michaelsbagley

Haven't made up my mind firmly yet, but just in case please add myself and my wife (Kate_Souris) to the roll call for the Mercury Crew

Gertie, the pirate festival at Fort York in Toronto collapsed (sort of) some years ago. It was moved to the site of what used to be the original Ontario Rennaisance Festival in Milton Ontario... im not sure if it gas done well or not or survived there

Put-In-Bay (just off the southern coast of Lake Erie) in late June would be the closest I could think of for you... And that would be about a 9 to 10 drive for you, if my estimation is correct. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a lot of pirate re-enacting around Lake Ontario or up or down the St. Laurence. There is (was?) a group in or around Rhode Island area that may have something(s) planned, but I'm not sure if that would be close enough for you or not. (I've not done any traveling in the New England states, so my sense of distance out that way is bad). If I recall correctly, there is a pretty decent pirate event for the more re-enactorly bent in Newfoundland (or was it New Brunswick or Nova Scotia?) I'll try and look up the info on that one and post it for you.... It may have been a one time only event, but if my memory is working, I got the impression it was going to be an annual thing.

Was shopping for household stuff today, and saw a display of some of the Unibroue beers and ales at the market, so I instantly decided that I would buy some to enjoy. While sorting through the selection, I saw one I had not seen before.. The "Noire De Chambly". Awesome stuff. I would highly recommend trying it if you ever get the chance. Be warned it is more of a tasting beer than a drinking beer (as in one is really enjoyable, but drinking a few to many would likely make a good thing bad).

Thought this one would please.... which features bunnies in a Star Wars parody. Enjoy!

More or less.... The thing one needs to be careful with regarding curved blades, are blades that are wider towards the tip than at the hilt. I will be making a scabbard for such a blade in the not too distant future (likely the end of January). I will also likely blog the experience with lots of photos. If you are able and willing to wait that long, it might help you.

Definitely worth the drive! And it would be great to see you there Swab! I drive about 13 hours each way to be there.... which would be about the same as the drive from the keys. If you can find someone, or a few someones to car pool with, even if it is only part of the way, it would make your life a ton easier.

We can also bring the one currently being babysat by us to Searle's Raid. That way we have a backup.... Or it might save you the effort of making another one. As for suggestions for events... I have been in touch with the organizer for the Put-In-Bay pirate festival a fair amount over the last few months. It is the last week of June. I have been asked to try and double our numbers from last year, and this should be possible, as I have also been approached by another mid-western area pirate re-enactment group about them joining in... But getting more of the Mercury out for this one would be great! Continued support of the Santa Maria events would also be appreciated! The May one seems to be the bigger of the two, but both are well worth attending. Kate and I will definitely come back to Fort De Chartres. Despite the oppressive heat of last year, we had a great time and really like the site! Alafia sounds great, but with my limited vacation time... It has to be a choice between Alafia and St. Augustine.... And well, I really like Searle's raid! Another one to consider is Pirates of Paynetown (website not updated for next year yet)... Nate runs a great event there, and while I have been to many events with larger boats, I don't think I have ever been to an event with more boats. And Nate has asked for my assistance in helping coordinate this coming year. Any way about it, I hope to see the Mercury a lot this coming year to make up for missing you all in Key West.

Hey Beowoulf, these are from Loyalist Arms in Eastern Canada.... A convenient link to the page, about a third of the way down. I would strongly recommend going back and reading most if not all of this topic before buying them, as many have had mixed experiences with these shoes. Personally, I own two pairs, and love them both... Others have not had as much luck. So read a lot, and make an informed decision. There are other options mentioned during the thread you may want to consider as well.

I don't know what has changed since I lived in Canada (4 years ago), but basically long muskets were fine, rifles were a gray area for me (but something I didn't care to find out about, being someone mostly focused on pre-rifle earlier periods).... And well Blunderbusses, never cared for them, so it wasn't an issue (for me). Pistols on the other hand were a problem. Canadian laws are harsh and strict on pistols period (modern, antique, reproduction, whatever....).... So while it is more expensive, you'll save yourself a TON of frustration by going with a long musket (un-rifled).

There is this guy in the midwest (link to his web page) who makes period correct bibles and other books, his work is brilliant and carried y a lot of other sutlers (like 96 District Storehouse, etc.). I believe he is willing to do custom work as well, although craftsmanship of that type does not come cheap. I have seen his setup at the "Faire at New Boston" 18th century trade fair in western Ohio, and can say from first hand sight, his work is awesome! I imagine he could do a blank log book for someone, and then you could write in it yourself. This guy (from what I have seen) not only reproduces period style books bound in the traditional method, he uses reproduction tools to do it!

