Oh hello, Steampunk!

Welcome to the world of Steampunk!

Imagine an alternate universe where romance and technology reign. A world of automations, ornate clockworks and time travel, where scientists and dreamers, intrepid orphans and schoolgirls, solve dastardly crimes, escape from monstrous predicaments and hover over volcanos in steam-powered airships.

These were the words written behind a carelessly dropped book in a bookstore I went to recently. I took a look at these words, and thus was introduced, unawarely, to the world of steampunk.

Steampunk is a sub genre of science fiction. It basically revolves around machines, or steam powered machines, life like machines, clockworks, making the impossible - possible, via simple yet amazing mechanical jobs, by gifted engineers. The 14 stories I read in this anthology (a compilation of stories) were pretty interesting. All of them were pretty weird, morbid. But every story left some sort of an impact on me. Science fiction was always my favourite genre. Anything becomes possible.

I'm always smitten by any book that I read. But as I retrospect, this book wasn't all that amazing. I did have problems understanding a few stories from this book for they were based in an entirely different culture all together. But never the less, I was introduced to the world of steampunk, and it's actually pretty interesting! Of course there are so many more steampunk based stories out there.

There are plenty of movies based on steampunk too! I had watched quite a few without even realising it. The Golden Compass, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Stardust, Around the world in 80 days, The Prestige, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Hugo, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (still have to watch this one), are all that include elements of steampunk.

This genre is indeed very interesting! The internet is filled with steampunk art. Some of them are way too beautiful. Here are a few of them.

So there you have it. The steampunk that I know of through my little tinkering with the internet. But I'm sure this genre has a lot more to offer. With time, perhaps, I shall discover more.

Sources: 
www.deviantart.com
www.google.com

Random, but not-so-random, things.

I was bored. I looked around. I noticed.

My companion. Pink. Bronze.

My love.

The best. Bronze. Pink.

My box of special trinkets. 

The innocent intruder. Mr. Shadow.

Currently reading. Steampunk!

Mindspace. Rants. The things that cross my mind.

Planets. Stars. And the sky overhead.

~ * ~

Driving!

Driving is awesome.

With the advent of the summer holidays, I was completely keen on having some new experiences while going on a drive. Well, I really didn't expect them to ACTUALLY happen, but they did.

My recent trip to Delhi had been amazing. The day I would like to share about, is when my uncle took us cousins for a drive. We were returning from the India gate to our home. Now the thing is, this uncle of mine is apparently known for his amazing driving skills. He has crossed long distances in a short time intervals, so I knew he was awesome, already. All he needed was a push I guess, and he could unleash his awesomeness driving! I was totally excited. I asked him that I'd like to sit next to him while we drove back home, for I really had heard a lot about his driving skills. Little did I know, that it was going to be one of my best experiences ever!

Delhi roads. Smooth, and clean. The traffic was well, kind of moderate too. We started of pretty nicely, and I was just gearing up with my seat belt, when suddenly, due to acceleraton, the car zoomed pass a couple of cars and I was left breath taken! All the cousins were shocked, some aware, probably used to this sort of a driving. I was just amazed! It was amazing. The thrill. The rush. And the tiny race we had against a petty Honda Civic guy was fun! Ours was a Zen. Damn, the olden cars were always so amazing. I wish I could own a Maruti 800. Probably a vintage one when I get older and richer. The turns the car took were exhilarating! Pretty dangerous too, if I am to be honest. When we reached home, my uncle made very clear of one particular thing. "Such stunts are to be performed by professionals only." - he concluded with a chuckle.

The other amazing day while we drove was again in Delhi. This time, it was my elder brother driving. Well, he doesn't really count as someone who drives rashly, but the drive itself was amazing. Delhi is usually very hot (Summers!) and if you're driving without using the air conditioner, well, be prepared to turn into roasted human pies! Even so, it was evening, so we left our windows open. Driving in Mumbai with windows open is another experience all together. (Especially as it rains!) Delhi had indeed been different.

Remember the times you've heard and realised, that yes, some of the best moments of solitude and self reflection are spent in the shower? I agree. But not completely. Because for me, it's always when I'm out on a drive.

I like watching the traffic. The buildings. The pedestrians. People in general. And I realise that life's pretty much like this drive. We just keep moving on, meeting different people as we move on, and that's about it. The drive with my brother was awesome too. I'd like to add that music makes a huge difference while on a drive. The songs played in the background gave perfect meaning to whatever I saw with my eyes, as we travelled around.

