Think of the stain possibilities!
Hope everyone who bothered had a fine Thanksgiving yesterday. It was a very small affair on this end, the highlight of which was the DVD of Live Free or Die Hard locking up completely with about five minutes left in the movie. If we hadn’t seen it three times already in the theater, we’d have been pissed.
This year’s Florida Pirate Fair* pictures are up, for those four of you who did not get direct email notification of same. We took a lot more action photos this year (as opposed to artsy fartsy photos in previous years), mainly due to this being the first time the kids were old enough to let us sit the hell down and enjoy the fight shows.
This is the fifth year of the Florida Pirate Fair* and the third year we’ve attended. It will also be our last. The first year the atmosphere was just fantastic. All the costumed players were merry and hell-bent on entertaining the visitors, especially the children. This year we had a vendor actually berate us as “insulting” for looking but not purchasing, and the target in a tomato-throwing booth call our children “stupid.” And only two of the costumed players, outside of an actual event, bothered to speak to us or the children. It was hugely disappointing compared to previous years and we won’t be back.
So, if any Florida Pirate Fair* powers-that-be should happen by via Google, there you go. Whatever changes were wrought between last year and this, they officially suck, and you have lost four patrons, along with everyone we’ve been gushing to about previous years.
And finally, to the purveyors of Project Runway, re: Nov. 21 show…
–Sarah Jessica Parker is a “fashion icon??” In what bizarro-universe is this a truth? Since the retirement of SATC, she’s been the average enough-money-to-hire-a-stylist actor-type person. If you’re trying to give her cred for her SATC wardrobe, then that should really go to the costumers for that show, non? A “fragrance” and a “fashion line” do not an ICON extrude.
–I didn’t watch the show until last night, so it was delightful for me to see the headline on various news sites announcing the winner’s dress will be featured in SJP’s “fashion line.” I’m not a big spoiler queen like some I could mention *coff*T*coff* but it’s a frickin’ CONTEST show. Restrain thyselves.
–Lingering camera shots of the large 44 year old poof weeping over SJP is NOT endearing. NOT. It’s just a little creepy.
* Googlebomb in action. Actual Pirate Fair site link is here.
on 
on Nov 23rd, 2007 at 6:45 pm
So THAT’S what the Ren Fair players do during the off season! Take off the tunic, throw on a sash and a tricorne hat, toss a few ‘args’ into their sloppy Brit accents and “Voila”.
on Nov 24th, 2007 at 3:29 am
The character limit is 1500
on Nov 24th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Oh, geez! I just read a post on David’s blog that he’s really into Ren Fair roleplaying. And just a few days ago, I was wondering if I could fit my foot into my mouth.
on Nov 25th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Sorry to hear that you did not have as great a time this year as in previous years. Unfortunately, it sounds as though you missed some of the major highlights of the show and caught a few less fortunate ones.
This years show brought forth many additions that created a wonderful experience for patrons; such as fireworks on Friday evening as well as almost twice the number of fight shows and skits as previous years. The storyline of this years show was wonderful and the shows worked well to tie all the bits together.
As for the negetives you seemed to experience, once more I appologize that you encountered them. Not that it is an excuse, but we all know that boothies are in their own world sometimes and forget that their interactions with a guest will empact the overall experience of their day; again not that rudness is ever merrited. This show like any theme park however is open with guest service to assist you, however, or at least that is my understanding. Did you let anyone from the shows opperations staff know of your negetive experiences. There are many ways they could have helped to acomodate you, including, I am sure, a special meet and greet with any of the characters.
Speaking of which, those characters that you mentioned that were not part of the even may have been, and probably were playtrons, of guests who dress up. If they were not part of the events and shows they most likely were just that. It is at times difficult to distinguish who is a “character” in the show and who is a dressed up guest.
All in all if you write to the new management of the show, I am sure they will be more than happy to assist you and listen to your experiences this past year. Afterall, they are here to make sure their guests have a good time and enjoy themselves and will try to adjust next year, if they can, to see to the greater good for the guest experience. Hopefully this has been helpful and you may consider coming back next year. If you have any further questions, please email me at rlc_contact@yahoo.com and I hope to see you again at the next years faire.
Regards,
Ryan Cimino
on Nov 26th, 2007 at 11:47 am
Huh? What did I spoil? (Or are you just making fun of my spoilerphobia?)
I love SJP and her crazy clothes (and she does wear some of them outside the show), but I don’t care for her Bitten line. I wanted the designers to make a nutty Carrie Bradshaw dress, and have them use it in the movie. (Or is it already done filming?)
I like the large 44 year old poof too, by the way. His week one dress made me swoon.
on Nov 26th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Yes, I’m making fun of your spoilerphobia.
Crap, what’d it look like? I can’t remember…
on Nov 26th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Thanks for the input, Ryan, and we might consider returning next year. The atmosphere was still completely different, however. Very much less kid-friendly.
on Nov 26th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Mostly purple with gold and olive bits. It didn’t get that much airtime.