[Gpdd] (ANNOUCE) No new news just a couple thoughts from me

[warmbreath at comcast.net]

So far we have all been really great about remembering not to put addresses 
and personal info on the GPDD that can be traced back to real people, no 
problem  I thought I might just mention it as we are hearing from many 
people who dont post allot or are new. So it might be the safest thing to do 
is to just write it up for the new members. All GPDD messages are searchable 
by anyone using Google or any search engine, so keep address's, whole names 
detailed locations, etc. so that no one's ID can ever be compromised. And so 
far a perfect job, I dont mind answering every email I get off line 
individually to protect all our privacy so keep em coming. I have newly 
developed a system of moving off the messages I answer immediately to a 
separate folder so now I can easily tell if something's been answered or 
not. However if I dont answer a message pretty promptly just send it again 
and write second request, I wont think its rude. I am minorly paper work 
challenged so your nudges and reminders are extremely welcome.

As for our virtual stories, esp. the Black Pearl Voyages, this was orig 
Alge's and she invited me to hop on and co-write and of course now I'm doing 
the main story line. But it's not "owned" by me. Anyone can wrote a 
paragraph that may be as simple as your piggy writing home to tell his 
parent slave what he did that day, but its equally ok to write a whole 
chapter or invent a whole story line like if Agent F wanted to write up a 
whole report on one of his secret ops, he might report an agent was captured 
and we have to come up with a ransom or lobby to get somebody released for 
jail, or it could be a story happening right on the Pearl, an adventure, a 
romance, a maintenance project, somebody could open a spa or beauty salon, 
or a coffee shop, that would be great a place for piggies to talk. If story 
lines cross a little, like a pig ends up in Panama and Africa at the same 
time, well that happens, and its virtual, so we just overlook it. I'm just 
saying any body they can do whatever they want, its not mandatory, I'm just 
saying the Black Pearl is a little virtual world and it belongs to all of 
us, and whoever wants to write can write, and any style, length, format is 
fine. And you dont have be a writer, maybe at the end you will be one. Does 
anybody have any sailing or ship related hobbies. I think of story lines I 
would to write all the time but then I cant find the time or I 
procrastinate. Virtual stories are a small part of GPDD and we cant 
overwhelm the moderators, but it is great to have some comic relief going 
most of the time to balance the sadness and grief that is large part of our 
important work. The personal rule I impose on my self is I always check 
Sammy before I sit down to the computer, and I always look through all the 
new messages on the digest before I start writing a virtual story, real 
troubles and questions are our most important work and virtual is always 
last, no one should ever feel that their problem waited while we danced the 
night away at a virtual party. As we travel now to Hawaii I may need advice 
or writers who have experience in Panama and both coasts of Mexico for 
subplots, shore leave, etc. The reason I emphasize this stuff now is because 
Alge loves the Black Pearl Adventures with all her heart, and I intend to 
have material ready to be read to her and later for her to read herself. I 
live across the country from her, what else can I do to help her recover, I 
can write about her pigs so I will. And if you want your pig in the stories 
but cant write yourself because of your work commitments or busy with you 
kids, I can write in lots of small parts if you give me details about what 
you piggies looks like, their personalities, likes and dislikes, hobbies, 
job ideas. pirate or passenger a little for to accurately write in a real 
piggy, they may have a minor role or a bigger, it will change allot. and 
dont worry about having to live with your pig allot, PigAir  is much 
advanced now, offers door to  door service with limos, hot air balloons 
helicopters etc, So your pig can commute to work while you sleep, and greet 
you wheeking for lettuce when you wake in the morning. Other jobs, travel 
coordinator for Pig-Air, school marm or day care provider for babies 
traveling with parents, we need nurses and doctors, and we have a couple 
from OZ, I think. I have been thinking we maybe should have a matchmaker on 
board, it could be an astrologist/ matchmaker. Whatever skill or hobby you 
have or your pig has may be a great boon to the stories and make them much 
more interesting.Dont forget just plain ole pirate jobs running and 
maintaining the Pearl, a smithy for iron works, riggers for the sails, the 
ladies sewing circle makes the sails, but they also pinch the cloth for 
dresses in the latest styles. How about a chaplain. Hairdressing salon for 
your piggies that are naturally barbers, a personal trainer, or aerobics 
instructor, personal trainer, gym manager. All these pigs can come and go 
its not s major commitment I suggest for anyone, just a creative outlet if 
you would enjoy one.

Also my apologies to anyone who got Alge's address 3 times. But my new 
system will help with that. do your best to put the question in the title as 
its hard to go into my folder and find a certain message because we are 
reusing the same title, which is the exact proper procedure for GPDD, but 
being as individualistic as possible will help me find a message and also 
find the message i want to put to together a story chapter. As the bits and 
pieces of the wedding come in sound like it was the event of the season for 
sure and its providing lots of fodder for future story lines. And for anyone 
who thinks I'm a professional or experienced writer, well no, I learned on 
GPDD, so if you guys ever have style suggestions or editing suggestions or 
any advice at all I'm all ears and eyes. It has been fun, and given me a 
boost in self confidence now that I've been retired for a while. May I 
conclude by saying it is a great pleasure and honor to be associated with a 
such a fine group of caring people. You are the best.
love Sandy and Shipwreck Sam