hurricane

I know nothing!!! I see nothing!!! I'll blame it on the Cabin Boy - he tipped them... Honest!

We showed up in modified pirate garb at the airport for PiP. It wasn't a big deal to them. In fact, they liked the break from their routine. We joked with them, pointed Sir Nigel out as a suspicious character and watched them laugh when we ran our tricorns through the x-ray machines. It's all in how you interact with the people. But Seattle is a fairly laid back airport compared to others. But Miami didn't have a problem with it on the way back either. Of course, it used to be even better - we could travel with our belts and a lot of its accessories around our waists and sing songs on the plane. Even then they would seize even a toy flintlock like you get at a souvenir shop. We even drank a plane dry one time. Ah, the good old days! Southwest would probably still appreciate us, but they don't go to Florida from here. Sigh!!!

Yes, they do have some very recreational wear too. They have taken the place of the Wild Pair (remember them in the 80s) and have been turning out new and retro versions ala that company. My wench has two sets from them, the flat heeled ones with the zipper at the ankle and now these - these are very, very nice and fit true to size. Spitfire is very happy with them. And Bob and Angie's service is superb. If the size isn't listed at the moment, I'd email them as they have plenty of stock but rotate what's online at any given moment. And actually, there's a pirate group up here that would go for the silver stilettos. But that's a whole 'nother story lads and lasses...

Check out Bob and Angie on ebay.com -- We just got a great pair that don't have the zipper, have a low 2" heel for a little swashbuckling look and fold down on the cuff about 6 inches. Great vendor too! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...&category=11627 These are size 10 - I just grabbed a size. Go here and you can then go to their store and see other sizes. At $60 they're cheap for what you get. Was amazed at the quality and they are leather uppers and synthetic heels. A good entry level boot...

Started out oh, so many years ago on Cornet - switched to French Horn in high school to get better grades... :) Now play banjo and tenor guitar and can also play a little six string and the bariton uke. Sing lead and background vocals with the Pyrates of the Coast band with the lovely Spitfire, beguiling Sloe Gin and ever so talented Sir Nigel. That's been the gig for the last 20 years... good way to get beer, broads and palimony suits. Our pyrate band plays a wide range of music from all periods, and when we're roving with our piratical pals we tend to do more contemporary songs of the sea... John B. Sails (Beach Boys arrangment), Golden Vanity and Santy Anno (Kingston Trio) and Vasectomy (not a song of the sea but hilarious none the less). Check out our schedule of voyages at http://www.piratesofthecoast.com/voyages/index.html

Geez Nigel, I want to wear it, not drive it. My first brand new car (won't say when) didn't cost that? Does it come with a wench for that price? --

So true! So true! And I'm the last to cast stones at those who must forage for their daily supper, much less piratical goods. I too, toil away to earn me meager wages. As with all others, I must balance me pasttimes with my real life. My remarks are aimed more at those that were thinkin' these kind of works weren't worth the money rather than those that either didn't have it or chose to portray piracy without the brocade and fine linens. Unfortunately my non-piratical life is filled with those who don't value fine workmanship and the work it took to not only create fine product, but to get to that level of craftsmanship in the first place. They always want it to be cheaper and they end up going somewhere else to get it only to find that the quality and finish were far from equal. It goes back to the "you get what you pay for" rule. And as a "creative" it gets me dander up when someone just looks at the bottom line and nothing else. If I misconstrued or offended, beggan me pardon. But not all of us can sew, work with leather or make swords. Some of us must rely on scaring up costumes, finery and weaponry, either by making it ourselves as best we can or from those noble folks who work so hard to make a living from their talents. And I have heard too many people bash others (not here mind you, but at events and faires) and their wares. So I rise perhaps too readily at their defense. I stand down from my soapbox and return to me humble life ashore...

In my experience you get what you pay for. Nice clothing costs bucks. Poor clothing costs less, but may not survive the rigors of piracy (sword play, climbing the rigging, courting wenches and such). I'd rather plunk down several hundred coins on a nice piece than go the cheap route. We're out pirating 30 to 40 days a year - need durability and good looks. Would I pay $500+ for a jacket? Sure, if it's what I liked and I've paid well more than $250+ for many of my pieces in the past. Amortized over 10 years that's just $25 a year. Cheap! Some of the better pieces I've bought have been around the world with me 22 years so far. Like me boots and tricorn. As one who's sewn some of my own clothes, it's darned time consuming! Material is just one part of the equation mates - it's the labor on these things. And that's what costs... How many hours go into these things? I can only imagine... And I hardly think a good seamstress' or tailors' time is not worth top dollar. What do people pay for a business suit? It's no different than anything else. You can teach yourself to do anything but that doesn't mean it's at the professional level. I've heard plenty of self-taught singers that can't sing worth crap. Professionals in any business are there for a reason. They bring beautiful things into the world to compensate for those that can't, don't or won't do it themselves. Time is money and even your own time is never free... To all those with the talent to make such beautiful goods - me tricorn is off to ye!!!!

