Uncle Elliot's Final Burning Man Kinetic Sculpture Racing Camp Bulletin:
2007 September 12
Clearlake, CA: It was Most Glorious!
Our "placer" -- that mysterious Burning Man Organization Representative quietly watching over our neighborhood, and presumably taking names -- reports that she was mightily impressed with all the joyful activity at the KSR Camp.
I know that some of you feel that "once was enough", but so far as I am aware, none of you regret participating this year.
Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU for your contribution to a wondermuss event!
Now, please, each of you, send me a list of the various obnoxious behaviors I committed while I was drunk and need to apologize for. (But I will NOT apologize for my record-setting belly slides on the dance floor across the street. NEVER!)
Next year, Shaye is taking over the Theme Camp Space Reservation Procedure, and with that she will be the Supreme Ruler of KSR Camp.
This frees me to engage myself fully and wholly in The People's Valiant Struggle Against The Tyranny of Techno. It is my goal to conquer techno by introducing music to Burning Man. Yes, MUSIC! Melodies! Harmonies! Ideally, Real Music Camp will be adjacent to KSR Camp, but it is a bit early to plan such details. The Revolution has begun! Musicians please apply within.
Thank you all for helping pay for our own outhouse. From the feedback I have received, it was money well spent. We must remember to arrange for daily pumping next year -- or a much bigger tank. I'll provide the electric light again, no matter where I actually pitch my... uh... bus. Oh, and we should arrange the camp so the outhouse is in the back of the camp -- not up front.
In case you have not heard, Millicent The Bus refused to start when it was time to leave. Worn out starter. After failing to repair it, I hitched a ride to Reno and bought a new starter. We left 24 hour later -- perfectly pleased with everything.
Please remind me of anything else that needs wrapping up -- my brain is still on the Playa.
Leaving for the Prescott Valley, AZ, KSR in the morning.
For the Glory!
Elliot Naess
Added to our previous list are various pots, pans, knives and kitchen implementia including a lovely TEAPOT from Laura.
Questions received in this go round, are
** WHAT ARE THOSE TARPS FOR??? ** Shade and windproofing.
If you haven't yet looked, perhaps a glance at last year's account will show you the huge dust storm we had last year and you can see a picture of a collapsed tent during a white out in 2005 as well as read about our adventures in our first Burning Year.
Here you can see the tent in the foreground, and the row of portapotties fading in the white out.
** CAN I BRING MY ..... ** Yes as long as he/she/it has a ticket or if it is not on the list of things which must not be brought: guns, dogs, fireworks, illegallities, (Elliot vetoed the loose women and proposed banning orange snow fence) and so on.
** HOW DUSTY IS IT REALLY????? ** Very dusty! Ziplock everything you own including your clothes. Otherwise you'll have playa panties (or boxers) before you even put them on. Ziplock yourselves some washclothes so you can wash cleanly.
** What about ICE for my cooler? ** Ice is available at 3, 6 and 9 p.m. on the Street Grid but only from about 8 a.m. to 10 p.m everyday. When you arrive, you should have ice in your cooler. I suggest freezing PETA bottles (that's a type of heavy plastic found in gatorade, vitamin water, apple juice and so on bottles) of water. Freeze about 1/4 of the bottle at a time and do not put the lid on tightly during freezing or the bottle will distend.
You can then subtract your ice from your water purchases as you will have tap water from your house frozen solid keeping your food cold on the trip into Black Rock City. I suggest freezing a few smaller sports bottles too, they are great for carrying around as "mini coolers" in the blistering summer heat.
*** HOW HOT IS IT? *** In the daytime it is prostrate lizard land; at night, however, it goes down sometimes into the low 40s. So be prepared for 32 to 110 - anything in that range is possible.
**** CAN IT RAIN? *** You betcha! One year it rained for five days straight and had a dust storm for two days before that.
* ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A FANTASTIC TIME? * Of course.
See you in slightly over a week. Please don't hesitate to email w/ any more questions you may have. Shaye will be out of town until Monday, but may have email access on the weekend anyway.
Smiles to all!
Ellin ebeltz@ebeltz.net
KSR Camp Bulletin 15 August 2007
Hello Everyone!
