Just an update from Flashfresh.

Just wanted to give a shout out to all those readers who have emailed/evemailed me - I am fine and doing well. I have been with my mother most of this and last month: she's still in hospital and it's been a slow process for her. Another two weeks at least before she can be discharged but she's already got a secondary infection (bloody NHS!)

One never ever assumes that sickness and injury will be visited onto one's own family and when it does happen; your world tilts on it's axis and it can be difficult to find balance.

Naturally, my online time has been nil - though there's been many an occasion where I wanted to log in, jump onto vent and link it up my pirate brother and sisters and find plunder and ransoms. When I finally had time to check the forums after a long hiatus, it was with some sadness to see three of our pirate brothers leave the group - one entirely from New Eden while the other two went to other pastures anew. Our CEO was unavailable due to his own crisis and most of the board of directors were unavailable as well. However, the vitality of any corporation is from the injection of new blood and ideas and the newer members have largely stepped up and continued the looting and killing in our finest traditions. Check this tasty triple combo meal: a thanny, hulk and orca. Well done to Gorgoleon for (I think) organising it. He's turning out to be a right nasty Bastard. In the finest sense of course and younger pilots can learn a lot from him. He is an acknowledged expert in most things Minmatar, so seek him out if you want to find out about fitting a typhoon or maelstrom or cyclone. He's your man.

Happy San and Kamoonga and Persephone too. I love them all. Oh, just wanted to give a shout out to Happy San... he's been working hard on our ransom board and has a stylish blog to boot. Kamoonga is a killer of the highest order and Persephone has been fitting her size nines wonderfully in The Bastards.

So yes, pilot churn is inevitable in New Eden: no-one actually gets paid to log in daily and one's interest can wane quite quickly especially when the corp has too loose a structure with no organisation and active leadership. Luckily, The Bastards are not like that, we have, though it is far from perfect, organisation, structure and RoninData's distinctive style of leadership. An active forum and killboard and free corp resources as well. I can say the same for our sister corporation, The Hellcats though it is an interesting contest over who cracks the whip harder: Mynxee or RoninData. Both are excellent leaders with vision and so long as they're leading, others will follow.

A new cycle of recruitment will be starting very soon; we still have a few holdovers from previous cycles but each has a special case for retention. I hope to be involved in the next recruitment cycle, we've had to up the skill point limit to 6M now and would prefer more. There were some discussions to keep the skill point limit to 4M as a deference to The Bastards roots as a bunch of sweaty, inexperienced but enthusiastic pirates but pragmatism won the day.

This should be a the ideal way for me to keep involved in The Bastards considering my reduced time. I have been told that our new and improved FAQ will be made available and visible on our website so that most of our enquiries can be answered without the need for a personal reply.

Other news: The Bastards alliance is reforming and we've dropped all our war declarations - it's a tad expensive for an alliance to war dec it would seem and since we're poor pirates, our income being solo from piracy, it was, again, the wise and pragmatic decision. In this alliance we bring in The Hellcats as before. Makes the synchronisation of standings so much easier now! Finally, Flashfresh is on Twitter, join in and er, tweet away.

I hope to be back very soon and will start to get involved in the new recruitment and then build up my flight time until I get my pilot's license back....

EVE Pirate Blog Speed-linking November 2008

November 2008 New Eden Pirate Blog Round Up.
As you all know, there's more and more blogs out there and difficult to keep track of. The speedlinking below includes only recently updated pirate based blogs. Manasi and Ombey, as much as I love them both don't feature in this list unless they have done something 'naughty'. CrazyKinux however, has most, if not all other non-pirate blogs covered.

I did notice something quite interesting: it does appear that at least five pirate bloggers are with The Bastards now and fly together on a regular basis. With the two regular Hellcats (Mynxee and Shae Tiann) flying with the Bastards on a regular basis as well; that's seven pirate bloggers all flying together. Good times indeed and readers can expect plenty of output.

Now, to the Blogs and recent entries as of 14-24th November 2008......

• Not all blogs are our own recounting of ransoms and kills; we have some very talented writers too and Thicker than Blood: Chapter One by one of my favourite lady pirates, Shae Tiann, is an atmospheric and tightly-written piece of work. Recommended reading by pirates and non-pirates alike. However, her post on frigate swarm is a fun recounting of the same mad-cap action that I was involved in. It's aptly called 'It's only a blob is you die'. Indeed it is. Oh, just realised that Shae has now Thicker than Blood: Chapter Two up and available. Now get your ass over to her blog.
  
• While I only play EVE-Online, I do like to keep abreast of other games and Havohej goes one further and carries on the pirate antics in Pirates of the Burning Sea MMORPG with a nice article on the Deliverance Heavy Frigate and the the Tiger Sleek Frigate. Like I said, I don't inhabit any other universe apart from New Eden but PotBS looks fascinating. Real wet navy yarrage.
  
