Random Acts of Postcards's topics - tribe.net

RAoP Meetup... Wed at Noon

dustynipples — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 07:25:03 GMT

Who's game for getting together on Wednesday at Noon in Center Camp?

A short hobnob to say hey and meet each other. It's a good opportunity to:

Exchange postcards
Share stamps, if needed
Get a bunch of postcards done in Center Camp!
Go give some group love to the BRCPO
Chat, smooch, share ideas... whatever suits your fancy.

Center Camp at Noon on Wednesday.
Whatever seating area is closest to the BRC Post Office.
Just start doing a couple of postcards in the area, we'll find each other.

Who's game?

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 10 replies

IMPORTANT: Post Office confusion - cleared up!

dustynipples — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:22:56 GMT

I don't know about you, but I was confused about the location of the post office this year. I know there's a location in the 9:00 plaza too. These threads might help clear up any confusion... plus there's good info in here.

http://brcpo.tribe.net/thread/696dfe92-fee8-489f-99a4-64a664e24ba9

http://brcpo.tribe.net/thread/f581b6a9-1a11-4cea-9312-469b4b364600

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 0 replies

Burningman 2008

dustynipples — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:11:30 GMT

Who's going and who wants to play with RAoP?

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 9 replies

Deadletter is back this year!

deadletterb — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:23:48 GMT

The Dead Letter Truck will be roaming around doing mail, and we're in for RAoP - we'll be bringing a variety of post cards as it is - though we tend to do envelopes with mail inside. Boy! I'm running out of time!

See the new truck at http://deadletter.tribe.net

;-b

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 2 replies

Postcard Swap 2007

dustynipples — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:46:14 GMT

What's everyones preferred day for a Postcard Swap gathering?

This is a simple, low maintenance event where we can get together and meet each other, swap and share postcards, stamps, supplies, ideas. It's best to have the event as early in the week as possible so people have time to do postcards afterwards. Plus, as the week progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to attend 'scheduled' events.

I have a commitment on Wednesday at 2:00... but could do the swap earlier on Wednesday. Tuesday is a good day too. Please remember... You do not need to attend this gathering to participate in the project! It's great if you can, but don't be dismayed if for any reason you're unable to. You could and should still do Random Postcards!

Venue... I'm happy to host the event at my home camp... Aoxomoxoa. We'll be at Estuary and 4:30. We do have some shade, but truth be told, it's not a lot. So shade and seating would be limited. If we're cool with that, I'm happy to host. If someone else would like to volunteer their space for an hour or so, it would be welcomed. We could also meet at Center Camp... which might be nice. Get some coffee, say Hi to our BRCPO friends, cop a squat on a rug in the shade. Whaddya think about Center Camp as a meeting space?

The swap party is a BYO everything event. No bevvies or food will be provided... just come with your postcards and good spirit, and whatever postcard supplies you have that you might like to share. I'll bring "random postcard" labels that you can use to 'tag' your postcards. And some extra labels for people who need to cover up any text that might be on the back so there's space to write messages. I also probably have extra sharpie markers if anybody needs them.

This is also an opportunity to feel out how you might want to approach people to do postcards. Since I've done them a lot, I'm happy to have anyone tag along with me to do a couple so you can get a feel for how you might approach people. Of course, everyone is encouraged to use their own style, and engage people in the project however you like. But if you have any apprehension about how to go about getting things started, I'm happy to offer support and guidance.

So I guess the big question is when?

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 19 replies

Tell us about yourself?

dustynipples — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 22:05:09 GMT

I thought it would be nice if we had an idea who's interested in this project to get us started...

Q: Is this your first Burningman or have you been before?
- this will be my 6th burn. I went 2000, '01, '02, '04, '05. Tickets are in the mail for '06! Plus I attend Playa Del Fuego, mid atlantic burn. That's where this project started.

Q: Do you belong to a theme camp, or do you go solo or with some friends?
- I camp with Camp Aoxomoxoa usually, though I spent '04 with Moonbase. I love my campmates from both camps. We were placed at 4:30 and Fetish last year, I'm hoping we're a little closer to Esplanade this year.

Q: Have you ever participated in an art project, or some other kind of project?
- This is the first time I've worked on a group project! I'm very excited!

Q: What appeals to you about this project in particular?
- I get to meet a lot of people, it gets me out of my camp and into other peoples, it connects people and makes them happy!

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 47 replies

Random Tips

dustynipples — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 20:00:34 GMT

If you decide to become a Random Postcard Person, you'll come up with whatever methods and schtick work best for you. But having done it a few times, I've for sure learned a few lessons along the way....

- use large sized post it notes to cover up the entire other side of the postcard when having someone write a message or self addressing it - even if it's still blank. People have a hard time grasping that someone else will be writing on the other side, and it's going to be mailed, and they tend to want to write all of ther whole thing.

- get people to write messages early in the day, and early during the event when their minds are a bit more clear. It's easier to collect addresses than messages.

- at BRC a lot of people want to use the postcard sort of as publicity for their camp. I try to encourage people to pretend they are writing to a friend instead, rather than writing an ad. Make it more personal. You get more interesting cards that way. I encourage people to sign their name.

