hurricane

I inquired some time ago with Sykes and wanted to order some. But he replied they were 120 grains each. So I went with the Willie's solution because they hold and exact charge of 65 for my gun - all I need for the pan and the barrel. At PiP I was shooting 2 to 1 with them on the line -- plus they are sized to pour right into the barrel without a spill. Not period correct apostles for wearing, but if you want premeasures for shooting without cartridges these are quick and easy and exact. -- Hurricance

To all the crewe, wherever they may be.... The Night Before Christmas (aboard The Blackheart) ‘Twas the night before Christmas aboard The Blackheart, Not a shipmate was stirring, not even Mariea or Scott, The cutlasses were stored on the mid deck with care, Animal had just doled out the crewe’s holiday share. Yes, the crewe was now snuggled up there in their sacks, While the midnight watch on deck watched their backs. The Captain and Conscience took off their tricorns, And settled down to sleep while Cynn watched some porn. When up on the deck the crewe heard such a clatter, They sprang from their hammocks to see what was the matter. Away to the main deck they flew fleet and fast, Tore open the gun ports and rigged the main mast. The moon cast a light upon the calm sea, As Diosa focused her spyglass to see what she could see. When what ‘fore her piratical eyes should course, But a miniature ship pulled by eight tiny seahorse. With a little old captain, with beard glistening white. Captain knew in a flash we should blow him from sight. His brig was approaching, quickly it came, Hurricane shouted to his crewe loudly by name: Now Cutter! Now Sulley! Now Sheila and Mizzen! On Booty, On Red Hand! On Dan, hey who’s missin’, To your guns step lively! To the swivels facing aft! Put powder to them softly, We must sink that craft! The old captain moved swiftly, his course was quite steady, The Blackheart crewe they prepared to be ready When the brig heaved to starboard and pulled a little wide, Hurricane responded with full guns broadside. And then, in a twinkling, we heard the retort, He fired right back hitting us hard on the port. We hove to and came across his bow once more, We knocked out his topsail and gave him what for. His ship was quite close now, we could see him on deck, Dressed in red from his boots to the nape of his neck. His clothes were all sooted from guns full ablaze, And he never blinked once with his stouthearted gaze. His eyes – were so firey! His dimples quite red! At the site of his small crew, many now dead! His once joyful face was drawn up quite mad, And we could see that he’d become a revenge minded lad. The stump of his pipe was now clenched in his teeth, And the smoke from it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a scarred face and a little round tummy, He swaggered with the sea, looking quite rummy. His crewe was quite elfish, they looked mighty queer, Surrounded by eight really pissed off reindeer. A wink of his eye and a nod of his head, Soon gave us to know we had everything to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work. He fired a salvo, then turned with a jerk. And giving us the finger he fired one more round, Then turned to the south making no other sound. We stood on the deck, now knowing our plight, We had fired on Santa which just wasn’t right. And we heard him exclaim as his crewe changed their shifts, “To all on The Blackheart, I’m returning your gifts!” -- Captain

Exactly, Mission. He's a single naysayer in a sea of yea-sayers. Hardly worth the time to worry about him. -- Hurricane

Take pity on the gent, lads and lasses. The event has been going on for nearly 10 years in Key West and much longer in the Keys itself. And he just noticed. I feel sorry that he finally ran out of Mogan David and Pabst Blue Ribbon long enough to sober up and notice. So sad, during the holidays. Wait until he finally notices that his wife left him five years ago and he's in foreclosure. :) Perhaps he can start a "Clueless In Big Pine" festival to make some money for some more malt liquor. -- Hurricane

Chrispy, ask and you shall receive: Like bein' at PirateStock... -- Hurricane

For those wanting a large size of the class photo to print out, here's the original 4 meg one. http://www.piratesinparadise.com/classphoto-large.jpg

No matter where we are we always have someone doing a watch. I think it's pretty historically based. Even on a remote spot of land during a careening there were indians who would raid the camps if they were left unguarded. Thanks for being sick, I handled much of the watch this year so the crewe could play more. Just a smart way to handle security when there are others about. -- Hurricane

