I cannot begin to properly express how lucky I am to have the opportunity to work with TJ, and Ian. We first officially met two years ago at the Port Washington Christmas on the Corners event. There we teamed up and wandered the town doing our best to entertain folks on the street, in the shops, and the occasional horse drawn carriage. If I remember correctly (correct me if I’m wrong) that was TJ’s first experience with this type of improv / street entertainment. His good nature and willingness to be our pawn allowed Ian and I plenty of opportunities for fun, including one of my favorites, presenting Captain Jack Sparrow to the local hair salon for a makeover. 🙂
Over the past few years every time we have worked played together, (work is such a strong word, we have to much fun, it’s can’t be work…) our abilities to play off of each other has grown. I see it most in TJ, and am VERY proud of his growth. I was reflecting on this with a friend Saturday, and had no sooner had I relayed the story of that first night together did Captain Jack appear behind me escorting two young girls over to me to attempt to barter a sale. We bandied back and forth about prices, haggled over value for the price. “I’m even including the hair mate” “The hair is included!?!?!? Wow, that is a deal! Now what about the umbrella? On a day like this that’s a valuable commodity. I suppose that’s extra?” We asked for opinions from the group of folks around us, asked the father to confirm their worth, their work ethic, had them open their mouths to inspect their teeth, and all the while the girls were laughing hysterically. Their father frequently snapped pictures between his own fits of laughter, and interjections. We brought it to a conclusion that included a negative bidding war between the father and another person we decided to let the girls go and they bounded off to their father the three laughing about the whole experience. Afterwords my friend had a look of awe on his face and commented how much fun that whole bit was. TJ had proved my point better than I could have in an hour of talking about it.
From the minute Ian and I met it was ‘go time’, “Oh look there’s someone over there!” He is just as willing to pounce on anyone as I am, and is always ready at a moments notice with something to add into the mix. We often find we have the same ideas of where to go with various bits and can pop back and forth between each other with ideas as if we had rehearsed them for days. We also both just can’t help ourselves even when we have reached the end of the day. Sunday we were walking back to the hotel to part ways at the end of the weekend, and even though the festival was officially over we still just couldn’t help ourselves. We talked of a variety of casual things, then we saw a random stranger and jumped right back into the thick of it making comments to them, after they passed we once again just dropped right back to casual conversation as if we had never even stopped in the first place.
They are both truly talented entertainers, and I consider myself most fortunate to have the chance to work with them. I am even more so lucky to be able to call them my friends. Ian, TJ thanks again for such a brilliantly wonderful time this weekend!!! I look forward to our next encounters 🙂 Look out world! 🙂
John's Musings 
John, you are an amazing person, and much better with words than I will ever be! I feel that I am the one that is honored to work with you and Ian. With the two of you welcoming me into your “pirate family” as you did, I knew something magical was happening. It’s weekends like the one we just had that reminds me why we do what we do. Yes, it’s extremely fun for me, but I think the essence of why we do this is for the smiles and reactions we are able to give people. To see Sam light up after you gave his father batteries for the camera, to see the two girls laughing non-stop as we bartered them, the whole “Pancake – FlapJack” scenario…they are blessed moments in time. Whatever is happening in our lives or in our world, I feel a little bit better knowing there are people like John and Ian around.
And, I agree with John….Look out world, the 3 Privateers are on the loose!
Thank you John for posting these stories. While I couldn’t attend this festival, you sure know how to describe your antics so well, that I can see them playing out in front of me and I *feel* like I was there. What FUN the 3 of you have, and I am envious of your talent for Improv.
Alas, I won’t be at Bristol this year either. Didn’t think I’d be able to go on any more trips after Dallas, but Huzzah! Turns out that I will get to the Sterling Faire in N.Y. for their last weekend. Haven’t been there in about 5 years, so I really am anxious to see it again.
Here, Here, Mates! I’m truly blessed as well to be able to call each of you friend. I never would have thought that when we first met 2 years ago on that frosty afternoon in Port that I would have life long friends. You guys are great and I love being able to celebrate our pirate fun and camaraderie with each other. The 3 privateers are on the loose, look out pirate world!