This week has been dominated by one major thing for me, an that's been booking the Asylum. The Asylum is Europe's, if not the World's, biggest Steampunk convention held every year for the past four years in Lincoln, UK. We wanted to go last year but missed out, mostly because of being unable to afford it and going to see Owl City instead, but this year we've decided to save up and go, at the expense of a holiday.
I should probably back up a bit here, as some of you may have got confused the moment I said 'Steampunk'... It's a hard concept to explain, especially when the word contains the word 'punk', but I shall try my best to explain my view on this rapidly growing subculture. The way I see it, punk means going against society's expectations, which in the 70s meant anarchy and destroying symbols of authority, but today society seems to expect this sort of behaviour whether it's due to chavs vandalising local amenities or country-wide riots, so the central ethos of steampunk is the old British motto of 'keep calm and have a cup of tea', therefore defying society's expectations in a different way. Once the punk part has been explained, only then do I get asked what steam has to do with it, and the simple answer is because we glorify the age of steam. Of course, it's not as clear cut as that either- steam engines don't need to be involved for something to be steampunk. It would be more correct to say it's a glorification of mechanics over electric, for something to be steampunk it needs to have mechanisms rather than buttons.
Many people try to explain steampunk as being a victorian aesthetic with gears and cogs, and if you search for steampunk on etsy then you'll find plenty of examples of 'stick a cog on it and call it steampunk', but that just doesn't work- yes, put cogs and gears on it but they have to create the illusion of functionality at the very least. It should also be said that not all steampunks believe things should be exactly as they were back before the invention of electricity (though that is the style I'm attempting with my 'past' blog), instead it is very much a case of how would things be today if electricity wasn't invented. This leads to the image of Zeppelins in the sky, and all sorts of contraptions based on modern inventions but steam-powered, like variations on automobiles, though there's also an element of the fantastic and things that aren't quite possible, which is why Jules Verne and H.G Wells are considered the grandfathers of steampunk. It must also be said that another central aspect of steampunk is the plausibility of something working- for instance, that we could replace airplanes with Zeppelins- but the limitation of if such things were created they would be wildly impractical and often outright dangerous- for instance, the Hindenburg.
So all of that being said, what is the Asylum? It's a place where several hundred like-minded people can gather together, dress in whatever style they deem appropriate and fits whatever the individual prefers best; which to me is a Dickensian attire and to my girlfriend is like a desert explorer similar to Indiana Jones, but to others could involve golem-esque suits, brass angel wings, colonial military costume, or even pirates. Once there then there are various workshops on how to make things, probably modifying nerf guns and the like (something we are working on ourselves), a grand market usually inside the prison with each cell containing a stall, and book signings by up and coming steampunk authors hopefully including Robert Rankin, culminating in a ball and other musical entertainment in the evening, even with a bit of adult cabaret (which we probably won't get involved in) and a zombie survival game utilising said nerf guns. All of this is contained within the castle at Lincoln, and suffice to say we are very much looking forward to it and being a part of what will hopefully become the modern equivalent of the goth movement of the 80s, though without those pesky emos sullying our good image.
Showing posts with label asylum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label asylum. Show all posts
Friday, 10 February 2012
Monday, 6 February 2012
Anticipation of Snow
January 31st 1912
Today we headed to the city to find parts for gun modifications, though our journey was marginally delayed as our friend who would accompany us was having issues with his transportation. We had enough time to get what we need done, however, though we couldn't find all the parts we needed. On the way we caught a faint glimpse of snow on the roads though nothing significant. On returning home, I made my signature chicken meal and listened to a phonograph known simply as 'Paul'- a comedy about an extra-terrestrial trying to return home, and the Americans getting in the way.
