Duchess

By levels, surely you must mean rows! Is Access still a thing? I was doing some consulting years ago and they wanted an access database built. It was way overkill and none of their people were ever going to learn to use it. Still a fight to talk them out of it! Anyway, point me to any cheese based recipes please.

Very cool! I just gave away the last of my brewing supplies and I miss the process of it all. But I was never much of a drinker and we have very limited space in our house, so off it went. I still have a few cases of mead and porter that just keep getting better with age. Would you be interested in overnighting me some spent grains next time you do a porter? Spent porter grains make an excellent addition to homemade bread. I'll pay the shipping!

Oh my....yes.... It's doubly dangerous since my spouse is also a fountain pen enthusiast. We've got some interesting modern pens and then I completely fell down the vintage fountain pen restoration rabbit hole. I'll even be teaching some fountain pen repair workshops later this year. It's a fascinating application of all my former gunsmithing skills and satisfies my corvid love of shiny things/collecting. Lady Barbossa, have you got a fountain pen collection?

It is a handmade fountain pen from a pen maker named Ryan Krusac. No contributions from me other than saving my pennies for several months.

Of course you do. My ability to believably be shocked at this revelation is unbelievably low.

What about cousins? Uncles? Other ancillary relatives whose exact relation I've never bothered to suss out? Welcome back!

One of the things I've become interested in over the last few years is fountain pens. I haven't followed a typical fountain pen enthusiast path preferring, as usual, to do things my own way. But I never completely abandoned sea related things, so there was no passing up this glorious pen by Ryan Krusac. Moose antler, ebony and mother of pearl. It's so finely crafted that the north star sits above the prow of the ship when the pen is capped. What's new with you? What's old? What is both?

I did not. I did get a "new device has logged in" message after I returned.

20?! My how much things change and remain the same. Happy Anniversary!

Aw you guys, it is just the three of us and I was actually going to ask if you'd be willing to do as Coastie suggested. Bo, let me know if you're up for two packages rather than one. If not, please don't hesitate to say so! I'll share address and information once I have a definitive on that question. Duchess

Excellent!

I've spent the day digging up the garden and baking apple pies. Not terribly piratical, but indicative of the changing seasons and the impending winter. This changing of the seasons also makes this the season of the Pyracy Pub Gift Exchange! I'm looking for a crew, from far locations, willing to come together for a special mission. This crew will be elite, capable to carrying out the most difficult of tasks...putting things in the post. Sign up now! (Apologies to the Mercury crew I did not visit this summer (you might recall some life events for me this time, that continued through the intervening 12 months, some wonderful others on the opposite end of the spectrum. So, with the best intents, next year?) Those of you who have been around know that participation in this event has waned substantially over the last few years. Last year did not see a change in the tides, but our small crew was successful and happy! I'd love to see a few more folks sign up this year. However, please, before you commit to participating in this event be absolutely sure that you will follow through on the terms as provided below. I'm sure you all can understand how frustrating it is to be the person who is still waiting for their surprise well after the New Year...So don't create that situation. So here's how it’s going to work: Who is eligible: Any current member of the Pub is eligible. If you’ve only been around a few months, I’ll pair you with someone else in equal standing. The understanding being that this would put those newer members on equal footing, as both parties would be taking a risk with unknowns. Regardless of membership status, by signing up you solemnly agree that you will provide some sort of pleasant contact with your designated recipient. If you don't I'll be distinctly displeased with you and highly unlikely to allow participation in the future. What you'll do: Sign up. See below for information about how to accomplish this. After the sign-up cut-off I will PM you the name and address of your Designated Recipient. Sometime in the near future you will put something in the mail, timed so as to arrive before December 25, for your Designated Recipient. What you will send: Often these sorts of arrangements come with a dollar amount limit. I’m not convinced that is appropriate for some place like the Pub, and things have been pretty successful for the last several years without one. Please don't let this lack of specification make you uncomfortable. Also know that you're not buying our friendship, respect or any other sort of attention, so don't bother showing off. We'll just mock you. Things that people have done in the past: Holiday Cards, CD's, dice, a deck of cards, belt pouches, glass pens, etc.... Basically anything goes as long as it is kind and reasonably well intentioned. If this section is really stressing you out PM me, and we'll come up with something or I'll give you quantitative limits to make you feel better. The most successful gifts are often hand crafted. How to sign up: Send me a PM with your name (or something the post office will recognize as a name capable of receiving packages) and an address. Each interested party must contact me themselves, from their own account. I won't sign anyone up on someone else's say so. Simply expressing interest here is like wise insufficient. You must send me a PM with your name and address. This is a test. I MUST RECEIVE YOUR PM BY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18th. FOR YOU TO PARTICIPATE! I will then mix up all the entries and pair up everyone, plan on this taking two weeks. I'll then send you a PM no later than December 1st containing the name and address of your Designated Recipient. General Information: Once you have your recipient, you will then find, craft, beg, or barter something for them and post it off to the supplied address. Please let me know when your package has shipped. After the Gift exchange is complete everyone should purge their PM's of sensitive identifying information (like names and addresses) and I will do the same. You're free to open your Gift whenever you get it (or to wait for some special day) and post here in great detail about it. But let’s have the exchange complete before we start identifying ourselves as "giver of ...." You are free to post here, in this thread, general information about what you are interested in to help your Designated Giver. You're also free to remain entirely mum. Personally, I find the nature of the complete surprise present to be most appealing... If you've any questions please post here or send me a PM. Thanks, Duchess.

