Steam and Hellfire, part one

Dear Reader, some 3 days have passed, and it is only now that I have recuperated sufficiently to tell you the story. As more details come to light, they will be brought forward into the harsh light of scrutiny, you may rest assured.

all in the name of Science!

I had travelled due South, to Santa Clara, with the brave crew of the NeverWas Haul (www.neverwashaul.com) (pictured, courtesy of the astonishing Michael Rauner) for the recent Nova Albion 2011 Steampunk Exhibition, subtitled "The Wild, Wild East".

the Major narrowly averts disaster

I simply won't kid you. There were times it was touch-and-go. There were harsh words. There were tears. And that was only over the cucumber sandwiches at teatime! Finally, we found the 2-story Steampunk village of sorts and set up our informational outreach table for wayward gear monkeys, (as seen here)

Deborah Sciales, Steampunk coutier

The event itself was a rousing success, exhibiting

real growth... not just in DIY merchandise, but in innovative and, at times, hilarious sculpture, gadgetry, and costumery. All while maintaining a feeling of a distinct culture, especially in terms of speech and manners that is hopefully clever enough to outpace and defy a rapaciously hungry Mainstream.

although ray-guns have quickly become a SteamPunk staple, I find

the ingenious variation in design and detail enheartening

not advisable over 40 kph

this skull lit up, swiveled in two axises on a gimble, and sang Teahouse Swing

Had this been the entire contents of the weekend it would have sufficed nicely. But the NeverWas crew was hosting a party that very night in a secret location they had secured through secret means. And this very secret party was being held by the secret-y and mysterious league of shadowy figures that calls itself...

The Hellfire Club! (Chapter Two)

...in which I am subject and witness to astonishing and unspeakable rites!

Absinthe! Dens of Vice! Blasphemy! Accordians! And, not the least of it...

Yorkshire Pudding!

Meeting of The Hellfire Club

Of course, you're probably aware of the Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition going on March 12-14 in Emeryville, CA (http://boingboing.net/2010/02/08/nova-albion-steampun.html). It's quite a show. I'll be there with the dauntless crew of the NeverWas Haul, the jewel in the crown of steam vehicles.

Even more exciting, however, is the convening of the Hibernian Hellfire Club on Saturday 26th night (6pm - 11:30pm)! No-host absinthe bar. Hookah lounge (which I'll be running. Ahem!). Kimric Smythe's plush monkey gun, a flaming Zeppelin, a handcrancked Victrola DJ, Mr. David Apocalypse's Museum of Shocking Oddities, lots of girls with accordians, the flame-throwing couch, and generally mad science gone off the rails in the biggest way possible! It all happens at a secret location in San Jose, CA. Those wishing to attend have various tools at their disposal to penetrate the cloud of secrecy, either by seeking out "Hibernian Hellfire Club" on Facebook or praying to Cthulu.

The Shroud of Secrecy Lifted! Not Dead!

Not a lot has happened vis a vis this blog lately, leading to speculation as to my demise. It was only after my premature burial at the hands of well-meaning colleagues that this reality really set in.

So why the silence? Why the incommunicato?

There certainly hasn't been a dearth of things to talk about.

The truth is that the Book of Steam, so long worked at and so long-derailed, is again in the works. RE:search has released the book to its parent, Mondo Publications.

That, and my timely release from captivity, this time at the hands of a Boilerplate robot society situated underground, allows me to at last poke my head above ground and breathe in the only-slightly radioactive air.

So the first thing I did, you ask, after 2 years of internment? Right, of course.... design costumes for the String Cheese Incident's Winter Carnival!

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!)

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! 

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.

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!