Overview
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Timeline Between Now and Burningman
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Status Reports on Various Areas:
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Camping Policy
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Encourage themed activities
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Invite people known to us
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Limit the number we're providing central food &
water for
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Next Beach Burn
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Decision Making
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Tracey has been chosen as the camp coordinator.
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Encourage committee work for infrastructure tasks.
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Adopt discuss-then-vote style for things that need
public approval.
We are both far ahead of the game, and amazingly near to
the event itself. Here is a list of dates that we need to plan
against:
| 6/23 |
T-shirt order submitted (for special shirts) |
| 7/14 |
Pyramid Sides ordered |
| 7/14 |
Perimeter Markings ordered |
| 7/14 |
Bus Tent Camo Netting ordered |
| 7/21 |
Lab Coats ordered |
| 7/21 |
Stickers ordered |
| 8/16 |
All cargo packed, inventoried, ready for loading |
| 8/18 |
Load cargo onto semi trailer |
| 8/22-23 |
Crack team leaves for the Playa |
| 8/24-25 |
Semi trailer arrives in Gerlach |
| 8/26 |
Most of the flock leaves for the Playa |
| 8/27 |
Most of the flock arrives |
| 9/4 |
Cleanup complete. Most of the flock departs |
| 9/5 |
Trailer picked up, trailer team departs |
Village | Camp Layout | People Transport | Cargo Transport |
Power |
Inventory & Storage | Pyramid | Yoga Tent |
Bus Tent | Shower |
Comfort | Construction Plan | Communication |
Bus | Camp Population
| Food | Water | Dishes |
Trash | Art
& Decorations | Props
| Lighting | EL Wire |
Music | Video | Helix |
T-shirts | Lab Coats
| Drug Testing | First Aid
Owner: Mez
Current Status:
- The village of eVille has been born!
- The village is made up of: Alien Love Nest, Camp DeNile, Fey Abbey,
eVille General Hospital, and MezLabs.
Status: Camp Layout
Owner: Lena, Euphoria, Tracey
Current Status:
- We are now planning basic layout for the village of eVille as a whole.
- There will be a meeting on Thursday 7/13 with representatives from each
camp in the village to come up with a basic idea of the village layout.
- We will probably have about 300' (18 minutes) by 400 feet (2 blocks)
- Camps that want some esplanade space: ALN, MezLabs
- Camps that don't want esplanade space: Camp DeNile, eVille
General Hospital, Fey Abbey.
- Other input people made:
- We should avoid having a huge line of cars on a street.
- We should put campers on internal portions of blocks, and fun
stuff on the street faces.
- We would like to have the pyramid and ALNs stage on the esplanade.
- We may also put the operation game and the joust out on the playa,
across the street from the village.
- Traffic circles on the streets entering our area are an
interesting idea (though we might need clearance)
- Big vehicles might be useful to block loud sound from the pyramid.
Status: People Transport
Owner: Dot
Dot has taken over this endeavor. Info from 6/30:
- School bus charter- $4591, drive non-stop
- Greyhound style bus- $5200, 44 pas, will take two days in each
direction - $7650, 52 pas, drive non-stop
- minivans- $690, 7 passengers each
- large vans- $1600 each, 15 passengers each RVs- $2000, 8-9
passengers
Heather also reported:
Taavi's bus looks like the right way to go. $3000 including gas, mileage,
driver(s). Bus has kitchen, water, sleeping area for 16 at least. can take
16 passengers. We would buy BM ticket and food probably for one or two
drivers.
Status: Cargo Transport
Owner: Mark, Steph
Plan is still to send down a semi trailer with our stuff. The trailer would leave Seattle on Friday the 18th (2 weeks
before the burn), arrive in Gerlach on Thursday the 24th or Friday the 25th
(1 week before the burn), and be picked up again on Tuesday September 5th (3
days after the burn).
We would guide the truck from Gerlach to our camp and vice versa.
We may need a ticket for the truck driver, or we may rely on Mark's Blue-Dot
Ranger status to get in/out of the event.
Cost is $3400. Steph is continuing to call about better deals.
Last year, rental of a 24' truck + gas came to ~$1200. This year we
would need 2 such vehicles to haul our stuff, or the semi.
Issues:
- We cannot transport flammables or explosives in the semi, so we will
still need another vehicle of some sort.
- We cannot move the trailer once it's in place, so placement is key.
