COGS n' GEARS
Volume 1 – No. 01 A Newsletter by Steampunk Illumination Society nothing considered too risquÊ. Will put out at least THE EDITOR'S PEN four issues to see how things go. Others purposed Welcome to our very first issue of Cogs n' Gears options for the magazine, specifically to do with the newsletter! I'm so very excited to be able to provide "beef cake" side of the magazine for female readers. * our society with various forms of information, and Also discussed sharing ideas on where to find props entertaining material to read. This newsletter will, and other steampunk style items for a reasonable typically, be provided in pdf format, but for meetings, price. The conversation also discussed such topic as the I will print out a few issues to hold and read for difference between costumes and props, how difficult visitors. it is to dress a female in proper and decent steampunk With each newsletter, there will be coverage of attire versus how easily gentlemen can be dressed just minutes from previous meetings, future meeting dates, by going to thrift stores or men's clothing stores. Cards were passed out by Cynthia Talbot for specialty important member information, articles, poetry, hats to be custom made. She has offered to gain top stories, and other features. Everyone is welcomed to hats for those who are desiring those style of hats for send me articles or information to include in the about $20 in various colors. Cynthia also provided newsletter. plenty of advice in detail about how to create your Advertising in the newsletter will be own look fitting into the period properly, at very available for free. If it is not steampunk related then reasonable prices. * Visiors were given application there will be a small fee. Fees for this sort of forms to fill out before the meeting ended. * Also advertising has yet to be established, but I can discussed other possible locations for meeting. promise it will be much cheaper than advertising with Locations such as Central Dallas at the corner of any other source that costs. I also welcome artwork and Holland and Main (Excuses Cafe). Other locations as photographs that you'd like to share. Of course, there Arlington were brought up as well too (Crystals). will be cut off dates for submissions, but I'd like to Meeting Adjourned at: 5pm by Captain Quinlin Hopkins. achieve the goal of having so much content that I have Photos were taken before select groups disbursed. to save stuff for future newsletters, so that I never July 29, 2010 located at The Generator in have a dry newsletter to send out. There's nothing more Garland, Texas - Meeting called to order by Captain bothersome to an editor than having no content for a Quinlin Hopkins at 7:55pm. Members in attendance newsletter due to go out! Audelia Flint, Captain Quinlin, StaticNomad & If you ever have ideas, suggestions, or children, Johnny Pheonyx, Eric Chaney, Kali's comments to provide to me, please feel free to contact Hourglass (Roman, Radha, & Cannonball Joe) , Paul me at steampunkis.editor@gmail.com. If you spot a Wilson, Prof. Damien Tremons, Jimi Cleek, Stacey Fox & printing error, please send any corrections that need Toby Lawhon. Welcome to visitors made. Topics discussed to be made to the above email as well. - Non-profit status: getting set up. Spoke about the work put in behind getting set up. Ramon mentioned StaticNomad "Not for profit" status as an option as opposed to nonth th profit status. Stated that there was less paper work MINUTES from July 17 & July 29 : involved in getting set up, and it was meant for a more Note: Normally, minutes will only encompass casual set up. Spoke of getting insurance set up to the last two meetings since the newsletter goes out protect all officers from liability. Teaching once a month. The minutes will usually be a month opportunities mentioned for belly dancing lessons, behind so as to give readers a chance to see what we've sewing, leather working, machinery, etc. Some made accomplished and discussed the month prior. So mention of possibly being teachers. Also spoke of August's minutes will be reported in September's advertising by handing out cards for the society. We newsletter, and so forth. have cards made up for others to grab and hand out. Captain Hopkins will be glad to provide to anyone who'd like a few cards. The website aspect is on hold at July 17, 2010 located at The Generator in this time, but we are working on getting the website Garland, Texas – Meeting called to order at 3:57pm by more up to par. A data stick with graphics and other Captain Quinlin Hopkins. Welcome to all new attending information was lost and so we are starting over again. members and visitors. We had a total of 24 attending. Advertising aspect of the website will be taking place Visitors (& new members) took the floor to discuss some though as soon as we are more set up for it. Mention of topics of interest. Topics Discussed: *Pinup magazine the steampunk music was discussed and is being online to being put together by Guy. Will offer it free reviewed at this time to categorize the music. Marquis online in .pdf form. Making money via sales of of Vaudeville is currently working with Captain advertisements. Everyone posing for the magazine, Hopkins on this project. works for the magazine and works together like family. While some of the photos may be showing some skin, it is (Continued on page 2) August 26, 2010
