Raphael Misson

These were the ones at PiP (I took it, because I planned to use it in a joke on my PiP page.) We should all have a perfectly good Grace. Dutch takes horrible pictures with his crappy camera phone. I think he does this on purpose because I once 'fixed' one of his photos, which he graciously thanked me for and then didn't use.

As am I. I don't take your filthy lucre and I don't sign pirate articles! (So there. ) I could always become an independent...but then I'd be in Stynky's camp and he'd probably auction off all my surgical equipment when I wasn't looking to buy mead.

Do your research... It was called Ft. Edward Taylor for the weekend b/c Harry found a reference to a pirate named Edward Taylor. (See, I did learn something at the Captain's meeting.) In your defense, I don't think most people were aware of this interesting little factoid.

I may use that if you don't mind.

The wooden mug I have has a funky, swoopy handle. I don't have a camera or I'd snap it for ya. It kinda' turns in toward the mug in the middle. I wouldn't say it was very period-ey. It's a rich, deep mahogany colour.

Tew Beach or not Tew Beach?

You know, I actually saw it in the (Art) theater during its limited release in the US. I found it on Rotten Tomatoes in position 30 or something and the idea of a modern Samurai flick which still preserved some of the Kurosawa flair appealed to me. Because it took them so long to release in the US, Zatoichi was already out on video during the theatrical release. So I found a foreign copy on eBay and bought it. After seeing that movie, I became curious about the old Zatoichi movies which are apparently much-loved in Japan. After seeing a few of them, I found them to be not so fascinating. However, there is one featuring the ever-enjoyable Toshiro Mifune, in which he plays a "bad" Samurai that is worth a look, but it is a bit slow moving as all the Samurai flicks in that era were (due mostly to Japanese censorship). So the modern version is more appealing to our delicate (ie. fast-paced, violent) sensibilities. Plus Kitano has a wonderfully comic side that always appeals to me. So the short answer is, no. I actually found it myself, although I believe you suggested it when we were chatting about movies so avidly a few years ago.