Finally, here is the Cooking Crews and Meal Schedule!
Shaye's Crew- Miss Gina, Nicola, Ellin
Laura's Crew- Elliot, Peter
Dave's Crew- Steven, Matthew, Tom
Bob's Crew- Kerry, Allen
Ellin's Crew- Jack, Laura, Shaye
Saturday August 25th- Shaye's Crew for 10 people
Sunday August 26th- Laura's Crew for 10 people
Monday August 27th- Shaye's Crew for 20 people
Tuesday August 28th- Dave Hersh's Crew for 14 people
Wednesday August 29th- Bob's Crew for 20 people
Thursday August 30th- Queen Harmony & Kinetic Herald for 20 people
Friday August 31- Elliot spearheading all of the Men to cook for 20 people (all of the women at camp will be at Critical Tits)
Saturday Sept. 1st- Kinetic Parade to the man starting at 5pm, All leftovers will be eaten picnic style at the Man location: 5:59-6 o'clock
Sunday Sept. 2nd- Ellin's Crew for 20 people
Monday Sept. 3rd- Unorganized Eating of all food leftovers (waste not, want not!)
For Trevor, Kevin, Jay and Adam- we would prefer that you are always on a cleanup team to ensure a swift and clean end to all camp dinners!
***Note: All meals are to be vegetarian, especially without any milk products. We have three campers who do not eat dairy and one who is a vegan. If you do not know how to cook vegetarian, please contact me for meal recipes that are burningman gourmet- easy to make and stores well on the playa.***
If anyone has any strange food allergies, please let me know that as well! Thank you all for participating and feel free to email me with any questions, concerns, etc.
I'm looking forward to seeing you all on the playa....
Love and Peace and Kinetics,
Queen Shaye
President, KineticUniverse.com
http://KineticUniverse.com
KSR Camp Bulletin - EQUIPMENT - 14 August 2007
Hi All!
I'm so excited, less than 2 weeks until the Humboldt Crew installs our
art in the Base of the Man! This is a test message to be sure I have
all your addresses correct; if you are getting this you don't need to
reply - as we all know "incorrect" addresses bounce back to the sender!
Hope you are all getting ready to rock, roll and Kinetic our way across
the playa! In that vein, please send me a list of the camping equipment
and stuff you are planning to bring in light of the following which has
been promised to our camp so far. Remember that if we are already
bringing it, you don't have to! Save space, save gas getting up the hill!
COMMUNAL GEAR SO FAR AS WE KNOW
1 Banquet Table four feet long, folding
1 Rolled up table
3 extra telescoping chairs (small)
100 feet snow fence (orange, horrible and very useful stuff)
1/2 bale wooden stakes
3 Campng Stoves - five burners total
Misc. cooking stuff including cast iron frypan (large) and two gigantic pots
1 Bike Rack suitable for locking bicycles
1 Parachute shade structure
1 Overfly shade structure
1 ADA (LARGE) Porta Potty (lit at night) - woohoo!!!
1 Shower and evaporation pit on my trailer to save space
NEEDED per person (minimum)
-your own cup and waterbottle(s)
-personal eating implements
-sleeping bag/tent
-2.5 gallons of water per person per day
-one can of powdered sports drink per person to be added to water,
and/or Emergency-C or equivalent
PLEASE do not bring lots and lots of small bottles, they only have to be
taken away!
NEEDED for each tent brought
-at least 100 feet of rope for tie downs - best is Home Depot yellow and
orange on 100 foot rollers
-at least three tarps to create shade/wind structures over your own tent
or easy up
-30 feet of rebar cut in 3 foot piece with the tops bent over in a vise
- this "candycane" style prevents tent stake injuries
-1 or more coolers of comestibles
-Garbage bags or giant ziplock to cover your sleeping bag during day
prevents playadustation of your sleeping stuff.
PLAYA PEOPLE's best friends -- Zip lock bags, cable ties, WD40, duct tape, black solar shower bags,
small carabiners, lots of tiny flashlights on strings, jerry can of
spare gasoline to get out, new air filter to replace playatized air
filter after event, Drip Pans for OLD Cars that Drip GUNK, Tire blocks
for trailers, one-ply toilet paper, combination bike locks and lots of
bike lights.