- The company logo on the side will need to be defaced.
- There is no powered lift on the end of the trailer. How do we
load and unload cargo?
Proposals:
- Pick up a small truck in Reno to use for hauling fuel, running pick-up
trips, etc..
- If gear does not fit in the semi, we will just go ahead and rent an
additional cargo truck on short notice.
Owner: Mark, Mez
Current plan is to rent a 25KW diesel generator and tow it to the
event. We will rent it in Reno and tow it behind the vehicle we
pick up there for fuel and light cargo transport.
Our current power needs come to around 25KW with reasonable buffer.
If we see more power needs in the near future we can get a bigger generator
for nearly the same cost.
Cost: ~$1200
Sound Issues: Most likely we will build baffles. There is
some chance that we will rent a filmsite generator which is super-quite.
Owner: Brenda, Ethan, Nancy, Kat, Mez
We have scrapped the high-tech inventory system.
We have a mostly complete list of stuff we have
or need to have at. (HTML Version)
Ethan will be buying containers imminently. Brenda and Ethan will
organize a packing party for the near future.
Owner: Leo, Mark, Kirby, Mez, Eric, Stuart, Euphoria, Jane,
Ryan, Dave, Mason
- Size: We have scaled back the pyramid to 30' tall and 70'
x 70' on the ground.
- Cost: We have a bid from a contractor to build the
pyramid sides for within our budget.
- Safety / Feasibility: Leo expressed some safety concerns
about the pyramid, especially given the short schedule to finalize
design. Others on the committee feel that we have good
margins of safety.
- Artwork: We will put no artwork on the pyramid sides
themselves. If logos on the pyramid are desired, we will build
separate banners which we can hang on the side.
- Structure Details:
- We will go with a 30' tall, 70' x 70' design.
- The central structure is planned to be a shoring (basically buff
scaffolding) rated to 48,000 lbs of force.
- The guy lines will be some combination of trucker's straps, metal
cable, and rope.
- The stakes will be screw anchors driven in by augurs
- The sides will either be 200 dennier Nylon (flag material) or mesh
rated at 75% shade
- We are planning on being able to remove the sides in case of
strong wind.
- We will have an anemometer hooked up to an alarm to tell us when
wind speeds exceed our tolerances.
- Lighting the pyramid still under discussion.
Status: Yoga Tent
Owner: Bev, Nancy, Lena, Euphoria, Heidi
Stuff that's done/acquired:
- - Name: The Ch'i Spot
- - Carpet
- - Yoga mats
- - Blocks
- - Tapestries (Nancy has 3 but we could use some more)
Stuff that's in progress:
- - Tent acquisition: I tried, but CostCo was out of 'em
- - Meditation pillows: fabric acquired, labor begun
- Stuff that needs to be scheduled:
- - Eye pillow constuction session
- - Tent setup dry-run
Open items:
- - Belts (Angie)
- - Magickal stuff (Euphoria/Lena)
- - Signage (Heidi?) - need final list of signs, including main sign
with temple name on it
- - music system (Lena)
Owner: Stuart, Leo, Kirby, Lena, Mez
White Camo netting has been difficult to find (vendors are out of stock),
but Stuart now believes he has some.
We will be setting up this netting over both the bus and the
semi-trailer.
Owner: Mez, Heather, Molly, Euphoria, Monica, Sev, Dave, Tracey
Showering Policy:
- The shower structure will be in a fairly private part of our camp.
- Usage will be for any mezbian and by invitation to people we meet.
- We will not put any "keep out" or other restrictive
signs on the shower.
- We will not bring a separate water heater for the shower.
Implementation:
- Mez will drive as part of overall construction planning.
- Will probably use fallow tent parts, as per last year.
- Will have a floor.
- May have a propane water heater courtesy of Steph.
Owner: Mez
Tent Sides:
- Mez will purchase commercial sides for comfort in the next two weeks.
- Art Committee owns decorating the sides.
Owner: Mez, Kirby, Dave, Tracey, Leo, Mark
Mez owns producing a Construction Plan that will specify:
- Instructions for building all structures.
- Order in which to do thinks.
- Reminders of important steps.
- Instructions for furnishing structures.
The overall plan is to allow parallel construction of as many
structures as possible. Each crew of people will have a foreperson
who has experience building that structure, and the instructions on how to
build the structure.
Everyone is assumed to be grunt labor!
