TheBlackFox

There's a full-page written review of it in the Winter 07/08 issue of The Pyrates Way. It's an amazing book that I've read twice now.

Faire Magazine. . .written for YOU On Renaissance Festival . com, there's been some flack going around that Renaissance Magazine isn't what it used to be. . . . especially when one out of every six issues is designated for weddings. So I got that itchy artsy/publishing feeling again. Then a few R/F folks pushed me. Then a few more, who enjoy what I've done in the pirate community with <a href="http://www.pyratesway.com>The Pyrates Way magazine</a> and would enjoy a similar magazine for "Rennies." Hmmmmmmmmm I wondered if a full color magazine with amazing features about different faires including prices, types of food and drink, and detailed info on where to stay in the area, what to expect, etc. . . be a good idea? What if it included a part just for serious reenactors. . . and a vendor's area. . .and a garb-making area. . . and a feature on some interesting faire artists that you might not know about? If it all came in a nice package every quarter for less than $6 an issue. . .would you people be interested? So now there's a choice for your magazine dollar. You can chose a black-and-white magazine produced on conventional paper and includes a lot of articles which boost their advertisers but leave readers wanting more faire-oriented material (which was the magazine's original promise). . . or would you rather have a thick magazine of grand photography that brings far-away festivals into your home to share with kin and counsel? Personally, I think there's room for both. This idea might piss off both my CPA and my wife, who counts on me to at least bring <i>something</i> home in funds for this idea. . . . but 'tis true. I'll subscribe to both magazines, so I can get all the information. That's the truth of it. . . I can provide a lot in our magazine and they can provide other material. So here's the deal. . . check us out at: <a href="http://www.fairemagazine.com">Faire Magazine</a> and see if you like the idea. It's a magazine about Renaissance Faires. . .not just the Renaissance. It's a way to give those involved in Renaissance Festivals, whether owner, entertainer, actor, vendor, playtron or paytron. . . a voice. Our goal is to share these festivals and faires with those who might never (*insert cost of gas here) get the chance to visit. Subscribers are important but Advertisers pay the bills. If you have a business that's been less-than-profitable this season due to the down-attendance/gas/travel costs. . then this is a way to reach those that would love to see what you have to offer. C'mon and join us. . . it's all about faire . . . so it's all about us. (xposted everywhere)

Louie Frase invited me downstate Delaware to join him, his drop-dead-gorgeous wife Linda, Louie's hot sister and beautiful niece at the Seaford Festival on the Nanticoke River. . . . it was a bit tame (as compared to Pyrate festivals like PyrateCon) but we managed to have a good time. Louie and I got some radio airtime for The Pyrates Way magazine and Louie went out of his way to promote the magazine by giving out all the business cards that I had on me. . .he totally rocks and loves our pyrate brethren. We're gonna' do some fishing in the next few weeks as I feel the Chesapeake Bay calling me again. . . oh. . .and the beer. . .why fish without beer? This pyrate hobby of ours has brought some incredible friendships.

Aye mate. . .'tis true enough. . . I think the other bands shall have a run for their money in trying their hand at writing a Pyrates Way song. The song ye have been working on is a true gem! Can't wait to hear the finished product!

With the new Faire Magazine (http://www.fairemagazine.com) taking off faster and with more steam behind it that we had at the beginning of The Pyrates Way, I'm afraid that I'll be forced to put more of my efforts into the new magazine sooner than expected. This means I've had to cut back on several of the pyrate faires/festivals that we planned on visiting during the third quarter of the year. Several big ideas for next year have been put on hold and the biggest personal upset is that I've resigned from the board of directors of PyrateCon2009. The Pyrates Way will still support PyrateCon in any way possible, but I just can't devote the amount of time required and it wouldn't be fair to those who cherish the event so much, if I couldn't put in 100%. Another concern was in the economy of the U.S. . . . if gas prices continue to rise, the attendance at the 'con will fall and those that do attend, won't have the leftover $$ to spend nor will they be able to fly their booty back home due to the extra baggage costs on every airline. On the Upside, as announced in the Summer Issue of The Pyrates Way, (on press now), The Pyrates Way song contest has begun. Pyrate bands must come up with either a new piece of music (preferred) or a take on a popular song that includes the words "The Pyrates Way" somewhere inside of the lyrics. These songs must be professionally recorded and the mp3 file sent to us by October 31, 2008. The winning songs will be included in the Winter Pyrates Way as the subscriber booty (free in every subscriber's issue). Another announcement that we're excited about is that the booty in every Pyrates Way issue to come will include two Pyrate Trading Cards! We're creating eight different cards for each issue, so there's no telling which cards you'll get! (64 in all by the time we're done). There will only be 1,000 of each card produced. So as in life. . .we have our ups and downs! Keep your powder dry, says I!

Music. . .like wenches. . .always get more beautiful the more rum ye drink, mates. I'm just sayin' is all.

