What are you bringing to the Meet & Greet?

[cpart]

It's definitely my major gripe. The event needs to be made private if we are going to have a pot luck.

I agree, and I bet other people do too. What can we do to make it a private event and stop talking about it not being one?

[Eric]

It's definitely my major gripe. The event needs to be made private if we are going to have a pot luck.

I agree, and I bet other people do too. What can we do to make it a private event and stop talking about it not being one?

I don't have an issue with a "back area" for food for the regulars if it fits in with Doc's camp, but he shouldn't be asked to change his camps layout for one event and the idea of private parties at Burning Man has always felt an bit "icky" to me.

Honestly I would rather scrap the potluck than make the event private. There are lurkers or low-count posters on here and they should be as welcome as the regulars, as should people who've never heard of the eplaya until they show up at the MnG.

[trilobyte]

I feel the same way (about private events). Simply not putting a listing in next year's printed guide will significantly reduce the problem with non-ePlayans, IMO. That, and the idea someone put forth about having the nametag station out front (instead of in back by the food).

[cpart]

I see what you guys are saying, but it seems like the potluck was a pretty large part of the planning and preparation for everyone who planned on attending the event far in advance. It's been mentioned that if it is to stay public they put "bring food for potluck" on the WWW, but I believe it said that on there this time and it seems like there were more moochers than supporters. Another idea mentioned was making the food private and the party not. I don't know how that would work, but I think if everyone brainstorms by next year we will be rushing to figure it out in July.

[jkisha]

That's a load of crap. The non eplayans I met there basically had no clue...no clue about eplaya, no interest in finding out about eplaya, no interest I anything other than getting to the free food and booze.

I have no problem with low posters and lurkers that actually are there because they want to meet all the people they have been reading about all year, but to not make the event private, it becomes nothing more than another random event on the playa.

It's called the "Eplaya Meet &Greet" for a reason. Duh!

It's definitely my major gripe. The event needs to be made private if we are going to have a pot luck.

I agree, and I bet other people do too. What can we do to make it a private event and stop talking about it not being one?

I don't have an issue with a "back area" for food for the regulars if it fits in with Doc's camp, but he shouldn't be asked to change his camps layout for one event and the idea of private parties at Burning Man has always felt an bit "icky" to me.

Honestly I would rather scrap the potluck than make the event private. There are lurkers or low-count posters on here and they should be as welcome as the regulars, as should people who've never heard of the eplaya until they show up at the MnG.

[FIGJAM]

Could the invites be kept on the down-low through PMs and such without too much trouble?

[Kriten]

Could the invites be kept on the down-low through PMs and such without too much trouble?

Its not so much the invites being a secret. It is that random people will wonder by and pickup on the smell of free food.

[jkisha]

They don't even have to be via PM's. Anybody that heard about the event here in a thread or anybody that an eplayan invites as a guest is welcome.

Juts NO RANDOM STRANGERS!

Could the invites be kept on the down-low through PMs and such without too much trouble?

[jkisha]

The M&G has grown in size and concept. If Doc's camp can no longer accommodate it, maybe thought should be given to another venue.

Regarding private events at BM...then I guess there can be no private moderator meetings, no private ranger events, no thank you parties for people that work the event, no private functions for any camp. That's just ridiculous. Private parties and events happen on the playa ALL THE TIME. Don't know why that should make you feel "icky", unless maybe it was something you wanted to go to and didn't get an invite; but that just makes me feel left out.

I don't have an issue with a "back area" for food for the regulars if it fits in with Doc's camp, but he shouldn't be asked to change his camps layout for one event and the idea of private parties at Burning Man has always felt an bit "icky" to me.

Honestly I would rather scrap the potluck than make the event private. There are lurkers or low-count posters on here and they should be as welcome as the regulars, as should people who've never heard of the eplaya until they show up at the MnG.

[lazerfox]

I had honestly thought it was mostly agreed that the event will not be in the guide and that we would prefer to keep it at BDC&WV.

