LadyAtropos

I find meself agreein' with RedHand 'ere...the term "Nazi" is not only overstatement, but unsensitive...sure, even if it's used in good spirit, it is rather damning..it seems like we should at least be findin' a new way to refer to costume mopes, if we must. However, I do agree with those who say ter let those who wish ter be fantasy pyrates do their thing as they want to...after all, who's ta say that a bloke wot puts together a really spiffy, interesting and fun fantasy pyrate costume works any less hard than those who search around fer just the right historical fabrics, etc? If they still be sewin' and searchin' for the elements ta make it come together perfectly, an' pull off a really convincin' Capt'n Hook, why scorn them if they just be lookin' fer fun? Live and let live! Thar be me piece. LA

It's a general fic site, in other words, we take all fic of the general genre, including AU (alternate universe), deathfic (in which a character who originally didn't die does...the stipulation with these two is that you mark it as such so those who don't read AU or Deathfic can skip it), and any other general fic...However, there is no posting of smutfic (basically, written pornography) or slash (a homosexual pairing of characters, usualy like a smutfic, as well)--this is not out of prejudice against gays, but because in the fanfic world slash can get controversial, and a lot of slash, as I just said, is just smutfic, so to cater to the widest audience and make this list one for those who just want to read general fic, I've barred these two. The other rules are pretty simple...the only other major one concerning the type of fic allowed stipulates that you rate you fic like a movie, since the site is kept at a generally PG-13 level, and those who don't wish to read more graphic fic are warned if one is posted. If you join, a list of the guidelines will be sent to you...general rules for treating eachother nicely, no trolling, etc. The list is moderated by myself (I own it) and Lady Jamers; both of us are well experienced in the world of fanfic (mostly Horatio Hornblower) and endevour to keep it a friendly place to be. Both of us are used to the Hornblower fandom, where people are respectful and are expected, for the most part, to moderate themselves. So, though it may sound like a lot of rules here, really we just set them up to make sure that people understand the perameters. Besides that, we won't censor or berate posters so long as they are responsible about posting. I hope to see you there! cheers, LA

Arr, I've started a general fan fiction group for Pirates of the Caribbean. Fer those who aren't aquainted with fan fiction, it be when a bunch o' fans write stories about a movie or the charaters therein that they enjoy. They elaborate on scenes from the original, explore the points of view of different characters, create alternate universes, prequels, sequels, in-between-quels...ye get the idea. The group is a yahoo group--you can read the messages on the group site or get all the messages mailed to you--essentially, it's a mailing list. It's easy to join; just create a yahoo identity and join the group. You don't have to have a yahoo mail address to be able to do it. The group is POTCfic, and our yahoo site is: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/POTCfic We already have 28 members, and a sucessful Pass the Pen is going on right now. Hopefully, when we have enough submission, I'll start archiving them on a separte site. Open discussion of POTC is welcome there, as well as talk about maritime and such matters in general. Positive feedback is encouraged, so don't be afraid to post fics! And, you don't have to write to join...but please, stop by! cheers, LA

I would think that sailors may not be as partial to snuff because it could blow away before it made it to their grateful and congested noses? Just a theory. LA

Arr, not a bit, not a wee bit! I meself have many a struggle with the steamin' hulk o' plastic an' metal known as me computer, so I have a tendancy to be rather late postin' things elsewhere, as well, not to mention just plain not havin' the time. No need to apologize. On the straw hat front, I ended up sticking with my historically inaccurate round one...or so I thought. Really what happened was I accidentally forgot to bring my straw hat with me to the HH fan gathering, so I was hatless and bonnetless. Oh how scandalous. I'm still interested in making hats, though! It seems to be a very creative and fun skill. LA

Arr, drats, me computer, steamin' hulk o' plastic an' metal wot it is, won't let me upload the Lady B pic as me avatar. Maybe sometime soon I can get 'em up...sorry fer the increasin' off-topicness o' me posts in this thread! Back to the superstitions... I heard somewhere that if ye kill a sailor a-sea, he will haunt ye 'til he gets his retribution. I 'eard a story about wreckers, or blokes wot stand ashore with lanterns to fool incomin' ships into thinkin' they were lighthouses and runnin' aground, then plunder 'em. The story went that the spirits o' the crew of a wrecked ship came ashore an' killed all but one o' a gang o' wreckers...can't remember any details, though. Interestin' ghost stories from ships, eh? LA

