hurricane

Ahoy Rogue's Pierre, The tiki bar be in me own back yard - complete with a dock and soon to be sinking ship (as soons as the thaw comes). Will email you a photo of our fine tiki bar, adjacent to the small sea we have (our hot tub).

Thank ye kindly Conner, for the finery of your private stock. I t'would agree with your point and drink to it gladly.

Here! Here! Hoisting one to a sound mind - cheers! Thought I smelled something. Must be me. I've already left a lifetime of not so fragrant opinion here. Almost lost me sense of humor in the process (which would leave me with nothing but me looks)... :) Moving on to other posts, much wiser and learned because of the fine discussion nonetheless. Now where did I put that darned cask of rum... ?

That's good to hear - if we have enough notice we'll put together another pirate party - the one on the 21st is partly a celebration of the Goddess in the Bodice's birthday and visit here.

We're an accommodating lot - a diet Pepsi will stand fast at the TNT awaiting it's owner in abstentia....

Next time you're in these waters let us know. We'd be happy to meet dockside and tip a flask of ale yer way. Always ready for a good party. We'll be sure to hoist one in yer honor that night.

I would agree with Hawkyns. Many of us already have crewes to deal with locally, others are more interested in historical pursuits, while others are doing re-enactments or faires at the local or regional level. It would just be one more layer of organization for our crewe. But for those who are freebooters, it may be a great idea. But there would have to be some local chapter level of organization to create critical mass. It's the geography issue, as Hawkyns said. There's not much to be done as a group when you're spread all about. Plus, you may end up battling established local crewes in many parts for members - I know Washington State has five standing groups to join already... Florida and California have a couple... the list goes on.

That's the point, Bob. There isn't one. Not in this posting or any of my other ones. It's called humor, Bob. Levity. Something the world is woefully in short supply of obviously. :) PS: My previous tiki bar posting was directed at endkaos, who seems to share my opinion about those who take themselves way to seriously...

I so agree - these folks need to get a good rum soaked brain - like pirates should. I'd hate to hear those back in the 17th century muse about what those in the 15th century wore and whether someone's costume at the ball was historically accurate. Now my head hurts. Why don't we all just quit throwing volleys and drink some darned rum for real... Heading for the tiki bar...... oops, not authentic either. Sorry lads!

Ahoy! Come one, come all! The Pyrates of the Coast will be hosting a pirate party at TNT's Tavern in West Seattle from 7 p.m. til 1 a.m, Feb. 21. The pirate band will be performing, along with the Thryce Wycked Wenches. Join in the fun - we're accepting donations of coats and blankets for the homeless. Guaranteed a great time!! The TNT is at the top of the Admiral Way exit near the intersection of California and Admiral.

Hurricane, Those be lovely! You are a lucky gent to have plundered those for your treasure. Thank ye kindly for the compliment - most of the apparel gets regular wear by the crewe, particularly Spitfire and meself. We recently sold off one of the pieces, a beautiful period pale yellow dress and underskirt for a tidy profit. Miss it - but it was too nice to just keep in a closet...

I would have to say that it's a beautiful jacket that appears in the ball scene of Cutthroat Island, just behind Matthew Modine. Hollywood CPR was auctioning it off along with a bunch of other pieces (don't even ask how many we bought - thought me wench was goin' to kill me). You can see it at: http://piratesofthecoast.com/artifactsphot...mensjacket1.jpg The entire haul can be found at http://www.piratesofthecoast.com/artifacts/ Be lovin' that ebay! Arghuably the best pirate auction house...

