The Adventures of the Sage Lion

Wild West Steampunk Convention

Here we are at the Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention in Tucson and we are having a great time.

This is the first Steampunk convention here and it is cool. The hotel we are at is the Hotel Tucson. Nice place. Big courtyard in the center of the place. The evening events have been there. The daytime events are at the Old Tucson Studios, which is freakin' awesome. These studios were used for many of the old John Wayne movies as well as other old western films. it is a big lot with a lot of cool old buildings. There is a large open town square, they do stunt shows, stagecoach rides, miniature train rides and more. Superb place to visit even without the con going on.

Steampunk everywhere. This is great. The Wild West theme and the Steampunk theme fit together perfect and the venue is perfect. There have been workshops, and shows and vendors of all sorts.

For being the first time, the organizers did a superb job and everything seems to be running very smoothly. The hotel staff is friendly and attentive and the staff at Old Tucson Studios was superior. Down to earth and friendly, they really make the event nice. Unlike some other venues where the staff can be, well, dicks, these guys are great and still solve the problems that arise.

There is a concernt of Abney Park going on as I type, but alas, me lovely wife Salma Gundy is feeling under the weather. I suppose we will catch them in San Diego.

Another band which was fantastic to watch was Steam Powered Giraffe. These guys are fun and great performers. They perform as automatons built to entertain. Fun show.

The classes were a little weak, but for a first go, they weren't too bad. Actually, the Fenzygals put on a workshop at 11 pm on Thursday on how to make Military medals for your costume. Top notch class. Go to these gals' site. They are talented and nice. And cute. Some other classes consisted of The League of Steam talking about how they made some of their gear. Very informative. There were also some jewelry


making discussions and round tables.

 
Many many cool vendors and frankly, the prices aren't horrible. We picked up a couple  things. We have one more day to go before hitting the dusty trail to California.

So far, this has been a really nice event. Looks like we will be hitting this one next year as well.

 

Now, I need some suggestions for my Steampunk name. This is a Victorian setting and I am an adventurer. Help me out. So far I am looking at Major/Captain Phillip York Hunt.

Any other suggestions? Let me know.

THE ALLIANCE TAKES OVER THE RENAISSANCE FAIRE!!!

THE ALLIANCE OF THE DOUBLE CROSS PILLAGED AND PLUNDERED A RENAISSANCE VILLAGE.

La st Saturday, Uno de Mayo, The Alliance of the Double Cross had one helluva fun time at the Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Irwindale,CA. The weekend was Swashbuckler weekend or somesuch, but we grog thirsty Pirates were not there to buckle and swashes--we was there to, uh, well, um, walk around and socialize primarily.

It was a gorgeous day to gather and we were able to enjoy our mates and meet some new folks. Not only did we have our regular array of miscreants, but we were also joined by Jamaica Rose Barton. Also joining us, was an addition to me crew of The Pride, Quartermaster Sebastian Cain.

We meandered around the grounds, drank some ale and did some shopping. We caught a few shows and overall just relaxed as if we had just come off account. Though there was considerable amount less raping. Well, ye can'ts have everything.

The regular Renaissance faire is going on through the end of the month, so go and visit.

After the event, we all went out to Killearny's Irish Pub in Riverside. We ate well, drank well and laughed well.

Next major event for the Alliance is Pier Daze in Long Beach. It should be quite a show as we shall be firing our black powder flintlocks and doing some sword work. Come on out and join us.

      

ANAHEIM COMIC CONVENTION--WIZARD WORLD 2010

Another fine adventure was had at the Anaheim Comicon. Me and me lovely wife Salma Gundy hit the Wizard World convention rolling.

Wizard Magazine puts out Wizard, a comics magazine, Toyfare, a toy/action figure magazine and other various pop culture magazines. Some years ago they began a comic convention as well. They hold them around the United States and we a lucky enough to have one not too far away from us in Anaheim, CA.

Now, the big draw each year for pop culture geeks is San Diego Comic-Con International. SDCC is insane. Wizard World is not nearly as big as SDCC, but for my money, it is a nice venue. It seems to hold closer to the comic conventions of the olden days. However, while it is smaller, it had plenty of great vendors, panels and guests.

Frankly, I was surprised by how many celebrities were there. Our favorite was Julie Newmar. I have had a crush on Julie Newmar since I saw her in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and,

of course, Batman. Me lovely wife Salma Gundy and I approached and happened to catch her early and not too many folks were waiting. Julie was superb. She was graceful and polite. She and I chatted about politics, education, family values and some other things. It was rather surreal. Of course, a lot of people wind of chatting with me about all sorts of things. Usually I get the mental ward escapee who hones in on my in the bank line and wants to talk about Jujube fruit. Anyhow, we got a pic of Salma Gundy and Julie and bid her farewell.