- some camps like to pass the card around and each campmate writes a little note. Those are the best ones!

- children can participate but many have a hard time grasping the concept. If you want a child involved, you're better having them recieve a card rather than send. And remember which card is theirs... when someone pulls their card to write a message, request the message be 'age appropriate'.

- I limit it to one card per camp. I think it's more random and lessens the chance of people from the same camp sending and recieving a card. Sometimes more than one person from a camp will ask if they can fill out a card. I stick to my guns, one card per camp. Otherwise you can blow your whole stack at one camp. You can say no in a way that's still fun.

- BRC Post Office has free postcards! Go get some early in the week. And be very very nice to the staff, they work hard for us.

- I made stickers to put on each card that announces 'You've just recieved a Random Postcard'... so the recipient remembers they were part of the project.

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 10 replies

Random Postcards... the basic premise.

dustynipples — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 19:41:22 GMT

I'm so happy to see someone interested in this! I'm reposting my original post here, just so anyone that visits here can get up to speed...

I've done this project 3 times at my regional burn and on the playa last year for the first time. Not only was it fun, but it was a great vehicle for me to approach people I might not otherwise have approached, and participate more overall. If you are a newbie, or shy about walking into stange camps and saying 'hi', this is the perfect project for you!

I'd like to open this project up and invite anyone who likes it to participate. We don't have to be structured, or function as a group... but if we have a bunch of people doing the same thing all over BRC, we may be able to connect a lot people on the playa.

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 BRCPO?

It's called... Random Acts of Postcards... 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 if they will participate in your Random Act of Postcards project. Tell them... they will be sending a postcard to, or recieving 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.

There are a couple of different ways handle the cards, 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 them 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 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 (BRC address if it's early enough in the week for BRCPO to get it to them). 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 them 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 people 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 side of the postcard I don't want them to see.

Then, you bring the cards to the BRCPO. You'll need to have some 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 :-)

If a bunch of people decide they like this project and want to participate, we could have Random Postcards being mailed all around BRC! I never thought to open this up to other people before but I think it would be a great group project. And especially fun for shy people... it very liberating to be able walk into a camp and engage people in your project. I've yet to meet someone who didn't have fun participating.

I know it sounds confusing at first, but once you do it, you develop a schtick and it's really a lot of fun. Join this tribe if you are at all interested in participating, or just want to know more.

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 6 replies

On playa this year?

theCryptofishist — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:57:46 GMT

And if so, where do I donate my postcards?

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 0 replies

Taking RAOP to Nowhere!!!!!!!!!!

angelicfiend — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:53:35 GMT

Dusty and Crew,

Blackfox and i are taking RAOP to Nowhere in Spain this year....

we are very excited about this!!!!!

I still have post cards left over.

how exciting?!?!?!?!!?

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 5 replies

How'd everybody do?

dustynipples — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 21:09:08 GMT

I got to meet Sage and Neon at Center Camp on Tuesday. We did some postcards there... damn! Those girls are happy postcard freaks! I love it! I headed out and did some more at some camps. All in all, I think I did about 30, which makes me happy. The ones I sent to the playa from the outside world seemed to take longer than usual, but I know of at least a few that were received, so it's all good. I had 3 being sent outside of the United States... glad I had extra stamps on me. It was fun!

Who did some? What did you think?

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 24 replies

Postcard shenanigan's

dustynipples — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 04:09:38 GMT

So if you haven't caught wind of this yet on the 'Join us for BM07' thread... I'm proposing a way to extend the Random Postcard fun. Those of us who did this last year discovered two things:

1) you likely won't find time while on the playa to do as many postcards as you might like. Even if you do a dozen, you'll still have a blast. But some folks would like to do more than that!

2) you'll collect and bring more postcards than you end up using... trust me on this. Why not get some out onto the playa early?

So, if anyone is interested, I thought it might be fun to bring Random Postcards to another level (in addition to our usual course of action). As per the mantra... participation is completely voluntary and there are no expectations! But I'd like to put it out there.

Wanna cause a little mayhem?

Did you know you can mail stuff from the default world to the playa and they'll get delivered during Burningman? We can get the Postcard shenanigan's started early in the week.

How cool would it be if, as a group, we tried to send a postcard to as many registered camps as possible? We could each take a handful of them and just send the camp a random postcard. We'll have to wait for camp placement to be announced, then we could divy them up and send postcards.

Maybe we could charge the recipient of the card with performing a task? Let's come up with some ideas.

We could give them instructions to bring the postcard to a particular camp and ask for something. The camp we send them to will have no idea we are sending people their way, or what they are talking about when they ask for their 'treat'. Of course, we'd make it something easy, fun and low hassle. Should we target one 'victim' camp? Of course, we'd pick a camp that would welcome the onslaught of visitors, and they'd ask for something the camp would be willing and able to provide. Nothing sinister, and all done with love... but sure to cause confusion and laughter. I dunno... looking for ideas.

