hurricane

Kind of makes one want to become Jewish. -- Hurricane

For those not following our 1680 thread we will be inside the fort again this year. Harry just relayed the update to us over the weekend. -- Hurricane

We just received word from Harry. We will be inside the fort. Our store will be where it was last year in the casement. Our encampment will be to the right of it, if you're facing the fort. We will have a tentage extending out from the casement. Our tavern (The Catt & Fiddle - which was there in 1680) will be in the casement itself. We will have benches and tables. The front will have an awning under which we will be playing period games for kids. The tavern will have period games as well for the grown ups. We will be having lively discussions of upcoming voyages, past adventures and island politics. I will be seeding you all with history and information. As for camping, we will be in the casement behind our store and Port Royal. The sleeping quarters will only be visible after hours at the fort when it's bed time so no need to be period. All camping gear will be under tarps and crates and in our barrels during the day. We have period pewter plates and wine goblets we've stolen from those Spanish bastards in Panama. We will be having a listing of provisions soon ---- -- Hurricane

Port Royal relinquishes any claim to the boat. Being buccaneers, we are landsfolk, not sailors. So there would no reason for us to be boating anywhere. Have at it! -- Hurricane

Definitely rare. Favorite would be a rib eye with some Adobo on it. Set it next to an unplugged toaster and I'm good. -- Hurricane

To TheBlackFox: Wow! Were we at the same event? ISP is running the event again. Just like last year. Not sure why this is in question or what you mean by new management. Everything is just as it was, with the addition of some new blood who are enthusiastic about the event and its potential. My simple advice as a vendor/performer/participant/speaker there: If you didn't have a good time, didn't make the sales you thought and believed it was a waste of time, don't go next year. That's just basic business sense. Some events are worth your time as a business, some aren't. But please stop poisoning others by pointing fingers because your sales may not have been what you wanted them to be. Perhaps the issue goes deeper than where you were located. I don't remember you marketing your product at all anywhere during the festival, unlike the other two pirate publications that were there and all the other vendors who attended that I came across. I know that many vendors did quite well at the Con and are looking forward to returning. I think all the attendees had a great time at the event. It's still almost a year away from PyrateCon 2008. Typically, nothing is confirmed at this point for anything of events of this size. I know, because I've been doing sponsored events for more than 20 years now (professionally, for large corporations, in the real world). I'm very well versed in how these events come together and play out. I think everyone should just chill out for now while the management folks figure out the game plan, based on the input of participants and lessons learned. I find it terribly unprofessional for you to rant and rage when you don't offer any positive input on the event. Seems like a lot of sour grapes to me. -- Hurricane

I've been to countless first years of events over the last 25 years and this was one of the most well run one I've been to. Every event has its kinks in the first few years and PyrateCon was no exception. But everyone has learned a lot and are using that knowledge to go forward, not backwards. I'm sure some of those who were there would like to piddle all over every little thing that went wrong. But that's the beauty (and horror) or live events. It's like a Broadway show. Once the curtain goes up you just keep going. And the event was terrific. Only sorry more of the familiar faces weren't there to see. Hey, weren't you near the entrance by the always packed speaker's room? You must have done well. So what's the problem? -- Hurricane

Always wondered that one... thanks! -- Hurricane

Amazing! So what does a photo double do in a movie shoot. Bess? -- Hurricane

PyrateCon is definitely on for 2008. How do I know? My mate, Diosa, is on the board and on the phone with the committee right now. Everything is coming into place. It's early still to speak of particulars, but you can plan on heading to New Orleans in 08 for an even better PyrateCon! -- Hurricane

Coconuts in the grocery store are never fresh. They are the ones that islanders just cast away. The real fresh coconuts are still on the tree and are in green husks. The meat is almost gelatinous and there's a lot more milk that is sweeter than store bought. The best use of store bought coconuts is shredding them for use in cooking or as toppings for deserts. I don't really recommend them beyond that. -- Hurricane

Yes, those are indeed dangerous waters to sail, Royaliste. Those in the safe harbor of corporate toss it around like it's the thing we all live for - those tax breaks. Rocky shoals they are... :) -- Hurricane

