hurricane

French Horn Tenor Guitar 5 string banjo Washtub

Over the weekend my great media connection, Diosa, got us onto the MGM Studios lot here in Orlando in costume (that's a whole 'nuther story) so she could interview Jason Surrell, the author of the Haunted Mansion book (attraction to movie). He just finished Pirates of the Caribbean, a follow up book. It's absolutely amazing - full of trivia and great stories of how the attraction came to be, the differences between all the park PotC rides and how it dovetailed into the movie. It's on sale right now at the Magic Kingdom and I believe Disneyland. Here's a photo of us at Jason's signing. Of course, I'm stealing the book. I think it's set for release to the general public mid-month. Awaiting our Disney PR girl to let us know that. Diosa will have more soon, including her interview with Jason about the book. Hurricane

I'm with you on that. My only hope that when my time comes that the powers that be smite me, strike true and hard. None of this lingering thing for me. I came into the world quickly and hope to leave the same way. Fair winds! -- Hurricane

Did he not hear the word "hurricane?" While I'm sorry to hear that anyone bit it in the storm, this is just the kind of folly that adds needlessly to the death toll here. People just don't seem to get the fact that these are dangerous storms. Witness the whiney idiots crying in South Florida now because FEMA didn't give them water and food. Didn't they go to the store before the storm hit? Geez, they had five days warning. - Hurricane

Boy, that's a lot of territory to cover. First, the fort. There is ample parking at the fort. There will be a pub there in the fort with beer, wine and mead (I believe). In contrast to past years the Village Market will be set up on the parade ground there, so the events for that will all be in one place. Definitely find a hotel with parking. Our group always stayed at the Southernmost. A great outpost and a big festival sponsor. It's a ways to everything but in the evening it's a quick stagger home. Parking at the fort is included in admission. For Duval Street gigs we parked over by the Seafood company area in a little lot with a guy with no teeth and drunk. $5 a day and about two blocks from Duval and about three to Capt. Tony's and Mallory Square. Jimmy Buffett's recording studio is on the corner near there. The pirates are all great. Many have their own crewes but non are clique-ish. Re-enactors get along with entertainers and entertainers get along with the casual t-shirted pirate. It's a fun time and everyone is great. As for things not to miss - I never miss Captain Tony's (it's our crewe's outpost during the festival), Mel Fisher's Museum, the Wrecker's Historeum is interesting - part theater and part treasure excavation, sunset at Mallory Square, of course. I've never been to Hemingway House even though I've been to KW a ton of times or Pirate Soul. Pirate Soul is supposed to be really well done, though keep your visit quiet because they refuse to sponsor PiP, even for a $100 sponsor level. All the events are fun - definitely get out on a sunset sail on the Wolf... it's the best sail adventure there. The Conch Train tour is fun if you've never been to KW - lots of great stories and you can get off and on any place you want. For cheap eats - Burger King is right near Pier House. If you're at the Southernmost you can't beat breakfast right around the corner, next to the mini mart - great Cuban coffee and Cuban bread sandwiches. About $6 for breakfast. Can't beat it. As for weapons - we wear ours everywhere - only one bar ever asked us to check them and we high tailed it out of there. If you have powder weapons you've found nirvana. The fort loves powder play - you must be checked out by the safety officer and fort personnel to be able to shoot - but there are plenty of pirates with pistols and cannons. The whole town is very laid back (hey, it is Key West). Everyone loves pirates, though few know the festival is going on. So be ready to do a speil to help promote it - especially to the gazillion tourists who pour off the cruise ships. I think that's it off the top of my head. Oh, if you're at Captain Tony's on a Friday and Saturday, swing over an say hi to him. He's usually over at the counter by the door in the gift area. Anyone else want to chime in? Cascabel? -- Hurricane

Fear not Mr Pirate. . . I have you beat by a few years and had my second fall apart a year ago. Now I have a beautiful woman who loves to pirate with me, is as much as a kook as I, can whip up amazing jewelry and costuming in mere hours, has a great sense of humor and is 17 years younger than I (I don't really pay attention to the age thing - much more into someone's eyes and brains - But that was a bonus). You just never know what will happen and who you'll meet along the way. The key is to get out and about in things that interest you. That's the quickest way to find someone who may be of interest. That's a bunch of crap, by the way, about younger women not being interested in older men. Shallow women yes. But women with more on the ball are attracted to older men because they actually know how to treat a woman, unlike many of the younger generation's peers who are into everything but the woman they're with. -- Hurricane

They also cast terrific replicas from the gold and silver aboard. I don't think I could ever bear to wear a real one - be afraid I'd lose it in a drunken piratical spree - but my sweetie bought me the perfect replica cast from the precious metals pulled up from the Atocha and Santa Margarita, complete with a skull and crossbones on it. It's amazing and though it's not an actual doubloon, it is actual treasure... :) Much more affordable and you're not afraid to wear it out. http://melfisher.com/store/scripts/prodLis...eld=description -- Hurricane

