Just a quick one, upgraded the cog generator on vonexplaino.com so you can add spokes and a mooring hub. As you were,

EDIT]: Edited due to LJ's input box deleting most of the content before posting, because that's fun apparently.

So I haven't been able to say anything further regarding the big secret because it hasn't gone anywhere yet. While those involved have been assured that something will happen, at some point, the current status is "give me ambiguity or give me something else." *sigh*

In an unrelated topic, honest *casual whistle*, my new style for my home site has gone up to absolutely no fanfare. Budget cuts, don't you know. While you can still access the site from lapse.nerdvana.org.au I'm now the proud owner of http://vonexplaino.com/ — huzzah!

I've got a journal over there where I'm posting Steampulp shenanigans with hopeful regularity. While I do have code links under "Experiments" and a code post in the blog, I'm probably going to remove those and have the only experiments shown Steampulp related ones (direct links to devices, the cog application, the jaeger application etc.). I'm not entirely sure, though, as I have had some of my applications discovered and used by google-hunters — the GURPS lite character generator and life-path generators to name a couple.

Oh, and mandatory Connie update. I had the door closed to my room this evening so I could work without hearing Master Chef, but as soon as Jos opened the door to ask me a question Connie ran in, jumped on my lap, and decided I wasn't paying immediate attention to her so forepaws walked up my chest until she could face rub against my cheek and chin.

Cute kitty is cute.

No, it's not the naked prof, thank goodness. Although that would make for an interesting series. "Let's see what death dealing devices I can make with simple ingredients."

Nope, the Professor's new vest has been photographed with goggles, hat, official badge and your choice of either Love-o-meter or Adventure bag.

Quick prop-check before work this morning reveals the Love-o-Meter is broken.  Hopefully I'll have enough time/ skill/ equipment to enact repairs tonight.

Quick pic links of Rompness.

At least, judging by the sudden surge of hits on my cog generator, it sure seems steampunk's gaining a greater following. Darnit now we're going to have to move back earlier to be edgy. Rockpunk ala Flintstones anyone?

Just got back from MC-ing the ICTS Rewards and Recognition event for our department at the Gold Coast Campus.  Professor von Explaino introduced the Periodic Table of Excellents with elements such as Client Servicide, Initiativium, Teamogen and Dengatium - Geoffrey Dengate is our Director, the last one was to describe the director's choice award.  It resulted in quite a lot of laughs, it all motored along quite smoothly and the Professor has given me the box of chocolates he got as a thank you for introducing him to our Director.

I got to have a few lighthearted digs (Talking about Acting-in-ides and the popular Theoretical Positions that only exist for a few seconds in org charts), but mostly it was just keeping things moving, making science based humorous references and remaining upbeat.  I wonder if the Professor will be invited back again next year?

Photos when someone gets their photos developed.

Man my throat is sore, stupid science accent.

So I, along with many friends, went to GenCon on Sunday. It wasn't as stand-filled as Supanova, I enjoyed seeing everything for purchase, and the games room seemed to be predominently cards or board. Towards the end of the day I bumped into illdrinn who informed me the games were held in booths off to the sides of the room. Dang.

Still, I bought a d30 and a new dice bag. I also got to shake hands with Alan Tudyk (Wash, Firefly/ Serenity), Paul McGillion (Dr Beckett, Atlantis), David Nykl (Dr Zelenka, Atlantis) and Mungo McKay (Marion, Undead). Amy poked fun at me getting a case of the shys, it only took me all day to work up the courage to talk to them >_>.

Oh, and the Steampunk group I was a part of one first place in the Cosplay competition. I love riding on coat-tails, especially Victorian coat-tails.

To make this more enjoyable, I'll present you with a link to a forum that seems to contain some of the better shots of the various groups at the con. I'll let you find out which ones contain me :)

GenCon 2008 Brisbane cosplay forum.

This cracks me up. I need to find the mp3 somewhere.

Jos and I went to Baguette last night for dinner and cocktails. We were taken straight to our table by great waiters, had a cocktail each and a baguette while ordering, Jocelyn had a Cucumber Collins and something, and I had a Lusty, Busty Maiden. Yes, I was too embarrassed to ask for it outright, I had to ask for suggestions and then nod when that one was pointed out. The food was great. Jocelyn had a fish dish of some description that actually looked tasty, and I had rabbit. For the record, Bugs is very tasty. Dessert pulled Jocelyn's attention with a passionfruit souffle while I had a chocolate treat. Jocelyn amused the waiter by asking for the entree menu after dessert as she wanted something savory. Jos is strange.

Today I woke up early to truck out the ol' Professor outfit once again to join Amy, Scott, Nel and Martin in steam-punk finery for Supanova. Well I think we veer more towards steam-pulp, but anyway. Scott and Martin had to get in there early as this year they are judges - the last few years their costume has been excellent and award winning so they decided to no longer compete. Quite charitable of them, however be assured their costumes were still awesome. Those four were getting pulled over for pictures frequently wherever we were. Many of the puller-overers were asking what series or anime we were all a part of, goes to show the detail that they all put in to their costumes. James and Amanda were also there, Amanda in the best Carmen Sandiago costume you're likely to see. She too got pulled over a few times for snapshots. Jos went plain-clothed and was happy enough with that, thank you. For those interest, of course I have pictures.

Supanova this year was a bit underwhelming. The stalls were all very commercial, the artists alley/ independents area was tucked away and small, everything awesome got sold out very quickly so there was nothing much of interest for me to purchase. Jos bought a few DVDs from JB because they were handy, and Amy bought SingStar 80s for my PS2 so we could further embarrass ourselves in front of Connie. Jos and I went to join everyone in watching the Cosplay - the auditorium was so damn packed Amy and I decided to go back into the shopping area and Jocelyn had a nap. Seriously, organisers, last year we were already starting to spill out - organise it better next year! Amy has a good suggestion, do it thematically - Anime in one group and then The Rest.

All that aside, the guests this year were great. I didn't interact with any or get autographs, but just standing near the line and seeing Jewel Staite (Kaylee from Serenity/ Firefly), Teryl Rothery (Dr Frasier from SG1), James Kyson Lee (Ando from Heroes), Lou Ferrigno (Incredible Hulk series), Michael Winslow (Sgt. Larvell "Motor Mouth" Jones from Police Acadamy) - twas full of win. Jos noted that Jewel and Terryl looked stunning IRL (well, she didn't acronym) and every one of them was so genuine and nice to people getting autographs/ talking to them. It's things like that which make events succeed. Awesome and engaged guests. Just in case any of them find this page via Google, I salute you.

Thanks to Amanda, Scott and Nel for the encouragement to Professorialise. However, I definitely felt the sting of 'not-good-enough' about the outfit so some serious work will have to commence for next time.

Meet 'Bob'.