Ruffian's Corner
The Ruffian's members post news from the road and their version of what happened last night.
5.30.2003
I weigh a meager 265lbs of pure beer muscle. I haven't seen too many good pipers that are skinny. Just trying to uphold the tradition (and that's about the only one).
5.28.2003
Again, a post from Dan. At least this one is for May!
May 21, 2003
I'm so exhausted, yet so energized at the same time. I just want to drink myself into a stupor to quiet the war that's raging in my head. So many ideas, so many directions, so many dreams are all starting to manifest themselves. I still know that I have to update the corner, but the shout-outs and hellos will come later. You are all in my thoughts, all in my heart.
Besides all the dreams that are vigorously pushing their way toward fruition, there is so much outside happiness too. Mattie Mac, drunken Ruffian piper extraordinaire has recently graduated from college and I still want to take you out for a drink one of these nights. My sister, Magrat has graduated college. I'm very proud of you Mag! I'm very proud of all of you. So many of you are really moving on in life. Sean, Katie, Mary, Mag, all the siblings are doing so well. I missed Sean's graduation because of immature stupidity, and anger and it's something that I will forever regret. I know that things happen in families, but as time goes on and they sort themselves out, don't live your life regretting something that you weren't there for, even if it's justified, be the bigger person. You'll be happy you did.
Well the job at the pub is over for the season. They asked me back! They like me. Phew, didn't think that I was going to be invited back. That means I can take free classes next semester and finish up some of my own schooling if I wish. We'll see. I haven't yet, and am so close to graduating in a couple of degrees, but we'll see. I'm making things happen without it. Hey, if I had taken the time then to finish school I wouldn't have acted in those films and TV shows, I wouldn't have traveled the country, I wouldn't have my journeyman-level electrician's training, I may not have been with the band, I wouldn't have started my own comic book store, I wouldn't have written for all these shows, films, and children's books. I think I'm doing okay. The next thing is to start the production company, and get the Ruffians signed, get The Adventures of Merlin the Mouse out in stores, and get the Boinkable shirts everywhere. (Yah guys and gals, don't forget to ask me about the I.B. Boinkable, M.I. Boinkable, and Boinkable shirts, shorts, and panties for the beach this summer).
Hey, just wanted to give a quick hello to Dani out in Italy right now, Steve from Far From Finished, Terry out in Ohio (we're coming that way in June), Bambi and Tiffany, Eric at the mixing board, Mark and Heidi (thanks for coming to visit), Johanna (wherever you're traveling now), the Monmouth crew all out starting your new lives, Rusty Crown, Chris Ryan at Revolutionary hall, Maura too, Kerry Prior from the Spiderman party, cuz Al in AZ, Troy in Chicago, Greg and Tracey in CT, the LI crew, the South Gate Crew, the gals from Baltimore (were coming to visit there soon too), and everyone who makes life that much better. I wanted to say a special hello to Shannon, Jamie, and Heather in Queens too, and Melissa and Diane and Rena in LI. I'm really thankful for my family this week. If I don't say it enough, I'm really happy to be in a band with Sean where we can share things together again and be part of a team.
Great, enough sniveling. Did I tell you that I went to the Bronx Zoo? I realize now that my Dr. Doolittle skills extend to the bird species as well! I had so much fun petting the penguin, and the Emu. The squirrels and goat liked the oatmeal cream pies too, but the penguin and Emu I was just playing with. No cream pies. It was great, we had the whole zoo to ourselves. It was one of the most magical days I've had in a long time. I can't wait to do it again.
I'm wondering when the weather is going to decide that it should be summer. Hopefully before we go on the big tour with Seanachi in June. That's going to be great. I think that a bunch of people should go with us to OH, and MD so we don't get lonely. Hey, lots coming up this weekend. We're going to be in the Bronx, and Rockaway Beach, and of course in Rocky Sullivan's (which is getting pretty packed sometimes. We've been having a blast there, although I kept my clothes on even when Rachel and Chris were in Italy!! I'm just becoming so responsible it's sickening).
Well, I have to run now. Just a special thanks to J for all the work on the site, and it was great seeing KT and Mary in Maine. It was also fun hanging with Aunt Kay, Grandma and Patrick. Watch out for those crazy seniors!!
Take care! BJ&J Forever!
Dan
Damn, Danny talks alot. I can't wait to hear what he has to say about this past weekend. I'll bug him to get his comments up ASAP. I'm sure Mad-dog Meehan will have something to say also... Jerome wants me to let all the ladies know that he enjoyed watching them dance on the tables. For the future, this is encouraged and will be rewarded with a boogie down on that drum set. Ya*ha
5.27.2003
I don't eat bread, I drink it.
That's all I have to say.
5.26.2003
This was from Dan for the month of April. He is slowly catching up:
April 21, 2003
I know that I have to get a lot of things caught up from St. Patrick's Day on, and I will because the Ruffians have been doing so much. First, I'd like to officially say hello and welcome to our drunken Ruffian step dancer Katie who has been with us for a little bit now. We needed some more regular females around to keep the boys in line!