Got a call myself Saturday night (while I was at a hockey game).. the message was so full of background noise I had a great deal of trouble decyphering it... so I called the number back and was gladdenned to hear the QM Brand's voice as well as many others. Thanks to all of those who took the time out of their revelry to try and include those of us left behind!

Lob has also just left on his merry way to Key West, according to the transport service (USPS) he will arrive no later than 3:00 PM on Friday (although likely sooner). Mission will be his gaoler... I mean custodian for his journey. Sorry I couldn't come myself. Have fun all.

So while I was ordering some supplies from Reconstructing History (I haven't ordered from there in quite a while)... But anyways, I noticed their web site has undergone a pretty big revamp, so I thought I would check it all out. And while poking around, I found that they are now selling a shoe that is for the 1680s through 1720s period. They look similar to the Loyalist Arms shoes, but with a slightly lower heel, and the toe seems a little less squared (still square, but not as squared as the Loyalists). Lastly, they only come in black (although rough out or smooth out black). Anyways, I have not seen these shoes shoes, nor do I know anyone who has them, I just thought I would post the link so those who are in the market have another choice to consider. Reconstructing History shoes

All of this talk inspired me to make "cottage" pie last night for supper. Turned out great.. Better in fact than I have ever made it before. Maybe next time I will have to spring the extra cash for some sheep meat product so I can make a proper shepherds pie.

Seconded... I think I have bought something (or had something bought for me) from Hawkyns every time I have been at the same event as him with his sutlery.

That's a pretty long list Silas! I wish you all the best luck in it... In fact, it looks about as long as my list is... And to be honest, it takes me about two years to get through a list like that... Of course it doesn't help that a new item or two gets added to the list for every one I knock off the list. Currently I am working on a new weskit for someone else.. Then I have a few leather working projects I need to get for some other people.. And then I will be starting on a big project for the "Costume Creation Month" Chole Black has initiated on Facebook (that will be a costuming piece of art). And then I have a whole bunch of things I aim to accomplish before Searle's Raid in March. So are you thinking of making the 1660s stuff because you are considering going to Searle's? Or have you just decided you want earlier period stuff as well.

Wouldn't Doctor Frankenfurter be more appropriate? Don't look now, but Patrick has gone all Dr. Frankenstein on us... It's ok so long as one of the women isn't Patrick himself...remember Hallowe'en...

I've been giving this a lot of thought as well lately, not so much for PiP, but to help improve the wife's early portrayal for Searle's Raid (1668) this coming March. Remarkably the Wikipedia entry for 1650 - 1700 Fashion has a decent collection of images. Based on those images (and others from too many online sources to cite right now), it seems as if the bodiced gown is the most appropriate item of women's clothing for the 1660s. Some images still show the late English Civil womens coat and petticotes, but those seem to be less used by the 1660s. For those who may ask, the only commercial pattern for the bodiced gown is the Reconstructing History one (that I am aware of). It is not the most user friendly pattern, and from a more technical standpoint, if I was to use it for 1660s I would likely lengthen the sleeve, and add some fullness to it. For the bold, there is a 1660s bodiced gown pattern in the Janet Arnold book, Patterns Of Fashion 1660-1860... But of course one needs to know how to scale and fit patterns to go that route. If anyone has any leads or specific information to Spanish women's clothing for that era, I would hugely be interested.

Do Jackalopes count as rabbits? And for the record, the bunny from "Donnie Darko" could perhaps be the only rabbit that has truly kind of creeped me out.

Welcome to the pub Zan! Good to see you here! It was great seeing you at Mississinewa last week (or was that two weeks ago?). Maybe we'll see you again soon? Chhers, Michael

Ya know, we could send Lob with you Mission... And you are correct, Mark Gist will not be there. Another great edition of Pyrate vs. Pirate madPete!

Yeah, but that's not my style... We gather those who wish to play with us, and leave those who don't want to or can't find the time alone. I think the turnouts at the last handful of Santa Maria events show that a crew isn't required... Sure the first two events, we only had a few handfuls of us, but we've averaged 30+ participants since then with no official crew. That kind of success speaks volumes to me, and kind firms my opinion that forming a crew is the best way to get fewer participants in your events. Leave it nice and open says I. The loosie-goosie approach may not work for everyone, but I wouldn't change my situation for all the gold in the Spanish Armada. That all said, those willing to travel in and around Ohio (or other places) and who like the notion of working together should get in touch with me, so that when the opportunity arises I can let you know, and vice-versa.