- Mez will also call out a list of "Non Heavy" tasks for those
who grunt less.
Owner: Brenda
The hack to turn a cheap FRS radio into a GMRS radio is looking dicey, so
we will stick with FRS as our radio technology this year.
We may augment this with any one of:
- A rude low-tech repeater.
- A permanently installed radio at base camp.
There has also been discussion of getting someone in Seattle to
administer the Ham operator test. Brenda will work on this
after other projects.
Status: Bus
Owner: Brenda, Leo
Bus interior painting is done!
Question:
- Should we repaint the bus bumpers?
- Are we doing any additional work on the bus this summer?
Owner: Dave L
Dave has posted the list of known campers, transport dates, food and
water needs, and so on.
Current Policy:
- Camping with MezLabs is by invitation only.
- We encourage inviting people who current members know and vouch for.
- We encourage running potential invitees by meta-committee before doing
so.
- For strangers, we encourage them to come to our events and get to know
us before considering an invitation.
- For significant sized groups (more than a few people) we recommend
that the group do some themed activity, whether or not they camp on our
space.
- We do not want our space to be a camping suburb. We are aiming
for a high degree of interactivity.
Owner: Heather, Tiberio, Mason
Current Status:
- Basic idea is a hot dinner every day, with food available for
individuals to use in making breakfast and lunch.
- Real planning will not start for a month.
- Heather would like to feed no more than 30 people from the communal
kitchen.
Owner: Nancy, Mason
Current Status:
- We will be hauling water down in 5 gallon office cooler bottles like
previous years.
- We will likely transport about 350 of these bottles.
Owner: Euphoria
Current Status:
- Euphoria will own acquisition of silverware as well.
- Will get numbers on how many to prepare for from Dave and Heather.
Owner: Brenda, Mark, Leo
Current Status:
- Trash bin creation requires welding.
- Brenda & Mark will organize a welding party to create the bins.
Status: Art & Decoration
Owner: Lena
Current Status:
- Signs from last year are being updated to say
"MezLabs".
- Need a new snappy slogan for the bottom.
- People should email Lena with additional sign requirements.
- Plan is to build a giant arch in three sections as the camp
entrance.
New Committee!
Owner: Mez, Ian, Mason, Lena, Euphoria, Heather, Mark, Jane,
Laura, Bev, Kirby, Stuart, Tracey
Current Status:
- Mez is driving styrofoam mannequin heads on stakes.
- Psych tests worked out great at Phoenix Fest. Tom & Jane are
driving updating them for the burn.
- Nancy is driving Brain Donation.
- Mez is also planning to drive "MezLabs U" content.
Owner: Heather, Lena, Leo, Mason, Jane, Mark, Mez
Perimeter Markings and Paths:
- Most likely plan is Christmas Lights & Ropelight
Other Lighting:
- Pyramid committee owns lighting for the pyramid.
- Comfort lighting will be like last year + additional non-blacklight.
Status: EL Wire
Owner: Mason
Current Status:
- 2000' of EL Wire is currently en route to us. About 1000'
is currently allocated to Art Committee projects.
- We have drivers but no sequencers.
- Our EL Wire contact is looking into sequencers. If we find any,
we'll buy them.
Owner: Ethan, Rob, Kirby, Mez, Leo, Donna, Mason
Current Status:
- We will be able to project VHS, DVD, or computer video.
- Z has purchased a 1000lumens projector
- Leo M. is also bringing down a video system for use in the pyramid or
comfort.
- We are looking for content!
Owner: Rob
Meeting this Thursday! Contact Rob for details.
Current Status - Mostly planning. See plans below:
- Bus System: (Mark & Kirby).
- Output - eight 5" Car audio drivers, full range or 'nested',
mounted in the bus side panels (already holes there).
- Source - Head unit with CD capability.
- Option: Separate volume and\or cutoff to isolate bus driver from
sleepers
- Option: Additional Amp for driving speakers beyond head unit
amp
- Option: Subwoofers (one or two bazooka like things with amp)
- Option: MP3 source unit (possibly same as above)
- Issues: No current hardware available - need people who can
lend\donate. Need to finalize design
- Comfort System: (Geoff, Derek, Matt)
- Output - home audio system with 2-6 full range speakers scattered
about
- Source - Mp3 box
- Option: 'Fly' speakers by hanging\mounting them to comfort
scaffolding\ceiling
- Option: User friendly mp3 interface available to publis
- Option: 'voting' interface to determine what to play next
- Issues: Need to arrange to rip&return people's downtempo\ambient
music CD submissions pre-bman. No current hardware available - need
people who can lend\donate. Need to finalize design
- Pyramid System: (Rob)
- Output - Full range PA system, 18" woofers, big amps,
crossovers, etc...