In response to queries about Howard Pyle's prints. The Delaware Art Museum is the place for the larger prints. The 24" x 36" print of Marooned is $15 plus shipping. They have others as well... Visit http://www.delart.org/store/item_posters.html

I stumbled into it by chance. My brothers and I had a band - we were invited to going the then prestigious Seafair Pirates. There I was trained by the very best - people who would be pirates in three-piece suits - and had been performing for 30 to 50 years, 100 times a year. I was hooked. Soon I was divorced from my wife because of it, lost a job along the way, danced with Miss Russia, told dirty jokes with Seattle's mayor aboard our float, watched the sun rise from behind the bar after 12 hours of bartending duty - it was then that I knew I had crossed over. I didn't care if I ever went to work again. I just wanted to be a pirate. Like the many SCA horror stories, that group proved too political, only allowed white men over 21, and was splintered. So, being a pirate, I started a mutiny with many of the old timers and started a second pirate group in town (which is still around 14 years later). Then, they got political so me and my wench and bandmates mutineed again and went on account as freebooters. Now we have a bunch of like minds who like to do what we do - entertain, improvise, sing, flirt, and be pirates and wenches. And 22 years later I'm still at it. A 3 x 4 foot framed print of Howard Pyle's Marooned is the centerpiece of our living room... a reminder of our formerly mutinous ways.

The Pirate's Soul museum is slated to open before PiP this year - so we can all raid it. 'Bout time someone had the smarts to build that kind of attraction down there - hopefully, they'll be working with PiP as a sponsor of some sort. We're workin' on it!

The Pirates of the Coast have just added a bunch of new photos from PIP - go see http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de...e21b35db97d4500 ==Spitfire

Ya might be contacting Splinter with the Brotherhood of Oceanic Mercenaries (BOOM) - they're an entertaining lot. I think their address is: http://www.renaissancearts.org/html/boom.html They're tied to some guild but are a fun lot and they sail the Portland/Vancouver area. If ya don't mind double dipping (and driving up for occasional weekends) there's our group in the Northwest waters off Seattle, The Pyrates of the Coast. We have hands all over the country, including Texas, Oregon, Nevada, the Carolinas, Illinois and Florida.

I must agree with ol' Hawkyns here. "Pirates" was the worst - it opened with so much promise but then it just dragged on and on and on and on, with no place to really go. I though Matthau was funny as the Captain, but that was about it. Not worth the film it was shot on. I do like that the PotC underwater rowboat scene was a tribute to Crimson Pirate - that was a fun movie... I give it three oars up...

I've been a fan since I first learned to play Pirate Looks at 40 oh, so many years ago. Got to see him down at Margaritaville at PiP - now that was a treat. I think a lot of people just don't get the music until they go down to the Keys and the south in general - it's a different pace of life there and the outlook on life is different. OK, 'nough said, I'm moving...

Aye Nigel - 'blinded by the light' comes to mind with the Lighthouse sighting. Did she show you the way as directional beacon? Wish we could have known we would have called up and had her paged. "Is there a Lighthouse here?" I could hear the bartender now... Heard she's heading to Kauai for New Years and then on to Thailand. Ah, for the life of a Lighthouse, eh?

Thanks to all, Hawkyns, CaptJackSparrow and DarkRose for yer opinions. All are good points and I appreciate you weighin' in on my thoughts, as well as others'. I agree Hawkyns, that your pursuit is a valid one and sounds like it fills yer soul, as does performing for kiddies and audiences (CJS and meself). And DarkRose, I certainly must say that has proven true on more than one occasion, hardliners criticizing vendors for their wares. It's warming to know that there are so many out there who share the passion of piracy in so many ways. Before the Internet and NQG, few new there were so many out there, in fact, I think the 1,000 rogue or lass just joined these postings. I continue to learn from all the walks of life, the newbies, the re-enactors, those living history and the street folks who live off their wits, humor and charm. This has been a great discussion about the value all our skills play in keeping piracy alive in the minds of our respective audiences. And a big huzzah! who all who revel in the lost arts of piracy in all its forms. As long as some "contemporary piracy" re-enactor doesn't show up with an M-16 or Uzi and a grenades, I'm happy and honored to go on account with the best of ya.

I think everyone's a little too focused on the "thread count" issue. It's meant more as a catch-all term for those who think they're superior to those who are more Hollywood in style - historically, many re-enactors look down on those who represent the "aura of piracy" -- those who live by their spur of the moment wits rather than their developed character. I think it's fine if someone wants to "play to the pirates" - but that's a more narrowly defined activity and isn't considered enterainment, except to those partaking in it. I don't care if you play to the pirates and focus on living a pirate life, but the people who plunk down bucks to go to a faire or any other event expect to see a show, they want to be entertained. They don't want to see a bunch of stiffs milling about looking historic, and faires are filled with these types of "performers". If re-enacting is the be all, do all, then why is Williamsburg dying on the vine financially as well as other historical venues? It's filled with re-enactors on a grand scale teaching and living history. The experts contend it's because there is not enough entertainment there to compete with the likes of a Disneyland. I think it's fine to be a re-enactor or a Hollywood style pirate. But I think all strata of pirates can lose sight that without an audience, there is no performance. At that point one might as well hang out in their garage and perform for friends and family. History is filled with artists, entertainers and venues that have never found a popular audience. And that's a true tragedy, no matter what the path you choose to take. No audience, no performance, no point. And I'm amazed that a bunch of pirates are scared of little kids. Makes me wanna send my five year old Cabin Boy out to spook you at the next event. :) Now, everyone aim your daggers, cutlasses and flintlocks at me in unison.