If we like this idea, we may want to take this tribe private (or invite only) until the Burn. Just so we can openly discuss it, and people don't catch wind of our intended shenanigan's.

Theme camp placement should be announced next week, so if we decide to go for it, we could start our mayhem planning soon!

You like?

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 21 replies

Stamps!

dustynipples — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 01:36:53 GMT

A reminder about stamps. Make sure you bring some with you to the playa so if people provide a default world address on their postcard you can still get it to them. Also, if you are still doing postcards on Friday or Saturday, it's probably best to recommend people give you default world addresses since the BRCPO will be challenged to get them delivered on playa so close to the end of the event.

Stamp prices:

Postcards ($0.26 each) Maximum size: 6 inches long by 4-1/4 inches high

Large Postcards ($0.41 each) More than: 6 inches long by 4-1/4 inches high

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 0 replies

Join us for BM07 !!!!

dustynipples — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 01:02:39 GMT

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

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 41 replies

what do BRCPO want??

safadancer — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 18:42:16 GMT

i've only been to the brcpo once, out of curiosity, not to actually mail anything. i forked over a kiss and got a lovely reception from the person at the counter.

but if i actually have stuff to mail, what should i offer? booze? nudity? what works well?

claire

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 7 replies

BRCPO Fundraiser and a chance to win!

dustynipples — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 04:28:09 GMT

Anyone who's interested... the BRCPO is having a raffle to raise funds. Here's your chance to become an honored member of the BRC Mile High Club!

http://www.brcpo.org/fundraiser/index.html

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 0 replies

postcards abound!!!!

angelicfiend — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 17:47:36 GMT

Hey kids! my husband and i did this project last year and we had a great time...i totally over estimated how many we could possibly get done AND we took some of Dusty's home too!!!!

if you are interested in taking mine to playa for use, PM me and come get them.

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 4 replies

Postcard utility belt?

dustynipples — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:48:07 GMT

Someone posted this link on Playalicious Playawear. If you're looking for something to hold your postcards and pens, this might work for someone. You can't beat the price!

http://secure.onlinebags.com/productdetail.ch2?productid=2582&category=80

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 0 replies

RaOP Apron!

Neon — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:06:46 GMT

I made me an RaOP apron! See photo in this tribes photo section. Woo-hoo!

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 1 reply

Artist offering Postcards...

mr_e — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 16:34:29 GMT

I found this offer on the BM Virgins Tribe. Dusty should get a hold of him...

http://tribes.tribe.net/bm2006virgins/thread/6bf4b8f2-b63f-4095-8652-ec0b059a8401

Cheers,

mr e

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 3 replies

Are we on again for 2007?

dandysparkle — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 22:04:15 GMT

I was thrilled to be a long-distance part of RAoP for 2006... Totally bummed that I had 11th hour plan changes and did not make it out to the Playa in the flesh...

But I am totally amped up!

(A friend of mine just sent me a batch of cards with post its covering one half of the backs and a note attached that said they were for the playa... Ohhhh... Soooooooooo Love friends with incredible memories!!!)

So are we on again for 2007?

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 9 replies

So how did everyone do?

dustynipples — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 01:06:55 GMT

I admit, I only got about 20 postcards done. I'd have liked to have done more but you know how things go when you're on playa time. But people really liked participating in the ones I did get done, so it was worth it for me. I'd like to know how you all did. Did you enjoy it? Did it help break the ice when trying to meet people and mingle with theme camps? I went to the post office on Saturday at 2:00 and mailed my final batch, but I didn't see any postcard people there. Let me know what worked, and what didn't. And should I open this project up again next year?

Thanks Angelicfiend for a great swap party! And DasChukkster for the postcard donations. There were some great cards in there!

Remember too... if you attend a regional, you can do postcards there too. It works really well with a smaller venue, you just need to mail the postcards out in the default world, unless your regional has a post office.

Thanks all! I'd love some feedback.

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 14 replies

Postcard People... where are we in BRC?

dustynipples — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 00:37:44 GMT

So from what I've gathered so far, here are the people who responded that they'd be on the playa and participating. If your names not on here, please chime in and let us know where you think you'll be camping. It think it'd be nice if we all had a clue where each other was. Let's see how much of Black Rock City we've got covered!

Postcard Person - Location / Camp

Ncoyote - 4:30 outer ring / DPW Camp / Solo
Armadillo - 5:30 & Fate / Leopard Martini Lounge
Angelicfiend - 3:00 Plaza & 9:30 / Borrachos Y Bicicletas
dasChukkster - Anxious & 3:00 / ePlaya Bar Camp
Troy - Don't know / Lamplighter Village
Jake Jake - Don't know / Easel Park
B-Rella - bet 4:00 - 6:00 / Open camping
ChaCha - near 9:00 & Eager / Reno Housewives
Sage - Don't know / Don't know
Armadillo - 5:30 & Fate / Leopard Martini Lounge (Z-Spot Zombie Musical)
Karr - Destiny & 9:00 / LAFers
Drunkennurse - 4:30 & Destiny / Quixotes Caberet in Avalon Village
Hosie - Destiny & 4:30 / Contact Camp
Aislinn - Don't know / Open camping???
LadyAnnalog - Don't know / Carousel???
Thor - Don't know / Don't know
Leori - Don't know / Kidscamp???
Martemis - Don't know / Broken Staple ???
Neon Mars - Don't know / Open camping???
Mitzi - near 9:00 & Eager / Reno Housewives
Christine - Don't know / Open camping
ButterflyKiss - 9:00 & Eager / The Deep End
K Bunny Rabbit - near 3:00 Plaza??? / Don't know
Anti M - Chance & 8:30 / Hushville

