An Ode to Argyle

Oh, Argyle.

How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways...in list form, because that's how I roll.

1) You are so geometric and even.

2) Nowadays, you come in really nice colors, like "vert" and "raspberry".

3) Your variations on a singular theme are seemingly endless.

4) You allow me to write odes to your awesomeness simply by being awesome. (If any of you can make sense of number 4, let me know. I wrote it and I still don't get it.)

5) Your beautiful patterns now grace almost every aspect of my wardrobe. Sweater-vests, socks, underoos...now I just need an Argyle t-shirt and Argyle khakis. 

I love thee, Argyle. And probably will for...a whyle.

tuesday

.....all i can say is


thank god for beer.

I'm Ready

I'm ready for a change.


I say this ALL the time, but I honestly think I mean it this time.


Let's look at some facts before I elaborate too much.

• I'm 23 years old. Definitely not 'old' by any means, but also not 19. I'm "into" my 20s.
• I have two part-time jobs that I LOVE. Together, they add up to anywhere from 40-50ish hours a week spread out over seven days.
• Ever since I came home from K-State, I've lived...at home. With the parents. 
• Very few people know this about me, but I'm tired of lying about it. I failed out of K-State. I turned 21 and decided going to the bars was way more important than homework and going to class. 
• The cedar tree I'm sitting under is absolutely infested with bagworms. That's totally irrelevant to where I'm heading with this, but I just noticed and I am officially grossed out. And also moving to a new seat on the patio.
• I'm irreparably modest and humble. To a fault, even.
• I LOVE day drinking. Again, completely unrelated to anywhere I'm headed with this blog (sorta), but it's a fact, nonetheless.

I think that covers the facts. Now let's see if I can remember the opinion blog that follows the facts...

Oh yes. I'm ready for a change. I think the easiest way to address this will be to just go down my list of facts and talk about how each bullet relates to my need of a change... Hold on to your pants, folksies. 

I'm 23 and live with my parents. Seriously? Who does that? I know that my Golden Running Boss was 23 when she bought her house. The house she lives in now and loves. With her pooches that we both love. And here I am just trying to find a place to rent so I can leave my childhood home. I feel so far behind the curve...

I mean I know I'm not, but I feel like it.

My two part-time jobs. Let's discuss those for a bit. The first one is at the Booze Depot, and I freaking love this job. Love it like I love cheesecake. Seriously. I've worked there for almost 2 years. I know most of our customers by name, and I know what they like. I love the people I work with, I love my boss, I love the store. The second one is at El Tocar de Midas, and I FREAKING LOVE that place. The people I work with are easily the best in the world. My boss is....well he's pretty much the baddest of bad-asses. Love me some Durell. The customers at El Tocar are absolutely wonderful, and never fail to make me laugh. If I could make El Tocar my life, I would. In a heartbeat. 

That being said, I think I'm starting to reach the point in my life when a little stability and responsibility is what I'm actually looking for. Namely, the stability. And predictability. And other -ilities. I sorta want to know what my work schedule is going to be for the next two months, as opposed to learning my next week's schedule on the Tuesday before. Please do not confuse this for me becoming a fogey and settling down and all that crap. I still plan on having fun. I used to be known as Planny McPlannerson (hi running buddy :D ), but lately, I want to LIVE my life instead of plan it. People who knew me 5 years ago would flip to hear that, but it's true. I only get one life, I don't plan on wasting it. So to recap that rambling paragraph: stability and responsibility, while maintaining my flexibility. Easier said than done, I know...


I'm gonna lump a few things together now in short order: I need my own place to live like pb needs j. I'm also tired of being the college fail-out. I know that 99% of you probably have NO idea what it feels like, but it sucks. Like, there's a huge weight on my shoulders because of it, and it's only compounded by the fact that I knowingly did it to myself. Suck.fest. So naturally I feel that, since I am totally not okay with forking out billions of dollars for a degree I may or may not use, I should get a big boy job that doesn't require a degree, make a good living, and make myself and my family proud. Unfortunately, that too is easier said than done. At least, around Little Mexico. Yet another task to master...


The cedar tree will be sprayed as soon as possible.


