hurricane

I used to say Grand Cayman, only because I hadn't been anywhere else. And that was 30 years ago before the bumper to bumper traffic. It was just a place divers mostly went to back then and one or two cruise ships. Jamaica is still my favorite - the history, the variety of things to do and see, the friendly people (just don't ever bother with Kingston). Would go back in an instant. Enjoyed a bunch of others for various reasons. So many come to mind. St. Thomas was really nice, but I don't really like to vacation in what amounts to the U.S. on an island. Puerto Rico is much the same for me. Liked Curacao and Martinique, but I'd have to brush up on my French next time. The Abacos are nice, if you just want to do absolutely nothing. Nice people there, just not a lot to do. If I were to go again, I would island hop on the mailboat as it makes its calls around the Abacos. Still, Moorea in French Polynesia is my absolute favorite. There's absolutely nothing U.S. there. And I will always fondly remember the fresh baguettes in the mailboxes each morning along the roads and, of course, the Tahitian girls. I know, it's not the Caribbean, but I haven't found anything in these waters to match Tahiti and Moorea. -- Hurricane

Most Recent Update: Pyrates of the Coast - Fort: Red Handed Jill (Camp Captain) Bootleg Youngblood Animal Dumplin' Sully In Town Hurricane (Crewe Captain) Cyren Sloe Gin Double Trouble Sir Nigel Lighthouse Black Skot Flint Watterat

That's terrific. Let me know when they're ready so I can add them to the piratesinparadise.com site and facebook.com's page for the festival. Woohoo! -- Hurricane

The proposed plan is to have the tryal of Anne and Mary over at the Truman Annex this year, if this expansion of Pirates in Paradise is approved by the city. So the large stage inside the fort won't be necessary. That should free up a lot of space for the encampment. -- Hurricane

This really isn't my issue. I don't camp. I'm back to partying in town. Sorry. -- Hurricane

It was not an attack. Rather it was a simple statement of fact. There are a number (not saying a sizable number) of people who are involved in PiP and the Fort Fest who don't visit pyracy.com much. Thought it important that all of us be mindful of the importance of inclusiveness in planning. As such, it was put forth in that spirit with no sense of malice, pot stirring or finger pointing. A simple request. That was all, with a framework of context placed around it.

I use one example of someone who is camping there and will need to have a demo and ask the planners to contact her and that's a criticism of the boards? Geesh! Sorry. Consider it withdrawn.

Did it ever occur to anyone here that they should perhaps email the leaders of the various encampments listed in being in attendance to see what they're interested in doing? The assumption here seems to be that everyone planning to camp actually visits the pub here often, or even still. This simply isn't the case and I'm sure they would all be excited to offer up their strengths, if there were to know this was all being discussed here. I know that Jill Handed Red and her husband know many of the period games and have been running them there for four years now. Might want to clue everyone in. -- Hurricane

So true, so true. All are welcome and nothing but fun is on the horizon. Guess some of the crewe didn't enjoy all that "work" stuff they used to have to do. What did I know? :) -- Hurricane

And I'm putting the screws to my half-brother Bill. A fine guitar player in his own right, who wants to joint us. I think our Pyrates of the Coast crewe is going to be amazing this year, certainly the best we've fielded in at least six years. Especially since we've gone "the more the merrier" route. -- Hurricane

I should note that the crewe postings and such have all moved to Facebook. Everyone in our crewe is there more than here these days, plus gotta love the event management feature there. So much easier than sending out mails to everyone. Fair winds and see you around! We're at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=247984995876

I'll disagree with that one. I don't peace tie my weapons and it bugs the hell out of me when I have to do it at those fairs where it is required. I think it it might be reasonable for new people or for people who only carry for show. On the other hand, weapons are what I do. I know where my sword and pistols are and who's near them. 30 years of carrying a sword on my hip, training with it, and teaching it give me the clue. And I never drink when carrying, so the "drunk in a bar' scenario doesn't apply. I think the rule should be more like "know your weapons and your weapons capabilities". If you only carry occasionally, or have never trained, or tend to drink more than one or two, then peace tie or don't carry. If you take your weapons seriously, train with them as you would any martial art, and make them part of yourself, then peace tieing is unnecessary. Hawkyns I'm with you Hawkyns. In all these years I've never been "pulled on". People have tried but I always have my weapon protected like anyone else who would consider it a weapon rather than a costume accessory. I like being able to show kids it and pose with it. I was trained properly on it years ago. And I would agree, if you're a newbie, maybe you'd better keep it tied because it does take time to learn how to keep it safe while enjoying your day as a non peace-tied pirate. That said, I don't go to many organized events that require it. Most of the events here in Florida (outside of ren-faires) don't require it and they didn't in Seattle either. So I've just been fortunate. If the law requires it, I do it, and more than once I've cut it away once inside. -- Hurricane