The usual suspects were there: Herbert Jefferson (Boomer from the original BattleStar Galactica), Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster), The Suicide Girls, and various wrestlers and older celebrities. Adam West and Burt Ward were there also. We didn't see them, but that would have been great. They also put on a panel discussion that we missed. Richard Hatch, Michael Dorn, Brent Spiner, LeVarr Burton and a bunch of other celebrities adorned the aisles.

Another favorite of mine was there as well. Jewel Staite from Firefly and Stargate Atlantis was there, but I usually say dumb things so I simply admired her from afar. Next time. Oh, and Jewel, if you are reading this, feel free to drop me a line. In all seriousness though, she is shiny.

 

Another great surprise to us, was running into our buddies from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Isaac Singleton, Jr., Vinnie Lozano and Treva Etienne were there. We hadn't seen them for at least a year, but it was just like carousing in New Orleans all over again. It is always great to be greeted with a warm smile and these guys are genuine.

The event was great. Not too big, not too small. A lot of celebrity artists and writers, the Red Mistmobile from Kic-Ass, the Delorean from Back to the Future, the Batmobile, vendors, and more.

Considering the show was canceled last year, I believe Wizard put on a mighty fine show.

MONSTERPALOOZA!!!

MonsterPalooza in Burbank, CA today. What a fun time. Me baby brother Rotgut and I went. Monsterpalooza is a gathering of Horror genre aficionados, make-up artists, Horror movie actors/writers and other scary movie special effects folk.

Last year me lovely wife Salma Gundy and meself went with our lovely friend Dastardly Debbie (or Double D) and had a great time. There were not too many people there, but it was interesting nonetheless. Now, while we are not big monster/horror fans, we do appreciate the genre enough to check it out. This year, wow, the place was packed. Whereas last year we just walked right in; this year the line was around the building. It was looking a lot like San Diego Comicon of horror.

There were many special effects/prosthetic makers from many films. It feels a lot like an industry sort of convention. People talking about the projects they are working on or will be. The cast from a new movie "Black Waters of Echo's Pond" was there and they all signed a poster for me. They all seemed very friendly. The movie may suck, but then again, don't all the good slasher type flicks?

A lot of actors from the golden age of monster movies were there as well as members of Bela Lugosi's and Lon Cheney's families. One of the highlights for me was meeting Jonathan Winters, the comedian. He had written a book of short stories which I had read years ago. In the introduction he had made some statements about when it is time to be an adult, be an adult, and other times, be a kid. That was the essence anyway. It always stuck with me. He was a trip. He shared stories of being diagnosed bi-polar and dyslexic and how his parents and teachers called him and idiot and a loser. I will tell ya, he is not passive about his disdain for them. We had a nice chat and he told me to share some life information with my students. Although, truly, I would probably be arrested if I actually shared what he told

me to share. Or he was just making reference to his love of felines.

The day was nice. Rotgut and I kicked around and just relaxed. Creepy as all getout as it  was, it was a lot of fun.

I am left, though, with a nagging question. Why is it that as soon as a chick gets naked in one of these movies, she has to have her head sawed in half? Or she is naked and dead? Or naked and a zombie? Or naked and gonna kill you? Where are the good old days where they could just be naked? I bet that this new movie "Black Waters of Echo's Pond" there will be a naked chick whom gets killed. Sigh. Oh well, I suppose boobs is boobs.

Book of the Day--Fahrenheit 451

It has only been in the past few years that I have really taken to reading. While there have been some books that vex me--Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, there are also books that have simply awed me.

Today's review is one of those books. Fahrenheit 451 is an amazing book written by Ray Bradbury. Bradbury's view of a future society where books are illegal to read is simply prescient. This book was written in 1953 and Bradbury laid out a future that too closely resembles our own.

While books aren't illegal to read right now, the concepts behind what created that situation as well as many other peripheral ideas, like "ear thimbles" and political correctness certainly are.  Also are the ideas that people have given up the right to think freely in order to live "happily."

This book is an easy read and will make your open your eyes to what is going on now. Really, grab this book. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

That Which Doesn't Make Us Stronger, Kills Us.

It has been awhile. It has been a busy while.

Approximately 7 weeks ago my grandmother, Toothless Granny had a stroke. Apparently it was a pretty severe stroke, however she has done rather well. Interestingly, she has been able to spell verbally, yet was unable to recognize individual letters. The human brain is amazing. Well, Granny wasn't going to let that get in her way, She started studying her letters knows most of them. with little trouble. Her amazing recovery has been off-setting to medical folks. They figure she should be bed ridden and in a home. She has been working hard to overcome the weaknesses she got with the stroke. Fascinating, she lost her right side vision in each eye.

About a week after Granny's stroke, a buddy of min succumbed to cancer. What a great guy. We lose the good ones to soon. He left behind a beautiful wife and and a 1st grade daughter. He was incredibly positive right until the end. .