Some thoughts to consider:
- Just because the event was big this year doesn't mean it will be as big in years following. (Anything is possible and it has the potential to be less, same or bigger)

- Instead of scrapping the potluck idea maybe give the option to gifters to separate their food or leave it out in the event for anyone to take. (Not sure if there would be enough tables for this so someone feel free to correct me if needed)

- Making the 2012 Meet n Greet thread into a sticky for that year allows it to be seen by active participants and lurkers alike (lovely mods out there hear my plea)

- If for some reason we really want to add to the guide add a sentence that states any non-eplayans will be required to gain access via a series of tests. (May or may not happen but has potential to reduce the visits from free-loaders)

- Have an area in the entry that has the nametags (pre-made and blank. I volunteer to man it until the pre-made ones are gone...I can also explain what eplaya is to those interested in becoming a part of eplaya)

- There is no way to prevent passers by from entering the event but I do believe if there is food brought the loss can be mitigated by implementing someone's idea where the food is brought to a separate area (which already exists in BDC&WV like between RVs so it is not an inconvenience. I know in my camp we had lots of empty space where tables could have been setup and be separated from the hangout space)

[cpart]

That's a load of crap. The non eplayans I met there basically had no clue...no clue about eplaya, no interest in finding out about eplaya, no interest I anything other than getting to the free food and booze.

I have no problem with low posters and lurkers that actually are there because they want to meet all the people they have been reading about all year, but to not make the event private, it becomes nothing more than another random event on the playa.

It's called the "Eplaya Meet &Greet" for a reason. Duh!

I was going to say something along these similar lines, but as a newcomer with a low post count, I figured I'd let someone known say it. I saw pictures from a Reddit Meet and Greet which I missed and they were all Redditors. If I want to meet other random Burners then I will go meet them at another party/event/anywhere else. I didn't attend this year's eplaya m&g simply due to the fact that there were so many random people, I knew they weren't all eplayans then I realized they all came because of the post in the WWW. Any time there is a food post in the WWW the line is LONG. I think a lot of people fail to follow the cardinal rule of "radical self reliance" and rely on these free food events to feed their bellies.

[jkisha]

Again, this is crap! Passer's by don't get into our PRIVATE camp functions, if someone should happen in by accident, they are politely asked to leave. There is a way, there is ALWAYS a way.

- There is no way to prevent passers by from entering the event but I do believe if there is food brought the loss can be mitigated by implementing someone's idea where the food is brought to a separate area (which already exists in BDC&WV like between RVs so it is not an inconvenience. I know in my camp we had lots of empty space where tables could have been setup and be separated from the hangout space)

[jkisha]

That's a load of crap. The non eplayans I met there basically had no clue...no clue about eplaya, no interest in finding out about eplaya, no interest I anything other than getting to the free food and booze.

I have no problem with low posters and lurkers that actually are there because they want to meet all the people they have been reading about all year, but to not make the event private, it becomes nothing more than another random event on the playa.

It's called the "Eplaya Meet &Greet" for a reason. Duh!

I was going to say something along these similar lines, but as a newcomer with a low post count, I figured I'd let someone known say it. I saw pictures from a Reddit Meet and Greet which I missed and they were all Redditors. If I want to meet other random Burners then I will go meet them at another party/event/anywhere else. I didn't attend this year's eplaya m&g simply due to the fact that there were so many random people, I knew they weren't all eplayans then I realized they all came because of the post in the WWW. Any time there is a food post in the WWW the line is LONG. I think a lot of people fail to follow the cardinal rule of "radical self reliance" and rely on these free food events to feed their bellies.

+1,000,000,000,000,000,000
How hard can this be to "get"????? Even a person with a low post count was able to figure this out. Duh!

[junglesmacks]

I'd venture to say that 85%-90% of the "randoms" were there because of the WWW listing alone. Nix that, and you have a huge majority of problems solved right there.

Name tag station at front entrance with a greeter politely asking for your eplaya name. Food in back. No listing in the WWW.

Problems solved.

[jkisha]

In my mind, it wasn't agreed that it would be kept at BDC&WB unless they were willing to do what was necessary to prevent the same fiasco as this past year.