I saw them at one of the pre-pyratecon parties in LA and they rocked. . .they continued to rock in New Orleans first in Pirates Alley on Thursday night, then at their concerts both on Friday and Saturday nights. As I told them in person, their energy doesn't reflect in their CDs. . .but they are incredible in person. I have all their music and truthfully. . .to me. . . it's not near what they do on stage. IMHO

There really are so many varieties of chanty music performance that it would be difficult to pin down whether traditional versions of a song are more or less entertaining than updated versions (IMHO). For me, it depends on the venue and the audience. A fireside bar with an audience of 50 will enjoy an acapella performance with all its nuances. In contrast, a rowdy version of the same music in front of a large crowd, half-crazed with drink, will also find a niche of enjoyment. Even more complex is that the same chanty is performed differently by similar acapella groups. I've heard a few versions of "Health to the Company" and "Charley Mops" at different tempos and every time I hear a new version, I find my head tilting like the RCA dog at the sound. They're all enjoyable. . . . and don't get me started on how many millions of varieties of "Drunken Sailor" I've heard. In my position, I get a new CD on my desk almost every week now. A lot of the music is basic chanty music. . .but some have a loud Rock-n-Roll twist and I've heard versions in Rap, Punk, Latin, and some that I could only describe as "best-enjoyed-with-a-hallucinogen -of-choice." I think I enjoy most of it. I try to keep an open mind and concentrate on the sound, both in quality and talent . . .but sometimes it's really tough when the creative variances almost obliterate the traditional atmosphere of the chanty's intent.

My pics: http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z312/Si...ate%20Festival/ News Today photos (check out # 11: http://www.exploreli.com/entertainment/loc...allery?index=11

With gas prices on the rise, it looks like we'll not be able to make this festival and set up at the Rock Hall festival instead (12 hour drive vs. 40 minute drive). I'm sure we'll get many a photo and update from those that do attend!

m'photos are finally up. . .there are two to chose from in the folder. . .one for the Ball and one for the overall festival shots: http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z312/Si...LACKBEARD/2008/

Can you still sign "cheese" to deaf folk? (ducking and running. . . .private joke)

We're still looking good, weatherwise: http://www.weather.com/weather/weekend/USV...pnav_undeclared

so say we all mate. . .so say we all.

you should be in at least one, dutch. . . . and I have a dedication to the "photographer" if you get my drift . . . she's got a wonderful eye, mate. . . you're a lucky bloke.

100 photos of PyrateCon in the Summer Pyrates Way! Yep, one-hundred PyrateCon 2008 photos in the Summer issue of The Pyrates Way magazine. Get your subscription order in today because the last chance to get the Summer issue as your first subscription issue is June 15! You DON'T want to miss it!

Dutch m'brotha. . . current subscriptions will be treated as a year, not a number of issues, by season. . .so if you re-subscribed for Spring, you're good through next Summer. . .regardless of number of issues. . . .ain't I sweet?

Starting with the Spring Issue of 2009 The Pyrates Way will be coming at you every other month! We've been getting letters for a year asking for us to grow in either page count or more often. People want more pirates! Thus, we decided to go with MORE OFTEN! With a never-ending list of article and feature ideas, both our readers and our advertisers will be the folks who profit by this new growth. . .why? Because we're at a point where we can afford to expand in this way WITHOUT RAISING ADVERTISING OR SUBSCRIPTION PRICES! Our magazine will still be only $5.95 per copy at all the national & local bookstores and both subscription and ad rates will remain the same. More for our audience without a price increase. . . it's just another way that The Pyrates Way gives back to the pirate community at large. Thank you again for supporting us as we grow!

We ran a 4 page article on FSMism in the Winter Pyrates Way of 2006/07. We also hid 8 images of our Pastafarian holy image in spots all over the magazine (including the cover). It's a fun read and breaks down the pyrate-angle of the religion. You can still get the back issue at: http://www.pyratesway.com/wint0607.html

Weren't they on their way to get supplies? . . .and of course they did snag a lot of good food from ships they . . .uh. . . "chose" (much better than the word "targeted"). . . to pull supplies from a vessel. . .isn't that what today's Navy calls "underway replenishment?" I've found in my research that stores weren't catalogued on a pirate ship as they were on a Naval ship, so who knows how much was aboard. Since a good pirate captain kept his crew happy by hitting port as much as possible. . . the ship might not have needed a lot of storage for foodstuff. . .just ammo!

Gas is almost $4 a gallon. What's the per-gallon breaking point cost that will preclude you from going to a pirate festival or event? Will you be keeping close to home if gas goes to $7 a gallon? Will you not go at all if it's over $10 a gallon?

We don't want to over-saturate the market with PyrateCon2009 just yet but there are tons of plans going on and it'll be even better than 08 (if that's possible!). Yes, the event will be in New Orleans. Yes, it will be the same weekend (falls between the local French Quarter festival and the Jazz festival). Yes, it will kick ass. As for vendor info, hotels, etc. . . stay tuned, bat fans.

We carry the CHOC info each year as a full page in The Pyrates Way magazine, so please keep us informed of the info!

Aye, accidents have a way of finding those who carry such bad kharma with them. All the way down the stairs ye say? tsk tsk tsk 'tis fate, says I.