Mahone Bay will be overrun with pirates today. Young and old, male and female sporting eye patches, fake swords and growling Arrrrr. I was in the grocery store last evening and a little boy was running up and down the aisles hollering out "Arrr matey" brandishing a make believe sword. All but four he seemed quite familiar with the swashbuckler's jargon.
I usually try not to share opinions about things like politics and hot button issues so I don't offend or appear to take sides. For blogging I stick to topics that relate directly to me and massage it with self deprecating humour but for some reason I can't seem to hold my tongue about the pirates. I don't know why they irk me so. Maybe I'm a direct descendent, possibly of a sea admiral, overpowered, bludgeoned and thrown to the sharks by these ocean going savages. Even driving into work this morning I saw a bunch of made-up pirates hanging around the wharf and for the life of me, I just don't get the appeal of this frenzy.
Pirates were dirty, thieving, violent cut throats, probably the reason the coin was phrased. They are a very black part of our history, raping and pillaging their way through the centuries without an ounce of conscience. Pirates made death an occupation, roaming the seas obliterating anyone that crossed their path so they could take their possessions. Why is that honoured?....really I wish someone could explain this so I understand. These blood thirsty villains were worse than any serial killer or possibly all of them combined, but we won't ever be having a Ted Bundy day! Well, I hope not! Why the pirate is glorified I can't fathom. Maybe I'm just a stick in the mud who doesn't know how to have fun, and I don't know why I take such verbal offense because I'm usually just sitting on the fence minding my own business.
I suppose Johnny Depp had something to do with the craze, but truthfully I didn't get those movies either. Cover that handsome face and what is left? The violence and body count in that movie had to be in the thousands. Why do we want to pretend to be the blood thirsty and the immoral. What does that say about us? Even amongst the pirate den of thieves there was no loyalty, shiver me timbers alright, one had to be afraid to turn their back or there might be a knife stuck in it.
So I'll admit I'm a killjoy over the topic, so tie me to the mizzenmast and let the sun bake me bones and gulls pluck out me eyes Rrrrrr. In a time when people jump on a soap box protesting violent cartoons, giving Wile Coyote a hard time because he blows things up on the hunt to catch the road runner, well, all I can say is at least he's after food, not killing for the sake of killing, or worse, for something as trivial as a farthing. Somehow the pirate has managed to worm his way into favour, with that blackened toothed smile and rum soaked breath. I don't find them sexy, they don't turn my crank....."Ahoy matey, no matey with me!"
So I've tried to put my feelings aside and get inspired for the festival. I said to myself, "Myself, who am I to rain on the pirate lover's parade?" If pirates are fun to the masses, maybe they know something I don't and you have to be open to new things. So I designed and hooked a Jolly Roger to commemorate the event and made up a few kits for the skull and cross bone enthusiast. And I'll say Arrr...but it's more of a sigh. I'll keep my mouth shut so people don't say, "Thar she blows! "
There I said my peace....hope the town doesn't make me walk the plank for having a contrary opinion!
I usually try not to share opinions about things like politics and hot button issues so I don't offend or appear to take sides. For blogging I stick to topics that relate directly to me and massage it with self deprecating humour but for some reason I can't seem to hold my tongue about the pirates. I don't know why they irk me so. Maybe I'm a direct descendent, possibly of a sea admiral, overpowered, bludgeoned and thrown to the sharks by these ocean going savages. Even driving into work this morning I saw a bunch of made-up pirates hanging around the wharf and for the life of me, I just don't get the appeal of this frenzy.
Pirates were dirty, thieving, violent cut throats, probably the reason the coin was phrased. They are a very black part of our history, raping and pillaging their way through the centuries without an ounce of conscience. Pirates made death an occupation, roaming the seas obliterating anyone that crossed their path so they could take their possessions. Why is that honoured?....really I wish someone could explain this so I understand. These blood thirsty villains were worse than any serial killer or possibly all of them combined, but we won't ever be having a Ted Bundy day! Well, I hope not! Why the pirate is glorified I can't fathom. Maybe I'm just a stick in the mud who doesn't know how to have fun, and I don't know why I take such verbal offense because I'm usually just sitting on the fence minding my own business.
I suppose Johnny Depp had something to do with the craze, but truthfully I didn't get those movies either. Cover that handsome face and what is left? The violence and body count in that movie had to be in the thousands. Why do we want to pretend to be the blood thirsty and the immoral. What does that say about us? Even amongst the pirate den of thieves there was no loyalty, shiver me timbers alright, one had to be afraid to turn their back or there might be a knife stuck in it.
So I'll admit I'm a killjoy over the topic, so tie me to the mizzenmast and let the sun bake me bones and gulls pluck out me eyes Rrrrrr. In a time when people jump on a soap box protesting violent cartoons, giving Wile Coyote a hard time because he blows things up on the hunt to catch the road runner, well, all I can say is at least he's after food, not killing for the sake of killing, or worse, for something as trivial as a farthing. Somehow the pirate has managed to worm his way into favour, with that blackened toothed smile and rum soaked breath. I don't find them sexy, they don't turn my crank....."Ahoy matey, no matey with me!"
So I've tried to put my feelings aside and get inspired for the festival. I said to myself, "Myself, who am I to rain on the pirate lover's parade?" If pirates are fun to the masses, maybe they know something I don't and you have to be open to new things. So I designed and hooked a Jolly Roger to commemorate the event and made up a few kits for the skull and cross bone enthusiast. And I'll say Arrr...but it's more of a sigh. I'll keep my mouth shut so people don't say, "Thar she blows! "
There I said my peace....hope the town doesn't make me walk the plank for having a contrary opinion!
Arrrr...a basket of Captain Kit's treasure. Hook me if you dare!
Arrrrrr...the sheep have gone over to the dark side. They're tired of being peed on and the next dog that lifts its leg, the owner will be forced to walk the plank! Argh!
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