And again, more crap. The event will do nothing but grow as long as the attendance at BM grows.

And regarding having an OPTION of who gets the food, an even worse logistical nightmare. Frankly, my camp serves root beer floats every day of the week to thousands of wonderful strangers. When I spend hours in a hot kitchen on the playa to prepare something special for FRIENDS on EPLAYA, I expect it to be eaten by my FRIENDS. Not a bunch of total strangers.

If it sounds like I am passionate about this, it's because I am. I want the event to continue go grow and get better and better each year. I don't want to hear this or that can't be accommodated when it is necessary to (my vision of) the success of the event. Having new, extra and participatory things associated with the M&G is one of the things that will cause it to become popular and continue to grow. Being able to contribute is one of the best ways to cause people to feel that they belong.

I had honestly thought it was mostly agreed that the event will not be in the guide and that we would prefer to keep it at BDC&WV.

Some thoughts to consider:
- Just because the event was big this year doesn't mean it will be as big in years following. (Anything is possible and it has the potential to be less, same or bigger)

- Instead of scrapping the potluck idea maybe give the option to gifters to separate their food or leave it out in the event for anyone to take. (Not sure if there would be enough tables for this so someone feel free to correct me if needed)

- Making the 2012 Meet n Greet thread into a sticky for that year allows it to be seen by active participants and lurkers alike (lovely mods out there hear my plea)

- If for some reason we really want to add to the guide add a sentence that states any non-eplayans will be required to gain access via a series of tests. (May or may not happen but has potential to reduce the visits from free-loaders)

- Have an area in the entry that has the nametags (pre-made and blank. I volunteer to man it until the pre-made ones are gone...I can also explain what eplaya is to those interested in becoming a part of eplaya)

- There is no way to prevent passers by from entering the event but I do believe if there is food brought the loss can be mitigated by implementing someone's idea where the food is brought to a separate area (which already exists in BDC&WV like between RVs so it is not an inconvenience. I know in my camp we had lots of empty space where tables could have been setup and be separated from the hangout space)

[Bay Bridge Sue]

It's kinda simple to do the no nametag, no entry thing... HEY - Ideal rite of passage - to get in, or better, to the food, you have to go thru the back of Doc's RV to get to that area... (which will keep out all but the bravest!)...

I love the whole M&G thing... but IMO it should be limited to ePlayans/3playans... because that's what it's supposed to be for.

Also maybe staging the food in back back, and bringing it out in phases (like they do for restaurant buffets, etc.)... I know it's kinda funky, but it would help stretch the food out through the scheduled part of the event. It'll take some space to do that but it would solve the issue of all the food being gone in 15 minutes.

And side note... I know of one camp that won't be doing next year what they did this year - making the M&G snacks their camp meal that night. That was really tasteless, not only was it lacking in radical self reliance, it bordered on entitlement. Anyway, some anonymous nameless ePlayan shit disturber brought up privately to that camp's management just how uncool that shit was... and that camp's management has affirmed it will not do that again. (No names deliberately mentioned at the request of his Immolent and Oversexed, er, Oversexy Burniness, Doc Pyro)

Next year... maybe we should make chocolate ex-lax crepes for the untagged masses? Or a few racks of grey water otter pops?

[jkisha]

I have read a lot of funny things on eplaya, but that was literally the first thing that actually caused me to spit coffee on my screen!

And this just pisses me off to no end!

And regarding the staging, I totally agree...say event starts at 6pm. Food is brought and arranged on the table from 6-6:30 or so, at which point the buffet opens. So most things are already there, and whatever late comers brought would replenish it automatically. Or some other such arrangement.

It's kinda simple to do the no nametag, no entry thing... HEY - Ideal rite of passage - to get in, or better, to the food, you have to go thru the back of Doc's RV to get to that area... (which will keep out all but the bravest!)...

I love the whole M&G thing... but IMO it should be limited to ePlayans/3playans... because that's what it's supposed to be for.

Also maybe staging the food in back back, and bringing it out in phases (like they do for restaurant buffets, etc.)... I know it's kinda funky, but it would help stretch the food out through the scheduled part of the event. It'll take some space to do that but it would solve the issue of all the food being gone in 15 minutes.

