To see if people actually want to see my thoughts...

Per requests of my friends, it's time I started a blog. So welcome! Now begins the long story of me, edited to protect the innocent. Sort of.

I guess I am sitting at a transitory period on my life right now. I'm out of a job, looking for a new one, finishing my undergrad, and in love and moving in with a wonderful woman.

And the whole laying off is making me perhaps a little more daring than I should be. At least with my career. I'm kind of a creative person. I write, I design, I draw, I craft, and all of those pretty well. So here's the question: Should I go back to the office-drone style job people of my socio-economic class find so desirable? While the last one wasn't so bad (architectural staff in a large firm), there still felt like limits, everything was Mac-modern-Crate-and-Barrel-Herman-Miller sort of life. Too clean, too minimal. Well designed, sure, but not me. The output when there was money for nicer things still felt like CMU and stucco, same materials over and over again. Too consistent, and looks like everything else put up in this decade. Or do I want to live by my wits and creativity alone?

So that question, and my situation has given me an impetus, and a goal. I'm gonna be a Steampunk Architect. I was going to adjust it, come up with a more mainstream phrase for it, and I was leaning towards "Mechanachistic." Steampunk isn't necessarily about Steam, and some purists point it out, but it's looking like technology or items from the Age of Steam. Steam inspired, sure, and parts from boilers abound, as do gears, filigree, and decorated, crafted pieces of wonderful gadgetry. Inspired by the Mechanical, Mechanachistic. Makes sense, right? Too late, now. Man, they never let me name anything...

But since there was the first Steampunk Exhibition in New York a week ago, an Article in the Times, A panel at ReaderCon, and nigh-numberless blogs and forums on the movement, screw 'legitimizing' it with new terminology and wording. Restamping it would just make me some protesting little person trying to differentiate themselves from an artistic movement or style for reasons perceived as egotism. Steampunk is already different in so many wonderful ways, I'd already be standing out. Was I supposed to pull one of those egotistical "The Dynamo needs silence!" numbers, where I put a hand up, turn up my nose, and think everyone around me thinks I'm a true genius? Sorry, but those people are somewhat ridiculous. I've given my better half a request to shoot me on sight if I ever sincerely pull one of those.

So, you might see me wax lyrical on the joys of machinery, of little doo-dads that do cool things, on gears and mechanisms and all that wonderful stuff. Or the joys of creation, as I get every now and then. Ever heard the Mythbusters cackle when they finish a device, and it works wonderfully? Build something of your own design, and you'll understand what's so joyous about it.

I'm hoping someone will at least be looking at some of my stuff, see what I make, maybe purchase it if you feel so inclined. Or beg me to make another one on commission. I do have a place to furnish...

So come back next time, subscribe, comment, do what you will. And remember: don't be mean, because no matter where you go, there you are.