...since I've last posted here.  I'll be honest, Renspace is the one I tend to forget about.  Working on that, I am.

So what be new with me?   Well, we went to Pyrate Con.  That was a blast beyond compare.  We're already laying plans for next year's trip.  Made a lot of new friends, spent quality time with old ones, drank some good rum, and all while in New Orleans.  What more can ya ask for?  Not much, mates.

The Captain's Quarters project I blogged about is on its second life.  In between the original blog post and now, the project was shelved and the room turned into the home for my Star Wars collection.  Well, that's run it's course, so the collection has been moved, condensed (and in some cases, sold) and the pirate room is back on!

Finally, I've got a new costume project lined up for next years Pyrate Con.  Hopefully a years time will be enough to turn meself into none other than the Keeper of the Code, Captain Teague.  We shall see!

Ye read right! Ol' Mad Jack and Bloody Mary will be loadin' up the 4 wheel galleon and making a cruise to New Orleans. We'll most likely have to pass on some of our other plans for the coming year....our long weekend at KCRF...our intention to go to St Louis Pirate Fest....but I think it'll be worth it.
We've got our reservations already made in the Hampton Inn there, and are making plans with our scurvy friends who'll be going as well.
So, it goes without saying that we're pretty excited. Neither of us have been to New Orleans before, and being fans of history, Cajun food and Jimmy Buffett, it's one of those places we've wanted to visit. So now's the time!
We're looking forward to hanging out with old friends, making new ones, and just being generally piratey!

When we bought our house, there was a room off the basement that the current owners were using as sort of a quasi-family room. I envisioned it as something else. I thought it would make a cool "Captains" room as a place to showcase my love for pirates and their history, while I turned the rest of the basement into a display area for my large Star Wars collection. Well, as things happen, my pirate room wound up being the dumping ground for all kind of boxes and tubs (yes, mostly mine). I got it sorted out, kind of, however it stayed as a glorified storage room for some time. Then, with the start of my beloved football season, I flirted with the idea of turning it into a sports bar. However, in the end, I determined that to do what I wanted for a sports bar, I really didn't have the room (though on that note, I was given permission to add on to the house to build one, if I ever wanted to and we could afford it!).

Thus, the "Captain's Quarters" returned. The idea is to build a "raised deck" in the back half of the room, maybe 3 to 4 inches high, then put a ships style railing around it, save for an entry way. On this put a period/antique looking writing desk and chair, and though I know its not period, one of those globe bar things for me rum. On the wall behind the desk (where the blue pirate banner is currently hanging over the chest in the pictures), I would hang the old charts and maps I have and in the alcove (see the pictures) I want to hang my autographed 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' movie poster. Scattered throughout the rest of the room I would put my pirate books, prints and POTC collection on display as well.

Then, came the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. There I had the pleasure, and luck, to meet James of Faerieland Candle and Woodshoppe. His work is amazing and I picked up 2 of his belaying pins and a beautiful wooden lidded chalice. During our talks, he expressed interest in making a light box for my 'At World's End' movie poster. He had the idea of making it seem like it came from or was part of a ship! I asked about the desk, and he said he could do that too! Needless to say, it all looks to be coming together, slowly but surely.

So, I've decided to document and share the project and its progress here with all my piratey friends, and to show off the talent of the artists whose creations I'll be using. Who knows, maybe I'll stir them up more business, or maybe inspire another Captain to create their OWN Captain's Quarters.