Leaving for DragonCon

I'm off to DragonCon soon, so posting will either be non-existent until I return, or it will be of the frequent con flourish style. Either way, May the Force be with you. [/geek]

NOM NOM NOM RIAA DELLISHUS

NOMNOMNOMRIAADELLISHUS
Originally uploaded by monsieur boheme.

The Sunday Flickr Favourites team were a little under the weather this weekend. They did mange to source this image of a Bender Case Mod from the archives, for your interest and viewing pleasure.

To make it a complete mod, it should be modified to run on alcohol.

I am not a robot and I don't like disks being crammed into me. Unless they are Oreos, and then, only in the mouth.

Genesis of the Squirt gun

Searching through US patents can yield some interesting results. I was looking through some of the earliest patents on record for inspiration for steampunk gadgetry. I now know that the squirt gun was patented in the United States in 1899 by Gustav Reimann as an "instrument for squirting liquids to be used principally by cyclists to ward off dogs or highway robbers."

In just over a hundred years we went from this:

To this :

Steampunk Costume Update

As promised, I bring you some previews of my steampunk Airship Colonel costume that I will be wearing at Dragoncon this year.

I don't have any pictures of the complete costume yet, but here are some highlights. First up is my shoulder mounted tool holster. As an independent owner/operator of the intrepid "Vertigo," I have to be ready to tend to the needs of my ship myself. I carry a few essential tools at the ready so I'm not caught with my pantaloons down should mechanical difficulties arise. Along with the basic adjustment drivers and spanners, I carry a German made nautical navigation gauge to help me plot my course through the treacherous skies.

I could not find an affordable cocked bicorne in my size, so a pith helmet makes a glorious second choice. The pith helmet was worn by almost all military divisions at some time, especially for jungle/hot weather activities, making this more than suitable for adventuring in the Lost City of Atlanta.

Also pictured are my brass goggles with adjustable jewellers magnifying loupes. I feel that the pith helmet interferes with the glasses, and vice-versa, so these goggles will be worn with my more formal steampunk attire, rather than my flight service kit.

A must for any navigation is a good compass. I acquired a nice brass Ross compass during my excursions to antique stores with with the Ladies Faraway and Fulton.

Last up is my aether splitting disrupter, seen here in its pristine finish, as it came from the armoury. It has seen significant action since I first acquired it, and now sports a lovely patina.

I think I am ready for whatever the Lost City of Atlanta can dish out.

Frak me like you mean it

San Diego Comic-Con
Originally uploaded by mystphoto.

Sunday Flickr favourites time again. Here we see some Cylon Centurions standing guard at this year's San Diego Comic-Con. The knowledge that situations like occur make me happy in ways I can't articulate.

By your command.

Rock Band

Rock Band is an upcoming game for the next generation consoles that takes Guitar Hero to the next logical level. By introducing a singer to the mix via the Harmonix karaoke engine, a drum kit controller and a bass track, four people can now rock out together. They are promising online play so you can form trans-continental bands at any time of the day, should the fancy strike you. Of note is the new guitar controller which has ten buttons, with five new buttons added to make the fast hammer-on techniques easier, which is exciting.

Now why would someone play this game rather than form a real rock band? For the same reason that someone will play "Need For Speed" rather than trick out their own car and enter some illegal road races. Because it is cheaper, safer and more accessible to play a simulator. Or more to the point, it is simply more fun.

Watch the following advance promotional video then tell me that it won't make for a perfect party game.

(Video link if embed fails)

Previously on Slashboing:

• Cats love guitars
• Guitar Hero 2 Review

Steampunk Eye

Steampunk Eye
Originally uploaded by nullsleep.

If you don't know what Steampunk is after you see this picture, nothing I, nor anyone else, can say will make you understand.

I think this photo was taken on the cosplay overrun Harajuku bridge in Tokyo.

The dark side of phrenology

The dark side of phrenology
Originally uploaded by robotperson.

As seen at Celebration Europe, the notion of phrenology applied to Darth Vader. Sections include "Lightsaber Skills" and "Intimidating Vocabulary". "Good" was a small area on the back of the helmet.

