Shanty Party in Portland, Maine

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 06:14 PM

I'm glad to see my presence on a thread is NOT required to drag it into the gutter!

Have a great time folks!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Ribbit
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 07:00 PM

I wouldn't miss this for the world. I don't play an instrument but I really like to sing. Looking forward to putting faces with names and meeting fellow Mudcatters. This site has been a wonderful discovery. Thom

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: kendall
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 07:06 PM

I'd be up for pizza...anything but anchovies

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 07:59 PM

How about SQUID? As I recall from sojourning in the "Land of the Morning Calm" (So. Korea) some moons ago, it wasn't all that bad. "Kimchee Pizza"??? Hmmmm...

I'm nea big on anchovies, neither Mate... (*Uurrp!*) but me & the Mrs. do hope we can get some grub on board around 1800 or so. No doubt Cpt. Steve knows where the best is to be found in the area.

By the sounds o' this crew, it may be a good thing that yore Uncle J. will be under responsible adult (Spousal) supervision.

Lookin fwd to it!

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: kendall
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 08:21 PM

dont eat calamari (squid) tastes like fishy catheters to me. There are many good restaurants in the area. However, I would be reluctant to leave the singing just to eat. Pizza, yes, pizza.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 08:53 PM

The stuff they have in Korea is dried. Dried squid, yum! (Ecccchhh!) They sell it off the back of trucks. I once saw a guy buy some from a truck and bite off a hunk like it was some weird chewing gum with tentacles. I happen to like kimchee, but dried squid is just gross. I can handle the fresh stuff, but don't like it - too much work to chew it. I couldn't really say how similar it tastes to a catheter, though. Forget the squid pizza altogether.

I happen to like anchovies on pizza, though.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: kendall
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 09:42 PM

I'll save all my anchovies just for you Jeri !!

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Barry Finn
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 10:25 PM

Squid, sushi, shanties & salt horse, sounds that'll be heard won't be songs but sour chum food. See ya all tomorrow. Barry

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 10:37 PM

I have had squid in America and octopus in Spain. I prefer the octopus if old tire rubber isn't available.

Sins, I'll be kind enough to bring a container to put the leftover balls in and [sigh] you can keep your box.

Hmmm, what should I do with the variety 12 pack of Shipyard ales that I got at the office party? Should I bring it along or leave it at home? Tough decison!

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: kendall
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 08:22 AM

That's Easy Naemanson. If you like it, leave it home!

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Naemanson
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 09:24 AM

But Kendall, I also like the people who will be there tonight and I have a sharing side to my personality. Consider how willing I am to share the bourbon balls with Jeri (once I get her away from the tin).

I guess I'll bring the beer and enjoy any that are left over.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: kendall
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 01:38 PM

So, am I to understand that you are the type who shares the GOOD stuff? Thats admirable. lol

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Jeri
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 02:31 PM

OK, I'm just about ready to leave. Have to stop at the store and get lost in Portland, but otherwise I should be there in a couple of hours.

Brett, keep your hands off the balls until I get there!

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Jeri
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 02:33 PM

Hope somebody's bringing a camera...

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Naemanson
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 11:35 PM

We had a great time! Do I need to say anything more?

Oh all right, we had a wonderful time too.

Oh all right, I'll give a FEW more details. I was one of the first through the door and helped set up the room. It was a wonderful place to sing sea music. We were in a big open space surrounded by nautical memorabilia of all sorts. We were seated on chairs, sea chests, and an overturned skiff. When I left to get the pizza at about 5:30 there were seventeen people in the room. When I got back the crowd had swelled considerably but I never counted to see by how many.

We had a good representation by the Mudcat. Remember that this was not intended as an official Mudcat gathering. Nevertheless Jeri, Barry Finn, Kendall, Sinsull, Uncle Jaque, Thom M, Willie-o, Jets, and Bren showed up. On the other hand the Roll & Go crew (7) was there minus one plus three old members who showed up. Als we were visited by Castlebay (Fred Gosbee and Julia Lane), Chuck Romanov of Schooner Fare, and myriad others who stopped in to sing. The music ran from about 4:30 to about 10:00. Everyone had a good time and agreed we need to do it again.

Special thanks go to Stevens Bunker and Sharon Bondroff for hosting the gathering.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 12:26 AM

And Uncle Jaques didn't pull out his Smith and Wesson 29? Must have been a quiet crowd.

Seriously Naes, sounds like a fine ol' time and I'm anxious to see a few pix.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 10:28 AM

Gosh and dagnab it! All those Mudcatters and Roll & Go AND Fred and Julia!!! Reallly (3 els worth -- Elsworth? No, that's further up the coast) sorry I missed it. Was busy having a bad night at work, starting off by suddenly remembering (or, rather, not remembering) almost all the way there that I had left a heater either turned on or plugged at home so had to turn around and investigate. Made me an hour late and the night went downhill from there. For what it's worth, Jeri, I had "Fire Down Below" in my head all night!