Why, Salem Bob, thanks for feeling the need to reign in our, now how did you put it, "fairly wild, emotional outbursts." If one recalls the original question from Hawkyns was, "So here's the question, or actually questions. Do the patrons of this pub consider themselves Faire Folk or re-enactors? Do you change your clothing to match the period of the event or always wear the same thing? How important is the accuracy of your kit? Do you participate in battles or are the cutlasses and pistols just for show?" This was not intended to be a thread dealing with historical accuracy vs. Hollywood. He was simply feeling a bit out of place at Pirates in Paradise and wanted to know who falls where in the spectrum of piracy here. And now it has degraded to the point where you've decided to reign in our "fairly wild, emotional outbursts" about topics we feel just as passionate about. In our experiences there has been a divide between those that seek historical accuracy and those that focus on entertainment value. It's been around as long as there's been festivals over the last 22 years I've been pirating. I've seen it in the U.S and abroad as a matter of fact. And some of us are just exploring that discord between the two divides. True we have been butting heads in this particular post over positions and beliefs that can never be altered or swayed. That's the spirit of a democracy and free discussion. But to dismiss one side as being merely emotional and wild in their positions sounds more like the folks back in the White House and their vilification of anyone who disagrees with their position. Suddenly they're un-American (I'd like to see how they'd describe the labors of our forefathers - throwing tea overboard - isn't that a terrorist act? - but I digress.) I have learned from the balance of your postings and appreciate it - but don't ruin it all by comparing us to the behaviors of a ranting five year old. That doesn't do anything but rile a bunch of passionate pirates in these waters. Now, let's move on and perhaps create some new topics that discuss historical accuracy in one area and entertainment in another. I'd like to see some spirited discussions on techniques, experiences and knowledge sharing on both sides of this fence. I don't think we all need to beating our heads trying to sway one side or the other who's right. Ain't gonna happen.

Ahoy Dreamie, Glad to hear he was satisfied and that, well, you were satisfied. Looking forward to hooking up with you in the future, what's say? More voyages?

Spitfire liked the play on the Mirage thing, but suggested... Bone Dry For what it's worth. Can't keep the wench quiet...

Scuttled Scuttled, but! Sons of a Beach (this used to be a band but who knows - sands in the desert are probably related to the ones on a beach, eh? It's sand at least) Or -- Sons of the Beach Sands of Time The Beached Boys (now there's a lawsuit in the makin') I like this one... The Jolly Miragers One Eyed Willy (just saw the Goonies again - stuck in me head) Nope, I go with The Jolly Miragers...

Now thar be some broadsides like true pirates! Come lads, I think yer all taking the subject matter too seriously. The thread has had many different lines of discussions... my most recent volley had to do with the desire to have a pirate gathering where only adults could be present which automatically disregards any youth who are equally intrigued with historic accuracy. And unless you do so out in the middle of an empty field, no municipality in their right mind is going to let anyone fire real cannon balls or flintlocks in a publicly accessible place. It's lawsuit city!!!! And no one is saying that those seeking authentic representation are seeking folly. The point was made some pages ago that re-enactors often feel lost at events like Pirates in Paradise because their character is not prepared to do things like give tourists ordinary directions. They felt at a loss at this type of event. And the point was equally made that events like these are more of the Hollywood representation because you're supposed to be entertaining the crowd not the gathered pirates. That means families, including small children, who may not get what you're doing as a re-enactor. I didn't even get one character who would be one guy the one day and another the next and wouldn't recognize me as such. What the hell is that? There have been many posting assailing SCA events for their rigidity and rules. But when discussion arises about starting any festival from scratch, the same thing happens - suggestions of rigidity (no children) and rules (what you can and can't wear). Everyone knows that a t-shirt and Nikes is not authentic nor desirable. But if a member of the crowd wants to join in and play pirate for the day (a tourista pirate) and feels fine in it, what should we care? Should someone's joy be compromised because they don't have the bucks for a nice rig to wear? That's where the B.S. starts. We all come from different walks of life. We all pursue different aspects of piracy. I like being a Hollywood pirate and I couldn't even begin to teach re-enactors the 22 years of improvisations and tricks of the trade working a crowd that ranges from infants to senior citizens, from women who want to jump your bones to their boyfriends that want to knock your lights out. And I'm sure they could never teach me the finer points of character development or whether a certain pair of boots were correct. There's no point to either attempt. My capacity is built to entertain not educate. Celebrate the differences lads and you'll be surprised how well we all complement each other at these events. PiP was the perfect example. Died in the wool re-enactors that would shiver anyone's timbers stood side by side with the whacky Hollywood pirates and all had a great time doing it. Viva la difference!!!! And have some rum, by gum!!!

