September 8th, 2009

I like pretty things

Burning man: Things to have list

I have a lot of thoughts and things to process, and stuff I want to write down so I can remember them in the future. So much to write.

First off, I want to create a list of things that worked, and things that didn't, so that I can remember them for next time.

1. More Free time.
Astral Headwash was amazing, but too much work. We worked Thurs from noon to 6 pm, then Friday from noon till 5 pm. Then tear down on Sat and Sun. I was tired during the night a lot. I thought that I would spent the afternoon just chilling with a book like I did at Flipside, so might as well work during the day, but there was so many classes and stuff I wanted to see, and even if I were to chill with a book, just doing it at Center Camp was an amazing experience. You can look up to see people do contact improv or hoop at the center stage, or other performances. People show up giving free popsicles and cookies, and I got a random gift that someone quietly slipped onto my book while I was reading, it said: "Fragile, open after burn." I still haven't opened it :)

2. Camp essentials: Shower, stoves, and a community hang out area, evaporation pond/gray water system

3. Good food to have: ramen noodles, angel hair pasta, grilled cheese, chips, chicken, sausage, chocolate, nutella, crepes (sardines never got cooked because I was afraid of freaking out campmates with odor, even though another couple ate them uncooked). I still don't like breakfast/nutritional bars.

4. Good places for me to volunteer:
the cafe - you get to make people happy, and interact with them!

astral headwash - just to volunteer, not camp. I was really good at headwashing, and loved it. I massaged a lot of heads, and faces, shoulders and necks. There was so much gratitude from the people whose hair I washed. Yeah, there were a few really disgusting hair, but most of the time it was manageable. And the energy... all the gratitude really washes over you and it was awesome. We got a lot of gifts and happy energy. It's just that between 2 days straight of 5 hours headwashing, and 2 days of tear down... you don't really get time to experience the other classes/gifts that other camps are giving, since most of them happen during the day.

rangering - Only 3 shifts of volunteering, and you get to wear a uniform ;-) Andy would probably be better at this with his super power of great people skills.

5. Camera. So my camera started off being completely ziplocked, except for the front lens.. and slowly it embraced more of the dust. First the UV polarizing filter came off at night time. Then the plastic around the viewfinder, then the plastic around the lens since it was interfering with the zoom. So far it still works, so I hope it's ok. I saw people with more expensive cameras then mine walking around with them naked.

6. Kiwani's bike program. The people were great, and it wasn't too far from the airport. We got 2 bikes at $40 each, then added bike locks and lights. Even though all the BM literature said to lock your bikes, we never did except for the first night. I pimped my bike at "Pimp your bike" camp. On the third day my back tire went out, and I just used Astral Headwash bike instead. But despite everyone saying bikes are essential, I actually enjoyed walking around during the night time far more, and hitch-hiking on art cars. We got to travel quite a bit on the green tortoise art car. It was a lot of fun, letting the car take you to where it wanted to go. I saw the giant slide that way, which was too high and scared me away, but Andy did it!

7. A stronger moisturizer.

8. Simple dust mask works better then the ultra super masks for breathing.

9. Rebar stakes are a must.

10. Better costumes. I've some ideas floating in my head :)

11. Better gifts. Again more ideas floating in my head.
I like pretty things

Take a metal jewelry making class with me!

UT informal. Cheap!

Learn to use necessary basic jewelry processes, such as soldering, in the fabrication and construction of at least one piece of jewelry. Emphasis will be on low cost processes and the minimal tools necessary to set up a home, hobby or vocational workshop. (6 meetings) Each Monday and Thursday from Monday, September 21 to Thursday, October 8. 6:30 to 9:30pm

There's also the Creative side which is weekend classes but more expensive:

They have stone setting, gemstone setting, working in resin, wire wrapping classes.
I'd be interested in these two:

Simple Silver Casting with Mike Binnion October 17th (Sat) 10-6 pm

In this action packed workshop make castings with two direct molding methods that have been used throughout the ages. Learn how to melt sterling silver and cast it into sand and Cuttle bone molds (dried shell), creating jewelry and small objects that reflect the textures and mass these techniques provide. Bring simple shapes and objects to class and reproduce them using molding techniques. Come experiment with this amazing casting & alloying specialist. Learn to cast in your own home or studio and begin producing wonderful texture and life in your designs.

Soldering 101 with Steve Kriechbaum (Beginners-Advanced) Oct. 3rd- 4th (Sat-Sun) 10-4 pm

Soldering 101 will introduce you to the fun and free -flowing world of soldering and appliqué. Fabricate a basic pendant using techniques that are thousands of years old. Extinguish your fear of the flame and become confident with simple torch work. Working with this expert jeweler you will learn sweat soldering, fused bead making, bezel setting and other techniques for silver, copper, or brass. Benefit from learning about different torches on the market, appropriate solders and fluxes. Learn how to setup your own basic jewelry-making workbench at home to create amazing, saleable jewelry with minimal tools and equipment.

Let me know if you're interesting in taking any of the classes with me. I'm leaning towards the last two right now.