Just a few weeks ago my grandfather's wife of 32 years, Grandma Ginny passed away from liver cancer. I headed back toArkansas to help take care of business and help out my grandad. I didn't expected to be needed as much I  was. The funeral was respectful and nice. I was fortunate that I was able to meet relatives that I had never met before. It was really neat to fall into sync with these people who I knew not from Adam. We all shared good memories of Ginny. While I was out there I was able to travel a little bit. I drove to Salisaw, OK and had some lunch. I visited the Fort Smith Museum. That was fun. Fort Smith is an interesting place. Judge Isaac Parker, the Hanging Judge had his courthouse there. Fort Smith was the last court house before the Indian country. A lot of outlaws made their final home at the end of Judge Parker's noose. I picked up a book on Bass Reeves. Bass Reeves was a black US Deputy marshal. Very intriguing. The book relates the stories about Bass Reeves in an almost mythical way. The old Fort still stands , as do the gallows. I drove all around the area and enjoyed the places and people.

As soon as me mum and I landed, I got sick. So did me lovely wife Salma Gundy. She ended up with ear infections and a sinus infection. I merely got the gunk.. We are both starting to feel better. I should hope so, it has only been a week.

In the meantime, we have been working on our Steampunk jewelry. I will get some pics up of them soon.

We missed going to the Swallows Day Parade in San LJuan Capistrato. The Alliance of the Double Cross, however, won 1st place in the parade for Best Historical Interpretation. What do pirates have to do with with San Juan Capistrano. Well, perk up your eyes lads and lasses.

In 1818, the mission was visited by California's only pirate, Bouchard. Equipped with two sailing ships, he attacked missions on the coast in the name of a South American province which was engaged in revolt against Spain. His connection with the revolutionists was more fiction than fact, but he found it provided a convenient excuse for his attack on the settlements. Having been warned of Bouchard's approach, Padre Geronimo Boscano gathered up his neophytes and fled into the interior. The little mission guard made a feeble effort to hold off the pirates, and succeeded only in spurring their foes to do greater damage. When the padres returned, they blamed the soldiers more than the pirates for conditions they found, especially as the wine barrels seemed to be the principal objects of attack.

http://www.californiamissions.com/morehistory/sjcapistrano.html

For the next little bit, I will be doing some more leather-work, Steampunk work and I am going to try a few different projects. I am going to practice my bagpipes and I just bought a violin. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, I am all ears.

Keep an eye out fro pics of the jewelry we are making. If you have any thoughts or ideas for new projects, let me know.now.

 

Chistmas in the Colonies Gallery

Take a gander at a few more pics from our visit to Riley's Farm. Hell, take a visit to Riley's Farm. We did last weekend for a nice lunch. We will explore that when I wake up a bit more. In the meantime enjoy the pics from Christmas in the Colonies.

Christmas in the Colonies

This Christmas was very nice. It were simple and quaint. We spent time with family and got our home in order. One other things we did was have a Christmas dinner in the Colonies.

In Oak Glenn, California there is an American Colonial farm that not only grows apples and turnips and potatoes, oh my, but also does a bit of living history  presentation. Riley's Farm was an entertaining tasted of life from the earliest days as American citizens. During the year Riley's Farm hold different events. We happen to go to the Christmas in the Colonies for dinner.

What a great time. Me lovely wife Salma Gundy, Cantankerous Jan and Greydog and I had a great time. No electricity and everyone in colonial attire. We arrived and were greeted by extremely cordial folk who worked for Mr. Riley (who was portraying Patrick Henry this evening). I also ran into me provost, Steven Leon (Admiral Frobisher) who was portraying Captain Braxton, leader of the local militia. What a great surprise.

Before dinner we enjoyed different colonial activities such as 10 pin (a bowling 
game) and  tomahawk throwing. I sunk one hawk and Salma Gundy and Cantankerous Jan landed 2 each and Greydog just scared the shite out of everyone by screaming like a banshee as he threw.

The meal was superb. Home baked bread with wheat grown on the farm, spoon bread, corn chowder soup, meatballs and vegetables (I do not care for vegetables particularly, but these were grown on the farm and were how vegetables should taste), Mt. Vernon Pie (sausage and chicken and vegetables in a gravy), a spiral ham and Martha Washington's chocolate mousse cake. The food was amazing. I ate so much I got physically sick.

During the meal we were treated to live music and singing as well as anecdotes from the Colonial era. We joined in singing many of the songs, specifically Christmas Carols.

The lamplight and firelight in the Hawkshead Tavern made the ambiance perfect. I recommend that if you have a chance to go to Riley's Farm  that you take it. It is a nice little day trip. Go have breakfast, lunch or dinner. There are special events (most you do not need to dress in period attire for) and the experience is fun as well as educational.

If'n ye go, tell em Captain Dunn, the Sage Lion sent ya.

It were me granny's birthday yesterday. Me lovely wife Salma Gundy and meself decided to surprise her last evening with a birthday cake. Me thinks Granny was the one whom surprised us. I don't think she were expectin' us.

Me lovely wife Salma Gundy made some tasty vittles for Thanksgiving.