Hello Laureen.  Hi Duncan - Ive been out doing mu usual life juggling.  
Ok.  So.. I read this thread and Im definately up for it.  Of course Ill say that the logistics would have to be worked out though I think its a good idea.  
 The Cleaver and I are paired so far on this endeavor of mine.  He is to run a remote tavern/microbrewerey about 12 miles away from the castle site.  (I didnt want to mess around with the zoning on that one and also deemed that a microbrewery was too ill befitting fo the castle grounds.
 The cleaver is coming with me this October to the east coast.  I go to Connecticut and he goes to his home town... Boston.  Well isnt that convenient?
 I will be expanding my business onto the mainland within a year.  I have found my replacement locally and am grooving him in.  Im now at a point in time where I can afford to be off the production lines of the company maybe 35% of the time, freeing me up to work on the castle construction time line.  thats whats been happening recently.  
   I need to do things in sequence - so my focus at this point is legal, research (land survey and realtor work), business (im incorporating now) and design (been reading ,sketching etc)
 I would saay that I would like to talk and figure out what types of things could be exchanged and whatnot.  That is always welcome.
 Got anything inparticular in mind?

Ok.  This is the 4th attempt at posting this data - grrr  - ok -

 I was a part of a bartering group which I left because it had two points of unworkability: inflated prices where not eveyone was inflating so some got shafted and the fact tht you could only get what others had to offer - limited buying ability.  I think that making the point system or whatever tally system based off of prevailing wages for the given trade would handle the inflation thing and it would keep it fair.
I also think that arranging individual deals on a contractoral basis where each party involved had expectancy of the outcome would be beneficial - that way people have prediction of the outcome rather than hoping that they could make good on their deal later or ending up not being able to receive exchange for what they already delivered to someone else.
 Were the above factors taken into consideration and a system adopted that incorporated these, I would be willing to invest my time and effort toward making it work.  Here are some addt'l things Ive thought of that could be traded or barterred or whatever:
 Equiptment such as an idle back hoe.  idle crews particularly if they have already been schooled or put throught the mill on the speciualty construction methods being employed in castle construction: that would eliminate the need to go and find old-school craftsmen or train new ones.  These crews could be borrowed and paid at cost if logistics allowed for it.
 
   Long distance labor (ldl) seems to me when I view it to be most easily accomplished when it consists of things that dont require on-site type work.  Some examples could be drafting, architectural, reserach, legal leg work, advise, real estate type work etc.  More in a bit...

Photog, eh?  Got your own equiptment and all tthat?  What types of jobs do you do/can you do?

The prevailing wages thing covers both skilled and unskilled work.  I plan on meeting my needs for schleping by aquiring local labor help ranging from 7-10/hr for unskilled through 12-18 for semi skilled, around 20 for journeymen and foremen/master guys etc at 25+.
 I would recommend finding what skill or contribution you have or can produce that would be most valuable as that would give the greatest leverage.  I intend on finding a kid just out of school who doesnt want the responsibility of a full time job who does want just a little pocket money or some such thing (and a curious desire to stack rocks... ??? )

 The cleaver and I had this other idea to use volunteers... it only really work if it was done at the right times - dont wanna have  scores of uncontrolled people creating disaster aall over the place at any given time but i have found out through surveys done by myself that the response to the thought of being invited to work on a castle is met with high interest.  There are also volunteer groups that are out lookingg for something to do.  See, its the aspect that youre doing something different thats appealing.  I think there would be several groups that would jump at the chance.  the bigger problem will be keeping them away when theyre not surpossed to be there - were I still 19 I promise Id be drinking beer on your roof top with a few friends ...more later....     Hey!  I miss my  :beerchug: guys!  :(