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 21 replies

silver sharpie pens

angelicfiend — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 16:26:13 GMT

Hey Gang,

I just picked up my silver sharpies!!! I found them in Albertsons, of all places! The two pack, even!!!

i drew on blackfox/ Jason, and he LOVED the cancellation drawing!!!! Dusty, i did the man with waves on top, it looks great!!!!!

it wore off with some rubbing...i was threatening to draw on him some more, and he said that he had to work, so not to draw where it could be seen....

i am having forward/ flashbacks.....of drawing on people.

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 7 replies

Getting Ready for Postcards!

dustynipples — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 16:35:17 GMT

As you know, Random Postcards is pretty low maintenance. How much effort you want to put into it is totally up to you. Since I've done it a few times, I've come up with my own way to prepare, and this year I'll be trying some new things. All easy, all fun. Here's what I've got going on, it might be helpful for some of you.

- My mailbag.
I found a shoulder bag that lies flat and has five zippered compartments. I'm going to use it as my Postcard bag. I'll seperate the cards into 3 pockets... half-completed cards, blank cards and completed cards. The reason I keep blank cards seperate is I can never be sure how many cards I'll get through in a day so I start the day letting people pick from the blank pile. Then, once I've accumulated a decent amount of half-completed ones, I put the blank ones away and have people only choose from the pile that needs completing. This way I'm sure I've got a handful of completed ones to be mailed at the end of each day, and I'm not left with this giant half done stack on Saturday, when it's too late to mail them. Remember... any cards mailed on Saturday or later probably won't get delivered within BRC, so outside world addresses only on those.

- Clipboard
I got a small clipboard from work I'd like to use this year. Sometimes it's hard for people to find something handy to write on, a clipboard will help. I'm going to decorate it with our logo too. I'm hoping it will fit in my mailbag, it might not. I might make a strap for it so I can sling it over my shoulder when walking. And I'm making a vinyl bike basket to hold stuff, so I'll make a pocket for my clipboard for my bike too. I find a lot of people give me stickers and cards. Maybe I'll make a clear plastick slip pocket on the back of the clipboard to collect things people give me when I do postcards? Hmmm... I like that idea.

- Post it notes.
I've got a stack of post it notes (the big ones) that I trim down to the size that will cover half of my postcard. When someone draws a card, I cover the half that I don't want them to write on... you'll be amazed how many people will write all over the card, including the address part. You've got to make sure there's space left for an address so I cover half. After someone fills in their message or address, I then take the post it and cover what they wrote. This way the next person to draw their card won't see it. I have a pocket in my mailbag to keep the post it's, and I take care so they don't become moop. I reuse them as much as I can, but they lose their stick so I keep fresh ones with me.

- Ultra Fine Markers.
I carry an assortment of ultra fine tipped sharpies. I let people pick the color they want to use. Some people will want to draw art on the card with them too.

- Regular Fine Markers.
This year I also got a couple fine tipped sharpies (not ultra fine, just the normal fine ones) that have a loop on the cap so I can caribener it to my mailbag. This way I have them handy to draw our logo on people when they finish the card. I think I got blue, black and purple. I'm looking for silver too. I think we decided we like blue and silver for our logo, but it doesn't matter really... use whatever color you like best. If I find a deal on these markers, I'll bring extra. Also, I'll have room in my bag for our stencil, and use the markers to trace it for nice neat logo!

- Stamps
I keep stamps in a little pocket in my bag. You need to have some for postcards going to the outside world, you can't buy them on the playa. I think postage went up, it might be 39 cents. I need to get more stamps. Remember... we want to meet up on Saturday at the BRCPO to share stamps for those who might have run out. I always have leftover stamps.

- Blank Labels
I carry some white plain labels with me. If someone messes up a card I can cover it up, or if there's writing on the back (some of them have advertising) I cover it up.

- Random Postcard Labels
I also have 'Random Acts of Postcards' labels. I've printed them on plain white labels so you can cut them into little strips and put them on the card to 'brand' it. So when the recipient gets the card, they associate it with our project. I'll be bringing bunches of these for us so we can put them on our cards at the Postcard Swap.

- My Schtick
I've done this enough that I have a schtick. Nothing big, just a talk track I use to introduce myself and the project to people. You don't have to have a schtick. Or you'll develop one of your own on the playa. Or you can use mine. Or you'll just be your chillin self when you do postcards. It's all good. I find a schtick helps because you need to engage people and explain how the postcards work, and you find yourself saying the same introduction over and over again. Having a schtick keeps it lively and keeps you sane! So have some fun with it! It's your art!

