PyratePhil

That's one of the fun things about Steampunk, I don't have to worry about being period or not. (don't get me wrong, the hard-ass authentic stuff is fun, but I wanted a "break" from it for awhile) Hey, Steampunk is not period, and never did exist, so I can play with alla the information I know about period stuff, mix it up and make something totaly unique...

Actually, if you wanted to be "authentic", the Age of Steam does have definite dates associated with it. Example: Though steam inventions started waaay back in Alexandria 2,000 years ago, in more SP terms the first US steam engine to carry passengers didn't appear until around 1830. I think what most SP'ers are looking at for inspiration is the latter part of the 19th Century.

For the steam part, anyway - the tech stuff is definitely all over the board

And yes, there are SP'ers who are busily modifying their Nerf guns to be steam-powered photon emitters - others are making the guns from scratch with wood, brass and iron.

My favorite is still all the tech stuff they mod - the computers, etc. It's just a great visual.

Yeah, I may seriously have to look into acupuncture.

When you're ready, luv, let me know - I might be able to refer you to someone good.

My son, who attends Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio was just recruited to help produce a Ren Faire in town. Not sure of specifics such as shows or cast, and it's only a second-year fair, but if you're in the area stop in and say hi.

What: Oberlin Ren Faire

When: Saturday, April 19 - 12:30-6:00pm

Where: Town Square, Oberlin, OH (SW of Cleveland)

  How comical you are!

Story of my life...

Hey! Wait a minute...

Did you say that BEFORE or AFTER my clothes came off?

Great minds think alike, Patrick lad! I myself were gaining interest in the SteamPunk genre - as you said, there's so much to do with it...imagineering to the max, as it were...

As if you needed to ask...

*starts shedding weapons, clothing, belts - gets tangled up, falls over into the sand*

...help...

'ello, luv! Long time, no see, eh?

Whoa - serious case of déjà vu going on right about now...

Oy - they be writin' me off like a week-old bucket o' chum!

Thank you all - 'tis an honor to be feted by the likes of you. Mayhaps I'll have to peek back in here to "service" those lonely, sour wenches LadyB referred to...

Miss Constance - if you do, I'll probably be a solo act this year - my elder first mate is off to Pyrate U, and my little one has more on his mind than the distinguished art of pyracy.

Ah, well - that way I won't have to share the flesh...

Now if I could only get my breeches over these Depends...

Trying to find a safe costume that doesn't show off too much.

I have the same problem with my Adam and streaker costumes.

Actually, you can have void without...'reality' is the wrong word...matter? Somethingness? Non-void?

Yeah, the word escapes me at the moment, too.

But then it is just emptiness - it "exists", but without anything to observe its existence.

Why must something be observed, or be observable, to exist?

Which in turn brings to mind the usefulness of emptiness...

(Yes, a tree makes noise even sans witness in my world.)

Well, that answers that LOL.

Similarly, we can have somethingness without void (theoretically), but since this would be completely solid, I imagine it as being akin to total darkness, or total solidness. Every interstice is filled, no space exists and thus it is no more useful than total void. In fact, life (as we define it) could no more exist in total somethingness than in voidness in this scenario.

And since when is life the qualifier for the existence of complete solid or complete emptiness?

I still believe that, much like the perfect woman, a perfect solid and/or perfect emptiness does not exist.

Though project yourself into being a living entity in total somethingness. You couldn't ever move. What would consciousness consist of? Could it be anything if movement were arrested? ...interesting

My apartment in college was like that...

True, but the void and reality are interdependent.

Of course.

By themselves, they can exist, but little else

That's just it - they cannot exist by themselves. It would be like having night without day - you wouldn't be able to differentiate. And differentiation is the crux of such human concepts as morals, values, judgments, love, hate and income taxes.

This seems very Taoist to me, but does it make sense?

It's the Void that defines Reality, much as Female defines Male and Emptiness, Fullness.

Very nicely done - nice clean code.