Scott drinks moat*#@er

ok...it worked  

Thanks.  Ill just make like this coffee is the guiness - actually (and i need to say this while hanging my head in shame) I drink light beer if anything. >gulp< dont shoot me.  Cleave likes the bottom of the barrel stuff-Im a wuss in the beer department.
 On the money scene, Im not wealthy either.   But necessity has made it so that I have been generating more.  Been learning investing (thanks for nothing Mom and Dad) and making my business grow more- and these successfuly so far.
 I recently aquired my first realisttic lead to an investor group.  Ill have to wait to see how that turns out.  If its really good tthen ill be sure to tell them to not fund any of you other guys so I can finish first and give you guys the old "nanny-nanny-boo-boo".    :D
 Much of the content of your last post smells much like things that Duncan and I have discussed in earlier posts; I know the road - Im not through it yet but Im quite familiar with it by now.  
 On partnerships/voint ventures and that sort of thing:  My viewpoint is to make it and remain the guy in charge (Iv'e already reserved tthe seat as "King")  I also know that it isnt real to create something this big alone.  Im no tyrant, but I guess I should have to say that my criteria for a partnership type position is rather stiff - the other person would really have to be able to bring something big to the table before I would consider it an option.
 I know Ill be needing intellegent, responsible people in the corporation.  Duties will be delegated to these people (and salaries).  Ill leave that neutrally at that point.    things can change too.  
 I think the land you own (part of? all of?) is a great potential tool.  Can do alot with that: sell, develop, lease.  
 I should tentatively invite you to attend a convention that Ill be holding in Conn in the fall (Oct)  its now a convention because Ive got people from Ct, NY, Hawaii and Ma goiing there - youre welcome to jump in if you wish.  The purpose is to fill in everyone whos currently involved in the castle thing at once so they all have the correct order of magnitude and to dispel any flakey ideas of pie in the sky.

Scott drinks moat*#@er

Hey Scott drinks moat*#@er...if you don't mind me asking, why on earth would you go from beautiful, warm sunny Hawaii to cold, dreary NE? We get about 6 weeks of nice weather a year.

If you are going to be in NE for Oct, you guys should make the pilgrimage and experience Halloween in Salem...it's a trip. Besides witches and weirdos  ::  Salem has an amazing maritime history. It used to be THE connection to India and the East. There is a first rate museum here for art and the eastern trade.  

Also, Hammond Castle is about 20 minutes from here.  Its a beautiful castle on the ocean. Parts of old medeival castles and buildings were imported to build this thing. One wall in the conservatory is made from old headstones...roman I believe.   www.hammondcastle.org    

Ok..I need brew(coffee)...can't think anymore...need to wake up...

Speaking of brew...please tell me your gonna have a nice so-dark-I-can't-see -through-it brew in your tavern.  Nothing says medieval more than something you can stand your spoon up in...kidding....I just really like a good, dark stout.  Brew some mead and I am definitely coming down...in fact, I'll volunteer to sweep the floor and wash the dishes.      :rotflmao.gif:  

ok...back to coffee.....

I had thought about a convenience store... why are you still copying me?
Nah, I had just thought that it would be good to also own land in the nearest prime commercial area (crossroads) due to the possibility of future expansion.
 On the smilies: they do move on my pc.  Its just that they stop moving shortly - so obviously it must be something with the dial-a-slug computer Im on.
Theres got to be some kind of memory problem or wwhatnot.  whatever.
 I just talked with the New York brothers.  theyre enthusiastic about the microbrewery  :beerchug.gif:  :jump1.gif:
 Now the test is are they going to follow up and start learning quickly whats needed in that field...we'll see.

Wow.  Werent we discussing a labor pool?  Guess it goes ttha way sometimes, eh?
 
Hey, with the daylight savings time thing going on I hope you guys have stocked up on your coffee!!  we dont observe that here in Hawaii so....  ha-ha! you guys have to get up earlier!!

Scott drinks moat*#@er

If you are on this site more than likely you wish to build a castle or folly. Some of us, if we ever hope to achieve this, will need to do most of labor ourselves. This forum is for those interested in bartering labor or skills to help us all reach our goal of building our own castle.

The basic concept: An electrician can barter for masonry work. A draftsman can volunteer design plans for landscaping etc.

Let's open this forum to ideas on forming a "barter pool." I say pool instead of straight trade because we do not all live right next door to each other...so to speak. I am thinking there may be a way that I  can help build in Connecticut (I live in Boston) and in return Duncan can get some help in Oklahoma.  Of course, you can always travel for straight trade if you want to get away for a few weeks.  Anyone need help in Scotland??   ::

Ok...anyone interested?...Any ideas?

The idea sounds good and just might help many people building their dreams.  :)

With the technology we have today much can be done from one's computer desk, a few images scanned in or just your drawings posted with what you have in mind can get you started.
When your ready, those you've talked with in the forums and gotten to know, will be able to help with the actual construction.
That takes a lot of the guess work out of hiring labor or even contractors.

For my contribution right now, I'm not able to travel much due to running the business and what construction is going on around here.  
So my offer of help will have to be on the line of blue prints or drawings and what experience I have with the building trades.  