- Postcards
Of course, can't forget those! I have a local postcard shop I like. I get an assortment of cards... funny, thoughtful, political, art... all kinds. I try not to have too many duplicates. Personally, I like that everybody gets a different card. If I was an artist, I'd do my own cards. But alas, I will buy them. I'll probably bring 100 cards. Last year I only did about 30 total, but I wasn't nearly as stoked last year! You guys have me stoked!

Do any of these ideas help?

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 6 replies

POSTCARD SWAP DETAILS - Tuesday Noon @ ByB in 3:00 Plaza

dustynipples — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 20:01:17 GMT

Mark your calendars! Our Postcard Swap is official!

Tuesday, Aug 29 at High Noon.

Being hosted by the amazingly generous Angelicfiend...

Borrachos Y Bicicletas
located in the 3:00 Plaza at 9:30

For all you newbs... the 3:00 Plaza in on the right side of the city... enter the plaza (a big open circle) and envision the circle as a clock. You entered at 12:00... so 9:30 should be about 1/4 way over to your right. Someone correct me if I'm wrong please.

WHAT TO BRING:

Yourself and your energy!

Your postcards - if you don't have many (or any), don't worry! We are graciously being gifted postcards by some fabulous people... we should have plenty to share.

Your markers or pens - we should have some stencils on hand if you'd like to put logos on your cards. We won't have stencils for everyone to take with them, but you are welcome to take the ones we do have if you'd like to use them to draw a logo on people. We'll also practice drawing our logo by hand for those who want to do it freehand.

I think that covers it. Pretty easy huh?

Oh... and just so we're all on the same page, and in the spirit of Radical Self-reliance... if you're interested in tasty refreshments or nibbles, please bring your own. As always, you should have your water with you. Just know that we're not planning on serving up refreshments at the Swap. I'm assuming the event won't last long - we'll mingle and work on our postcards, and when we're done many of us will probably head straight into the depths of the city and start Random Postcarding people! So come prepared for your day!

I can't wait to meet you wonderful people in person! See you there!

xoxo
Dusty

<breathe>

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 16 replies

STAMPERDAY - Saturday at 2:00 @ BRCPO

dustynipples — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 23:29:11 GMT

Since some people won't make it to the Postcard Swap but are still participating in Random Postcards, there's a chance we won't hook up on the playa until Saturday. So we've renamed Saturday to Stamperday!

Let's meet at the Black Rock City Post Office (near Center Camp). Bring with you any extra stamps you have, some people will need them, some will have extra. Also bring whatever you've got that you'd like to gift to the Post Office folks. I'm suggesting we assemble, get our stuff together... and love rush the post office! Let's hug them and kiss then and say thank you for delivering all our postcards during the week. If you have gifts you'd like to give them, we can do it then. We'll also make sure we get the last of our postcards stamped and sent. On playa mail might still get delivered on Sunday.

So we have the day to do our cards, I suggest we meet up in the afternoon? Critical tits starts at 4:00, I wouldn't want to interfere with that. So how bout we meet at 2:00 at the BRCPO... plenty of time for anyone who wants to participate in CT to get back to camp and prepare.

Woo woo! Only 17 days to go before my feet hit the dust!

xoxo
Dusty

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 0 replies

signage

angelicfiend — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 22:19:30 GMT

Dusty and Crew,

who is going to make a [nice] sign for our RAoP Swap?

It would be nice to have a sign and maybe something we can draw with (for sign edits -- arrows come to mind)....something like cardboard, so we can put holes into it for hanging or securing...

thoughts????

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 7 replies

POSTCARD SWAP - Date and Time

dustynipples — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 13:49:52 GMT

It's getting close and people are starting to add things to their playa calendars. Let's add our Postcard Swap!

Angelicfiend...does the offer stand to host? If so, do you have a preferred date/time? It seemed like most people preferred earlier in the week. For those of you who arrive late, remember - you don't have to be at the Swap to participate in the project! And I'll post my address once I know it if you want to connect on the playa. Plus, there will still be another chance to meet on Stamperday!

So... about that Postcard Swap?

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 29 replies

postage

angelicfiend — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 17:21:32 GMT

Hey Kids!!! Who is excited???

We are!!! We are!!!

I just purchased post cards and they came in mail, they have a huge curl on them. water in desert! I already purchased postage, guess what??? The stamps will not work!!

