HELLO and THANK YOU!

[mrgr8avill]

Birgin here finally lining up to make it in '12 after trying for so many years! Just want to say "thank you" to all you miserable, beautiful sons-a-bitches who take the time to share your stuff here on ePlaya. In my readings, I've cried in the temple alongside you, and felt the tiniest bit of the love and joy you all (most of you anyway) took home with you. My feathers are safely stowed and I'm happy to jump into the community meeting you here in hopes of meeting you in person!

[jkisha]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

[illy dilly]

Hey Mr. Gr8avill, Welcome to eplaya!

There is a lot to learn from this forum, but you should still read the Survival Guide and First Timer's Guide. Both can be found under links at the top of the main Burningman.com web site.

[mrgr8avill]

Thanks, Illy! I have read them, and so much else it's all a huge blur to me. Luckily, I have months and months to read them over and over until they all start to find a place. I apologize in advance if I step on toes or act like a Noob but I promise you my heart's in the right place =)

[remi]

Welcome, and hopefully we'll meet on the Playa!

[mrgr8avill]

Thanks, Remi! You have no idea how much I am looking forward to it -- or maybe you do =-)

Hey I have two questions for y'all -- both have to do with arrival...

1) they mention packing in a chill way to allow for easy searches to speed things up. I want to be a good line guy but I'm REALLY tight on space. Also, Alcohol is my drug of choice so I really don't have anything to hide. The survival guide just mentions packing in a way to help the search. In y'all's experience, how detailed are those things & what can I do to make 'em faster? I'm not the world's most organized person and I can just imagine unloading for an hour so they can get to something they want to see that I buried...

2) I know there are no "assigned spaces," but I haven't found anything as far as how much space you can expect or plan for. How does that work when you're outside a theme camp? Do you just do a land-grab? I'd like to plan our space a bit but I can't find anything on what kind of size I should be thinking about.

I know these sound like strange Noob ??? but they're the only ones I have so far that I haven't found an answer to. The experience I can let happen, but I'm really interested in being as cool & contributing a member as I can be and I don't want to start things off acting unintentionally dickish.

[junglesmacks]

1) They're looking for stowaways when you go through gate.. that's about it. It depends on what kind of vehicle you are in, but if it's a car then you're fine. They just mean to not pile things up in trucks in a funny way that it takes unpacking. Even in my box truck, my "search" takes about 30 seconds if that. You will be fine.

2) Yes, you pull up and just find a space. The best way is communication. Talk to your neighbors around you and find out who is where and what. Read this thread: viewtopic.php?t=29356 (I can tell you haven't been doing your proper due diligence.. that's a sticky in the camping/shelter forum..)

[Savannah]

Hi mrgr8avill!

Junglesmacks said some good stuff there, including that link. You will receive a map when you come in that shows you were "open camping" is.

I will add only: have your stuff packed in bags & or containers where possible . . . boxes, cooler, duffle bags, rubbermaid, anything. It's easier for you to find your stuff later, and it's easier for you/Gate to move it quickly if they ask you to move it. I remember someone from Gate staff lamenting a box truck that was packed as though someone had just upended bureau drawers into it; stuff just everywhere all over the floor. Ugh. Apparently it held up the line a bit.

[mrgr8avill]

Haha thanks man - I admit I'm in information overload right now. I actually moderate two un-related forums, so I'm kicking myself pretty hard right now for that... Was so concerned with survival guide I forgot to search the forum.

It should be obvious by now why I'm trying to figure this shit out so far in advance -- like I said I'm not the world's most organized person & I do NOT want to be an asshat =)

Thanks again for the help & gentle admonition...

[mrgr8avill]

Hi mrgr8avill!

Junglesmacks said some good stuff there, including that link. You will receive a map when you come in that shows you were "open camping" is.

I will add only: have your stuff packed in bags & or containers where possible . . . boxes, cooler, duffle bags, rubbermaid, anything. It's easier for you to find your stuff later, and it's easier for you/Gate to move it quickly if they ask you to move it. I remember someone from Gate staff lamenting a box truck that was packed as though someone had just upended bureau drawers into it; stuff just everywhere all over the floor. Ugh. Apparently it held up the line a bit.

Thanks, Savannah! I've been here all of 24 hours & have help/good advice from you in two different threads... I really appreciate your time =)

[illy dilly]

I wasn't there for our camps box truck search. But from what I was told, they opened the door, the guy stepped up, shined a light to the back and said "Fuck this, I don't feel like twisting my ankle- your good"
Though, our truck was packed in Denver for unpacking order in BRC, so all the large camp infrastructure stuff was right at the back of the truck, and all the small tents, sleeping bags, suit cases, etc. against the front wall.

Our RV took about 1 minute to search, then another 6 of shooting the shit with the searcher, named John, who coincidentally used to run John and Tosh's Wear House. Their wear house was an awesome little kick ass place in north Denver. Spent many a night in my teenage years raving it up there. Then they moved to Cali a few years ago. Of all the random people to run into, out of the 7 or 8 lines to get in.

[mrgr8avill]

Our RV took about 1 minute to search, then another 6 of shooting the shit with the searcher, named John, who coincidentally used to run John and Tosh's Wear House. Their wear house was an awesome little kick ass place in north Denver. Spent many a night in my teenage years raving it up there. Then they moved to Cali a few years ago. Of all the random people to run into, out of the 7 or 8 lines to get in.

Love how that works! And thanks again for the advice =) My thought is to get our shit together ASAP & then seek out some regional groups/people to meet & see if we can't help out a bit. This all assumes this year that we "win the lottery," but I'm hoping that drama is a little over-hyped.

[illy dilly]

This all assumes this year that we "win the lottery," but I'm hoping that drama is a little over-hyped.

I think we're all hoping that too!!!
But if not, then we'll just have to build some really awesome art.... with hiddy spots for people, lol.

You should have no trouble finding regional folks in southern Cali. I think half of BRC's population is from California.

[Savannah]

Thanks, Savannah! I've been here all of 24 hours & have help/good advice from you in two different threads... I really appreciate your time =)

Haha--you're welcome! Wanna hear something funny? I'm not the world's most organized person either . . . very ADD. I just start shopping and packing wayyyy early, and my packing list is separated into To Do, To Buy, and To Pack, because I'm one of those thrifty, dithering people who's like . . . "$1.49 for 1-ply camping Charmin?!? That's highway robbery. I can get it for 89 cents a roll if I simply wait for a sale." Which doesn't work too well in July, but works great in February.

[illy dilly]

I just start shopping and packing wayyyy early, and my packing list is separated into To Do, To Buy, and To Pack,

This is very true!
Half Savannahs stuff was making its first leg of the journey BRC a month or so before the event!

And regarding the lists.... Don't get her started on her shopping receipts!

[burner von braun]

Hi mrgr8avill,
Welcome to eplaya! Have fun learning more and more about the burn. Even this becomes a fond memory as you devise your first plans, make adjustments, and gather supplies. Great news is you have lots of time to make good decisions and get creative!

[trilobyte]

Welcome to ePlaya - hope we can help you plan your adventure