hurricane

You can, however, get some nice artifacts from Hook, including the billiard table and the two dressers in the children's rooms. The cannons went last week for $154.00 for the two of them from Hook's ship. They wouldn't ship them though - tried. Type, hook, movie as the search phrase. Sony is the one liquidating so it is the real stuff. They also have a really nice coat the waistcoat from A Knights Tale which would be very nice period garb. -- The Captain

That answers part of the question lad, but I don't think I want to know what you and the manneqin were doing once you got there. And I really hope it was a womaneqin... -- The Captain

I must agree there with Cascabel. The finer pieces have been auctioned off already. This, as they say, is the bottom of the barrel (or bale) in terms of collectability or use. These are background, background extra pieces. While nice, they're not really worth what they're going for right now, unless you support the cause they're going for right now. A trip to the right fabric store and a pattern can replicate these for far less.

So true, so true! I recall a time when I lived in a state far away from The Mouse and now I'm in its backyard. A much better place to be... even with those darn hurricanes... -- The Captain...

I guess paying 50% more is fine if you live in Alaska or Hawaii but I think the $50 tag at the parks is all I'm going to spend for a game of Life. Wow! $75 + shipping - now there's some pirates! -- The Captain

Saw the game today at the Magic Kingdom's PotC ride. It's very nicely done in a tin box. It has a lot of drool value to be sure. It was so new the cast member didn't even know it was there until we asked about it. Good to know it's only available at the parks. Will have to make sure to pick one up now on the next trip. Love those resident annual passes. -- The Captain

Thanks for the notes. I forgot to mention that it was a digital recreation. But that doesn't diminish it's appearance. Very striking... I would have loved to have had a chain with it. Luckily, me mate makes jewelry so I'm covered. But others would probably like it with a chain as an option. -- The Captain

Just received the coin from the Whydah folks - it is superb. Weighs in a 1.4 oz. a heavy bugger suited for a necklace. The art is fantastic. Remember, this is a Royal Strike, meant to show the royalty the craftsmanship of the mint. It is an exact replica of the one found aboard the Whydah, circa 1653. Also, it looks new because coins in 1653 were new looking, just like a 2004 quarter now (though the modern equivalents pale in comparison in terms of craftsmanship). The ones we foist off as pirates are what coins look like 400 years later. not necessarily when they were new. And again, this is a Royal Strike, not a general circulation coin. Here's the front and back, show lifesize. -- The Captain

The Southernmost is where the Pyrates of Coast will be billeted again. It's a fine place, close to everything. Cuban coffee just around the corner, a mini mart and pharmacy down the block, a liqour store on the corner and stumbling distance to all the bars on Duval as well as the beach. A fine place with its own tiki bar - and they love having pirates around. In fact, it's where one of the parties will be during the festival...

Very well put Hawkyns... I appreciate the repartee and the response. Very enlightening and enjoyable. Always learn so much from ya, even though we approach things from a different direction.!!! I still like the rum and women though. :) Huzzah! -- The Captain

Aye, a good belt that can take accessories. I use a lot of leather hangers for gear... it allows me to mix and match. Basics - a mug (of course) a place to hang jewels, a place for me flintlock and a pouch to hold modern contrivances, such as keys, wallet and such... The pouch is important - get one big enough to hold your stuff - it's pointless to get a small one.

It's a never ending battle - I have a whole closet dedicated to pirate clothing, weapons, boots and hats. There's always something that will catch my fancy that I just have to have. Different outfits for different adventures... party pirate clothes that are comfortable... festival clothes that are more upscale, me captain'in togs... and various accessories. Plus I've thrown all of it away at least twice in me piratin' life as me personality has changed over the years. Gone from more crewe level apparel to more upper crust stuff - - plus I've gone more for the collectible stuff from movies rather than the run of the mill stuff (can't wait to see how many Jack Sparrows show up to Pirates in Paradise this year). Would rather choose unique things that fit me... So, open up the pocketbook and have lots of coin ready. All told over the years I'd say I'd blown $2500 to $3500 on piratin' wear.

