I recently began to think of movies that I liked, and saw a recurring theme in said movies: Puzzles, adventure, a tiny bit of action (it really doesn't take a lot) intrigue, all rolled into a fictitious story are what I love the most. Then I realized that if you really look back at the best that the movie industry has ever made, the ones that really stand the test of time are the ones that have a lot of these elements in them. Why? It's simple, I think. I think we all want to BE those characters who do this. Sure, it's a form of escapism, but who wouldn't WANT to be Indiana Jones, or Westley from the Princess Bride, or Robin Hood, Captain Blood, etc. - the list is really quite extensive.
It is with this in mind that I have come up with the greatest (impractical) idea ever: I wish to beign a school. A university really, The U.S. Academy of Swashbuckling. It's been far too long since we've had good old swashbuckling adventures, and frankly, I think it might make the world a better place if there was more of it! I think it could be a 4-year degree, and yes, you would come out with a Bachelor's of Science in Swashbuckling. I debated about making this an art, but I think there's really a significant amount of science in it. SO, I began designing courses:
Semester 1:
101 - Swashbuckling in Literature 1(Survey)
102 - Fencing (Physical Education Requirement)
103 - Swashbuckling and Economics
104 - Swashbuckling Rhetoric
105 - The Rogue (Philosophy)
Semester 2:
106 - Swashbuckling in Literature 2(Survey)
107 - Acrobatics (Phys Ed)
108 - Swashbuckling Politics
109 - Gunpowder (Chemistry)
110 - The Pirate (Philosophy)
Semester 3:
Track 1 - For the lawful
201 - Swashbuckling in film
202a - Leadership through Lawful Order
203a - The King's Rule
204 - The physics of cannon
205 - The Lawman
Track 2 - for the unlawful
201 - Swashbuckling in film
202b- Leadership through Fear
203b- The Pirate's Law
204 - The physics of cannon
205 - The Lawman
Semester 4:
Track 1:
206 - Admiralty in Practice
207 - Navigation and Cartography
208a - The Ethics of Man
209a - Sailing
210a - Advanced Fencing
Track 2:
211 - A.V.A.S.T.(Field Experience) Always Vary Amont of Slaves and Thieves
212 - Amputation of Limbs
208b - The Ethics of Rum
209b - Heading That-A-Way
210b - Anything Is A Weapon: The Art of Improvisation.
OK, that rounds out the first two years of the curriculum. Perhaps more to follow, perhaps not. Of course, this will undoubtedly never happen, but it's been a fun time coming up with this stuff.
Thanks for Reading,
The Fat Kid