Here is why:
**************************************

To qualify for First-Class Mail card rates, a card must be:

• Rectangular
• At least 3-1/2 inches high X 5 inches long X 0.007 inch thick
• No more than 4-1/4 inches high X 6 inches long X 0.016 inch thick

Oversized cards can be mailed at letter rates.
**********************************************************
Make sure, as you buy stamps that you buy correct ones!!

a.fiend

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 2 replies

I would like to gift to Random Acts of Postcards

Romeo — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 07:14:40 GMT

Hi.
I'm with the "Spray dog Camp" We will be staying at Snowflake Village this year.
I'd like to gift you a set of stencils for you to use for eather tagging t-shirts or using to comer over old postcards or to creat new cards from blank stock.
Check out some of our work at, http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e71/T-Shirt_tag/

I could make some of the art I've seen on your sight into stencils or if you have somthing elce you'd like to see just send it along to my mail.
I can eather mail it out to you when its finished or bring it along to the playa and give them to you there.
Romeo

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 7 replies

Where are you camped?

dustynipples — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 17:37:12 GMT

Okay Postcard People... placement is out. Where are you camped? I'm putting together a list of everyone doing postcards and where they are camped, or if they are open camping in an unassigned space. I'll share it with all of you so you have an idea of where we all are throughout BRC. I'm going to send an email to this whole group asking the same question, if I can figure out how.

We're almost there!

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 11 replies

Calling All Artists!

dustynipples — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 01:25:04 GMT

You may have missed this post on the RAoP Schwag thread... I think I'd like to get back to simplicity and low maintenance and cheap cheap cheap and ART!

What do ya'll say we forget giveaway schwag, but stick with the stamp cancellation idea by using sharpie markers to DRAW our logo on people who do postcards? All we'd need to do is come up with a logo that's simple but identifiable as ours, something everyone can draw, and maybe choose a color that would be unique to us? We could practice drawing our design at our Postcard Swap? Anyone not able to attend the swap party would still be able to do it because they'd have the design in advance and could practice on their own.

So all we'd need is a logo that incorporates RAoP and a marker color (or combo of colors) that we can all get. Metallic maybe? Sharpie comes in all kinds of colors now. Whaddya all think?

Any artists in our group wanna offer up a simple design that screams RANDOM POSTCARDS!!!!

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 23 replies

Great idea

nutbucket — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 07:09:25 GMT

sounds like a blast to do

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 4 replies

Welcome everyone who joined recently!

dustynipples — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 02:08:31 GMT

I've not done a great job of personally greeting folks who have recently joined. Please accept this as your Official You Rock You're Beatiful Damn Glad To Have Ya Welcome (YRYBDGTHYW for the newbies). I'm happy you found us!

If you haven't read the thread about the 'basic premise'... http://tribes.tribe.net/randompostcards/thread/fd12c138-4a79-444b-92ff-70b70aa9525a ... it's a good start. If you have questions, please chime in. Take a gander at the photo album and the 'calling all artists' thread... http://tribes.tribe.net/randompostcards/thread/90736a6d-6afb-489e-ade3-cbaa07d87b6e ... we'd love your input on a logo! If you plan to be on the playa by Tuesday, check out the Postcard Swap thread... http://tribes.tribe.net/randompostcards/thread/c559e28b-9b45-4472-94a0-a98ef04cacab . And if ya just feel like sayin Hi, we've got a thread for that too... http://tribes.tribe.net/randompostcards/thread/41d01e81-25dd-4809-bef4-c5932b9c0299

Can ya tell I'm a little anal? Trust me, to know me is to love me. Damn I love this project. I get to be all organized and tidy, with minimal overhead, and engage people to participate in my project where I have little to no control. To facilitate postcards that are just 'put out there' and never really know the full circle, but still trust that it's all good, and it's part of a bigger, better circle. It feels good... to get to take something small that you have control over, and transform it into something big that breathes on it's own. It's good for me. I hope it's good for you too.

YRYBDGTHYW . 46 days till playa!

xoxo
Dusty

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 0 replies

Important: Please Read

dustynipples — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 13:23:56 GMT

I'm not one for spreading rumors, and I don't mean to sound like an alarmist, but I've been hearing that Tribe is dangerously close to demise. It's been suggested to me that I save my blog entries, which I just did. If that happens, I don't want our project to suffer. So if you suddenly find Tribe gone, please contact me and we'll figure out another forum.

randomactsofpostcards@yahoo.com

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 5 replies

RAoP Schwag?

dustynipples — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 14:37:52 GMT

Do we want to consider having something to give to the folks who write messages on the cards? The people recieving the postcard will have the card itself as a token, but the message writers only have the memory of putting it out there - which typically I've considered enough, but some people like schwag, they're kinda funny that way :-). Plus since we'll have a bunch of folks doing this, it might be cool if we had a button or something to give people that says "I committed a Random Act of Postcards" or something like that. Or maybe a sticker we can put on their mailbox, if they have one. This way while we're on our travels there will be a leave behind letting us know that another Postcard Person has already 'hit' this camp or person? Granted, it's not like we're gonna hit every camp in town, but it might be kinda cool for us when we come across each others wake.

Or is this thought defeating the purpose of 'random'? Hmmmmm....

Oh... I like the RAoP too!

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 28 replies

Postcard Swap and Stamperday

dustynipples — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 05:33:42 GMT

When I threw Random Postcards out there, the idea was for it to be unstructured and easy for anyone to participate. Since we have a few people interested, and it's sounding as though by time Burningman comes around we'll collect even more, we could do a little something to help 'bring it all together' - but still keep is simple and fun. I had just a couple of thoughts... what do you all think?