MUST NOT BE BROUGHT -- Dogs, fireworks, guns, illegal drugs, bootleg whiskey, loose women,
Glass of any sort, items which will create MOOP (i.e. glitter, feathers,
sequins, beads)
DO NOT WORK -- Cellphones, credit cards, your car after you park it the first time and
many other things we take for granted 51 weeks of the year
MUST BE BROUGHT -- Prescription medications, personal identification to get in the gate,
vehicle insurance and registration, cash for emergencies going and
coming, AAA card if you have one, Auto fluids and parts as required by
your vehicle, SENSE OF HUMOR, mandatory.
Remember after hours and hours of waiting if you arrive at a peak time
your car will be searched for stowaways and your personal gear is
subject to search at any time. Be sure you can open your hatchback in a
reasonable amount of time and prepare for a curious greeting
thereafter. Ring the Virgin Bell if you are one. Read the fine print
on your ticket. Best time to arrive? 12:01 a.m. Monday.
Shaye will be emailing in the next day or two w/ the kitchen dinner
schedule/suggestions that we've all been waiting for... on the other
hand, if we do this all too far ahead and someone drops out... we have
to do it over again! Hope to hear from you soon!
Ellin ebeltz@ebeltz.net
KSR Camp Bulletin 2007 July 29 - from here down by Elliot
Our camp address in Black Rock City has been determined. We will have 75 feet by 100 feet near the corner of 4:30 Street and Coral Reef Street.
4:30 and C is about as fabulous a location as I can imagine! 4:30 is far from the Loud Music Zone at 2:00, and also away from the entrance road at 6:00. And C street is just three blocks from The Esplanade! I applied for space further out, so we must have impressed them somehow!
Shaye is in charge of the dinner schedule, and Ellin is taking care of the kitchen setup. Please respond when you hear from them.
Many of us are not up to fooling with the on-line spread sheet, so we will probably be using good old telephones more.
Ellin is also prepared to arrange some shade, but we have lost our 30x40 tent, in that Kevin is too busy building his new home, largely with his own hands, to join us -- and he is using the tent as a carpentry shop. So if any of you have a large and sturdy shade structure, now is a good time to speak up.
Something else we might do, is tie a big tarp on steel cables between my bus and one or two other large vehicles. Who else will be driving large heavy sturdy vehicles that can have Stuff tied to them without scratching the gold plating? In fact, this is a good time to hit "reply" and tell me the size and nature of your vehicle(s) and tent(s), so I can work on the camp layout.
We have NOT scheduled any KSR parades or other events in the event program. Many camps list specific events at specific times, or at least their "open" hours. I let that deadline sail on by. We'll wing it -- and we all want to have plenty of time to take in the whole event. But please plan on spending one shift "on duty" in the camp, to answer questions and demonstrate Skulptures and generally Be In Charge of our KSR "outreach program". Between the more than 20 of us, if we are Open eight hours a day for one week -- if each of us takes four hours at some point in the week, we'll have it well covered.
Who else might want to join us? I just spent four days with filmmaker Oli Newsome in Olympia -- the guy with the "steering wheel camera". He has some very nice KSR footage so far! He's is NOT planning to join us at BM-- but I don't quite believe him.
I think I'm done traveling for a while, so we should be getting our ducks lined up pretty well this week.
Elliot
KSR Camp Bulletin 5, 2007 July 01
Good information to share:
Ellin points out that many of you will not need to make the hard climb from Reno to Black Rock City, because you are arriving from the north -- which Yours Truly totally neglected to imagine.
Says Ellin: "The drive is hella nicer from the north end and highly recommended Alturas to Gerlach for anyone coming down from the north. Less traffic and the Four Corners Market in Alturas has full supplies including wash water water from their hose if you have bottles."
Next, Jack points out something very important: carry a flashlight at all times after dark, specially if there is any possibility you may wish to visit the JOTS. Remember the old sign... "We aim to please. You aim too, please." Says Jack: "The staff do a heroic job, but they can't stay 24/7 ahead of the drunks and druggies who are less than pristine -- or anyone else whose aim is less than William Tell's apertures."
