Today, I'm launching into official AudioFeed packing. I've already had a list going for the last week with food items I need to purchase, some health related things have been ordered from Amazon, and I've gone through the meds which I need to replace. It usually takes me about a week and a half to be sure that I've packed everything I need. For some of the guys I know, simply making sure that they have clean underwear and socks is the biggest concern. I've always been the type to overpack, but now I do it intentionally.
The first thing I try to get in order is the shopping list. I know that I'll be able to enjoy eating in Mama Linda's kitchen. However, there are times when I may miss a meal or two and need to have something on hand. Because I'm part of the Asylum staff, I'll be there early and Mama may not be cooking yet, I need to have something to eat. Even if my sunscreen, aloe, and bug spray don't feel empty now, I'll pick up new this week to avoid running out. I also try to have a basic pharmacy on hand - I can't recount all of the times that someone has gone looking for common meds like Benadryl or Tylenol. Remember, not all fest goers are experienced - some are still learning what to pack.
My next step is to get my toiletries together - a large, durable tote bag with outside pockets is perfect. It is big enough to fit a change of clothes in, along with a towel. Bring a plastic grocery bag to toss your wet towel in, so that everything doesn't get soaked on your way back from the showers (remember to hang it up when you get back to your campsite, so that it is dry for the next time.) Remember those hard plastic pencil cases from elementary school? They make a great case for taking your travel sized shampoo, conditioner, and body wash with you - in the larger style, you can also fit your toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash. Keep items like deodorant, qtips, and makeup remover wipes separate from your shower though. You want these things to stay in good condition and a warm shower won't help them.
Have you noticed that I haven't packed a single article of clothing yet? There is a good reason for this - the weather. Toiletries can be packed ahead of time, because you're going to need them regardless of whether the weather is cool and rainy or extremely hot. You also want to go through them before you go shopping - so that you can catch any missing items.
This year, it currently looks like low 80s during the day, low 60s at night, and mostly sunny. Plan on two outfits a day - a hot, daytime outfit and a cooler evening outfit with a jacket or sweatshirt. Just because 60s don't sound cold, doesn't mean that it won't feel that way after you've sweated all day. Bring double the amount of undergarments and socks that you think you'll need because... just trust me. As for shoes, bring a pair of flip flops for the shower, two good pairs of tennis shoes or sandals that don't have heels, and boots (if you are planning on moshing - save the toes!). Don't bother bringing anything you aren't comfortable in or that shows excessive amounts of skin (for a lot of reasons - sunburn being one of them).
At this point, I'll go shopping for all of the things I need. My food list includes things like premade tuna or chicken salad with crackers, single servings of cereal, dried fruit, individual cans of V8 fruit juice, and some granola bars. I would recommend using a pill strip instead of schlepping all of the bottles, but Walmart has cheap generic versions of things like Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, Benadryl, and Mucinex. A stick of after-bite (for bug bites - Benadryl has one), a couple of instant ice packs, and a pair of very basic ankle braces (I have a set that I think I paid like $2 for) round out the general medical things to pack. Now, I'm going to discourage you from bringing scented items - I get that you are going to want to smell good all day, but these attract bugs and nobody I know enjoys getting bit or stung. (Also, gelcaps melt in the heat - so get tablets if possible.)
If you're camping, the basics include a tent, pillow, and sleeping bag. A foam mat to put under your sleeping bag will make it much more comfortable though. I'm a fan of bringing sheets to top my foam and using my sleeping bag as a blanket. Another good investment is a dry box. It's a plastic or metal box with a seal to prevent water from getting in. This is a good way to keep your phone and flashlight dry at night, as well as protect your glasses (and sunglasses) from the dangers of rolling on top of them.
One of the special concerns that I have is my blood sugar. I have to pay attention to maintain it within the safe range every day, but when I'm camping it becomes more of a concern. Things like being off my routine, the heat, and the extra walking I'm doing can create a low quickly. This means packing emergency glucose - enough to treat myself twice a day, even though I probably won't need that much. But if you're at AudioFeed and dealing with an unexpected low, I'm willing to share my glucose tablets.
Enjoy the festival - I hope to see you at AudioFeed 2015!
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