Re: Burning Man

From: David Coons <yahoo_at_artscans.com_at_hypermail.org>
Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2005 00:13:30 -0700

Michael Marinacci wrote:
> This year, I'm finally doing it: I'm going to bust my "Playa Cherry" and
> attend the Burning Man festival in Nevada.

Well Mike, it's *about time* you did Burning Man! And I'm sorry
to confirm Carlye and I won't be attending this year, mostly
because of her Sony schedule but also the work I need to do
on the scanner. BM is also expensive, but maybe next year when
we get lives again.

Best wishes on your first burn! Definitely stay for the second
burn on Sunday night, where they incinerate a massive wooden
temple.

If you'd planned to go sky-clad the entire time, take something
to wear in the late evenings when the temperature drops. I know,
I know, me recommending clothing is about like the pope pushing
condoms, but you'll thank me later.

> got any tips or advice?

See below for our list, as emailed to an associate last year.

> Lenny has ALREADY topped all other japes with his
> initial reaction: "Bop! You're paying $250 to get HEAT STROKE! BOP!!")

Lenny will never attend Burning Man.
He would surely perish.

dc


-------------------------------------------------------------

   Hi Rick,

   Here's the list, a little rough, but as complete as we could
   assemble. Things we actually took are marked with a ".".

   The walkie-talkies we got are the Motorola Talkabouts, but
   longer range ones would be needed to span the full width of
   the site.

   I brought my Canon PowerShot S10, but found the more interesting
   stuff to photograph is at night, rendering it almost useless
   for available light work. Next time I'll take like a 10D with
   an ultra fast lens and fill flash, and only take it out when
   the wind is calm. Dusk would be the best time to photograph
   the art installations, and maybe shoot with a tripod with their
   exposure bracketing.

   For all their talk about the correct shoes, I went barefoot the
   whole time and had no problems. Just use a floor mat or two
   to keep dust from tracking into the RV.

   In a supreme show of sin, we fired up the generator and spent
   a couple afternoons watching crime drama videos with the air
   conditioner cranked.

   Regarding weather, in addition to the occasional dust storms,
   it can actually rain, but you'll be pretty well protected in
   an RV.

   We spent the night at campgrounds in Bishop on both legs of
   the trip. Going up was Brown's Town Campground, and coming
   back it was Creekside RV Park, which we preferred for the
   creek, showers and Guiseppi's italian restaurant across the
   street. Carlye made reservations in advance, I believe.

   Bicycles were the handiest thing we brought, making it fast
   and easy to tour the site and visit the installations. There
   were two bike repair camps we relied on heavily, one was at
   3:00.

   Pumping for RVs is possible, but as I mentioned before,
   service can be slow. Flush only when absolutely necessary
   and use an outdoor sun shower, the kind with a black water
   bag that warms in the sun. That's what we *should* have done.
   Next time I'll bring a big rubber water bag and fill up
   when the truck comes around. The onboard RV tanks won't
   last you 4 days.

   For food, the best stuff is dry packaged meals to which you
   add boiled water, although perishables can actually keep for
   a few days.