I will get into the gigs themselves, and all the people that we met recently from the NY, CT, and Boston areas (not to mention Ohio, right Terry?!). But though it's late, I will get to that at still one later entry.
Really quickly, a quick thank you to Eric, who has been engineering our newest CD. That's right everyone, after all this time, we are getting together a radio-ready CD and getting on with the full-length. I know that Anita is ready to get the CD everywhere, and I know that we are ready to get everywhere, we will soon.
Let me also say Happy Birthday to Jay out there in Long Island and apologize for the old transmission. It was definitely something that I would have been at. Also in the Long Island area, and something that I was definitely coming to also, was Melissas performance with Diane and Sandra. Sorry the times got mixed up, I'll get the next one. (I've had some bad luck with Long Island events of late).
But I'd like to say hi to everyone out there that I haven't seen in awhile Terry, Bambi and Tiffany, Mike, Joe, Heather, Troy, the South Gate Gang, the Hartford gang, the Long Island gang, all our new friends in Boston, Deborah back in CT, Greg and Tracey too, Felisha, Anne, Jamie and Shannon in Queens, Mika in Hawaii, the Blue Hawk Pub crew, all the people in NJ (we'll be down there more soon), and everyone in the good ol' USA. I am currently on a bus from Luzern Switzerland, heading back to Zurich (currently passing through Chur) and then on my way to Germany and next week to Austria.
It's been a lot of fun so far. The people are generally pretty positive about the US here. There was almost an incident last night, but I let it go, and I think it was better that way. Luzern was so nice. It was the heart of Europe back in the Medieval times because it was the smallest connector of the Rhine. Everyone used to travel over this one bridge to do all their trading, travel, exploration, and whatnot. Wagner's home was here, and the area is so rich in art, culture, and fantastic people. Since the 1500's, it was the center stop for the carnival that traveled all of Europe, and still is today.
Switzerland is really interesting. They are a neutral country, but everyone goes off to the military for a period of training, and then become "reserves," serving so many weeks a year for the next 10-13 years. They keep their rifles in their homes, and it's amazing to see the non-existent crime here. There are 1000's of bikes on the sides of the road, and nobody touches them. This place is the fight that the NRA should use in our country. It's like the old west back home. People don't do stuff and steal shit when knowing everyone has a machine gun in their home and knows how to use it. It's a different kind of thinking.
I think that it's neat too that everyone has gone through the responsibility and discipline of the service. The people are not as primadonna-ish, handle stress better, and don't have to whine about every little thing. The people seem to be very in-shape here, have an understanding about other countries, not scared to travel. It was a great feeling. I fit in well and made a lot of friends, spoke to lots of people, shared some beers in a carnival pub while everyone else went off shopping with a Spanish family whom I had to translate a lot for. This was cool too, and the second time this had happened while there. Switzerland has really three main language sections. French, German, and Italian. There is a smaller Romanish (sp?) section which is it's only "individual language," but for the most part, where I was, they spoke German. But they didn't have any Spanish, and on two separate occasions, I had to interpret the Spanish. (Which is great, because I don't speak Spanish too well, but because of my time in Mexico, my years in Danbury, and my time picking up Portuguese, I understand Spanish pretty well).
Also mice are a big thing in Luzern, and I think this is an area that I will send Merlin to right away!! I met some industrial kids and they really liked the Ruffians' music. Good!! I have some great footage, some awesome pix, and would love to show them to you, so ask and we could set something up some time. (I still have all that footage from Ireland too).
I am now following the Viking Sea (big stretch on that one, eh?!). The only problems or aggravation (besides what could have been one international situation last night) are just from the Americans with us (and that's only from a small group, and you can put up with anything out here, it's just said to have that "me-ism" [as dad would say] with us out in this beautiful land).
The Alps in the background is great. It's so cool seeing all this wonderful land and then to have the snow-filled mountains in the back. The melting snow creates little waterfalls and it's really cool. The other thing that I love about Europe is the history. It's not the point-click mentality of the US, the knock everything down every 50 years. There were houses, buildings, etc here from the 1600's, one from 1190-something. It was so cool. That's it for now, I have to get back to filming the landscape.
See you at Rockys when I return.
Always- Dan
5.23.2003
Girl's always accuse me of wearing boxers. Well ladies, if you took another look, those boxers would look strikingly similar to the shirt that I have tucked into my kilt. You can't always rely on your sense of vision.
This was sent to me from Dan just today. He sent me two more. I will post them in the coming days until Dan catches up and joins the Blog.
March 27, 2003
It's been a great month, a busy month. Everyday I learn so much. I keep making new friends here at my new home, at my job at the college, and on the road. We've gone to a couple new venues that were very pleased to have had us, and we're really expanding (and will be a lot more with all the new contacts we're making).
March was a blur for awhile. We had so many gigs and met so many great new people.First, let me say hi to all those at South Gate who came to see us. I'm not going to mention all the old gang because they are always in my heart and I can't get better support, but wanted to say hello to some of the new people, like Steve Hines and his wife, Amy (who made the gig really fun), and um .well I guess everyone else. Thanks guys and gals, we love seeing you there and when you visit in the city. Welcome back Siobhan (okay, so I broke my not mentioning the old gang thing, but if I mention all of you, itll be like 50 people, I know and love you all!). The place is always so special for me to go back to and really feels like home. Anybody ever around the Palisades, West Point, Bear Mtn, you owe it to yourselves to check it out.
