New Green T-Shirt
London, Where It All Began T-Shirt
AGSEM Tractor Show 2015
Getting Into the Swing of Things
Super special thanks to Scott “Zapp” Higgins and his wife, Carol, for chauffering us all around the museum grounds in their 1916 Russell steam tractor, including getting us a ride in the posh cook shack trailer for the parade (with our buddy, Justin Andrew Hoke from Dreadfully Punk). You may recall that this particular portable building serves as the Mooney family home in the League of S.T.E.A.M.’s season three episode, “The White Wolf” where we play Jasper Mooney’s parents.
Riding in the Parade
Since Scott’s a blacksmith, he gave us a tour of the blacksmith’s shop. He swears this is his personal parking spot for the Russell.
VIP Parking
In exchange for the personal tour, Drake lent Scott an able hand hooking up the cook shack.
Tractor Hitchin’
All joking aside, Scott let Drake help him drive around, even in the parade.
Drake and Scott, Steamin’ and Stokin’
Our whole crew had a really smokin’ time. Do it again next year?
Steaming into the Sunset
Duel at Dusk 2015
Our deepest gratitude to Team Touché Fencing for once again hosting the event. There were vendors galore.
Vendors, Vendors and More Vendors
The fencing was exciting and a bit unorthodox at times.
Touché
Thanks to Bob Mogg and the Starburner Galactic Courier Service for bringing the cool parlor backdrops against which so many attendees had fun taking pictures.
Parlor Pics
Dude Vader was there mixing it up with Drake, our master of ceremonies, among others.
Crossing Swords…and Thumbs
Bethany Jackson made us custom cupcakes that were amazing to behold and taste. The competition for them was pretty fierce in its own right.
Cupcakes, Om Nom Nom!
We personally had the great honor of being cosplayed by not one, but two, of the best costuming couples in San Diego.
So Many Drakes and McTrowells
Dreadfully Delightful
Our fencers battled mightily…
The Fierce Competitors
…all for one of these trophies.
Taking Home the Prize
See you again next year!
Krypton Radio Redux
If you’ve been following us on Facebook you might have heard that Krypton Radio is rerunning the radio show of our first book, "London, Where It All Began." We're playing at 3 AM, 11 AM, and 4 PM Pacific time on Thursdays. A new show will run in these same time slots for nine weeks until they've covered all of “London, Where it All Began.”
For details on Krypton Radio shows and air times, see their table of show times.
Comic Con 2015
It started like this: getting in on professional passes (thanks to publishing our first book in hardcover) on our 15th wedding anniversary. Yep, we were made for each other.
Pro Passes
We spent preview night shopping and planning, like checking on League of S.T.E.A.M. appearances.
Full Slate
And hanging with the rock monster from season 3.
A Rock and a Hard Place
Rocky Olivares, one of the illustrators for "London, Where It All Began" was there and had our book for sale in the small press pavilion.
Rocky Sells "London, Where It All Began"
The ladies from Blonde Swan and Mad Girl showed us how to make steampunk eye-poppingly colorful.
Steampunk Comes in Colors
Of course we saw lots of friends. This was really clever, Joyce McCarthy and Christopher Hoage cosplaying Boston Metaphysical.
Cosplaying Boston Metaphysical
We'd been wandering the floor for a couple of days before we finally made it all the way to Fred Jeska's booth. Rumor has it he was doing a ripping business.
Fred Jeska
Comic Con also had some really sweet, heartwarming discoveries. This woman's husband made her this fabulously detailed steampunk scooter so she can tool around in style.
Steam Scooter
True story: Drake has a weakness for Curious George. Okay, maybe Sparky does too. Suggesting that we're still 5-year olds at heart would not be entirely incorrect. At any rate, we spotted this guy with his toddler cosplaying the curious little monkey and his protector, the man in the yellow hat.
Curious George
But, the really big news was that our panel, "Steampunk as a Global Phenomenon" was accepted! Thanks to Colleen Kelly Burks for making it all happen for us through ConDor Conventions. Yes, we totally owe you a return appearance as special guests; not that we mind because we had such an amazing time the last time.
Steampunk as a Global Phenomenon
Our Intrepid Panel
In addition to moderating, Sparky covered Russia and Scandinavia. Don't believe her shoulders, she really did know what she was talking about. Who else would relate steampunk style to pre-revolutionary Russian baroque. That bachelor's degree in Russian has to be good for something.
Sparky Scans Scandinavia
Justin Andrew Hoke, our very own steampunk Hawaiian cowboy from DreadWaves, did the honors for the Pacific Rim.
Justin Rocks the Pacific Rim
We were honored to have Trip Hope, producer of League of S.T.E.A.M. to do the heavy lifting on Europe and the UK.
