Thursday, January 19, 2012
Her Royal Majesty's Steampunk Symposium
No Boundaries!
Yup, my new writing motto and my experiences from Her Royal Majesty’s Steampunk Symposium, where I spend last weekend, No Boundaries! Is it any wonder I can’t seem to get enough when it comes to the aesthetics of steampunk?
I admit, I haven’t read every steampunk classic out there. Not the modern classics, like Cherri Priest’s books, or the old classics, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. (I probably did read that at some point, but I don’t remember it.) (Not that uncommon for me when it comes to the books I read as a young woman. Or…now…) ;-)
But with steampunk, it doesn’t really matter. They embrace those who read, those who get their fix from comics (Girl Genius) http://girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php, from Online dramas, radio shows, movies (old and new)…or just because they like to make costumes! We are all equal in the eyes of Cthulhu.
Ah, Cthulhu…the many tentacled elder god of time before time began. Who sleeps, beneath the sea, waiting for his time to rise and end the realm of man, drive them insane with the terror of his visage… The scourge of…
Oh, sorry, flash back to the Cthulhu Prayer Breakfast at the convention… The sermon was actually on tolerance… Imagine that!
So, the convention was held aboard the Queen Mary. The original luxury cruise ship of the Cunard Line. She is a museum and tourist attraction in Long Beach now, after a very good life on the Atlantic. It was a stellar place to hold a steampunk convention and I find myself envying the regular tourists…who climbed aboard to wander about and found us…the alt Victorians parading about in finery.
And odd goggles, strange looking guns, fairies in cages… Yeah, I imagine it was a kick. I actually ran into a young couple who had come Friday for a tour, discovered our convention and…stayed. They bailed on the plans to get to Medieval Times, bought tickets for the con, shopped for costumes in the vendor’s room and came back on Saturday for a full day of playing with the steampunk crowd. They were from New York! Watching them dance Saturday, at the ball was priceless…
Yes, there is something magnetic about this genre.
My husband, who hasn’t gone with me to a convention of any type since The Gathering, a big Lord of the Rings con held the weekend Return of the King premiered, 2003, came with me and is very excited to go with me to Seattle’s SteamCon, in October. He is already planning his costume… It involves goggles made of portholes.
He’s a sailor type…
I had a great time at the Symposium, met some great people and let’s face it…nothing like handing a bookmark to someone at a vendor table and having them screech that they were looking for you! My book had been recommended to her some weeks prior to the con… Color me extremely flattered and tickled! (I sold her a book, needless to say!)
I met a pirate from Chicago who I’m considering employing to dazzle the crowds at the RT Bookfair in April… Delightful man! Goes by the name of BlueBeard!
Did I attend any panels? One. Yup, just on. Why? Well, this convention did a bad job of organizing the panels and making it easy to figure out what was what. Meaning…they didn’t provide a detailed program. What did they do right? Musical acts everywhere. A timely series of meals, a very nice vendor room and a great venue.
Music? Yes! Music! Groups and individuals performed in the salon, open from 10am until 1am, offering refreshments, a place to put your feet up and just listen… The dances had larger groups, one was fascinating…three guys who did the whole animatronic steampowered musical group to the max. I mean, awesome. Steam Powered Giraffe.
So, to see all my pictures, visit my FB page, but here are some of them. One of my ideas was to play with the idea of desert steampunk and I think it came out nicely! I added the vest, bought from a vendor at the con. The dress was part of my ‘found costume’ luck and purchased at Macys on my b-day. The boots came from Payless. The gun in the pic is my husband’s…I got a new gun at the con, but it needs some real work to be made desert worthy…
The next big steampunk con I’m headed for is in Seattle, in October and the theme is Victorian Monsters. You know, Jack the Ripper, Dracula, Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde…not sure what I’m gonna come up with…maybe something krakenish…
That’s the thing about steampunk, it can be so many things! What might you do given a chance to create a fantasy character with some steampunk elements? Let your imagination fly! It’s steampunk, there are no boundaries… Steampunk cowboy? Steampirate? Steamchef? A vet to mythological steampunk creatures?
