Category Archives: Conventions

Con Repoert: Gearcon 2013 Steampunk

The Convention: Gear Con (Steampunk)

The Place: Lloyd’s Center Doubletree Inn

The Dates : 5 -7 July  2013

 

Gear Con is Portland’s premier Steampunk convention. Both Hello Kitty and Chococat plushiest were my companions.  I was apprehensive at fist, notably this was my fist Steampunk convention but not sure I would be accepted. I am gladly report I was wrong.

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Steampunk Epiphany

I just got back from Gear Con, The Steampunk convention in Portland Oregon. I was very curious about the Steampunk community but I missed last year’s Gear Con because I got the dates wrong.  For the uninitiated, Steam Punk is both a genre of retro speculative /alterative historical literature, art and a community of creative persons.  The main premise is what if Victorian industrial technology was much more sophisticated; think indusial revolution and 19th century science   on steroids.

My epiphany is the strong similarity between furry and steam punk communities: we both highly creative and fans of our own creation.  Because we are fans of our own creation both fandoms are more open and freer for self expression. Both furries and Steampunk fans are free to explore our own characters and aesthetics without the fear of violating the cannon. Both furries and Steampunk differ to Anime and Science Fiction fans in that both anime and Science   Fiction fans what other created.

I think Steampunk can teach furries a few things like being open generationally; this one area I am very critical of furry fandom the lack of openness  and family friendliness. Part is a problem with the 20-30 year old generation; their lack of ability to work with those outside their peer group.
I can see me crossing both furry and Steampunk communities

Furlandia and the MTV controversy Part One

Part 1 my statement

I was there and yes there were a few glitches. I disagree with total $6 dollar figure I also put in $5.00 on Saturday. I did have a lot of problem with programming, I did not get my schedule for many panel until I got my con book. Sibe was some concern, as much I did not want Furlandia to become another Foxmas, but he seems to have very little effect on the convention was a non issue.

Now as for MTV or should I say Viacommix, Like others, I did not know about the  filming  until opening ceremony; there were sections for those who did and did not want to be video for the project. We who were videoed had singed releases and Saphy had provided an email address of anybody had second thoughts.

Sadly I had pulled out not as much as MTV but I serous spooked by the potential furry drama storm being afraid I would be drag down with everybody else. I wonder my note was received knowing I had my giant Hello Kitty with me and I would have to contact and advise Sanrio Inc. USA on the shoot. Alas, it all mot now because the producer had pulled the plug on the project    I am only sad the Viacommix is out of $1000 dollars that the donated to charity as part of the deal with Furlandia.

But there one thing I agreed and disagree with Aloha Wolf, comment at closing ceremony. I agree we need to get the message of the fandom out to the public but disagrees as pro life, former Christian Fundamentalist, former cultural conservative and republican volunteer I seen how the main stream media, first hand, how they can twist the most positive spin into a big negative. We need to take a tactic like conserve media and create our own channels to inform the public not relying on mainstream media.

Furlandia Con Report

The Convention:  Furlandia

The Place: University Place Hotel Portland Oregon

The dates:  10-12 May 2013

Furlandia is a first year convention in Portland Oregon. My Monster Hello Kitty plush was my companion for Saturday and Chococat, Friday and Sunday.

Friday:  I cooked and wolfed down dinner and drove to the hotel site getting there around 8:30pm. The line for registration was long and it took me over an hour.  There was a pre-con party and dance so I stayed around until 10:42pm.

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