The Jambar

Issue date: 9/15/05 Section: ae

The Pirate Captain Whil Piavis and his scurvy crew pose for a photo on the beach.

When most people talk like a pirate, they do it jokingly, but to the Student Government President of North Carolina State University, piracy is a way of life.

Last year, Whil Piavis, also known as the Pirate Captain, ran for the position and won. He conducts all of his meetings in full pirate attire and will only answer to the Pirate Captain. While some students have said that his unconventional platform made a mockery of their student government, he has brought about an increased interest in the organization on his campus.

In honor of International Talk like a Pirate Day, the Jambar recently interviewed the Captain about school politics, life as a pirate and the one day of the year devoted to swashbuckling scalawags.

Pirate Captain: Ahoy me lass.

The Jambar: Ahoy! Did you know Monday is International Talk Like a Pirate Day?

"Aye me lassie, put on by tha fine mateys at Talk Like a Pirate [www.talklikeapirate.com]. I done hope "blow me down" and "barnacles" bae as common as sand on a beach."

How has the student government presidency been going for you?

"It done bae swell. Tha admirals at this here port bae tha warmest souls I've ever done met on any o' tha seven seas. I have a whale o' a time work'n with the mateys. However there bae a small lot o' student senators still bae'n thier own fat merchant vessel selves full o nothin but themselves."

I've read that while some students seemed to think you are making a mockery of student government, there has been an increase in student voting. Has the interest remained high?

"Aye thoes bae tha lads, tha bilge rats say'n me only bae mak'n a mockery o them. Don't get me wrong, they deserve ta bae made a mockery of, then a chance at tha hempmens dance. However me staff bae doin' whats we needs ta bae doin' ta make sure students voices bae heard. As for thar election we done turned out a record percentage o' students and tha interest seems to stay quite high. We've had people even comm'n ta tha student
government meet'ns ta hear me words."

When did you begin acting, speaking and dressing like a pirate?

"As it were, me mother was a seagull and me father a boat. I done grew up on tha sea pillag'n loot'n and plundern. I've been told thar bae a lack of punctuation as well. I done suppose I was probably naked till I was about three years o' age. Then probably started dress'n like a pirate."

Wow, that is quite a tale. How did you end up in college?

"Me mates we're chas'n a landlubber who took a lik'n ta our belay'n pins when we stumbled across tha port o' North Carolina State University. Think'n we could use some learn'n we done stay'd."

Nice. Do you have any suggestions for us landlubbers on how to get the most out of International Talk Like a Pirate Day?

"Aye me lassy. Remember it's about be'n flavorful and loud, throw in a touch o salt and spite. Mix well with some dapper threads and ye should bae fine. If all else fails me new found mateys at www.bilgemunky.com and www.talklikeapirate.com done have kind words for ye. Oh how this magic box helps prospective pirates succeed in a land full of faux pirattitude."

What kinds of reactions do you get from people in general?

"First they walk slowly, looks back, we done points our swords at them and they falls off. But around this here port, many a lads have come from bloodly landlubbers ta full time scrogs and greet us with a warm 'yarr!'"

What are your plans for the future?

"Pirate Overlord? Pirate Dictator, mayhaps not, I bae content as The Pirate Captain. If one bae so bold as ta say 'it bae a pirate's life for mae'... but that bae cliche and I'd have ta take thar ear."

Well thanks for letting me interview you, and good luck with your term as student government president

"Thank ye much me bonnie lass."

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