Cap'n Pete Straw

Frustrated beyond belief... my e-mail inbox was wiped clean (Comcast seems to do this every few months)... Harbormaster, "info and transaction" sent -- hope it worked, but my regular e-mail is screwy as can be right now.

Gold teeth look mighty purty when ye smile, too, Merrydeath. I notice ye have a small pouch o' them hanging from yer belt, next to them thar pliers...

FLESH GORDON! I saw that in the theatres when it was originally released... LOVE that movie! Best parody ever, in my opinion. Finally able to see it again when it finally came out on DVD. I actually forgot I owned it until you mentioned it (I have it buried deep in the darkest child-proof vaults).

PPhil twice used the word "startin'" But his prose sure has his heart in.. Some may think him witty Fer creatin' that ditty, But me I think it's like fartin.'

...Ahhh... Speaking of Swordplay, my wife had "Kill Bill Vol. 1" playing on the tv... had to take a break to watch the Oren Ishii / Crazy 88s massacre scene... mmmm... swordplay...

Dueling is an art form and, of course, a sport. And I love the discipline and beauty of it. And I gotta tell you, there can be PLENTY of adrenaline, if you fence to win. Sometimes winning depends on adrenaline Quick anecdote... In fencing class one day, I was faced against a complete newcomer (a very large hulking guy). It was clearly the first time he had ever wielded a blade. He hacked, swung wild, slashed and swatted at me. Beat me backwards across the room, and it was all I could do to guard against him. Sloppy, sloppy style. But he beat me simply by overpowering me. I received welts all over my arm and torso. Hurt like hell. He felt proud at beating me, although I explained to him the need for finesse and control. He didn't understand. The next round, I used all my finesse, control and training. And an absolute TON of adrenaline. I countered his swings. I diverted his swats. I guarded against his slashes. He did not land one single hit on me. And I scored against him again, and again, and again. He then understood -- brute strength does not necessarily win the fight -- and I saw him paying very, very close attention to the instructor from that day forward (and he got real good, too). But I learned a lot more than he did from the experience ... I should have faced him at Round One as I did for Round Two. And have always faced off against my opponents that way ever since. Was someone complaining about going off-topic? This forum is "Swordplay," and it is swordplay we are discussing. ...And I applaud you and your talent, Hawkyns. Hope to see you in "action" some day. Don't necessarily want to face off against you, though...

Merrydeath, "penguins" ye say? Yer rhymes, I fear, aren't okay. But still ye can boast, With over 4,000 posts, It's volume that counts 'till today! Six words, limericks, or Haiku? Where to post, what to say, what to do? There are so many fora (with more words than the Torah) But first, I must go to the loo!

For anyone else considering this sort of decor... There is a surfeit of nautical decor available at local Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and TJ Maxx stores (I am not sure how nationwide these chains are, but I have seen them at other stores which carry interior decorations). I personally love the life preserver (Hobby Lobby) which has a clock in the center, with different knots representing the hours. Sounds tacky, I know, but the thing was made quite well, and did not LOOK tacky. But too nautical, less pirate. My son picked out for his room a mirror (TJ Maxx), mounted within a shadow box, which has a miniature multi-masted ship and some of the aforementioned knots. A little more pyratical, and now he has a mirror. Tasteful brass ornamentaion on the walnut frame, and it looks really nice. I, of course, picked myself up a nice little functional brass Bring'em Near (spyglass), which is sitting in my sea chest next to my brass sextant and brass compass... I'm thinking of building a nice display box for the set to keep in my yet-to-be-themed office. (Now my son has his eye on my old leather/brass spyglass. And NO ONE touches my original 19th century nautical 'glass!) ...But these nautical decor "lines" also carry several ship's wheels... ranging from small (perhaps 15" across) to larger (maybe 20") to gynormous (3 feet? Was it larger?). When I saw this, I recalled Lady Seahawke's bunk bed idea, and attach a (gynormous) ship's wheel to the end... hmmm... Perhaps with one of the aforementioned skeletons lashed to it (Uh oh, we are branching into Dracula lore...) But I need a decorative bed more than a playset (he'd rather play Halo 2). Although completely impractical, can you imagine a huge utility chain rigged from the top corner of his bunkbed, stretching across the room, attached to a heavy anchor embedded into the floor? (even cooler with blue carpeting!). But that's not going to happen. Still... an anchor...

Yow! I forgot that movie existed! Just the title brought back memories! I'll pick this up the next time I get to Blockbuster! (now if I can just get through the ten inches of snow in my driveway....)

Easily solved! Inside your "tarred" haversack, carry a small tin of real tar, and pull it out to take a whiff everytime you have a yen for the odor...

You might want to consult a good dentist for the teeth...

My training is with the epee. Got pretty darned good at it, but have not fenced in about 16 months, due to geographical move, so I am a bit rusty. Anecdote: When I began acquiring my own fencing equipment, I had to purchase the epees and the mask (I can do only very limited work in metal), but the fabric stuff was not a challenge for me to sew. I whipped up a pair of fencing gloves (and later another pair), but then carefully designed my own pattern for a fencing jacket, modeled after photographs of circa 1900 jackets (i.e. buttons). The finished jacket was black, with red lining, and looked sharp as hell. I was a bit embarrassed when my fencing instructor informed me that black was a color reserved only for the highest fencing Masters... ... I had to get real good real fast.