One thought - you might want to incorporate a link to the home page on the top banner. I realize you have the "Home Port" link, but a lot of folks are getting used to clicking on the top banner to return Home.

Also, have you considered incorporating a by-line somewhere near "Gentlemen of Fortune"? If you're concerned about people not recognizing it as a reenactor's site, maybe something along the lines of "Pirate Reenacting and History"? (I'm sure you'll have the words to use more so than I).

Again, very well done.

Makes sense - thank you.

From what I've observed, some people have the wherewithal to do this, but a real capacity for introspection is needed and that's the pervue of introverts.

I'm sure you realize that introspection and introversion are two different beasts, not necessarily hailing from the same family tree...

...even extroverts can be introspective...

In his book The Black Swan, which I recently finished, the author notes that the fact that you are here today is almost a miraculous occurrence. It is almost completely outside the realm of probability - the odds against it are astronomical. Ramachandran sort of attributes this to our latent skills (which are probably not even close to fully explored) which give us an evolutionary advantage - even though the process of evolution is unlikely to have produced them!

Funny - although I agree that it's miraculous that we're here at all, I always attribute it to the working of the Tao. Others, depending upon their beliefs, would attribute it to God, Neptune or what-have-you.

Like Jill, I grew up with gangs all around - in my case, New York.

Similarities - they usually have a Code; good with weapons; enjoy plunder and booty ; attack in group formation, never singly; have a "home port"; use of illegal substances for relaxation; careening (think Chevy Impala up on jack-stands); high mortality rate.

Differences - as Jenny said - the hats. A backward ball cap just doesn't have the same flair...street gangs tend to "play" in a narrowly-defined territory; usually have an obsession with "colors"; women are often brought along on raids.

Well......um.......er.....think mayhaps ye can make some time????

*sigh*

Well, since you're so nice, OK...

Oh, do I remember the song...mostly because in that former life I wanted to BE

Keith Emerson. (And yes, I'm that old). I even had the whole compliment of Hammond B-3 organ, Yamaha piano, Moog and Sequential Circuits synths, etc....at least the pretty and pointy toys that I blow money on now are a damn sight lighter...

Wow...I was actually insane enough to schlep all that stuff around to gigs when I was in my 20's....

Join the club, lad...join the club.

I drew the line at wearing the long white gown, though...

Bogey was my hero and role-model for many years. He was fantastic in so many of his movies, but he was also a square-shooter and honorable guy in the real world. He shunned the usual Hollywood circuit, preferring to hang out with a close circle of friends at home.

Plus he got Baby. The lucky $*#&(.

...do not joke or discuss the no-no words on line, especially at the checkpoint or in Customs. These include, bomb, explode, explosive, jihad, terrorist, blow up, fire, guns, firearms, crash, and any other such word. I have seen people yanked off line, denied flight on the airline ever agin and blacklisted on the spot. This will also land you on one, if not more undesirable lists. If another passenger overhears you and expresses concern, or an agent decides to take advantage of what you said while you were grumbling. They have every right under the law to assume you meant it or you're a threat even if it seems absurd. At the least the cops will come to tell you you're only trip will be home.

Nice to know we're so safe and having our rights protected here in Amerika.

There needs to be a Hot Pirate Men Calendar for the ladies.....

Sorry, luv - I don't have time to pose.

well be sure to check out august. That was a sword made by yours truely...shame it is mostly covered up because the blade was something special.

Is that an angled handle on that, or are my eyes going?

Wish I could see more of it. But then, I said the same about Miss August...

Pirates Den - always a pleasure to fill our hold from their stores

...especially the "Hot Pirate Babes" calendar my oldest son and I both bought

M'Lady, t'were a pleasure meetin' ye 'n' yer troupe!

And aye, th' bloody heat - sweltered all day - we had ta make a trip out ta th' vessel ta partially disrobe half-way through th' day. Hope ye didn't get caught in thet storm on th' way out - we drove 3 hours (normally takes 2) through it, lightnin' a-flashin' and rains a-fallin' hard all th' way.

But it were well worth it ta see PARF again!