COGS n' GEARSTHE EDITOR'S PEN

Welcome to our very first issue of Cogs n' Gears newsletter! I'm so very excited to be able to provide our society with various forms of information, and entertaining material to read. This newsletter will, typically, be provided in pdf format, but for meetings, I will print out a few issues to hold and read for visitors.

With each newsletter, there will be coverage of minutes from previous meetings, future meeting dates, important member information, articles, poetry, stories, and other features. Everyone is welcomed to send me articles or information to include in the newsletter.

Advertising in the newsletter will be available for free. If it is not steampunk related then there will be a small fee. Fees for this sort of advertising has yet to be established, but I can promise it will be much cheaper than advertising with any other source that costs. I also welcome artwork and photographs that you'd like to share. Of course, there will be cut off dates for submissions, but I'd like to achieve the goal of having so much content that I have to save stuff for future newsletters, so that I never have a dry newsletter to send out. There's nothing more bothersome to an editor than having no content for a newsletter due to go out!

If you ever have ideas, suggestions, or comments to provide to me, please feel free to contact me at steampunkis.editor@gmail.com. If you spot a printing error, please send any corrections that need to be made to the above email as well.

StaticNomad

MINUTES from July 17th & July 29th:

Note: Normally, minutes will only encompass the last two meetings since the newsletter goes out once a month. The minutes will usually be a month behind so as to give readers a chance to see what we've accomplished and discussed the month prior. So August's minutes will be reported in September's newsletter, and so forth.

July 17, 2010 located at The Generator in Garland, Texas Meeting called to order at 3:57pm by– Captain Quinlin Hopkins. Welcome to all new attending members and visitors. We had a total of 24 attending. Visitors (& new members) took the floor to discuss some topics of interest. Topics Discussed: Pinup magazine* online to being put together by Guy. Will offer it free online in .pdf form. Making money via sales of advertisements. Everyone posing for the magazine, works for the magazine and works together like family. While some of the photos may be showing some skin, it is

nothing considered too risqu . Will put out at leasté four issues to see how things go. Others purposed options for the magazine, specifically to do with the "beef cake" side of the magazine for female readers. * Also discussed sharing ideas on where to find props and other steampunk style items for a reasonable price. The conversation also discussed such topic as the difference between costumes and props, how difficult it is to dress a female in proper and decent steampunk attire versus how easily gentlemen can be dressed just by going to thrift stores or men's clothing stores. Cards were passed out by Cynthia Talbot for specialty hats to be custom made. She has offered to gain top hats for those who are desiring those style of hats for about $20 in various colors. Cynthia also provided plenty of advice in detail about how to create your own look fitting into the period properly, at very reasonable prices. Visiors were given application* forms to fill out before the meeting ended. Also* discussed other possible locations for meeting. Locations such as Central Dallas at the corner of Holland and Main (Excuses Cafe). Other locations as Arlington were brought up as well too (Crystals). Meeting Adjourned at: 5pm by Captain Quinlin Hopkins. Photos were taken before select groups disbursed.

July 29, 2010 located at The Generator in Garland, Texas - Meeting called to order by Captain Quinlin Hopkins at 7:55pm. Members in attendance Audelia Flint, Captain Quinlin, StaticNomad & children, Johnny Pheonyx, Eric Chaney, Kali's Hourglass (Roman, Radha, & Cannonball Joe) , Paul Wilson, Prof. Damien Tremons, Jimi Cleek, Stacey Fox & Toby Lawhon. Welcome to visitors made. Topics discussed - Non-profit status: getting set up. Spoke about the work put in behind getting set up. Ramon mentioned "Not for profit" status as an option as opposed to non-profit status. Stated that there was less paper work involved in getting set up, and it was meant for a more casual set up. Spoke of getting insurance set up to protect all officers from liability. Teaching opportunities mentioned for belly dancing lessons, sewing, leather working, machinery, etc. Some made mention of possibly being teachers. Also spoke of advertising by handing out cards for the society. We have cards made up for others to grab and hand out. Captain Hopkins will be glad to provide to anyone who'd like a few cards. The website aspect is on hold at this time, but we are working on getting the website more up to par. A data stick with graphics and other information was lost and so we are starting over again. Advertising aspect of the website will be taking place though as soon as we are more set up for it. Mention of the steampunk music was discussed and is being reviewed at this time to categorize the music. Marquis of Vaudeville is currently working with Captain Hopkins on this project.