- Source - Turntables, CD players, Mixer
- Option: 'Fly' speakers by hanging\mounting them to
scaffolding\ceiling
- Option: Mp3 box as source when no DJs are around, esp DJ mix discs
w\seattle DJs (Groovetech!)
- Issues: DJ Selection\logistics, where to put the equipment\DJ in
the pyramid, noise concerns, security, dust
- Done: Sound system, mixer, CD players, turntables (dave?)
Owner: Mark
Current Status:
- The DNA Double Helix Jacob's Ladder is under way.
- Current plan calls for putting it atop the tower.
- Safety is a major concern.
Safety:
- There will be many signs discouraging people from approaching the
buglight, er, Jacob's Ladder.
- There will be active countermeasures deployed at various points along
the tower, such as downward slanted wood slabs making it difficult to
climb.
- We will ensure that the Jacob's Ladder does not send a lethal shock
down the body of the scaffolding by grounding it.
- The switch for the Jacob's Ladder is a magnetic switch which must be
manually turned back on in the case of a short.
Owner: Lena, Nancy, Mez
Current Status:
- We have ordered more divine being shirts.
- Graphical design submissions for new t-shirts must be made by
Wednesday 7/12.
- After that, we will take a vote to come up with the t-shirt design.
- Lena has volunteered to do final file prep prior to handing off to the
t-shirt company.
- Exact numbers of t-shirts are unknown. We still need someone to
inventory old shirts and tell us sizes & colors to order.
Status: Lab Coats
Owner: Tracey
Current Status:
- Lab coats have been ordered.
- Logo will be mezlabsred2.
- Custom embroidery is available for all who answer Lena's mail.
- We are also purchasing a few spare lab coats with logo but no custom
embroidery.
- We are also purchasing 10 hospital gowns.
Owner: Laura, Mark, Sev
Current Status:
- Laura is now in charge (Avi cannot make it to BM this year).
- First aid group will also own purchasing vitamins, sunscreen, 5-HTP,
and earplugs.
Current Policy:
- Camping with MezLabs is by invitation only.
- We encourage inviting people who current members know and vouch for.
- We encourage running potential invitees by meta-committee before doing
so.
- For strangers, we encourage them to come to our events and get to know
us before considering an invitation.
- For significant sized groups (more than a few people) we recommend
that the group do some themed activity, whether or not they camp on our
space.
- We do not want our space to be a camping suburb. We are aiming
for a high degree of interactivity.
Next Beach Burn
Proposal:
- The next Burn will be on SeaFair weekend (we believe this is August
5th).
- It will be held at Golden Gardens.
Tracey is now the Camp Coordinator. Her responsibilities
are:
- Understand, manage, and communicate the schedule from now to Burning
Man.
- Keep people informed of their deadlines.
- Help people get things done by deadline by finding them other
resources.
- Ensure that information is communicated to people who need it.
- Ensure that dependencies between projects are understood and are
fulfilled.
- Spot and point out redundancies.
- Know who is responsible for what, and direct queries to the right
places.
- Relieve stress.
- Punish evildoers, in a non-stressful way. :)
Committees, Sub-committees, and Voting
We discussed this for a while. Our conclusions were:
- Infrastructure work can largely be dealt with by subcommittees.
- Issues with large theme or personal impact should be run by
meta-committee as a whole.
- We like the discuss-then-vote model. Specifically this
would mean:
- A person or committee raises an issue.
- That person or committee may set a time limit for discussion from
the get go.
- They may also suggest several alternatives.
- People discuss and make alternate suggestions until the time
limit.
- Then, if necessary, an online vote is held to choose among the
alternatives.
- Alternately, the proposer may choose to take the feedback and come
back later with alternate proposals.
- Committees need to:
- Give regular updates on their status to
meta-committee. We will use the regular meeting as a forcing
function for this.
- Include those who ask to be included on the committee and
in relevant discussion.
Next Meeting
- Our Next Meeting is in 3 weeks!
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