February 1st 1912
I am quite impressed with my ability to keep up with this journal for a whole month, hopefully I can keep it going the entire year. It has not done much to increase my motivation for regular writing, but I swear I will concentrate more on it soon. The main problem is having peace and being free from distractions to do it. Today's distraction came in the form of being told I should check my weight, and discovered I've apparently put on a few pounds over the last year. In an attempt to improve this right away, I had a half hour jog before tidying in preparation for tomorrow, when my girlfriend's family intend to visit. Much to my annoyance, when I went to have a shower there was no pressure in the pipes as works were being undertaken on the supply.
February 2nd 1912
As promised, my girlfriend's family visited today. Just her mother, sister, and grandmother but it was an enjoyable visit nevertheless. They mostly wanted my girlfriend to sign a document for the bank, but they also brought cake with them which was an unexpected surprise. When they left, I decided to look through some notes on our weekly game, and decided I could probably do a better job so got to work on trying out new rules. It didn't work very well though, so I think I will just stick with the way things are even if they are slightly unbalanced and contradictory.
February 3rd 1912
As we are going through quite a cold snap, we decided to go out for a walk today, partly to see if it had been snowing and partly to take photographs of the icicles we suspected had formed. They had indeed, and we got some impressive photos and also met the owner of the gardens we were trespassing on- thankfully he didn't mind as he was taking photographs of his own, though he did complain a little about how his garden always sits in the shade. On the way back we stopped by the shop for some essential supplies, and encountered a group of children- some of whom were evidentially playing truant, which the local police constable also noticed. One of the children was dragged back to school, as his friend took a photo of him uttering something most unusual- 'ahh lol'. I know 'lol' is an abbreviation used in much written correspondence though it is unusual for someone to speak it out loud as it literally means 'laugh out loud', but combined with the 'ahh' it made the girl sound very Irish. I returned home to do some writing, mostly on the subject of oriental monsters which also gave me some ideas to incorporate into my game tomorrow.
February 4th 1912
Such a boring day today. We couldn't play our usual game as our friend was still ill, and our other friend who often visits had been snowed in. There wasn't any snow to speak of in this town, so we couldn't even go out to take more photos. Instead much of the day was spent entertaining ourselves with other games and whatever there was to be found on the aethernet. During my browsing I did come across an event called 'the Asylum' which takes place in September. It is a celebration of speculative fiction based on the works of Jules Verne, H. G. Wells, and Nicola Tesla to name but a few. I would sorely like to go, but it is extraordinarily far to travel- moreso even than where my parents live. We shall see, though.
February 5th 1912
I've decided that despite the cost and distance, we shall be going to the Asylum this year. We had missed out on the event the last couple of years, and as it's the biggest event of it's kind in Europe, if not the world, then we would be fools to miss out. After discussing with our friend, he has decided to join us meaning we can split the travel costs of getting up there. All that remains is to book our rooms, which I shall do once we receive money from our friend. Also today I decided to call my mother to find out how things are, and discovered that she intends on selling an old stamp and coin collection. I gave her the names of some dealers local to her, so hopefully I shall hear something soon of what the collection is worth and how much I can expect to receive from it. On the aethernet there were all sorts of comments about snow where my friends live around the country, though unfortunately still no sign of anything but rain here.
February 6th 1912
My girlfriend's been complaining incessantly today about an injury she sustained whilst exercising yesterday, as well as a couple of other complaints. I told her to make an appointment with the doctor, but when she attempted to then she was told there were no appointments available so she should call tomorrow. We went to the market despite her injuries to pick up more supplies, and little else has been accomplished. We were becoming slightly suspicious that our ill friend may have been attempting to avoid us, but he reassured us that our concern was unfounded and that we will play on a different day this week instead, after our party this weekend. I don't think we'll be seeing any snow here any time soon.
Today we headed to the city to find parts for gun modifications, though our journey was marginally delayed as our friend who would accompany us was having issues with his transportation. We had enough time to get what we need done, however, though we couldn't find all the parts we needed. On the way we caught a faint glimpse of snow on the roads though nothing significant. On returning home, I made my signature chicken meal and listened to a phonograph known simply as 'Paul'- a comedy about an extra-terrestrial trying to return home, and the Americans getting in the way.
