What I have been up to

Well, for the past few days, I've been pressure washing, scraping and then painting the fences that line my parents property. It's messy work. I've been bitten to death by mosquitoes.

I'm all registered for classes. Got my tuition all paid up.

Went to DJ Morales's birthday. She knows how to throw a party. Happy 19th DJ!

I'll miss her alot when she moves to New York. : (

I'm 22 on the 22nd of August. Whoopee.

Fixed some minor errors in the CD with Andrew a few nights ago.

Need to get my drink on.

That's about it.

CD Update

Friends, Citizens, Countrymen

Lend me your ocular instruments.

My Producer, Andrew Brittain of Mudsharkaudio and Vanorange Records, has shown me the first draft of all my recorded tracks together and my friends.... what I heard was good.

Even for a rough edit, which I have heard alot of.

There were some things I didn't like, but they were all minor bits and we were able to get them cleaned up, or at least deferred to a later stage, in a few hours.

What we need to do now is mix down the recordings and start thinking about some sound F/X to put in.

We're shooting now for an August release date and I'm confidant we'll make it.

I'm very proud of the work Andrew and I have been able to do and as a reflection of that pride I would encourage everyone in the National Capital Region and Beyond to get into touch with Mudsharkaudio for all their recording projects. Their professionalism and dedication will knock your socks off.

You can reach them at www.mudsharkaudio.com and on the link menu to your right.

Keep your eyes peeled for Billy Ruffian's 'Savage Gentlemen', coming to a poetry slam near you.

Sometimes you are amazed at who you meet.

I met someone who has stripped for money. We met in a non-stripping capacity. She knows alot about legitimate films.

Good times.

I think this is f-ing hilarious.

Here it is.

Letters

I just wrote a bunch of letters to friends I haven't talked to in awhile.

Letter writing is fast becoming a dead art. I aim to turn the tide.

I also believe in love letters. People should write love letters for their sweethearts. It just makes sense. Why don't people write love letters anymore?

Brothers have departed

Well my brothers departed a few days ago.

It took me some time to recover from all the good times we had. We went whitewater rafting, drinking at the highlander, dinner with Grandma (she had her 82nd birthday with us) and played cards and drank some more.

There was other stuff we did and many memorable moments. Please forgive me if I don't get into details. They are very pleasant memories that I'd prefer to keep to myself.

Andrew, my eldest brother, deploys to Afghanistan on Friday.

My good friend Samantha took me out to play pool in the city last night. We chatted and played pool. Sam's a good person to talk to, good listener and pretty smart... you know, for a science student.

: P

So I'm good. Generally happy with how life is going.

Got my summer reading here for me to do, so I'd better do it. I always applied for work at the library. I hope I get it.

Only one bit of bad news, my Cousin Michael needs a lung transplant. Now Mike has Cystic Fibrosis. He wasn't expected to live past 18. He is now nearing 30. Mike isn't a big man, but he has a BIG heart. He has courage and the spirit of a warrior.

We're all very proud of him. Get better Mike. The world needs warriors like you.

Oh, and Darla. Thank you for linking. I shall reciprocate. I like reading your blog very much, it's a very nice corner of the internet.

Both my bros are here.

Please do not expect updates soon as I will be occupied with having the best time possible with them.

I had a very nice young woman leave me a comment on my last post and returned the favour by visiting her blog. After reading it.... I must say, fellas.... you already know this, but PROTECT yer junk.

You only get one set of junk and the good lord knows it's impossible to replace.

This may seem bizarre, but you kinda have to read her blog to get what I'm driving at. Now I would link her blog, but I don't know her at all, despite reading a few posts on her blog, so I think I'll comment a bit on hers and maybe if I still like reading it and she still likes reading mine, I'll link hers and maybe she'll do likewise.

That being said Canada Day with Josh was awesome.

I met Buck 65 again for the second time and he signed my lucky hat and even drew a small cartoon on it that only I would get (we were joking around see). I'd explain the joke, but if you have to explain it... it's not funny. At all.

So I won't.

The important thing is, ran into Jadis (which was nice) drank some beer at the highlander pub (which was nice) had a steakburger (good with beer) Listened to ALOT of awesome street performers and muscians (Lots of string muscians, violins, fiddling and even a cello and bass) and a bagpiper.

Kinnie Starr also signed my lucky hat.

We dozed for a bit at Major Hill's park, where alot of this stuff was going down and saw what was the most awesome fireworks display of all time.

In Ottawa, it is thundering and lighting-ing as I type this. Perfect timing. The weather was totally awesome.

I got some ideas for new poetry I'd like to perform at the new Poetry season when it starts after October, and I'm gonna make an appearance at all the shows in July and August now because I totally have to pimp my CD or else I'll lose so much money.

It's all about creating a buzz.

My feet hurt and I'm tired, but 10 straight hours of partying?

I say... mission accomplished.

Canada Day, 1:27 am

Happy Canada Day my friends.

Well, Josh and I just got in from Tina's party, which was fun. Tina's got some interesting friends who were very easy to get along wit' and it was good to get back into touch with someone that meant so much to me in high school.

Josh is currently dozing (I think) upstairs in the guest room while my mom stalks around the kitchen for some reason. She has alot of trouble sleeping, and does alot of stuff at night, she just stays up real late and wakes up real early. Weird, nicht wahr?

Oh well, Nichevo.

Today is Canada Day and when we wake up later this morning, Josh and I'll eat some pancakes and head out to see all the bands, espicially... my favourite... BUCK 65!

He's my hero. Just goes to show what Nova Scotia is capable of.

Nova Scotia rules, at least according to me. There are alot of haters out there.

Anyhoo, we'll be seeing lotsa bands and drinking a bit and maybe Jadis will be able to spare some time to come hang out wit' us. I hope so, she's mega-cute. Level 10 prettiness here folks.

Maybe Josh'll update his blog while he's here, so don't forget to check out the Adventures of Budman on the links section to your right.

Seeya!

-Billy