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dime_novel_heroWe arrived just in time Friday for me to check in to the room and go to the first presentation I wanted to see; Mark Donnelly's Bartitsu class. It had been scheduled for outside but rain and an apparent tornado watch had canceled all outdoor activities. We started anyway, just a bunch of friends having an active discussion, in spite of the rain. After a time, however, the rain became to heavy and we decided to try doing it at the hotel's front entrance under cover. It was a redo of the program I had participated in last year but this time I was not wearing the heavy steampunky toolbelt and thus could participate more fully. After driving for 6 hours, my knees weren't ready for some of the actions. It's too bad he operates out of Harrisburg, otherwise I would like to sign up for their Tuesday night training sessions. I did some karate when I was junior high school but I'm not sure I could keep up with such a program now three decades later. Bartitsu was designed with upper class English gentlemen in mind which means they were not going to be expected to be fully capable athletes, especially at the outset.
It would seem that our extension of activities into the fire lane caused security to come out and try to keep us in check. And this was not the first encounter with the fire marshals. It was originally intended that most (or, at least, many) of the dealers would be operating out of their rooms on the first floor. The fire marshals took issue with that and so the dealers had to be moved into rooms that would have otherwise been used for panels, presentations and concerts. Half of the main ballroom was taken up by dealers. There were dealers set up in the lobby. There were even dealers tucked into corners of the bar and restaurant. And, with the dealers taking up space that should have been used for presentations, some of those were moved out into the lobby as well.
A little later, Mr. Donnelly did a presentation on "The Art of Being Gentlemanly." The disaster that had befallen other panels had not affected him, as he had a room for his presentation, but unfortunately he had suffered a computer crash and had only his notes to go from. No Powerpoint presentation or illustrations, just him reading his notes. He's been encouraged to write a book on the subject but as he is apparently under contract to write several other books first, so it may be a while.
Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band was originally slated for outside but started out in the lobby instead. Eventually, that became to packed, people couldn't move through the hallways and the fire marshals again stepped in. They moved out to the front drive and there, with more space, the dancing began.
I purchased their second CD, a short presentation of live tracks.
A gentlemen came up to me, apparently having met me last year. I am embarrassed to admit that I am horrible with names and did not remember his but he remembered me well, due in no small part I am sure to his keeping my business card on his desk. He told me that he thought my persona name was great and it inspired him. Not so much that he could come up with such a cool name for himself, but the card was a constant reminder of how awesome it could be.
Last year at Tesla Con, I had a lengthy and spirited conversation with one Austin Sirkin. (Another person who's name I could not remember and had to look up later.) Our conversation began with my assertion that steampunk did not start with K.W.Jeter's invention of the term in the same way that science fiction did not begin with Hugo Gernsback. Mr. Sirkin contended that the time period was inherent in the word. We did not revisit that topic but when he introduced me to a friend he paid me the compliment of being interesting. I was very pleased because I feared that I had come across as something of a jerk at the time and am glad our debate was not perceived as an argument.
Saturday
Noon was an attempt to have the Steampunk Empire's Cog of Acceptance picnic. From it's inception, it was one abortive attempt after another. First, was Max's idea to have a picnic. Then, with his second child arriving early he couldn't go to the World's Fair and so sold his ticket to my daughter. Euphorbia tried to pick up the pieces and move ahead with the picnic (we were able to find a decent picnic basket) but the discussion didn't seem to finalize a plan by the time the convention started. I could have foreseen the problems with this given the intermittent availability of Internet connectivity. So, we stood around in a few locations hoping that COG people would walk by, see the small banner, and join us.
Finally we settled in the courtyard at the gazebo and had a few people show up. We talked for a bit but didn't have a full tea and scones picnic.
I bought a fez.
For some reason, I have been wanting a fez. I don't wear hats, don't wear the top hat I own, didn't know if I would look good in a fez and don't have a particular need for a fez and yet I look at fezes (is that the proper plural form of fez?) and keep thinking that I should have one for some reason. I've subscribed to Fez-O-Rama's blog and see new fez all the time and, even though they are terribly expensive, I still considered.
Big Bear Trading Company had them for $15 so the purchase was made. And I happen to look pretty good.
There were lots of fezzes at the World's Fair. More than I've seen at any other steampunk event. I saw a number of Fez-O-Rama fezes. I wonder if this is the beginning of a fashion trend within the steampunk fashion trend.
And then I bought a tailcoat.
I was walking through one of the dealer rooms and a vendor held up a jacket and all but ordered me to try it on. It fit and looked very nice, especially combined with my red vest and my newly purchased fez, except that I didn't think I needed a jacket. Then he said that it was refurbished vintage, meaning he had probably gotten it from a tux shop going out of business. That caught my attention and I thought, because of that, the price could be discounted.
$100.
I could go for that. I asked the dealer to hold it for me so that I could check with Euphorbia to see what she thought. He said he would hold it for half an hour or so but would then try to sell it to someone else. I couldn't find her in the time allotted and so I went back and purchased it.
