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31st of May, 2009
12:18 am - Decking and costuming.
This last week I've spent a few days helping my step-father put down a deck. I've discovered just how unfit I've become (not that I was Charles Atlas to begin with). My lower back still twinges and I should get myself off the to the doctor. Probably need to see a physio.
Thursday I began the fabric part of my costume. I laid out and cut the red fabric. The helmet is done all bar the chin chain, which I need to pick up. I have a belt buckle, though I need to find a place that sells white belt leather. I remember there used to be a place in Richmond that sold it (and rather cheaper that Lefflers). I can't even recall the name of the place. Buttons I have, rank pips I have for stars though I'm still hunting for crowns. Got one watching on Ebay but the bugger went onto "Holiday hold" so I can't buy them until he gets back. My not-so-inner pedant says the crowns need to be Queens Crowns not Kings Crowns (which seem to be easier to find unsurprisingly).
The mechanical hand is moving from nebulous to actual. I've acquired a wetsuit glove for the hand and intend to build onto it. This should still give me enough movement of the actual hand yet still make the joins look like they're connected via an India Rubber seal or something. We've done some small experiments for finger joints using plastic tubing but I need to make a trip to Clarke Rubber and have a chat with someone there about what might be available.
Lots of things in early stages but getting there.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/growf/pengies/cool.gif) accomplished
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6th of May, 2009
04:22 am - Getting back on the costume horse
Having been inspired to pick up a needle and thread again after several years of neglecting all but the replacing of buttons, I thought I's start a post here and hopefully over the next few months I will add assorted pictures of the progress of the costume.
For those who may be unaware Continuum this year is themed "Galaxies by Gaslight" so I'm wanting to try something along those lines.
After a long and protracted percolation on what sort of outfit I could wear that would be of interest to me but also fit my build and still be practical I eventually decided on the concept of steampunk Major General Stanley (of Pirates of Penzance fame).
At this stage the idea is starting out with these pieces:
McCall's Costume patter M4745 as the base for the outfit.
Thankfully our Beloved Prime Minister's stimulous package allowed me to have a splurge at Spotlight and buy some red wool. It's not as heavy as I'd like but then wool bought from retailers in Australia rarely is. I'm planning on lining it in wool and the too layers plus interfacing should get it to sit quite nicely.
I had picked up a collection fo General Service buttons via Ebay last eyar which also included to belt hooks for the tunic.
I bought myself a white pith helmet from Mitchell's Adventure in the city. I'd been looking at similar one's online last year before the dollar plummited but I didn't want to spend the money on something I had no guarentee would fit. Being of the fuller brain than many (my story and I'm sticking to it) buying hats can often be a pain. I've acquired a spike and a helmet plate via Ebay and have a chap in Oakleigh who is making me the chin chain. It still needs the hooks for the chain and I may send off an order to Thinredline and get a couple of metal pieces needed. Still debating the puggaree. We'll see.
Shoes I can use my own and trousers will be made. The only other thing is a white belt.
The steampunk aspect of it, since so far it sounds like cobbled together pseudo-Victoriana, will be the intention of making an artificial looking left hand. Currently I'm thinking of a base of a plain black wetsuit glove and then thin plastic tubing create the finger sections and paint them appropriate metallic finish. Some sort of plate for the back of the hand. If I get time I will try and extend the hand to a forearm and hand but I'll see how time goes.
I can at least start on the jacket now.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/growf/pengies/thoughtful.gif) contemplative
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16th of January, 2009
04:04 am - Dear gods noooooooo!
I'd been hearing about a proposed "prequel" for Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I the current rumour is that the director, McG, wants Will Smith for the role of Nemo.
To me Smith was one of the reasons Wild Wild West sucked so bad. He had to jiggy up the West. That and the complete lack of chemistry between him and Kline.
The man CAN act - Enemy of the State I think is one of his best films. But his Fresh Prince thing just annoys the crap out of me.
I can see the rapping mermaids for the music video already. Probably played by the Pussycat Dolls.
*cries*
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/growf/pengies/sob.gif) crushed
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20th of November, 2008
06:35 pm - Steampunk props
Having not done any actual costuming for close to two years now I think I've decided to dust off the accoutrements and make something for Continuum next year.
I'm contemplating a quasi-military soldier.
Partly inspired by this:
this:
And thchap to the right of this photo:
My own physique is probably not the most suitable for a military person (or at least not one of the 19th century) but I could possibly tend something toward the Professor Challenger idea.
Still combining ideas.
Current Mood: thoughtful
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3rd of June, 2008
05:01 pm - Chinese futurism (or steampunk)
While hunting for things on the web, today I stumbled across a reference to an post on Jess Nevin's blog about some turn of the century Chinese SF that included Airships and flying cars.
From the post:
"In this tale, Europe is a Chinese colony and it describes the Chinese government’s suppression of an uprising planned by European "restoration" rebels. The Chinese Emperor orders the generalissimo in charge of Europe, Wen Suchen, to suppress the rebellion with flying warships. Generalissimo Wen not only conquers all seventy-two European nations but continues on to the moon and Jupiter as well. The most marvellous part of this tale is that Jupiter is described as being covered completely with gold and abounding with flora and fauna–the perfect destination for migration. Wen is then appointed Governor of Jupiter. From then on, the means of communication and transportation between Earth and Jupiter is, naturally, by flying ship."
The story? Lu Shi'e's Xin Ye Sou Pu Yan (1909). A shame it will never be translated--I think it'd make for fascinating reading, if only as a counterpoint to the Victorian colonialist sf.
Now to try and find a copy of this and convince some of the Asian Studies students to translate it.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/growf/pengies/confused.gif) curious
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1st of May, 2008
01:35 pm - Because this must be shared
This wonderful little ditty was spotted on Brass Goggles.
Cup Of Brown Joy - Elemental
Brilliant!
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13th of November, 2007
24th of February, 2007
04:37 am - The third item in the hunt for a steampunk computer
Someone had taken a lot of time and care to put this together. But coupled with the modded tower, and the flatbed scanner from other people is close to completing the whole package.
One day!
Full details at Vonslatt.
A real update real-soon-now.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/growf/pengies/happy.gif) chipper
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31st of January, 2007
09:51 am - The Opti-Transcripticon
Brass Goggles posted a link to Datamancer's Opti-Transcripticon
What the hell is that you ask?
No it's not a book, it's actually a flatbed scanner! More details and additional photos can be found here.
Now if that was combined with the Telecalculograph I think we'd be on to a serious steampunk desktop.
Just need a monitor mod now.
Current Mood: impressed
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25th of January, 2007
05:20 pm - A new film to watch out for
A Gentleman's Duel hold the presence of excellent looking annimation but it's the annimation of giant steam powered robots!
(Oh and a cause worth fighting for. Watch the trailer you'll see what I mean).
Looks fanstatic.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/growf/pengies/bouncy.gif) excited
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23rd of January, 2007
11:48 pm - And speaking of Steampunk...
Of late there's been some discussion going round the boards over steampunk as a "lifestyle" rather than just a literary genre. Some say it is, some say it isn't, some say it's a variant of goth others are not so sure.
Anyhoo, the upshot of all of this was I found a new band. Abney Park have been around for a while but have recently taken the direct approach to incorporate steampunk imagery into their act and are now referring to themselves as a steampunk band.
The sound is still very goth as far as I'm concerned but they're got the visuals down pat!
Mmmmm.
Current Mood: flirty
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3rd of December, 2006
03:12 pm - Design for my next computer?
I want one of these for my very own.
The Telecalculograph.
Mmmmmm.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/growf/pengies/idea.gif) creative
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