Aw, thanks fer yer birthday wishes, me friends. Warms me heart, it does.
Had me a fine time in Washington this week'nd. Visit'd with some ol' college friends and their kids on the way up Saturday. Hadn't seem 'em in nigh 1 1/2 years. Were good te catch up.
Got up te Aberdeen, WA at about 10 pm, which were right when it got dark. Couldn't find the Lady in the dark, tho I thot I knew where she should be. Next morn, found her thar lookin' most beautiful in her origiinal colors (last I had seen her she were still paint'd in her POTC colors). Went aboard fer the dockside tours and met the fella what I'd been emailin' with all this time. Got on well with him and all the crew. Return'd a bit lat'r, dress'd in me "funnies" (which be a period outfit - a friend made fer me a period-style shirt and I bot a sash belt and a red bandana at the Rennaisance Faire a while back) and they all lik'd how I look'd. Took pictures fer 'em the whole while I were aboard and will show ye some later, if they turn out good. During the early sail, I heard the crew all whisperin' te each oth'r te grab a weapon and thot te meself "this won't end well fer me". Indeed, one o' the crew stood upon the half-deck and read a proclamation that someone aboard had done somethin' so horribly awful that they must be punish'd. They said me name, then grabb'd me and "tied" me te the pin rail in front o' the mainmast. They then said me crime were celebratin' a birthday and they all were lookin' ready te attack me with the belayin' pins in their hands (aye, and me friend from the website were ready te lash me with the cat o' nine tails). Then, when the word were given te dole out the punishm'nt, they all start'd singin' "Feelings'. I writh'd and said "oh, it's horrible!" They all laugh'd and then sang me a quick birthday song. Ah, it were terrific. A couple o' people took pictures, so hopefully they'll send 'em along te me.
The evening sail were wonderful, as we watch'd the fireworks shot from along the river bank while aboard the Lady. She shot her canon a bunch o' times te celebrate, too. Got me special tour o' the crew areas o' the ship, too, and enjoy'd it greatly. Got a good look at where I'd be sleepin' if I crew'd. Bit crowd'd, but think I'd be able te handle it... maybe.
Made a bunch o' new friends aboard and am still lookin' very forw'rd te the day I finally get te serve me 2 weeks aboard and become "official" crew. Even tear'd up a bit after leavin' the Lady that night. Makes me sad to have te say goodbye te her til she returns down my way. Must wait a good 4-5 months fer that.
All in all, a fine and wond'rful birthday. Huzzah!!