For most bands, it's a business. That's how you make money or a living. Even our own band charges what would be a small fortune (in PiP) dollars to perform at corporate gigs and festivals. The simple matter is, if it's the choice between a paying gig or a freebie, bands take the paying gig. Just the way it is. Heck, our own crewe bagged on 2005 because we had the chance to go to Jamaica to perform instead. Let's see: All expenses paid to Jamaica or pay to go to KW on your own dime. No brainer. Further, it's not really an incentive for a band to play a gig where everyone already buys their music. It doesn't add to sales of CDs. It's just a house concert... not worth the time and expense (and it's a big expense to fly four or more band members down to KW, house them, feed them, transport them, etc.). It costs them far more money than its worth. As for the advertising, I was referring to using any available money to advertise the festival in KW, on the cruise ships coming to town, etc. To get admission sales, people need to know there's a festival. The admission sales help offset the costs of the festival and benefits Friends of the Fort. So to increase the budget you either need sponsors or more sales. Places like Pirate Soul don't sponsor and will never sponsor. They've made that quite clear in the past years. Neither will a lot of businesses in KW because it draws traffic away from Duvall. So money continues to be tight, unless Friends of the Fort is fortunate enough to get a grant, which they festival has been lucky enough to secure in the past. Good luck getting entertainment... just don't see it happening from a business perspective. The numbers just don't add up to make it worthwhile. -- Hurricane

I guess it's a matter of what the child can handle. My nine year old saw it twice in two days and never once even mentioned the prostitute getting popped in the head. He was more into the action scenes and the funny part. Guess that violence stuff just escapes him, especially since there's more violence on the evening news these days. The movie seemed a bit tame in comparison to real life. -- Hurricane

Most pirate bands we all listen to charge money to appear at events. It's the way they make a living. Many others are just too busy to come all the way to Key West with just the promise to camp for free. Most want hotels, and per diem, as well as transportation covered. That really adds up fast. The festival doesn't have much of a budget, at least it never has. So the entertainment there is whoever shows up that knows how to play an instrument. It's always been a good idea, but it's never been a huge priority. Again, this isn't a faire, it's a gathering of pirates who want to represent history as best they can. So the entertainment would eminate from the camps themselves if this were a pursuit of authenticity. And at this juncture, it seems to be a better use of limited funds to advertise more, rather than fly in 'name' bands known only to us. That said, I believe our group is handling kid's programs for the fair this year. So we will be doing some things outside the box for the kids at the festival. -- Hurricane

Want an eye opener? The documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car" is very interesting. Here's the link. http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheel...r/electric.html Interesting stuff, complete with the usual lineup of suspects. - Hurricane

SkySails is actually alive and well as a concept. Saw this in Business 2.0 a month ago: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/b...05646/index.htm Full consumption can be cut up to 30% on a trip. -- Hurricane

Olivert Platt without a doubt. Same comedic timing, same court jester presence and just a tad bigger than I so I'd look svelt standing next to him at the interviews at the premiere. -- Hurricane

PyrateCon 2008 will be even better than this year. I think we have a handle on any bugs that were about this time and plans are afoot for even more fun and action next year. -- Hurricane

Which island? The music of the Bahamas is far different from that of Trinidad and it is different from Jamaica... Please specify.

Otherwise, I'd have to hunt you down, Master Studley... :) Hurricane

The Pyrates of the Coast would be in for 5 total... And that's my final answer. -- Hurricane

That would be Don Maitz who painted the Captain Morgan that is so famous. A great guy and amazing artist. His wife is equally talented as a painter of fantasy art. -- Hurricane

Powder is easy to get in Florida. It flows like wine here (well, almost). Most of those who are in the state can and do bring extra powder with them to the festival for all to share. -- Hurricane

Wow, a whole six years of being a professional pirate. That surely gives you the right to be rude, doesn't it? There's a big difference lad between being opinionated and being civil and respectful to others. Perhaps with a few more years under your belt you'll learn that. I hope you don't treat the many pop culture fans you cross in your "professional" world the same way as those on this pub. 'Nough said. -- Hurricane