February 1st 1912
I am quite impressed with my ability to keep up with this journal for a whole month, hopefully I can keep it going the entire year. It has not done much to increase my motivation for regular writing, but I swear I will concentrate more on it soon. The main problem is having peace and being free from distractions to do it. Today's distraction came in the form of being told I should check my weight, and discovered I've apparently put on a few pounds over the last year. In an attempt to improve this right away, I had a half hour jog before tidying in preparation for tomorrow, when my girlfriend's family intend to visit. Much to my annoyance, when I went to have a shower there was no pressure in the pipes as works were being undertaken on the supply.
February 2nd 1912
As promised, my girlfriend's family visited today. Just her mother, sister, and grandmother but it was an enjoyable visit nevertheless. They mostly wanted my girlfriend to sign a document for the bank, but they also brought cake with them which was an unexpected surprise. When they left, I decided to look through some notes on our weekly game, and decided I could probably do a better job so got to work on trying out new rules. It didn't work very well though, so I think I will just stick with the way things are even if they are slightly unbalanced and contradictory.
February 3rd 1912
As we are going through quite a cold snap, we decided to go out for a walk today, partly to see if it had been snowing and partly to take photographs of the icicles we suspected had formed. They had indeed, and we got some impressive photos and also met the owner of the gardens we were trespassing on- thankfully he didn't mind as he was taking photographs of his own, though he did complain a little about how his garden always sits in the shade. On the way back we stopped by the shop for some essential supplies, and encountered a group of children- some of whom were evidentially playing truant, which the local police constable also noticed. One of the children was dragged back to school, as his friend took a photo of him uttering something most unusual- 'ahh lol'. I know 'lol' is an abbreviation used in much written correspondence though it is unusual for someone to speak it out loud as it literally means 'laugh out loud', but combined with the 'ahh' it made the girl sound very Irish. I returned home to do some writing, mostly on the subject of oriental monsters which also gave me some ideas to incorporate into my game tomorrow.
February 4th 1912
Such a boring day today. We couldn't play our usual game as our friend was still ill, and our other friend who often visits had been snowed in. There wasn't any snow to speak of in this town, so we couldn't even go out to take more photos. Instead much of the day was spent entertaining ourselves with other games and whatever there was to be found on the aethernet. During my browsing I did come across an event called 'the Asylum' which takes place in September. It is a celebration of speculative fiction based on the works of Jules Verne, H. G. Wells, and Nicola Tesla to name but a few. I would sorely like to go, but it is extraordinarily far to travel- moreso even than where my parents live. We shall see, though.
February 5th 1912
I've decided that despite the cost and distance, we shall be going to the Asylum this year. We had missed out on the event the last couple of years, and as it's the biggest event of it's kind in Europe, if not the world, then we would be fools to miss out. After discussing with our friend, he has decided to join us meaning we can split the travel costs of getting up there. All that remains is to book our rooms, which I shall do once we receive money from our friend. Also today I decided to call my mother to find out how things are, and discovered that she intends on selling an old stamp and coin collection. I gave her the names of some dealers local to her, so hopefully I shall hear something soon of what the collection is worth and how much I can expect to receive from it. On the aethernet there were all sorts of comments about snow where my friends live around the country, though unfortunately still no sign of anything but rain here.
February 6th 1912
My girlfriend's been complaining incessantly today about an injury she sustained whilst exercising yesterday, as well as a couple of other complaints. I told her to make an appointment with the doctor, but when she attempted to then she was told there were no appointments available so she should call tomorrow. We went to the market despite her injuries to pick up more supplies, and little else has been accomplished. We were becoming slightly suspicious that our ill friend may have been attempting to avoid us, but he reassured us that our concern was unfounded and that we will play on a different day this week instead, after our party this weekend. I don't think we'll be seeing any snow here any time soon.
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