Or if you like , just ask me about the con…I’ll chatter!
Yup, my new writing motto and my experiences from Her Royal Majesty’s Steampunk Symposium, where I spend last weekend, No Boundaries! Is it any wonder I can’t seem to get enough when it comes to the aesthetics of steampunk?
I admit, I haven’t read every steampunk classic out there. Not the modern classics, like Cherri Priest’s books, or the old classics, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. (I probably did read that at some point, but I don’t remember it.) (Not that uncommon for me when it comes to the books I read as a young woman. Or…now…) ;-)
But with steampunk, it doesn’t really matter. They embrace those who read, those who get their fix from comics (Girl Genius) http://girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php, from Online dramas, radio shows, movies (old and new)…or just because they like to make costumes! We are all equal in the eyes of Cthulhu.
Ah, Cthulhu…the many tentacled elder god of time before time began. Who sleeps, beneath the sea, waiting for his time to rise and end the realm of man, drive them insane with the terror of his visage… The scourge of…Oh, sorry, flash back to the Cthulhu Prayer Breakfast at the convention… The sermon was actually on tolerance… Imagine that!
So, the convention was held aboard the Queen Mary. The original luxury cruise ship of the Cunard Line. She is a museum and tourist attraction in Long Beach now, after a very good life on the Atlantic. It was a stellar place to hold a steampunk convention and I find myself envying the regular tourists…who climbed aboard to wander about and found us…the alt Victorians parading about in finery.
And odd goggles, strange looking guns, fairies in cages… Yeah, I imagine it was a kick. I actually ran into a young couple who had come Friday for a tour, discovered our convention and…stayed. They bailed on the plans to get to Medieval Times, bought tickets for the con, shopped for costumes in the vendor’s room and came back on Saturday for a full day of playing with the steampunk crowd. They were from New York! Watching them dance Saturday, at the ball was priceless…
Yes, there is something magnetic about this genre.
My husband, who hasn’t gone with me to a convention of any type since The Gathering, a big Lord of the Rings con held the weekend Return of the King premiered, 2003, came with me and is very excited to go with me to Seattle’s SteamCon, in October. He is already planning his costume… It involves goggles made of portholes.
He’s a sailor type…
I had a great time at the Symposium, met some great people and let’s face it…nothing like handing a bookmark to someone at a vendor table and having them screech that they were looking for you! My book had been recommended to her some weeks prior to the con… Color me extremely flattered and tickled! (I sold her a book, needless to say!)
I met a pirate from Chicago who I’m considering employing to dazzle the crowds at the RT Bookfair in April… Delightful man! Goes by the name of BlueBeard!
Did I attend any panels? One. Yup, just on. Why? Well, this convention did a bad job of organizing the panels and making it easy to figure out what was what. Meaning…they didn’t provide a detailed program. What did they do right? Musical acts everywhere. A timely series of meals, a very nice vendor room and a great venue.
Music? Yes! Music! Groups and individuals performed in the salon, open from 10am until 1am, offering refreshments, a place to put your feet up and just listen… The dances had larger groups, one was fascinating…three guys who did the whole animatronic steampowered musical group to the max. I mean, awesome. Steam Powered Giraffe.
So, to see all my pictures, visit my FB page, but here are some of them. One of my ideas was to play with the idea of desert steampunk and I think it came out nicely! I added the vest, bought from a vendor at the con. The dress was part of my ‘found costume’ luck and purchased at Macys on my b-day. The boots came from Payless. The gun in the pic is my husband’s…I got a new gun at the con, but it needs some real work to be made desert worthy…
The next big steampunk con I’m headed for is in Seattle, in October and the theme is Victorian Monsters. You know, Jack the Ripper, Dracula, Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde…not sure what I’m gonna come up with…maybe something krakenish…
That’s the thing about steampunk, it can be so many things! What might you do given a chance to create a fantasy character with some steampunk elements? Let your imagination fly! It’s steampunk, there are no boundaries… Steampunk cowboy? Steampirate? Steamchef? A vet to mythological steampunk creatures?
