Halloween

I had an idea to write a bit about Halloween as celebrated by the Victorians.  But DAMN am I lazy.  So here's some links!!!

Victorian Halloween
http://thecompletevictorian.com/halloween.html

Halloween throughout the world
http://www.novareinna.com/festive/world.html

Edwardian Halloween in the U.S. (3rd Paragraph in U.S. Section)
http://www.scarepros.com/History_Of_Halloween.html


You are very welcome for my 10 minutes on Google!!!

Miss Anne Thrope
A.K.A. Jocelyn Stengel-Ahern

A Simple Explanation of Streampunk or What I Tell My Friends When They Ask What the Heck I'm Doing Every Weekend

Why Steampunk?

Why not?  What I mean by that, is “WHY NOT” is what Steampunk is all about.  The basic concept for Steampunk started with the Victorian aesthetic and science fiction based on the power source of that time period, steam.  From there it has grown and now includes pretty much all times and places in human history!  If you can imagine it, you can do it.  In my own opinion, anything that uses a primary power source of any given time and place in history (real or made up) to make a science fiction character qualifies as Steampunk!

Steampunk is all about DIY (Do It Yourself).  Costuming, creating a character to embody, modifications of toy “weapons” and anything else that goes into cosplay (costume play) are a big part of the Steampunks’ life.  Many of us also focus on creating art, fiction, and “inventions” that fit with our own chosen time and place.  The very idea of DIY is also a big part of Steampunk… most of us have characters that have to make, cobble, or even “borrow” the technology that is the science fiction part of our accoutrements, so we make our own items in real life and in the life of our alter-egos.

Steampunk is not LARPING but it is living art.  Many of us get dressed up as our alter egos for events ranging from conventions to picnics to parties and more.  We have been known to “invade” a town by simply showing up in large numbers and making a day of it.  Steampunk gatherings are often during the day on weekends, substance free, and open to all ages.  People who participate range from infant to elderly but are mostly late teens to early 40’s.  Involvement is also a great reason to learn more about anything that interests you… I have found myself looking up the history of batteries, what an Indian Sari is made from, what glues are best used on certain materials, Newsies, and so much, much more!If you like Cosplay, history, sci-fi, art, literature, science, and getting to know  intelligent and funny people, take a look online at the many Steampunk references available and see if  you may just want to get involved.

Thanks for reading this!

-Jocelyn Stengel-Ahern -

AKA Miss Anne  Thrope