^, <, V

[Red-Handed Jill]

^ Oh sure - even had one join us in a parade. And I've met folks at events we've been paid for who ended up joining.

< CJS??

V How would your significant other react to a pirate-themed wedding? (Since we ventured into those waters...)

[Capt. Sterling]

^ Well when I got married was doing American Rev. War, first folks to get married in the King's Arms Tavern in Williamsburg... the spouse never did reenactments and still doesn't (although is getting interested with the pyrates) but did the entire wedding in period correct kit... must be true love!

< landed a bunch of new recruits from RF2...how grand is that? back to sewing!

V How long do you give new recruits to get their kit in order?

[Jacky Tar]

^ Some groups they have temporary kit t' help newbies. Most can pull together somethin' in the first year.

< But creatin' an collectin' kit, looks like it can go on fer ever! Especially fer those of us who can't sew.

V Wot is yer favorite bit o' kit?

[CrazyCholeBlack]

^ my mugs, no wait, my stays, no wait, my stockings, no wait. Aw heck, I love every piece of my kit.

< I must be nuts. I put my kit together from scratch in 2 months, from Thanksgiving to Jan.

V DIY or let others do it for you?

[Jacky Tar]

^ Why Chole, are ye a contract seamstress or tailor? Did kass put the bug in yer ear?

< I think 'bout those here at the pub, that can DIY an am awed.

V Wot bit o' kit are ye pinin' fer?

[Capt. Sterling]

^ Silver engraved Queen Anne pistols

< have birthday money and now can't figure out how to spend it!!!!!!!

V What piece of kit are you pining for?

[CrazyCholeBlack]

^ Reproductions of the Whydah shoe. :)

< Shakes head, Nope no bugs in my ears. I just tend to think that everyone is capable of doing nearly everything for themselves if they really want to. Sadly not enough people want to & rely on others for things they could do themselves. They end up missing out on the feeling of real accomplishment you get by DIY.

V what was the last thing you did for yourself that you felt really proud of?

[Capt. Sterling]

^ hmmm for myself, its been awhile, but did my share for the crew for RF2, but now there is a bit of a loll, so off to make myself a new red 1690s coat and a new gray 1720s coat... then back to crewe sewing... new doctor, new helmsman, and tons of ASC clothing to make for all the newbie sailors.

< You know I think I may actually be tired tonight!! Tis a mystery!

V I and my crew are DIYers, but what can you NOT do for yourself and find yourself forced to purchase for events?

[Red Cat Jenny]

^ Bein fairly new.. not t' pirates but t' active piratin, I have ordered hat and shirt. The rest I have been inspired by those here to try my hand at. Been shopping fabric an patterns..we'll see how it goes by the first event. May have t' pich hit to make it. It does feel good to accomplish. I've many crafts done before.

< Awash giddily in the endless posibilities in materials and accessories, but taking the slow and accurate albeit more expensive route.

V What is the piece of kit you have waited longest for due to cost or availability?

[Capt. Sterling]

^ Ahem... the boat! But Mr. March is wanting to finish another swivel, a 12 pounder and carriage and then he's figuring on a long boat... Give him, Pete and Rats a week...

< Decisions, decisions, do I want books or lining fabric... need silk but oh so many books to chose from!

V Top book on your wish list?

[CrazyCholeBlack]

^ Top of my Inter-Library Loan list currently is "The amusements of old London : being a survey of the sports and pastimes, tea gardens and parks, playhouses and other diversions of the people of London from the 17th to the beginning of the 19th century" by William B. Boulton.

< Between 2 local libraries, the college library & the ILL system, I can find any book for free.

V How often do you visit your local library?

[Capt. Sterling]

^ Hardly ever and with UVA right down the road it is most likely a mistake that I don't. Problem is I HAVE to own the books I like so libraries HATE me, although I do pay above and beyond what they want for the book.

<GREAT THING about Charlottesville, TONS of old book stores, and I mean tons!!!