• Mynxee and some of her Hellcats have been flying with us and her blog entries has always been a great read. I love this one about how aspiring bloggers can add some love to their blog. A wonderful article and I highly recommend it. Additional to thought provoking ones, we have a tale of busting mission and exploration runners here and Mynxee's own recollection of our frigate swarm in her post: Tiny HoofBeats from hell, is a nice read. By the time you read this, Mynxee should also be on her 100 or 101st Blog post. Happy Blogging Mynxee!!
  
• Pirates are people too and Wensley celebrates his birthday. Pop over to his page and say hi. I did and so should you, dear reader. However, what about tales of yarrage and mayhem? Well, his pirate corporation, the Tuskers is growing stronger day by day and Wes gives a nice update on them.
  
• Specre3353 has now joined The Bastards and for a time was top of our killboard. Such a bad boy and check out his picture of a baby sandwich, in all seriousness - he is a superb pilot and a wonderful addition to our group. This entry has the tale of an ejecting pilot who had his ship ransomed back to him for a cool 200 million isk; a result in anyone's books. He also has some words about those who are cocky as well as his much prepared hiatus from New Eden. Come back soon Spectre3353!!
  
• With the recent changes in Quantum Rise; there have been many reactions - San Rintu pens a few, well written paragraphs on the Assault Frigate class ship, much neglected but now being shown some love. Of course, he also chats about the infamous FC'ing cow.....read it here.
  
• Marleus, from Iron Fleet makes a welcome return to the pirate blogsphere with a post informing us that Iron Fleet are now in the same alliance as Suddenly Ninjas, a bunch of pilots who, well - 'acquire' your loot and wrecks. I think it can be best summed up as 'we're cloaked and we're in YOUR mission.' Indeed, now all mission and complex runners, be afraid. Tchell Dahhn's manifesto is here for all to see and to understand their position.
• Another corp mate of mine, Hallan Turrek, drops in a thoughtful post of 'what is the point?' - indeed; but there is a point isn't there? However, Hallan (like Shae) is also a fine fiction writer and please, please check the first in what I hope to be a superb installment: 'Death in the Family: Chapter 1'. His latest post is aptly titled 'It ain't suicide if you live.' - which Hallan has proven time and time again when he throws his rifter into absolutely crazy odds. Love that man.
  
• Not forgetting another female pilot of a pirate-like persuasion is Super Gamer House Wife, didn't realised she was part of the Ninja Pirates, but an enjoyable read.
• Now, a myrmidon is a mighty battle cruiser and Ka Jolo, a pirate of much renown regales us with his ship kill in this vessel and an enjoyable tale of revenge on Furb Killer. While his latest blog post; he explains that as CEO - it isn't all pew-pew and the sound of isk.
  
• I haven't heard much from Kane Rizzel during the months of Oct and early Nov as he had taken some much needed time off from being plugged into his various ships of doom but I hoped he kept up with news and we were all looking forward to his return......and speak of the devil - Guess who is back? also, since this entry Kane has been getting his teeth into many a foe and Rifter GoGoGo post epitomises Kane's professionalism and skill as a solo pirate. He's back and he's still the best.
  
• Anders has a tale to tell on his recent trip to Iceland and the fanfest. The Bastards are already talking about going to Fanfest 2009. I can't wait.
• OK OK - Manasi isn't a pirate but his post on over-view settings had to be linked here 'cause it is cool, so useful and damn well written.
  

New Pirate blogs ( well new to me!)

• Biz Quick, a pirate from Molden Heath has some great RL news here.
• BlackHeart, another new pirate in New Eden tries to get her head around the scanner in her latest musings. I wonder if she is a candidate for the Hellcats?
• Cussbeard was an applicant to The Bastards but switched to learn more with the much respected EVE University. We hope to see him in space once he has graduated. In his latest post, he talks about Alienhand and his tunes.
  

EVE Pirate Blog speed-linking October 2008

New Pirate Blogs:
A shout out to two new pirate blogs, both by corp mates:

We have San Rintuu and VBSarge.

Also, the Hellcats (those crazy women-only pirates) have a new blogger with them: Step forward 'Karjan' and her literary offering, 'Hooking my claws into the void...' Great title and good posts; am expecting more. She joins 'Life in low sec' by Myxnee and 'Sweet little bad girl' by Shae Taen to form a unholy triumverate of female Hellcat blogging power.


Recent Pirate Blogs That I Read And Liked:

• There's a wonderful write up by San of a hook-up between The Bastards and The Hellcats. San's account oozes with his customary style and humour. I loved it. Read it here.
• Everyone loves George Michael and The Bastards decided on a roam with nothing but T1 cruisers (mainly ruptures and thoraxs) with the following caveats: no tank and each one named after a famous WHAM ! or George Michael song. Was it funny? Yes. Was there pain being dished out? Yes. Will The Bastards do it again? Hell yeah. Watch out for some 80s band coming to a constellation near you. Take it away George.
  
