blackjohn

I tried jumping rope once, and I have to say I found a sudden admiration for those little girls and their amazing rope jumping abilities! Geez... did an event on Saturday wearing lots of wool, but felt much hotter today just trying to walk around the block. Forecasters are calling for at least 105° with the heat index factored in!

Though thinking about it, there is someone much more suited for the role. I think he'd be perfect.

Four hours to cut the grass is just way too much exercise...

That's cool news about Mr Frid. As for Depp... I dunno. He has range, that's for sure. But shouldn't he share the wealth when it comes to cool roles? It has been close to 40 or so years, and I am finally willing to admit that my sister was right when we had those fights over what we were going to watch, Dark Shadows or the Flintstones.

When we did the event at Saint Mary's City we weren't allowed to dig a fire pit due to the archaeologically sensitive nature of the site. It wasn't a big deal since we didn't need a fire, but the site lent us the use of their hearth, which was a brilliant design mimicking a ship's hearth. If you can, envision a wooden base, covered with sand, with bricks on top of the sand forming a surface on which to place your firewood. Very cool looking, very period looking, and probably dirt cheap to make, if not a little on the heavy side. Whether I caught it in any of my photos from the event I'm not sure. If you are interested, I'll dig through them and see what turns up. Callenish... cool font you've got there!!!

I think this is the quickest web page I ever slapped together... Our Chyrgeon working under fire. He's got a great impression. In fact, it's just the one you are talking about doing, the pressed doctor. Feh. Lunchtime is over. Back to work!

Ooooooooooooooo... you have my sympathy. I've tried kicking the coffee habit with little success. The best I did was six months. And yes, I know that headache well. After trying for years, I modified my commitment from kicking the coffee habit to kicking the $tarbuck$ habit. That was easier to do. But still, when I walk buy one like I did just now on my lunchtime walk, I do feel the slightest tug. Not that I've given up $tarbuck$ completely, I do hop in now and again, but five times a week gets a little crazy! So, good luck!

where was the line crossed? i just want to know so that i dont accidently cross it.imnot being sarcastic here either, im serious [MODERATOR MODE ON] If the line had been crossed, and it may have only been reached but not crossed, then the person who did the crossing uncrossed it. One thing I have found over the years as a moderator both here and elsewhere, everyone draws the line in a different spot. Often, the line becomes blurred when the poster is a friend, etc. All I ask is, when posting to Plunder, that we treat each other with the courtesy due a weary traveller who has sought shelter here for the night. (Yeah, I've been reading too much eastern philosophy again.) [MODERATOR MODE OFF]

[MODERATOR MODE ON] I've got my eye on this thread people. Don't cross the line, or there'll be Hell to pay and no pitch hot. Fwiw, I would've split select portions of this out and sent it to Rabble Rousing, however, I believe Kass opened the door and invited in dissenting opinions by posting the following. You, the pirate populace at large may not agree with her, or with me, or with whatever, however, I find the topic to be an interesting one, worthy of discussion, so please, feel free to express your opinion, but as moderator I ask that you have a care your tone and your content. (Hmmmm.... maybe I should bring this as an example to my diversity training class today.) [MODERATOR MODE OFF]

Maybe this place is intolerant, maybe not? Maybe it is what you bring with you when you walk in the door? Maybe it is what you read into it? I dunno. Alot is lost in not having a visual component to these discussions, especially when one considers a large percentage of how we communicate is through non-verbal means. As for what constitutes weird... opinions vary.

Well said Harbormaster. I for one agree, we rely way too much on English accounts. I wish I still had command of Spanish, because I believe there is an untold wealth of information hidden away in the Spanish Archives.

My pleasure sir. Glad I could assist. It may be the first case of a drunken sailor getting a tattoo. Maybe he had too much of that Indian specialty - fermented corn and spit homebrew?

That's the key, or a key, stick-with-it-edness! Keep on truckin'! I did a walk early today, because by the looks of the sky, it may rain today. Of course, 70% of the corn in Maryland is bust because of the drought we are experiencing, and I can't think of the last time I saw a rain shower...

For anyone following along at home, that would be Lionel Wafer, A New Voyage and Description of the Isthmus of America pages 136-7.

You'll like this... I figured I'd skip right to Mr Wafer's account, since he did in fact go native. Mr Wafer has this to say: Now, here's the good part... So, there's evidence. At least one buccaneer by the name of Bullman had a tattoo on his cheek.

I don't know who Surfer Joe is, but I've always thought reenacting Mr Wafer would be a hoot!

When left on the Isthmus, Mr Dampier's friend Mr Wafer went native, so much so that Mr Dampier didn't recognize his friend when next they met. Mr Wafer was wearing a silver penis sheath and not much else, as I recall. Mr Dampier notes that Mr Wafer was "painted like an Indian" (Dampier, A New Voyage, pg 37). If nothing else, Mr Dampier recorded practically everything he saw. I don't recall Mr Dampier ever remarking on his fellows getting tattoos. He points out Mr Wafer was painted. And when he says painted, I believe he means painted. Ymmv

Did my walk again today. Didn't notice the heat and humidity when I started out, but by the time I got back it was getting scorchio!

On Saturday, 4 August, The Pirate Brethren will be attacking the Colonial Plantation at Ridley Creek State Park, in Media, Pennsylvania. I expect the turnout for this event may make it our largest to date, so if you are in the area, stop by and say hello. Brrrr... I hope the snow melts by then!

Capt Tight is right. And, I might point out this has odd side effects. From my point of view, the academics and historians aren't allowed to express historical opinions anywhere here but in Captain Twill.

Just Blackjohn is fine... not captain, not mister, hell, even John is just fine too. Sorry you missed us as well. It's always a joy to meet people from the forum, even though I sometimes may be too busy to stop at chat, I do enjoy putting a name, face and personality together into a real live human being. The event was generally uneventful. I had fun, to be sure, as did my fellow pirates, but on the grand scheme of things, this event would rate low compared to some of the great events we've had in the past. I snapped a couple pics here and there. These haven't been resized, but if you like cool muskets, here are some pics of John Buck's miquelet lock Portuguese escopeta. Full view Lock

I know that one well. If I haven't stepped on a scale, I can judge by how well my reenacting clothes fit. At the event on Saturday, my waistcoat felt a little looser than at the last event. Walking... I can get into this!

Honestly, for this, for me at least, period correct isn't such a big deal. I was just looking for some semi-period fun.

I'm not expert in paintball guns (I have a friend who is, however) but as I recall, something like 20 years ago when I first heard of it and saw a paintgun, it was a pistol, which, if memory serves, had a manual cocking lever along the top of side of the barrel, and a co2 cartridge inside the grip. It was loaded by opening the bolt, moving it forward, inserting a ball, the closing it back up. But I tell ya, it was a loooooong time ago, and memory fades over time, so I could be totally wrong on this. I tried searching for them on the net, but didn't really have the time to do an exhaustive search. I like all of your ideas, however, and look forward to seeing what you come up with!

It would require specialized kit. As I said, it could be done, for a price. Not worth it, imho.