Speaking of bananas (or bonanos or bononoes or bonanoes or whatever the random spelling variation the different period authors come up with), Dampier speaks quite extensively (especially on page 215) about the plantain - and a bit about the banana. The plantain is, in his opinion, second only to the Coco-nut in usefulness to the Indies. (Say Michael...what do you think about making some slimy plantain clothes? You know, to go with my Patrick Hand original planter's hat?) “[1686] In some places of Mindanao there is plenty of Rice; but in the hilly Land they plant Yams, Potatoes, and Pumpkins; all which thrive very well. The other Fruits of this Island are Water-Melons, Musk-Melons, Plantains, Bonanoes, Guavas, Nutmegs, Cloves, Betel-Nuts, Durians, Jacks, or Jacas, Coco-Nuts, Oranges & c. The Plantain I take to be the King of all Fruit, not except the Coco it self. The Tree that bears this Fruit is about 3 Foot, or 3 Foot and an half round, and about 10 or 12 Foot high…. As soon as the Fruit is ripe the Tree decays, but then there are many young ones growing up to supply its place…. __ It is so excellent, that the /i]Spaniards[/i] give it preheminence of all other Fruit, as most conducing to Life. It grows in a Cod about 6 or 7 Inches long, and as big as a Man’s Arm. The Shell, Rind or Cod, is soft, and of a yellow colour when ripe. It resembles in shape a Hogs-gut Pudding. The inclosed Fruit is no harder than Butter in winter, and is much of the colour of the purest yellow Butter. It is of a delicate taste, and melts in one’s Mouth like Marmalet. It is all pure Pulp, without any Seed, Kernal or Stone. This Fruit is so much esteemed by all Europeans that settle in America, that when they make a new Plantation, they commonly begin with a good Plantain-walk, as they call it, or a Field of Plantains; and as their Family increaseth, so they augment the Plantain-walk, keeping one Man purposely to prune the Trees, and gather the Fruit as he sees convenient. For the Trees continue bearing, some or __ other, most part of the Year; and this is many time the whole Food on which a whole Family subsists. They thrive only in rich fat ground, for poor sandy will not bear them. The Spaniards in their Towns in America, as at Havana, Caragena, Portbel & c. have their Markets of Plantains, it being the common Food of poor People: Their common price is half a Riol, or 3d. a Dozen. When this Fruit is only used for Bread, it is roasted or boil’d when it’s just full grown, but not yet ripe, or turn’d yellow. Poor People, or Negroes, that have neither Fish nor Flesh to eat with it, make Sauce with Cod-Pepper, Salt and Lime-juice, which makes it eat very savory; much better than a crust of Bread alone. Sometimes for a change they eat a roasted Plantain, and a ripe raw Plantain together, which is instead of Bread and Butter. They eat very pleasant so, and I have made many a good Meal in this Manner. Sometimes our English take 5 or 7 ripe Plantains, and mashing them together, make them into a lump, and boil them instead of a Bag-pudding; which they call a Buff-Jacket: and this is a very good way for a change. This Fruit makes also very good Tarts; and the green Plantains slic’d thin, and dried in the Sun, and grated, will make a sort of Flour which is very good to make Puddings. A ripe Plantain slic’d and dried in the Sun may be preserved a great while; and then eat like Figs, very sweet and pleasant. The Darien Indians preserve them a long time, by drying them gently over the Fire; mashing them first, and moulding them into lumps. The Moskito Indians will take a ripe Plantain and roast it; then take a pint and half of Water in a Calabash, and squeeze the Plantain in pieces with their Hand, mixing it with Water; then they drink it all off together: This they call Mishlaw, and it’s pleasant and sweet, and nourishing: somewhat like Lamb’s-wool (as ‘tis call’d) made with Apples and Ale: and have their whole subsistence. When they make Drink with them, they take 10 or 12 ripe Plantains and mash them well in a Trough: then they ferment and froth like Wort. In 4 Hours it is fit to drink, and then they bottle it, and drink it as they have occasion: but this will not keep above 24 or 30 Hours. Those therefore that use this Drink, brew it in this manner every Morning. When I went first to Jamaica I could relish no other drink they had there. It drinks brisk and cool, and is very pleasant. This Drink is windy, and so is the Fruit eaten raw; but boil’d or roasted it is not so. If this drink is kept above 30 Hours it grows sharp: but if then it be put out in the Sun, it will become very good Vinegar. This Fruits grows all over the West-Indies (in the proper Climates) at Guinea, and in the East-Indies. __ As the Fruit of this Tree is of great use for Food, so it the Body no less serviceable to make Cloaths; but this I never knew till I came to this Island. The ordinary People of Mindanao do wear no other Cloth. The Tree never bearing but once, and so being fell’d when the Fruit is ripe, they but it down close by the Ground if they intend to make Cloth with it. One blow with a Hatchet or long Knife, will strike it asunder; then they cut off the top, leaving the trunk 8 or 10 foot long, stripping off the outer Rind, which is the thickest towards the lower end, having stript 2 or 3 of these Rinds, the Trunk becomes in a manner all of one bigness, and of a whitish colour: Then they splits the Trunk in the middle; which being done, they split the two halves again, as near the middle as they can. This they leave in the Sun 2 or 3 Days, in which time part of the juicy substance of the Tree dries away, and then the ends will appear full of small Threads. The Women, whose employment it is to make the Cloth, take hold of those Threads one by one, which rend away easily from one end of the Trunk to the other, in bigness like whited-brown Thread; for the Threads are naturally of a determinate bigness, as I observed their Cloth to be all of one substance and equal fineness; but ‘tis stubborn when new, wears out soon, and when wet, feels a bit slimy. They make their pieces 7 or 8 Yards long, their Warp and Woof all one thickness and substance. There is another sort of Plantains in that Island, which are shorter and less than the others, which I never saw any where but here. These are full of black Seeds mixt quite through the Fruit. They are binding, and are much eaten by those that have Fluxes. The Country People gave them us for that use, and with good success. The Bonano Tree is exactly like the Plantain for shape and bigness, not easily distinguishable from it but its Fruit, which is a great deal smaller, and not above half so long as a Plantain, being also more mellow and soft, less luscious, yet of a more delicate taste. They use this for the making Drink oftner than Plantains, and it is best when use for Drink, all when roasted or boil’d; so ‘tis only necessity that makes any use it this way.” (Dampier, p. 214-7)

