Burning Man Ranger T-Shirts
An illustrated snapshot of current and previous t-shirts worn by the Black Rock Rangers. [Click image to embiggen.]
Because your mom’s not here…
Photo by Playarazzi, used with permission.
The Rangers often joke that “We’re not your mom, but we’re here because she’s not.” After years of being a Ranger (and even more years of being a mom), I started thinking about what that really meant to my understanding of what we do out there.
I’ve learned in my years as a Ranger that there are as many ways to be a Ranger as there are to be a mom, and there are even more ways be to be a burner or just a good human being. But in thinking about what we do as Rangers in terms of the mom analogy, a couple things started making sense to me…a couple things that might be helpful when you run across a Ranger, when you need a Ranger, or maybe even when you think you might want to become one.
Burning Man 2011: Done!
Ranger Walk to the Man - Photo by Ranger Fez Monkey
Thank you, Rangers new and old, for another fantastic year in the Black Rock Desert. So many familiar faces and Shiny Pennies whose hard work is greatly appreciated.
For those who’ve joined our dusty family this year, we’re working to add you to all the relevant email lists so you can stay connected with us year round. Hang tight, you’ll be hearing from us shortly.
What is the perfect Playa bike?
Bike Arch (photo by Jess and Colin)
For off duty Playa use, get a cruiser or an adult trike. Think simple and maintenance free. No hand brakes – just coaster/foot brakes. The best tires are not too knobby and 26×2.125″ width. DO NOT bring a bike with 26×1 3/8″ tires – they are too narrow to plow through the dust. Same goes for 27″ or 700c wheels. You only need one gear: the playa is completely flat. Playa dust causes the drivetrain to operate poorly or not at all, turning it into a singlespeed anyway. Don’t bother with suspension, especially older and cheaper suspension technologies with elastomer springs – they will melt and turn to goop.
Burning Man RV & Travel Trailer Advice
Danger Ranger's Silver Seed
General Advice
Cheap RV’s and trailers that don’t break your heart when they get playafied are best. Buy used, not new.
Get the smallest trailer you feel comfortable in. The bigger your rig, the harder it is for you to fit into the existing camp placement. Put differently, the bigger you are, the less you get to pick your neighbors.
Whiskey and a sunny attitude are powerful on-playa negotiating tools.
Shiny Pennies
You are a shiny penny.
Recall back to your very first shift. Perhaps this was only last year and for some of you this may have been quite some time ago. Remember how you felt that first shift? Perhaps nervous and a little lost on exactly what you were supposed to do? Having a more experienced Ranger with you would’ve helped.
This year we are distributing to our squeaky-behind-the-ear Rangers a simple incentive and a token of appreciation for rookies to partner up with the old crusties: the Shiny Penny Pin. Similar to the Toaster Pin, the Shiny Penny Pin would be given schwag-like to the more experienced Rangers as a sign that, yeah, I supported our up-and-coming, newly-minted Rangers with their first shift. It’s a small thing, and we believe that the building of culture between Rangers, the process of ritual, and passing on experience after the mentor process is invaluable to beginning Rangers.
Take a shift with a new Ranger. They’ll greatly appreciate it and you’ll get a limited piece of schwag in the process.
Ranger Orientation Meeting (ROM) Survey
Thank you for attending one of our recent Ranger Orientation Meetings (ROMs). We’d like to know how you feel we’re doing. Please complete the form below.
Ranger Training Schedule for 2011
2010 Training at Juplaya
Ah, Spring. The season that kicks off another awesome year of Ranger training. There’s a host of places scheduled for this year with additional places being added. Some of these include overnight camping trips or regionals, and a great way to get to know your khaki soulmates.
Check the training page for 2011 for further details about locations and how to sign up.
I’m Just an Alpha
Ranger Geo rewrote the Schoolhouse Rock classic to illustrate to potential Rangers what to expect from the training and mentoring process.
Boy: Whew! You sure gotta walk through a lot of dust to get to this Ranger HQ here in Black Rock City. But I wonder who that sad dusty person is?
Alpha: I’m just an Alpha.
Yes, I’m only an Alpha.
And I’m sitting here in Ranger HQ.
Well, it’s a long, long journey
To Black Rock City.
It’s a long, long wait
While my Mentors talk about me,
But I know I’ll be a Ranger someday
At least I hope and I pray that I will
But today I am still just an Alpha.
2010 Playa Events
Ranger Walk to the Man
Don’t forget, during Burning Man, we host many events on playa that Rangers are encouraged to experience. Please join us in the following activities.