“Two years ago, I forgot about it. Last year, I didn’t get a suitable call. But finally . . . This year . . . I’m very pleased to wish you all . . .

HAPPY TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY!!!

…
ME: Yarrrrr, this be the Cap’n, what de ye be needin’ matey?
GUY: . . . . Uh, hello?
ME: Ahoy matey, the bosun tells me ye be havin’ a problem with one o’ me lads.
GUY: . . . Uh, yeah . . . I had a problem with one of your drivers?
ME: What did he be doin’, says I?”

…for International Talk Like A Pirate Day! But this year be different: Flickr is in on the fun (click the Arrr! translate link at the bottom of the page).

“You can keep your Bluebeards and your Blackbeards. The most successful pirate of all time controlled a fleet of more than 1,500 ships and upwards of 80,000 sailors — and she did it all without the help of facial hair.

When a Chinese pirate captain named Cheng married a beautiful prostitute in 1801, he wasn’t just getting the girl of his dreams; he was making the best financial investment of his career. His new bride, known to history as Cheng I Sao, or ‘Wife of Cheng,’ agreed to the marriage on one condition — that she would share equally in his power and would be given the opportunity to help him secure more wealth.”

This map tracks actual pirate attacks around the world. Indonesia and bangladesh are the big trouble spots these days.

“Probably not. Both that phrase and the accent that goes with it are strictly Hollywood. They originated with Robert Newton, the actor who played Long John Silver in the movies and on TV through much of the 1950s. Newton was from Dorset, in the Cotswolds district of southwest England, and the regional accent he brought to the movies included a rolled ‘r.’ Though Dorset may well have produced its share of sailors, they were hardly the only pirates out there; most seamen—and especially the outlaws on pirate vessels—were people who struck out from oppressed nations, like Scotland and Ireland, to start over on the high seas.” (Thanks kottke.org!)

“Pirates & Privateers began in 2000 as a monthly column with an article on Jean Laffite and a list of recommended pirate web sites. Since then, it has grown beyond my wildest dreams, and now includes book reviews and pirate adventures, as well as a newsletter that includes the latest pirate-related news and information. I thank you for your visit and your support. Within these pages, you’ll find articles on all aspects of maritime piracy from ancient times to modern day.”

“Drinky and Uncle Crabby debate philosophy and fight pirates in this pilot episode.”

pirate

Originally uploaded by calbee_.

Shot by Calbee.

There’s a group on Flickr called “700 Things” that aims to collect 700 drawings in each of 700 categories. They already have 700 Pirates and 700 Robots going. Maybe they’ll start a monkey group. This is a spin-off of the 700 Hobo Names thing by John Hodgman.

Anyway, here are a couple images that have some RPM overlap: First, #298. Nauticon the Pirate Robot and second, #158. Captain Andromeda and the Space Monkeys. Yippee!

I’m working on a big RPM project and I want your suggestions for the coolest robots, pirates and monkeys ever. Now, of course I’ve got C-3PO, Blackbeard and Curious George on the list — I need suggestions for RPMs that might not be part of the fabric of popular culture. Or RPMs that are more underground. Or whatever.

So send me your ideas! You get bonus points for including a useful web link, but it’s not required. Everyone who contributes will have their name put in a hat and one random winner will receive a cool set of prizes (which will somehow include robots, pirates and monkeys).

The deadline? It may change, but let’s say March 15. Thanks!

Here’s a List of Known Women Pirates.

Once again, it’s International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Arrrr, more info here.

This weekend is the St Louis Pirate Festival: “The crafty Governor has invited pirates from all over the world to attend a festival in the capital city of Fort Royal, where he plans to hand out letters of marque, papers legitimizing them as privateers. Such notorious buccaneers as Anne Bonney, Mary Read, Christopher Condent and Black Bart have responded to this ‘opportunity’ … but a pirate is always open to opportunities, and a festival day abounds with them.”

Yes, you can buy a Pirates of the Caribbean Fireplace Set. Now your life is complete.

Pirates! Tonga Room
Originally uploaded by heather.

“The very nice pirates let me take their photo. “

“When a client calls me and asks ‘Can you illustrate a Monkey, a Robot and a Pirate?’ you have to pinch yourself to make sure it’s not a dream.”

“To international observers, The Pirate Bay’s defiant immunity from copyright lawyers is somewhat baffling. But in Sweden, the site is more than just an electronic speak-easy: It’s the flagship of a national file-sharing movement that’s generating an intense national debate, and has even spawned a pro-piracy political party making a credible bid for seats in the Swedish parliament.”

Even robots, pirates and monkeys need Valentine’s love too. See if you can spot the RPMs at The Stranger’s Extra Special Valentines page: “GIRL ROBOT!, You see the good in everyone! … My Monkey, Life with you couldn’t be better! … Casey M, My very own pirate. I love the way you kiss.”

Yes, it’s a Pirate Convention from SNL.