Arrggggh!
No, I’m not about to rant. That is simply my official greeting for TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY!
I bought this one for my daughter, the math girl:
When did my fascination with pirates start?
Hmmmm…
Well, first, let me say that I know that the pirates I love are glorified Hollywood versions and real pirates were bloodthirsty, soulless thieves, murderers and rapists. Whatevah. Fantasy vs. reality…losing battle. I’ll pick fantasy every time.
I loved pirates LONG before Captain Jack Sparrow. I grew up on them. Literally. My home town has a local pirate-themed celebration called Gasparilla, which is in honor of Jose Gaspar (who, btw, never really came this far up the coast of Florida, but don’t tell anyone at the Chamber of Commerce that.) Every year, the wealthy doctors, lawyers and judges who live in South Tampa on the bay dress up in pirate garb and get on a ship, drink heavily and then take over the city. Well, not the whole city. Just the southern part. There’s an armada of boats and yachts and a wild parade that didn’t used to be so much like Mardi Gras (ie, drunk women showing their naked breasts to get plastic beads) but it is now.
Still, when I was a kid, Gasparilla was fun. I danced in several parades with various troupes and teams…I distinctly remember in high school that we carried batons even though we didn’t twirl…we carried them to keep the drunk pirates off of us. Our football team or baseball team would usually march on the perimeter. Hm…maybe it was more like Mardi Gras than I remember!
Then there was Captain Blood. I know for a fact that I’ve blogged about Errol Flynn over the last year. I honestly think this was my first pirate movie. And I was hooked. So you can imagine how I was over the moon when I saw AGAINST ALL FLAGS, another pirate flick that not only had dashing Errol, but also Maureen O’Hara as Captain Spitfire Stevens! You can imagine little eight year old me getting really excited, right?
Last week, Carly mentioned my love for Marsha Canham’s IRON ROSE. The pirate in that book is the heroine, not the hero. But he’s every bit her equal in his staid British ways. 
I even loved PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN (the theme park ride) before it was a movie or had a wax figure of Johnny Depp.
What do I love about pirates?
The rebellion. The romanticism. The code. The devil-may-care. The rules they make themselves. Think about it, there are tons of piratical characters who don’t necessary wear eyepatches or have gold teeth or parrots. The attitude.
Pirattitude, according to the founders of TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY.
Han Solo and Indiana Jones were both pirates…and who could resist either one of them? (Or Harrison Ford, for that matter.)
In one of my upcoming Phantom books, one of the characters has a pirate’s attitude….and that’s really what the appeal is for me, I think. She (yes, a she…is anyone surprised?) is a female Indiana Jones who is mentioned in the first two books but probably won’t put in an appearance until the third book. I think I’m going to pair her up with the Phantom who is a gypsy. A real gypsy. Dark, rakish, mysterious, magical.
A pirate and a gypsy?
I’m swooning just thinking about it!
So…I challenge everyone to act or speak like a Pirate at least once today. Why not? It’s all in the attitude!
Oh, this is the shirt I’m wearing today
It says, “I’m disenclined to acquiesce to your request.”
Says it all, doesn’t it?
Avast, me hearties! Have yourself a roarin’ great day!
PS: Hope Julie doesn’t mind me adding this–please don’t forget to visit me over at The Knight Agency’s blog today! (so I won’t be talking to myself…lol!) Thanks! Leslie http://knightagency.blogspot.com/
Aw, pirates! My favorite pirate book is by Lisa Kleypas - “Only With Your Love”. Justin was just luscious. My fave movie is not “Pirates of the Caribbean”, though I loved the first one. No, my fave pirate movie is “The Black Swan” with Tyrone Power and Maureen O’Hara. Jamie boy makes me melt everytime
Comment by Stacy ~ — September 19, 2007 @ 7:06 am
Argggghhh Julie
My favorite books started it all for me Skye O’malley by Bertrice Small ages and ages ago.
I also love all Johanna Lindsey’s pirate based book. Johanna’s scalliwags (sp) were always handsome and the best heros.
I remember watching the black and white movies of Errol Flynn with my daddy when I was a kid. that brought back some fun memories.
Julie, Where did you find the shirts. I’d really like to buy one.
If you ordered them off the internet please pass along the web address.
Comment by Gigi — September 19, 2007 @ 8:06 am
Oh, Julie, I *love* that shirt! (Off topic, but I got one for Precious last year that says, “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good. )
Comment by Rhonda Nelson — September 19, 2007 @ 8:12 am
Stacy! I almost mentioned The Black Swan. Tyrone Power.
And I love Maureen O’Hara. She made such great movies!
