HarborMaster

Diving is AWESOME., Yes Merry if you ever get the chance., or even better yet., there is no chance., just save and MAKE IT HAPPEN. You can get a hands-on course thru any PADI certified dive shop or resort., for 3 to 5 hundred bux which is cheap for a dream or goal., and afterwards you get a lifetime PADI certifaction and dive license for anywhere in the world . most offer discounts for 2 or more .,Tell Scupper * He is going divin' with ya * "Licensed" .....,and besides you get to feed the fish out of your hand.., and its kewl 2

HarborMaster

Tropico

Damn!!! I didnt realize we were talking about a bodice., but If'n it twer fer me wench., I put it on after a few Tanduay Rums and let her "Ravish" me *Wicked-Wicked-Grin* and with any luck we would have aged it nicely *Smiling*

HAHAHH ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRG !

Theres not enough Grog on your Island

HarborMaster

The best way is to Wear It .., If your wearing it .,it will wear.., if your prematurely aging it .,and yer a true pirate youll wear it out quik. If you buy it new., and wear it alot (a real pirate) then it will begin to age soon.,Real pirates wear pirate garb regularly and therefore their garb becomes aged. If anyone would like to send me their garb I will probably go ahead and wear it fer ya till its worn., in which case I would oblige ya and returrn yer item after I've worn it out aye'

HarborMaster

Thats the way its done diving also., tie a string from a coral or other object., in a straight line say 100ft., swim !!! counting kick-cycles (1 left and 1 right) then swim back .,take the average., then use your compass and a dive slate to jot it all down.,get a compass bearing for the direction you are going to go.,jot it down...., start your kickcycle count into your desired direction count the strokes .,record that .,stop change outer dial on your compass to the new direction.,record that.,turn body into this new direction and begin counting kickcycles again.,record that., until you complete your task. The uphill downhill you lose on land., is the same under water depending on if you are swimming with a current against it or on its side. But you can do pretty well in either case with a little practice once you know your compass's parts and how they work. Also a diver can watch for underwater landmarks as well as sand drift on the floor during search and rescue patterns..,along with his compass and kick cycles.

HarborMaster

"note compass under right wrist"

I'm drunk, Is anyone else

no

HarborMaster

Tbe best way to age leather is by wearing it until its old

My stuff is nice and comfy now.., and trust me even in my new garb I look aged.

HarborMaster

It does this ol' pirates heart good to know that aging is in such demand.,now I dont feel so bad "Wicked-Wicked-Grin"

Being a "Gringo" I have found the Philippines Extremely pro American., There are lots of online news agencies with daily news. As for Mindanao YES Very bad., but for a long time. For about 600 years there has been a problem more in the southern islands toward Indonesia. However for an island nation of 7107 Islands it means only about 7000 are safe., imagine that !!! Also English is a common spoken language. Lots of American Monuments from WWII as well as when the U.S. helped free the Filipinos from 400 years of spanish colonialism !!! Cebu is a favorite it is several hundred miles north of the Mindinao problem and several hundred miles south of the Typhoon alley.

As for the crime., let us consider Terrorism is a crime like any other., it would be called murder., as a country the philippines gets 380 murders a year for a population of 80 million. With 3 times that population .,240 million the U.S. should have 1140 murders..., but instead we have 18,000 murders a year in the U.S> HELLO ?? What is this ., and Why? Is it because there is a death penalty there for rapists.,dopers and murderers?., here we uh..., well we re-habilitate them and set them free so they can do it again.., why is that?

There are pirates in the Philippines for sure.,Stay out of the south ! ! Keep a few locals on board and follow there rules.,

The main problem with pleasure cruise operations there really is it is a 3rd world poverty stricken paradise., and poverty doesnt have alot of money for pleasure cruises. Also as an island nation.., there is ALOT of ocean going vessels. Primarily you are looking to cater to foriegnors for making $$$.

Youd want to get in with travel agencies and set up package deals and bookings., there are alot of Dive Resorts currently offering "Dive Safaris" for 3 and 4 day live aboard dive adventures.

Do a little homework .,Be safe.,and as in any country., here too .,watch your back. and you should be o.k.

Take Care

HarborMaster

I got mine from Skot., Hey if ya got anymore .,I will take several !!!!

These are Great !!., and thanks a bunch.

HarborMaster

It helps me I hadnt been to Teaches before.,

Thanks a bunch (lots good books there too!)

HarborMaster

Chilly Pacific Coast?.., Whereabouts mate? I am in Washington.,considering a few puget Sound dives thru Capital Divers out of Olympia this summer..., Here are some of those Philippine Pics and the beach property and some tropical diving.

