hurricane

Patrick, that is such an oversimplification. We are under a microscope this year as the park assesses our right to be there and their desire to have us there. The captain of the Mercury crew may have to be a bad-ass sometimes if someone is doing something that could get us not invited back. Equally, the crewe is going to have to listen and follow them. Our behavior there will determine whether or not we are invited back to the Fort Fest. PiP will continue on regardless. But whether we ever camp at the fort again will hinge on this year. It's really not just passing on information, as in years past. We will all have to be watching each other's back on this and this means the captains are going to have to be watching for issues that could ruin this event for everyone. It only takes one person to get us all bounced. -- Hurricane

We salute you oh mighty pirate hunter. As the loyal citizens of the Port Royal camp, we abhor the vermine and only recognize those who sail under the proper letters of marque (which, for all you pirates, are being copied in the back room of the Catt & Fiddle should you be in need). Uh-hum... Good show. Good show. -- Hurricane

What has this world come to where all the pirates are worrying about soap? What a bunch of nancy girls. :) -- Hurricane

That's really nice. Great job! -- Hurricane

It seems a bit minimalist, especially since the image isn't there. It's showing a local path to your desktop, hence its absence from this site. -- Hurricane

-- Deleted --

Just because you have the Taj doesn't mean it comes with a harem. My M.A. is always welcomed. It's the management tent, isn't it? -- Hurricane

Being a captain at PiP doesn't require experience at the event. It requires great communication skills, leadership and your crewe's respect. The captains will have more responsibilities than in year's fast, including helping getting everyone sited into the camp and ensuring that shifts are done. This year's PiP will be a little different from the others in that respect, hence the little need for experience. I might suggest you set up a poll on the site and let the Mercury crewe members vote, pirate-style. Democratic appointment to the position with a Quartermaster at his side that is appointed by him or her. Just a thought. Certainly, being elected to the position is more agreeable than having the duties thrust on someone. -- Hurricane

As usual, GoF, you are a many of clear reason. This is the crux of the matter. We can all enjoy each aspect of our vocation. I for one have never turned down a belly dancer or even the fruitiest of supposedly "period rum punch." It's all good in my book. And actually, it's fun to play the different sides - tonight's Halloween party - authentic dress with a decidedly non-politically correct Huricane at the helm. Viva la difference! -- Hurricane

Well that does it Jill, you not be invited to me tent this year. Unless you beg, of course. -- Hurricane

My "opera house" is going to roll right over the Taj... was that a speed bump I just felt? -- Your captain

It's called the Opera, how funny. This is the real site. http://www.yoursuiteinnature.com -- Hurricane Vintage, the mosquitoes are extra.

My new tent is on its way and will be here for PiP... Pretty posh, eh? Hurricane

And I was so ready to deliver a rousing defense of Governor Modyford's use of letters of marque to defend Jamaica... drunk it is then!

Unfortunately for all concerned here, I will be able to make it to PiP. I send my greatest apologizes to all of you that I was unable to find a way out of coming this year. I know you were all looking forward to not seeing me for once. :) - Hurricane

Is there a pox aboard this ship? All the good ones are dropping like flies around here. This is so sad. We will miss all of you dearly. -- Hurricane

The vast majority of Americans are sheep and can be lead by the shepherd with the loudest voice to call them. Radio, TV, and now the Internet, accomplish this task for them. I used to work in Corporate Communications and here's how the psychology of communication works there -- 20% of all employees are Pollyanna's, they sing the corporate anthem and it can do no wrong. 20% are the Naysayers, they bitch about everything in the company. The balance -- 60% are the Neutrals. Successful corporate communications involved taking as many in the middle and creating messages that moved them ever so briefly into being Pollyanna's. We never bothered listening to the Naysayers -- a total waste of time. I don't see the country being much different and communication principles apply straight across. 20% at any one time are singing the country song because they're in power. Those 20% that aren't bitch to high hell. And both of them try to move the 60% to one side or the other. As a master manipulator of public, stakeholder and employee opinion for most of my adult life, it's a game to all of us. How many can we shift from one pen to another so that there is a critical mass to make something happen (layoffs, a merger, a buyout, pay cuts, war... it's all the same). That's the main reason I didn't become a journalist. They have to pretend their objective when they're not. In PR, I never had to pretend to be objective. It was all mind manipulation. Still is. Anyone in corporate today can see it play out all the time - positive spins to win the hearts and minds of the undecided. -- Hurricane