I was just found a movie in the used movies at the local library that I didn't even realize was a favorite and it drew me back to this list. So here are a few more, including that one: Before Sunrise - probably the best Linklater film - in fact, even though I bought Slackers and haven't bought this one, I'd have to say it would knock Slackers off the list as it is the better film. In retrospect, Slackers is a little too uneven to be a great film...still, it is a favorite of mine... The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi Donovan's Reef One of those films I didn't realize was a favorite until I caught myself watching it for the fifth time. Kung Fu Hustle Hula Girls Im Juli (Not necessarily a great movie, just a favorite.) Jurassic Park: The Lost World (For some reason I really like this one, even though you could successfully argue the first one was better) M. Hulot's Holiday Some Like it Hot Stranger Than Fiction Geez...a Will Farrel movie on my favorites list. I must be slipping. (Perhaps because it also has the ever interesting Maggie Gyllenhaal...plus it's s neat movie.) Top Secret! Under the Tuscan Sun Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

This passage from Adventure by Sea of Edward Coxere struck me as interesting: “The 5th of the month called August, 1661, our ship being come from London, we sailed out of the Downs the 5th instant for Malaga. The 22nd we arrived at Malaga at 12 at night. The 12th and 7th month [september by the calendar in use at that time] at about 7 in the morning it began to rain, insomuch that in six or seven hours’ time it washed away some hundred houses, and some hundred people drowned without the walls of the town, as was judged. The water, running from the mountains, came with so much violence that it carried away the foundation of the houses. The people not being able to come out, [the houses] fell down with the people in them, and destroyed.” (Coxere, p. 131)

Curiously, every film that at least tries to be authentic to what we really know somehow seems a bit dull by comparison with the Hollywood versions. I noticed it in that History Channel movie about BB. How can you possibly make Blackbeard seem slightly dull? I ask you... (I've never seen a factual movie about L'Olonnais, but I bet it would seem slightly dull as they recounted his eating of his victim's heart, slicing off bits of flesh, burning them alive and woolding them. Pay attention kiddies, this is interesting!)

Say, you should buy it, Sterling! Reading through Barlow, Teonge and Coxere, I am astounded at the research the people who edited and published these things (in the 1930s & 40s) put into the project. Just untangling the multiply-spelled location names would give me a migraine. The end/foot notes are a rich treasure trove of interesting facts and cross-references to period naval documents & records, other journals, newspapers and books from period. A proper publishing of such a journal seems to me to be a thorough adventure in research and preparation. In fact, I frequently discover the next book I want to read by reading foot and end notes in my current books.

Based on the questions the writer is asking, it sounds like they're making a "based on facts" rather than a factual movie. When the writer is asking the names of the ships involved, it seems doubtful that he's doing a lot of research. BTW, the Pirate Soul Museum is in Key West, Florida.

All of a sudden, I have a desire for that odd tang of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup. You know? Maybe I'll make something with that tonight. (Although I have a garden full of tomatoes I must find a use for soon. Somehow C of M soup and tomatoes do not seem quite the right combination...)

After which purchase is made, will hopefully be published with appropriate foot/end notes. It's neat how these journals pop up from time to time after lying in state in family libraries and such. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

Yes, the "Big Kids Go First!" campaign at the WB on Sat. mornings was ill-advised. It basically killed the Freakazoid! series. Big kids who watch cartoon seem inclined to stay in bed late. Paul Rugg -the inspiration behind the show- ran off and and decided to make live action stuff instead. (Which is rather remniscent of WB Looney Tunes director Bob Clampett. One wonders what he would have done had he stuck with Bugs and pals.) Oh well. I guess the release of season 2 is imminent, so keep a weather eye cast in Amazon's direction.

Me and the other five fans of this series will be pleased to see.... Freakazoid!, Season 1

"That is without doubt the worst pirate I've ever seen."

It sounds like the river decided to make the trip and visit you. Is your house in any danger of flooding?

I was watching the Nova DVD on caves last night and I learned about Snotites. Snotites! http://www.caveslime.org/Photos/Snottites/ "Colonies of bacteria metabolize in sulfur-containing minerals in warm water. They create thick mats of living ooze in the complete darkness of the cave. Long gobs of this bacteria slowly drip from the ceiling." (Stephen Marshak, Essentials Of Geology, p. 456). According to Nova, they drip sulfuric acid which eats away the rock helping to create caves. It was funny listening to the researchers discussing "snotites"with such gravity. They certainly look like their namesake... (I always thought caves were interesting, but I had no idea that there was so much unknown about their formation - apparently mineral-eating bacteria has a great deal to do with some cave formations - resulting in those large rooms.)

