TalesOfTheSevenSeas

After hearing for years about snuff boxes, bottles and such and never quite knowing just what snuff was, I finally got around to looking it up. It was tabbacco, ground very, very fine. A bit of the stuff was pinched between the fingers and sniffed up the nose. It would seem quite logical to me that snuff was probably popular among seafarers on ships, as fire was an ever-present danger. Am I right in this assumption? Or was snuff a bad habit of the elite?

I think the objections made are not about wearing historically accurate clothing and gear. Many of us are avid artifact collectors as well as reenactors. I've got parts of my clothing that are hundreds of years old. I think it is agreed that we all love and appreciate history! The objection is when people misuse history to belittle others, make criticisms and become arrogant. We are all students and we are all teachers. Lessons are best learned when delivered with kindness. The trick is to learn how to share what you know with someone so that they appreciate it and are inspired to learn more! If they feel like the just got raked over the coals they are not encouraged, but discouraged. Been there done that... I used to have to keep kleenex in my classroom because my technique was making my drafting students cry! I've learned since how to encourage and support them as they learn and to let them know that it is usual and expected to go through some growing pains.

Glad you're enjoying the photos and hope that some of you will be out for a sail! Poor Saber, on the way to work this morning I looked at him and said... "ye' know love, if we just headed north on 101 instead of turning off, we could be sailing within an hour or so." It was an unkind suggestion on a day when we're going 8am to 10pm non-stop and then a brutal mountain commute home. I'm afraid I've ruined his day and now the tie around his neck feels like a noose!

Additionally, anyone who would like to visit the pirate haunt rather than be a participant, please email me. I have 2 for 1 passes that I would be happy to pass along.

Mad Mary, do you have a photo of yours? I'd love to see it! I agree, Becky does fabulous work, her prices can't be beat and she's a pleasure to work with. I constantly get people asking where I got the great wench outfit! I've sent several referrals her way and every one of them raves about how much they love their dress. Becky also does specialty projects. She's doing a custom pirate shirt for my husband who is a tough guy to fit. What's really cool is that Becky emailed me the other day to tell me that she's sending me a thank-you gift for the referrals I've sent her way- a custom made wench outfit that she says is the cat's meow- Deepest blood-red brocade with a black chemise!! ARRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

One of the groups that Tales of the Seven Seas partners with are the Pirates of Emerson. They run a high-tech pirate theme haunted house in Fremont CA. (between San Francisco and San Jose) This haunt is rated as one of the 13 best in the country. It features such delights as a spinning vortex tunnel, a water-filled lagoon with live fish, fog filled rooms, a ship that rocks and creaks as you walk though it, animatronic skeletons, an strobe light "electric" fence maze, water-filled windows that bubble and best of all, live pirates that jump out and terrify guests!! ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! The Pirates of Emerson are taking sign-ups now. They provide costuming- you probably don't want your own subjected to this kind of treatment as it can be dirty, dusty and hard on the clothing. They are open nights from 6pm to 10:30pm Sunday through Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 11:30pm, beginning October 10th through the begining of November. I'll be out there on Friday nights (excepting Halloween night) with some of our pirates. If you'd like to volunteer to be a ghost pirate, email Karl Fields at info@piratesofemerson.com or visit their website at www.piratesofemerson.com

Actually, this came about during the Angel Island Pirate Raid. He admired Eric's boots and asked him about them. They were a bit more than we could manage price-wise, but I started hunting and found him a very similar pair at a good price, which he is quite pleased with. Gotta keep me ol' pirate comfy!! :) I also emailed our lady who does my wench outfits and asked if she would make him a custom-sized white pirate shirt. He never liked the one he has. It's on order now and should be here before Oakland, so he'll be happier and more comfortable, as well as lookin' like a handsome rogue in his new gear.

