Steampunk Fever

Happy Halloween!

If you came by today, then here's your treat:



Tuck it in your bag and savor it back at your page.

Some friends of mine decided to go out in a group tonight for Halloween, and they asked me to come along.

"There is a contingency." They said. "We are all going in Steampunk, you have to come like that, too."

What's Steampunk? I wondered. They sent some photos so that I could get the idea, and then directed me to the internet for research .


Per Wikipedia:

Steampunk is a subgenre of fantasy and speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century, and often set in Victorian era England—but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date.

I LOVE the Victorian Era. The revelation of this subgenre appeals to the romantic adventurous side of me in a huge way.

This image is very close to the costume I am sporting right now, waiting for the party to start!

"The steampunk look reflects the Victorian and early Edwardian eras (roughly 1801-1910 — check out examples on The Frick Collection Web site). Corsets, gowns, frock coats and top hats are accompanied by goggles, ancillary wings, compasses and DIY accessories. Much like the extraordinary world of literature, steampunkers accept that everyday items can perform unconventional tasks. For example, a pocket watch would double as a time machine, or a compass could navigate you through the stars. ...The widely acknowledged founding fathers of steampunk, late-19th-century authors Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, took then-modern technology and set it in the steam age. Airships, submarines, typing tools and others objects were reimagined as mechanical devices that were powered by, you guessed it, steam."
~ Andrew Ross Rowe

Steampunk Music:


Steampunk Books:


Steampunk Movies:


Steampunk Anime:


More on Steampunk details...

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Make A Wish At The Peasant Woman Statue

Phoctober 26th... and the photos keep coming. Thank you for hosting that, Moon Topples!

The Peasant Woman statue lives in the Denver Botanic Gardens.
She is hidden on a secret path, just beyond the bamboo tunnel.

I've put a penny in her bowl for you... go ahead, make a wish!

Autumn In Denver

Phoctobering with Moon Topples!
Back to the Denver Botanic Gardens... I would live there, if they'd let me.

Viaggiatore and I have decided on a bit of excess for this post.

Let's go for a scroll...

The Picture Worth A Thousand Words

Photo by Max Whittaker/Getty Images

Gov. Sarah Palin at a rally in Reno, NV on October 21, 2008.

I don't put political perspective up on my blog, but I just can't help it this time; it's too funny and the one liners are coming to me like wildfire. I beg your indulgence just this once. Forgive me, Rel.

~On the hunt and not an elephant in sight
~Fashion DON'T, Political DO
~True colors
~Subliminal messaging
~Wardrobe budget: $150,000, Wearing the other teams logo around her neck: priceless.
~Remember to vote!
~Donkeys or jackasses?
~Does she know what's going on around her?
~A true maverick
~Under cover agent
~Ambitiously ambiguous

Okay... okay. I'll stop there.
Feel free to add your own, however, if you like.

Happy Phoctober!

Fish

Phoctobering with Moon Topples in the Denver Botanic Gardens

This is M.C. Escher's "Three Worlds".
I love this picture, it hangs on the wall above my desk. There's a story about how it got there; but that's for another day.



I would love to replicate this print in a photograph.
I am on a fall fish mission; this shot can only be taken in the fall...



It's going to be an ongoing mission, as I made some nice photos, but I have not shot M.C. Escher's fish with my camera yet.



In the meantime... I like fishing this way, it's very clean.



And no fish were injured, used, filleted, fried, grilled or otherwise skewered or ingested in the making of these photos.

Today.



Sigh of relief...



Kisses goodbye!

See you tomorrow for more Phoctobering!

Passport Stamps

For the Cupcake Man, who can’t remember what life was like before the wire…

“It was simple, before the wire.

Stretched out like so many long summer days on golden sand and aquamarine waves that time waltzes with in a slow and methodical moon drawn cadence.” ~ Wanderlust Scarlett

Flowers

Phoctobering with Moon Topples in the Denver Botanic Gardens



Shy



Bold



Funky Berry



Fall Colors



Lovely Light

The French Patisserie In Santa Fe

I'm making up for late Phoctobering with Moon Topples.



