Meet my uncle, Captain Horatio Sinbad. Yes, my uncle is a pirate in every sense of the word. He may not be doing quite as much pillaging and plundering as he did once but I can assure you that this salty dog is the real deal.In 2002 the good Captain won the America's Sail Class "B" race and was awarded a mighty trophy, 4 years of bragging rights and the honor of picking the location of the 2006 race - naturally he chose his home port of Beaufort, North Carolina.
Sinbad's ship, The Meka II, is a half-scale replica of a 17th century pirate brigantine which, fittingly, he built himself. She's 54' long, has a displacement of about 18 tons and has 6 live, black powder cannons on board (when I say he's the real deal, I mean it)!
Right now you may be thinking "So, did he win the America's Sail by sinking the competition?" I would love to answer that question but I am not at liberty to do so... I'd rather not walk the plank.Pepsi is the primary sponsor of the 2006 America's Sail and, I am told, has life size stand-ups of Captain Sinbad all over the area. Moreover, Pepsi is putting the Meka II on 8 million cans of Pepsi (article here).
To get to the point, I will be going on vacation next week to attend the 2006 Americas Sail as an honorary crew member of the Meka II - sword, scabbard and eye patch are already packed (and maybe, just maybe, some rum, and booty too).
Needless to say I am pretty excited about the trip. My parents, my brother and his wife, my cousin (a Chicago Hash House Harrier) and Salena and I have rented a house on the beach and are all primed for a good time.
To be sure, there will be plenty of booze and food but I am also looking forward to running on the beach and exploring a new area on foot. I am also looking for a road race, of any distance, in or near Beaufort/Morehead City, NC between June 28th and July 4th. If you know of anything please let me know.
In honor of the occasion I am taking a pirate name. My brother, The Ubster, found this site which is very helpful in determining your pirate moniker.
Henceforth (or at least the next couple weeks) you may call me Bloody John Vane.
And who be you??? Arrr!!!
10 comments:
Happy pirating!
-Dirty Anne Flint
You are one crazy mo-fo
Mad Ethel Flint
I knew you guys were going down there, but I didn't know the story behind its location this year.
That is so cool.
-Dread Pirate Kidd
That was hilarious - here's a description of me:
"A pirate's life isn't easy; it takes a tough person. That's okay with you, though, since you a tough person. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky."
-Iron Charity Flint
Around here the 'Seafair Pirates' (http://www.seafairpirates.com/) are a huge deal to celebrate the beginning of Seafair - a summertime regional festival. They arrive at the beach by some sort of military landing craft and scare the ?#@!$% off of anyone who dares to get close.
Arr, shiver me timbers. Rum for all!
sounds like fun!
Bloody Bess Read
Enjoy! Arrr....
-Bloody Bess Flint
Aye, take no prisoners. Leave the bodies, take the rum Arr!
- Mad Roger Bonney
arrr...a pirate's life for me...
-Dirty Mary Kidd
Black Tom Rackham
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