals" from the main site and join the Houston or other Texas email lists, if you haven't.

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

Have questions? Read this first: http://www.burningman.com/first_timers/
Everybody on eplaya is always excited to help first timers; but in sympathy for some of us old timers, please get your required reading out of the way before posting. As hard as it is to rein in the the excitement and enthusiasm, and as unbelievable as it might seem, most of your questions have already been asked and answered, if you just take a moment to read.

Now, let the adventure begin!

[illy dilly]

Youngha, welcome to Eplaya!
Interesting name!

Do you already have all the gear you need?

[Puckmaster]

Yay more people from houston! That being said dude you are waay behind this is my first year as well and I've been preping all year. This does not mean it cannot be done! Grace under pressure right? Hope we see you out there!

[The Hustler]

Doing this last minute is a very expensive way to go.

I've been planning since I bought my ticket when they went on sale (well, really, 12 hours after with the faux pas) and have been planning and gathering gear ever since.

Amazon had a free trial of Amazon Prime, which has free shipping in addition to other benefits, for free. I took advantage of a tent and swank Kelty Shadehouse being retarded on sale AND having free shipping. I was able to take time to research best prices and gear and wait for sales. I'm an REI member and was able to combine a dividend with a huge sale to get more gear.

Adorama has an outrageous deal on my favorite B&W film, so I stocked up a little at a time. I'm bringing about 60 rolls of film with me (Ilford HP5+ including 10 ASA 1600 Fuji Xtra color film, 15 Fuji Sensia 100 and 5 Fuji Velvia 50). I was able to squirrel away money a little at a time for fuel and road food. I found a deal on a decent Outdoor Research brimmed hat in addition to my coveted Tilley hat. I had the time to plan, prepare and test as best as I can -- including a camping trip on the beach on Mustang Island in a burly storm. I still find beach sand in strange places.

It helped that I licensed a photo for $600 (that always happens at the best time!) and was able to do extra work. With the time lead, I was able to plan two inexpensive nights in Vegas (Circus Circus gives military discounts!) and two nights in Albuquerque for free, making this a grand adventure.

It's not impossible, but it's not like crashing on your friend's couch for a week. It's a week in the high desert, with no electricity or plumbing. No food court or outfitter. If you're traveling 2000 miles one way to BRC, it's an excellent idea to have it all planned. I'm the type to make shit up as I go along and go by minimal planning, but I can only do that because I'm prepared. I'm also the only one I know who doesn't rely on a GPS and I seldom get lost (I try to for fun).

It's unlikely you'll find a camp to join, but there is nothing wrong with going solo. I'm doing that as are many, many other people.

Nothing is impossible, but you really need to work your ass off to be prepared, unless you already have a shed full of gear and lots of money to spend on last-minute, jacked-up motel prices and high-tier BRC tickets.

Good luck, read EVERYTHING twice and ask questions. Maybe I'll see you there or en route.

[The Hustler]

How rude of me:

Hiya Youngha, welcome to ePlaya!

[Simon of the Playa]

houston bites....move while you still can.


oh yeah, welcome to eplaya.