When we were back in Mumbai, I was keen on getting my hands on my OWN drivers licence. But it had to take time. 2 months, perhaps? I spent time doing the usual things I do. Making lists of what needs to be done, doing it, going crazy. Watching movies. I had a couple of movies to be watched before college started again. The Star Wars movies were included. And I enjoyed them, to the core!

Wondering why I mention this here? Well that's because, in the evening, after watching the Star Wars movies, me and my cousin brother went to check if our own car was working fine. With dad not in town for weeks, it becomes mandatory for us to take it on a small test drive now and then.

As I sat on my seat, buckled up and ready. I took a neat long look at the dashboard. The first thought in my mind were the buttons in front of my eyes. Then the light button overhead. I blinked my eyes and started to giggle. For what was just a car, seemed like a space ship to me. I wanted to sit on the drivers seat. Hold that steering wheel and just zoom off to some place unknown, with loud music, yes. And with every passing moment that I spent inside the car, my want to start driving was getting unbearable!

I have returned, just now, from the regional transport office (RTO), having completed the procedures that are needed to make a learners licence. The licence should be issued in about 2 - 3 days. After which, well, I will be able to drive.

I cannot wait to start off with my lessons! Every moment of those classes are going to be a big deal for me. It's like an opportunity, not many are blessed with. I couldn't fly my own rocket. I could start off with a car. Who knows, if I feel like it, I might even buy myself my very own custom designed bike one day.

Travelling will become oh so much more easier then.

The Tiger in the Well. My thoughts.

This one's the first Philip Pullman that I've tried out. This author is an amazing story teller! I brought the book recently, along with his Dark Materials trilogy. I wanted to compare his writings in both the scenarios taken the fact that this one's not a science fiction. It's based in the 19th century London, and describes perfectly well, the situation and the circumstances during those times. The imagery for my imaginary eye was brilliant. I could totally imagine the various scenarios described in this book.

The following is what I made out from the book. The protagonist, Sally Lockhart, belongs to the capitalist society. She's rich. A lady. And is well off with her life, settled perfectly well, surrounded by her family, friends. It takes a single push that suddenly threatens her entire life, and she comes face to face to the reality, the horrors, of the poor. What makes a difference, are the choices that she makes. As the book goes forth, it tell us, that yes, even if she belongs to the richer side of the society, she would count as 'evil' only if she chose to cast a blind eye at those horrors. She chooses not to. At the same time, she is struggling with her own problem, a fight against a man she has no clue about, who suddenly wants to steal away everything that Sally has; even her own daughter.

Pullman has described all to well what she might have been going through. Sally Lockhart is the protagonist of these other two books too, that he has written. I presume I should have read them first, for Sally was younger then.

It's a true fact, whenever I read a book, I always end up doing something extremely crazy and reckless, within 5 hours of reading its last word. I was pretty calm by the time this book ended though. But yes, I certainly decided on some things. There were certain things that I was doing, and I always chose to look past it. If I see the bigger picture, I am a criminal. It's only if I stand up, face it, that I'd be able to think of myself as a good person.

Another fact that I adored about this particular character, Sally, is that despite being a brave, and in some ways, even notorious, she kept her calm, remained strong, for herself and others. A perfect lady, in all senses. I love the ending of this book. It gave me hope. Hope, that there are good people out there, in this world, no matter how difficult a situation might be. And I also realised, that these good people were the bad ones too, who chose to differ, and to take the correct choices, even though they were difficult. That's what made the bad, the good.

Those children of the moon.

Dearest Moon child,

Did I ever complain?

Those children of the moon always seemed to cripple my thoughts.

Like the straight road ahead, wandering off into streets unknown.

Did I ever ask for you to do so? 

I shook with my beliefs, and they proved them all wrong.

Whether or not, I was correct in the end.

Did I ever tell you that I don't trust you? 

I spoke of my thoughts, like those droplets of water that fall so easily.

Into the vast lake of your beliefs, they mix.

But my thoughts were lost. A silent voice, muffled by your gentle ebb.

Did I ever ask for a reason?

Why was it, that being the child of Jupiter, I was so easily moved?

The force of your nature, did nothing to me.

It was me, who chose, to be pulled by you.

But as I left my spot, a gap was certain.

Did I ever tell you how much I miss my home?

I tried blaming them, as I retrospect.

Of how the Moon children, left me drained of myself.

Of how I was lost, in the light, of those moon children.

Of how their light, kept them safely, away from my judgement.

Why would they shine so bright?

Dazzling my eyes, shielding me from the other stars that twinkle. 

Dearest Moon child, it's not your fault.

It's mine, for I let your light guide my way.

Away from home, for you, it stings.

With you, away from home, I would find peace.

Did I ever complain? 

I could never.