Really wish I could have made it! (So, did the pizza have anchovies? I love sewer trout! And the squid, did you have squid? Or did you just sing "Squid Jigging Ground"?

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Jeri
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 11:28 AM

No squid and no anchovies, but the pizza was very good. (All organic, I was told.) Nice combination of spices on the top. Would have liked two or seven more pieces.

Kendall really did have folks practically rolling on the floor with a couple songs, and he's very good at strumming along and waiting patiently until he can continue the next line.

Linn, I did Fire Down Below. Also Mollymauk. People didn't seem to know the refrains/choruses, but by the song ended, they were sure singing along with gusto. Claire was there with Fred and Julia.

Uncle Jacque was having fun. (I loved the great coat he wore.) No one discussed politics, and there were no shootings, fist fights or verbal arguments. There was no time, what with all the music.

I had a great time! Thanks to Stevens and Sharon for hosting!!! Thanks to the people who organized the event, especially to Brett (Naemanson), Chief of Pizza Operations and Mudcat Invitations.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Peg
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 11:32 AM

sorry I missed it! Maybe I can come to the next one.

peg

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 11:37 AM

Great report Jeri. You would have done well with the anchovies though. The other night when I was reading this, the damn thing really made me hungry and although I try to watch the sodium, I went into the pantry and cracked a can of anchovies and made a sandwich.

Sorry Uncle Jacque, but you're going to take a ribbing for awhile but I'm glad to hear you made it and had a good time too as I saw on both threads.

I'd think Kendall would be great at that as he's had much experience and his timing is undoubtedly superb.

So......Pictures?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Naemanson
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 11:45 AM

I took some pictures as did Uncle Jaque. Once I get them developed I'll scan them and get them off to Pene.

Uncle Jaque, if you don't have access to a scanner give me a call and I'll scan your photos too.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: kendall
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 07:51 PM

Uncle Jacque, for those who have never met him, is a dead ringer for Hulk Hogan - a foot shorter and two hundred pounds lighter. This is Sinsull on Kendall's computer.
Barry Finn was nothing short of amazing. Kendall had me in tears with "I Don't Look Good Naked Anymore". I don't remember all the names but there was a concertina player who was wonderful and got everyone singing. And a tiny lady playing a huge base. Roll and Go kept the music moving - some lovely voices there. Fun time for all. Thanks, Brett for letting us all know about it. And thanks to the captain and his Mrs. for the hospitality and the tales.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Jeri
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 08:36 PM

Brett, I don't think Pene's doing the photos anymore. I don't know if anyone else is either.

On 1 Dec, I sent some pictures to Pene Azul from Barry's party, along with an e-mail asking if he was still around. The photos aren't posted and I received no reply. I don't know what's going on. That's why I started my Driveway page.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Naemanson
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 09:01 PM

We'll work out something for the photos. The first step is to digitize them. Well, actually the first step is to develop them. The first pictures on that roll are from the sea music festival in Portsmouth. I guess I should get my ass in gear.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 09:15 PM

Catsp.49: A "Smith" Mark Twenty-Niner (Cal. .44 Magnum, for those of a more pacific disposition who may not be familiar - made somewhat infamous by "Dirty Harry"'s expert use of one in the movie by that name) is a fine, albiet rather massive piece. Alas, I do not own one - it would be a challange to discretely conceal one of those whopping irons even on my portly frame! Not to mention the fact that Smith & Wesson has fallen into disrepute with us Pro-2nd-Ammendment types due to their capitulation to the Clinton Victim-disarmament crowd's litigation blackmail scheme. Our responsive boycott seems to be having a profound effect on their British-owned bottom-line, by the way. Take that, King George!

Such .44 Mag as I am close to is an old Ruger 7 1/2" barreled single-action ("Cowboy" style) Super Blackhawk, purchaced in days of virile youth, alas long gone by. I used to hunt with it, when I hunted; have not done so for about a decade. Since I make my living with my hands as a Lanternsmith, I am reluctant to abuse them with the decidedly violent recoil which the big .44 is notorious for, and have not fired it in years.

Don't underestimate the emotional catharsis of blowing a half-gallon can of water into an explosive fountain downrange 'till you've tried it. Just remember the ear and eye protection; my occasional neglect of earmuffs or plugs in the past has no doubt contributed to my current significant hearing loss in the upper frequency ranges, which does not help any in tuning an instrument.

I started the "After Action Report" secondary thread, since I notice that after about 75 messages, our marginal PC takes a long time to download it all so I can check the last message or two. I'm hoping that those of us who've been on this a while might "jump over" and expidite things a bit.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Jeri
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 09:28 PM

The PortlandME ChanteyJam;AfterActionRept thread.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Jan 08 - 10:37 AM

Actually this is Part I.