I learned that while I enjoy the event and the people that make it what it is, I much rather prefer the playa when it's empty.

I learned that you don't have to work the event to have a fun time.

I also once again watched the event grow and evolve. It will never be the same as it was in previoius years, but with each evolution comes new challenges and new potential oportunities. It's just more of a challenge to see the potential oportunities when everyone is focusing on what isn't the same with regards to previous years.

I learned that every year is different, not better or worse, just different. Also I learned that people should start putting away the cameras and get out a hammer or paintbrush, (including myself who should be working on big projects).

I learned that MY playa experiances are my own.

Wash my ass more often

I'm not very affected by playa foot (don't seem to get it)

People are slobs no matter how much they deny it

Don't trade drugs with a narc (actually that was learned by watching a friend)

And a solo experience can be just as rewarding as a group experience.

Parachutes work better on Domes than square structures.

3/4" stakes will bend in 50+ mile and hour winds.

Make sure all of your camp mates have thier structures staked down securely, even if you are not responsible for it's well being

I am not a vegetarian and curry dishes run though me faster than the Boston Marathon

Bring more stamps next time. Oh and barter tools at the BRC Disgruntled Post Office, but an endearing smile will usually get you just as far.

I don't need a camera to remember the good things.

Having a Rug out side your sleeping arrangements is great.

Generators are annoying - though necessary for some - could you please work on keeping them quite as possible though.

Naked Hoola Hooping if fun.

As the years go by, the difference in life in BRC and outside BRC continues to narrow--dwindle, that is.

Learned this especially, last year, though I went out again for 17 days, but Burning Man should be bumped up to 2 weeks, period.

Camp more in the center (again) of the square between streets rather than on the streets, so you get more wind and white out breakage (as I am out early, and leave later).

Large onion bags are great garbage bags, in that things dry out rather than ferment.

Port a pottie art and outside in line goings on is besides the pee funnel posters, a growing thing of the past.

Finally got a touch activated 2 AA battery powered little soft dome shaped light from Lowe's at $9.00--ideal.


All for now....

Thanks for the thread, Jezebel, and inputs, folks.

I learned

- that in 7 years most of my friends are now all burners and most of them are people I've met through Burning Man
- that it is good to radically change your group on the playa every once in a while to cross pollinate with new people
- that regardless of your experience, the challenge of that week in the desert is good to kickstart the soul.
- that volunteering (first time in my life I've ever done it for 3 years now) pays off in ways that a paid gig never could...

I learned that if you are supposed to do something, and someone assures you that they will take care of it for you, you should just do it yourself, or at least check up on the task to make sure it was completed, especially if the person is Pearl.

I learned what it feels like to see your playa crush while doing the walk of shame(which at burning man looks like this: walking towards your camp topless carrying your hoop skirt thrown over your shoulder because it's too hot to put everything back on), then later in the day have them open the potty while you are midstream, cuz you forgot to lock the door.

I learned that you should never tell your hot slutty friends who your playa crush is, unless you want them making out him before the nights over.

I learned that some of the pirates can shake their asses better and are more entertaining to watch than girls in hip hop videos.

I learned that even megaphones are flammable if you poor enough lighter fluid on them and that if you are with the pirates you can get away with anything (as demonstrated by the above mentioned fire and the unwillingness of the rangers in the vicinity to come and handle the situation).

That I don't know what to do if I am not working.

That when I finally decide to do something insane like videotape a sex act at diy porn camp, the camera will not work.

That a picture of your ass can make a great gift (especially if you give it to someones dad after they won't stop talking about your butt)

I learned that when I lead a group of 150 people into the desert, the natural result is not destruction and annihilation.
WHo would have thought?
I also learned not one of them ever feels like doing dishes.

you can skip a volunteer recruitment meeting (especially if you are already roped in as a slave) and not feel the slightest bit of remorse or lose any sleep over it!

Thou shalt not take immeasurable amounts of acid with a bad back and a bad boyfriend. 'Nuff said.