Steampunk party at Dragoncon

There will be a Steampunk Party at Dragoncon this year, and I'm very much looking forward to it.

STEAMPUNK PARTY INFO (subject to change)

Location: International Suite.
Date: Friday August 31
Decor: Nautilus

Officially the party starts at 6pm. The wedding will take place at 5:30. Only minions will be allowed into the suite before 5:30. Invitation only after 6.

The organizers will be in costume parading around, and handing out invites to random neat people. The Brute Squad will be enforcing law and order at the event.

This is how the invites to the party will go. The minions will get a marker to wear allowing them access to the party. Each minion who wears a marker can bring two guests with them, but the minion must be present when these people through the door. The people who contribute money to the party will get invites. We are not asking for your life's savings, but some help would be nice. Each person will get one invite per $10 they contribute to the party. Each invite will have a plus two on it. So, for example, if you give an invite to a friend, that friend can bring two random others with them, without the minion having to be present. The goal is to have a great party, free of moochers.

General list of events:

6pm... party starts
7pm... photos, greet and stuff, and well, drinking
8pm... bardic contest
9pm... minion slave auction (slaves only slaves until midnight)
10pm... loaded questions and strip poker in the master bedroom

After that nothing else is planned so far, but this may change as well. The party will go until the last person drops.

Culled and collated from the following sources:

• Brass Goggles Blog
• Dragoncon Myspace

Top 5 Dragoncon 2007 costumes

Part challenge, part scavenger hunt I like listing costumes I would love to see at Dragoncon.
So here is are my top 5 costumes for 2007, starting with the group costumes:

The Guitar Heroes: The motley group of guitar playing demi-gods from the excellent game series make for fantastic cosplay. It has been done, (see here) but I want to see a whole group at Dragoncon.

Scandal - The Warrior video: One of the great songs from Guitar Hero 80's is "The Warrior." The video is pure 1984 gold which has yet to be mined for all its costuming treasures. (see below)

Futurama - "The Devil's Hands are Idle Playthings" : Holophoner Fry with Robot Devil Hands, Lela in the evening dress with Calculon's Ears, Bender with a Megaphone nose, and Hedonism Bot.

For individuals, I think a character, wearing a costume should provide a suitable challenge for the masters who attend DragonCon. In that vein, I would like to see...

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rafael as the "Night Watcher" would be big, tough and very intimidating.

Bicentennial Man - Andrew in the tuxedo. I think the subtlety of this one would make for a hot looking outfit.

Previously on Slashboing:

• Costume wish list for Dragoncon 2006
• Wish list fulfilled

So Morpheus, Neo and Soundwave walk into Otakon 2007...

Morpheus2.0, Neo & Soundwave
Originally uploaded by MorpheusBlade.

No words can add to the awesomeness of this picture. Enjoy!

Potterdämmerung [Mega-Spoilers]

The blog "Gibberish in Neutral" has given the world a complete retelling of the happenings within the last Harry Potter book, "The Deathly Hallows." Combining a Coles Notes style synopsis, lolcats grammar, penis jokes and some insightful critiques, the article is a hilarious contribution to Potter fan writing.

Here are some spoilerific highlights, so don't read this unless "you've finished The Deathly Hallows, don't care about spoilers, are or just a jerk who wants to find out what happens at the end and ruin it for everyone."

Just as Harry finds the diadem, who should show up by Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle.

Crabbe: PWND.

Goyle: 22LY!

Draco: Shut up you to.[sic]

Crabbe: WE R IN UR ROOM OF REQUIREMENT MESSING WITH UR JUNK!

Draco: I said shut up.

Goyle: U DO NO B TELLING US WHUT TO DO.

I had to chuckle at this too:

Voldemort: You need to die. You see, the uber-wand that I stole from Dumbledore's grave isn't living up to the hype -- it just isn't giving me enough cowbell, only cranking to 10, not the full 11

[Read more]

1927 Light-sword /w batteries

From the Modern Mechanics blog comes a 1927 advertisement for flashlights and batteries that may be an early precursor of the Star Wars lightsaber.

With a Blade of LIGHT he slew the Greatest of all Demons ~ Darkness