Steamcon 2009 - DAY 1

After a great flight heading out of a sun shiny Sacramento, our aircraft arrived at an overcast, with light showers, Seattle/Tacoma International Airport. A little turned around, not seeing an exit, I walked over to an attendant at an Enterprise Rent a Car and asked, "Um, this sounds silly, but how do I get out of the airport?" She helped me with my directions, said the Marriott hotel was nearby where I planned to go. So instead of taking a shuttle I decided to walk the distance to the hotel, to breath the Seattle air and (childishly) have an excuse to walk in the rain--with an umbrella.

After making it to the Marriott, checking in, and heading to my room to briefly look around, I went to get my registration items at the hotel's atrium.

From Steamcon 2009

(Note: This photo was taken Sunday. Friday, the place the filled with people!)

After getting my convention materials, I headed back to my room to layout my costume--a severally altered and conservative version from what I envisioned swashbuckling down the hallways as an Airship Pirate.

From Steamcon 2009

Next up I went to explore, checking out the various rooms, halls, and vendor/art areas I'd spend more time in during the next three-odd days. Close to famished, I grabbed some food, and then headed to the first panel...that had just started. (The panel notes are from scribbled descriptions I wrote during the actual events.)


Friday
5-6 p.m.
Discarded Science
Kit Heinrichs, Moderator
Tim Powers

Tim and Kit talked about various pre-1900s science efforts, generally dismissed by the majority of inventors, scientists and medical practitioners of the time, citing Newton, Telsa, Babbage, and other alchemists and philosophers (of natural sciences). Specific examples included discussions around the Voynich Manuscript, Fads and fallacies of science, and Cerulean Waves. Tim gave an imaginative talk on how the Victorian thinkers tried to come to terms with an Ether concept and ghosts, how they may interact with gears and machines.

After panel discussion, I was looking over tour pamphlets of Seattle's Underground and artist, Sarah Dungan, came over to look over the tours. We chatted for a bit and I found out she lives in San Francisco. She also had a display in the Art Gallery. I promised to stop by and look at her work. (I later bought one of the signed prints, "The Naturalist.")

7-8 p.m.
Introduction to Steampunk Art
Phil Folgio, Moderator
Kaja Foglio
Cheyenne Wright

The Foglio's and Cheyenne discussed some of their thoughts on Steampunk (also called Gaslight and Steam lamp) genre art. Cheyenne talked a little about his involvement as a colorist for the Foglio's penciled and inked art work. They all mentioned several highly referenced material sources for ideas/gizmo inspirations. Sources: Lindsay Catalog and Dover Publications.

Cheyenne also talked about how he uses Photoshop to build custom palates for each character. That way when he needs to color a certain character, Cheyenne only need bring up that custom palate (with specific colors and brushes used for the computer input line drawing).

Throughout this panel session I fought really hard to quit smiling (inside) because I had admired Phil Foglio since the early 80's when I played Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. (I liked painting the figurines mostly. I remember living pay check to pay check buying everything I could afford: games, grid paper, multi-sided dice, magazines, Ral Partha Miniatures, paints, brushes, and of course the Dragon magazine often featuring illustrations by Phil Foglio.). After the panel, I went up and thanked Phil for being at the Con. I also shared I had admired his work since Dragon magazine. :-)

Later...needing a boost of something caffeinated...stopped by and grabbed some coffee at a small shop on the way to the DJ dance. Met a photographer (Jen) who lives in the area and she enjoys taking photos of Herons and other water fowl.

9 p.m.
DJ Dance featuring DJ Infamous (not related to the popular myspace person) and DJ Eternal Darkness

From Steamcon 2009

A great chance to listen to some never heard before goth, trance, metal, and choral inspired steampunk music, including some familiar Enigma pieces. One set segued into an awesome bag pipe song that shook the room. YES! I finally went over to someone to ask who was playing the song? The group, Corvus Corax, performing "Filii Neidhardi."

Jake Von Slatt popped in for a little bit before heading out with some friends to a late dinner. I stopped by and welcomed him, briefly wishing he had a safe trip from the Boston area that had recently got a "powdering" --in his words--of snow heralding the beginning of the cold season.

Called it a day around 11 p.m.