I have NO clue why I said anything about being irreparably modest and humble. I know that at the time I had a point for it, but now I cannot remember. Hmm...gimme a sec, I think it might be coming back to me... Um....maybe I was going to allude to my low self-esteem and how I think that I don't actually deserve the things people say I deserve? I feel like that might be it. And re-reading that, it seems SUPA depressing. Please do not be depressed, dear Readers. My life is honestly awesome in many, many ways. I just don't feel like I'm entitled to everything that my friends think I am entitled to. It's a complex I'm trying to work through. Don't judge me. :)




I think that almost covers it. I can't quite remember. There was obviously a lot on my head today. Stay tuned, wonderful readers, for a massive announcement at the end of the month. :) Hasta luego!
M

Essentials

I'm in a list-making mood today. This particular list: 
THINGS YOU MUST KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE MY FRIEND.


Sounds fun, doesn't it :)

1. I fucking hate spiders.
2. I fucking hate spiders.
3. I FUCKING. HATE. SPIDERS.
4. I have awful luck with white SUVs. For your safety, do not let me drive yours.
5. On that note, it will forever be open season on deer, in my book.
6. I want to sell everything that I have that is worth something, buy land in the middle of nowhere, and raise a billion Hereford cattle. I will reference this dream quite often.
7. I love food.
8. I love alcohol.
9. I will choose a dog over a person any day of the week, and that is a fact.
10. That being said, I love people, and can't help but to always see the best in everyone. Even if I hate them.
11. The inability to find fault will get me into trouble. If you are within earshot of me when that happens, chances are you will also be in some form of trouble.
12. Every now and then, I love to do something completely crazy and illegal. If you are within arm's reach of me when that happens, chances are you will also be doing something completely crazy and illegal.
13. Every night I pray for my lactose intolerant friends to magically be cured of their ailment, so they can love dairy as much as I do.
14. I am the most curious person I have ever met. Honestly. I want to learn about and experience EVERYTHING. Seriously. Everything.
15. I realize that I can not learn about and experience everything, but that will not prevent me from trying.
16. I will always try hardest for what I can't have. Always.
17. When I realize that I actually won't get it, I try harder.
18. And eventually, my ADD kicks in and I forget that I wanted it in the first place.
19. I'm extremely fickle, yet terribly loyal. Dichotomy, much?
20. I don't really like chocolate. If that makes me un-American, fine. I mean I'll eat it sometimes, but only a piece or two, and not very often.

I think that's all you *need* to know for now....night!

M

Many the Miles

List time! 


Don't you love my lists? You do? Great! I'll keep posting blogs that consist entirely of lists.

• I want to learn a new language. I've said this several times over the past several months, and each time, I want to learn a different language than the time before. In the past 6 months, I've wanted to learn German, Italian, French, and now I'm just settling on Latin American Spanish. It's the easiest to learn (for me, anyway. I skated through two years of Spanish in high school and learned how to ask to go to be bathroom...) and it's definitely the most practical, given where I live. (About 16 miles north of Little Mexico, Kansas.)
• I love getting dirt under my fingernails. It's proof to me and the world that I can pot flowers and plant tomatoes WITH THE BEST OF THEM
• I hate getting dirt under my fingernails. It's a bitch to clean out, and I work in a couple jobs where people can easily see my hands. Super inconvenient.
• I'm still taking pictures! Half of them are on my phone and therefore not that great, but I'm still taking them every day!
• Speaking of taking pictures, I am admittedly doing something irresponsible (read: fun) with my Federal Tax Refund check (whenever it comes in). I'm buying a camera. I can't wait. Seriously. Can't wait. I'm going to be taking pictures of everything. Probably even my food. Maybe even myself. Definitely my friends. And you bet your ass I'll be snapping up pictures of Kansas like it's going out of style. Supa excited.
• I may or may not be going to ANOTHER concert in June. Once again, my fanboydom is a result of IPA's ridiculous music-scouting abilities. Ray LaMontagne will be at the Starlight in KC on June 15, and I'm very seriously considering attending. And my trashy homegirl Ke-dollar sign-ha will be there in September, so...why not, right?
• Operation: Relocation has hit a few snags. I'm trying to work them out. Stay tuned for updates and ask questions! I love answering questions. :)

I think that's all for today. Later!

