blackjohn

Pyracy pub bumper sticker philosphy writ large. God I missed this place.

Hitman!

So good to see you again!

Where you been a-hidin'?!?!?

Besides fun, we also thought that developments in technology in the past 10 years likely made for some changes in how pirate enthusiasts and re-enactors communicate about things that are important to the community. We also thought there might be other things affecting how the community communicates and uses information. For instance, did the Pirates of the Caribbean films bring pirate enthusiasts to re-enacting?

Boy, has it ever! I have seen the way we communicate go through at least three technological leaps... with a couple sidebars along the way.

I did get some images of "Onrust" as well as many other Dutch Barges that came into Nyack yesterday evening (09/14/09)...

Dutch Barges in Nyack

Beautiful ships. Thanks for sharing!

On September 11, 2009, Disney announced that in the summer of 2011, the fourth installment in its wildly popular Pirates of the Caribbean movie series will be subtitled On Stranger Tides. It is fueling speculation that the movie will follow the plot of Tim Powers' novel by the same name, with Jack Sparrow replacing Jack Shandy as the main character.

It certainly has the advantage of being a better story than Pirates 2 or 3. Well... maybe equal to 3. I know many people in the gaming community to think the story is "all that" but I found it missed a few beats. Probably due to the fact that I knew more about the period than the author, thus some things didn't ring true. But most of that stuff could probably be glossed over in a movie. Soooooo... if nothing else, at least it has a good twist ending.

That weekend just prior to 9/11 we had one of our best pirate events.

Talk about going from the height of happiness to the pit of despair.

The world hasn't been the same ever since.

Caribbean Rose be doin' me piratical best to help keep the Pirate Brethren outfitted in the finest pirate attire, so we always look our swashbucklin' best for high seas highjinks.

Uhhhh... do I know you? If so, my apologies for not recognizing your name. If not, by using my groups' name "Pirate Brethren" there is probably going to be some confusion amongst many, thinking that we have some sort of association.

On Stranger Tides?!?!

I wonder if Tim Powers knows about this?

Price reduced... the above tarp is now $275.

Wisdom.

An interesting choice... though I might go for hyper-intelligence or hyper-education instead.

I just watched The Watchmen for the first time a couple nights ago, and of all those characters, the only interesting one was Ozymandias who had the power to use his brain (and body too) at full capacity.

Part One, by Burton Raffel.

I have to see how far I get with those 12th graders.

Yeah, good luck with that. Though I suspect, as always, there are a few who really get it.

I saw The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki at Borders during lunch and was tempted. Sounds like it is related in some way to Beowulf.

I've been thinking of reading Beowulf. It would fit in nicely with my current dark ages obsession.

Excellent. Since you are just up the road from me, I'll send you our classwork and notes. Do try and keep up.

Heh... I may have taken this class already... like 25 years ago!

Which version are you reading? And do you have a translation you would recommend?

I've been thinking of reading Beowulf. It would fit in nicely with my current dark ages obsession.

Hand sewn shelter-half/lean-to/tarp/ground cover/table cloth...

Made by Tom Apple, who also made many of the canvas objects for Master and Commander.

I don't recall ever using this. As far as I remember it has just sat around in a bin and been gawked at for the last 7 or so years.

That being said, somehow it managed to get splattered with something. Could be blood. Might be chocolate. Maybe it's both!

Dimensions - 2 yards by 3 yards.

Pics:

(folded in half)

It can be yours for the low, low price of $350.

Yeah, that might sound high. But look at the craftsmanship on this baby. You would be hard-pressed to find a better example.

Ok, time to start selling pirate stuff. I'm going to start with the seldom used items, and hope I don't have to go too far into the stuff I really use.

But... I have an Adobe Acrobat Pro training class I must go to, and I haven't taken any pictures of stuff... soooooo... I'll be back later.

Also, I think the notion of the Spanish being constantly defeated is just a matter of perspective. The Spanish Empire lasted from what, about 1500 to almost 1900. A 400 year empire is pretty impressive if you ask me. Compared with that, the Pax Brittanica was just a flash in the pan. And the Pax Americana, maybe nothing more than a spark?