And side note... I know of one camp that won't be doing next year what they did this year - making the M&G snacks their camp meal that night. That was really tasteless, not only was it lacking in radical self reliance, it bordered on entitlement. Anyway, some anonymous nameless ePlayan shit disturber brought up privately to that camp's management just how uncool that shit was... and that camp's management has affirmed it will not do that again. (No names deliberately mentioned at the request of his Immolent and Oversexed, er, Oversexy Burniness, Doc Pyro)

Next year... maybe we should make chocolate ex-lax crepes for the untagged masses? Or a few racks of grey water otter pops?

[Simon of the Playa]

let me work the door...

i can smell an eplayan from 50 feet away.

[lazerfox]

jkisha didn't you already say you were going to hold a private eplayan lychee martinin event on another day at your camp?

if you hold the MnG at your event are you discarding this event in it's place?

[Bay Bridge Sue]

let me work the door...

i can smell an eplayan from 50 feet away.

By Thursday, that's not a hard feat!

[Savannah]

Next year... maybe we should make chocolate ex-lax crepes for the untagged masses? Or a few racks of grey water otter pops?

I may put in a formal request to have my playa name changed to Grey Water Otter, but I can't remember the last playa name I swore I'd wear. (And before I get reckless, I would really prefer to compare and contrast.)

[jkisha]

Only problem with that is that you're much friendlier in person than you appear on line.
But people "working the door" isn't a bad idea, especially if it's in conjunction with the name tags.

let me work the door...

i can smell an eplayan from 50 feet away.

[ygmir]

Only problem with that is that you're much friendlier in person than you appear on line.
But people "working the door" isn't a bad idea, especially if it's in conjunction with the name tags.

let me work the door...

i can smell an eplayan from 50 feet away.

ready, to serve and protect!

[cpart]

I am willing to stand the door too. And I'm an asshole IRL as much as I am on here. I don't see any need to sugarcoat shit, ever... well unless it's towards my Mom, but that's a different ball game.

[lazerfox]

so what you are all saying is you don't trust me to protect the door...I see you guys don't know me very well.

[lazerfox]

jkisha didn't you say you were going to hold a private eplayan lychee martini event at your camp?
if you hold the MnG also at your camp are you discarding this martini event in it's place?


I work yearly events at my job and private or not there is no way that everyone will be happy or feel welcomed when it involves this many different types of people.
Personal example of totally different personality: When I arrived at the MnG my first inclination was not to assume that most were not eplayans I actually thought the completely opposite ("Wow there are a lot more eplayans here than I expected") and then I proceeded to jump head first to find someone I knew; there was no way I was going to miss it due to it being packed with people (eplayan or non).
(It is a shame that you didn't get to participate cpart! However that was the choice you made at the time.)

Also with all the bad mojo that has been posted on this thread there is definitely a possibility that next year some opt-out due to drama aversion on their part. And with possibly removing the potluck portion there is also a possibility there for more opt-outs.

I understand and appreciate your passion but it honestly doesn't seem like there is a ton of interest in moving the event (with or without any guarantees). Feel free to setup a poll and gather more precise interest as I could be wrong.

But so far the majority of recommendations have been adjustments at the current location.

The idea of your private happy hour event held at your camp appeared to be well received (myself included!! hope you would still let me partake) and it could provide you with the satisfaction you are looking for in your vision. Or if you are even more passionate you can hold a separate MnG and we can just all call it a day and people will just be free to choose how they experience meeting other eplayans. (attend 1, both or whatever)

I do believe MJ will be taking over the planning for the 2012 one over at the BDC&WV and she would be crazy not to already have all of your comments and concerns noted. But until she makes her intentions/plans known honestly the horse you are beating is way past the gangrene stage. Like you said you are advocating your vision...but this particular event (on this thread) is not yours alone.

In conclusion, sorry I tried to offer ideas but I thought we were just brain storming; they were not meant as bible by any means. I can see now that what is desired is a contract signed in blood and I'm just currently not in a position to do that.