Good Morning...

MY original thought on the bartering issue was something along the lines of a "pool" or "account."  

(Forgive me if I am not clear, it is early and I haven't made it through the first cup of java yet)

There is the obvious straight trade that can be done...an electrician can trade wiring for masonry work if both are in the same geographical location or if travel is not an issue.

My thought...stressing here just a thought...was what if we could think of a way to somehow put points or something into an "account" so perhaps an auto mechanic could barter his skills as well.

Also, something like this may make the geography issue a non-issue. For example, Duncan in OKlahoma could draw up my plans (I'm in Boston)...he gets so many "points" for this....I turn around and help you with labor in Conn...somehow ...this is the "big how do we make this work" question....Duncan gets paid back for helping me by John Doe who owes the pool for the electrical help he received on his castle.  I know this is not very clear or thought out, which is why I posted. I was hoping there would be others interested and we could work out a plan together. I do believe it would be a good way for all of us to gain experience and accomplish the building of our castles. Not to mention, it would be just plain fun to meet other people who are crazy enough to want build a castle  ::

Is this possible? No clue. Just thought I'd throw it out there and see what happens. I am always up for straight trade if nothing else.

Hey guys.
 Ive read the posts above and like the idea.  Ive been trying to post a good reply but keep on getting disconnected and loose the post so I dont know wwhats going on - probably my server but....  so at least I want to say that I got it on that stuff and it sounds good and Im working on giving more input.
meanwhile Im just going to get this acknowledgement on the board.
signed,
Pulling ones hair out.

(Continued from above post)

I say lets just do the thing and tweek it as we go in order to make it work.  I know i wouldnt have gotten as far aas I have if I had said "nope, cant be done."
 Im up for individual deals of whatever nature that can be stuck between myself and another.      :D

Im reluctannt to  give or receive services for which there is no sound plan for reciprocation.  Spells bad news to me.  
Triangle trades are fine if all are in agreement.
 but I thik that since there is a sort of "flow" thas gotten going here  with this tthing on barter tha we run with it and see where it will go.
 The Cleaver and I are both going to tthe mainland to scope out the area more thoroughly - I plan on staying for about 1.5 months this time.  thats my next big move.
 Im also not adverse to taking a trip to say castle duncan as a learning expedition (not really, I just wanna have a beer chug of fermented milk...) and while there contribute to the ongoing affairs (ie bait and tease and ask inept questions).  That would be ok.
 Gee, guys while Im at it i should mention that Cleave and I have really gotten down some of the details of our castle stuff - its getting very in focus.  looking more solid.  

Thats it for now.  When i get back to my other home where my computer is Ill get around to image posting again.  Whatcha think?  ... hey, this is somewhat similar to trading lunch items in the cafeteria in grade school, eh? .....  Hey Duncan,... You gonna drink your milk?...

Sorry but I have no idea why the connection problem.  

Yeah I was in a group for a very short amount of time too.
I think that negative experience helped me to see how something like this can and should work with fairness all around.

Not sure about using local estimates alone, maybe also compare them with others from the state that the second party is from to get a better idea of the cost break down (?)

I like the ideas so far and agree using them would help make this work.

I forgot to mention something else I can bring into this deal, brain fade I guess, is period metal work.

Sure I'll meet with you. Got some nice places around here to eat and sit and talk if your around this area.
I'm superstitious after every thing that has happened whilst working on this place so until it gets further along no one goes there, I'm very sorry but like I said I'm being overly cautious.

You ask the inept questions and I'll supply the inept answers, sounds like a comedy to me!

To coin a phrase, it's always good when a plan comes to gather.
Looking forward to seeing what you guys have come up with.

QUOTE

Duncan,... You gonna drink your milk?...

no you can have it, I've never acquired a taste for it me self, just don't laugh to hard, I have no idea of what it might do to your sinus's.     LOL

while you guys are figuring prices, don't forget to put a number on grunt work...some of us aren't skilled in drafting and electrical....although, I could give you killer architectural photos like you see in magazines  ::  I am also good with period fabrics and decor.  Anyway...point being I can schlep stuff and I'm always willing to learn how to build.