HarborMaster

My Webpage

I really liked my Excaliber Tricorn (sparrow version) but after seeing Nigels Hat! I decided to try to buy one also from costumes period as well. He was right "its awesome". My excaliber hat has a 4" brim (quite short ) and no liner. The Costumes Period hat has a 5 3/4 brim except the front which is 6" with a wire sewn in for shaping., not to mention the hand-blocked leather crown as opposed to sewn together pieces . I am very happy with this new large hat as it helps to animate my 5'8" frame.

My hats off to Nigel for the great heads up on the new hat.

HarborMaster

Mabuhay Royaliste., Yea listening to the old timers is where the stories come from..., that sounds cool. Sounds like youve been around the Islands alot., Myself I do love it there a tropical paradise really.

Here's a photo of the dive on Cebu

and of our beach in Negros

HarborMaster

I am still working on it..., for my Bar., The Brass pieces are many and the Mardi-Gras Necklaces and Doubloons are good (Lots) Also Costume jewelry lots from Ebay and ring lots ., bracelet lots ect., also dead men tell no tales stuff Doubloons jewels ect..., Glass diamond paperweights., ., we are gathering many things more than the chest for the bars "Chest"., our goal is too have the chest propped open with a light., inside under a lexan false floor then glass and plastic jewels and treasure draping out all over for about 6 ft?., any way., here is the chest itself.

HarborMaster

The Royaliste .., Mabuhay and thank you sir !

I contacted Jack at HERN., I really appreciate your info on these things..,Wild cannons and Dixie were great sites but Hern has them beat. I have looked for such things many times., but typing cannon at google just doesnt get it !!! some of this stuff can infact be most dificult to find. He gave me a really great deal on two starting in August., they will be 2/3 scale 1841 6 pounders..., 43 inches to be exact. I am really excited and he seems easy to work with., Tuba and sitting around under a coconut tree and letting the day slide by? .., You are familiar more than most!!., how long were you there? Did the ship go with you., were you on another at that time?.I am just curiious but I know youve been a travelin man and a sailin man..., Did you ride the jeepney?., and one more thing..., they keep callin me Joe???LOL

Mabuhay

HarborMaster

No BP in the "Hooksters" Cage., What a mess the 5/8 scale naval carronade looks buffed., have you got the link to that? Yes you can protect my mini fort., the marina will be 157ft X 150 - 40 for the forward sea wall ., at 157 X 110 youd goll the Marina ., but fit and look good at a Filipino new years bash...., Plenty o Tanduay for the Captain

HarborMaster

oops., double posted..,sorry

HarborMaster

True., True., Getting work done there is difficult., I did however just get a really nice cage built for Capt.Hook (our blue an gold macaw) out of 7mm stainless rod. I had to physically buy and carry on a tricycle from Colon in Cebu to Bulacao the stainless as well as a sheet of 1/8 aluminum..,to the welder Myself......, its not like going to the fabrcator here in washington and they "Do it" ..., it was a BIG hassle but it turned out really well. Shopping there is not like getiing it here., no one there is in a hurry either which is also frustrating. ( However with the great links coming out of this forum I did get to see this which seems to be "Thee most bang for the buck" provided they are good. http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info....roducts_id=1674

and I will be purchasing a few for our sea wall. My little 30" stainless made it to Cebu 4/12/04 while I was there.,it took 58 days thru Forex shipping UNLIMITED WEIGHT they charge by the box size 13" X 13" X 38" . 65.00 !!!!! GRINNING :)

Your advice sounds good ., better to buy here.., however I am not really knowledgable on "Gray Iron" and sleeved..., the sleeved part I understand., Our Stainless Costed alot to drill years ago. But the gray iron itself will it hold up well to firing.,sleeving it also strengthens it yea?..., I just dont want to have a night mare one day when we are having fun at the sea wall doing the Boom Boom.., 650.00 is really hard to beat. and very affordable... The Naval Bronze is Awesome but out of my ballpark.

HarborMaster

WOW that one looks EXACTLY like mine., the rings distance apart looks like it right on the money as well as the trunion., mine however is 1.75 at the same 30" over all. I got it years ago from a local castor "Quali-Cast" about 15 years ago., 80% stainless 20% nickel...., I do not know however what the original cannon was., do you know the history on this piece?..., Also I am trying to get a price on a castor in Cebu for 5 doops.

Probably from a lesser metal...? I'll first have to locate a castor and then prices on metal., any suggestions?.,

HarborMaster

GONE !!! a 11:00 a.m. call for SEA-TAC thru to Tokyo-Narita to Manila., Cebu., onward to Moalboal., for an advanced scuba course with Neptune divers (Swedes in the philippines?) http://www.neptunediving.com/english/gener...ral/neptune.php

then to my beach across the tannon straight, at San jose Negros Oriental., (8 kilometers) Tall tales after April27th..., and hopefully a few photos..., and remember FREE GROG and cocktails on international fights

Take care everyone., and may the wind be at your backs

HarborMaster

I really like mine..., the sea service .62 caliber.., long and short version...., I prefer the short version ...., its easier to carry on the belt..,

HarborMaster

I take it this is the opening violins first couple of measures?