Where does it say there are bylaws? And isn't everyone a "one post wonder" the first time they post? By nature they would remain that until they post a second time. Hhm. - Hurricane

So just as I post it, the power goes out - should have bit me tongue... -- Hurricane

A miracle - a hurricane where we didn't lose power. Amazing!!!!!! Lots of rain and wind. Everyone makes such a big deal about these things - but as I tell people down here there isn't a year that's gone by without a 60+ storm moving through the Seattle area - and when I was four we had 100+ there. No wonder we run out of names when the weather folks name anything over 35 mph. In the Northwest, they'd run out of names in a month. Glad she's gone - we're almost to the end of the season. Compared to last year, it's been downright dull in Central Florida. -- Hurricane (no relation to Wilma)

Go to Jamaica mon, The offer ganja every market you go (as long as you're a guy) and the street parties are rife (or reef) with the bud. -- Hurricane

Let's see: Music: The Beatles: 1 Greatest Hits - Jimmy Buffett Bob Marley - Rastaman Vibration Elvis - 30 #1 Hits Jim Kweskin and the Jug Band - Greatest Hits Book: SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea Pleasure: A boat - you never said I was stranded on the island, only that it's deserted.

Filming during hurricane season is risky at best. How come no one at the production company asked us in Florida? Wait until December through May - that's the safe time. And it ain't so bloomin' sticky hot down this way. -- Hurricane

This one is a full custom job but the designer does stock items based on this basic design in black. He also does bodices and other wear. Will post photos when it arrives and have more information. -- Hurricane

My cohort in crime (Diosa) just got this photo from her connection in bodice land for approval. I just had to share it! It almost transcends a piece of clothing - more like art. Now stand down you blackards. This is ol' Hurricane's mate (you all can have the mannequin shown) Still awaiting the spider web chaining that connects the top. Will share more photos and the designer (unless you can already tell who it is) when it arrives. It's not period, but it's magnificent. He does amazing work!!!! Captain's humble opinion... Hurricane

Deadly Aim is no longer planning the festival, Vicki's the girl for ya (uh, for logistics and such - mind out of gutter now!) Our own crewe will be in Port Royal at that time, so unfortunately we were double booked. Note that the fort is a bit of a ways from Old Town. So you'll need to make sure you're stocked on food and drink there. And I believe that outside the pub there be no liquor in the park. I'm sure Vicki can shed light on that issue further. For those who haven't been, it's a grand time. The schedule at http://www.piratesinparadise.com was recently updated so you can make your plans accordingly. Hurricane

Our very own Diosa is selling custom made and stock items right now on ebay with more on the way. Lovely under bodices (which are perfect for the more well endowed lass), shirts and other items waiting for that lucky lass or rogue. These aren't cheap costumes - they're made of top quality upholstery weight material with boning and adjustable lacing. Look for more listings soon as she goes nuts with a needle and thread (OK, serger and sewing machine). Link to Diosa's Den

I have the chording for the song for guitar and banjo, but I'm not a liberty to hand it over to someone who's on page three of the crewe list. Sorry! Your former Captain, -- Hurricane

Jekyl the Hide Smith --- http://jekylthehidesmith.com/Baldrics.htm His work is superior and he backs everything up - I have his custom double wrap belt and have worn it for 5 years now - solid, well made and top quality. Yas get what ya pay for... eh? -- Hurricane

Tis more art to talk one's way out of fistacuffs than to engage in them. Anyone can throw a fist but few have the vocabulary or wits about them to avoid a toss now and then. I have faced more than I care to speak, including one or two with bikers when pirating (what can I say, it was a woman at issue) and I have always managed to talk my way out. A fine art indeed for it has saved my fair face all these years from unnecessary scarring. Plus its in the articles of every crewe I've been in that you will have your arse bounced out for public brawling, either with fellow members of the crewe or the public. We call it the Iron Boot. -- Hurricane

You'll find no shortage of pirates and wenches at PiP. There's some 100+ reenactors and entertainers down in Key West for the festival so you'll find plenty of people to meet. They're all great folks too! -- Hurricane

The design sucks. It's unreadable and non-sensical. I was thrilled to click on the link and then frustrated from there on out. The site will do more damage to the idea than help it. Change the fonts!!!!! -- Hurricane

There's a trend there rummy - I work much better with women, you with men. Guess that makes us heteroemployable. Hhmm! -- Hurricane

Before striking out on my own I worked for 13 different managers - 12 were women - all great managers and one was a man - a complete idiot. Since then I've had hundreds of clients and the women were always better decision makers on projects and easier to work with. So I would have to vote for the research based on experience. -- Hurricane

I believe they're there every night of the event. It's a fun event. We wish we could go again but we have a PotC interactive on the 22nd and Guavaween on the 29th, so the calendar is a bit full. Enjoy the event and we hope to see you sometime since we're all neighbors. -- Hurricane