Another point here...   this is related to the "It doesnt necessarily have to be a castle related product in order to be exchanged"....   I will be forming a corporation comprised of construction co, real estate, taven (bar+grill/microbrewery) and Castle B+B.  Theres quite a few facets within that sphere that makes for many exchange possibilities.  Any motions made that would benefit my company (currently 95% painting) could be bartered.
 Know whats valuable to me?  The ability to delegate a project tto someone who will haandle the whole thing in its entirety and get it done.  There are going to be plenty of those projects all along the way.

Scott drinks moat*#@er

ok...the image didn't attach    

I believe the attachments are set at about 600 by 800 if that helps.
I like the one of the lady on the widow seat, very nice work!

QUOTE

I was thinking about putting in a chapel, great hall and about 10 bedrooms...all of which could be rented out for functions and small retreats

If you have told me this already please forgive me, I aint awake yet....What kind off castle do you have in mind? A enclosure type or keep?
The keep is the easiest to add to and is the cheapest type to build in many ways.

Hey Scot let me wake up and I've got some ideas for ya.  

Actually Scott drinks moat*#@er, yes I have thought about doing a joint venture. To be honest, my personal goal was to someday before I die...and was trying like heck to do before I am 50, build a decent reproduction castle. Now, since I am not independently wealthy, I have been trying to figure out how to accomplish this. One thought was to build something I could rent out such as a hall. Then I thought that if I could build a chapel I could rent the place for weddings. Personally, I'm not particularly picky on where I settle down. My desire to build is stronger than a desire to pick a place to live. Personally, New England keeps me close to family. I do not particularly like the weather as warm and sunny and ocean is my preference but hey, dreary and cold sorta keeps it authentic...no?   ::  Anyway, I too am keeping options open. I am not ready to build. I am hoping to purchase land within 5 years and build ...hopefully complete...in 10. If it happens faster..woohoo! I am trying to be realistic figuring I am going to be doing this alone. (I'll be the weird little old lady that lives alone in a castle and all the neighborhood kids torment  :laugh: ) I fully anticipate that plans and expections will change a gazillion times over the next ten years.  


Have a Guinness....this round is on me...you too Duncan.

Slainte!

QUOTE

I am trying to be realistic figuring I am going to be doing this alone. (I'll be the weird little old lady that lives alone in a castle and all the neighborhood kids torment  

Uh.... how are they going to torment you when your the one in the castle?
You can always have your windows above ground floor level so they have a harder time throwing rocks at them.
Besides we can build you a counter siege engine to throw rocks back at them, whooops better not do that!!!  

You know speaking of that sort of thing, the windows I mean, in LA along time ago I saw a model of a Roman manner house, or castle as it can be called. Squire and several storeys high with no windows near the ground on the outside walls. All others facing in to the inner court yard and gardens, it had a terrace at second floor and a covered porch at ground level, truly a beautiful house.

Hey Scot it seems to me that a castle builders convention might be needing a photog, you might nicely ask Laureen if she would make the shoot.

Meg and I have no desire to be royalty of any sort, notice my title above the avatar which means simply owner or person that has to be in charge.
I know what you meant Scot but had to throw my two since in any way.  

I have no doubts either of you could be finished building long before me.
In the past my sort of construction took hundreds of people usually several years to finish and they had much more money, stone, and timber then I do.
Until the day this thing is occupied and moved into, I consider it my dream. I can't allow my self to think of it any other way just in case something happens and it doesn't get built.

In this dream of ours the plans call for it being over 200 feet wide and just over 200 feet long with over 80,000 squire feet of usable floor space under roof.
There are no walls thinner then 8 feet and most are 10 made up of lime mortar/concrete and stone, the old fashion way.
The main tower is near 100 feet above ground level, counting a Mott of near 25 feet in height.
I have the plans for the Tavern and the other buildings with in the secondary walls but I'm not counting all that at the moment because the castle comes first.

Yup we're here to help make dreams become real and to come alive, which takes work and work and work and  

(Trying to take up the earliest topic first)
Convention: I was thinking about this today and have decided for the most part to hold one big or small.  The both of you are invited - along with anyone else who could make the trip.  Dont have an agenda just yet but it would include New England seafood      Touring of A colonial whaling community (really thick with heritage),  plenty of time to discuss matters and all that.  Im buying the lobster

 Positions within my company:  There most positively will be several of positions ranging from horticultural, administrative, hospitality, maintenance, etc etc.  Smaller jobs can be doubled or tripled-up with other duties ; I dont expect to be paying someone to be the designated "archery range arrow retrieval in-charge"  I do think that 1-2 hospitality personell will be needed and their duties would span all requirements of the guests - that would include tours.  I dont intend public tours at the castle - perhaps college students doing a study or kids in gradeschool on a field trip but otherwise its intended to be exclusive.  The general public can hang out at the remote bar/grill/microbrewery and drink our exclusive brand:

                                   "  moat*#@er  "    :

The Tavern is intended to procure prospects for the castle B+B.

topping off that topic I would say first that I recommend to you to not minimize your own strength, power or ability.  Be true to your own goals.  If you really want to strike out and do your own... well then.... attack!  It requires more mental skill, intention and perserverence than it does dinero.  A rich fuddy duddy who couldn't envision anything would never be able to pull it off.