(Continued on page 2)

Volume 1 No. 01–August 26, 2010A Newsletter by Steampunk Illumination Society

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(Minutes continued from page 1)

Captain Hopkins also spoke about how many places and groups focus on one aspect or another, but nothing over all concerning steampunk. Our society wants to embrace the idea to allow in everyone to explore all aspects though; broaden our horizons so to speak. Membership fees were discussed and proposed. The proposed fee is $15 for individuals or $20 for a family. We are likely to wait until non-profit paperwork/status is properly set up for this to take place though. Captain made mention that he has access to all sorts of acrylics that if anyone needs for any reason, feel free to speak with him. Ramon brought up thrift stores and such for gears, and that when he finds something nice, he doesn't like to use it for something small, but thinks using the acrylics Captain spoke of could be an option for making gears. Jimi mentioned starting a parts box. Next discussion was starting a convention for our society. Locations were discussed like Richardson convention center, hotels, etc. Also future locations were discussed for meetings. Crystals in Irving has a heavy possibility. We'll investigate it more this weekend. Going back to convention plans: Steamkon is booked to begin in October of next year so we will try to avoid that– time span for our convention. Location possibility "Old City Park". Brought up the man we met (Scott) in Mansfield who builds haunted houses for a living and offered access to a 30,00 sq ft warehouse for our use and maybe be able offer building props for our use. Another possibility for the convention is Halloween sort of theme. Mentioned meeting with DFW Costumers Guild on August 14th 2010 here at The Generator. Sounds like some members are interested in this meeting, so we will make plans to attend. Website: a film and music category asked to be added to the forum by Toby Lawhon [this was later added to the forum]. Eric Chaney spoke a bit about Dallas Maker Space which was launched by different engineers. It's a big warehouse available located off of Skillman in Dallas. They offer sewing, darkroom, lathe, drill press, cutter, and basic tools are all available. There's $40 membership with 24 hour access to the building. Although the building is still under construction, but within about 2 weeks it will be up and running [ now in full operation]. There was mention of seeing if we can do a group pass to Dallas Maker Space building. Their website is www.dallasmakerspace.com . Spoke about the newsletter which will be worked on towards the first of August and first issue launched by the end of August. Invitation to other members to write articles, short stories, poetry, advertise their steampunk related websites, business cards, etc. was made. Eric Chaney did a short slide show on costumes created at the Dallas Makers Space to show a bit of what they do. It was quite entertaining to see. Thank you to Eric for taking that time. Meeting adjourned at 9pm by Captain Hopkins.

FEATURED MEMBER

Toby Lawhon of Marquis of Vaudeville provided some wonderful content for this month's newsletter. We thank him very much for taking the time to bring forth his talents in writing for all our readers to enjoy. Lyrics to An Ordinary Day & poetry* “ ” provided both written by Toby Lawhon.

AN ORDINARY DAY~ ~

The theater is showing the bourgeoisie

the play, it's "An Ordinary Day"

A strange sense creeps hauntingly from the stage

but hey, it's an ordinary day

Oh, like a masquerade~

that coaxes all to leave reality

Oh, lovely precious thoughts

of never returning~

dear patrons all dazzled hypnotically

in haze of a most peculiar state

dazed eyes gaze and sparkle with reverie

please stay? perfect, ordinary day

Oh, like a masquerade~

that coaxes all to leave reality

Oh, lovely precious thoughts

of never returning~

To this place we go

In this place we are gone

Into bliss we fall

Into bliss we float on

Oh, like a masquerade~

that coaxes all to leave reality

Oh, lovely precious thoughts

of never returning~

~*~*~*~ POETRY ~*~*~*~*~Before the beginning of all that is, there was~

nothing, absolutely nothing, not even darkness, so from where "it" came, no one knows. Unknown, even to the oldest stars, for this was before their time, and being so, they knew nothing of the keys to unlock the secrets hidden behind this dimensional door of mystery. (Continued on page 3)

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(Poetry continued from page 2...)

