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

[xypher]

Thanks Savannah!
That's really helpful info. Everyone around here keeps saying that I should just suck it up and fly but its not that appealing to me, and I don't see the adventure in flying.
Anywho, I'll definitely try the ride-share site when its LIVE and keep looking.

Thanks again!

[C187]

Thanks Savannah!
That's really helpful info. Everyone around here keeps saying that I should just suck it up and fly but its not that appealing to me, and I don't see the adventure in flying.
Anywho, I'll definitely try the ride-share site when its LIVE and keep looking.

Thanks again!

The JRS yesterday suggested the ride-share board is live, so in burner time it'll start working in a week or so. Until then you could poke around the regionals page to start contacting burners around you that might need a ride.

As a 5k+ driver as well, I can tell you it's not bad to solo. Plus without someone you can set your own pace and take as long or as little time as you want!
I'm guessing you would be taking I-40 most of the way, so at least you have places to stop at and cool cities to see along the way. More so then if you would cut up to I-70 in St. Louis, and then I-80 from Denver. So if something did go wrong you'll be more likely to find help faster.

If your not used to driving, then take this time to get used to it. Have some fun and get lost. Anxiety might go down. Just think of all the fun stuff you can do, and you'll be fine.

[trilobyte]

Uh, it's running now, I see people have already posted a number of listings.
http://rideshare.burningman.com/ridesha ... -man-2012/

[Monkey Gurl]

Hello all, I'm Monkey Gurl, I'm a new burner, first burn 2011, and what a wonderful experience it was. The Temple of Transition was (as it clearly was for so many) a very powerful and emotional part of my burn. Facing my fears and my demons, tears dripping into the dust for what seemed like hours, I let go of some toxic and very old crap. Later in the year, that experience helped me repair my relationship with my Dad, who passed away, ironically, on March 2, 2012. At 3pm (EST) when I could have been registering for STEP to get back home, I was with my pops, who passed away less than 12 hours later. It was definitely one of the most important and scary things I've ever done, and I am grateful for that time. His eyes saw me I know they did, right before he died. I was looking into them and telling him I loved him and he couldn't speak but I KNOW he wasn't alone. My sister was with me, and after he passed, she left the room for some reason. It was just me and pops and I couldn't quite believe this fierce and intimidating man, who I was so afraid of all my life, was just this skinny shell, with nothing behind his eyes anymore. I started freaking out, feeling like he was going to sit up and start talking (or worse, yelling). I really had to do some deep breathing and find peace.

I don't know if I'd been able to do that if I hadn't visited the Temple. That visit, that experience, filled my soul. Particularly intense was this memory...there a beautiful young girl, burning incense in the sand, I think there were 7 sticks. Every so often, the scent would find my nostrils, filling them just briefly. I watched her and others around me, some people chanting, singing, some crying, smiling, quiet, home. When I was ready, I stood up and walked over to the young incense gifter to thank her for that part of the experience. As she unfolded herself to a standing position, she stood so tall, she had to bend over to soooo gently, hug me. I have chills thinking about it right now, it was incredible, I wish I could describe the feeling that came over me. Accepted, I guess is the best word. Like I belonged right where I was and I was more in that moment than any I can remember since giving birth or nursing my children.

When Dad passed and I felt that fear and panic, that's the moment I went back to. I let myself feel, everything, I didn't run from it or try to self medicate or deny it. Jesus.

I have a dear friend who lost her Dad this year also, Green Monkey, and she is the reason I made it to BM last year. She has a ticket and I am hoping one will find me, I have more burning to do.

Peace.


MG

[gyre]

As a 5k+ driver as well, I can tell you it's not bad to solo. Plus without someone you can set your own pace and take as long or as little time as you want!
I'm guessing you would be taking I-40 most of the way, so at least you have places to stop at and cool cities to see along the way. More so then if you would cut up to I-70 in St. Louis, and then I-80 from Denver. So if something did go wrong you'll be more likely to find help faster.

Where are you coming from?

I would go from St Louis to I-80 directly again.
The only reason to go another route is destinations elsewhere.