I must admit it 'tis a favorite of this pirate crewe - along with Against All Flags and the new Peter Pan (and of course, PoTC without need of mention). Yes, it's stereotypical and the effects are over the top - but it's an enjoyable yarn for the sake of being a yarn. It was good to see a woman as a captain for a change - of course, I'm a Geena Davis fan - she could shiver me timbers any time. :) And has anyone noticed that in PoTC the walking under the water under a rowboat schtick was done before in the Crimson Pirate?

Aye, Nigel... You had the captain's permission (however ill-advised) for you to go chasing wildlife that night - it 'twas a grand party. Our cabin boy faded early so we weren't able to stay for too long. But it was a step back in time to be sitting in this dimly lit waterside venue with a room full of rogues and wenches. It was amazing and thanks to the NQG folks for putting on such a grand soiree...

I must say that there's no shortage of polarity in this posting. In the end, let's be clear about one thing - we're not really in the Golden Age of Piracy and none of us are actually committing acts of piracy these days, lest you be in Malaysia with an M-16 on your shoulder. At PiP there were all walks of life - those who brought to life the essence of piracy in it's most pure portrayal and there were entertainer-pirates who worked the crowd, played to the kiddies and hit on the women and men who they belonged to. Everyone got along fine and respected each other's unique talents. Who cares if you're accurate or not - the end result is were you entertaining and did you create a little relief in someone's life for that brief moment? As for Rennies, I agree that some of them are just a little over the top and way too serious about it. And I don't care if you're my kid's teacher one day and a noble the next, what sicko would pertend they don't know their own student - do you know what that does to a little kid who doesn't understand the importance of thread counts? :) I sympathize with Hawkyns about doing re-enactment in a street theater environment. The very nature of PiP requires a lot of quick thinking when interacting with touristas who stumble upon you as a pirate - it's not easy to stay true to period and interact with ordinary folk who don't necessarily know why you're all dressed up. That's really the venue for improvisation, something that is almost diametrically opposed to re-enactment. Our group is strictly improv - that's the fun of piracy for us. It's working the crowd and making people smile, be taken aback, skirt the bounds of appropriateness, engane in an inpromptu sword fight with a five year old and lose, visit retirement homes, do readings of pirate tales at libraries - the breadth of experiences that enrich the lives of those we come in contact with, and in doing so, enriches our own lives and provides us with the "E Ticket" (for those old salts who remember those at Disneyland) to an event or appearance. The important thing (Nigel, thanks for pointing this out) is that regardless of your act - authentic, street theater, improv or what - did the audience "get it"? In the end, if the audience walks away confused, upset, disengaged, then the performance was for naught. One has to ultimately play to the audience and deliver upon their expectation, which is most often to interact with a pirate or wench for ever how brief a moment and alter the routineness of their life in the process. For most civilians, coming into contact with a pirate is magic, a fantasy. And that's ultimately what we as "entertainment" must deliver upon. < Steps off his soapbox, heads for the bar... >

It is by far the best adaptation of the book yet. Hook is menacing, dark and fearsome, but has a beguiling side to the character. For once the mermaids are portrayed correctly and the casting was superb. I particularly liked the assortment of pirates in the crewe, particularly the poxy one. My 5 year old cabin boy was mesmorized as was the adults in my crewe. I give it a big "cutlass up" for quality of story and acting, great swordplay and a really fun Smee.

The Pyrates of the Coast will be taking up quarter at the Red Dog Saloon in Port Orchard on New Year's eve. For those in the greater Seattle-Tacoma area, head on over - we set up camp at 7 p.m. and will be taking over the place in our pirate gear. Throw in some beads, flashing breasts, and piratical antics and it's quite the time - we make our own party there. What else are you pirates and wenches doing to usher in the New Year? Any voyages afoot in other parts?

The mate who was portraying Sparrow deservedly won, to be sure. He was a terrific double - except for the eyes, our wenches would have been swooning. But alas, they were a dead giveaway... uh, or so I've been told... :)

I must contest Master Studley's comment - we were actually only sober from 10:00 to 10:01 a.m. We had to give those who were not partial to rum and other elixirs a slight break in their routine. Sir Nigel was not privey to the dryout routine as he was out hunting wildlife for much of the time, that being 10:00 to 10:01 a.m. and other moments as directed by ol' Cap'n. An hour of recovery would have been a dereliction of me duty as the only responsible party there (yeah, that's the ticket!, responsibility).