• Does honour exist in New Eden? Of course it does but KaJolo goes into some depth into it's discussion and how it applies to piracy. A thoroughly enjoyable read. KaJo talks about Honour in New Eden.
• Mynxee and her hell cats have been on my radar for a while and our very own San Rintuu had inspired her to create her very own comic strip. Looking forward to some more great content from the CEO of the women-only pirate corp, The Hellcats. Life in Low Sec: Those Bastards Made Me Do It
• Well Lanissum certainly lives up to his reputation as an uncaring carebear. The evemail from the angry pod pilot he ransomed sometimes makes the world go round and round. Read Yarr Yum here: Yarr Yum: New Home, New Gang, New Targets.
• For those who ask, why do you pirate? Well one reason is that the loot and isk to good. Another is that we're doing something that is challenging and fun. Yet another reason is amply recounted by Spectre3353 as he hunted and killed a very angry noob. Read and drink in the tears here: EVE Newb: Killing Stuff Is Fun
• One of my best friends and colleagues is Kane Rizzel. He is balls to the wall type of pilot and still one of only a handful that I know who still pirates more or less solo. A very hard man, a very able pirate, a very good writer. This following post is writing in a very winning style...Kane Rizzel - a Pirates Perspective: I get knocked down, but I get up again.
• Blinky Blinky is a new blog, by Avan Sercedos. A rather angry, slighty crazy Caldari. I love it. More please.
  

New SpeedLinking

I love blogs, especially the pirate ones. Here's a selection of the thoughts, accounts and boasts from some of the pirates of New Eden that I found fun and interesting in the last two weeks (or so), that I wish to share with you all:

• Kane Rizzel acts a teacher and ladles out the knowledge of the YARR to some pilots in the art of pirating class. In my view, Kane is one of the best solo pirate out there. Young prospective pilots can start with Kane right here.
• Sweet Little Bad Girl does some farmer killin' but don't let the title 'Isk Farmers are People too' fool you. A member of the all-female pirate group, the 'Hellcats' led by a blogging favourite of mine: Mynxee. Drop by their killboard and see how these vixens are terrorising and plundering the unwary and unprepared.
• But wait, I could not forget Mynxee. Oh no. She has penned a wonderful poem called 'Are you Pi-Curious' and I have played this a number of times to my crew. She's our new pin-up. Will have to drag out the cat 'o' nine tails to instill some discipline.
  
• Down by Law by Pegleg Punk - 'Dirty Frarn' - very good account of how he turned the tables on a bear and drank deeply from the inexhaustible cup of carebear tears. Great stuff from a pirate that will be setting the skies of New Eden on fire.
• Tiger's Space Journeys by Geaux Tiger - Another new pirate blog, yaarr...yes, he urges us, his piratical brothers and sisters to have a 'talk like a pirate' day. Tiger, I let my guns do the talking but YARR.....
  
• Suddenly Ninja's is the most popular Ninja Salvaging and Looting Corporation in EvE Online and I fully approve of their actions. Great website and blog and love the merchandise. Their current post is about Carebear Tears. Mmmm, delicious. Mission runners beware; SN will come knocking on your door soon.
  
• Havojeh has a great brain and writes well, click here as he discusses the recent CCP changes.
• Ka-Jolo's lust for loot and plunder forced him to take his thorax into Empire space. The results were not pretty, read it here.

A long(ish) blog post is coming - just putting the finishing touches on it. It's an update on what I have been doing and my plans for the future - thanks for the evemails guys.

EVE Pirate Speedlinking

I love to read what other pirates are doing so here's a run down of some funny pirate stories that I have read as well as a recap on some other entries. Crazykinux does a great job with an overall speed-linked update but for specific pirate content? Well, hope this effort of mine helps! I know my good friend Votrian is doing something similar for explorers like himself.

• Kane Rizzel. One of the best solo pirates in New Eden. Mission running locals avoid him like the black death. Holder of a recognised speed record in New Eden (will find the link) and a friend and respected pilot to me and others, has hit a milestone: 1000 kills.Congratulations. Hop over to his blog and check out his cool tattoo..
  
• Your money or your life is a well-written blog by Ka Jolo, a pirate of some standing. He talks about the etiquette of the 'GF' we all write in local, whether you've just had your ass handed to you or did some killing yourself.
• EVE Newb (not a noob to be honest) in a classic encounter against x3 battleships versus his inty, a cruiser and a frigate. They kicked ass, the entry is quite recent so read it while it's still smoking. Plenty of chat and post on the eve-forums too.
• Justice in the Dark Universe is Cid Drakir's account of how he turned the tables on an idiot. Cid isn't a pirate but the story was too good to be excluded.
• I love salvaging stuff in space and Ironfleet have made it their own. A fun tale of sneaking in, stealing a can from a miner and then high-tailing it out of there...while the miner is completely unaware! They'll take anything not nailed down to a planet. I love it.
• Mynxee updates us all on her comings and goings in low-sec. I agree, sall cyno-ships must die.