I just wanted to pass along that the problem I had finding pirate boots for my husband seems to be solved. If you'll remember, he has trouble with his feet due to diabetes and can't wear hard shoes. He needed a wide width and something very soft and flexible. We decided to try a different kind of look for him and ended up going with a soft brown suede lace up the front, up to the knee boot. They are very soft sided and are soft on the top, but have a hard sole and a cushioned insole. More of a renaissance pirate look than a Golden Age of Piracy look, but considering he was in a pair or leather sandals before because it was all he could stand to wear, it is a considerable improvement. These actually look pretty darn good and he's happy.

Bessie lass, I gots me an antenna ball too! 'cept mine be a smiley face with red n' white kercheif 'bout his head an' a gold earring! But sadly, me "vessel" be docked in the driveway awaiting repairs and current registration... she be a bit to pirate fer even me to take to the currents at the moment!!

Methinks that be a grand idea ye have there... would be great to pull up alongside with a boat full o' rogueishly clad pirates brandishing cutlasses and flintlocks and let the tourists get an eyefull upclose, eh?!! "Look Martha! Those swords are made out of metal!!!"

...wonder if I could get away with my 3'x5' flag flying from the back of the truck?

Aye, we'll be a sight on I-5, that much is certain! I'll have the decaying corpse of "Jeff" in the back of our pickup! Forming a fleet for the drive and making a pirate convoy we'd be quite a sight- Neko is commuting with us and his truck is riddled with realistic-looking bullet holes... Gotta get some good Jolly Roger antenna flags for us all!!

By guns that be impressive! And even the lickin' don't impede yer balance!

That be quite impressive Bess, how ye' handle a grog in one hand, an ice cream in the other and somehow manage the Captain's gun as well!!!

Ah but 'tis a GOOD concept! For in the broader scope o' things, all us pirates be crew and sharin' in the promotion o' piracy. I SAY LETS ALL 'AVE A GROG!!! THIS ROUND'S ON ME!!! ARRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

*nudging the Captain* Then thar be that OTHER record o' the Royalistes, Cap'n... Reenactment filming on the History Channel and Discovery Channel. Bad to th' bone she be an' certified authentic by the experts.

When a captain invites a person aboard, it is a privaledge. His ship should be treated with the respect it deserves, as should he.

Arrrrrrrrr!!! Don't temp me Cap'n! I'm just likely to leave me kitchen a mess and hope the elves show up to give it a cleaning fer me, come out there and loose the dockline me'self!!!

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR that be excellent news Cap'n excellent news indeed! :) ARRRRRRRR current head count is for 22 pirates, and we've expanded into two encampment tents now. When ye' stop by, do take proper heed o' the Royaliste's Jolly Roger. These colors have flown fer more than 30 years over the decks o' fine rogue ships and the Royaliste is the 4th pirate ship to fly 'em. A fine flag with a fine history. In addition to the Royaliste's guns by the shoreline and his nautical gear, ye will spot us by "Jeff" the skeleton, and a jail cage, possibly a stockade as well. PRP crew, ye be gettin' a fine ship n' a fine Captain for southern CA events!

Good for you pirate gal, jumping up and pitching in! Don't let the technical stuff overwhelm you- remember every crewman and every captain had a first time they set foot on deck! I'm "in the same boat" as you are, struggling to soak up as much as I can every time I'm aboard the Royaliste. I'm fortunate to have a patient and good-humored captain. And every time I come aboard I learn a little more, do a little more and hesitate a little less. It is a big learning curve, but SO worth it.

Aye!!! I'll drink t' that!!! *sways drunkenly* Depite me eneeeeeeeeeeeebriated state o' affairs, I did somehow manage t' post the photos, they be in the Raids section! *stumbles*

Coming back into the bay, the Golden Gate towered over us, looking truly magnificent!! What a view, eh?!!

Heading back for home...

About a mile and a half off shore, a very tired little butterfly stopped to rest on "Claire's" muzzle...

Looking back on the gateway to the San Francisco Bay from out at sea The coastline off the port side, looking past the ship's guns