Gigi, I got the shirts at Cafepress.com. Just go there and type “pirate” into the search engine. They’ve got a ton! We ordered the Pi-rate buttons for my daughter’s math teacher, who just loved it.
Rhonda, I WANT THAT!!!!!
Julie, off to surf for another t-shirt!
Comment by Julie Leto — September 19, 2007 @ 9:12 am
Arrgggghh! Happy talk like a pirate day everyone. I too love The Black Swan, but my heart still goes to Johnny in Pirates of the Caribbean. I love the pirate t-shirt, thanks for the site Julie.
Rhonda, where did you find that shirt? I saw so many at the HP release party, but can’t remember where anyone got their shirts.
Comment by Liza — September 19, 2007 @ 9:46 am
Avast me lovelies! Me hopes ye don’t mind me boardin’ yer vessel. Be here but a moment but me had t’drop in to wish ye all a very happy Talk Like a Pirate day. Ms. Leto, me likes the way ye t’inks. Celebrate the day accordingly and me hopes it be a good one for ye all.
(Breaking character) Julie, not sure if you knew this but I too am a huge Errol Flynn fan. If you ever make it up here you’ll be greeted by my Robin Hood movie poster in the rec room and I’ll have to search you before you leave to make sure you don’t make off with my 1940’s Errol Flynn headshot print. (okay, character, focus, what’s my motivation?)
Arrr. Me has t’be leavin’ now b’fore me crew starts t’muntiny and I’ll have t’commence with the flay’n and keelhaulin’. Ye be an excellent Pirate cap’n Ms. Leto, Maureen O’Hara would be proud. Farewell (he says as he seizes the rigging and swings over the railing to his own ship).
What? No Pirate icon? This’ll do.
:
Comment by Bruce — September 19, 2007 @ 10:17 am
Liza, here’s the link http://www.wbshop.com/catalog/product.xml?product_sku=HPGTTSSA&referral_id=CJP&AID=10280984&PID=2125146
It’s a cool shirt.
Comment by Rhonda — September 19, 2007 @ 10:19 am
I suspect I’m going to be swashed and buckled before the day is through.
Comment by Leslie — September 19, 2007 @ 10:20 am
Arrrr! Pirates rule! I love them.
Comment by Charlene Teglia — September 19, 2007 @ 10:40 am
I suspect I’m going to be swashed and buckled before the day is through.
—-
As you wish…
Comment by Bruce — September 19, 2007 @ 10:47 am
As you wish…
We definitely need a pirate emoticon!
BTW–Trivia…today is the 25th anniversary of the first emoticon. :-) I heard it on NPR!
Comment by Julie Leto — September 19, 2007 @ 11:40 am
Oh, and I ordered the shirts, Rhonda! One for me and one for me wee lass.
Comment by Julie Leto — September 19, 2007 @ 11:41 am
Ship ahoy me hearties! Draw your swords. Her cargo will be ours before the sun sets!
Have a terrific day and may your sails be filled with a fair wind!
Cher
Comment by Cher — September 19, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
Aww… Bruce and Leslie!
Gotta love the Princess Bride…
And Rhonda and Julie, what great shirts!
Comment by Fedora — September 19, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
Julie, Where did you get that shirt? I love it!
Comment by Jordan Summers — September 19, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
:arrr: :arrr: :arrr:
Comment by Walt — September 19, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
Walt, you’re awesome! :arrr:
Comment by Janelle — September 19, 2007 @ 12:37 pm
:arrr: Walt you rock! :arrr:
Comment by Tina Martinesi — September 19, 2007 @ 12:37 pm
Yeah, Walt!
:arrr:
Jordan, at Cafepress.com! Just plug in “pirate” to the search engine and you’ll find it.
Comment by Julie Leto — September 19, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
Bruce & Leslie this is me
swooning…lol 
Comment by Tina Martinesi — September 19, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
Woo hoo! Here there be pirates! :arrr: :arrr: :arrr:
Thanks Walt!
Comment by Leslie — September 19, 2007 @ 12:41 pm
Ahoy! :arrr: Got to love Pirates. They rank up there with Men in Uniform.
Comment by Ardie — September 19, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
Ahoy, me matey’s! Avast and be counted for. ‘Tis the day we leave the land lubbers life and follow Cap’n Julie to take to the sea in search of booty. Watch out ye don’t find Davy Jones Locker instead. :arrr: :arrr: :arrr: :arrr:
Comment by Vicki — September 19, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
I love pirates. A trip to the movies to see pirates is considered GIRLS DAY OUT for my dil and grand and myself.
Comment by jeannie & Zoey — September 19, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
:arrr: :arrr: :arrr:Aye! Now THAT be service! :arrr: :arrr: :arrr:
Follow Capt. Julie in search of Booty, eh? Uh Huh. Janelle, isn’t that your cue to supply the appropriate picture
.