M

this is

my brain on a normal day: "clothes. food. food. work. food. beer. food. work. clothes. dogs. dogs. dogs. beer. food. work. yardwork yardwork yardwork. beer. maybe sleep."

this is my brain after this weekend: *flatline* ....no sleep.

Mum(ford)'s the word.

June 3, 2011.

I'll be at The City Market in Kansas city with IPA and Trophy Wife. We'll be going out for cocktails and supper, and then attending a concert.

A concert for which I bought them tickets, because I wanted them to go so badly.

A concert for these guys.

Hooooly shit I love these guys.

Before I get any further, I have to totally credit the entire Original Wolfpack, especially IPA, for introducing these guys to me. IPA heard these guys on the radio (Kegs and Eggs? Something like that. IDK. Some radio thing in KC.) and intro'd them to the rest of the OW. Then I heard about them by association before my induction into the Pack. I heard them the first time and have never looked back.

Seriously.

I could listen to them all day every day forever, and not get tired of them.

And don't even get me started on their Disney song.

Indie Brits doing Disney? Are you kidding me?!

Anyway, that's all for today. I'm still taking a picture every day. I'll try and compile them soon. Stay tuned :)

Later!
-MDL

When I'm Grumpy

When I'm grumpy, I've realized that other people being happy just makes me grumpier.


When I'm grumpy, nobody has it worse off than I do. That's how I see it, so that's how it is.


When I'm grumpy, I don't talk, laugh, or smile. Not even to myself.


When I'm grumpy, I over-analyze everything to the nth degree.


When I'm grumpy, I dwell on how much I want.


When I'm grumpy, I dwell on how much I don't have.


When I'm grumpy, I pretend that it will never get better, while secretly hoping all of my friends will go out of their way to make it better.


When I'm grumpy, I'm curt, impatient, and more than a little inconsiderate.






...When I'm grumpy, I need to suck it up and realize how awesome life really is.

Days like today...

I wish I was in a kickboxing class.


I'll blog more....sometime.


But don't worry. I'm still alive. :)


M

Hat

Today, I wore one.


It apparently shocked a few people.
(Mrs Whitey)


What Mrs Whitey doesn't understand is that when I do hard-working-man things, I wear a hat. However, she only sees me when I work with her (at a tanning salon, which is not hard-working-man things) or when we're hanging out socially. (By that I mean playing Catch Phrase or playing with her hairy kid. Also not hard-working-man things.)


I really like the hat that I wore today. It's from my trip to San Angelo/College Station/Houston/Galveston a couple of years ago. It was back when I was a fuzz-judger. Or a wool-puller, however you prefer to label me at that time. I judged wool, okay? I had an entire scholastic year of smelly hands (lanolin isn't quite rose petals, people) and holes being jabbed in my unsuspecting fingers by burrs and the like, but it was seriously one of the most educational and fun and hilarious things I've ever done. Anyway, enough nostalgia.


Time for more nostalgia: when we were in College Station, we visited Aggieland. Aggieland is WAY not as cool as Aggieville, just in case you were wondering. ESPECIALLY over Spring Break. I was seriously disappointed. All those TAMU people really need to come to KS and see what a bar-block is really like. Just saying. ANYWAY. In Aggieland is a very famous little restaurant and bar called The Dixie Chicken. It was there that I bought the hat. The End.


No, really. That's the whole story. I bought the hat at the restaurant on my wool judging trip and I love the hat. That's all.


While wearing the hat, I was doing hard-working-man things with IPA on his new little farm project thing. The new little farm project thing is pretty much awesome. I'm quite invested in it, as is IPA. (By the way, IPA, I totally pronounce your name "Eeeeeepa" in my head when I type that. Maybe I'll just start calling you Boss. Which means we can discuss my wages next week. Surprise!) More details on that little farm project thing as events warrant. I'm trying not to step on any toes here, people. Be patient with my tantalizing bits of fun stuff. 


