On Saturday,
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helix90, Lawrence and I ventured into Georgetown to explore Artopia, an arts festival. We found it to be a bit too eclectic a mix of styles, but there were a few interesting things. We handed out flyers for Steamcon and talked to folks. After about an hour in the sun, we sought refuge in Calamity Jane's fine establishment. We took a few photos of our adventures. You may view them herehelix90 wasn't up for dressing up, but I of course could not resist. I decided on a new variation of my Queen of Hearts since it would take no explanation. I'm not sure I'm happy with how the make up came out, but I think it worked overall. The night started out slow, but it was quite crowded towards the end of the night. I had the extreme misfortune of being the first contestant. One of the judges told me afterwards that I had very high marks and they loved my outfit, but that did hurt me, as the audience wasn't warmed up yet. All the winners were couples. A couple wearing almost nothing but Starbucks aprons won for their "Naked Baristas". They could have benefited from helix90's much better title of "Bare-istas". The couple as Death and Dream were good. I was not impressed by Marie Antoinette and her Musketeer. I told the judges that I feel the audience participation portion of the vote, was really pointless. It generally means you have the most friends, not the best costume. At least they didn't make us dance. 
A couple more pics. I didn't take very many this time.
Anybody else going to this? I'm thinking about it, but I don't know if I'll have the energy after the train outing. Also, I have no idea what to wear to an unthemed costume event! If enough other steamfolk are planning on attending, I could do that. If I'm feeling really ambitious I could do Scarlett, Violet or Kelly. Any opinions?
Joy to Jen & Josh!
My silly costume concept seemed to go over well, so the hour and a half of make-up was worthwhile. At least one person asked if I was one of the kittens from the box before I even explained it! Yay! I was told that I should have brought a box of kittens, but
helix90 said that would be better for Hellboy night. At one point I was looking at the long ponytail of a Doctor in front of me, so I began batting it. Cats will be cats. "The universe isn't going to end just because the Doctor dances" Or even if several of them do at once. I wish I gotten that picture. I did get some other good ones though, so click on the pic to go check out the whole gallery.
helix90 might dress as Jack. The downside is it requires a bit more makeup and prosthetic work. My Thursday night costume is going to require ALOT of prosthetic work, so that makes it a less attractive prospect. So anyone have any opinions?
For anyone who didn't hear the story about my silly accessory, I finally got a mini pith helmet. I had come across them on a doll site a while back, but didn't get one.
targeter pointed them out at Dragoncon in a dealer's booth, but again I neglected to get one. When we were in Orlando recently, I got an adventurer Stitch in a discount store and on a whim, I stole his hat for the concert. I plan on doing a better outfit to showcase the hat, but it was still a nice crowning accent.
Opening night for the Anachrotechnofetishism Show. 6:00- 10:00 P.M.
Suite 100 Gallery
2222 2nd Ave Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98121
9/13/08
Georgetown Steamplant Tour
Georgetown Powerplant Museum 10:00 A.M.
6605 13th Avenue S
Seattle WA 98108
206-763-2542
9/14/08
Steamcon Organizational Meeting 3:00- 4:45 P.M.
Capitol Hill branch of the Seattle Public Library
425 Harvard Ave. E. Seattle WA
On Saturday morning we met a couple of girls, Sydney and Katherine in very well done steampunk outfits. They had put a lot of work into their outfits and we were properly impressed. They liked my dino hunter getup as well and the older one said I was her new best friend. *beam* We saw them again in passing a couple of times, but with so much to do and see, we never really talked. On Sunday, there was supposed to be a steampunk panel on the literature track. I was in my explorer outfit and we did a lot of walking. I decided not to try and change into my aviator outfit. We ran into the two girls again and they didn’t know where to go next, so we suggested the panel. Since they didn’t know where it was, we said they could hang with us. The next thing we knew they had decided we were their parents, and were making up the most amazing, yet plausible stories. The younger one, Sydney (I hope I have the spelling right) reasoned that she had her father’s hair color but her mother’s curls. It was strangely wonderful. Oh, and apparently we make bombs for a living. So ducklings in tow, we headed to the panel. We had to stop for photos numerous times. We had been told the panel was in the Hilton but it turned out to be in the Hyatt, two hotels over! Ugh! I was so tired and overheated by the time we arrived.
talkingwolf, a photographer/costumer we met previously, decided to do a few shots of us and we ended up doing a family portrait. It was great! 
Unfortunately, the panel room filled up quickly and we missed getting in as did many other folks.
talkingwolf pointed out that the room next door was empty and perhaps we should do something about it. Being in full on Steamcon promotion mode, I agreed. Between talkingwolf and kissmythistle, we got all the stragglers into our room for a panel. I got penwiper337, the fabulous steampunk fairy and the eldest girl, Katherine to sit on the panel with talkingwolf. I began by welcoming everyone to the guerilla steampunk panel, after all one of the best things about steampunk is making it yourself. After introducing myself, I had everyone talk about their creative skills costuming, gun modding and shopping when you have no time, skills or creativity for the first two. The hour flew by. I think it went quite well, but I might be biased. Afterwards, I met so many wonderful fans of the sub culture, handed out flyers and talked up Steamcon. Someone on the staff approached me about doing it again next year and I know that kissmythistle is doing her best to see that happen as well. We did a few more group shots and people wandered off. Food sounded like a good idea, so the family and the newly acquired "aunt"
targeter headed to the food court. I immediately found the rare find of a large empty table as if it were planned, and sent everyone off to forage. We had two extra chairs so I invited two other steamfolk who had shown off their gun mods during the panel to join us. It was perfect. I needed to change since I’d been in the same costume all day (shocking!). We agreed to meet up again and wander for a bit. I changed into my steampirate outfit, but decided to make it a bit lighter by adding a short skirt and leaving the coat off. My new daughters were scandalized by my décolletage, but I really didn’t expect to have children quite so suddenly. It takes getting used to. I really did work at being more matronly. Really. We hung out with Abney Park for a bit and then went over to the Marriott. There we had zillions of photos taken and even got a few large group shots set up. We stopped for coffee at Starbuck’s. My daughters wanted to know if we could do this again next year. I said I wasn’t sure since we were committed to attend Worldcon in Montreal and it would be costly to do both. They immediately broke into Oscar winning pouts complete with quivering lips and moist eyes.
noodlegirl, another "aunt" quickly joined in. I called to my husband to help but he just shrugged. I said that we would try. About that time Cookie Monster came by and gave us all fortune cookies. (Only at Dragoncon would Cookie Monster be the deux ex machina…) My fortune said “This year your highest priority will be your family”!!!! Um…could that be any more appropriate?! Yikes! So, I guess we are committed. I’m not complaining, really. I couldn’t have better kids if I had created them myself. They costume, mod guns, have fabulous imaginations and are beautiful. I really am as proud as if they were mine. It was hard to say goodbye. Oh and I should mention that the two aunts, my new sisters targeter and noodlegirl, also very creative and beautiful women. Dragoncon is a very strange and magical place. I know I’ve used the Brigadoon analogy for cons before but it might be even more apropos here.
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