I best be goin’ before I get meself into trouble and…uh oh :gagged:
Comment by Bruce — September 19, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
Arrggggh! :arrr: What a great blog!
I’m not really in a “pirate” kind of mood today but this is fun!
My corner of the world is experiencing a taste of fall so I am in the mood to cook. My plans are chocolate chip cookies & then meatloaf for dinner! Yum!
Leslie & Bruce enjoy your swashbuckling!
Comment by Donna M — September 19, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
Okay, the first person to identify THIS pirate below :arrr: will win an autographed copy of one of my backlist books (Sorry, Born To Be Wilde not included).
Comment by Janelle — September 19, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
Hi, all. I’m home … just finished root canal part 2.
I really am not a good patient. But that’s why I’ve been out all day. Sorry!
Comment by Carly — September 19, 2007 @ 2:46 pm
Janelle, that looks like your husband Don. Carly, sorry about the root canal. I hated having mine too. Rhonda and Julie, thanks for the tshirt sites.
Comment by Liza — September 19, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
Janelle that would be Bruce dressed up to go to one of Leslie’s book signings (about the book about the radio dj who gets involved with her building mate….I think it was a building mate) and they had to go to a party for her work dressed like pirates…I can’t remember the title of the book, sorry!
Comment by katie — September 19, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
By the way, Bruce, as in Leslie’s hubby…
Comment by katie — September 19, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
lololol…poor Bruce is never going to escape that one. It made the rounds of all the NASA facilities in the country.
But yes, Katie, that’s MY pirate. :arrr:
Comment by Leslie — September 19, 2007 @ 3:06 pm
Geez, Katie — You know the whole entire story behind that picture!
Leslie, is there anything else you’d like to add to Katie’s comments to explain the photo?
You win.
It is Leslie’s hubby, Bruce! :arrr: Let me know what book of mine you’d like and email me with your choice and mailing address! (janelledenison@sbcglobal.net)
Comment by Janelle — September 19, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
Liza — I’m sorry to say that my husband would never dress up as a pirate (unless it was for Halloween!). :arrr:
Comment by Janelle — September 19, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
Ouch! It’s tough here in the jungle. Geez, you dress up like a pirate to surprise your wife ONCE!
Alright, I guess I had that coming.
Actually, I was referring to one of those other pictures. Hey. Wait. I just remembered logic class. Janelle posts pictures of hunks. Janelle posted my picture. Therefore…
Nah, nevermind! I prefer Italian bakeries to gyms.
Katie…wow.
I’ll be good (arrr).
Comment by Bruce — September 19, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
I found the picture after I had posted…btw y’alls husbands look just a little bit alike in some of those pictures. Congrats Katie.
Comment by Liza — September 19, 2007 @ 3:43 pm
Shiver me timbers, Katie!!!
I’m completely and thoroughly impressed. I’ve been here a long time and I’ve never heard that story. Wouldn’t have even had a clue, I thought it was Don, too.
Julie, your comment about not telling the Chamber of Commerce cracked me up. A few years ago a ship was found off of Cape Lookout that has all but been absolutely proven to be “The Queen Anne’s Revenge”, Blackbeard’s ship.
Ocracoke wants the ship because that’s where he was killed. Carteret County wants the ship because they have a maritime museum and that’s where the ship was found. Bath wants the ship because that’s where Blackbeard lived. I’m not sure how it was settled or who got the ship. Now I’m curious so I’ll have to do some research and find out who won that political battle.
Comment by Jodie — September 19, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
>>Nah, nevermind! I prefer Italian bakeries to gyms.< <
I’m not complaining.
Comment by Leslie — September 19, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
PS: Katie, the book was Night Whispers!
Comment by Leslie Kelly — September 19, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
My favorite pirate book was Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small.
Comment by Estella — September 19, 2007 @ 5:09 pm
You hear that Bruce you need to bring the Canolli if you want to be swashed & buckled. Leslie notice how well behaved I am today.
:arrr: 
:arrr: 
:arrr:
Zoey doesn’t like Pirates they have Parrots for pets.
She needs the king of the castle type with those plush velvet pillows.
I sure hope you guys might be conjuring up some pirate book fun.
Me thinks, Marisella would be fun on a pirate ship.
Comment by jeannie & Zoey — September 19, 2007 @ 7:33 pm
Aaaaarrrrggggghhhhhhhh!!!!
My daughter got her first tatoo a couple of months ago- it’s a skull with crossed swords. Sound familiar??? :arrr:
Comment by ev — September 19, 2007 @ 8:51 pm