Bilgemunky

Great find! I actually put an order in a while ago with Jarnagin - should have them in time for PiP. I'll let everyone know how they turn out!

"Fenders" might be a more nautically appropriate term.

Count me in as well. Same address as last year - do you need me to pm anyways? I never did find out who my santa was last year. A lovely compass arrived straight from Jas-Townsend. Since I never ordered it, I assumed it was from my secret santa. I don't think they ever announced themselves in the forum. But it works mighty fine for a mystery compass

That seems an entirely signature-worthy quote. Or maybe I'm just drunk. Probably a little bit of both.

Much has been discussed in these forums about how to dress and what sort of tents to use, but I haven't seen much on two important topics... 1) How to sleep. Well, in tent for most, obviously. But are folks just hiding their Coleman sleeping bags during the day (I doubt it), or are they doing something a bit more period? What should us newbies consider bringing for sleeping? A small light wool blanket? Some sort of period sleeping mat (does such a thing exist?) Etc. For that matter, what other camp necesities would be considered bare minimum for personal items? A small lantern maybe? 2) What are the "facilities" like? We'll be staying here for four days, does anyone shower? Or is this an extended break from showering, teeth brushing, etc? I imagine port-o-potties are available at the very least. Like most folks, I can be pretty flexible, but it's good to know what to plan for. Any advice in either of these two respects is greatly appreciated.

What kind of plaster? I made some medallions a few years back using plaster paris, and the results were unpredictable. It took a lot of molds and tries to get one or two good quality medallions. The molds themselves were prone to breaking all too easily. And they seemed to hold moisture no matter how long I left them in the oven.

Indeed, Patrick - your shoes seem about as close to what I'm looking for as anything else available. I would have hoped that my next pair of shoes would have been exactly what I'm wanting, rather than just pretty darn close. But such is life. I do hear that Fugawee is awsome when it comes to customer service and exchanges in case they don't fit. Did your own Concords match your normal shoe size? (both my current shoes and my boots are actually smaller than what I would normally expect to fit.)

OK, before anyone asks - yes, I've searched for old and new shoe topics. And I found several. And I read them. And it seems that shoes are more of a frustration for everyone than I'd ever realized. I have a great pair of pirate boots, but come PiP this winter, I'm opting for the "when in Rome" approach, and am going to try and look passably authentic. I actually have a decent pair of buckle shoes from Flying Canoe - not perfect, but decent. Problem is they have no impact cushioning at all, and they're way too snug to allow for the inserts that would make it possible to last for several days in these shoes. I'm trying to stretch them, but it's looking like it might be time for me to "trade up." But if I fork out more dough, I want it to be the right shoe that I'll really be happy with for years to come. And therein lies the problem. The shoe I like best - visually speaking - is on Gentleman of Fortune's site. I love the look of these: But after checking the manufacturer referenced (http://www.kmgarlick-shoemaker.co.uk/), I see two problems with ordering these. First, the exchange rate is in the crapper. And second, the manufacturer's image looks a bit different - maybe it's just that they're too new and clean, and have huge buckles. But either way, the exchange rate is still rather prohibitive. So moving on something more domestic - the Jarnagin shoes look pretty good too (http://www.jarnaginco.com/FIcatframe.html), but it seems nobody here has had any luck with that company - not returning emails to several. And those those they do respond to, refusing to manufacture the straps to size for GoF's smaller buckles (I've seen lots of concerns that trimming the straps might not look right in the end.) So with that in mind, it seems the only real option for a large tongue, small buckle, square toe shoe would be Fugawee's Concord (which also needs some triming, and which I don't think is actually all that square if memory servers.) But if I'm going to invest in another pair of shoes, I'd hoped to make it a "perfect" pair, which the Concords aren't quite. So, have I described the situation accurately, and am now sharing in the frustrations of all, or have I missed some options, in which case please smack me upside the head and point me in the right direction. Yar.

Take it seriously? You mean it's not real?!? Crap - I guess my ebay purchase of a Cessna was bit premature

OK, I know that Iron Bess has insisted again and again that there is nothing yet in the works for Pirates of the Caribbean 4. But who are we going to believe - a woman that works at Disney and has been a Pub regular for years? Or how about a poorly written, gramatically challenged article failing to cite a single source? I know which one I'd pick! www.product-reviews.net

Great article, although the closing comment is amusing. Would anyone be well advised to read a management book written by Captain Kidd? Seems to me his inability to manage his own crew - or his own affairs for that matter - is what got him hung

Don't forget Ebay, mates! I just bought a new DVD(still factory sealed, according to description) of Pirates of the Plain for $6.75. Shipping was another 6 bucks, but at $13.75, that's still less than I would expect to pay for a new DVD in a store. There were a few more available for comparable prices. I know Ebay is always buyer beware, but by carefully reading descriptions for any irregularities, I've always had pretty good luck.

The "next week on" clip alluded to the pirates confronting something from their past - my guess is the old castaways have formed a competing crew. Afterall, pretty soon current system will break down - the officer trio will outnumber the crew and whatnot, so something has to change. The previews also indicated lots of new discontent amongst the officers themselves, and even talk about mutiny.

Realizing that we don't know how the rules will change next week, under the current system Az and buds have it in the bag - the best bet for the others would have been for the ladies on black team to have sabotaged the black team's efforts this past week and let red elect a new captain. Now, the deck is pretty stacked. Do we begrudge Az for being something of an ass, or praise him for being the only contestant to demonstrate any real strategy? Lambs to the slaughter at this point - except, of course, for the "twist" they indicate is coming. I dispised Joe Don as captain, but I agree that he seemed to grow into himself as an underling.