Back to the convention thing - I get the idea that meeting with others would be beneficial to all.  Im already hosting a "thing" in CT this fall with everyone who's in on it so far; Cleave (chef and culinary artist/business partner) , My uncle "captain-got-connections",  two New York brothers (one's a bar tender, the other long term loyal friend of mine that i trust with money) and various of "captain-got-connections"' assosiates ranging from contractors to real estate to all that mumbo-jumbo -####!:nod.gif:

What say  ye?
Scott drinks moat*#@er

Ok, your on!  Except I wont really make you sweep up nd do dishes.  I recently learned that the brewing procedure produces lighter and darker beer in the one vat used - didnt know that before - know practically nothing about brewing.  But anyway, the idea certainly is to offer our own premium brand ranging from the light stuff (my whimpy preference) to the opaque sludge at the bottom that some choose to call a beverage.

 A few major reasons that Im moving to CT are first available space:  you cant buy acreage over here unless its on the big island - too unpopulated and not my thing. Then theres the factor that a castle doesnt belong here ; inappropriate and would be met with disapproval by a significant percentage of the populace including Hawaiian activists - people want tropical Hawaiiana, not medieval.
 Also the pace here is very slow.  I dont fit in.  At times i feel like Jerry Maguire trying to do business while at a vactaion resort when everyone else is only intrested in staying still long enough to even their tan.   Further, the education level is poor and that breeds a Jerry Springer environment.  I still want to come back at my choosing mainly for surf, sun etc (probably what you'd think of when Hawaii is mentioned).   But the road rage Ive aquired alone is enough tto at lest make me think of moving.  Plus its congested, getting overpopulated and I do better in an east coast environment where there are more mover-and-shaker types.

I have an intrest in seeing Hammond castle - and any others that are available to be seen.  Its already in the plan for my girlfriend and I to go North and tour Boston and the surrounding area.  The colonial thing is new to her and she likes it.  Interestingly, she's been to Scotland and says she really liked it.  So much that she's been twisting my arm to go there again.  Ive never seen it except in movies - been to New Zealand though, and it looks something similar but with taller mountains.  Green is nice.  Thats one plus point that Hawaii does have.

whats tthe deal with Salem aat Halloween?  Give me some details.  If its worth it we might go.  Im a Halloween fanatic into making detailed costumes (got some killer, bust-your-gut-laughing stories too).  On the island of Maui theres this annual big Halloween festival where people fly in from all over - turns out something like 30-50 thousand people -many with costumes theyve been working on all year.

Yeah, right....  forgot about the  "lobstah" and "chyeowdah".  Salem thing sounds good.  Ill be looking more into it as it seems that may be the most happening place over there.  The thing on Maui must be similar - but the NE thing just is so much more appropriate for Halloween.

Something we had considered but changed our minds about was a convenience store on one of the four way corners of our land. The idea got shelved because of the amount of regulations concerning fuel tanks around here so the little store idea was modified into something else.
Now if I can remember what else I wanted to include a few posts back  :bbfft.gif:

yeah thanks a lot for the reminder, oh how we hate that stupid money maker for the utility company, I wish they would just stop messing with things and leave nature alone.
Ok I'm off my gripe box and on to something much better.

I'm not sure how your deal with your family will work. Just glad you can get them in your corner with your plans.

Obviously, I should not attempt to post early in the morning without having coffee. Please forgive the spelling errors and omitted words.   ???

Hey Scot glad you made it back.

In the new forums I'll add a
* point system area,
* a list for members who sign up for exchanging work,
* members contact info can be gotten from their profiles and any extra items needed like address's or phone numbers can be on a one to one bases.

Any thing else you guys can think of?

I can also give this forum a password if needed.

I think this idea can function in the practical since. As Laureen has pointed out we need to iron out a few of the particulars.

