Cire

And here I thought owning a watch was owning your own personal time machine...

Very interesting info that.

You are too kind, Capitaine Sterling. Merci beaucoup!

( Who says the English and the French cannot get along.)

That would be the English and the French. :)

Actually anyone can do it. We live in America., if you cant make your dreams come true here with the tools you have as an American., you couldnt make them happen anywhere.

I'm not an American! I'm a kike, a yid, a heebie, a hook-nose, I'm kosher mum, I'm a Red Sea pedestrian, and proud of it! Oh wait, that's Monty Python's Brian.

I'm British, and I may or may not be proud of it.

I'm just a person who enjoys it. I've no major desire to go to extremes on accuracy and authenic appearance unless I'm paid a handsome sum for my troubles. If that sounds outlandish and silly... PIRATE!  Why spend ungodly amounts of money for something that brings emotional fun for me for the moment but can be extremely costly in the long run?

I've found this when doing Rev War and talking with many others who do many other eras as well.

Re-enacting shouldn't be just a hobby any more. It's too costly, too pricy for just dressing up for a weekend to portray a historical event.

<snip>

History is only based upon what someone said, be they alive still or by what someone wrote hundreds of years previous.

Until someone's willing to hand me over a paycheck for my troubles or allow me to commandeer a ship for the hell of it without being arrested by the Coast Guard (granted how many of us would REALLY love to commandeer some of the Tall ships out there? Hmm? There's some nice fine vessels).

<snip>

I commend those however who are able to portray a real historical character. I pray you all get paid handsomely for it, too. Personal satisfaction shouldn't just be your only reward.

I'm sorry, and I know you probably didn't mean it this way, but this sounds to me like you are saying reenactment is the only hobby that is expensive.

By what you appear to be saying, collectors of rare items should be paid to collect things, otherwise as you say "Why spend ungodly amounts of money for something that brings emotional fun for me for the moment but can be extremely costly in the long run? " My point being that there are many expensive hobbies, and if you apply the same logic to all, it would get ridiculous. And if you include the time and effort into the expense to refute my example, my dad is a morris dancer. He has spent a fair bit on kit, and also on travel to various festivals and dance outs. If the sides her are with do paid gigs, the money goes in the bag and he gets nothing out of it except the enjoyment of what he is doing, the fact that he has entertained the public, and maybe earned a few derisive comments from those who think morris dancing to be a joke. And those who dislike the morris have been known to endanger dancers lives.

And what is wrong with doing things for the satisfaction alone? I currently am unemployed and spend some time volunteering. Whenever I see something being done, I want to help. I do none of this for money, and the idea of doing these things for money is alien to me. This is probably why I don't have a job, because I can't get my head around the concept of doing work for money. This does eat away at my finances, and I admit at some point I have to get over my issues about getting paid to do things an get employment, but the things I enjoy I think would become tiresome if I did them for anything other than my personal enjoyment and satisfaction.

Back on the subject at hand, I don't reenact at present, although I do wear clothes that the public have considered piratey on a regular bases. Usually just modern clothes that I threw on that morning, such as a tshirt and trousers with a black waistcoat and bandana. If I was really aiming to look like a pirate, I'd make the clothes. I am definitely part of the historical accuracy camp. Nothing against those who aren't, but as part of the public as I am currently, I believe in being given an authentic experience, or as close as can be given. You may think the public don't notice them, but the little things can bury themselves into the subconcious and add to the feel of the thing.

Of course, if I'm looking for mindless fun and entertainment, or a gimmick that complements but is not the focus of an act, then the not so historical is definitely better.

This gets into an interesting arguement on authentisity vs. austetics (and I know I didn't spell that right..... so what looks "right")

You mean aesthetics? Yeah, can be a pain to spell.

I'm awaiting the naked mud wrestling to determine who is correct...

I forget whether I've listed the folks I have met, but it's changed recently anyway, and I just wanted to post to say how flattered I am to be included on several lists of "WLTM".

I have met:

Tall Paul

Cap'n Badger

Cire

Hawkyns

Kass

Fairfax

Bleddyn

erm, that's it I think.

I'm not going to list who I'd like to meet cos I'll only miss people out and they'll get offended. Suffice it to say I'd like to meet the Twill crowd.

And Pat, if I ever make it to the States I expect you to travel through sleet and hail to reach me.

Can I still take you up on that offer of making it up to me for missing me off the list last year Ed?

Ooh, I once stole a key-ring from the Golden Hind, does that make me a pirate?

Was this before, whilst, or after working there? I suppose if you weren't working there at the time, it might just count.

I'd certainly be interested, though I'm not sure about my funds. I've never been keen on buying footwear that I can't try on first, even more so if they are above £20 (which is probably why all my footwear is decidedly modern). I don't want to buy them and then find that they cut in or damage my heel if worn for long periods. If I can be assured comfort, I might just be willing to shell out for em.

Is this version of the Bay of Biscay-o period, or is it just the tune that is?

So if I got really well informed on a subject, would I get shadow stalkers too?

Not impossible, especially considering the later use of "black flag" as a euphemism. I'd have to go back over all my notes, but I'm pretty certain that most of the references to "black" flags, particularly those referring to a specific flag, are actually just descriptive. Quite a few of them use the word "sable", which is heraldic language for black, certainly suggesting an actual black flag.

Foxe, as fond as I am of you, I think you are a wally. Why did you not say sable before? But if you are going to check back through your notes, at least it'll be keeping you out of mischief.

Foxe, another thought on references to black flags... probably not very likely, but it did occur to me. Considering the usuage of the word blac:, you can have black moods, it could be a black day when disaster strikes, black can mean evil... is it possible that a black flag wasn't black in colour at all?

Your missus likes Bloom? Foxe, I feel sorry for you.

But Foxe! The pirate-Templar link is real! It is as true as the pirate-ninja conflict, and we all know that is no lie.

I know all about your views on the Cobhams Foxe. Doesn't stop me looking around to help you prove it. :)

Being in Poole, I have never seen a shred of information regarding Cobham. Considering the amount of stuff there is on smuggling in the area, one would think he would get a mention, if not for his piracy, his smuggling. I am going to the Local History Museum on thursday, and while I am there I shall see if they have any information, though I doubt it.

Cire! Sorry me darling, how could I omit you?

I didn't forget I'd met you, I just forgot you post here.

Now, how can I make it up to you?

Hmmm... I'll have to think on that one.....

I've met Foxe. SWPF 2004.

It struck me as nonsense the moment I clapped eyes on it. I can't believe so many websites claim it as true without at least trying to test the integrity....

I should have known you were going Foxe... alas, I had no means of getting there, a pity because it would have been nice running into you again.

The International Fleet Review was on the 28th of June, that is probably where the confusion lies. Trafalgar weekend is going to be the 21st- 23rd of October, when it should be.

Or maybe he just wanted a particularly lovely harem..... :)

*will behave now*

I joked to a friend that I should get a tattoo on my wrist where my watch normally goes, to mask the pale skin which doesn't tan. He said I should get an outline of my watch that says "watch goes here". Sounds fun, although not something one would seriously consider....

Actually, Charles Wheatson invented the concertina around 1829 and it was marketed from 1836 as an instrument, before which it was considered a curiousity. At this time melodeons were being developed in Germany.... but yes, the point is that they weren't around during the golden age.

Foxe, if ever ye rob them, hows about doing an old friend a favour and sending some of the stuff my way?