WELCOME TO HOMESLICE

Here are notes for Homeslicers attending Burning Man, with just a few highlights to help you know what to expect so you can be prepared for an awesome Burn and an even more awesome Homeslice community experience. Of course, this is just Homeslice-specific information. It is assumed that you have already made all of your general Burning Man preparations, including reading the Survival Guide and familiarizing yourself with the 10 Principles of Burning Man which Camp Homeslice fully embraces.

If something here sounds intriguing, check out the Homeslice Camp Commitments document on Facebook and claim, or join in on a task. Especially for newer members, it's a great way to jump in with both feet, help build your home on the playa, bond with your campmates, and you may just learn a new skill. Don't worry if you're not completely sure what's involved... we're here to support one another and it takes all of us to create (and sadly, deconstruct) the magic of Homeslice each year.

BEFORE BURNING MAN:

If you will be in the Los Angeles area, help with all of the Homeslice Camp infrastructure. Here are the details:

Homeslice Storage Clean-Up Day -TBD/2024, Start time 10:00 am.

Truck Load – 8/17/2024, Start time 10:00 am.

The Storage Space

17107 S. Figueroa St, Gardena CA, 90248

Unit #36

ON PLAYA: CAMP STUFF AND SETUP

The Camp Map is a magnetic sign you will find prominently displayed in camp that shows the planned layout of our camp. When you first arrive at Camp, one of the first things is to find the camp map. Your name will be on a magnetic sticker and will show you where to pitch your tent/yurt, etc, and where to park your car. A lot of thought goes into the layout, things that may not be obvious to you. So please respect the layout, and if you have a pressing need to move or adjust, confer with the Map & Layout Champion, first. If you haven't already, please provide your footprint details along with any special requests regarding placement within the camp via the Camp Homeslice Roster and Footprint Needs doc found on the camp Facebook group page.

The Naj Mahal is the Homeslice Community Shade Structure. All are welcome; neighbors, friends, passers-by ~ all Burning Man Participants. It’s a great place to gather and chill, usually open 24/7 during the event. All Homeslicers contribute to setting up (and later breaking down) this beautiful structure, which usually goes up on Monday. Unless you are active in another build project at the time, please volunteer yourself to help with the Naj Mahal setup when you see it happening. Traditionally a ‘shoes off' space, the Naj Mahal has added a ‘shoes on’ zone as well. Please be mindful of which is which, and if you see a Participant wearing shoes entering the “shoes off” zone, with a gentle demeanor and with loving kindness, you may inform them of the footwear policy. Food and drink is fine. Clean up after yourself, and if you see disarray, you are encouraged to tidy up a bit. The Naj Mahal is a community space for gathering, a warm place to wind down after a night out in BRC, and meant to be enjoyed by all, at all hours ~ please do not treat it as your personal bedroom. It's fine to nap or crash there occasionally, just don't expect other guests to maintain complete silence so as not to disrupt your sleep. Please NO SMOKING inside or directly adjacent to the Naj Mahal.

The Costume Exchange is a rack of costumes near the entrance to the Naj Mahal. Bring costume wear to donate and exchange! Ask around when you arrive, or just put items on the rack if it's set up. Throughout the week Burning Man Participants are welcome to take an item/leave an item. Although it is not a requirement, donations are welcomed from camp visitors who take an item.

The Homeslice Tower is a brilliant work of functional art. Modern, elegant, streamlined; challenging and adventurous in design, the Tower provides majestic views of the playa. The Tower is a remarkable landmark when making your way back to camp. The Tower build captain is Kheddarz aka Grant P. It usually takes a day and a half to build the Tower, followed by its raising, usually on Monday afternoon. If you get some free time or see that the Tower crew needs help, please see Kheddarz or any of his appointed assistants/minions, even if it is to deliver water or to hold something. Wear gloves! No matter what, you do not want to miss the “Raising of the Tower,” especially if you like erections. We will recruit a few hundred of our neighbors and hoist it into position using giant ropes. It is a highlight of Burning Man and is an amazing thing of which to be a part. After it is raised, familiarize yourself with how to climb it, if for no other reason than to help guide passers-by on the safest climbing technique. When you do instruct others on how to climb, you may need to be firm, but never with a confrontational voice.

The Burn Barrel. Positioned on the edge of camp, the Burn Barrel is a great place to gather to warm your frosty digits on cold Playa nights. It is LPG gas-powered only, so we don’t burn moop or trash in it. Instead, take one of the heated river stones from the warming pan to keep your fingers toasty, but remember to return any borrowed stones to the pan.

The Flag – Flying high over camp, serving as a beacon to find your way back home, the flaming toast blows in the wind. It only takes a few minutes to set up but needs a minimum of 5 people for raising. Usually positioned in the center of camp it is among the tallest things in the neighborhood, and it's distinctive design is also useful to help any visitors or newfound friends locate you and the camp.

Shower and Evaporative System/Bog - For bathing bodies only, no kitchen greywater. No melted ice-cooler water either, unless you're using that directly for your shower. The most important thing to know about the shower is that all the waste water has to either be evaporated or carried home with us. For this reason, try to limit the number of, and amount of water used for, showers. You need to provide your own water. Handi- and baby wipes are a great substitute for a quick freshen-up. Please also note that the shower permanently closes early on Saturday, unless there is an excess of water to be evaporated, then an earlier closing may be mandated. The camp will be kept updated on the schedule. In the past, we've had various evaporative systems and contraptions so if you have any special expertise, knowledge or even interest in this area, raise your hand! We all contribute to keeping the area tidy and free of buckets, towels, lotions, potions, etc. when they're not in use. Please note that the shower is only to be used by Homeslice residents!

