Re-Made XDay Survival Guide

By Leonard The Committed

So, XDay is comin' soon, and if you are like most, you want to have as comfortable an experience in the "Wilds" of far western NY state.

Weather

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The weather can range from a warm, humid tropical warmth to a dry cold

in the 40's with a heavy dew. If there's humid air around, you can

expect nights in the 60's-70's, with days going into the 90's. Be ready

for anything, including thunderstorms. Brushwood is in a "frost pocket"

and the cool air drains down from the surrounding hills to make things

chilly, most noticeably in the field. On those nights, you'll want to

get your tent buttoned up from sundown through an hour or so after. Be

sure to leave a small opening on both sides of your tent for

ventilation if you are inside. This will help keep the dew from forming

too heavily inside your tent. Have an extra pair of shoes handy for

morning if you walk through the dew. The word here is preparedness.

Dont be afraid to ask a pagan to perform a ritual to get the kind of

weather you like.

Food

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There's food on site, but I'd only count on it being there for SURE on

the weekend. It's very good and very reasonably priced. There is decent

resonably priced sit-down food in Sherman, but I seem to remember they

wern't open on the 4th last year. There is a small grocery with pretty

much all the basics you'd want also in Sherman. Sandwich makin's are

quick and easy, especially after the third day of anti-sleep. BTW, NY

meats dont look like something I care to eat, so you might want to get

that in one of the larger towns on the way if you come from the south

or west.

Block ice lasts longer than cubed ice, so get that when you can. Beer

in a cooler of crushed ice is hard to beat on a warm day, so you might

want to have two coolers handy if thats something you like. Ice is

avavilable at the campground office and in Sherman.

Libations

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There's a store with basic beer choices in Sherman. Maybe someone can

reply to this and let me know where the likker is. With all the states

to choose from close by, I'm not sure where the closest likker store

is. Bring local stuff from home and trade with fellow revelers!

Flora and Fauna

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Brushwood is known for it's close to nature feel. There's lots of birds

singing in the daybreak hours, and Bullfrogs that go all night. You

need to be on guard for the "locals" I've heard tales of face fucking

Bats, so be sure to get to know someone with antidote as soon as you

arrive. Ask if you need help. The Racoon's are well known for thier

ability to open practically ANY food container. Keep you cooler and

bags of food in a safe place. This is especially true of the Brushwood

Black Bears. People keeping food in their tents account for 90% of the

maulings at Brushwood every year, and I'd feel better about the event

if we could keep it under 5 this time.

Dont be like Rev Gonzo and Samhain Greystar! Make sure you put your

tent up in an area free of poison ivy. Know what it looks like and

again, dont be afraid to ask for help. Areas in and along the edges of

trees/field are the places to look especially hard if you are going to

set up there.

Rules

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Fortunately there are not many. Remember, if it's illegal out there, it

is at Brushwood too. If you require quiet to get to sleep, consider

camping in the quiet area. If you are in any other area, you very

easily could have an all night party going on next to you. If you cant

deal with that, dont whine, you can always move to a quieter spot.

Anyone infringing on the slack of others will be "corrected" by the

"Goon Squad" (yours truly) and if that does'nt work, THE MAN! The idea

here is have a good time, and not ruin the good time of others. People

freaking out at what someone else is doing will not be "protected" if

said act is'nt presenting harm or the potential of harm to others. The

majority of SubGenii are as harmless as freshly nuetered kittens, but

you might want to be sure to lock up valuables in as safe a place as

possible, and dont lose your keys!

Be sure to get registered and pick up your bracelet. Register early and

often. The sooner everyone gets registered, the sooner the registrar

can get to thier own personal fun. Hope to see you all there!