Blowing off Steam: random rant

I should be working of the Steampunk'd reviews, but I'm having some issues finding new episodes. Also, is is not that much about steampunk as it is about personal drama. The reason why I watch it regardless is because of the discussions that could be had about it. Speaking of which...

I am kind of indubio about this blog. I dealt with a lot of subjects on this blog (this is number 160) these last three years. I started out writing weekly, then biweekly and now the engine seems to be running out.  Even though I still love to philosophy about retro-futurism, I am running out of idea's.
I also have a lack of time. I have a job, am still working on my house and attempting to have something resembling a social life.

Then there is RAGTAG. This group debuted on Elfia, one of the largest fantasy related festivals in Europe. We had a great weekend there and entertained dozens of fanatical kids on our stormcourse were they could do battle with brainwashed soldiers and evil robots.
I am still dazzled by the fact how popular RAGTAG has  become, both by the public as people that want to participate.

Small RAGTAG gethering at my place

Last night some of our members actually traveled half way across the country to attend out first meeting outside of events. And we had a blast. Many costume idea's were discussed and plenty of ambitions were dreamed up. I am very confident many of these will be realised. So, expect more RAGTAG in the future.

Among my line of ambitions, I also want to spend more time on writing fiction. I have this by steampunk inspired fantasy-science fiction I have been working on since 2009, or so. It was also my first attempt at writing, so I started over several times. But now I intend to finish it. I am also working on a boardgame, inspired by this universe. Another project I intend to finish.

All this leaves me wondering, what is Tupperware Steampunks place in all this... Well, I don't know. Writing this blog took me to many places, but right now. Many of these feel like dead ends. I tried inviting guest writers: no responds. Asked, people for idea's and feedback: no responds. I did get a lot of promises, but few of these were actually kept. So, I tend to wonder, why do I bother? I invested alot of time and money in attempts to write this blog and create different content, like video's. But it's just something that can't be done by one person. I can work alone, but enough is enough. I need people to motivate me and inspire me to keep going
Now, I know there are people that are loyal readers of this blog. I thank you for that. But I need some input or feedback. Some rewards for my work.

I might have to reinvent this blog. Discover what I want to do. Dankaert Lexicon will keep exciting, I will keep doing lectures. I will give to presentations on Emporium Vernesque a matter a fact. I will probably keep posting to this blog, but it will probably be updates and the like. Maybe, if I think of a new subject I will write about it. But right now, inspiration is lacking.

So, let me know what you think. Any suggestions and word of wisdom are welcome.

Steampunk´d episode 2 and 3 - Hé ho! Hé ho! Into the evil lairs we go!

Welcome back to the possible shipwreck that is Steampunk’d. To recap. The pilotshow didn’t blow me out of the water, but at least kept my interest above sealevel. But that’s the least you can expect from a pilot (see what I did there? Seapilot… Yeah? … No? My Dutch readers probably don’t know what that is. Oh Well.)

The second episodes theme, a secret lair for a Femme Fatal character with a ‘secret device’. Last weeks winners face off against each other. So now we have Team Ave, whom build a Huntress Lair, were a Cougar lays in wait, with a kickass magic powered Tesla-rifle, for a male pray.
Team Morgan picked up some shuffles and pickaxes and dug a alchemist cave, with an alchemist, so they could turn lead into gold. That’s it really.

Thinks started of smoother that last week. The difference in leadership was interesting. Last weeks 'secret captain' Ave involved everyone in the creative process and laid each plan next to each other, while wanted-to-be-the-captain Morgan gave her teammates separate assignments without bringing them together. Also her grudge with JW is on full display. Go Team!  

So how was the final result? I kinda liked the Alchemistlab, but loved the Cougar- I mean Huntress Lair of Team Ave. Although I would like to emphasize I loved the lamp Eddie made for the laboratory. That was awesome, but just like the other objects in the room, it wasn’t cohesive.
While team Ave had a device hidden in a throne, Team Morgan hid their secret device in the most obvious object possible. We could also see the string. Not a good idea when hiding a secret.

The judges were quickly in agreement of this episodes winner. And unlike the previous episode, I was completely on board with them.

The third episode was pretty much more of the same. But I loved the theme. Far East inspired bedrooms, with a device that can change the ambiance from day to nighttime. A great departure of the usual. So whom of last week winners, James and JW, is going to get away with this cultural appropriation and whom get to commit Seppuku.

Team JW gone for a Jade Saferoom for a ambassadors daughter. Jade colored armor plating and armored windowshutters, with a wonderful jade kimono. I love it!

As for team James, a Concubine-Assassins Room that is … Asian. So, hm… The paintings Charles Mason made were awesome.

As we know from the first episode JW tends to steamwall his vision, making people do things they didn’t like to. It was obvious it was going to bite him in the behind. James on the other end didn’t display much, if any, leadership ability, which lead to unresolved conflicts between some teammates, which involved Morgan… Again.

Despite this, both team delivered botched room by the look of it. James ended up with a uncohesive mess and the costume…. Well I don’t what to spoil it.
The Armored Jaderoom looked awesome (and now I want it). The jade kimono was great and has some nice paintings. But the mechanisms for the windowshutters didn’t work properly because JW, despite Eddies protests, went for wooden mechanisms that just didn’t cooperate.  

In the end both rooms had these obvious flaws, but also possessed these great executions. So the Judges had a big challenge ahead of them and really could have gone both ways. Although, I am a sucker for JW’s work.  

Carter Oosterhouse

John Desjardin

Overall I liked these episodes better than the first. One on my major issues was the jury. I felt like the final manor would become  the vison of the judges rather than those the makers. One of the examples being Kittyhawk trying to cater to Kato, and failing miserably at it. This problem could be prevented in a number of ways. But this show hinges on celebrities, so an anonymous jury is no option. However, this problem has been tackled partially by inviting special guest judges like Visual Effects Specialist, John D.J. Des Jardin, who worked on a number of great productions like, League of extraordinaire Gentlemen and the Matrix. And Mastercarpenter, Carter Oosterhouse. Not only is it nice to see that non-Steamers take interest in Steampunk, but also bring their own expertise to the table during the final judgement.









The other new element is the Steampunk’d Mystery Button, which can be pushed by whomever at any time. Something good might happen, or something bad. What happened? Did anyone push the button? Will this be a one-trick-pony? Well your going to have to see for yourself. There are some website that are streaming episodes now. Just don’t ask me how legal they are.