The next day we played in Farmingdale, Long Island at The Downtown. It was great playing with Black 47 again. At one point, some girls were running up on stage doing some Irish Step-dancing. I had to do it real quick so that I didn't let Joe down. This place rocked. The staff was great, the people were great, and all made us feel welcome. Even saw some familiar faces like Brian Blake and Stephanie, Liz, Heather, Frank. Afterwards we met some fantastic people, like Teddy (you rock), Lucky, Bernadette, Rena (wow), Tim, Kurt, Jack, George, Dawn, Dianna and Glen, Mary Kate Joyce (great granddaughter of James the man), Andrea & Christina (the Italians we love you all. North Italy has redheads... mmmm, redheads!), Tara, Mary Alice, Elvis, Laura, and all the others. (Im gonna make South Gate feel bad). It was great grabbing some drinks with fellow bass-player Andrew from 47. I don't know if I can outplay him, but I can still outdrink him!
Off to the Beauty of Tralee Pagent. That was fun this year. It was great to see the Hibernians. Sorry we couldn't come to St. Patrick's Day dinner, thanks for the invite. We'll stop by soon. Great seeing you again. Matt, Sean and I got all the little kids into a parade and marched them around like the pied pipers. That was a scene I wish I had on tape. It was a great time and something we always look forward to.
Then on to Rocky's. That's always a blast, and again, a lot of regulars, but Heather McCaffrey was new, always hi to Brian, Marybeth, Katie, Pookie, Alice, Tom (Ive tried to get in touch), Christopher. The gig went really well and I think all the new people really enjoyed it, even though I'm missing some pages where I wrote names down, so you'll just have to come back again. But always a special hello to my drinking buddy Pookie the Cat. Back in the old days, we were eye-level many times.
Back to Rocky's again to play with Seanachi. Chris and Rachel were great. Baby got up to sing. It was really cool. Hi to all the Celtic supporters that night. Man, my brain is just rotting out. It's because I gave up coffee and am cutting back on the alcohol. It's hard to go through a day without putting almost anything in your body. Alice goes off during the day, so there's nobody to babysit me. Without the sugar, coffee, and alcohol, I'm about to faint everyday but then comes Alice and dinner. Phew!!
Anyway, where was I? Yes, so this war in Iraq. Hey, nobody's up for war, but if I hear anyone not supporting our troops over there, ye're gonna get kicked in the head! By the way, I was visited today by some Jehov nah, we won't go there, it was actually nice to have some company. My freakin cell phone's broken! Shabidoo keeps looking at me. I know he wants to come out and play, but last time I let him out, he tried to take a swim in my Spiderman cereal, so he'll have to hang out for a bit.
I'll continue this later. I have to get back to some writing and masterminding my plans to take over the world. Next time, I'll tell you about Playwright, Mt. Kisco, Downtown again, abandoning Teddy sorry, driving to the border of Delaware loaded on Red Bull, the Blue Hawk Pub, and getting ready for the full-length and The Adventures of Merlin the Mouse.
Hope everyone had a great St. Patrick's Day, even though I'm not technically there yet, I think I'm up to the 9th of March. But I'm getting closer.
Hi to all the readers, drop me a line anytime. dan@ruffiansband.com
Take care-
Always-
Dan and Shabidoo
5.21.2003
This was from Matt a few days ago:
5-16-03
Just because I wear a viking helmet, it doesn't mean that I've given up being a pirate. I'm a pirate, I do what I want.
Que es mi barco mi tesoro,
que es mi dios la libertad,
mi ley, la fuerza y el viento,
mi única patria, la mar
I have finally finished my apprenticeship and can now dedicate myself to my scandalous trade. There's nothing like a college degree in Spanish you kinda have to get one in order to be a real pirate these days.
My ship is my treasure,
My god is liberty,
My laws, force and wind,
My only fatherland, the sea
Song of the Pirate,
Espronceda and Mattie Mac
5.20.2003
Once I caught a bad case of the blog in high school, caught it from my friend's sister, nothin' a little tussin couldn't get rid of though. Actually, contrary to how it sounds, blog actually means web journal. This will allow US to keep YOU up to date on all of our latest exploits and adventures, direct from your favorite drunken ruffian pirates. AND... all five us have access now... so that means 5 times the updates and 5 times the fun. We're coming up on Memorial Day weekend, and we have a gig every night, so check the calendar. In the meantime, look for frequent posts...
5.19.2003
Hey everybody. Dan's corner has been turned into a web log (blog) for the whole band to use. They can update the blog from anywhere with internet access, and best of all, I don't have to do a thing! I am getting the members up to speed, so expect some blogs soon.
May 2003
June 2003
July 2003
August 2003
September 2003
October 2003
November 2003
December 2003
January 2004
February 2004
March 2004
