The Society

The Society is a most esteemed organization whose full name is as elusive as our ambitions are grand. Our goals may be known only to initiated members who swear to forget them. Our power is great, our scope is distant, our ways are mysterious.

To become ensconced amongst our tribe, convene at our encampment in Black Rock City at the time of 6 of the clock each Thursday, in a location near the junction of Rue de 3:30 and Desert.

You are welcome to bring such treats as may befit a gathering of great minds.



Seal is from a bibliography society. Wight refers to an early printing device.

Can't Stop Now

We started Saturday morning with a long list of stuff "to do" and by Sunday evening we had accomplished much of it as you can see. Of most importance was erecting the balloon and covering it with fabric. The camp shower was also finished (not for the modest!). An amazingly productive weekend. Those involved should be proud. Just 7 days to go!

Saturday. What did I tell you?

I believe it was that we were going to work on the upholstery and balloon. We kicked ass.

The Devil is in the details

Talking time is over. It's time to put up (detaily things) or shut up. All the bits and bobs are falling in to place and the Pram is beginning to look respectable. Take a look for yourself.
Saturday we make the balloon and upholster.

Oh the Humanity

I picked up the balloon part templates the other day. Ken was gracious enough to help us out by cutting them out on his work CAD router. Each part is half of a ring. The drawing above shows the final design. Now we just need to cut out four halves of each ring.

12:30 am

The Amazing Leslie pulled out all the stops on Friday night. She started her first coat just as the sun was setting and didn't pack it in until the wee hours. Our Incredible Leslie painted most of the ship parts of the project. All of the trim was given a dark reddish brown with gold undertones. And the body was painted a lighter brown color. It's mostly done but needs a little 'noodling'. Mostly to age it a little. Good job gentle woman.

A stitch in time...

We had a little costume clutch here at the workshop on Saturday before the last Perambulatory work day. We started with a few trips to different thrift stores followed by a turn of the century fashion show. The ladies showed us many wonderfully steamy costumes. Here the stately Baron shows of his Sunday Best.

A Mid-Summer Night's Work

This seemingly simple photo reveals all sorts of recent Pram advances. First- the second wing has been covered in cans (need just three more cans!) The Amazing Leslie and I knocked it out on Sunday after everyone else went home. We finished at 10pm. Second- The front fan has been installed. It has it's 12v motor and just needs to be wired up to the battery. Third- The Baron had the idea that we should have a mister on board. Today I figured out a simple way to do it. I cut a hole in the 'hood' and dropped a pressure sprayer (green thing on left) into the hole on to it's mount. Add water, pump up the pressure, squeeze the trigger, enjoy!

Tick, Tock,Tick, Tock

Time is slipping away. With roughly five busy weeks to go, work on the Perambulator is proceeding briskly. As The Baron said at the end of Sunday "I did more today than I did the last two times I was here." I think that goes for the rest of us as well. The Baroness and The Amazing Leslie attached the can bottoms that AP had cut to the wing. The Baron prepped the second wing for the metal details. I the Prof attached the copper rail along the wings. There was plenty of sculpting and sanding as well. A long day followed by a swim and margaritas.

Finding My Inner Steampunkstress

Much to the Professor's relief, I've finally started to get inspired about costumes!

We found these great pictures last night that I love and are inspiring the look I'll be going for for my night costume. I looooooove the stiff taffeta and pinstriping on the skirts. And the little details everywhere. Very very cool.

Word from the current Tastologist

Message from Sam Comen:

Todd -
Great to hear from you! I checked out your perambulator photos and thething looks fantastic - what a team you had out there working on it! Ilove it! The steampunky plans sound great! Elixers and vapors. Wink.Wonderful.

DAmn - the yum crew that I knew for such a brief time will be out againthis year? wonderful!
yes, for sure, if you're having a party, thenwe'll be there, with the Tastewagon in full glory.

The Tastewagon, by the way, is yet to be built. Technically now it'llbe the Tastetrailer, as I'm going to build it out on the bed of a 4x8'or 5x9' utility trailer. this will ease the $ pressure of storing andtrucking each year - just tow it and use it. building in the next fewweeks. last minute, unfortunately.

Met a culinary professor on aplane the other day. She's super stoked on the project and wants tohelp - so the cart may go extra gourmet this year!We don't know where Yummy Ruminations will be this year either. Butwhen I do know, you will too.
Thanks so much for getting in touch.
Talk to you soon.

What to do, what to do...

Though I imagine we'll have plenty to do while we're there, it's never a bad idea to bring along some games. I've played a good number of 'em in my day, but I thought I'd put the question to the biggest cadre of boardgamegeeks on the web. Intruiged?

http://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/23147

Any other suggestions?

Our ship is steaming ahead

Here are a few quick shots of the work that we ( The Baron, Baroness, Leslie and P. Fate) got done this Sunday. As you can see above, the back has been sheathed and looks nearly seaworthy.


The fifth wheel was finally attached and works well. Above is the beginnings of the "rudder" that will hide it.
Here is a shot of the stern.
Here is a picture of the dash with steel detailing and some gauges. Below is a picture of the front with both wings attached. Well, whaddaya know!- P. Fate

One small step for burning man costumes...

...one giant step for my sewing skills.

My new breeches and over-sized sky-pirate shirt still need a little work, but I've borrowed my mom's sewing machine, and am getting in touch with my inner seamstress. Thankfully at this distance you are unable to see how mismatched and oddly tailored it all is. Now all I need is a deck of cards for a top hat!

Haberdashery

What will we need for the next meeting?

What will be the best way to make top hats?

The playing card method seems to be sturdy method. I'm sure we could make it taller with more flare.

What other methods could we use?
What materials do we need?

I imagine making a hat, then cutting out windows so that you can see inside the workings of the (cardboard) gears. Light it up at night (if the light rotated, it would look the gears are moving). Solar panel on top to charge during the day.

Or

Maybe we can work off of cylinder paper lanterns.

Maybe our camp name can be related to our brain gears - the Prognosticating Hatters, Gear Brains, The Calibrated Cranium Society... Some inspiration here?

We'll also make that master list of everything we need to buy, make and plan.
And think of party activities.