I'd recommend Redjack - The Revenge of the Brethren... it's a role playing game with swordfighting, treasure hunting and lots of interaction with other rogues and lasses... Believe it's out of print but I found mine on ebay... -- The Captain

Why we do this? To pick up chicks, drink fine and not so fine rum, swagger around town, walk into bars with weapons, pin the women, kiss the girls and pillage and plunder our guts out. Don't get me wrong here. It's fine for those who want to play like they’re in another century. Just don't try to convince us all that you're doing living history here. Even the best big budget controlled experiments in period existence has run afoul of the "real world." Watch the PBS settlement series? Attendance in church was compulsory back then, but there were those in the PBS experiment who refused because they're not religious - something that couldn't and wouldn't have happened in the time they were portraying. It was simply not an option or a mindset in those days. You simply cannot put aside the 21st century world as if it doesn't exist as it's part of your understanding of the world. Those back then didn't have the luxury of knowing what was over the horizon, or that we figured out at the turn of the century that soap was a pretty good invention, or that the weapons we used today aren't milled by the same inexact standards that could cause them to blow up in your face back then... What was high tech back then has been eclipsed by our mere knowledge that other things exist. One can't bulk erase one's memory or the knowledge he or she gains through a lifetime of walking the earth in whatever time they were born in. Heck, the stuff we all learned learned in first and second grade is more than most people in the 18th century learned during their lifespan. We are tainted from birth by what we see, hear and learn. And that inevitably taints our ability to recapture history in any manner that is vaguely authentic. It's not about the equipment - it's about the world as people knew it then... driving to a campout in the woods in an SUV can hardly create an environment of true thought at that period of time. They didn't know that cars existed, or the internal combustion engine, or a freeway. They walked for days and weeks, not even knowing where they were or where they were going to end up. I think of people in the future a century or two from now trying to capture a period in our history. If they picked the 60s, wouldn't they stand out even if they picked items from the early 60s vs. the late 60s. Think of the difference even between a 1962 Galaxie and a 1965 Galaxie. Or knowing the songs of Perry Como vs. the music of Jimi Hendrix. We'd like to think time stands still in innovation, but a person in that moment in history would be able to see even the most subtle nuances of change... in fashion, in technology, in the understanding of the world, in geopgraphy... Ever see the movie Somewhere in Time? A smaltzy movie, but it had a pointant scene - the lead character bought antique clothes trying to fit into the turn of the century, only to find that his clothes were a decade out of fashion (forgive the exactness of the recollection, but the point is the same). He stuck out in that period because he missed by only so much, a mere 10 years in styles. And what's with the, "We treat 21st century folks as hostiles?" That's an absurdity - no one back then would assume that a white man or woman walking through the woods was a hostile... They'd be tickled to even see another human, let along one of their own ilk. And if they did think they were hostile, wouldn't they then use the very weapons you carry to dispatch them? If you're authentic to period, why not run them through or shoot them? Oh, because charges of murder in the 21st century conflicts with period behaviors. Such is the conundrum. I return now from the soapbox to the wine, women and song I've come to love in the real pubs, inns, towns and cities I pass through on my travels as a pirate. Long live progress...

Merrydear, You may want to look at the same plan Animal is doing. He and the Doc are flying into Miami (which is far cheaper than a plane change to KW) and is driving down to KW on a one-way with Dollar Rentacar I believe. Then he will get a car and drive back at the end of the festival so he doesn't incur the cost of having a rental car sitting around doing nothing. It's a pretty four hour drive from Miami to KW - most of it through all the Keys. Just did the trip myself (plus the additional 4 to Orlando) and never tire of the drive. Check the price difference - it may be worth it. KW Pirate (Deadly Aim) and Animal can provide the particulars. -- the Captain

I would stay away from the hats with the wire in the brim. They are constantly in need of reshaping - especially when they're stuffed into a car, bumped into in a bar and sailing near and far. They are a real pain to keep it looking good... I haven't seen one yet keep it's shape...