Postcard Swap - we pick a day/time early in the week (Wednesday maybe) and meet at a given time to share cards with each other, meet, hug, smooch, drink, do schwag, whatever.

Stamperday - We pick a time on Saturday and meet at the BRCPO and do two things... 1) make sure everyone who has postcards being mailed out to the default world has stamps for them, someones bound to have extra, and someone else is bound to be short and 2) we create a gift package for the BRCPO folks and give them some group love. They'll be working hard for us.

And throughout the event, everyone would be encouraged to Random Rush any mail carrier they encounter. If you see someone delivering mail, show them some love! The carriers sometimes leave mail for people who aren't home at the time, so they don't always get 'thank yous' for their deliveries. We can make up for it!

What do you think? Any other ideas?

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 24 replies

Hola!

alison — Mon, 22 May 2006 22:32:13 GMT

I just came across your tribe and I think this is a fabulous idea! This is my first burn and I'm coming solo, so I this sounds like a great way to meet people and be creative. I'm a graphic design and printmaking student in Toronto - let me know if I can help in any way!

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 1 reply

Playa Del Fuego anyone?

dustynipples — Thu, 18 May 2006 23:54:35 GMT

Is anyone from Random Postcards going to Playa Del Fuego? If so, I'll be there doing postcards! Will you?

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 3 replies

Greetings and Salutations!

geeta_g — Tue, 16 May 2006 19:48:51 GMT

Hello All-
I think this is wonderful and exciting. This year will be my first burn. What can I do to further the postcard cause?
blessings!
Gina

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 1 reply

My response to an email I recieved... sharing some RAoP thoughts.

dustynipples — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 17:55:17 GMT

I recieved a very nice email and I thought it would be worthwhile to share my response with the fantabulous members of the RAoP tribe.

> Hi Dusty:
>
> Saw your thread on e-Playa about Random Acts of
> Postcards and think it makes a fantastic idea
> for a theme camp/activity on-playa!!
>
> For this August, I'm a co-mayor of Shangri-La
> Village and we're currently recruiting theme
> camps and individual campers to join our village
> to boost numbers. Last year, we had a huge
> space at 7:30 from Fetish to Hysteria, and our
> roster of theme camps included the Purple
> Turtle, PolyParadise, Camp BoyToy, the Waffling
> WayStation, and the Shangri-La Slums as well as
> several other smaller theme camps. This year,
> we are hosting the Shangri-Sprawl (a relatively
> clean place to camp, no fees, family friendly,
> great for individuals who need a place to camp
> and want to make some new friends) and
> PolyParadise (home of the Human Carcass Wash and
> other polyamorous activities).
>
> So if you are looking for a place to camp, or if
> your Random Acts of Postcards activity turns
> into a theme camp and would like the support of
> a village to gain better placement on playa,
> give me a holler.
>
> Burningly yours,
> Spatch

My response ------------------------

Hey Spatch,

Thanks so much for the invitation and show of support, and I'm so glad you like the idea! I do already belong to a camp however (AoxoMoxoA) and don't envision 'Random Postcards' becoming a theme camp. Actually, I hope that it won't. I like that we are spread out and disconnected. It increases the 'randomness' and gives us a greater opportunity to connect people, through postcards. We have a couple of gatherings planned on the playa to keep the project focused and make new friends, but other than that, I imagine we'll all be off doin' our own postcard thang.

A large part of the attraction of Random Postcards is it's simplicity and low maintenance aspect. I'd like to keep it that way. Anyone can participate, either solo or as a group, it doesn't matter where you camp or who you know or how you dress. There's no real investment in supplies or labor... bring some postcards, bring some stamps. My hope is that the secret to the projects success will lie in the participation, and the fact that we have people participating in it from all across the playa, in all different stratas of our culture.

I will for sure visit Shangri-La village though. You've got a great thing going! If you'd like to participate in the Random Postcard project, please join the tribe. Some people are talking about making their own postcards, some plan to just show up with postcards and a pen. Your chosen level of participation is very flexible and there are no expectations. Well, except one... I ask that all RAoP'ers honor the basic premise of the project so it maintains its integrity. There's a thread that explains how it all works if you are interested.

http://tribes.tribe.net/randompostcards

Thank you again and welcome to tribe!

xoxo
Dusty

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 2 replies

Printing Costs

dustynipples — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 21:02:56 GMT

A few ubernice people have mentioned they have contacts for printing postcards - which is amazingly wonderful of each of you! If you wanted to do some cost comparisons to see where we'd get the best deal, I figure this thread can be dedicted to pricing info.

You usually get the best price with longer runs, no variation, but I think we'd like variety if we can get it. I'm also assuming we'd need the printer to provide standard sized postcard stock. And we could print single sided, leaving the back blank, or have text printed on the back of each card (RAoP logo, BRC year, etc).

Just so we're comparing apples to apples, I'd get an estimate for a quantity of 100 (seems like a good round number - assume 25+ people doing postcards, this gives about 4 cards of each style per person), They probably have different pricing for matte finish vs. glossy.