The way to go is probably a Miners Lamp -- the kind you strap onto your forehead. Those no longer burn kerosene, nor do they explode the instant the canary faints. Today's version is small and light, with a AA battery and a few LEDs, and is available in sporting goods stores.
Elliot
KSR Camp Bulletin, 2007 June 29
Some very good questions have come in:
Tires
Your Kinetic Racing Sculpture will probably be fine on its road tires. The Playa surface consists of a very fine silt, which is usually hard packed. The streets are watered daily, which tends to "repave" the surface. Last year, a few spots developed where the silt became loose to a depth of an inch or two. But that silt is so fine, you can still ride a bicycle thru it. What will NOT work is the Lance Armstrong paved road racing type tires Oh, they'll cut thru any silt, but they are too skinny for even the normal firm surface. Should you bring the sand tires for your Machine anyway, just in case? Yes.
JOTS
The Burning Man organizers set up hundreds of porta-potties in groups of maybe 20 all over Black Rock City. They are called JOTS for Johnny On The Spot, although the actual vendor could change. The JOTS are serviced daily, and I found them mostly acceptably decent. I also established the habit of bringing a roll of tissue when I went there for #2, and leaving the roll. Single ply tissue only, please, for the pumping.
Modesty
In the mornings, it is common to see people walking towards the JOTS with a roll of TP in one hand and a bottle of urine in the other, and back with the empty bottle. Traditional embarrassment over body functions is pretty much suspended in the Enlightened City Of Black Rock. Everyday modesty also -- some people simply go naked, and most camp showers are in the open.
The one thing that seems to remain A Private Thing, even in BRC, is love-making. Not once did I see any such activity. But many costumes sure lean towards the erotic, yes.
Which brings us to Costumes
Like KSR, BM is full time Theatre. Wear fanciful costumes at all times, if possible.
Lighting
Much BM activity takes place after dark, and all moving things must have lights to avoid collisions -- Racing Kontraptions, bicycles, even pedestrians. On a large Kontraption with much bright lights, a small generator may be warranted. The Honda EU 1000 is the thing. Cheap generators are WAAAY too noisy. On smaller vehicles, batteries do the job fine. Decorative lighting does not need to be very bright, as it is very dark out there. If you are not familiar with Electro-Lumiscent Wire (EL wire), you soon will be. EL wire is somewhat like an LED, in the shape of a string, with a battery and controller at one end. A unit with a couple of AA batteries will glow for hours and hours. I ran a 100 foot string of EL wire around my bus off a car battery, and I left it on around the clock so I wouldn't forget to turn it on. After being on for a week straight, the battery was barely half discharged. Some people sew EL wire onto their costumes. At the minimum, your Machine must have headlight and taillight.
Mutant Vehicles
Our human-powered Kinetic Racing Sculptures are NOT "mutant vehicles" and do not require any kind of registration or permit. In BM terminology, Mutant Vehicles are motorized vehicles, from electric golf carts to 65-foot disco-buses. Yes, you will be amazed.
Problems and solutions
BRC is a city of 40.000 people, some of whom spend the week in a 24/7 Party Mode condition. Sometimes, bicycles disappear and other problems arise. Kinetic Kontraptions should not be let out of sight by one of us, as it could take three days to find it again.
BRC is patrolled by several Law Enforcement Agencies, who are mostly on the lookout for drugs. BRC also has its own Rangers, who are civilian volunteers. BRC Rangers serve primarily to provide emergency response, enforce BM regulations like licensing of motorized art vehicles, and occasionally conflict resolution, such as over excessively loud music.
There is a 24/7 Field Hospital, and several First Aid Stations. A Fire Brigade also. *Fire and Medics are always at "9 and 3" as well as Center Camp in the town as well as at "9 and 3" of large events on the playa. (EB)*
Surprise!
While BM can easily be perceived as a hippie festival, you may be surprised over some of the folks who participate. Here's an example. One year, the starter went out in a famous party bus. Your first impression of that bus, would probably be that it belonged to some dirt poor hippie. The next morning a replacement starter arrived at the BRC Airport -- by private jet.