Hear! Hear! I believe that when it comes to excluding people who are perfectly willing to be historically accurate so long as they get in on the action, one can loosen up a little! I know a woman who dresses up as a Napoleonic British naval lieutenant and goes to maritime festivals, and gets saluted by other reenactors...she even asks permission to board! Her clothing is modern fabrics, but period style, and if she don't wanna trudge around in wool on a hot summer's day, I say let her do what makes her happy. The only area in which I would see the case for total and indisputable historical accuracy in costumes is when teaching folks about the clothing and weapons. And even then, it's nevah gonna be fully accurate 'cause they're not really from that time! Har, har. LA

Arr, indeed, 'tis how I found this here board, by a link posted by Rumba Rue. Just got back from an HH gatherin', an' dependin' on if an' when pics get posted online, may be changin' me avatar to a pic o' meself as Lady Barbara...arr, don't be fooled by lacy appearances

In the book, The Hungry Ocean (wot takes place on a modern sword-fishing boat) she mentions 'tis bad luck to say the word "pig" on board a ship, to paint the decks blue or to put the hatch covers on up-side down. There was a funny part where a crewmember said to her (she is the captain of a ship) that she should paint her next ship blue and name it "Thirteen Whistling Pigs", seein' as a woman on board is supposed to be breakin' the rules, anyway... LA

Arrgh, I'm dangerously book-addicted, so I'll give ye a list of my favorites: Nonfiction: Under the Black Flag by Cordingly...at first, I disliked the way the book itself was presented, from a writer's point of view (I can't help it! I like sound construction!) but a lassy on a Hornblower board convinced me to change my opinion--a great source o' information, though I still wish it were a-better organized. Hen Frigates by Joan Druette (am I spelling this correctly?) was enjoyable, too. She do have the talent fer pickin' out just the right passages--very heart-wrenching stories in some spots, very humorous in others. A fun read. A Young Sea-Officer's Sheet Anchor by Darcy Lever is an excellent resource fer sailin' terms, knots, seamanship, and generally findin' yer way around the riggin'. It was publised originally in 1808, but Dover (ah, bless Dover!) offers new editions. A little later than the Great Age o' Piracy, but good nonetheless. Longitude by Dava Sorbel. Just read it. That's all. Buy it and read it. NOW! Not about pirates, but an excellent sea-related tale told in such a plain ol' GOOD way that's hard to find these-a-days in history books of that type. That gal has talent. If ya see anythin' by her, chances are, it's good. Fiction: The Dark Frigate by Charles Boardman Hawes. Very riveting. Definitely worth keeping. Exciting tale, interesting twists, an' plain ol' good storytellin'. The True Confessions of Charolette Doyle by Avi. My favorite as a kid. More o' a children's novel, but still worth reading at any age. About mutineers...much mystery and adventure on one ship. The Horatio Hornblower Series by C S Forester. About a British navy officer in the Napoleonic wars. Not really piracy-related, though there are privateers here an' there (though it is his job to fight 'em ) Simply worth it just for rollicking story-tellin', good seamanship, an' even a little romance (here an' there ) I saw the first series o' movies before readin' the books meself, but I've heard it said that the first book in chronological order is a drag unless ye have seen the movie, so perhaps ye should start with the first book the author wrote (chronologically, in the middle o' the series), Beat to Quarters--The Happy Return in Britain. This one happens to be me favorite, as well. What has been described as the best sea-battle ever written for a book, as well as intriguing characters, insanity, romance, suspence...very, very good read. That's it fer starters More later! LA

Aha, thank ye, Stynky, my hero! I shall use yer link wisely...I don't know when I get as far as making me own hat ('twould take some persuasion for the parents to let me try it in their kitchen, methinks, and with me a teen there's no other place ta do it in!) but your info is extremely useful nonetheless in plannin' what I need for the next big project. argh, just as one question is answered, another pops up: Does anyone know when the rounded-top straw hat became the norm for the ladies? I see most lady's hats are flat a-top and shallow with a wide brim...I'm makin' a Regency style gown (quite proud--a pattern I made meself, no less, and it actually fits!) an' I refuse to wear a bonnet so I'm trimmin' a round straw hat I had around...but in the future, I will procure meself a more accurate one if that be necessary. Thank ye kindly! LA

Hi again...my computer is rather slow and can sometimes be finicky, so I don't know if it's just me or the forum itself, but my last post from yesterday has disappeared, so I'll try again... I'm interested in costume-making, and I'd love to know how to make hats. I see y'all talking about steaming hats and shaping them that way--how does one go about doing this? With a big pot of water? Is there any special equipment needed? Any advice or links would be much appreciated! Thank you! cheers, LA Again, sorry if this is a double post.