We did a little photo shoot of Diosa and Jill Handed Red as Mary Reed and Anne Bonney. Thought I'd share just a couple of the raw images with ya'll! They will be used for advertisements for a living history thing they're doing a couple months hence in Defuniak Springs, FL. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=121766&id=657171730&l=fa068d30fa

Mission, That's great philosophy in a non-media world. But when people who have TV and radio time create such movements, they themselves are foisting their agenda on the mindless masses. Think Goebbels. The biggest and most consistent messaged voiced trumps the silent masses. Millions tune into these shows and just shuffle off to do whatever they say to do - go to a tea party, vote against this person, don't shop at WalMart because they pulled my advertising. It is manipulation of the masses as Goebbels could have only dreamed of (and it's both sides - I am politically agnostic - I don't vote because I don't want to encourage anyone. :) If god had meant us to vote, he would have give us candidates. All the anti-war protests in the Viet Nam era didn't stop the war. Millions of people marching on Washington. Come on. These Tea Parties are just the latest fade, born by discontent with the current situation. They do nothing to change the status quo. They are pimples on the asses of politicians who have to pander to them in order to get some TV time. Otherwise, it's back to the special interests and lobbyists who put them into power and keep them there. The scariest part of this are the Limbaughs and the Becks of the world who manipulate truth and have millions following them without question. Reminds me of the McCarthy era. That, my friend, is the scary part - lemmings falling mistruth rather than seeking the truth out for themselves, regardless of what it is. None of the media is objective. They are selling us something - whether it's the right or the left. It's our own decision whether we are willing to be spoon fed what they're selling or to seek our own truth. I for one can never goose step behind any cause that has such questionable origins and DNA, regardless if it's left, right or centrist. Too individual for that. -- Hurricane

What a blast the Bayside part of the festival was. We must have had 100 kids throughout the day and all the parents stayed until the end. We played so many games I can't even begin to remember them all. Thanks to all the crewe and particularly Shay and VintageSailor for the cannon and gunfire. -- Hurricane

Anyone wanting the new book should pre-order now - It's $9 as a pre-order on amazon.com -- $18 off the cover price. http://www.amazon.com/Pirate-Latitudes-Novel-Michael-Crichton/dp/0061929379/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256147497&sr=8-1 Hurricane

That works in an up economy where there is litte unemployment. But in a down economy where the unemployment rate is 10%+ you're treading on dangerous waters. No one is irreplaceable in a business. No one. I used to fall for that belief and tried to do the same negotiations in good times -- never worked. The sad truth is there are 10 people who will take a low paying job just to have one and the talent pool of skilled workers has never been higher. As an employer, I have my pick of people and can cut anyone loose who isn't playing on my team when times are tight and everyone needs to do a little extra and the old "more with less". Sorry. Not very optimistic on that one. And negotiating a higher pay in these times? The boss may be laughing still as you leave the office with your box of goodies. -- Hurricane

At the Bayside event we'll have some wine and period rum punch stashed as always, should we want to go on account there and pillage the stash we have to save coin. We're also all on the cheap... We could also do Friday if that works better for everyone... -- Hurricane

And then you can always add in the unpredictable nature of the many pole reversals we've had, which have unknown effects on the climate. Also had a climate chick at NASA tell me about the Arctic melting - put a couple ice cubes in a glass of water and see if the level changes - It's the places that have land masses underneath the ice and snow that have the most effect, not the ice (that was her take on it - I don't have the expertise to question it). -- Hurricane

This is our final roster so you can replace the one on the front page: The Catt & Fiddle/Hurricane's Tent: 18 x 25 Diosa's Tent: 15 x 15 DB/Buxom: 14 x 20 Booty/Jill: 12 x 15 Cutter/Io: 12 x 15 Sully: 12 x 14 Great Scott & Drop Dead: 14x20 Total Crewe: 11