William Brand

^ My wife's company. < I love Peanut Butter Cup ice cream from Sweet Retreat in San Jose, California. V What is the strangest dish you've eaten?

^ An open stretch of beach along the Red Sea in the Sinai Desert. < I like grilled cheese sandwiches made with parmesan cheese. V What is the best water you have ever tasted and where?

Aye. I will phone you directly during the week.

If you employ me to live the life of even a humble cook aboard an actual replica ship, I will cook such delicacies that the Captains of other ships will be jealous of your table.

Kass, Kass, Kass... I'm ready to buy, but you have enough choices now that I am quite torn between the 1680's Sleeved Waistcoat, the 1720's Frock Coat and the Men's Brandenburg. I also need the slops, accessories, waistcoats and the Lady's Riding Outfit for my wife. Do you swing any special deals if we buy alot of patterns at once?

I'll begin. I am beginning my period costumes over the next few weeks. I'm hoping to buy patterns from Kass before week's end, including slop and shirt patterns, though I have two good shirts already. I am also commissioning a boarding axe from a close friend of mine. Later in the Spring I'll begin my waistcoat and a larger coat. I will be making a new hat this time around and giving my previous hat to my wife. My expected list for this year if I can afford it all. New hat Boarding Axe Period slops New Waistcoat Baldric Cutlass Pistol Haversack Sailor's bags Additional blanket

You can take an entire banquet to your room and up to seven dinner guests.

^ Inspiration < I have a water treading record, so it's nice to know if I ever get swept overboard, the sharks will have plenty of time to find me. V Describe one unusual place where you have spent the night.

You were leaving before...? But you have a room.

Today's Special is shish kabob.

^ Halfsies. I like a few things scheduled with the rest spontaneous. < I love all celestial events. Meteor showers, Northern lights, Moondogs, Comets, and the occasional eclipse. Unfortunately, it is often overcast where I live and I cannot observe them. V Which country would you like to visit next?

To be perfectly honest, I will probably fly right into Key West very early in the week. I got a very good deal from where I flew out last time, so if I can secure it again, then I shall fly all the way. Still, it is too early to tell. We shouldn't nix the ferry idea, but we'll keep it on the backburner along with so many other good ideas.

It would be great fun to have everyone meet and travel by sea to the festival. The question would then be... What day? Harry has said that we might arrive as much as four or five days early for setup, which would be favorable to the careening camps. How many of us would be coming early? This question might not be answered for some months, but it would mean the difference between traveling in mass or traveling alone.

Is this the one...? http://www.seakeywestexpress.com/ $128 round trip.

I've lost 11 pounds so far.

^ The Ottoman Empire < Spring fever is spreading like an epidemic here. V Have you ever eaten eel?

Maybe we should consider renting a large van. Then we can over stuff it with twenty pirates to shuttle everyone across town to events.

^ Not that I can remember. < I am a veteran of some 14 Baconfests and the only Wetlander to attend them all. V Have you ever been homeless?

My flights generally take me through Chicago and Atlanta as hubs on the way to Key West. We need a large touring bus for the final stretch of the journey.

Ahhh...I see I must explain something about Baconfest. Baconfest doesn't have royalty per se. At least not in the traditional sense. Baconfest sustains the idea that all common peoples are royalty unto themselves, that is why the Wetlanders have never had a "Leader" in the form of royalty. Under that definition, Silkie is definately a "Queen of Baconfest" and certainly a queen of the East, having recognized a desire to spread the call to bacon. Now, while we don't have kings or queens, we do celebrate the 'suicide royals' who dare to become Baconeaters in that now famed contest of foolishness when they compete so see who can eat the most bacon. They are a kind of reckless potentate. A ritual royalty for one day a year. Think of them as more of a fanciful "King of the Forest" as practiced on a few occassions each year on the druid calendar. The wild abandon, with no real governing power. Now I'm talking in circles. Perhaps I should just serve up some more bacon. Perhaps a nice bacon quiche...?

That's a great picture...and yes, we have strayed far from the subject of the thread. Now how are our recuitment plans coming along? I've almost convinced our carpenter and his lady to join us in November.

Secrets and second helpings all around.

I'm thinking about doing some Blue Sun T-shirts again. Would anyone here be interested?

July 28, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog First bell of Second Dog Watch William watched the rank and file of the Starboard Watches go over the side and down to the waiting boats. By the first bell of the Second Dog Watch, almost all of the Starboard crews were gone, rowing with more enthusiasm than those Larboard crews had rowed in return. William fetched a bottle of some unknown but delicate vintage from the small stash within the Ward Room and had it dispatched with the Dingy to Le Requiem with his compliments. ~Larboard Watches on Duty~

Who's the dapper fellow standing next to you?