Or if you like , just ask me about the con…I’ll chatter!
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44 comments:
BTW - You need to add a link to your FB page!!!
Okay, Steamchef just cracked me up. LOL! LOVE these pictures. I'd love to visit this ship, con or no con! Looks so amazing. That skill to turn anything into a costume is very cool. *I* do not have that skill. LOL!
This reminds me I haven't seen the new Sherlock Holmes movie yet. Maybe kiddo and I can go this weekend. Not sure I can fit that in between the cleaning, carpet drying, and furniture moving. *sigh*
Oh, one more thing. That last picture looks like a steampunk version of Star Wars.
:)
Yeah, I know...I had someone on FB say it looked like the planet Luke comes from. Well, okay! I wasn't so much thinking that, but I'll go for that...
I bet if I dove into your closet I could put together something costumy...not necessarily pure costume, but close enough to pass...
I've seen the new Sherlock and meant to get back and see it...probably isn't playing anywhere near anymore...
FB link... https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Maureen-O-Betita-Author/155907664465540
I *LOVE* that someone squealed and said, "I'd been looking for you!"--that is so awesome!!! I can't wait for that to happen to me.
If I was doing steampunk...steampunk makes me think of hot air balloons, which were around the late 1700s, I think, so maybe I'd have a French Revolution Steampunk, with a Scarlet Pimpernel Steampunk--I love those fashions, science was rather becoming popular in the Age of Reason, and I can be a dandy. I can have a springed out carriage; a hot air balloon; guns that do special things; and all sorts of scientific looking things. It'd be like Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow kind of fancy, but in France.
Is that creative enough for you? *LOL*
That's a great idea, Hels! The Scarlet Steampernell...Pimpersteam? I love it...though you'll need a steampowered guillotine!
Or a steel neckbrace to protect from Madam Guillotine!
Yup, that squeal pretty much made my day!
The evil villain will need a steam powered guillotine--I wouldn't have one because I'm the good guy. *LOL* Guillotines make me more nervous than snakes--I think I was beheaded in a previous life or something.
Ooh, I like the steel neckbrace! Good one!! I'm sure it'll look great with my wig. I think that's why I want that era; I want to wear the goofy wigs. *LOL* I don't know why; it's not like it'd be easy to walk around in those outfits, but the panniers would make good storage cabinets for tools and stuff. So it'd be a great lady spy thing. :)
Now Hellie has to go all imaginative and make me sound even more boring. Though her comment reminded me of something.
Yesterday while I was whiling away my afternoon sucking water out of my carpet, I had my iPod going LOUD to hear over the steamvac. At one point, Allegheny Moon by Patti Page came on. I was pushing this steamvac with the windows open, sun coming through, wearing a white tank and oversized jeans and somehow thought, "This is a Tim Burton version of the 50s."
No idea where that thought came from, but I cracked myself up. And boy did I need a laugh at that point.
Panniers...are they like dandified jodhpurs? I've been thinking about a female costume with something like that...
No, wait, they are the skirt spreaders, aren't they?
Hey, I can visual an idea, don't mean I know the term!
Yeah, a heavy looking neck brace with some guages on it... ;-)
Reminds me of Kady Cross' next Steampunk YA called THE GIRL IN THE CLOCKWORK COLLAR. I thought I'd seen the cover somewhere but can't find it now. However, Kady (aka Kathryn Smith) has some amazing Steampunk drawings and images on her blog.
http://www.kadycross.com/blog/
Ah, the times and places humor pops up...that about sounds like Tim. Though the steamvac would probably eat your carpet, not just suck it dry...
Reminds me of "Someplace that's Green" from Little Shop of Horrors...