The Trampoline is positioned right out front. Any and all Participants are welcome to take a bounce. All of us are responsible to politely ask visitors to remove their shoes before climbing aboard.

Signage – Homeslice has a big beautiful logo sign right out front to help your visitors know that they’ve found the right place. We also have a centrally located message board/calendar you’ll want to check from time to time to see when upcoming Homeslice events are happening, or where you might find a large contingent of slicers who have planned a rendezvous out on the town.

DJ Booth and Dance Floor – our super hot/cute DJ, is working out details that will allow them to bring their sexy sounds and groovy vibes to Homeslice for your chillin' and or booty-shakin’ pleasure. Moving, lifting, and toting of equipment is involved on playa so be sure to ask/lend a hand when you see them setting up or tearing down.

Wheel of Misfortune – As we discovered last year, our fellow Black Rock City citizens will do pretty much anything to "win" a gift. Set aside some time to man the booth - you'll be glad you did! Ideas for items to add to the wheel are gratefully accepted.

Twisted Tequila Twister - another fine addition to Homeslice. At times, we play by the traditional rules, with a little tequila mixed in. Then there's the freestyle version.

Adopt a Porto Pottie - Everyone knows… “There ain’t no party like a porta-pottie.” Take the challenge of adopting and decorating a porta-pottie. Not only can you become a “shitty” artist, but you will make your fellow burners so happy.

HOMESLICE EVENTS YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT

Sunset CircleUp (TBD) – Is a wonderful and heartfelt Homeslice tradition making its way back to the playa, and every slicer should be sure to attend. Monday when the sun hits the west mountain-range, every member of camp is to gather in a circle in our camp. Sunset Circle is where we all finally meet together as a group, we all get a chance to introduce ourselves, where we’re from, and anything else you’d like to ask or say. We will have an enthusiastic bonding experience where new friendships truly solidify. If you are new to Homeslice, it is essential to attend Sunset CircleUp!

Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner (Playa Tuesday 5:30pm) – Generally open only to Homeslice residents, we all gather together in the Naj Mahal on playa Tuesday at 5:30pm for feasting, sharing of stories, and maybe a few notes from campmates who can't be with us in the dust this year.

Experimental Grilled Cheese Theater is a Homeslice pop-up event where we set up a grill and make grilled cheese sandwiches out of ingredients you bring to the party. Ever had a Jalapeno jelly, bacon, and brie grilled cheese sandwich? Yum. It is kind of hard to predict when we’ll break out the grill, which could be a few times during the week. Just try to be around when you hear one of these sessions is coming up. And please plan to donate some ingredients you have on hand. Just about anything can find its way into an experimental grilled cheese sandwich!!!

The White Procession – A tradition at Burning Man, celebrated by hundreds of Burning Man Participants, is to walk from their respective camps to the Temple early Thursday morning to watch the sunrise at the Temple. It is called the White Procession because virtually everyone making the sojourn wears all-white clothing. So, if you want to join the Homeslice contingent, pack to don your most awesome white outfit (optional), and join us departing camp around 5:30 am Thursday morning. (time to be confirmed)

Group Photo – On post-burn Sunday, 11:15 am SHARP just before or during our teardown activity, we will take a group photo. You’ll be in camp, because by Noon on Sunday, we are ALL in camp for teardown, right?

Camp Teardown and Truck Load– ALL HANDS ON DECK! Unless you have official Burning Man volunteer or Ranger duties, by around noon on Sunday, everyone gets busy contributing to camp teardown and Truck Load. You’ll be amazed how quickly we can tear down camp if everyone is helping. Wear Gloves and closed-toed footwear. Please do your part!

Generators - The short version: Aside from the generators provided by Homeslice, do not bring personal generators. After discussions to incorporate best-practice recommendations from Placement, plus internal feedback from past events, we've crafted guidelines for the use of generators. The goals of this policy include supporting Burning Man's Ten Principles, minimizing Homeslice's carbon footprint, and enhancing our neighborly well-being by minimizing exhaust fumes and noise. Ultimately, we share the Burning Man Organization's goal to eliminate reliance on non-renewable energy sources. On-Playa, we encourage the use of sustainable and low-impact sources of electrical power, such as solar and wind, and discourage reliance on fossil fuels.

Gasoline and diesel generators will be limited to:

Two camp-operated generators (provided by Otter and Commander Starflyer), to power Homeslice-sponsored events and for limited recharging of personal electronic devices. The availability of these two generators will be managed by Otter, the Commander, and Sass. Please address requests directly to them.
Wholly-enclosed generators internal to private RV's. Please only run these generators as needed, ideally for communal benefit.

STUFF YOU MAY WANT TO BRING/CONTRIBUTE

· A bottle of booze, mixer, or other drink (plastic bottles only, please) to donate to the Cha-Cha Cocktails! Tequila for Twisted Twister

· Any costume items for the costume exchange

· Fun ingredients for Experimental Grilled Cheese Theater

· A special dish or side dish for Thanksgiving Dinner

AFTER BURNING MAN

Again, if you live or will be in the Los Angeles Area, help unload the Camp out of the truck back into the LA Storage unit.

Truck Unload – Saturday, 9/7/2024 - Start time: 10:00 am

The Storage Space

17107 S. Figueroa St, Gardena CA, 90248

Unit #36