D'ye mind cheatin'? I have made some tarred canvas equipment and am extremely happy with it... and NO ONE has seen through the short cut. I use black fabric paint, available at most craft stores. When the stuff goes on clearance sale, I purchase a few bottles and save 'em for a project. The secret is to apply the paint sparingly and rub it into the fabric -- this way, you get a dull "tarred" look, and not a shiny plastic look. Advantages: it is a non-offensive chemical (does not combust, will not kill you, etc.), and it is totally waterproof. And can be had cheap, if you wait foir the clearance sales. Reject my input if you wish (and I welcome the purists to do so)... but it works, and it works well. Aside from the (lack of) odor, you really cannot tell it from the "real thing" without careful scrutiny

Ahhh... no. Thank you everyone! I am hesitant to respond, for I don't want to shoot anyone down, nor limit creativity. And we are still in the planning stages, so all input is being collected. Suffice to say, virtually every idea posted so far had SOME aspect that seems incorporat-able into the finished design ... and before anyone thinks that I am excluding PyratePhil, I must tell you that we had specifically discussed the idea of hanging a skeleton on one wall (I have a couple skeletons in storage) dressed in rags hanging from shackles (again - have several)... which IMHO is not far from PyratePhil's input. (is anyone more horrified than PPhil? You thought it was a joke, and it is in our plans!) Was my son consulted? Extensively. He saw and vetoed/approved photos. He is an integral part of the planning process, and has gone furniture shopping (nothing "perfect" found yet). Budget? Assume sky is the limit. We need to be reasonable, but if it works, we have the means to pull it off -- barring significant infrastructure alteration (suggest it if you must, but his two bedroom windows face out from the front of the house, and cannot detract from our "street appeal"). Regarding your ideas, keep in mind this has to be a functioning BEDROOM... He sleeps in there, has a dresser (already looking for a Victorian replacement that will look like ill-gotten swag), needs a bed (presently a bunkbed, and we have been considering a "real" bed -- but you have some real good ideas for modification, Lady Seahawke), has a TV and X-box (yes, yes, will be in an entertainment center... etc.). KEEP THOSE IDEAS COMING! Real good input so far! Thank you everyone! I should have thought of posting this topic months ago!

I must concur. The term "Stitch Counter" is generally accurate... those thus dubbed are known for their level of authenticity (but sometimes reviled for that same level). The term is often used to express a degree of "anal retentiveness"... but don't anyone complain about my using THAT term, as I admit to being be one of the most anal retentive people you will ever meet in terms of authenticity (but I pick and choose where to draw the line, and make no claims to be a stitch counter). However, "Stitch Counter" is a title / label which can be proudly owned up to by the most rigid of stitch counters without shame, and I doff my tricorn hat to those willing to subject themselves to such a degree of authenticity.

Okay, I posted this in another thread, and although dark, it is ideal for what Mercenary Wench mentioned. I thought this was an actual room, but have now learned that this is a 3-D image designed by Tony Davidson.

There's a couple more photos (thumbnails -- I cannot access the large pictures) on this page -- the best ones are the bed built into the wall as part of the wall-painted ship (with wallpaper canvas-sails hanging from the ceiling), and the one with red bedding that looks as if it's inside a cabin. BEWARE, access to this webpage necessitates avoiding uploading Spyware, but I was able to counter it with my computer. You may wish to steer clear. Pirate-Themed Bedrooms BTW: Yes, we are thinking about painting parchment-colored walls and drawing pirate and other nautical maps upon them (this is almost a given at this point)... and possibly behind the "torn" parchment, a look out over the seas for ships in the distance... still working on this idea...

Here's the other shot of the same room...

Here's a couple of examples.... these first are two views (one overhead) of the same room.... note the eroded "path" actually cut into the floor with sandy footprints....

My 13-year-old son wants a pirate-themed bedroom. My wife and I have a lot of ideas, but have not settled on anything yet. I thought I would ask the crowd -- any input? Please do NOT post photos, unless you think we cannot find them. Trust me, we've found plenty (As examples, I will post one or two for you to enjoy), as we have scoured the Web. What we are looking for are good suggestions. What would YOU do? We are NOT going to replace the windows with portholes, and he still needs a bed (sorry, a hammock is impractical), but anything else is possible. What say you?

WHAT?!? Sacrilege! Are you impugning the Adult Film Industry by implying that these movies are not serious? I challenge your statement, and I offer up for rebuttal to your claim the excellent serious works of -- "Lord Of The G-Strings: Femaleship Of The String" (2003) -- "Playmate of the Apes" (2002) -- "2069: A Sexy Odyssey" (1977) -- "Spiderbabe" (2003) -- "Dr. Jekyll And Mistress Hyde" (2003) ... all starring, coincidentally, Misty Mundae. Are you implying that these are not serious cinematic works? This is storytelling in its highest form! Ummm, not that I have personal knowledge regarding the content of these films (and I am NOT suggesting that I have a copy of "Play-Mate of the Apes" autographed by Misty Mundae in my extensive POTA collection)

If it was setting off a line of gunpowder... Assuming the pirate in question has a flintlock at the ready (and we already KNOW that there is a surplus of gunpowder available), it's the simplest means-at-hand. He simply adds some powder to his frizzen pan, shoves a little down the barrel, aims the barrel at the line of powder, pulls the trigger, and crack - kapow - sizzle.... BOOM!

The Keith Richards thing started as a joke -- if I recall correclty, in Entertainment Weekly magazine, although it may have been reported in the magazine as a joke said on, for instance, Conan O'Brien. I was amazed over the life-follows-art thing when it was reported here as "fact."

Oops! Opened this category, scrolled down, saw the name "Jenna Jameson", and (because my kids are at the other side of the room) bailed out... Will check back later...

Granted, "swords," as a general category, were never intended for blade-on-blade contact, but you are technically including epees in that same category, which were specifically intended for nothing except blade-on-blade contact. Speaking of which -- does anyone know what happened to Santelli & Co.? I got all my fencing equipment from them, had no contact for a year, and they now appear to be non-existant.