I will buzz it thru my mid stack with my LP and see if I can get it right.., Wicked Wicked Grin !!!

HarborMaster

Here is a little quote I found.....,

After you read it.., you must read it understanding that back in the good ol days of Piracy..., (This is a Pirate forum., its why we are here .., we like the whole pirate persona) Such individuals found performing sodomy and or other lewd acts .,were commonly hanged after trial., other misfortunates and or misfits had been flogged until dead in stocks and some even mistaken?.,for witches or other crimes against the church., as reason to eliminate homosexuals from society.., thus ridding the communities of what they considered to be scum?., It wasnt taught at jr high school levels to the children.., that its o.k.?..., and not many parents had to try to explain to there children why things were looking queer? It just was not tolerated., and in the closet it went !!!!!

I am not saying my opinions here., and I do have some., however I am saying., in the days of the pirate., society didnt really tolerate it...., truly it was a differant world....., a world apparently most here are drawn too.

A quote I found while researching this recent topic .. due to the boards recent forum s on the subject.

I come next to our modern Sodomites, and here I cannot but wish, that we could imitate the Dutch in one thing, who in such Cases make both the Trials and Punishments of such Sort of Criminals, to be done with all the Privacy possible, that may consist with Justice; and as the Reasons they have for it are very good, so the Reasons, why I wish it so here, are as good, and much the same.

First, The open Trials of such Cases are accompany’d with so many publick Indecencies, such immodest and obscene Expressions, as are both offensive to the Ears of the Virtuous, and serve but to excite and gratifie the corrupted Appetites of the Vicious.

HarborMaster

Signing up for it wont be hard when my time comes ..., but the completion for our beach and living on it will be about 5 more years., imagine running out of money in a 3rd world country.., whooa !! no thanks. [How does one find himself in such a lucky position,] Well SAVE EVERYTHING and say no to the rest of your desires., except your dream.

But for now you can do it at other beaches there for cheap. If you stay out of travel agencies and look over the internet you should be able to do a rountrip for about 750.00 then 1500 will suffice for 3 weeks (length of your passports in country stay) for hotels and ALL THE DIVING YOU WANT. not bad .., I am sold. If you are really interested get on the web and type in Diving Philippines..., there will be LOTS of links to look at..., English is very common there and your dollar is currently 56 to 1 ., and spends like 20 to 1.., its AWESOME.

Our beach is going one sea wall at a time., then the hotel and bar.., a small place.., with Marina boat (Ship 60ft) and dive shop. A mom an pop shop little set up relying more foriegners as the locals are very poor.., I cannot count on this as a main source of income., we are investing in rentals in Cebu., like I said I hate to run short. Currently there are over 100,000 American Ex-Pats living there as retired.

A pirate themed little resort..., Each time I go there I haul 4 large boxes., for my "Future" (almost senseless...., I hope I make it) I also use FOREX..., they just took a 14" X 14" X 52" box unlimited weight ..., (Forex is always unlimited weight) for me for 86 bux!!!! It contains my cannon., and 2 of my 4 black powder pistols I cant wait to grow young !!! Lots of fun to come .

HarborMaster

It seems there are plenty of gay venues ., I see it all the time on "the no spin zone"., Do you HAVE to find a Pirate group thats gay?., Or perhaps ., just being in a pirate crewe is good enough. What differance should there be if its only the commeraderie of the piranical events entertainment ., parades ., faires and boozin' tha your after. isnt Sexual preferance stuff better left at home? The reason for my reaction here ., is I dont understand why it NEEDS to be a Public issue., however as of late in our news media., schools ., churches., and other venues., it has become VERY public??? I dont see any heterosexual parades?

My Wife and I ., as well as our employee (at our plumbing service) Johnny., cannot really find a local pirate outfit., and will likeley be traveling 60+ miles to get to one we hope to join.......If you can Join a crewe., consider your self lucky., and perhaps leave the other stuff out of it?

Just a thought

HarborMaster

Champion Boots outa texas made mine..., there will be no zipper or super grip soles.., they are a leather sole..., there hand made individual for you., they run 250.00 to 300.00 bones....,Yes they are worth it..., very very soft..., and very very thick., I did not know but there are 16 measurements to a foot!!., for exact sizing..., and if you do it....., you'll know it..., its like slipping your hand into a velvet glove...Heals...., any heal you want., custom custom custom.

http://caboots.zoovy.com/category/mp/

Try this link

HarborMaster