Cell phones
Cell phones do not work out there. If you absolutely must make a call, you take the shuttle bus to Gerlach and use a coin phone there. Unless you have a satellite phone.
Run to the store?
No. Cars may not drive in-and-out of BRC. The shuttle to Gerlach runs all day. Gerlach is not much more than a wide spot in the road -- a gasoline station and small general store.
The heat
The heat was not a problem for me, as there was usually a breeze. But it can get warm, and cool at night.
The sun
Bring gallons of Heavy Duty Sun Screen and use it.
Insects
There are close to zero insects out there.
The drive
The drive from Reno to BRC is one heck of a climb. Make sure your car is up to it.
Keep asking questions
Elliot
Kinetic Sculpture Racing Theme Camp Bulletin, 2007 June 28
No, you are not going to receive a bulletin every day! But I want to get this information out while I remember, and while you have time to plan and prepare.
Bicycles
Bicycles are THE mode of transportation in Black Rock City -- when not riding a Kinetic Kontraption or a Mutant Vehicle (motorized). If you can, bring a cheap expendable mountain bike or beach bike. But it does need to be in good working order. Good tires and tubes are specially important. You do not need gears -- the Playa is flat as a board. A multi speed bike with a busted derailer can perfectly well be used as a single speed bike on the Playa -- just shorten the chain. Do not bring an expensive bike -- the alkaline dust will get into everything and trigger corrosion. And do not bring a skinny-tire bike -- the Playa is a dirt surface. If you cannot bring a suitable Playa Bike, do not fret. We had seven communal loaner bikes last year, and we will have more this year. We have a 40 foot bus to haul them in! If you bring a bike to the Playa, but would rather not have to drag it home again, we can add it to the loaner fleet for next year. Or we'll cut it up and build something. All bikes must have lights front and rear! This is not only common sense, but required. You WILL be riding at night. Modern battery powered bicycle lights burn for many many hours with LED bulbs. Cheapest at K-Mart and similar stores. Bring a lock too. Drunken revelers tend to climb on any bike they see, and Black Rock City is too big for you to hunt it down the next morning. A comfortable saddle is strongly recommended. You'll be riding a lot. K-Mart etc again. Fasten the saddle with a bolt -- not a quick release (drunken revelers again -- harvesting soft saddles for own use). Additional lighting is a good thing, on the bike and on your person. BM is all about Lights in the Dark. I'll be forwarding some resource information shortly, with a couple of sources for Electro-Lumiscent Wire. Off the top of my head, I bought some such from Vibe Lights on the internet last year.
Generators
Please do not bring noisy generators. Bring only the quiet Hondas and similar (Honda EU 1000, 2000 and 3000). Noisy generators are a major bugaboo at BM. For occasional use, like running a repair tool or charging a critical battery, you are welcome to use the Honda EU 3000, or the highly portable Honda EU 1000, both in Millicent, The Bus.
Sanitation
Many camps rig up a shower. But disposing of the waste water is a major problem. It is illegal to dump untreated "gray" water on the ground. Gray water that has been filtered of scum and sanitized with chlorine may be scattered on the ground. Gray water must otherwise either be carried home, or evaporated and the remaining scum carried home. Some people report successful evaporation systems, but most "evap ponds" turn into Superfund Sites. I spent a full day cleaning one up last year. (Strangely enough, I didn't mind -- that's how much I loved being there!) Feel free to invent something. There is a ton of info about this on the ePlaya bulletin board. I found myself quite comfortable just washing myself with a wash cloth. A splash of vinegar in the wash water will counter the alkaline dust. There will (probably, time allowing) be a shower in Millicent The Bus, which may be used by any camp member in an "emergency". The portapotties were surprisingly decent. But they were often out of tissue, so bring plenty. Single Ply tissue only -- requirement by the folks who pump the things out and do not like it when the hose clogs. Ask questions. (*Ellin is bringing a shower. If you bring those black camp shower bags, you will have a great time using it.*)
As of today, we have 14 people signed up, with close to ten Kinetic Racing Kontraptions 14 is probably right on schedule, as we guessed 20 to 30 total. We have requested a 100 foot by 100 foot space. It will be a very laid back and informal camp, as Theme Camps go. Our contribution to the Black Rock City community will be to give rides on our Kontraptions and generally spread the Glory of KSR.
