William Brand

Yep. They look like sneakers, but trust me...those shoes wanna fly.

My Rocket Dogs! Yes...I want those back when you get a chance. Just dump them in the sea chest for now.

Thank you, all. It's been a very interesting year all around, and no, it isn't old age. It's scheduling (damn scheduling). And if you spent any time at PIP this year, you know the havoc that scheduling can cause. I was supposed to go to dinner with my parents on Friday, but we had to change it, due to scheduling conflicts. Such is life. Still, it's been a very good birthday. I've actually been celebrating my birthday since PIP and earlier, as much of my kit there was a birthday present from Tracy. I'm also wearing my present to myself...a Mercury hoodie. Tracy has been buying me all sorts of early Firefly collectibles and must-haves, including prints, dinosaurs and not a few obscure replicas. I'm spoiled. Nine hours and forty minutes into my birthday, and still no bacon.

It's all me this time, I'm afraid. Trying to do too many things at the same time. Apart from a few shirts waiting to travel with monmouth caps, the last of the shirts and sweatshirts ship today. Watch your mailboxes.

Le Nonne in Logan. Best Italian ever, though I once had a smashing good pasta in Little Italy in New York. Sushi at Tanpopo, now closed. Sadly, the owner passed away from cancer. The perfect dinner at Cafe Sole in Key West. 18 hour smoked beef brisket at Armadillo Willie's anywhere they serve it.

The many double takes that greeted me as I clapped hands with friends I had not seen in years. Eating good food, well prepared in good company. That perfect fatigue that comes from a long day of honest work among fellow pirates. Standing under the stars on the beach following my last gate watch of the event. It was about 4 in the morning, quiet as an empty church, and clear enough to lose whole constellations. Sitting in the dark in the middle of the Mercury camp that same night listening to the quiet snores of two dozen of my fellow crewmates, too glad of the sound not to just sit and soak up the feeling of the sleeping camp. The report of the French six pounders across the field. Standing about with a half dozen burly men talking cheerfully about sewing of all things. Sitting at table with the Mercury crew during the last dinner. Talking to my children on the phone while surrounded by song and conversation at the Archangel's fire. Storming the field of battle. Thai food! Strolling about the camps in a monsoon. Sneaking candid shots of friends having a good time. The auction. Any more explanation would make me out to be a monster. Meeting new people I've known for years. Rubbing elbows with Captains and countrymen and knowing that we'd all do it again in the future. Also...William Brand's middle name is Tyndale, and I think Sterling and Tyn would make a great name for a book.

Here's a group for people still looking for pirates in Colorado. http://www.piratesofillrepute.org/forum/

Just sending out messages in bottles again.

I'm not opposed to June at Ft. De Chartres and/or September at Ft. Osage, and as we're so wide spread, picking any one date and location for all may be impossible. Michael was also looking into an event on Lake Erie which sounds very promising, so we'll leave this discussion open ended until we learna little bit more. Still, any members of the crew wishing to represent the Mercury at events more convenient to themselves are more than welcome to. I'm sending out flag patterns to several crew members who have asked, so we'll have no shortage of Mercury jacks flying about the country.

Close. If you're talking 2005, then it was Captain Jim, Patrick Hand, Mad Dog Mike Wilkinson, Giggles the Pirate and Myself.

I hereby give my permission to my fellow pirates to use my photos for the purpose of presenting themselves as sexy, hawt, seafaring, wunderpirates.

I too would like to extend my best wishes to my fellow Decemberites. Happy birthdays all around.

No. Let's agree to end it there. We'll pick it up again at PIP next year.

I have beautiful plumage.

Not dead. Stunned. Always be certain that people put their car in park before asking for their pogs.

Why not start a Frapper Map for alla th' Mercury Crew ? I would, but Frappr crashes on both of my computers, so that's out for me.

You're most welcome. Here are some from December 5th... http://picasaweb.google.com/williamtpace/PIP2009December5th# ...and December 6th. http://picasaweb.google.com/williamtpace/PIP2009December6th#

December 4th. More to follow. http://picasaweb.google.com/williamtpace/PIP200902#

We're looking at events in the region, so we haven't nailed down the exact month. We're shooting for April to June. I'll post a list very soon.

Jon would be have the furthest to travel to an event in St. Louis so far.

In the hunt for more event ideas, I've been shopping around for something a little closer to home and we're considering an event in the surrounding St. Louis area. I know that we have crew members within six hours of there that could meet up, so we should probably start looking at faires and event locations. It would also help if I had an idea of where everyone is. Of course I'm travelling from 84321, so I'll have to drive quite a bit no matter where we meet. Let's here a shout out of zip codes.

I empathize. I have a period style tavern in my backyard, fully furnished and heated, and not one other pirate to speak of for leagues. Start putting up posters.

I would have to say the brains.

Aye. Contact Stynky or another admin and they can change your Pub name.

Wow. That's spot on.