I happily attest to Patrick's skill in the construction of ditty bags!

Well, I'm a few days late posting this, but I think we can officially lay to rest the 2015 Secret Gift Exchange. With ever dwindling numbers, I salute those of you stuck it through. Despite my some what shoddy level of management this year, you have come together to provide a small measure of happiness to your fellow pirates. Thank you once again for a wonderful year, I wish each of you more happiness in this year than you knew in the last, participant and bystander alike.

Whenever I am concerned about pointless universals, I remember this thread or am auspiciously reminded of it's existence and suddenly pointless universals seem much less important than pointless specifics.

A few of us are still around. The holidays are a busy time, but bring happy wishes for happy new years!

Bo, I'm sorry things kept you from this years exchange, but I'm so glad to hear that things have turned around for you, at least a bit. :)

While I've had a box sitting here for quite some time, things have been hectic enough that I haven't had a chance to open it until this week. Truth be told, I wanted to wait, so that I had some time and attention to savor the contents. I was not disappointed. A neck knife! A mug! Cards! A little dude! A bounty of riches, for which I am very greatful. I feel inspired a new to dig out my garb bins and put together a character just to do the knife justice. Most kind though was the invitiation to come out a visit with the Mercury crew some time this summer. An invitation which I will try to honor!

My father is from Alaska and you will never convice me that his tales of killing moose and digging clams under the fridgid darkness and blankets made only of snow are a lie.

A bit delayed, but I'm pleased to announce we are now moving on to the secret gifting phase of this tiny endeavor. I look forward to the fun!

Hello to all four people who signed up. I haven't forgotten about you. I've had some unexpected life events occur these last two weeks. Once I get back on top of that I'll get your information sent out. Duchess

I'm sorry the bureacracy has spoiled this for you Elena!

Welcome aboard once again!

With a week of deliciously cool weather and the local ren fair season behind us, I know that it is time to look to the future. And that future contains the Pyracy Pub Secret Gift Exchange. I'm looking for a crew, from far locations, willing to come together for a special mission. This crew will be elite, capable to carrying out the most difficult of tasks...putting things in the post. Sign up now! Those of you who have been around know that participation in this event has waned substantially over the last few years. I would love to see a resurgance this year! However, please, before you commit to participating in this event be absolutely sure that you will follow through on the terms as provided below. I'm sure you all can understand how frustrating it is to be the person who is still waiting for their suprise well after the New Year...So don't create that situation. So here's how it’s going to work: Who is eligible: Any current member of the Pub is eligible. If you’ve only been around a few months, I’ll pair you with someone else in equal standing. The understanding being that this would put those newer members on equal footing, as both parties would be taking a risk with unknowns.Regardless of membership status, by signing up you solemnly agree that you will provide some sort of pleasant contact with your designated recipient. If you don't I'll be distinctly displeased with you and highly unlikely to allow participation in the future.What you'll do: Sign up. See below for information about how to accomplish this.After the sign-up cut-off I will PM you the name and address of your Designated Recipient.Sometime in the near future you will put something in the mail, timed so as to arrive before December 25, for your Designated Recipient.What you will send: Often these sorts of arrangements come with a dollar amount limit. I’m not convinced that is appropriate for some place like the Pub, and things have been pretty successful for the last several years without one. Please don't let this lack of specification make you uncomfortable. Also know that you're not buying our friendship, respect or any other sort of attention, so don't bother showing off. We'll just mock you. Things that people have done in the past: Holiday Cards, CD's, dice, a deck of cards, belt pouches, glass pens, etc.... Basically anything goes as long as it is kind and reasonably well intentioned. If this section is really stressing you out PM me, and we'll come up with something or I'll give you quantitative limits to make you feel better.The most successful gifts are often hand crafted.How to sign up: Send me a PM with your name (or something the post office will recognize as a name capable of receiving packages) and an address. Each interested party must contact me themselves, from their own account. I won't sign anyone up on someone else's say so. Simply expressing interest here is like wise insufficient. You must send me a PM with your name and address. This is a test. I MUST RECEIVE YOUR PM BY MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1st. FOR YOU TO PARTICIPATE! I will then mix up all the entries and pair up everyone, plan on this taking two weeks. I'll then send you a PM no later than November 15th containing the name and address of your Designated Recipient.General Information: Once you have your recipient, you will then find, craft, beg, or barter something for them and post it off to the supplied address. Please let me know when your package has shipped.After the Gift exchange is complete everyone should purge their PM's of sensitive identifying information (like names and addresses) and I will do the same.You're free to open your Gift whenever you get it (or to wait for some special day) and post here in great detail about it. But let’s have the exchange complete before we start identifying ourselves as "giver of ...."You are free to post here, in this thread, general information about what you are interested in to help your Designated Giver. You're also free to remain entirely mum. Personally, I find the nature of the complete surprise present to be most appealing...If you've any questions please post here or send me a PM. Thanks, Duchess.

If anyone is still waiting on a package please let me know!