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I must concur with some of GlueBeard's points. First, as pirates, re-enactors or not, many if not most of us in these postings would already be dead in the Golden Age. Disease, lack of health care, injuries, malnutrition and a host of other maladies would have claimed us long ago. For those kid-haters out there, history shows that many pirates were those "children" and teens you profess to dislike so much at events... plus children love pirates folks - and why would you turn anyone away who has a love of what you're doing? Simply doesn't make sense. A big pirate scared of a little kid? Now that's authentic! Second, has anyone tried to run an organization or an event of scale here? I've done two in my life from scratch - damned hard work and thankless. Plus, in a day of sue happy people, the insurance alone would kill an event with cannon practice and other "authentic" activities. Plus, any group requires a structure, those that lead, those that follow, a bank account, IRS entanglements as a non-profit, and the inevitable politics. Hardly a hospitable environment for pirates to be in. Those we so admire in days of old would laugh their arses at us. I and my crewe don't follow anyone else's rules - we sail under our own articles and our own flag. And I must agree that re-enactment is fine, if that's what you like. But it's not truly living the life - you're picking the things in that period that fit your liking - weapons, clothes, housing - but ignoring the others - like deadly diseases, primitive medicines and putrid standards of cleanliness and hygiene, others hunting you down. These are the things these people lived and died with every day - you can't recreate the conditions. Plus, it's impossible to truly step back in time when you drive a car, come home and whip up a microwave meal and watch your TV. So it's hardly a true reliving of history. And finally, you're either a pirate or your not. It's that simple. Clothes and the right period hat doesn't make you a pirate. Quoting what little recorded history there is doesn't make you one and lording one's perceptions of what is accurate over those that take a more liberal tone with the subject to have some fun won't make you one either. I for one won't be buying anyone a drink here tonight. Like GlueBeard I'll be swiggin' the real stuff... Huzzah!!!! And I'd like to see a brave re-enactor step up to the gallows for a real swingin...

Some more... On the Dry Seas Desert Winds Gone Ashore High and Dry Desert Rogues The Deserters Washed Ashore Inland Seas Pirates of the Inland Seas - Rusty Scuppers is a great one but they're already a band in Orlando - darned fine one too. We jammed with them at PiP last year... That's what you get for off the top of me head...

I liked Marooned - or with a desert tilt, Marooned on the Mesa. :)

I think you might find that some of the changes/additions going on at Pirates in Paradise may just fit some of the needs here - there's talk of an encampment at a very cool, historical venue with lots of chances to live and be pirates while still attending some of the more public events. It would accept the historical needs of those who like to pursue it and the more open interpretation of piracy at some of the more party oriented events. More soon as we formulate and nail down some of the basics for this new opportunity down there.

There are tons of price points beyond the ritzy resorts listed in most of the online sites. All the way down to a basic motel on the more southern end of Duvall or inland, such as the Holiday Inn. Trust me, you won't be there long on any particular day. We stayed at the Southernmost which was great for us. An easy walk up Duval, a liqour store and supermarket across the street, Camille's two blocks away and a drug store. Plus the beach is across the street. But that was just where we stayed. Julie, the event director would have a local's point a view on this issue - email her from the piratesinparadise.com site, http://www.piratesinparadise.com

I must say that the words "rules" and "pirates" seem categorically opposite to one another, particularly rules created by those who would be considered landlubbers, like those sponsoring faires. Every group I've been involved with over the years was destroyed by two things: rules and those that enforce them (i.e., politics). Our group has absolutely no rules, no meetings, no hierarchy, except when the captain is in charge of a voyage. We've learned the hard lessons from the past. We even take off the peace-ties whenever we do go faire-ing... What impudent rogues and wenches are we! java script:emoticon(' ')

I have three different hats but keep coming back to my trusty tricorn, which has been with me 15 years now. It has been aboard sailing vessels many time, in strong winds ashore, and it just won't blow off. Me others have much broader brims - one being nicknamed the "Flying Nun" rig from Cutthroat Island. Damned thing wants to take off at every turn, and could have experienced the same sad fate as Joanie's had it not been for close calls prior ashore. Sir Nigel's idea is a valid one - the cord is tucked up in the hat for regular wearings and can come down under the chin for stronger winds. Beats losing yer hats mates.