Trip-ping Through the UK
Trip also helped us present a small gift to our favorite penny farthing rider, Jeb Haught, a tea towel from the inimitable Thomas Farthing that we picked up on our last trip across the pond.
Another Penny Farthing for Jeb
Drake got the challenging task of covering South America and Africa, but he brought his usual enthusiasm to bear.
Drake Gets Tells it Like it Is
Drake is into Africa
Did we mention we had the last time slot on the last day? Despite people's flagging energy, we had a full house. Thanks for helping us close out Comic Con in style this year!
Closing Out Comic Con
If you weren't fortunate enough to make it to Comic Con this year, or if your feet just gave out before the end, you can hear the whole thing on a podcast over at DreadWaves.
Clockwork Alchemy 2015
Russell, Is That You?
And speaking of author table, this was the first year where we had one at Clockwork Alchemy. Notice the spiffy new retractable banner behind us. Drake has been exercising his commercial illustration talents again to give us a mobile, professional presence.
Commerce in Action
While vending is a lot of work, it has some delightful moments, like Kaja Foglio buying a copy of “London, Where It All Began.” Those of you who know our history know that “Girl Genius” started Sparky’s interest in steampunk, so this was a huge fan girl moment for her.
Kaja Bought Our Book!
We don’t have a picture, but Dr. Brassy Steamington ran up during a rare spare moment in her busy schedule and blurted out, “I want a book! Shut up and take my money.” So we did.
Lots of our Treehouse Writers buddies were in the author’s alley neighborhood. A couple of our favorites were right next door.
Vending With the Messenger-Sikes Cabal
Speaking of the Treehouse Writers, we’re honored to be among them in “Twelve Hours Later,” an anthology whose net proceeds benefit literacy programs. We have two Drake & McTrowell stories in the book, “The Polychrome Wishing Jar” and “A Coincidental Theft.”
The cover of “Twelve Hours Later”
Several of the contributors read their stories at the opening night book release party.
Here’s an unusual picture of Thena MacArthur. No, it’s not unusual that she’s reading. It’s unusual that she’s not clothed in colorful magnificence. We think she was undercover like her character, Miranda Gray.
Thena Incognita
Lovely costumes abounded.
Steampunk Wonder Woman Wonders, “Sartorial Splendor or Hats Aweigh?”
What’s that? You’re wondering if there were shenanigans? You’re wondering why we’re keeping you in suspense. Do not be disappointed, gentle reader. Drake lent a hand to Justin Andrew Hoke for Idea Men.
The Idea Men
And there was this business at Sparky’s birthday party involving a Hookazoo from Belinda Messenger-Sike’s caterpillar costume. This isn’t what it looks like. This is the first two-person musical instrument that supposed to produce multiple musical notes. It didn’t really work, but that is how brilliant design starts. Okay, maybe you had to be there for this to make sense.
Hookazoo
That’s right; Clockwork Alchemy once again coincided with Sparky’s birthday. Yay! Thanks to the Messenger-Sikes Cabal for the awesome birthday party. As a present, Drake commissioned this caricature of Sparky in her Queen of Hearts costume from David Mejia.
Sparky’s Army of Cards
Yes, we did Drake & McTrowell’s Hot Potato School of Writing™. We don’t have pictures this time, but we do have sound, compliments of DreadWaves, which is part of Dreadfully Punk.
On the drive home, Drake said to Sparky, “Are we stopping for our usual post-con Mexican meal?” To which Sparky replied, “Is that a thing? Our thing?” Yes, as it turns out, it is. Something about a full weekend of steampunking, vending, presenting, and propping up heavy costumes makes one really hungry for this…
Tamales! Eating at Chevy’s in Gilroy
Announcing Duel at Dusk 2015
Not familiar with the event? Well then, may we ask a not-so-simple question? What would happen if you had the excitement of the finals of a sporting event, fencing no less, combined with a steampunk parlor event? Well, that’s easy to answer! You would have Duel at Dusk 2015 with Chief Inspector Erasmus Drake and Dr. Sparky McTrowell as the Masters of Ceremonies, steampunk and fencing vendors, awards for our fencing champions, door prizes for the audience, a Starburner Galactic Courier Service exhibit, and much, much more.
8 P.M. to 11 P.M. on Saturday the 18th of July, 2015
Location: Team Touché Fencing Center
11468 Sorrento Valley Rd. Suite A-1
San Diego, California 92121
Tickets are no longer on sale, because the event is over and done. Please plan to attend next year!
On-line tickets may be purchased for $10 for adults and $5 for children (only available until July 17, 2015). Although we employ PayPal to help you acquire your ticket, a PayPal account is not needed. Price of admission at the door on the day of the event will be $15 for adults and $8 for children.