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FEATURED MEMBER
Captain Hopkins also spoke about how many places and groups focus on one aspect or another, but nothing over all concerning steampunk. Our society wants to embrace the idea to allow in everyone to explore all aspects though; broaden our horizons so to speak. Membership fees were discussed and proposed. The proposed fee is $15 for individuals or $20 for a family. We are likely to wait until non-profit paperwork/status is properly set up for this to take place though. Captain made mention that he has access to all sorts of acrylics that if anyone needs for any reason, feel free to speak with him. Ramon brought up thrift stores and such for gears, and that when he finds something nice, he doesn't like to use it for something small, but thinks using the acrylics Captain spoke of could be an option for making gears. Jimi mentioned starting a parts box. Next discussion was starting a convention for our society. Locations were discussed like Richardson convention center, hotels, etc. Also future locations were discussed for meetings. Crystals in Irving has a heavy possibility. We'll investigate it more this weekend. Going back to convention plans: Steamkon is booked to begin in October of next year – so we will try to avoid that time span for our convention. Location possibility "Old City Park". Brought up the man we met (Scott) in Mansfield who builds haunted houses for a living and offered access to a 30,00 sq ft warehouse for our use and maybe be able offer building props for our use. Another possibility for the convention is Halloween sort of theme. Mentioned meeting with DFW Costumers Guild on August 14th 2010 here at The Generator. Sounds like some members are interested in this meeting, so we will make plans to attend. Website: a film and music category asked to be added to the forum by Toby Lawhon [this was later added to the forum]. Eric Chaney spoke a bit about Dallas Maker Space which was launched by different engineers. It's a big warehouse available located off of Skillman in Dallas. They offer sewing, darkroom, lathe, drill press, cutter, and basic tools are all available. There's $40 membership with 24 hour access to the building. Although the building is still under construction, but within about 2 weeks it will be up and running [ now in full operation]. There was mention of seeing if we can do a group pass to Dallas Maker Space building. Their website is www.dallasmakerspace.com . Spoke about the newsletter which will be worked on towards the first of August and first issue launched by the end of August. Invitation to other members to write articles, short stories, poetry, advertise their steampunk related websites, business cards, etc. was made. Eric Chaney did a short slide show on costumes created at the Dallas Makers Space to show a bit of what they do. It was quite entertaining to see. Thank you to Eric for taking that time. Meeting adjourned at 9pm by Captain Hopkins.
Toby Lawhon of Marquis of Vaudeville provided some wonderful content for this month's newsletter. We thank him very much for taking the time to bring forth his talents in writing for all our readers to enjoy. * Lyrics to “An Ordinary Day” & poetry provided both written by Toby Lawhon.
~AN ORDINARY DAY~ The theater is showing the bourgeoisie the play, it's "An Ordinary Day" A strange sense creeps hauntingly from the stage but hey, it's an ordinary day ~Oh, like a masquerade that coaxes all to leave reality Oh, lovely precious thoughts of never returning~ dear patrons all dazzled hypnotically in haze of a most peculiar state dazed eyes gaze and sparkle with reverie please stay? perfect, ordinary day ~Oh, like a masquerade that coaxes all to leave reality Oh, lovely precious thoughts of never returning~ To this place we go In this place we are gone Into bliss we fall Into bliss we float on ~Oh, like a masquerade that coaxes all to leave reality Oh, lovely precious thoughts of never returning~ ~*~*~*~ POETRY ~*~*~*~*~
~Before the beginning of all that is, there was nothing, absolutely nothing, not even darkness, so from where "it" came, no one knows. Unknown, even to the oldest stars, for this was before their time, and being so, they knew nothing of the keys to unlock the secrets hidden behind this dimensional door of mystery. (Continued on page 3) Page 2
(Poetry continued from page 2...)
events will be always posted here in the newsletter.
