Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Lapse of Absentia

You'll hopefully excuse my absence as of late. The book I have been writing and compiling is, at last, almost complete!
 My unflinching and often wrenching research has brought through every twist and turn in every avenue of the SteamPunk world.
 And so I can say without reseervation that those of you who were not at the Crucible's Fire Arts Fest, which is always fantastic anyway, missed a particularly SteamPunk event.
 The irrepressible genii of Kinetic Steam Works were there in force, including Steam Wizard Dick Vennerbeck (pictured). 
 (I'm the chap in the background warily eyeing the boiler!)
 The  SteamPunk Treehouse from Burning Man was, for me, the star attraction, making for a surreal, very playa-like experience. Great fun was had by all, and no one lost an eye!
 (Thanks to my friend Michael Rauner for the photograph!)

Monday, April 14, 2008

Abney Park


 For those of us fanciers of Steampunk I suggest attending the hackfest playground of the Maker Faire this May 3rd & 4th in San Mateo (a town in a little-known Western Colony known as California), as there is a lot to look forward to. One of my favorite people to talk to during the process of writing this book has been the intrepid and always hilarious Captain Robert of Abney Park, who are in my opinion the best Steampunk band in existence.
 Look in on their website. It's truly beautiful; made out of brass workings, gears, cogs, and switches! 

Friday, March 7, 2008

Proper Moon Attire


 I get a lot of questions about having lived abroad on the Moon, especially about atmosphere. Well, the place has its points, I guess... but simply no atmosphere! For the gentleman who finds himself, (or the lady who finds herself), planning a trip abroad, may I suggest the Cosmo T series of airtight helmet?

Fitted to all standard portable air supplies, these lightweight and most efficacious toppers were originally used by Czar Nicholas's Moon Brigade. Made to pipe in familiar scents to remind one of home, this one is, unfortunately, set permanently to "Borscht".
Best of all, in my opinion, is the design... allowing a top hat to be worn over it. A must for the aerogentleman.



Wednesday, March 5, 2008

The Baron!


 At last to return to the townhouse! The jolly folk going about their grinding lives of quiet desperation with pluck and a stiff upper lip. It does one good.
 I arrived in Campion Lane only to discover the door ajar! Proceeding with caution, my revolver at the ready.
 But it was only my father, Baron Zemo, again with his "join me and crush the world" with his army of undying and relentless clockwork soldier-bots.
 A six-pack and one pizza later, the Baron became somewhat sleepy, and his aero car driver took him home. Looks like the world barely escaped the crushing fingers of steel-fisted metallic Overlords... this time!
 

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Swingtech Hood

While not strictly Steampunk, I thought I'd share this:
 Being a fan of the film Donny Darko, I took particular and smirky- self- satisfied- ironic pleasure in the industrious application of this aero-craft engine turbine as a smoke-drawing hood for a range!

 When the turbines reach full throttle, the air intake is truly quite extraordinary... although perhaps a bit overpowered for general use; sucking up any errant utensils and even tiles from the kitchen floor! 

Still, it wouldn't be Mad Science without its beautiful impracticality. No?
 Airplane parts, to me, always have that Decco feel that I've heard others call Swingtech, or its close sister, Dieselpunk. Whatever the term, it certainly makes a strong statement!



Monday, February 25, 2008

Crickey! Wot a Scrap of Luck!


 Not fifteen steps from the Aerobus Portal I spotted my old friend and cohort, Dr. Gregory S. Medley, who I had not seen since our days encamped in the jungles for the Zoological Ecology Corps!

 A mad scientist and inventor, my chum had, apparently, taken to the seas in the intervening years. 

 Although I had not noticed it before, I now began to see a
resemblance between my old colleague and renderings I had
seen overseas of the infamous rogue Majarajah, Captain
Nemo! 

 (Surely this, though, was mere fancy brought on by our innumerable toasts of his Navy ration rum).

 Apparently, my friend explains, Phineas Fogg is in town. Another stroke of luck! He has banded together with his Legion Fantastique for a Mad Scientist convention. 

 My first day out, and such providence! My mind was swimming  and distracted with happy, rum-addled notions as I walked back through the Tenderloin, 6th and Mission, and the Projects on my way home to the airship. As always, the happy denizens were cheerful and polite!



 

Retours!

  Most Esteemed Colleagues,

  After prolonged years of silence, (for which most of you were grateful), I again have the privilege of addressing you. 

  I have little to report on the Darkside of the Moon that is not already heard on the daily wires.  Subterranean life in the squirming Selenite tunnels loses its novelty as the years press on.

 My new retainer, an individual I know only by the moniker "M", has contacted me on the behest of  RE:search Publications, the famed punk press!

 The book is to be titled "Steampunk: the Retro-Futurist Dream", and will got to press in June.

 This, then, is the journal of findings in these explorations. For the benefit of whom it may concern...