You can download the PDF file of the Duel at Dusk 2015 poster from here!
So acquire your tickets, stuff your photographic apparatus into your carpet bag, take in an early dinner, and come join us on the evening of July 18th to watch the competitors cross wits and steel!
Condor 2015
The Dreadful Punks were out in force and fine form.
Dreadfully Punk Panel
And speaking of Dreadfully Punk, Bethany Jackson executed a most creative costume rescue for Sparky. Sparky lost one of the buttons from the blouse of her canonical costume. Bethany offered up an earring from her tea dueling biscuit jewelry collection as a replacement; so sweet and thoughtful!
Bethany Biscuit Button (Earring)
There was a Starburner Galactic Courier Service induction ceremony where agents #32 and #33, Darren Wagner and Lindsay Rae Harold Wagner, were inducted and quite deservedly so.
Inducting Starburner Agents #33 and #32
Starburner Induction Ceremony
Even though we were on a number of panels and had a successful signing with Mysterious Galaxy, we found plenty of time to just hang out with friends like David Lee Summers and Oliver Von Bremen. In case you're wondering, this threesome is getting ready to play a game of Martian Dice.
Martian Dice
We met the Adventure Effect and Sparky got to join them on a panel on staying in character.
The Adventure Effect
The highlight of the weekend was playing Drake & McTrowell's Hot Potato School of Writing™ with guest co-authors Sherwood Smith and Jefferson P. Swycaffer. We were fortunate to have an early evening slot when nothing else was going on, so folks came out in droves. We played a brand new set of plot points and the game was off the hook. Thanks to Kyla at Kyla's Keepsakes for the pics.
Riotous HPSoW
Poplock Holmes was a contestant for one of our games. We don't remember clearly what happened at the end of the game, but he's definitely making a dramatic exit.
Poplock Makes a Break for It
Remember what we said about gracious treatment? ConDor comped us a lovely room. We all know what that means…room party! Fear not; we're not the rowdy type. It was just wall to wall friends eating and chatting.
Room Party
Well, maybe there was music too. This was a particularly sweet moment, Hannah and Poplock Holmes doing an acoustic jam on the balcony.
Hannah and #poplockholmes
Needless to say, we're looking forward to next year. Colleen, sign us up!
Wild Wild West Con 2015
Old Tucson Studios
We headed back to Old Tucson Studios outside Tucson for one of our favorite conventions, Wild Wild West Con. It featured some old favorites…like tea dueling!
But this was a new one on us. The dry desert air dried out the biscuits so much that they wouldn't crumble. So Madame Askew issued a challenge: sing and dance to “I'm a Little Teapot.” Hilarious!
I'm a Little Teapot
Why yes, Madame Askew, The Judge would like to tea duel and take home the grand prize…again.
The Judge Dominates Tea Dueling
We're always on the lookout for clever new costumes and accessories like this parasol.
Release the Kraken
And this adorable steam bee.
Steam Bee
Wait, is that a toilet float on that Rocketeer's jet pack? Clever makers!
Steampunk Rocketeer
It wasn't all “people watching” for us; we had two appearances every day. We premiered a new skit from Drake & McTrowell's Theater of the Historically Improbable™, “The Case of the Competing Cryptozoologists.” We were graced by the participation of Wild Wild West Con's co-owner, Diana Given, in character as Lady Jane, the Butterfly Huntress.
Lady Jane, The Butterfly Huntress
We shared a table in the vendor barn with David Lee Summers where we were vending our book, “London, Where It All Began.”
Maybe We Shouldn't Quit Our Day Jobs Just Yet
Our vendor table even hosted a Gamera vs Godzilla rematch.
Gamera - Godzilla Rematch
More people are recording us these days. Our friend, Heather Bollman, shot this video of the audience participation part of our reading from our second book, “The Bavarian Airship Regatta,” … with sock puppets!
Interactive Sock Puppets!
And then Darren Wagner shot this video of Sparky dancing while #poplockholmes serenaded her during his busking tour.
Pass the Tea, Please
Previously, Sparky lived in Tucson for a decade. One of her favorite restaurants was El Charro. It was founded in 1922 and it's still there. A whole crowd of us from Wild Wild West Con went one night and chowed down on some authentic Sonoran-style Mexican food.
El Charro
Wild Wild West Con is always one of our favorites cons. We can't wait to see what they have in store for next year!
Steamathon 2015
Four people in the San Diego contingent had birthdays that week, so we started the weekend with dinner at the steampunk-themed RX Boiler Room in the Mandalay Bay.