[junglesmacks]

so what you are all saying is you don't trust me to protect the door...I see you guys don't know me very well.

I sure as hell wouldn't fuck with you. No joke.

[MyDearFriend]

so what you are all saying is you don't trust me to protect the door...I see you guys don't know me very well.

I sure as hell wouldn't fuck with you. No joke.

+1000

With LZF out front and Mel in the back, wow... I think we're secure. No ropes required.

[jkisha]

Just to clarify:

First and foremost, I don't think there should be two separate official Eplaya Meet 'n Greets; I want to see the numbers grow, not be split; and it is hard enough for people to make one event, let alone two.

Second, up until hearing that whole camp(s) were allowed to invaded the event and use the M&G pot luck table for personal camp diner, I was open to keeping the event where it was; I now have serious doubts.

Third, I will be hosting a private event at our camp, mostly for eplayans, but not exclusively, as I don't want to split the M&G. My original thought was to have it be a Lychee Martini centered event, but there has been a lot of talk as to wine and cheese; so what will be served and the day it will occur are still in flux.

Fourth, other than the tradition of hosting the event at BDC&WB, if as the event grows, BDC&WB is not willing or able to meet the demands of said growth, I have offered an alternative; whether this option is exercised or not has nothing to do with me; I am just putting it out there as an option.

Our camp can provide the following:
1. A 40' air conditioned dome. (Totally private)
2. A 20' x 40' shade structure. (Mostly private, but it won't matter as food would be served in the dome.)
3. A DJ spinning conversation music for the first two hours of the event, transitioning to dance music for the second two hours.
4. Our camp members hosting the event so that eplayans could just come and enjoy. (Note I said hosting, not eating all the food.)
5. Paper and plastic service for food.
6. Trash hauling.
8. And of course, the name tags.

I'll be at the M&G no matter whether the decision to use our space is yea or nea; but being that it's available, I just don't want to hear excuses as to why the needs of the group can't be met.

jkisha didn't you say you were going to hold a private eplayan lychee martini event at your camp?
if you hold the MnG also at your camp are you discarding this martini event in it's place?


I work yearly events at my job and private or not there is no way that everyone will be happy or feel welcomed when it involves this many different types of people.
Personal example of totally different personality: When I arrived at the MnG my first inclination was not to assume that most were not eplayans I actually thought the completely opposite ("Wow there are a lot more eplayans here than I expected") and then I proceeded to jump head first to find someone I knew; there was no way I was going to miss it due to it being packed with people (eplayan or non).
(It is a shame that you didn't get to participate cpart! However that was the choice you made at the time.)

Also with all the bad mojo that has been posted on this thread there is definitely a possibility that next year some opt-out due to drama aversion on their part. And with possibly removing the potluck portion there is also a possibility there for more opt-outs.

I understand and appreciate your passion but it honestly doesn't seem like there is a ton of interest in moving the event (with or without any guarantees). Feel free to setup a poll and gather more precise interest as I could be wrong.

But so far the majority of recommendations have been adjustments at the current location.

The idea of your private happy hour event held at your camp appeared to be well received (myself included!! hope you would still let me partake) and it could provide you with the satisfaction you are looking for in your vision. Or if you are even more passionate you can hold a separate MnG and we can just all call it a day and people will just be free to choose how they experience meeting other eplayans. (attend 1, both or whatever)

I do believe MJ will be taking over the planning for the 2012 one over at the BDC&WV and she would be crazy not to already have all of your comments and concerns noted. But until she makes her intentions/plans known honestly the horse you are beating is way past the gangrene stage. Like you said you are advocating your vision...but this particular event (on this thread) is not yours alone.

In conclusion, sorry I tried to offer ideas but I thought we were just brain storming; they were not meant as bible by any means. I can see now that what is desired is a contract signed in blood and I'm just currently not in a position to do that.

[Simon of the Playa]

cant we just hang around drinking piss warm PBR's and smoking Marlboro's until we fall down? I don't like eating that much while im on the playa, unless it's hallucinogens.

just sayin'.