   dc



BURNING MAN --------------------------------------------------

LIST:
   .RV w/generator, basin, shower, toilet
   sandals
   keds [Stretchy keds like Carlye's]
   .watch
   triangle stools [Got aluminum ones we never used]
   camera + tripod [Canon EOS? [used S20 - didn't shoot much]
   .plasting sheeting [Wal Mart]
   .magic marker + tape + paper [For signs]
   .Est mileage: 1100 mi Reno->Gerlach 107, HW->Reno 512, += 619 one way
   .Camera [EOS Canon w/OIS? Long lens? Nah. Bring mine.]
   .Read Instructions
   .Burning Man Web page [not too useful. paper handouts onsite sufficed]
   .Extra RV keys [copied at Wal-Mart]
   .power cord [included in RV]
   .Web mirror BM site to T20 [PJS: www.langfeldt.net/w3mir/, save pages]
   .bedding [needed queen, used Carlye's full and blankets]
   .blankets [used mine and hers]
   .hangers
   .bicycles [I bought one, brought Jack and Carlye's]
   .bicycle racks
   .bicycle pumps
   .bicycle repair stuff [Spare tubes, wrench, etc.]
   bicycle bags [For carrying water, Carlye plastic storage cubes]
   oil [for chains, *attracts* dust, 3in1?]
   .batteries [Got at Home Depot]
   .power strip [ArtScans + hers]
   .trashcan [kitty litter container, filled 3x]
   .orange backpack
   .costumes
   .somethings to barter [need tie sandwich bags, maybe small paper bags?]
   .white outfit [tan pants and Aardvarks tux shirt]
   .bartering items [jelly beans & poetry books, few opportunities]
   .newspapers
   .flashlight [My maglite, our hefty lights]
   .money [on-site pumping fee for RV, on-site water truck]
   .frisbees [3 or 4, Target]
   .locks [Does Carlye's work?]
   .power strip [Carlye's]
   .radio [Susan]
   .tickets
   .tools
   .drill + bits
   .water bag straps [Pockets for money, etc. (Mayfair)]
   .foot bath (pan) [Pic & save or 99c store]
   .fan for ventilating inside [Carlye has 'em.]
   .saline nasal spray
   .lip balm
   .hand lotion
   .aloe vera
   .sunscreen
   .pancake
   .bells
   .lights
   .skates [Roller Disco, C's at Dave's]
   .pillow
   .folding chairs [Carlye's, Susan's]
   .carpet samples [Tempo trunk]
   .tp
   .ear plugs [Enroute]
   .knife
   .fluorescent lanterns [Carlye has 'em]
   .shoes and socks
   .sweater
   .jacket
   .carpet sample doormats
   .broom [Carlye's]
   .lantern [Amelie]
   .2 ice chests [amelie has one, Susan has another]
   .dirt devil vacuum [Carlye's]
   .lighters [Carlye got some already, to seer rope ends?]
   .tools
   .washcloths
   .towels
   .soap
   .gaffers tape
   .dishes, cups, utensils, etc.
   .AAA: tour book, maps, RV campsites Carlye
   .trash can
   .bungee cords
   .duct tape
   .shovel [They said to bring one]
   .rope
   . no slick yellow stuff
   . used climbing rope, 9-11mm, for large structures
   . C says chord or clothes line
   .rebar stakes [2', #4 size (means 4/8" or 1/2" diameter)]
   . Construction supply warehouse
   . scrap metal yard
   . Home Club Enormart Depot in 3' lengths
   . slegehammer (small) [for rebar stakes]
   . bend with pipe
   . 3' rebar
   . 2 >4' steel pipe
   . bend 4-6" from end
   .spray bottles [For spraying *and* drinking]
   .extension cords [Bought one, bring them all]
   .8x8' carpet from one or more remnants
   .astroturf or carpet? [strips that can be shaken out]
   .rugs
   .batteries
   .flag pole with bright lights to find home. Banner pole.
   . cool neon flag & stripe up pole
   .straw hat - broad brimmed with cord
   .squirt bottles [Carlye, pic & save, 99c store, target]
   .flashlight [My maglite, our hefty lights]
   .Call Joan, etc.
   .Leave on Sun [Opens at dawn Monday.]
   .C has Sunday & Saturday off
   .Bob's [No extra propane needed (714)827-2810. Jay.]
   .ziplock bags [freezer strength]
   .trash bags [high quality]
   .portable Sun Shower ($8?)
   .24 2-liter drinkable water
   .12 1 gal extra water
   .straw hat - broad brimmed with cord
   .propane? [extra for fridge]
   .toilet sanitizer [For RV]
   .freeze 1-2 liter plastic bottles with 2" air, capless
   .water
   .squirt bottles [Carlye, pic & save, 99c store, target]
   .sunscreen
   .moisturizer
   .2 liter bottles
   .Talkabout walkie-talkies [Web, Good Guys]
   . 38 chan, 4 oz w/o batteries, $74 each, cobalt, black, cam $99,
   . 14 chan, 7 oz [pair $79]
   . Check Motorola info site from Carlye: (she emailed it to me)
   .cool neon [www.playfish.com/coolneon, (510)547-5878]
   . twisted pair wire [For cool neon, 200'?]
   . soldering iron
   . solder
   . tape
   . base colors are white and aqua
   . Ben James is boss, took order
   . spare batteries [Home depot]
   . cigarette lighter adapter
   . alligator clips
   .sleeping bags
   .egg carton matresses
   .microwave, tv, vcr, ext electrical cord (these all come with the RV)
   .alarm clock
   .towels
   .canned food
   .Call 20th Century [Tell them vehicle info for coverage]
   . Take insurance slip from mail
   .2 extension cords
   .2 chairs
   .radio
   .ice chest
   1 table
   flashlight
   vice grip (in box)
   wet ones
   outdoor shower, to save water

