Photo by ACF
Author Archives:
Discovered
“You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” — Rabindranath Tagore
(Quote discovered on Terri Windling’s blog. Photo by me.)
Capclave 2011
Capclave 2011 was held from Oct. 14 to 16 at the Hilton Washington, D.C., in Gaithersburg, Md. Guests of honor were Carrie Vaughn and Catherynne Valente.
A highlight of the event was a surprise visit by Sir Terry Pratchett, who was able to stay for an hour. Panels were abandoned by attendees and panelists alike to see him. Other highlights for me included meeting editor Scott H. Andrews for the first time and attending an informative workshop led by Michael Capobianco and A.C. Crispin. I also enjoyed meeting the kind folks from the National Capital Panthans, a chapter of the Burroughs Bibliophiles. Their display of Edgar Rice Burroughs old editions was a feast for the eyes. (Why didn’t I take a picture?) Other attendees and panelists included Scott Edelman, Michael Swanwick and Jamie Todd Rubin.
I was under the weather on Saturday, so left early, unfortunately, and didn’t make it to Sunday. I did, however, manage to snap this photo of Sir Terry as he left the event.
Making: Vanilla Extract
Day 1
Day 44
Photos by ACF
International Talk Like a Pirate Day: Talk Like a Real Pirate
“At last, after many doubts and disputes among themselves, they resolved to hazard the assault and their lives after a most desperate manner. Thus they advanced towards the castle, with their swords in one hand and fire-balls in the other. The Spaniards defended themselves very briskly, ceasing not to fire at them with their great guns and muskets continually, crying withal: Come on, ye English dogs, enemies to God and our King; let your other companions that are behind come on too; ye shall not go to Panama this bout. …
“One of the Pirates was wounded with an arrow in his back, which pierced his body to the other side. This instantly he pulled out with great valour at the side of his breast; then taking a little cotton that he had about him, he wound it about the said arrow, and putting it into his musket, he shot it back into the castle. But the cotton being kindled by the powder, occasioned two or three houses that were within the castle, being thatched with palm-leaves, to take fire, which the Spaniards perceived not so soon as was necessary. For this fire meeting with a parcel of powder, blew it up, and thereby caused great ruin, and no less consternation to the Spaniards, who were not able to account for this accident, not having seen the beginning thereof.
“Thus the Pirates, perceiving the good effect of the arrow and the beginning of the misfortune of the Spaniards, were infinitely gladdened thereat.”
– The Buccaneers of America (1678), by Alexander O. Exquemelin, who sailed with Henry Morgan. See a virtual copy of this book on the Library of Congress’ website here.
Photos by ACF