This is a real French Patisserie in Santa Fe, owned by a bona fide French couple who moved to the southwest and kept their crepe recipes. It's worth the trip to taste those!



Join in, post photos and tell him you are participating, and then go see the photos that everyone else shared.



Happy Phoctober!

Fall Fashion In Santa Fe

Finally participating in Moon Topples Phoctober! Visit his page, please, and see who else has played along.

Streets Paved In Poverty

Join Blog Action Day and be the difference that makes it change.




This is a special story about one man. Meet Jason.

Jason, like thousands of people across our country, is homeless. The day I visited with him, he was homeless in Santa Fe, sitting on the sidewalk on San Francisco street, just outside of a Starbucks coffee shop.

I was hurrying past him to go from one appointment to the next and I saw him out of the the corner of my eye, sitting there with his hand on the dogs leash, holding his guitar, staring at the sidewalk from under the low brim of his weathered hat.

I was compelled to stop. "What songs do you know?" I asked with a smile.

His voice was very quiet. "I just play my own stuff."

"Could I please buy a song from you, sir?" I knelt down before him.

He picked up his chin and his guitar, and played a tune for me. We visited for a while. He said he's been all over the country, from Florida to LA and the toughest part of being homeless is finding a dry place to stay.

The rain that has curled his hat has also washed the words off of his guitar, and his hopes and dreams right away with them.



How do you get up out of that hole? Where do you go from there?
On to the next town.
The road does not stop.

The problem of homelessness in this country does not stop.

There are efforts made here and there, by local churches, by independent groups and by individuals who want to make a difference, but it's like painting a house with an artists fine tipped paintbrush.

Our leaders have not yet found a solution to this issue, but some are trying. There must be more effort, more decision, more action to make it happen. If you live in the states, contact your leaders; your mayor, your city counsel people, your senator and your governor and tell them that this must change now. There are solutions for every situation that people are willing to change.

Someday your road will lead you home, Jason.

All About Meme

It's been a while since I did a meme, so here we go (thanks Suburbia and BS5!)
I'm not tagging; if you want to do it, please go right ahead.


What are your initials? WS

What is your favorite thing to wear? A smile

Last thing you ate? Lobster ravioli. mmmm...

Name one thing that scares you: Every single day that Bush is still in office.

I say Shotgun, you say: (wicked grin) Better put your seat belt on...

Who was the last person in your bed? Me

What were you doing at 7:00am? Standing in a hot shower with my eyes still closed.

Last person you hugged? A dear friend who dropped by my office on his lunch, just to say hello. Hello JR! And God bless him, he actually reads my blog!

Does anyone you know want to date you? Yes.

When was your last encounter with the police? Chatted with a few of them in passing at a car show recently.

Have you ever driven without a license? Yes.

The last place you went out to dinner? Piatti's Italian Restaurant in Cherry Creek, YUM!!! Love that place.

Do you like your name? I like all of them.

What time of the day is it? Thismuch closer to closing the office.

Who/What made you angry today? I've not been angry today.

Do you want anyone? Of course! Who wouldn't? I want my family, I want my friends, I want a good president this time, I want a masseur for an hour, this list could get long.

Do you like birds? Some of them.

Favorite holiday? Okay... my UK buddies have written their favorite vacations in here, but in America this has a different connotation: My birthday and Christmas are right up at the top. Yes, my birthday is a holiday to me.

Do you download music? No

Do you care if your socks are dirty? Absolutely! Yuck! I usually wear exotic sandals so I don't have to worry about this.

Opinion of Chinese symbol tattoos? It's your body.

What are you doing tonight? An art walk with some friends. Several galleries, one street, probably a glass of wine in there somewhere and a Denver sunset on the Rocky Mountains.

Do you like to cuddle? Very much.

Do you love anyone? Of course! Who came up with this question? Can you imagine not loving one single person?

Whose bed did you sleep in last night? Mine

Have you ever bungee jumped? No way! I like living on the edge, but not when I'm tied to it.