I found the cover!
http://fantasysink.blogspot.com/2011/12/cover-reveal-girl-in-clockwork-collar.html
Ooooh! Nice sketches! I wish I felt secure enough to go for striped leggings...if I could find them in my size...
I'd love to have something designed for me, but eh...then I'd have to pack it to travel. Most of my stuff is easy to pack since it's modified everyday wear...
With the right accesories.
As Bluebeard said, "You always have room for more accesories."
Then you might want to skip the panniers. I don't think those would be good for travel. LOL!
Yes, panniers are the "hoopskirts" of the 1700s. I'd want a costume that could be an easy tearaway because those outfits would not be conducive to making an easy entrance or exit if you were sneaking around, but because they are so bulky, wearing them would make a good disguise. No lady could be a spy--she'd never make a quick getaway.
Bo'sun, you are not boring! I just like costumes so can get into the fun of making one and wearing one. At least until the sewing starts and then I have problems. I love playing dress up. Conventions sound like a hoot, but I'd have to find a pirates convention or something. I'm not overly into steampunk; and I don't like sci-fi. I wouldn't mind historical conventions--they dress up too. *LOL* You just couldn't be whimsical. *LOL*
I would not be confident enough for striped tights. *LOL*
I have a feeling I would *LOVE* Bluebeard. *LOL*
These are awesome pics and I'm so glad your hubby came along and you had a great time!
Those costumes rock. Seriously girl - great job!
Steampunk always and forever will make me think of the old Wild Wild West TV show. (Not the new movie - don't get me started) I was seriously addicted to WWW when I was a kid.
Have to say having someone say they were looking for you - that's an amazing author moment and I hope you basked in every moment of it. AWEOSME!
Panniers are actually collapsible. They're somewhat easier to travel with than traditional hoopskirts.
That is a pretty collar!
Morning, Scape! Yeah, WWW was everyone's first exposure to steampunk...and I loved the original Artemis Gordon!
The hubby had such a great time, he's already considering how he'll dress for SteamCon IV, in Seattle!
Ah. I wore a hoop skirt slip under my wedding dress... I still have it and though it...well, comes apart, the pieces would still be a PITB to travel with...
The hardest thing I find to pack for how I costume is the hat. But the new smaller pirate hat should make that easier. I bet my feather flourishes are going to be the difficulty this time! Most single long feathers aren't too bad...I slip them all into a cardboard tube.
And shoes! They are a royal pain to pack!
Oh, panniers do collapse. Forgot that. I wore a hoop skirt under my wedding dress. Looked like a giant white bell doing the Macarena. LOL!
I loved Wild Wild West!!! James West was swooney. *swoons*
Artie was...fascinating! I always like the brainy ones...
I so remember when it went color and that blue suit James would wear was fab. And Artie was often in burgendy, which suited him...
Remember when it was b&w?
I do, but not as much as when it was in color. I wish someone would bring those back. TVLand or someone.
I wonder if I could get them on DVD? I'd probably really dig owning them...
Off to check Amazon...
2nd, you need a hat box! *LOL* You could carry it on--and it would protect your hats.
Ooooh! Found it, and a deal, too! http://www.amazon.com/Wild-West-Complete/dp/B001CQONOA/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1327076118&sr=1-1
Ah, Hels...it would take such a big hatbox! My new tricorn, with it's smaller size and flat top...I'll just wear it on the plane. Sans big feather flourish.
(There's a name for that thing but I can't come up with it this morning. You know, the square bit of heavy duty fabric, decorated with feathers and affixed by a big clip...dang it... I think I knew if on FB...let me see if I can go find out what it's called...)
Ah! I called it a fascinator...no idea if that is what they are actually called...
I love fascinators! I wish I could wear them to work. *LOL*
I have two, one less elaborate and one very elaborate, that I attach to my tricorn or I can wear them alone. The one I wore to the masquerade sans tricorn...just clipped it to my head. Worked out very well. That may be the one I take to RT and not try the bigger one, which has a feather that goes up more than a foot...
