GEARCon 2011!

Gaslight Explorers, Adventurers, and Romantics Convention. This was apparently Portland's first Steampunk convention. Yay Carol for inviting me to another great adventure! I spent two days making a vest for Jeff to wear as his costume. One day dyeing and planing and the next day sewing and unplanning. XD But it turned out pretty well, considering the lack of materials, pattern, and backwards stitch lever. Carol was going to bring a few costume pieces she'd put together in the past but, as they often do, things changed. BUT I had this odd vest thing that I'd bought on a whim forever ago but never got rid of that worked pretty well. Our costumes intact, Jeff and I ventured forth into the Portland and found the hotel where this thing was at. There were some fun booths selling goggles and other steampunk accessories as well as literature and tickets to other cons(I bought those >.<;). After meeting up with our friends and milling about, we left for food! It was VERY hot outside with so many layers on, but it was amusing to see different peoples' reactions to our being in costume. There was a fashion show full of fun costumes, then we left to buy booze! We returned in time for the start of the ball. Actually, during the start, they taught people to dance, but my feet were too tired from all the walking in boots. So we watched people dance, they brought in Unwoman, with her amazing voice and cello-playing, then various performers, and then an industrial-esque band. Yay drinking with oddly dressed people dancing oddly about you to odd music. ^^   There were various different talks and workshops you could go to all weekend, but we didn't attend any. Besides, it was cheaper to just be there Saturday.

This was a really fun event to attend. A little small, but I'm sure by next year it will have grown. Maybe I should pay attention to the workshops/talks? Having a costume and a group really made the experience. (You could tell who were the random curious hotel guests who paid to get in. The stuck out like sore thumbs without costumes!)

This is the terrifically ugly hat that I almost bought because it worked with my costume so well!

Jeff trying on a Stumptown Kilt. I think it would work wonderfully if  he untucked the vest and didn't have the other clothes on.

Yay New friends! The Wonderful Ms. Silverman.

The bag of booze for later...(but that's yet another adventure)

Showing off my vest!

Old-timey photo!

The Boys

Ryan had a little help making his costume look distinguished.

Knight!

Chillaxing....

The trumpet-playing belly-dancer

Unwoman

Contortionist!

She stood on her head!

The Highlander look....with a bit of stempunk added in ^_^

He has an underwater gun!

.....I do not understand the "lolita" style at all.......