Have you ever gone whitewater rafting? Yes! Did some of my best praying then!

Has anyone ten years older than you ever hit on you? Yes. I am plagued with what I have termed 'the dirty old man syndrome'... The oldest was in his 80's. Now, really... what's the point?

How many pets do you have? Just Viaggiatore; he travels well, and he's a fantastic muse, so it's perfect.

Have you met a real redneck? *wicked giggle* - OK, my darling sister, if you are reading this, skip to the next question.
Yes, my brother-in-law.

How is the weather right now? Gorgeous. 80 degrees and sunshine; Colorado is the most perfect place in the world for autumn.

What are you listening to right now? The work radio; which isn't on my favorite station but it's not bad.

What was the last movie you watched? The Emperor's New Groove. So funny.

Do you wear contacts? Sometimes.

Where was the last place you went besides your house? School! Mid-terms! Blegh!

What are you wearing? Jeans. My favorite perfume. A smile. Berry red lipstick. Dark red nail polish. A special ring that my parents brought me from Belize. A Japanese style cotton button up shirt. Dark eye liner and mascara. An ankle bracelet from Africa. Exotic suede sandals with gold fabric, gold beads and sparkly clear stones.

What's one thing you've learned this year? Patience... lots of it.

What do you usually order from Starbucks? I don't go often, I like small single owner shops, but if I find myself at a Starbucks then I usually like a Caramel Macchiato... with tons of caramel... really, it winds up being a dessert.

Ever had someone sing to you? Yes! It makes me blush and swoon with a big grin.

Have you ever fired a gun: Yes. As it turns out, it's not something I am good at.

Are you missing someone? Always. Go back up to that do you want anyone question.

Favorite TV show? I don't watch TV but I did like She-ra when I was a kid.

What do you have an obsession with? Just about everything... ocd will do that to you.

Has anyone ever said you looked like a celeb? Yes, several people.

Who? I get Ashley Judd a *lot*, some Geena Davis and some Drew Barrymore. I had platinum blonde hair one year and all I heard then was Marilyn Monroe. Actually, I think Ashley looks like me.

Who would you like to see right now? The list is far too long to put here.

Ever had a near death experience? Yes, more than once. Not one word about my driving, for those who know me.

Are you afraid of falling in love? As long as it's true love, no.

Have you ever been caught doing something you weren't supposed to? Oh Absolutely! I joined that team when I was a teenager and have even been the captain a few times! Following the rules for your whole life is a blatant waste of good opportunity.

Has anyone you were really close to passed away recently? Thankfully, no.

Our Lady Peace or Nickelback? Neither, thanks.

What's something that really bugs you? I detest being interrupted.

Do you like Michael Jackson? Don't know him personally.

Taco Bell or Burger King? Neither, thank you.

Next time you will kiss someone? No telling.

Favorite baseball team? Rockies!

Ever call a 1-900 phone number? I'm not that kind of girl.

Nipple or Nose rings? Neither and no thank you.

What's the longest time you've gone without sleep? Two years. I gave my soul to a ballet company.

Last time you went bowling? It's been a while, but I enjoy it when I do go.

Where is the weirdest place you have slept? The theatre; only happened once. Just a *really* boring performance, but I'm still embarrassed as I consider that a monumental gaffe.

Who did you last speak with on the phone? A Jaded girl I know.

What does your last received text message say? "In 2009 the US government will start shipping retards away. I started to cry when I thought of you. Be strong, wear your helmet and run fast lil buddy!" My friends thrive on twisted humor.

What's the closest orange object to you? That little publish post button. Orange? Who thought of this question? Random!

There's An Explanation For Almost Everything

Research has led to the discovery of the heaviest element yet known to science. The new element, Governmentium (Gv), has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons, and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons. Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every action with which it comes into contact.

The last paragraph explains the entire theorem.

A minute amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would normally take less than a second to occur, to take from four days to four years to complete. Governmentium has a normal half-life of 2-6 years; it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places.

In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes. This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as critical morass. When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.


~Author unknown