Maybe assign points on a monetary value of work performed.
My opinion is most of the work should carry the going market rate that could be balanced with out side estimates from different contractors for a 'fair trade'.
I'm not saying any one would cheat just trying to off set any problems that might arise.
I know some of the work couldn't really be placed on this out side scale so maybe should be under a miscellaneous header.

Just my thoughts on a Monday morning after 1 cup of coffee.

On the prices of labor etc: yeah, whatever is overall the correct price taking all into account.  Thats cool.  Good thing that metalworkers only get paid .43 cents per hour.... sure - Ive got plenty of work for you...  
  But really, on the metalworking thing thats a valuable commodity.  I had it in mind to r+d my own and then get the needed equiptment and manufacture them (teach someone and set them up at it and let them pound away) but thats an example of something that could be more easily achieved by someone who was already set up and had the tools and all that.  
 I was thinking about the oak tha Ill be generating.  I plan on drying it on site - probably take 1.5-2 years (gatta check the books) but the thought herer is that theres quite a bit of felling going on in tthe surrounding areas and so why not just load up the drying area (kiln?) with whatever oak I can find.  Also plan on getting a saw mill - one of those portable ones that cost maybe $5K.
 While were discussing trades etc ... heres a question: how does one aquire scrap metal for free - say 1/4 thickness down to something like 15 gauge sheet metal that would be appropriate to use?  The idea wold be to stockpile usable scrap ahead of time.

 Meeting would be good....but how am I going to ask inept questions if I cant see the place? ... Oh, I guess tthe questions will just have to be REALLY inept.  yeah, the conversation would sound like playing "20 questions".

ok... more later.
Scott drinks moat*#@er

DISCLAIMER: its 7 AM... not responsible for anything here until I have had my coffee...

Hey Scott drinks moat*#@er... seems you are doing in Conn what I wanted to do in Vermont. My family has 800 acres between Killington and Woodstock.  I was thinking about putting in a chapel, great hall and about 10 bedrooms...all of which could be rented out for functions and small retreats...I'm thinking about future income opportunities as I am not getting any younger and I won't be able to schelp photo equipment around forever.

I am a partner in a photography company called FMC Photography By Design. We run the gamut as far as what types of photography we do. My particular specialty  is commercial product and commercial portraiture. One of my partners does fantastic architecture and kids. The other does modeling portfolios and product.  We all do weddings and a specialty portrait concept I came up with called...for lack of a better term...self-expressive portraits.  We live in the Salem area, home of witches and weirdos. All of us are into the Ren thing and one of my partners does NERO. The concept for these portraits are photos of your "alter ego" or in some cases, the "real you."  ::  I think of it as Fantasy Photos for adults    I've attempted to upload an image of this..

Anyway, between the 3 of us we can pretty much shoot anything.

thanks!

Laureen,  thanks for the photo data.  Good stuff.  And Duncan, Im looking forward to whatever you have after the caffeine sets in.  I like the way one whos lacking adequate coffee stares blankly at the computer screen and has dull tthoughts about what tto write... somehow i tthink Im not the only one who experiences this...
 Laureen, just a stab of a question: Had you any thoughts of doing a joint venture with someeone?  Im pretty much set in doing what I have lined up and wouldn't be willing to move my chosen locations.  I did however want to check to see if there was any possibility in that, though.  
 Things could change more than tthey already have... theyve been changing.  Currently, Im looking at how diffeent pieces fit in the  puzzle and how those pieces could be made to work together to optimize performance.  But anyway, whats your view on doing your project? -  see, now I got the lack-of-coffee-confused-lingo going on.  Ok, Im ending before i say something really stupid.

Hey D...this forum is very cool...there are a lot of people here interested in the same things as me  :D  I just meant I'm gonna be building it alone...which is why I'm looking at construction companies like Castle Magic (if they are still around by the time I get to it) and I'll probably live there alone with my dogs...unless of course I rent out rooms ....nah, not appealing to me. I like your idea of no windows on the first floor to keep those pesky neighborhood kids away  ::  Wonder if I can get a dragon to guard the place

Ok...I'm babbling...sorry kids...major brain drain writing about customer sales and services.