Nevertheless, "it" did appear, and at that precious moment, everything began. "It", was magic. Not magic that had brought it here, but the birth of magic itself, forming, growing, and from it, everything else appeared.. First a backdrop of immaculate black, a waveless sea of pure darkness, calm, infinite, and eternal; it waited. The sea lingered patiently and serenely for how long we will never know, but eventually, and ever so gently, the smallest, minuscule pinpoint of light formed out of the darkness and beamed it's way across the sea. It twinkled and blinked for a moment, just as a newborn baby opening it's eyes for the first time, but it wasn't to be lonely for long, for nearby another point formed and then another and another. All across the sea these children of light were born and found their place within the darkness. Together they grew, illuminating the sea of black, but yet, never being able to undo it's inextinguishable essence. Each child of light was individually unique and there were never two quite alike. The children could never hope to overcome the sea, and the sea of darkness knew that although the beings of light were not as patient, and not as calm, they were just as infinite and would always be. So it was at that very special moment that the most important creation to ever exist formed between the two. It was just as endless and immeasurable as they would ever be, and without it, there would never be harmony within the universe. It was love.~
A small calendar of future dates is provided below. Please NOTE that dates are subject to change, especially if they are close to, or on, a holiday.
2010 SATURDAY - September 11th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - September 23rd @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - October 9th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - October 21st @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - November 6th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - November 18th @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - December 4th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - December 16th @ 7:30pm
2011
SATURDAY - January 1st @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - January 13th @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - January 29th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - February 10th @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - February 26th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - March 10th @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - March 26th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - April 7th @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - April 23rd @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - May 5th @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - May 21st @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - June 2nd @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - June 18th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - June 30th @ 7:30pm * SATURDAY - July 16th @ 3:30pm (1 YR ANNIVERSARY) THURSDAY - July 28th @ 7:30pm FUTURE MEETINGS & EVENTS SATURDAY - August 13th @ 3:30pm On September 11th at 3pm, we will hold a meeting THURSDAY - August 25th @ 7:30pm at Crystal's Pizza & Spaghetti. This is located at 930 SATURDAY - September 10th @ 3:30pm West Airport Freeway in Irving, Texas. Our meeting will THURSDAY - September 22nd @ 7:30pm be held in their meeting room, which is located to the SATURDAY - October 8th @ 3:30pm left of the entrance to the building behind double THURSDAY - October 20th @ 7:30pm doors. This will provide us with more privacy to better SATURDAY - November 5th @ 3:30pm conduct our meetings. Visitors are welcomed. Food is THURSDAY - November 17th @ 7:30pm available there in the form of pizzas, which can be SATURDAY - December 3rd @ 3:30pm custom ordered, a salad bar, fountain drinks, and hand THURSDAY - December 22nd @ 7:30pm dipped ice cream. This is a family friendly establishment, and family owned. There is an arcade * The “1 year anniversary” date will likely there for the children in attendance. So be sure to become a large celebration. As this is some time off in bring money for tokens, if this is the desire. There is a the future, we have no concrete plans at this time. library with great props and background for However, it is a goal to make this date something photograph opportunities. spectacular! So definitely plan to be available around that time. When the weather cools quite a bit more, we have plans to take a train ride on the Tarantula as a group. The ride lasts approximately two hours, and the OFFICERS & COMMITTEE POSITIONS Founder: Captain Quinlin Hopkins cars, to our knowledge, are not air conditioned, thus the reason to wait for cooler weather. Please watch the Vice President: NOT YET ELECTED Secretary: NOT YET ELECTED forums, or attend meetings, to gain more insight on Acting Treasurer: StaticNomad this event. Editor: StaticNomad Other events are posted on our forum, which Website Manager: StaticNomad can be found by going to www.steampunkis.org and *Position names are likely to change late down clicking on “FORUM” on the menu. Sometimes events are the line. Other positions could be created & voted on at posted by other members, and groups will form to a later date as well. This is just to show, yeah, someone attend said events. Society established and organized is actually coordinating all of this! Page 3
MEMORABLE MOMENTS (photos by StaticNomad)
OUR FRIENDS Here are a few great websites to check out on the net: Brass Goggles: http://brassgoggles.co.uk/forum/
Trial By Steam: http://trialbysteam.com/
Dieselpunk: http://dieselpunk44.blogspot.com/
Marquis of Vaudeville: http://steampunk.ning.com/profile/MarquisofVaudeville
Want your steampunk related site here? Contact the editor! steampunkis.editor@gmail.com
Famous Quote for this issue: “Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo." - H. G. Wells (1866-1946) : Page 4