On the outside chance anyone is interested, here's what I'm selling.

British Reconnaissance Corps Cap badge

Black Beret

Helmet (pre-war American?)

Helmet net x2

Demin Jacket (size 42)

Denim Trousers (size 36)

Ammo Boots (about US 10.5)

Lanyard, Dark Green

Small Pack (dated 1942?)

Large Pack (dated 1940)

Map Case

Web Belt (dated 1952, with braces dated '42 and '44)

Compass Case/Pistol Ammo Pouch? (dated 1940)

Water Bottle, wool cover and cork

Patrol Pouches (pair, both dated 1952)

Gaiters size 2 (dated 1952)

Gaiters size 3 (dated 1952)

Mess Tin (outer half not dated, labeled ML J, inner dated 1945)

Boyes Bandoleer (1943)

Enfield 303 Cleaning Kit w/ Metal box

Trouser Braces (repro)

Rain (Anti-gas?) Hood

Map Reading Flashlight (in box, with felt packaging material)

Bren Gun Pouch (1943)

Bren Gun Pouch (1940)

Web Belt (dated 1970)

Pistol Holster (no cleaning rod, 1955)

Reconnaissance Shoulder Patch (pair, repro)

Bandoleer with .303 blanks

Osprey Men-at-Arms 187 British Battle Insignia 2

Osprey Men-at-Arms 354 The British Army 1939-45 (I) North-west Europe

They were sitting at the top of the heap... they became complacent... it happened with and will continue to happen to all empires...

If the producers wanted an even passing resemblance to reality

But they don't. They want ratings. It's like Capt Satan says above. They aren't looking for things to go smoothly or work well. They want dynamic conflict that will attract viewers.

Mon-Thur I usually read at least 100 pages a day.

I used to be able to do that before I had a wife, and kids. Now, my reading time is relegated to my lunch hour during work. So I'm lucky to get 100 pages in a workweek. But it's a matter of choice. Instead of clicking keys right now, I could be reading.

This is what I'm currently reading.

Looks fairly interesting. Any good?

With September approaching, I'm very tempted to dive into some Tolkien. There was a phase I went through some years ago when I would read LotR every year.

Gun and armor are spoken for... lots of interest in the clothing from other forums/venues... but I do have a spare copy of Osprey's book The Pirate Ship, 1660-1730 that I'd be willing to part with if anyone is interested.

What size is the WW2 uniform?

Exact size, I'm not sure. I'll find out if you'd like. Approximate size would be "medium". I'd put it at about a men's size 42 or 44. DMS boots about size 10 US.

Ahoy,

I'm going to start with a caveat. Nothing here is pirate related. Yet. I'm hoping I don't have to dig that deep, but just in case, I posted it here. That being said...

I'm having a yard sale in order to fund my Vendel Invasion of England!

As some of you may know, this year marks the 40th anniversary of the group I started reenacting with (the Markland Medieval Mercenary Militia). It also marks my personal 30th anniversary of reenacting, as a member of Markland's group The Viking Horde. In order to be able to attend Markland's 40th anniversary event, I need new stuff. To be able to afford the new stuff I want, I think I'm going to have to sell some stuff that I haven't used lately.

For sale (at present)

1 size "medium" chainmail shirt, in fairly decent shape, butted steel links, with the quirk that somewhere a row was missed so that it has a bit of a dangling edge to it. Not really noticeable, nor does it affect the wear of it in any way.

Selling it for... $60

1 complete WWII British soldier's uniform, repro clothing, original webbing, assorted odds and ends like mess kit, flashlight, etc.

Make me an offer.

I don't want to, but if I have to, I will sell Old West stuff (can be used for Steampunk) and lastly, pirate stuff.

Regards,

John

Finished Dune the other day! Yay! it only took 10 years. And wow, such a great book, I signed on for Dune Messiah and Children of Dune!

I had to look that one up, and... whoa. How very odd.

Was there also a rule about after two days time you have to give a hint if no one has guessed it?