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Heny Morgan. Brilliant strategist, successful pirate, later turned Lt. Governor and hung pirates that weren't his friends while protecting his old crewe mates and giving them land. Sacked half of Central America with an armada of ships under his command. Dies of old age rather than foolishness and not only leaves a legacy as arguably the most successful pirate/buccaneer captain in his day, but is also a bloody national hero of Jamaica to this day.

And he has own line of rums now.

Can't do much better than that...

Hurricane

Party? Did someone say party?

-- Captain

Yup, we'll be out celebrating at redlight redlight in Orlando in true piratical fashion.

-- Hurricane

That be very sparkly!!!

-- Hurricane

I'm sure he'll be happy to, daughter mine. He wants to work with us on some Tampa fundraisers in the future. I can't wait to get the calendar. I see some very familiar faces in it.

-- Hurricane

Been a lot of places over my lifetime, but here's the short list.

Moorea - would like to go back there with someone I actually like. It beats the hell out of Hawaii. Bora Bora would be good too.

Galapagos - just to be able to see that level of unspoiled nature and wildlife is reason enough.

Roatan - the Bay Islands of Honduras is beautiful, unspoiled and the people there are amazing. This is a go back.

Wales & Ireland - an ancestry thing. Not really interested in most of Europe.

Italy - that said, would love to visit Italy and eat and drink well.

Belize - my girlfriend's family lives there - would like to see something that's not Belize City. And I would love to camp out at the Mayan ruins there.

Jamaica - again and again. Love Port Royal and the people there.

New Orleans and San Francisco - two of my all time favorites.

Australia used to be on my list when I lived on the West Coast. But being an East Coaster now it's just too far away. Heck it was 18 hours from Seattle...

That should keep me busy for a while.

Hurricane

Stranger things indeed. Like me seeing the other side for a change.

I'm particularly interested in Henry Morgan during his later reign, when he walked the fine line as lt. governor of Jamaica. It's complexity at its best. A former pirate who is now responsible for eradicating piracy while still getting his share of loot and protecting his fellow crew members from persecution. Plus he's a bloody national hero in Jamaica. A pirate as a national hero - now there's a switch.

I am just making baby steps into re-enacting the role. But it's been intriguing to get deeper into the character than the tall tales and libelous writings of that liar Exquemelin.

And it taps nicely into my Welsh heritage as well.

But I can now understand that crossing over would be nigh impossible. While I enjoy the hijinks side of the business, can't see that on the re-enactment side at all. It would be totally out of character. I've been blessed to watch Ben as Blackbeard. And he has that same work ethic. When in character there's no pulling him out of it. And I think that's what makes his personage magnificent.

Onward and upward. By the way, I've been following your postings and links. Thanks for bringing so much of the history to light. I applaud you for it.

It's not always easy to put yourself out there on subjects that contain so much latitude and interpretation as pirates.

-- Hurricane

Thanks Captain Jim,

I know... tough duty. But there are soooo many places to go and so little paid time to do it. So we must make due.

Stop by one of our local gigs sometime -- we'll be at Gaspar's regularly to do our updated version of PotC Interactive. Just check out schedule out at http://www.piratesofthecoast.com...

Hurricane

Ah, GoF...

Then I would have to commit myself to the netherworld as well for I am now have a foot on each side. Since my visit to Port Royal I have been working not on GAoP, but on the buccaneer period, particularly the reign of Henry Morgan. Something about touching his actual treasure that got me going and everybody in Port Royal itself kept callling me Henry. I also got inspired by my old friend Ben Cherry who is by far the best Blackbeard interpreter around.

So I now understand the other side. The history and accurate representation is amazing. Still play the loose interpretations of pirate for some gigs as that's what people many people want to hire us for but the buccaneer age fascinates me even more than GAoP.

So no damnation. Just kudos to whatever path someone chooses, as long as its piracy. We needs more pirates in this world, and fewer bureaucrats.

Hurricane

Unfortunately, The Pyrates of the Coast will be otherwise engaged. We'll be in Port Royal, Jamaica then. I know, I know... poor us.