6pm rolled around without the rapture. Or any raptors. There was a point that Jesus was taken away on a stretcher, though, so I suppose things weren't going so well for him.
At several points over the weekend I could hear the neighbors getting busy. Very rhythmic. Glad you're having a good time but some advice, move the bed away from the headboard so you aren't banging into the wall.
At least we couldn't hear grunting, groaning or other rutting noises.
Sunday
As I was standing in the ballroom doorway watching Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band (again) I was approached by a gentleman to have me join him and others in some sort of dandy promenade. I told them that no one had ever accused me of being a dandy before and part of me though they didn't understand the full meaning of the word.
According to Wikipedia: "A dandy (also known as a beau or gallant) is a man who places particular importance upon physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies, pursued with the appearance of nonchalance in a cult of Self. Historically, especially in late 18th- and early 19th-century Britain, a dandy, who was self-made, often strove to imitate an aristocratic lifestyle despite coming from a middle-class background."
While I may have been well dressed and am decidedly middle-class, I in no way resemble any of the other described characteristics of a dandy.
The winner of last year's beard and mustache competition was responsible for running this year's competition so that I would not have to compete against him. He had a number of categories and very appropriate awards; plaques with straight razors. I won first place in the "freestyle" category, unexpectedly beating out Bluebeard. A number of people grew beards specifically for this event.
I hear that the con's pre-reg this year exceeded their attendance last year. Something on the order of 3,000.
Sunday afternoon, the COG attempted the picnic again. Apparently several people looked for the main event we were supposed to be setting up on Saturday, couldn't find us, and went ahead and set up on a random table that had ended up outside. We ran into them and decided to try again, setting up on the table still there. While several of us played croquet (I was soundly trounced), entrants to the fashion show spilled outside and ran headlong into our picnic. They took advantage of free tea and scones, even though this was not set up to be a hospitality suite.
After returning home, I saw at Jeff Mach's Facebook page that the hotel put a $900 hold on his card for a room that should have cost him $227 for two night. Needless to say he was not pleased. Another poster commented that the Crowne Plaza will often double the hold on the account to those that use bank debit cards. But three times? I checked my account and saw that there was a $330-something hold on my account. The next day the charge was actually assessed to the tune of $227.
They didn't jack up the hold for me, why would the hotel do that to Jeff?
This is turning into a busy convention time of the year. The International Steampunk City, Steampunk World's Fair, World Steam Expo and next year adding the Steampunk Empire Symposium, April and May are becoming one convention after another. Even though I did three this year, I won't be able to maintain attendance at all four of them next. That's over a thousand dollars just on hotels. No, I'll be dropping one or two from the schedule. Steamunk City in Waltham will probably get dropped first for the 10 hour drive and more expensive hotel stay. I would probably put the World's Fair next on my list because of how massive it is and that I know more people at the other two cons.
We'll just have to see.
It would seem that our extension of activities into the fire lane caused security to come out and try to keep us in check. And this was not the first encounter with the fire marshals. It was originally intended that most (or, at least, many) of the dealers would be operating out of their rooms on the first floor. The fire marshals took issue with that and so the dealers had to be moved into rooms that would have otherwise been used for panels, presentations and concerts. Half of the main ballroom was taken up by dealers. There were dealers set up in the lobby. There were even dealers tucked into corners of the bar and restaurant. And, with the dealers taking up space that should have been used for presentations, some of those were moved out into the lobby as well.
A little later, Mr. Donnelly did a presentation on "The Art of Being Gentlemanly." The disaster that had befallen other panels had not affected him, as he had a room for his presentation, but unfortunately he had suffered a computer crash and had only his notes to go from. No Powerpoint presentation or illustrations, just him reading his notes. He's been encouraged to write a book on the subject but as he is apparently under contract to write several other books first, so it may be a while.
Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band was originally slated for outside but started out in the lobby instead. Eventually, that became to packed, people couldn't move through the hallways and the fire marshals again stepped in. They moved out to the front drive and there, with more space, the dancing began.
I purchased their second CD, a short presentation of live tracks.
A gentlemen came up to me, apparently having met me last year. I am embarrassed to admit that I am horrible with names and did not remember his but he remembered me well, due in no small part I am sure to his keeping my business card on his desk. He told me that he thought my persona name was great and it inspired him. Not so much that he could come up with such a cool name for himself, but the card was a constant reminder of how awesome it could be.
Last year at Tesla Con, I had a lengthy and spirited conversation with one Austin Sirkin. (Another person who's name I could not remember and had to look up later.) Our conversation began with my assertion that steampunk did not start with K.W.Jeter's invention of the term in the same way that science fiction did not begin with Hugo Gernsback. Mr. Sirkin contended that the time period was inherent in the word. We did not revisit that topic but when he introduced me to a friend he paid me the compliment of being interesting. I was very pleased because I feared that I had come across as something of a jerk at the time and am glad our debate was not perceived as an argument.