There's a big difference between the early buccaneers and those of 1669. Most of the lads you're speaking of would have been much more "civilized", the bulk of the English buccaneers living in Port Royal. I can't vouch for the Frenchies of the time who met up with them at Isle de Vaca. They certainly didn't walk around town blood stained... :) Given the experience we've had and the landscape of the lands they were marching through, an untucked shirt would have been a real pain in the a** to deal with. The shirt tails would catch on all the brambles, stickers and thorns as they hacked their way through the jungle, not to mention branches. Again, big difference between hunting cattle or pigs on Tortuga and marching in battle to attack Spanish towns. By 1669 buccaneers only used their knives and boucan skills to eat while on the march. They no longer hunted with them as a regular source of income. Again, can't vouch for other countries, just the English. I'll see if I can dig up some info for ya over the holidays. :) -- Hurricane

Here's the shot Tony did of the Class of 2008, pyracy.com -- Enjoy! -- Hurricane

That's dead on, Bo. The painting of Woodes Rogers, for instance, omits his missing jaw that was shot out during battle. Most people of the time were poxed and scarred from disease. An artist is never going to sell art that was an actual representation of the subject he was looking at. Same reason we appreciate PhotoShopped images of pretty ladies in girly magazines today. We like to view a world more perfect than it really is. -- Hurricane

I'd like the Buccaneer's Roost bar in the middle of Port Royal, fully refurbished (it's looking pretty sad these day) with a deed and no debt on it. Open bar for any of you in costume!!! -- Hurricane

Heck, if that's the case our crewe will go with a double shift just to keep him out! More Absinthe for everyone in 09 says I!!!! -- Hurricane

Ah, I've never had to rape in me life. The damsels have given it willingly, in part because of the baubles brought to them. So much more fun then - givin' and takin'. As I tell me crewe, what's the difference between a wife/girlfriend and a hooker? The hooker's a sure thing. You can spend $200 on dinner, drinks and dancing and still not get anything that night from the former. "A man always wonders if he'll get lucky. The woman already knows." And that's probably had men pissed off since they first began to stand upright... The quickest way to getting nooky is two simple words, "Yes dear." -- Hurricane

How did you ever get children? :) It's plunder first, so you have gifts to give before rape. Then its pillage/burn so you have somewhere warm to lie for the minute or two of cuddling before you start the process over again with someone else. Dammit man! Is that the way they do things up north? -- Hurricane wot ar ye talkin 'bout..... if ya rape first....plus the cuddlin after..... ya miss all the good stuff!!!! if'n ya burn first.....thars nary a thing to rape or pillage!!!! nope...listen to the ole sea-horse marine...... plillage first....then burn... ...no wait....then rape.... .....then burn..... find a lot easier to rape/cuddle when ya gots the plunder.....they ALL like the plunder.....thars always time to rape when ya got the plunder!!!

We all have our crosses to bear, dear Captain - you have that Wendy Whiner, D'ogge and I have that Light Breaking, Mangy Animal to contend with. We are both in a living hell. -- Hurricane

You mean D'ogge was there? Did he do something? -- Hurricane

Boucan takes two different forms. For short term eating, the meat was roasted about two to three feet above the fire on a grill of green wood. For long term eating, it was smoked, usually in a hut where the fire was some distance (6 to 8 feet) below the meat and grill. I would assume you're shooting for the roasting method, which is more like modern barbecue than the smoking, which yielded jerky basically. Also, pimento is essential to the base. http://shop.pimentowood.com/main.sc It gives the meat the distinctive flavoring. -- Hurricane

I don't think it's too much to ask us to all help out. I know there are attendees who just want to come and play. But playing has a cost. If we weren't at the fort we'd all be shelling out $100+ a night in a hotel. If that means we all take a turn on watch or policing the bathrooms, so be it. It's not a big deal. I'm not sure what was going on at the beach bathrooms, but the ones at the fort were fine in the morning. Chum the waters, mates, not the toidies. :) Probably the easiest way to do it is to take all the registration forms you receive and designate watch duty. I know you can count on our crewe to handle times - just let us know when and what. We will make sure it's done. I'm sure the other crewes will do that too. As for the individuals who aren't affiliated, perhaps the Bone Islands can direct them on their duties, since they have an authority level at the fest. I don't think an hour or two of work for the fort each day or every other day is a big deal. That said, is there a way we can overlock the gate from say, 3 to 7 a.m. on festival days so that they are just locked. That gives everyone a down time. The last shift at 2 locks the gate as they leave and at 7 a morning shift removes the second lock. That would also ensure interlopers couldn't get in and out during the down time. I know we all really appreciate what you guys are doing. And I think it is all our responsibility to step up to the plate and help out. I certainly don't think you should ever be apologetic about having expectations and duties for those who come and play in your sandbox. -- Hurricane