I'm the first to point out that Burning Man is not for everyone. But if you have been considering going, you now have a group of "your own kind" that you can safely join. Some of us have even been to BM before! Feel free to ask questions, and to spend a few hours (or days) on www.burningman.com.
Elliot
KSR Camp Bulletin -- 2007 June 27
This is going fabulously. I count almost 20 people already, with close to ten Kontraptions.
The big news is that we will have a display in the Man Pavilion -- that is, the structure that the Burning Man Himself stands on. This will be installed before the event opens to the public, and removed a day or two before The Burn (since the pavilion will be burned). Rutabaga Queen (2005, I think) Shaye Harty is in charge of our Pavilion Exhibit. And the credit for arranging it is all hers! The display is planned to be two old-timey gasoline station pumps, with KSR photos and film showing on the glass. Shaye is looking for a way to blow bubbles out of the gasoline nozzles, if you have soap bubble skills, or a better idea. Yes, there will be electricity in the Pavilion. This exhibit will also display a reference to our camp, for those who wish to learn more about KSR. I believe a suitable phrase is "Woo-hoo".
Shaye is also handling meal coordination. There will be a common dinner each day, and one group will take charge of each day. This worked very well at the Kazbus camp last year. Quite a few of us are vegetarian, so we'll probably concentrate on that. Other meals are on your own.
As for the Kazbus people, only one has joined us so far, since the Kazbus group is returning to the Playa as a freestanding camp after all. Rumor is, the Kazbus itself may have been repaired, so we may get to see it and ride on it. All wonderful!
If you have not bought your ticket, do it now. The price goes up as the event draws near.
Read the Survival Guide on the BM web site. Don't let it frighten you. I found myself "over-prepared" last year. The Survival Guide may seem strict, but this is to ensure nobody shows up totally unprepared. Just read the Survival Guide and other information on the web site, and apply common sense. Feel free to ask questions. There is also a ton of information on the BM web site bulletin board, called "ePlaya".
The one thing I found indispensable was dust resistant goggles -- Desert Goggles. When the wind picked up, I slapped them on, and I was fine. Buy on eBay or in Army Surplus stores. Probably sporting goods stores also, but I don't know that for sure. I have one pair with dark lens for day, and one pair with clear lens for night.
Also please read the web site information about Leave No Trace. Nothing hits the ground on the Playa. If it does, you pick it up. When the event is over, there will be No Trace that we were there. I have bought a "magnetic broom" to pick up small parts like roller-chain master-link clips.
Do not bring anything that may shed debris, like feather boa, glitter, dried-out wicker chair.... All common sense, once you learn the concept of Leave No Trace.
Entry to Black Rock City: A few of us will be arriving a day early to set up. This requires a special permit. You'll know if you are on our Advance Setup Team. Everyone else may begin arriving the morning of Monday August 27 -- this morning being defined as one minute after Sunday ends. You will know the camp address by then.
Black Rock City is laid out in a very sensible grid. You will find it on the web site. Radial streets are named for the numbers on the clock dial, one street each half hour. Circular streets are named alphabetically, starting with the smallest circle, except for the innermost street, which is always the Esplanade. So you will have no trouble finding us, no matter when you arrive. Arriving a couple of days into the event is perfectly normal -- not everyone can take so much time off work.
Leaving BRC: THE BURN is Saturday evening September 1. That's the Main Burn -- the Burning of The Man Himself. You may think you have seen a bonfire before. You may think you have seen fireworks before. You ain't seen nuttin.
But I urge you to stay another day, because Sunday September 2 is the evening of THE TEMPLE BURN and ALL THE OTHER BURNS. Yes, they hold the Grand Finale first, then all the "preliminaries" the next day. None of it to be missed.
Monday September 3 is Exodus. Massive traffic jam, as everyone tries to leave at once. Stay until Tuesday if you can, and enjoy the quiet.
Elliot
Thank you for reading all the way down here... See you on race day!
Home
Here you can see the tent in the foreground, and the row of portapotties fading in the white out.