I-40 is in horrible condition in every way.

There is only one short transit getting to I-80.
24 hour weather in nebraska rest stops too.

[Savannah]

Uh, it's running now, I see people have already posted a number of listings.
http://rideshare.burningman.com/ridesha ... -man-2012/

It literally changed between the time I posted, and the time you did. I'm not kidding!

[rye knot]

Greetings All,

2012 will be my second time in BRC and this year I want to ramp up my interaction. What I’d like to do most is just give people a lift to wherever on my tandem bike (no, that’s not prison lingo). Possibly a taxi stand kind of thing, I don’t know. I’d like to keep it simple and useful, yet unpredictable, fun, and irreverent. Maybe offer bad advice (or good, depending) in true cabbie fashion. I don’t care if it is original, just swerving and good. I’ve found a couple of older, somewhat relevant threads on ePlaya, but if anyone has suggestions or a shared interest for this year, I’d appreciate hearing about it.

[Savannah]

Hi Rye Knot!

[sohcahtoa]

Hi, six-time burner, first time eplayer--wait, strike that, I've been here before, but can't remember anything about my old login, so here's the new one. My 'oh god burningman is coming' internal switch got flipped this week, so my head is swimming.

Big Chief Sohcahtoa

[knowmad]

I didn't run from it....



MG

Welcome to the Fire!!

[samantha143]

Hello all...I am newbie around. It's good to be a member of eplaya community.

[knowmad]

Hello all...I am newbie around. It's good to be a member of eplaya community.

Round uh? Like a doughnut? or a ball?

[enchantedangel]

Hello and thank you so very much for your sweet and well received welcome!

My handle is "Angel" and you all can call me that or "Keena", as I answer to both. Born and raised in California--East Bay Area and so very proud of it! My partner (traveling from Adelaide, South Australia) and I are new to the scene and while I have been a quiet background supporter of projects and others people's pilgrimage to BM, I am now ready to come into the sunlight and experience the joy and radiance that I hear so many of my dear friends speak of! We are so excited that we even got tickets this time around considering the new rules and regs. Nevertheless, we are blessed to be able to have this experience and I am truly looking forward to it.

I come bringing personal chef skills, catering skills, energy healing skills, non-profit development consulting skills, HIV prevention educator skills, LGBT health and advocacy skills, erotic massage skills, burlesque dancing skills and I'm sure many other talents to be learned, used and shared with the masses! My partner similarly brings, conscientious intellect, engineering skills, web design skills, master guitar skills, master vocal skills, masterful musical inclination, erotic massage skills, intuitive healing skills and I'm so sure he is also willing to spread his joy for life and love to those who receive it well!

We've read the FAQs and handbook and feel our first time should be done in a camper/caravan. Any tips, blessings, or general conversation is appreciated and received with an abundance of pleasure as we want our experience to be as romantic and loving as possible!

Yours in love and in light,

Angel~

[MissChief]

YO! I'm Miss Chief from NYC.

Will be attending my first Burn this year. No family to tag along, so it'll be an experience.
Quite excited to meet a range of personalties, and looking forward to some enlightening times. And Bacchanalian shit too.


Will probably bring my cards along for readings, my hoop along for entertainment, and a vibrator. Every camp needs a vibrator...and a paddle, and jello.

Would it behoove me to tag the kindle along?
Decided I'll make a few costumes, but hell.....where to start?

Figure it's best to leave leangthy intros for face to face conversations...

can't wait to look into your eyes..

[Dr. Pyro]

MissChief, that's what I call one helluva introduction.

[theCryptofishist]

Most people do not read on playa. I did read a book one year when I was feeling the change worse than usual, but I'm a curve buster when it comes to reading in general, and it was an odd year for me. Plus, the playa is hard on electronics.

[Ratty]

Welcome Mischief, I love your intro. You'll have a great week.

[Ratty]

Bring a real book. If it rains for too long you'll be glad you did. There are libraries here and there but I could never find anything twice.

[gyre]

As said, books are handy during storms, boredom.


What's a kindle?

[MissChief]

Ahhh, the paper kind I suppose that rules out the trusty ipod? Yes, I see it now, Sand = Not Good.