I don't think anyone's upset - you can never plan too early, I so agree. We're already well underway ourselves. And when November comes, we suddenly remember everything we didn't do, like labeling wine for the Walk the Plank Championships. I think there's some really good stuff being discussed and glad you're as excited as we all seem to be to the 10th anniversary soiree. :) PS: I'm cursed with the event planning and production background too. -- Hurricane

I think that's a good idea. We always have at least one crewe member in camp watching our stuff. But those who don't may want to get a lock box of sorts to keep their valuables and weapons from being tampered with. Perhaps D'ogge can get a floor safe to bury in the sand to keep Diosa away from the Absinthe. -- Hurricane

I think we're also way ahead of the curve here on this. The Pyrates of the Coast crewe is just beginning to figure out their tenting for the encampment, plus there are the inevitable people who bail out between now and say, next November. With the economy as it is, the last minute changes to attendance may be even more difficult to predict. Even our own crewe lost three at the last moment. I think it's a good idea, but once Harry has a better gauge on construction and we all have a better gauge of who is attending from what group, then we can work out the particulars. There's still lots of time to work all this out. Plus, since Harry gets all the attendance forms in by Nov. 1, that's really when the plotting could begin. If he doesn't already, I would suggest he include a tent size part on the form to help in the planning. And to prevent land disputes, it would probably be in the interest of Harry and the Bone Islands to figure all this out, since they can actually mark areas off and plan for the event far better than we can from a distance. After all, it's their show. Also, when camps are set out, those doing living history may want to locate along the paths so those who don't want to are away from the traffic patterns. May help guide the visitors to those who want to do education and edutainment beachside. We arranged it that way when we were first on the beach the year the festival moved to the fort. -- Hurricane

See below. For some reason it posted twice.

Yes, unfortunately that's the way all Chambers and VCBs work. I've been part of many of them and still maintain on here in Melbourne, even though I don't really do anything with them. But without the membership, as you know, someone can ask about you specifically and still not get an answer. As for cruise ships, the key is to hit the Cruise Directors... they're the ones that promote things to do on the island. It may require putting together a package with the cruise line for an island experience filled with pirates. Like a VCB, they usually only hype the things they can make money off of with a package. But I can see transportation to and from the fort, admission, some sort of souvenir, plus time at the beach as incentive for that. Wow, $301 to join the chamber. That's a deal. Here in Melbourne its $350 for my biz. Perhaps we should all take up a donation so the festival can join and become a burr in their butts. At least I see they listed the event on their site this year. -- Hurricane

Nell, the Chamber/Visitor's Bureau needs to get with it too. We had several visitors who were sent to see the fort by the chamber but they didn't clue them in there was a pirate festival there. Obviously, visitors go to the building near Mallory often when they stop by. As for cruise ships, we did the rounds there a couple years ago and it was a big success. We didn't even have the shuttle yet. We stood outside the secured area and posed for hundreds of photos with the cruisers. Then we directed them over to the festival, mentioning that it also had the best beach. As a spectator, you'd be amazed how interesting daily camp life is. We were cooking, cleaning guns, mending clothes, making sheaths... just daily crap of keeping a camp running. The trick was to say high to the spectators... engage them. They don't want to look like they're bothering you but are intensely interested in what you're up to -- it's different. Whether you're in character or not, ask if they have any questions. Show them what you're doing. Or just let them know it's OK if they watch you. It's really that easy. -- Hurricane

That's true. Buccaneers drank wine and brandy. The rum of the period was extremely uneven and toxic. The only way it was drunk was in Rum Punch, which was the staple of boucan dining. In our period tavern we only serve red wine and rum punch. There were some other more minor drinks, such as Lemonadoes and Flips as well. Good news is that ale/beer was drank like water because the water wasn't good... plus it was believed that water caused some of the maladies that were rampant in town now and then. -- Hurricane