FORGET IT
   Bartering:
     Digital pictures / Epson prints
   orange flag [Didn't need. Just flag down the dumping truck.]
   tent [take just in case]
   sleeping bags & mats [left at home]
   ribbons
   ren faire shirt [In bags]
   Gary Finnoe's body paints
   ladder [A-frame, C has step stool]
   hose?
   sleeping bag
   defogger for goggles
   arrowhead water bottles [lots for donations, showers, etc.]
   christmas lights around outside
   vacuum + bags [Carlye bringing dirt devil]
   reflective space blankets to reflect heat
   extra person for return trip?
   tarp that breathes
   boots
   compass
   shade structure
   fuel [extra for generator]
   fuel cans [Home Depot has 'em.]
   scarf for back of hat for neck shade
   Shade structure:
     8' 2x2" poles supported canopy in one case, but blew down.
   battery powered fans
   .first aid [My little kit, Carlye has parts]
   sewing kit [heavy thread for stitching shade material NO]
   sod front yard? [no]
   generator
   "handy, quiet Honda EX650 generator"?
   Colorful Lighting
     Filtered tungsten (buy those fixtures with internal barn doors)
   Wildfire Lighting
     Fluorescent paints
     2 or so UV light fixtures
     Blank canvas [to paint on]
   Tungsten array backlight box
     Buy the [Show Biz Expo] one?
     Colorspan HiFi trannys
   Chargable 12V battery
   reflective foil on roof
   battery drill [or extension cord]
   geometry dome
     pvc 10' I suspect is best large diameter
     covering
     rope the corners, then tighten
     rope the tarp.
   large plastic containers [big ice chest size]
   bed off the ground
   plastic covering for RV floor
   child homing device to find the tent?
   propane? [extra for fridge. Bob's says no need.]
   inflatable chairs [Paul says they get sweaty and dusty - bad]
   LED pins [Check white LED spectrum, order them.]
   Backlight display [Big, very bright, call Kevin]
     Display Engineering; (415)329-0900; ; Kevin Hathaway;
     Spoke with at length about broad spectrum black body backlight /
     Following up on a discussion with Paul Kirkland;
   dry ice
   rebar caps [Carlye getting water bottles, paint them?]
     old 1liter plastic soda bottles
     mushroom chaped plastic caps at construction supply houses


JOAN & PAUL'S LIST, 8/20/2000:
   can buy ice too
   .borrow chairs from Susan
   Weight down astroturf
   24000 sold already
   water bottle holders with straps
   triangle stools
   power extensioin cords [outposts are powered]
   .masks
   .goggles [ski goggles]
   -> trader joes boil bag dinners
   .dried soups in cardboard cans
   .pancake mix
   do not give out trash
   pretrashed RV..
   1600mi round trip
   12 hrs straight through
   burn is Saturday? historically on Sunday
   [make a movie at BM]
   75W solar panel, Seimens, from RV supply wholesaler, 16Ahr/day
     charges at that rate
     high impedance
     17v high impedance, charging controller
       charge batteries only
     inverter to 110V
   Yamaha makes the quietest, 10db quieter, 50dba at 1m, $4500
     He'll buy one someday
   cheerios and banana chips (or dried blueberries) in the morning
   They both wear sandals
   .Pay bills before going

WEBSITES:
   http://www.cieux.com/bm
     Finish reading at "Structures at Burning Man"
   http://www.iccom.com/usrwww/albob/bm
   http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/4.11/burningman.html
   http://www.elmonte.com/mh22.htm
   Burning_Man_Review
     http://www.best.com/~cgd/home/naturism/nudity24.htm
   Burning_Man_Festival
     http://www.burningman.com/
   From the newsletter:
     check out Red's Adventures at Burning Man
       http://my.ispchannel.com/~edragon/BurningMan99/ and follow
       the path to the Man. After you're done don't leave this
       web site until you follow the links to
       wrybread http://wrybread.com/burningman99/ and cyberbuss
       http://www.cyberbuss.com/bman99/
     New Burning Man dot com web pages:
       http://www.burningman.com/travel/survival/rebar.html
       http://www.burningman.com/travel/survival/bikes.html
     For a good overview of the Art of Burning Man visit:
       http://www.burningman.com/project/artofbm/art_of_bm.html
   Pics:
     www.untitledmagazine.com/issueone


MISC ADVICE:
   Make space in your freezer.
   Coolers:
     Freeze 2-liter ice/water jugs.
       2" of air with cap off.
     Ice cooler (large) has water bottles only.
       Keep in large cardboard box with 2" of newspaper on all sides.
       Open only once each morning to get 2 bottles.
     Day cooler
       2 ice bottles a day from the ice cooler.
     Drape sleeping bags and pillows over coolers in the daytime.
     Dry Ice cooler
       2.5" Styrafoam with slab of dry ice above ice cream.
   Cooking:
     Cook everything at home and freeze.
     Frozen food for first 2-3 meals. Canned food thereafter.
     Fresh fruits and veggies for first day or so.
     http://www.cieux.com/bm/recipes.html
   Bikes:
     http://www.cieux.com/bm/maxicon.html
   Shade:
     Test it first.
     Don't setup between 10-6.
   From a posting:
> >Take rugs, a broom, and a bike bell
     [broom & vacuum]
> >Sew the shade skin together before the playa
> >Have a ladder and a good lantern
> >Sleep raised up off the ground, as on: a cot
> >Carry around my own damned folding chair
> >Camp with friends! (THE bLUE LiGHT dISTRICt
> >Use brighter colors and darker shades
   stay in Reno before and after (Tahoe?)
   camp away from roadway (dust)
   Walkie talkies, per Steve G
     GMRS service
     5 watts
     licence w/form
Received on 2005-07-30 00:13:33

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