So What Makes Me Think I'm Steampunk?

By Phantoms-siren

     This is a good question.  I don't even own a decent pair of goggles, for Pete's sake.  I'm pretty sure I don't have anything with gears glued onto it.  I rarely wear brown, sepia, or cream. In fact, most of the time I wear black and some interpretation of what I think is a Victorianesque look.  I'm certainly not historically accurate.  I suppose I could be most accurately described as being in some kind of Gothic time warp.

(Sorry about that - I had to).

     Which is rather ironic, as I have been accused in the past of  "trying to dictate to others what is Steampunk" (kind of hard to do, since I can't seem to achieve this for myself, let alone anybody else).  I even have the temerity to host a weekly meetup called "Steampunk Coffee & Community"!  And it is well attended!  And people seem to be having fun and liking it!  Some of them even come back!

     So before I get hauled away as some kind of Steampunk "poseur", let me just tell you what I do stand for.  I love the Victorian era, and history in general.  I am fascinated by Science (yes, with a capital S). I like meeting people.  I like making friends and socializing. I like to drink tea.  I like to wear elegant clothes and dress up.  I like to behave in a genteel manner toward my fellow human beings.  I like art.  I like creative self-expression.  I like "weirdos".  I like a "do it yourself" attitude.  I like old things with a history over new things without a soul.  If you're reading this, I probably like you, too!  Maybe Steampunk isn't exactly the right word for me, 'cos I don't shoot a raygun or wear mechanical wings or pilot an airship.  But it is the place where I find the most fun, interesting, and compatible people, so I'm stickin' to it!

Photo by Orange Kraftwerks

My New (Personal) Steampunk Manifesto

 
  I haven't posted anything here in a long while.  Truth to tell, I've been very sour on the whole Steampunk experience, ever since getting removed last year from the Steampunk group I started here in Portland, OR, by my co-administrator and supposed friend.  So I did what I do best - take my hurt feelings and crawl under a rock, away from anyone or anything that can hurt me.  I allowed myself to believe that the Steampunk scene was filled with vicious, narcissistic hypocrites, based on my experience with one ego-driven woman.  Basically, I became a hermit and hid out for a year.

     Then, encouraged by a friend who has recently discovered Steampunk, I attended Steamcon V.  I had a wonderful time!  I discovered that the good, friendly, and open-minded people who I had always associated with the Steampunk community were still there.  They welcomed me to Steamcon V, as they had welcomed me to Steamcons 1-IV, with open arms.  The Steampunk celebrities at the con were lovely, down to earth, friendly, and accessible.  The panels were run by enthusiastic and knowledgeable persons from the community.  My interest and enthusiasm for the genre were renewed.  I felt like I had come home again.

     I have been mulling things over since the con last weekend, and have come to some personal realizations based on my previous experiences.

1.  I will be a free agent.  No more trying to organize a group or club, as this seems to be an open invitation to others to try to "take over" and create an unnecessary power struggle.  I will act strictly on my own behalf.

2.  I have as much right as anyone else to participate in community events.  Others may try to block me from their private "groups" and Facebook pages, which is their prerogative, but public events are just that.  Public.

3.  I am a valued member of the Portland  Steampunk community.  This was repeated to me over and over by the people I ran into at the convention.  Instead of withdrawing from the community due to the negativity and hatefulness of one or two unpleasant people, I will concentrate on cultivating the friendships of the many good, kind, creative folks in the community.

4.  I will do my own thing.  I look back with regret at all the times I had an idea for an event or a way to participate in the community and then didn't do it because I listened to the negative advice of the nay-sayers.

5.  I will pursue my creative path.  A major part of concentrating on and emphasizing the positive in my life will be developing my creative interests in art and self-expression.

6.  I will Steampunk Without Fear.  I will make friends, attend events, create beauty, and participate in the community to the extent that I wish, without seeking approval or fearing the displeasure of anyone else.  I will be the best person that I can be, and will strive always to present that person to the community.

     This almost feels like a New Year's Resolution list to me, but I think that's okay.  I want this to be a new year, a new beginning, moving forward in the most creative, happy, and healthy way possible.  I look to my Steampunk community, both local and national, for inspiration, encouragement, and support, and offer my support, creativity, and energy in return.  It's going to be a good year.