If that's accurate, it certainly doesn't speak well of how "real" reality tv might be. Seems to me, if these are truly unscripted situations of people playing a game, there would be no need to gag them once the series is complete. But if Burnett wants to make sure nobody blabs and blows the lid off the illusion, well, then a lifetime gag order makes sense.

The Joone XXX film (actually films - the sequel is due out this fall) is definitely a different calibur of porn. Speaking personally, chatting with the writers, directors, effects people, etc would be a fascinating opportunity. BUT, I think Carmina is right - much of the general public isn't yet ready to look at movies of this sort beyond the smut factor. I can already see the headlines, "Pirate Convention Promotes Pornography in French Quarter" or something. Probably best to stick to safer waters.

I wasn't complaining that Kendra doesn't speak about the show, I was pointing out that she doesn't talk or do much while ON the show. Mitch - thanks for the info on Vernon Wells. I didn't see him listed on IMDB as being on that movie, but if anyone would know, I'm sure it'd be you Looks like I better order a copy of that to check out before PyrateCon.

I've been to New Orleans many times, both pre and post Katrina. And yeah, there are plenty of differences, and the greater New Orleans area still has many challenges before it. But the French Quarter - where PyrateCon takes place - is still very much the same, and the old magic is definitely there (and please - smut shops ran amuck in the Quarter LONG before Katrina.) There's no reason to feel like attending PyrateCon is an act of charity. 2007 was well worth the effort. And not just for "casual pirate fans" either. Rather, it depends what you're looking for. If you're a hardcore reenactor, and not happy unless you're sleeping in a tent or firing a flintlock while debating how real pirates would never wear bucket boots, then yeah, PyrateCon may well drive you batty. But if you're willing to enjoy piracy from a more multi-faceted angle, there's lots of fun to be had. Present were both casual and hardcore pirates alike, along with pirate-punks and other folks who take their love of pirates into uncharted waters. And between the vendors, speakers, special guests, film viewings, hot pirate babe tryouts, and afterparties - there was pretty much something for nearly everyone. Sorry to drone on - but Morgan, your comments have chapped my hide just a little. Obviously you're not a fan of New Orleans as it presently exists, but the persistently negative outlook you promote is frustrating and unhelpful. And your assertion that PyrateCon is best suited for the "casual pirate fan" is a bit insulting, both to the festival itself and those of us that support it.

Speakin' only for meself, the celebs at PyrateCon 07 were all awsome folks, but hardly the highlights of the event. Chillin' with Slappy and Chumbucket, sharin' some meals with the blokes from Pyrate Leatherworx, and raisin' glasses with the Clay from Studio City Tattoo - these were what made for a memorable weekend. Equally fun items include finally meeting Jamaica Rose, Scarlett Harlot, Tiger Lee, and the Mackay. Viewing Pirates of the Great Salt Lake, seeing the Jolly Garogers perform, and just the mere chance to stumble around the streets of New Orleans in full pirate garb were also highly noteworthy. I'm looking forward to 08. I've already met most of the celebrity lineup, and will look forward to saying "hi" cuz they're great people. As to those I've not yet met: 1) Can someone tell my why Vernon Wells is piratey? I honestly don't know. 2) I've gotten so much conversational mileage out of bragging at having stumbled drunkenly through the streets of New Orleans, arm-in-arm with Lauren Maher, the redheaded strumpet that slapped Jack Sparrow. With Vanessa there in 08, darest I dream of being so lucky twice? 3) I'm sorry, Kendra from PirateMaster seems a perfectly nice girl, but has she really warranted VIP treatment at a pirate event? She barely speaks on that show, or does anything worth mentioning. Maybe she's saving her aces for later in the season, but right now all I remember her for is being a dive master that can't swim.

As an OMI stockholder, I take great pleasure in saying that I have financial interests that have been accused of plundering by the government of Spain.

I don't know, Bagley - while it's true that Barbossa might randomly kill one or two of his crewmen, I have to say the odds of survival are still in his own crew's favor. It was Jack, afterall, that specifically went on a "soul harvesting" recruitment drive. With the exception of a handful of front-running castmembers, it seems virtually all of Sparrow's crewmen ended up as somebodies dinner, be it kraken or cannibal.

Well, it's official - I've booked my airline tickets! Being as they were free vouchers and subject to all sorts of inconvenient restrictions, they're not quite ideal - I won't be getting to Miami until 4 p.m. on the 28th (after a 7 hour layover in Atlanta) so Key West will be a late arrival - but I'll be there (which is the most important thing ) So flight's arranged, and lodging is being generously provided - is there any other pre-planning I should be doing aside from getting my gear and garb as hollywood-proof as possible? From the PiP website, it's clear that many of the side and main events have seperate fees - are there any that are particularly recommended as "must do" events?

Nice! I'll look forward to its arrival

Well Callenish, if your offer is serious then I just might like to take you up on it. I've never participated in a period encampment before, but I can promise that my garb doesn't consist of sequins, velcro, or anything that melts over a candle

I don't have much of a travel budget this year, but through a stroke of luck I found myself with a free AirTran roundtrip travel voucher! I'd love to use it to finally check out the wonder that is Pirates in Paradise, but worry that accomodation expenses in Key West could quickly overshadow what I would have paid in airfare anyways. Anyone have any hot suggestions? I don't have a period tent, so the encampment wouldn't be an option (even if it's something "outsiders" can join.) I suppose it would be piratey to just crash drunk beneath a tree, get picked up by the cops, spend the night in county jail, and negotiate my release in time for day 2, but I probably can't make that work for 4 days running before I'm escorted out of town (which is also very piratey, but might limit my enjoyment of PiP.)