Scott drinks moat*#@er...any place in your company for an elderly tour guide a few years down the road??  :p

Hallowen is like Mardi Gras...tons and tons and tons of people from all over the world...wall to wall people...shopping and partying in all the witch shops and bars. The Christians and the Pagans have their usual brawls downtown...some of the witch covens have public ceremonies...its wild. Might not be New Orleans but its just about the most interesting thing to do in NE for the season. My boyfriend is a firefighter and he is awed by the shear madness of it all. There is all sort of ghost story walks through grave yards, vampire balls, witch balls, you name it. Hammond Castle even runs a haunted house for the month of October. It is this areas largest tourist month.

http://www.hauntedhappenings.org/   this is the conservative site for Salem.

Its fun, you guys should visit.  And you get "lobstah" right off the boat. Every other person up here is a lobster fisherman.

QUOTE

course I rent out rooms  ....nah, not appealing to me. I like your idea of no windows on the first floor to keep those pesky neighborhood kids away    Wonder if I can get a dragon to guard the place  

A long time ago my step daughter whilst in her biology sturdies at university was considering this problems answer with a moat monster, I think she was going to start with a alligator garr and add a few things, hmmmmm shes been sort of quit lately maybe we should give her a call.

In the future years when all of our castles will be finished, technology will have gone forward with leaps and bounds, so the idea of mechanical dragons will be much more affordable then they might be now.
And maybe that boat ride in the moat also.

LOL....I like that.....but I am betting we could do something with cloning akin to crossbreeding and make a new species...

How are you guys? I haven't been on this week....way too busy

I'll have to ask her about that, I know she was rather serious about it. Right now it may have to wait as she is producing her own off spring and its due soon.
If she reads this I'm going to die   LOL    

We've been swamped just playing catch up and trying to get stuff done that always happens about this time of year.
We've been planting our garden and so far brought in over 4 tones of garden soil mix to put into the raised beds. Here at the house we have black clay which will pull the plant roots apart when it drys after being wet.
Seems most everybody's been busy this month.
I wonder what the Easter bunny spread with his eggs?  ???  :bouncing.gif:  

Laureen, thatnks for the info and link on the Salem Halloween stuff.  I believe i will be doing something with itt this year. probably going there.  
 Wanna plan to at least meet while Im in town?  It would be early/mid October.  
 Theres also the matter of the convention that Im hosting in Ct. in early/mid Oct.  Your'e certainly invited.  Wanna come?  Free lobstah!

Scott drinks moat*#@er

Sounds like fun....you can visit my new studio...I'll do some some photos for you. Keep me posted.

First off let me say that I am in no way an expert on castles nor their construction.

When you guys are getting to the building stage I'd like to extend my services on your sites when ever you might need some special help and or just when ever, of course this also has to be when I can break free.

I would enjoy helping out as much as I could if needed.

Some day in the far future I for see having you guys over to my site as well, I may not put you to work but then again I just might
Laureen a word to the Blondie, no long gowns on a construction site please. Not safe ::no-no.gif and I like you so I want you to be around a while longer

Yes, well, play it down if you wish...you're still the most knowledgeable guy around here on the subject. Thanks for the help-flow. it's truly appreciated. I'm sure that Scott drinks moat*#@er and I will be making a future trip to your site and work will not be out of the question. What better way to get into it before we start actual constructio on ours? Maybe sooner than you think....

yeah...and my Barbarian brothers are NOT making the trip without me! I promise...jeans and a t-shirt to help lug stuff!

Thanks for the offer but it wont be for a while yet. Far too many things going on right now and besides let me have some thing to show you guys first. I suspect it will be you three who I will get to help first.

YAY! I'll start working out now so I can actually be useful......lol

You've got time, lot's of time indeed.

Sweet...maybe I'll be superfit over 40 Barbie...not!

eeewwwww, Laureen - just... ewwww! you left yourself SOOOO wide open there!
Im not even gonna jab you with my super-sneaky-cyber-punch, though. Geez, soooooo tempting!!!
hmmm, lots and lots of time... hmmmm
Ok Ill be nice.
I hope w can all get together and party at Duncan-meisters too.

I know...I said eeewwwww too when I was posting....I am so not any of that....hiking and walking is about the extent of my excersise....I tried the whole gym thing...and ya know, its just totally sucks...plain and simple....I'm not a super model and ....oh well.

YAY....my coffee is ready....thank heavens...I can't even see yet

Dont worry, every castle-building construction site needs some "non-essential" to fly to the store for coffee and doughnuts...

Do they make a Witchey Barbie?

Well lets see.... Barbie who lives in Salem... hmmm.
yep, i think so.