Hey Wench! What kind of entertainment you looking for? Would love to help out, especially since I don't have to struggle with a camp and entertaining at the same time any longer. :) -- Hurricane Lap of Luxury Hotel Pyrate

You sure will be sir. I am still putting the thumbscrews to Water Rat and Sloe Gin. Black was interested in adventuring too. I think he needs a road trip. Those are the only ones on the fence but I'm sure Water Rat will fall into place once he knows its virtually a band reunion that's been a long time in the making. Woohoo! Double T would eat you alive. Lucky dog!

Here is The Pyrates of the Coast update: Pyrates of the Coast - Fort: Red Handed Jill Bootleg Youngblood Animal Sully In Town Hurricane Cyren Sloe Gin Double Trouble Sir Nigel Lighthouse Black Skot Flint Watterat Big Nick (tentative)

I have performed for perhaps thousands of mentally and physically disabled children in my lifetime and never once have I had to resort to pretending I was like them to do it. It's akin to rolling up in a wheelchair, pretending you're like wheelchair bound kids, only to jump out of it at the end and be able to walk away. Sorry, just don't find that kind of entertainment necessary, if you already know how to work with these kids and be at their level without having to pretend you suffer from their afflictions. Perhaps it works in some settings, but the people who hired me to entertain their children - the counselors, teachers and parents - would have handed me my ass on a platter for trying that one. You can identify with kids by being yourself, for them, being themselves is their only choice. I doubt the little people's group would appreciate me walking in on my knees and pretending I'm a dwarf so they can identify with me. I know of one person posting here that would have ripped me to shreds (see above) Listen to the song "Don't Laugh at Me" and I think you'll get what I'm saying. I know I'm in the minority, so be it. Used to it here. -- Hurricane

Don't you think we could have one or two forums in here without the Cousin Robbie schtick? It gets old, particularly when some of us have relatives who are slow and mentally challenged. It's just not that funny after awhile to people who are proud of their relatives who suffer a disability. And yes, I have a niece who is severely handicapped this way so I take it a bit personally. The whole inbred retarded thing just isn't that funny. -- Hurricane

For those on the fence due to time constraints, the encampment days are only Friday, Saturday and Sunday this year (at least, according to the update I received for the website), so those with limited vacation time may now be able to fit it in easier, especially for those with new jobs. -- Hurricane

Looking forward to this year's Gathering. It should be a blast! -- Hurricane

Pirate Soul is moving out of Key West and putting its future in St. Augustine. There will be no more Pirate Soul in KW. -- Hurricane

You will definitely be missed, sir. Though I too think life was better before all these social networks and forums started sucking time away from what we really should be doing. Fair winds and enjoy the peace and quiet of life off the grid. Sorry that rough times precipitated it and things will get better. -- Hurricane

That project is dead in the water and always will be. Port Royal is owned by the Brotherhood there. They would have to approve it an that won't happen because the people there like their quiet, non-touristy world. Plus, the area is a bit of hallowed ground - lots of people died there. It would be like putting a gift shop smack dab in the middle of Gettysburg. There's actual a great book on the cultural, financial and historical reasons this will never happen there. Interesting stuff. For me, just the appearance of the interpretive signs kind of diminished the experience the last time I was there. == Hurricane

Picked up one of those lifesize climbing pirate statues, the ones that are always a thousand bucks, for $275. But the better part was I told a client who wanted one for her event that I had located one that could be rented... for $275. So, it was free, thanks to charging the client for it. Love it when things work out like that. -- Hurricane

This page is the treasure trove -- it's all the dissertations they did with this project, from an examination of clay pipes to the probates. http://nautarch.tamu.edu/portroyal/archives/research.htm -- Hurricane