They'll also have different prices for:
- black and white
- 2 color
- full color

and then add costs to print black/white text only on the back if we want to print two sided. Side two printing should be cheap cuz it'll just be black/white text, and it'll be the same on every card.

We'd also need some idea of lead times... I assume a month would be more than enough, but you never know. You guys who have printed them before would know better than me!

If we have some idea of what the actual costs would be, then we can keep it in mind when we start bouncing around creative ideas. Whaddya think?

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 14 replies

Great Random Postcard opportunity - act now!

dustynipples — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:29:46 GMT

You all may have seen this already, but in case you haven't, DrunkenNurse is trying to collect postcards to deliver at random to the European Regional burn called Nowhere. This is right up our alley! Let's send some Random Postcards to Nowhere! We need to act quickly, he needs to recieve them at his London home (address below) before the end of April.

Here's the info direct from DrunkenNurse:
________________________

i will be DPWing it for august and novermber before makin my way to india via sidney but before all that i have to get my shit in gear for my project for the european regional we run called nowhere, in the mountains in spain

I want to establish a post office. I will be making post cards that the citizens of nowhere can send to their friends all over the world, buying the stamps, even borrowing a camel to deliver mail on site, designing my own theme post man uniforms, including candy raver mailman, silver mail man now all i needs is post to deliver!!

there will obviously be internal festival mail, but everyone loves getting post especially if its not the sucky money draining or junk sort, but many of our participants at nowhere will be first timer randoms with no burner friends......yet, so i want to ensure that everyone gets post!! specially from people from all over the world so i'm asking my tribe and burner friends if they wanna participate.

I need people to send a post card to my house here in london which i can take with me to spain in july and deliver onsite. the only problem is to fund my travels this year I have to become homless for a few months to save on rent so i'm couch surfing all through may and june so i need to get them sent to me soon before the end of april.

write a message to a random european or american at the regional on a post card, mail it to my address

citizen of nowhere c/o Michael Mchugh
12 Totten Hall
Ferdinand Street
Camden Town
London NW1 8EX
United kingdom

And i'll deliver it on site.

write what ever you want on the card and i'll make sure that on one small cliff edge in spain amongst the mountains that a happy little burner gets a post card from your home town.

so if you feel like helpin we should have around 100 participants this year so if you feel like asking a few of your friends to do the same then we can have post for everyone a couple of days.

don't forget we will have french, german dutch, spainish, italian, flemish, and irish speakers there too so if you or someone you know can speak any of these languages then they should clearlly send a card too. feel free to forward to any one else you think may be interested in helping

many thanks forn your help guys. i really wanna make this project work. if any of you know anyone personally going to nowhere then send them a personaly post card too. and if youhave any friends in europe around the 6th to the 9th then clealry they should come to play at nowhere.

xx

Drunkennurse

remeber it takes 7-10 days foir mail to get to london and i move in a few weeks

check out www.euroburners.org for more information on NoWhere

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 9 replies

Burning Man Virgin

illbeyoursaint — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 08:51:31 GMT

Hello all,
I came across the project on ePlaya and I love the idea of the Random Acts of Postcards theme camp. Any suggestions for a shy newcomer like myself?

Cheers,
Todd

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 1 reply

Printing Post Cards...???

angelicfiend — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 00:37:38 GMT

hey there kids....

my BF"s brother is a printer....if we want, i bet it would not cost much, but we can have him print OUR OWN postcards.....anyone interested??? Hey I will invite him to tribe....he may come this year...*another virgin*, my favorite....mmmmmmwhaaaa-ha-ha-ha....we love to bring virgins....

dusty -- please tell me if i am being too forward with "your" brainchild..., also , I would like to be your tribeling, because you are freaky cool!

angelicfiend

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 21 replies

I have a postcard picture idea

WiSH — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 08:15:25 GMT

I don't really have the skills to make it happen, but I'm sure one of you does (that is, if anybody else likes the idea).

I've been looking at postcards everywhere I go recently, and I realize I'm often drawn to the same general idea: the large letter postcard (ebay has given me a new postcard vocabulary).

Here's a link to the general idea:

http://cgi.ebay.com/WHITE-MOUNTAINS-NH-Large-Letter-Linen-Postcard_W0QQitemZ6253030727QQcategoryZ919QQtcZphotoQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I was thinking a "Greetings from Black Rock City" with only 'Black Rock' in large letter form with some general simple drawings reminiscent of the city....

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 5 replies

What do we call ourseslves?

dustynipples — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 02:18:01 GMT

I defaulted to calling us 'Postcard People' just for lack of a better term. Surely we're more interesting than that.

Are we...

Random Cards
Burning Cards
Postcard Punks
The Connectors

Just shootin from the hip there... Ideas?

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 1 reply

PostSecret

specialsauce — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 03:00:37 GMT

What do you think about doing something like the postsecret project? Are you guys familiar with that?

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

Instead of just asking for messages, you ask for deep, dark, anonymous secrets with cool illustrations.

Oooh and maybe we could set up a drop box where people could pick up blank postcards and submit completed ones!

posted in Random Acts of Postcards - 8 replies