Sounds wise.
(Can't believe I mentioned jello in my introduction, have I no shame?!?!?!)

Miss Chief

[Savannah]

Hi Miss Chief!

The playa is hard on electronics, so if you're comfortable with the risk of getting baby-powder-fine dust in it, bring a ziploc slider bag for it at the very least.

I always bring three books to the playa. One for the trip down, one for playa itself, one for the way back. I might not read them all, but it can be nice at certain moments. I have a good memory of reading M.F.K. Fisher's The Art of Eating in 2000, flat on my back and snacking on gingersnaps as my dome tent bent dramatically sideways in the wind for four hours. I don't stay in my tent anymore during dust storms, but it was nice to have the option.

In 2008, I read Joe Biden's autobiography to my co-pilot on the way down as we were waiting for the V.P. nominee announcement. We got the headlines on a Sacramento paper in Alturas, as our last bit of contact with the outside world.

[gyre]

Biden's auto?
You're so sick!
I love that.


I strongly recommend Bamford's books, actually for everyone, but you should like them.
Real stuff.

Are you also watching Charlie Rose?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bamford

[SnowBlind]

Ahhh, the paper kind I suppose that rules out the trusty ipod? Yes, I see it now, Sand = Not Good.

It's worse than sand. The playa is a dry lakebed. It's consistency changes slightly from year to year, but usually it's more like flour. A flour that is alkaline, which means if it gets moist it's corrosive. Top it of with a claylike consistency when it gets really wet, which makes it hard to remove with water.

It's hard on things. Electronics in particular, but also other things you bring. Generally, I try not to bring anything that I would be sad if it was destroyed. That threshold is different for everybody, but usually it's either if they are too expensive, or too precious for you too lose.

As far as books, I used to take a couple of books on (non burning man) vacations, and found that I end up reading much less than I thought I would. At Burning Man it's even more extreme, I've never felt the need to open a book there. Too much stuff to do, or I'm just chilling in camp, too lazy too read. Of course YMMV, but I wouldn't bring a kindle.

[itskristin]

Hello everyone! My name is Kristin and my current location is Colfax, CA. My husband and I have friends that go to Burning Man every year, and we would love to be able to be apart of this journey someday! I've been doing a lot of reading about Burning Man recently and that is what brought me here! I look forward to sharing my thoughts with the community! =D

[Savannah]

Hi Kristin! ePlaya's a tremendous community resource. We can be a little curmudgeonly when people don't read a lot before asking questions (because we hear a lot of the same ones, over & over) but most of us have a semi-sweet core. Welcome.

[Dr. Pyro]

Kristin, greetings from Auburn! My buddy Ygmir and I have lunch occasionally at TJ's Roadhouse, though I am partial to the Red Frog. Welcome to the ePlaya.

[ygmir]

Kristin, greetings from Auburn! My buddy Ygmir and I have lunch occasionally at TJ's Roadhouse, though I am partial to the Red Frog. Welcome to the ePlaya.

yeah, what Doc said!!
and Savannah........

[itskristin]

Kristin, greetings from Auburn! My buddy Ygmir and I have lunch occasionally at TJ's Roadhouse, though I am partial to the Red Frog. Welcome to the ePlaya.

Excellent! How funny, my husband and I had lunch at TJ's yesterday and we are frequent flyers of the Red Frog! Lookin forward to seeing some local burners around! Do you plan to attend the "Fire & Steel Festival" in Colfax on May 26th? We'll be there!

[Dr. Pyro]

I'll be in Calgary running the Calgary Marathon that weekend. But there will be plenty of other events I'm sure. The foothills are full of Burners. If you happen across anybody from Barbie Death Camp, they would be one of us.

[itskristin]

I'll be in Calgary running the Calgary Marathon that weekend. But there will be plenty of other events I'm sure. The foothills are full of Burners. If you happen across anybody from Barbie Death Camp, they would be one of us.

I'm starting to realize how many burners there are in the area! Its awesome! I'll keep my ears open for Barbie Death Camp.. I love it btw!