Looking for Camp / Participation
Background
Hey everyone!
I guess what's an ask without context right? I love asking people what their story is so I guess I'll start with mine.
Was able to go to a glorious Renegade 2021 for 3 days as a first date and first burn together with an older woman who has become or perhaps I should say is, the love of my life. The 27th (first day of BM this year!) is the 2nd anniversary of the day we met. I missed last year despite helping with prep and working SF Pride for a camp that has since been retired as I had started a job as a junior level employee and there was no possibility of taking the time off.
This year she's between positions and has the time to go and will be at a popular sound camp she kind of joined without really including me in the process but I guess it's because she assumed I couldn't go. I ended up quitting my job as well after the death of my grandmother overseas after a kind of a life-changing revelation there so the event became tenable due to lack of work commitments despite limited savings. I purchased two tickets and a vehicle pass in the final sale. I thought I would either go by myself or with her or sell the ticket at face value to my friend to come with me, or sell the ticket for an unpretentious and reasonable profit (sorry) and that I'd still go. I can't imagine the thought of just sitting at home by myself and miss out on the full event again this time. Anyway there was an opportunity to join her camp but they only had room for 1 person and no extra vehicle or tent and after me and my partner have only just moved out of a cramped living space where we didn't have enough personal space we realized it was not going to be a good setup to stay in the same small tent and create possible tension and that vehicle logistics around arrival also necessitated we be apart this time.
Fretted for 2 days about what to do and if I can muster the funds and effort to go. Lot of stressful stuff happening crowding me lately, had some bad FOMO and was pretty distraught about everything. It wasn't that I was worried about doing open camping alone if I had to, I'm sure I'd make friends, but I just really wanted to be in a theme camp for the first real burn and I enjoy working and volunteering and giving back. Much of the conversation and daily activities for a while have centered around the event whenever I'm with my partner and friends so I've felt left out. Fortunately after several hours of cognitive behavioral therapy exercises I feel a lot better about the situation and decided to take action. I spent hours finding one of my best friends I haven't seen in 3 years a roundtrip for 300 bucks total and booked it for him and he's willing to tell his work to fuck off somehow on short notice to be able to come with me for the entire event. It's gonna be his first time and my official first time. Gifting him my $575 sale ticket because I know his energy and his heart and his personality is perfect for this event and his company and friendship is invaluable. I realized the kindest thing I could do for my partner is just not hold a grudge about how the plans worked out and find a way to have a great time and I'm sure we'll see each other in the city.
Sorry to make you read this far but I guess the point is that we pulled the trigger and finally committed and me and my friend will be headed to the Playa on short notice (got him a flight from Austin nonstop to Sacramento if you're wondering, it was much cheaper and shorter than Oakland, SF, or San Jose on this short notice, booked two separate one ways). With extreme climate patterns, social culture shifting, older generations of Burners retiring, and increased costs, I'm not sure when I'll have the chance to do this again and so we really want to participate in a camp to be at the center of the experience. Not to say I think the BM tradition will end, but that the world is uncertain and ephemeral in many ways.
What we're looking for:
PARTICIPATION IN THEME CAMP! (pretty short on cash but can probably make some dues, plus see my follow up message with our available resources)
Some volunteer work or some kind of odd job inside the playa
In the spirit of the playa, people who could share, loan, trade etc any of the following items (see our resources in reply post) especially if you aren't attending. Anything that we receive from you we will ensure returns directly back to you, or to the playa with us or to a burner in need next year without the transfer of traditional currency. I guess we're also happy to buy or rent any of this if you could cut us a deal here in default, just not as fun:
Tent - Hexayurt or large cabin tent ideally capable of standing in, in my experience our van grew too hot last time and we will be unable to sleep inside it comfortably, I'd forego this if we were able to join a camp and then downgrade to really any sort of budget tent but if we'll be in open camping I want to have a nice setup so we can be comfortable and maybe set up our own mini camp with some cool service or amenity for the open campers using our increased space and shelter
Swamp cooler
Shade devices
Large tarp for flooring
1-2 playa bicycles (not sure if I should take the fancy looking mountain bike I have at home, might be too out of place or be stolen).
Portable shower (powered) / Graywater capture device and elimination solution
What we'll bring to your camp:
A semi-virgin and virgin burner for your experimentation, consideration, and initiation who will do our best to persist the Burning Man event for future generations
A general disillusionment with the social and economic structures of the default world
Two kind and genuine souls
Hospitality industry experience
Real desire to contribute to the space and form some great connections over various antics and conversation
Enthusiasm and positive energy when it is needed most
No drama
Friends you can visit in Austin, Texas and Santa Cruz, CA!
Some of the items in the list I will post as a reply to this first post...
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Would love to chat to see if we could be a good fit for your camp or if you have something for sale or trade!