I trimmed the edge off with (mine had crimps along the edge) and then simply folded up the sides in a soft fold (so there were no creases). Then I tacked it to the crown with thread and needle. No special steaming or other tricks needed. The hat then molds to your head the more you wear it. I would assume you're speaking of a blank like Jas. Townsend sells, not a beaver or other material... :)

No contest. A cutless. Good for hacking in tight quarters. Wouldn't be caught dead (actually, that's the only way I would be caught) with a rapier...

If you're coming from some of the ports in Florida, you may find a good value with Sea Coast Airlines... They're starting up nonstop service from places like Tampa with accommodations. The cool thing is they fly at about 1000 feet and provide a narrative tour of the area. They're also thinking of flying out of Kissimmee, Sanford, Palm Beach and Melbourne so the more demand they get, the better. http://www.seacoastairlines.com Tell them The Pyrates told you about them... Ask about the Pirates in Paradise special they're putting together.... --

Studley, Cut one of them off, get a peg and you'll finally have a gimmick. Just kiddin' lad! Glad yer on the mend. If we have to have some wenches cart you around in PiP I'm sure we'll find willing volunteers. I can only assume this was an injury caused in the heat of battle (think taking a graze from a cannonball (Diosa's idea) for retelling the tale in bars - I know it wasn't because you were dancing a fancy jig up on deck and ignoring yer duties aboard ship... The Captain

If you don't want to lose a hat, make sure it fits sugly. I've had mine for 11 years now and have worn it in all types of weather on land and on sea. Never once lost me tricorn or even have it blow off. They're actually very aerodynamic unless you have it cocked back on your head. Other hats has blown off aboard ship but the tricorn - never... Fit is everything. It shouldn't be loose. It should fit the shape of your head and mold to it. Work the hat to do that - it's like a baseball mitt. They can be shaped and molded... If you have a leather one and it's kind of tight... wet it a bit around the band and then wear it till it dries. Cowboys do that with their boots - they jump into a tub of water with the boots and wear them till they dry. Same thing here... (It works with pirate boots too).

One other thing. Unless you're going for strict re-enactment, you can create your own events. We go out with as few as two or three of us - unannounced - to local pubs, non-pirate festivals - whatever we want to do. Then we create the event out of that. Also, visits to retirement homes, hospitals... whatever good reason to get the crewe together and have a little fun. It's important early on to create a cohesive group that enjoys going out. And it's important to go out so it gets in their blood. So plan to do things and then build the crewe from there. And actually, you'll find many out at these appearances who will be interested in joining your ranks. I think half our crewe came that way...

Don't do it - run fast! Seriously, don't let it be a democracy... they eventually get mired in politics and there's a split over some stupid issue or another. I know of many groups that have succumbed to this, including one I was part of and two I started. Find people who want to commit to the craft - not the machinery of business. If they like meetings more than they like performing or educating, either don't let them in or kick them out. The whole point of doing is it is to have fun and build friendships - not create a dynasty or a fiefdom. Get a web site so you can exchange information and market - you wouldn't believe the number of leads your get. Have something different to offer a festival or faire. Don't do what everyone else is doing. Be unique as a group, stand out, guard your reputation at all times and make sure everyone you come into contact with while in costume has a positive experience. Negative ones will sink you. That's it from my perch. I have lots more - it's just late...

If I were to count all members of the crewe - whew! Let's see, Diosa, Wrong Way, Sloe Gin, Sir Nigel, Olaf, Studley, Sheila, Merrydeath, Scupper, Black Skot, Deadly Aim, Animal and Doc. And hopefully Waterrat before we're through. So that's 10... no, 11, no... uh, never was good with numbers...

I can vouch for what Diosa said. Coming from the land of earthquakes and volcanoes, I've never seen such a well organized emergency response system. A couple days after Charley ravaged us, you'd hardly have noticed a large hurricane had rolled right over us in Orlando. Amazing! Some other parts of the country should study these guys down here...