RX Boiler Room Birthday Cookies and Table-Side Mixologist
If you get a chance, definitely go. Not only is it visually gorgeous, but the food is delicious and beautifully presented.
Speaking of visually gorgeous settings, the Main Street Station is a Victorian casino. We had several gatherings in the Pullman Lounge that contains an actual vintage Pullman railroad car. Yep, it’s a very big room.
Pullman Lounge and D&McT in the Pullman Railcar
We were asked to contribute to the festivities on short notice, so we gamely threw ourselves in (to the deep end of the pool). We played Drake & McTrowell’s Hot Potato School of Writing™ with Kelly Varner and Justin Hoke as guest authors. D&McT is usually a pretty PG enterprise, but somehow the Vegas edition of the game was a little more colorful than usual thanks to these two madcap troublemakers. Drake as a Vegas showgirl? Need we say more?
Troublemakers All
This was followed immediately by an impromptu book signing in the vendor room arranged by our friends at Rae-Wolf Designs.
Autographs Anyone?
Sunday was Jules Verne’s 183rd birthday, so there was, of course, a birthday party. It was also Lady Amethyst’s birthday, so Doc Phineas invited her to blow out the candles on the cake.
She Doesn’t Look a Day Over 100
Doc Phineas invited Drake to discuss Verne’s literary contributions, an activity that culminated in a chat between the two of them while Sparky engaged in a shameless plug for the hardcover edition of “London, Where It All Began.”
A Tribute to Jules Verne
One of the benefits of going to a con farther from home is that we get to see new people, costumes, and gadgets. We’ve seen a lot of steampunk wings, but none quite like these lovely brass ones.
Brass Wings
We saw an amazing Las Vegas-based “hoop artist” (is that the right technical term?) named Dizzy Hips. In this picture, he’s hula-hooping using a 120-pound truck tire. It makes my back hurt just to watch.
Dizzy Hips
Steampunk Buddy Jesus with a clockwork orange? Sure!
Steampunk Buddy Jesus
While Sparky was dressed as a steampunk Queen of Hearts, we spotted another steampunk Queen of Hearts with her own Alice. So obviously we had to throw down.
Off With Her Head!
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Lord and Lady Towers, but it’s always a pleasure to see their latest creations.
Lord Towers
Of course, no steampunk convention is complete without a fashion show / contest. Not only did Drake participate, but he was presented with an award by Queen Victoria for being the most dapper. At least that’s the way I remember it.
All of the Fashion Show Participants
Dapper Drake Wins at the Fashion Show (Well, to be truthful, all the participants won something)
We had a great time and we were impressed with the fledgling event. We made the six-hour drive back to San Diego with the satisfaction of that only comes from shenanigans in Vegas.
HRM Steampunk Symposium 2015
…and some magicians? These two happen to be our favorites: Aiden Sinclair and Dyno Staats. Is someone eavesdropping?
Aiden and Dyno Exchange a Deep Dark Magician Secret
Surely there must be music and dancing.
Yeah, We Know - Swing is Only Steampunk if it’s Lee Presson and the Nails
Or maybe Poplock Holmes serving up some chap hop with a couple of really talented young fans dancing off?
Monster Hunting Dance Off
Of course, it wouldn’t be HRM Steampunk Symposium without an epic party or two (or three) hosted by San Diego Steampunk in the Eisenhower Suite including Jeff’s birthday party with Thee Bluebeard serving as cake messenger.
Now That’s a Birthday Party!
If you’re in the market for some improvisational hilarity, Madame Askew is your go-to gal for serving as tea dueling ‘tiffin mistress. Are we right or are we right?
You Don’t Even Have to Know What She’s Saying to Know it’s Funny
Okay, maybe there was a serious moment or two. Aiden graced us with a private, Jack the Ripper-themed séance at midnight. It was brilliant and more than a little creepy.
A Murder at Midnight
And remember, Green Woman loves Cthulhu because it’s that kind of con.
Green Woman Loves Cthulhu & Preparing to go to the Masquerade Party
And lastly, it's good to be the queen, especially if it's the Queen of Hearts.
Yours Truly as the Queen of Hearts
A New Look to Our Web Site
As we plan to start adding new story content to our web site, we also thought that now would be a great time to give the old site a new and better look. Just so you remember, it use to look like this:
A few things to point out. There is now a menu at the top of each page to give you quick access to all of the top-level material. There are Quick Links in the left sidebar, too, and we made them very image-rich to allow you to find what you are looking for.
Also the on-line books are laid out in an easier-to-read format. And a good deal of effort went into making the Store and Logbook more fun to go through. We also made it easier for us to maintain the web site, something that you don't have to worry about, but it effects us each time we generate a new post.
Click around and see what you think. Your comments are welcomed.
