Join us for BM07 !!!!

Welcome back Random Postcarders and welcome first timers!

You're viewing this thread because you might be interested in joining our project. Read on to get an idea of what it's all about - have patience with my wordiness. And read old threads for more background. Join and post if you think you want to participate. All are welcome! The whole idea behind this playa project is that it's interactive, inexpensive, low-maintenance, low expectation, and lots of fun. We keep the 'rules' to a minimum... all I ask is that you observe the basic principle of how Random Postcards works. You are sending postcards to random strangers, from random strangers at Burningman. Beyond that, you're free to apply your own style, and your own creativity.

Some stuff to know...

I've done this project on my own many times at Playa Del Fuego and twice at Burningman. Not only was it fun and really well received, but it was a great vehicle to approach new people, and participate more overall. If you are a newbie, or shy about walking into strange camps and saying 'hi', this is the perfect project for you!

Last year I opened this project up and invited others to participate for the first time. Wow what a great response! The goal is to not be too structured, or function as a group... you can do this independently, or with someone else in the group, whichever works best for you. Last year a few of us met early in the week and kicked it off at a 'Postcard Swap Party' then we each went off and did our own thing. It was a great start and I'd like to have a Swap Party Kickoff again this year.

Who doesn't love recieving a postcard in the mail? Who doesn't have at least a few kind, funny or insane sentiments they'd be happy to share with a random stranger? Who doesn't get a charge out of a visit to the Black Rock City Post Office?

Random Acts of Postcards (RAoP)... here's how it works:

You are the Postcard Person. Bring a random assortment of unused postcards to the playa. You walk up to a random person, anyone. Walk straight into a camp and ask them to participate in Random Act of Postcards. Tell them... they will be sending a postcard to, or receiving a postcard from, another random person on the playa. You don't know who it will be, and neither do they. Someone will volunteer to participate... they always do.

It's totally up to you how you want to organize your postcards, but I've found it easiest to keep 3 piles of cards in ziplocs...

1) cards that need a message to be written
2) cards that need a recipient address
3) completed cards ready to be mailed

Then you pull out a pile of postcards...

If you want your random person to RECIEVE a postcard, have them close their eyes and choose from a pile that is blank, or has messages already written on them. Don't let them see the image on the card, or the written message. It'll be a surprise until they get it in the mail. Cover the message, if there is one, and have them self address the card (playa address if you can get it to the post office by Friday so they'll receive it at their camp). Take the postcard back, thank them, and be on your way. Or hang around and chat! You just made a new friend!

If you want your random person to SEND a postcard, have them close their eyes and choose from a pile that is blank, or that already has recipient names on them. Let them see the image on the card they've chosen, sometimes it gives them inspiration for a message to write. Flip the card and have them write a message. If there is already a recipient address on the postcard, cover it up. You don't want them to know who it's going to. It's random. If they sign their name and camp on their message, maybe the recipient will come say hello once they get the card? You're connecting people!

I have found it helpful to have post it notes handy to cover up the writing on the postcard I don't want them to see. Early in the week, I let people choose if they want to send or receive, but as half-completed cards start piling up, I don't give them a choice... my goal is to get cards finished and mailed!

When you have a stack of completed cards, bring them to the BRCPO (near Center Camp). You'll need to have postage stamps for the cards going out to real world addresses, and be sure to bring goodies for the BRCPO folks... they can be rather surly :-)

I know it sounds confusing at first - and I probably make it sound more complicated than it really is. But once you get the idea, it's really very simple. And once you get started, you develop a schtick and it's a lot of fun.

There's not a lot or preparation needed for this project, but we do have some good ideas to share and help it grow. Join this tribe if you are interested in participating, or just want to know more.

Woot woot! Me so happy!

xoxo
Dusty