Man, I swear that lady at the Ren Faire saw me coming and had one out...wrestled me into the booth, forcibly clipped it to the hat and then I couldn't take it off...had to pay her.
A fascinator is the hat you wear up on the front of your head like what they wore to Kate Middleton's wedding. Nothing to do with feathers. I'm guessing you're talking plume.
Well, mine are feathered... ;-)
Okay, crew... I need to get the grand pirate pup, Bonnaroo, out for her stroll before it decides to actually rain. Right now it's just spitting... And man, we so need some real rain!
Be back later...
I wish I could have been there! I think it's great to go attend the conference with your husband. So much fun!
If I was going to a monster affair, I would love to dress as The Bride of Frankentstein. Or maybe a vampire...
Great pics, too! Thanks, Maureen!
Fascinators can contain feathers, but it's not necessary to have feathers to be called a fascinator. *LOL* As was demonstrated by one of the Duchess of York's girls when she wore that blush colored octopus looking thing in the middle of her forehead at the wedding.
You know, I got a free plane ticket this week from a flight bump. Maybe I can make it to SteamCon! I'm thinking Steampunk Archaeologist. If I can ever get my hubby to do these things with me--been toying around with the idea of a Steampunk Biker...
Sounds like you had a blast! Loved the costumes!
Ah, yes...the young kraken who made it to the wedding...disguised as a hat...
Kathleen - Yeah, you had your hubby at LA RT! I think I've sold Steph on steampunk cons... I'd hoped he'd make RT Chicago, but we can't afford it.
The Bride of Frankenstein would work for steampunk! It's the right era!
Ashe...you have friends in Seattle, right? You really ought to do it. It's the weekend before Halloween. I'll send you the link...
Hey MoMo! I mean, Captain 2nd Chance, sir! Please don't flog me! Yes, my friend's at Fort Lewis, outside of Tacoma. I'll have to check it out. I'm hoping to change positions at work and relocate, so I guess I'll play it by ear, as usual.
It's not until October...so you got time! http://www.steamcon.org/concrete5/index.php
This looks fun. :) I think the steampunk genre is really neat, I think because a lot of it is set in the Victorian era and I love that time period.
The pics are great! You and your hubby's costumes rock and I'm glad he's getting into this. An enthusiastic spouse is a good thing. :)
I don't know what I'd create, if I did a steampunk creature. I'm taking the steampunk class through the Kiss of Death chapter and I'm thinking about it. I dunno. I'll keep you posted. I like the X-men and I keep feeling like it'd be cool to do something like that, in a bit of a steampunk flare, instead of a futuristic way. Still thinking....
Awesome pictures, Chance. That is so cool that hubby came with - you two make a very cute couple. I love the costumes or at least I like looking at them. I've never been one for dressing up - probably cause I never liked to draw attention to myself. I kind of always dread Halloween, but I love oohing and aahing over everyone else's costumes. It was like that at the Harry Potter premiere last July. It was so cool to watch how imaginative everyone was with their costumes.
I also loved WWW and thought James West was dreamy! My daughter insinuated last night as we were watching a Biography on the Monkees that I'm very predictable when I said I liked Davy. She says I always go for the obvious choice! I'm not sure what that means coming from my 16 yo daughter! In my defense I said I liked George Harrison instead of Paul McCartney. She just rolled her eyes!
Marn! Steampunk X-men would be great! Have Wolverine's claws powered by steam...
Irish...the best costume are ones that you hide behind...look at my desert one! Put up the goggles, bring the scarf up to hide my lower face and I am invisible!
Obvious choices...well, I tend to think I always pick the alt-obvious. I didn't want D'artgnan...I wanted Athos! I don't know, I think we're all predictable in one way or the other. Some like chocolate, some like peppermints. Hamburgers/hotdogs...
I think everyone thought James West was dreamy...I mean...even I could appreciate that tight little ass... I liked Mike of the Monkees and never really had a fav Beetle... Hmmm! Wonder what that says about me...though I'd probably...if forced...go with George.
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