Good points. There are always some people who are excited about a candidate, though. I think the more mainstream your inclinations are, the more you will appreciate the proffered candidates in a large election. Still, it's a real balancing act to get the nomination for the national election in America. Even though we tend towards certain broad political views as a nation, there a a hundred minor issues that a candidate must take some view on - and whatever view they take will tick half the electorate off. (Things like the death penalty, environment, abortion and gun control come to mind.) So unless the candidate's stars all happen to align with yours, there will be something to carp about. And then there's the odd 'likability' factor. This again supports avoiding the extremes. Check out that link to Radio Australia that I cite above for some interesting research on how importantly that plays into an election. In a way, I'd like to see a bunch of serious candidates. It would significantly dampen the effectiveness of outside money on the campaign. Unfortunately, it's also too many choices for most people (me included) and would require far too much research to determine which brand of politician you want. (They've done many studies about how our brains make choices and found that most people start confusing the selections when asked to discern more than 5 - 7 things. this is probably because our minds can hold about that many in short term memory. And you sure don't want the facts about politicians sitting in your long term memory. )

This is part of the reason I post stuff that sounds interesting to me. Probably hundreds of people who would be interested in that have read Dampier's text, but they weren't looking for it at the time. And you just can't retain everything. (I learned this from the interest in the tent construction information from Rogers' text.)

Used spleen? (Get one cheep!) Don't look at me. Remember that song Potsie used to remember anatomy? I don't even know that song. You may get an Appendix when you wanted a piece of lower intestine.

Wow...you remember that? I only know it from movies... Although I've seen it as a contemporary reference in UK movies made during my lifetime.

Ok, this doesn't really fit anywhere, but I enjoyed it, so I thought others might as well. It seemed to suit this thread with that odd drinking poem by Chaplain Teonge, so I'm stuffing it in here. I officially christen this the Silly Drunken Period Tales thread. From Adventures by Sea of Edward Coxere, Sub-titled "It's good to be the King." "This new captain did soon begin to shew some kind of antic tricks, as if his brain had been cracked, much like unto Tucker, with whom I was before, when he had got drink in his head. The men perceiving of it, several desired to have their wages and to be cleared; upon which he orders all the men to come into the cabin: when there, orders me to take pen, ink, and paper, for I was very much in esteem with him when he was drunk or sober. The men standing all in the cabin before him, he asked them who would have their wages and be gone and who would stay. I took their names; so that those that expected their wages and to be cleared, he turned them out of the cabin without it, and the other we sat and drank with him in the cabin during his pleasure, and did not dare part till he pleased, which suited very well with the tempers of the seamen that stayed. Another time he caused the boat to be manned and caused the men to row him two or three miles, and landed him where he tucked down his breeches and eased himself, and so returned back again two or three mile, and then landed and we went all to drinking, captain and men together. All this was done without hardly speaking a word till we got to drinking; all was done by signs with his hand. I, steering the boat, observed the motion of his hand where to steer her. These were two of his whimsies among many. When we were dispatched at Falmouth we set sail for the Straits and, being at sea, he being with the merchant, doctor, and mates in the cabin, ready to go to victuals, a whimsy came in his head: ordered the victuals to be brought down in the gun-room to me, where he and I dined together, I had as much liberty as could be desired, as also well beloved by the rest of the officers as the captain; notwithstanding my youth... We arrived well at Tangier and anchored before the town, it then being inhabited by the Portugeuses. Our captain commands the boat to be manned, and was rowed ashore, where he was entertained by the Governor with wine, which inflamed his brain. This done, he returns aboard again with a whimsy in his head, telling of us that the wind was fair for us, though we knew it to be calm. Nothwithstanding, he commanded us to get up the anchor, and would not otherways be satisfied, though we knew it to be no purpose. To humour him in some measure, the word was given to weigh the anchor. The cable was brought to the capstan, we, knowing each other's mind, both seamen and officers, hove the capstan round, but let the cable lay slack, so that it did not heave in. The captain, supposing the anchor to be weighed, stand on the quarter-deck, commanding the sails to be loosed, which was done and trimmed all before the wind, with a man at the helm, he crying 'Starboard' and 'Port,' telling us of a brave wind, though calm, and we fast at anchor. A very notable whimsy of a commander." (Coxere, p. 51-3)