Nevertheless, "it" did appear, and at that precious moment, everything began. "It", was magic. Not magic that had brought it here, but the birth of magic itself, forming, growing, and from it, everything else appeared.. First a backdrop of immaculate black, a waveless sea of pure darkness, calm, infinite, and eternal; it waited. The sea lingered patiently and serenely for how long we will never know, but eventually, and ever so gently, the smallest, minuscule pinpoint of light formed out of the darkness and beamed it's way across the sea. It twinkled and blinked for a moment, just as a newborn baby opening it's eyes for the first time, but it wasn't to be lonely for long, for nearby another point formed and then another and another. All across the sea these children of light were born and found their place within the darkness. Together they grew, illuminating the sea of black, but yet, never being able to undo it's inextinguishable essence. Each child of light was individually unique and there were never two quite alike. The children could never hope to overcome the sea, and the sea of darkness knew that although the beings of light were not as patient, and not as calm, they were just as infinite and would always be. So it was at that very special moment that the most important creation to ever exist formed between the two. It was just as endless and immeasurable as they would ever be, and without it, there would never be harmony within the universe. It was love.~

FUTURE MEETINGS & EVENTS

On September 11th at 3pm, we will hold a meeting at Crystal's Pizza & Spaghetti. This is located at 930 West Airport Freeway in Irving, Texas. Our meeting will be held in their meeting room, which is located to the left of the entrance to the building behind double doors. This will provide us with more privacy to better conduct our meetings. Visitors are welcomed. Food is available there in the form of pizzas, which can be custom ordered, a salad bar, fountain drinks, and hand dipped ice cream. This is a family friendly establishment, and family owned. There is an arcade there for the children in attendance. So be sure to bring money for tokens, if this is the desire. There is a library with great props and background for photograph opportunities.

When the weather cools quite a bit more, we have plans to take a train ride on the Tarantula as a group. The ride lasts approximately two hours, and the cars, to our knowledge, are not air conditioned, thus the reason to wait for cooler weather. Please watch the forums, or attend meetings, to gain more insight on this event.

Other events are posted on our forum, which can be found by going to www.steampunkis.org and clicking on FORUM on the menu. Sometimes events are“ ” posted by other members, and groups will form to attend said events. Society established and organized

events will be always posted here in the newsletter.

A small calendar of future dates is provided below. Please NOTE that dates are subject to change, especially if they are close to, or on, a holiday.

2010 SATURDAY - September 11th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - September 23rd @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - October 9th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - October 21st @ 7:30pmSATURDAY - November 6th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - November 18th @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - December 4th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - December 16th @ 7:30pm

2011 SATURDAY - January 1st @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - January 13th @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - January 29th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - February 10th @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - February 26th @ 3:30pmTHURSDAY - March 10th @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - March 26th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - April 7th @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - April 23rd @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - May 5th @ 7:30pmSATURDAY - May 21st @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - June 2nd @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - June 18th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - June 30th @ 7:30pm

SATURDAY - July 16th @ 3:30pm (1 YR ANNIVERSARY)*THURSDAY - July 28th @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - August 13th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - August 25th @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - September 10th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - September 22nd @ 7:30pmSATURDAY - October 8th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - October 20th @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - November 5th @ 3:30pm THURSDAY - November 17th @ 7:30pm SATURDAY - December 3rd @ 3:30pmTHURSDAY - December 22nd @ 7:30pm

* The 1 year anniversary date will likely“ ” become a large celebration. As this is some time off in the future, we have no concrete plans at this time. However, it is a goal to make this date something spectacular! So definitely plan to be available around that time.

OFFICERS & COMMITTEE POSITIONSFounder: Captain Quinlin HopkinsVice President: NOT YET ELECTEDSecretary: NOT YET ELECTEDActing Treasurer: StaticNomad Editor: StaticNomadWebsite Manager: StaticNomad

Position names are likely to change late down* the line. Other positions could be created & voted on at a later date as well. This is just to show, yeah, someone is actually coordinating all of this!

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MEMORABLE MOMENTS (photos by StaticNomad) OUR FRIENDS

Here are a few great websites to check out on the net:

Brass Goggles: http://brassgoggles.co.uk/forum/

Trial By Steam: http://trialbysteam.com/

Dieselpunk: http://dieselpunk44.blogspot.com/

Marquis of Vaudeville: http://steampunk.ning.com/profile/MarquisofVaudeville

Want your steampunk related site here? Contact the editor! steampunkis.editor@gmail.com

Famous Quote for this issue: “Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo." - H. G. Wells (1866-1946) :

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