V If you see an actual antique of something from your time frame, do you just HAVE to have it? Or are you content to go observe and take notes on it?

[Red Cat Jenny]

^ Would depend on the cost..don't spend like I used to..still if I just have to have it. I will trim from somewhere else.

< Has just ordered "The Scents of Eden"have gazed longingly at the hardcover in Borders for months.

{ The spice trade..For those for whom the Spice Islands conjure romantic visions of South Seas paradise, intrigue, and piracy, this book will not be a letdown. Covering the age of exploration, it is an informal history of the European invasion and the islanders' futile resistance, ending with the U.S. presence in the islands in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries }

VEver had to walk away from some item (whether to purchase or you owned which you couldn't believe you were leaving behind?

[Capt. Sterling]

^ oh yes, just gave away a custom made beaver silk topper, made by a London company using the actual blocks/forms from 1880s...

< Fortunately I have two... still wasn't easy because I know I cannot replace them

V Ever see something destroyed before your eyes that could not be replaced?

[Red Cat Jenny]

^ Aye, my peaceful life by the sea for 7 years. T'is in the past now.

< Currently planning to move back to that lil spit o land which juts out into the Atlantic just near Atlantic Beach.

V Been in 15 different residences..How many places have you lived?

[Capt. Sterling]

^ Hope you make it back! Um, only ten.

< Hmmm storm watch coming up, looks like several more days off from school, better by the silk for lining so I can polish something off while I have the time.

V Would you care if your captain dressed down once in awhile or would you expect him to be spit and polish all the time?

[Red Cat Jenny]

^ Would prefer a mix, he's still be Captain in my mind

< Garsh that was mushy but truthful

V Thinks Sterling should move to warmer climes..but then I live in the NE also. If it were no issue where would you take residence?

[Capt. Sterling]

^ I'd stay in Virginia... I must confess I do love it here, BUT I think I would move closer to the coast... maybe Williamsburg still enough country outside the area....

< hmmm dream location, house in the woods in the mountains right next to the sea...not asking too much

V What would be the first thing you would steal off a merchant ship?

[Jacky Tar]

^ Put her crew in the long boats, an take the whole ship.

< Back t' DIY. I'm not wit' skills; I just can't see usin' hand tools, when I hav power tools available.

V Sewin' by hand or usin' a non-period Singer sewin' machine?

[CrazyCholeBlack]

^ if it's visible when the whole kit is on & you're standing at "speaking to me" range, then it's hand sewn, yes including all those boning channels on my stays.

< I even hand wash with lye soap & hang out my kit to dry. It just doesn't seem right to machine wash with Tide after all the other work I put into it.

V what little steps do you take for yourself that no one else will probably notice or care about?

[Capt. Sterling]

^ by hand actually quicker than machine in some cases

and to answer Chole... period correct drawers, no one going to see them but the better half...

< lining, the books will have to wait...sigh... never enough birthday money...

V gift money burn a hole in yer pocket?

[Capt. Sterling]

Oops posted just after Chole...sorry about that...

[Red Cat Jenny]

^ Tucking it away fer PIP this year

< Wow this a such a beautiful song..

V Music affect you?

[Cpt Sophia M Eisley]

^ Sometimes it does, yes. Whether it be the words or the melody or a strong memory tied to it. I've had a few songs move me to tears (Music Box Dancer does that).

< I need some chocolate.

(Turns around in my office...grabs a chocolate from my basket o' goodies.)

V Seen any good movies lately? Care to elaborate on one (or two)?

[Red Cat Jenny]

^An older movie called "Crossing Delancy" - funny, sweet.

A really old movie 1943 The More the Merrier - I love this movie. It's like a vacation.

Master and Commander for about the 14th time..favorite scene is when Aubrey falters after a broadside an then gets that mean hungry look and yanks himself back up ..YEH!!!! Aye, Tough guys! woagh!

< Have been mistaken for 3 celebrities in my life

V Have a double?