But we have a great crewe of 12 going... so it will be fun to take most of the crewe to the center of pirate activity so they can feel in there bones.

Will miss the gang in Key West this year. But only so many days to get outta town and the Jamaica deal was too good to pass up.

See any and all at the Morgan Harbour Resort & Marina... Pyrate Central in Jamaica.

-- Hurricane

We know it only too well here. Blackjohn is correct on the months...

-- Hurricane

Chaotic evil, naturally.

-- Hurricane

Hey, Diosa and I were just working on that one, Capt. Morgan. Touche! A Whale of a Tale that is.

-- Hurricane

Thanks for the link GoF. Great stuff there on period attire, etiquette and such. Working on the mid 17th century for a character and this was helpful.

-- Hurricane

That would be cool, but my money is on Don Maitz's 2006 Pirate Calendar.

http://home.paravia.com/DonMaitz/Version2/...06Calendar.html

For those who don't know Don his artwork is amazing and if you drink Captain Morgan's Rum, you see his work on every label.

-- Hurricane

I don't have to look at a map. I just have to look out the window. She's right outside anytime I need a peek.

From Hurricane Central...

-- Hurricane

(No relation to Charley, Frances, Jeane, Ivan, Dennis or Katrina)

You folks have been watching too many episodes of CSI...

Do you believe in the grassy knoll conspiracy too?

-- Hurricane

Pick up some leather spray at any store. It's a relaxer. You spray it inside the boot where it is rubbing or tight and it will loosen up the leather, then dry to fit. My new pair of boots were really tight on the top - two treatments of the magic spray and they're perfect. You can get it at places like WalMart in the shoe section.

-- Hurricane

The auction was a rousing success. All told we raised $1000 for the Red Cross relief efforts.

I want to thank my crewe - Diosa, Animal, Paisley, OryginalCinn and Roxie for their outstanding work during the evening. It still amazes me that we could put this together in under 48 hours and make it a success.

It is due to all of you, as well as our partner in crime, Gaspar's Grotto.

We'd also like to thank Universal Studios, MouseSurplus, King's Pyrate, Chumbucket and the many others who donated goods for the auction portion of the evening.

And no one along Ybor's main drag will ever forget the ear splitting rendition of "If You're Happy and You Know It," pyrate style...

Thanks again, all!

-- Hurricane

Thanks all!

I must say that we have the best crewe around. I'm always amazed at the generosity, willingness to turn on a dime and commitment to doing stuff like this, even on such impossibly short notice.

I am one blessed Captain and it is an honor serving with you all...

Thanks again!

-- Hurricane

Our own King's Pirate, Joseph O'Steen, Nautical Adventure Author, has donated two sets of his books, Falcon's Revenge and Pursuit of Honor.

I am donating a Cutthroat Island movie outfit (pants, shirt and jacket) out of my personal collection for the auction too.

-- Hurricane

More stuff to bid on. Area restaurants in Tampa are donating gift certificates and I just received the two autographed copies of the new book, Pirattitude.

- Hurricane

More stuff!!!!

Universal has donated 2 1 day/2 park passes to auction off at Gaspar's. This is valued at 150.00.

-- Hurricane

More stuff to be auctioned....

Diosa will be auctioning off some of her line of pirate jewelry and will also have a Captain's coat up for bid there.

The Pyrates of the Coast will be performing 24 hour marriages for charity and we will be auctioning off our band.

-- Hurricane

Forgot to mention... come in costume if ye likes. The more the merrier. Ol Chumbucket, creator of Talk Like a Pirate Day, is donating a couple autographed copies of their brand new book that's being released next week. OryginalCinn, one of our crewe, is donating autographed copies of her two books. And we're on the hunt for other nice items. The Pyrates have a beautiful mirror from the Polynesian Resort, a nice writer's kit in a wood case from Authentic Models and we may be throwing in a costume from Cutthroat Island into the auction as well.

If you're in the Central Florida area, don't miss this chance to make a difference while having some fun with your fellow pirates...

-- Hurricane