Ahoy Mateys!

For those of you looking for a way to emerge from the doldrums of realizing that summer is almost over, let me suggest that you circle Wednesday, September 19 on your calendar. No, it isn’t the first day of Fall which by the way is September 22.  And of course the colorful changing of leaves, cider, and caramel covered apples in the Fall are certainly high points but I think there is something more important occurring, at least in my warped mind – it is International Talk Like A Pirate Day! 

Now, what could be more exciting than that?

For you landlubbers who have been unaware of this Holiday, this year will be the 10^th anniversary of Pirate Day.  It is now considered an international event and if  you search the “Talk Like A Pirate Day” website, you will quickly discover that pirate wannabes are celebrating this day in as faraway places as Rome, Auckland New Zealand, Tokyo and of course numerous locations in the United States. Many of these towns are featuring costume contests and pirate sailings. 

Now before we get sidetracked concluding that pirates are evil, “Talk Like a Pirate Day” is dedicated to the friendly pirates found in most children’s movies.  Film flicks such as “Muppet Treasure Island," or “Scooby-Doo In Pirates Ahoy,” or any of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” adventures present the friendly side of these sea goers.

So, having said that, let’s return to what makes this day so special.

First of all it gives us pirate wannabes an opportunity to inject some swagger in our conversations.  Who can resist greeting friends either on the phone or in person with words such as “ahoy” – “avast” – or “arrr”.  So for all you swashbucklers out there, this is a time to maybe don an eye patch and assume a new identity for just a day.  What could be more fun! As an added bonus, the “Talk Like A Pirate Day” website also features Pirate Pick-Up Lines, pirate advice from Cap’n Slappy and of course an opportunity to subscribe to the Poopdeck newsletter.  And what with all the confusion we are undergoing in a troubled world, isn’t a little silliness most welcome.  I sure think so!

So now I’m off for a swig of grog along with a pirate’s favorite cookie – Chips Ahoy -  while I prepare to scrape the barnacles off the rudder of my skiff.  And just for the record, I am almost 98% chum free. 

Shiver me timbers!  ARRR!