Saturday
Noon was an attempt to have the Steampunk Empire's Cog of Acceptance picnic. From it's inception, it was one abortive attempt after another. First, was Max's idea to have a picnic. Then, with his second child arriving early he couldn't go to the World's Fair and so sold his ticket to my daughter. Euphorbia tried to pick up the pieces and move ahead with the picnic (we were able to find a decent picnic basket) but the discussion didn't seem to finalize a plan by the time the convention started. I could have foreseen the problems with this given the intermittent availability of Internet connectivity. So, we stood around in a few locations hoping that COG people would walk by, see the small banner, and join us.
Finally we settled in the courtyard at the gazebo and had a few people show up. We talked for a bit but didn't have a full tea and scones picnic.
I bought a fez.
For some reason, I have been wanting a fez. I don't wear hats, don't wear the top hat I own, didn't know if I would look good in a fez and don't have a particular need for a fez and yet I look at fezes (is that the proper plural form of fez?) and keep thinking that I should have one for some reason. I've subscribed to Fez-O-Rama's blog and see new fez all the time and, even though they are terribly expensive, I still considered.
Big Bear Trading Company had them for $15 so the purchase was made. And I happen to look pretty good.
There were lots of fezzes at the World's Fair. More than I've seen at any other steampunk event. I saw a number of Fez-O-Rama fezes. I wonder if this is the beginning of a fashion trend within the steampunk fashion trend.
And then I bought a tailcoat.
I was walking through one of the dealer rooms and a vendor held up a jacket and all but ordered me to try it on. It fit and looked very nice, especially combined with my red vest and my newly purchased fez, except that I didn't think I needed a jacket. Then he said that it was refurbished vintage, meaning he had probably gotten it from a tux shop going out of business. That caught my attention and I thought, because of that, the price could be discounted.
$100.
I could go for that. I asked the dealer to hold it for me so that I could check with Euphorbia to see what she thought. He said he would hold it for half an hour or so but would then try to sell it to someone else. I couldn't find her in the time allotted and so I went back and purchased it.
6pm rolled around without the rapture. Or any raptors. There was a point that Jesus was taken away on a stretcher, though, so I suppose things weren't going so well for him.
At several points over the weekend I could hear the neighbors getting busy. Very rhythmic. Glad you're having a good time but some advice, move the bed away from the headboard so you aren't banging into the wall.
At least we couldn't hear grunting, groaning or other rutting noises.
Sunday
As I was standing in the ballroom doorway watching Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band (again) I was approached by a gentleman to have me join him and others in some sort of dandy promenade. I told them that no one had ever accused me of being a dandy before and part of me though they didn't understand the full meaning of the word.
According to Wikipedia: "A dandy (also known as a beau or gallant) is a man who places particular importance upon physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies, pursued with the appearance of nonchalance in a cult of Self. Historically, especially in late 18th- and early 19th-century Britain, a dandy, who was self-made, often strove to imitate an aristocratic lifestyle despite coming from a middle-class background."
While I may have been well dressed and am decidedly middle-class, I in no way resemble any of the other described characteristics of a dandy.
The winner of last year's beard and mustache competition was responsible for running this year's competition so that I would not have to compete against him. He had a number of categories and very appropriate awards; plaques with straight razors. I won first place in the "freestyle" category, unexpectedly beating out Bluebeard. A number of people grew beards specifically for this event.
I hear that the con's pre-reg this year exceeded their attendance last year. Something on the order of 3,000.
Sunday afternoon, the COG attempted the picnic again. Apparently several people looked for the main event we were supposed to be setting up on Saturday, couldn't find us, and went ahead and set up on a random table that had ended up outside. We ran into them and decided to try again, setting up on the table still there. While several of us played croquet (I was soundly trounced), entrants to the fashion show spilled outside and ran headlong into our picnic. They took advantage of free tea and scones, even though this was not set up to be a hospitality suite.
After returning home, I saw at Jeff Mach's Facebook page that the hotel put a $900 hold on his card for a room that should have cost him $227 for two night. Needless to say he was not pleased. Another poster commented that the Crowne Plaza will often double the hold on the account to those that use bank debit cards. But three times? I checked my account and saw that there was a $330-something hold on my account. The next day the charge was actually assessed to the tune of $227.
They didn't jack up the hold for me, why would the hotel do that to Jeff?
This is turning into a busy convention time of the year. The International Steampunk City, Steampunk World's Fair, World Steam Expo and next year adding the Steampunk Empire Symposium, April and May are becoming one convention after another. Even though I did three this year, I won't be able to maintain attendance at all four of them next. That's over a thousand dollars just on hotels. No, I'll be dropping one or two from the schedule. Steamunk City in Waltham will probably get dropped first for the 10 hour drive and more expensive hotel stay. I would probably put the World's Fair next on my list because of how massive it is and that I know more people at the other two cons.
We'll just have to see.