I know I haven't posted them, but I've still been taking pictures every day, so the 365 project is still valid. I'll post them all tomorrow morning. 


In other news, we (The Michael Dean Family) acquired a new puppy yesterday. She's technically Modge's***, but I feel like it is my duty to spoil the ever-loving crap out of her. Her name is Holly. Modge also insists on her animals having middle names, so the puppy is technically Holly Anne. I have a feeling that middle name, much like my own, will come out when she's in serious trouble...


It's time to finish Gone With the Wind now. I'll be back.


Later!
-M


*** My friend B^2 is the one who intro'd me to the whole Modge/Podge thing, by the way. She totally called me out on it and I need to give her credit. I thought it was a nice alternative to "Lady Who Birthed Me" and "Balding Guy", so it stuck. Thanks, B^2!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME

Okay, so this is a super sketch picture, but you see that little glow up there in front of the headlights of my creep-wagon?

IT'S A FREAKING DEER.

DEER.

..............DEER.

I saw the thing in plenty of time and was able to stop. She also stopped. And I snapped this picture. 

But seriously. 

Deer. 

It's like in a past life, I killed Bambi's mom or something...

Mrow

Mice don't stand a chance with this chick around. She might be cross-eyed and a bit of a catslut, but this little girl (affectionately called "The Hooker" by my family and the neighbors) is the best mouser in 3 counties, guaranteed.


Just look at that look of intense (and slightly lopsided) concentration.
The poise.
The grace.
The animal ferocity hidden by that coat of soft, fluffy fur.
The....ah hell, I can't get past that poor thing's eyes.


Oh well. The mice are scared of her, at least.

Up N' Down

Just a couple things. (It's list time. Woo!)

1) Britney Spears's new album: totally worth the buy. That crazy betch is back with a vengeance. Totally awesome running/dancing/workout music. The beats are awesome. Although, I do wonder what would happen if Brit was asked to actually sing.....hmm.

2) I'm thinking of becoming a martini drinker. 

2a) I'm starting to really enjoy gin.

2b) I'm such an old man. Just give me my gin, my cardigan and boat shoes and I'm good to go...

3) I've been acquiring music legally (as in actually paying for it) lately. Sorta diggin' this whole "buy by the books" thing. 

4) Has anyone out there read 'Water for Elephants'? They're totally making a movie based on the book. Rob Pattinson is the male lead. It's going to be so weird seeing him as a normal human (and not a wizard or a ridiculous, but lovable, vampire).

5) Running has taken a back seat in my life, as of late. I'm not sure how I feel about it, yet. Stay tuned.

6) I have hit a snag in O:R. Again, stay tuned. Unless you have a place for me to live for free, in which case, speak up. 

7) I'm on my 3rd time listening to this B Spears album.

8) After this, I think I'm going to start listening to 90s chart-toppers. (Shanks for the shinsperation, Shmaylour!)

9) I've forgotten half of my friends' nicknames, as far as the blog world is concerned. Guess I'll have a new cast of characters blog soon.

10) This bullet gets a double space because it's super important: Today (the 30th of March) is Modge's Birthday!! She's 29+a few. Happy Birthday, Modge! Love you!!

11) In honor of Modge's birthday, I'm going to do the whole 'Good Son' thing and clean the house and do dishes and stuff all day. And this evening, since Seester and Podge have to work, Modge and I shall be going out to supper (my treat, of course) and invading the local lawn & garden displays. Look out, Big E.

12) Making new friends rocks. 

13) I'm on record saying this: B Spears is totally trumping GaGa this year. I know I keep talking about it, but I'm really digging this album. Thanks, Trophy Wife!

14) This winter weather has lasted far too long. I feel like I'm on my 3rd S.A.D. cycle of the year already. Annoying as hell.

15) I watched Ghost earlier tonight. You bet your ass I was singing Unchained Melody at the top of my lungs all by myself in the living room.

16) Speaking of music, I just bought the sheet music for like 3 Adele songs. Can't wait to find time to sit back down and the piano and knock these babies out.

17) My lists are always ridiculously long. I'm sorry.

18) I freaking post links to this blog on facebook. Comment, people! Otherwise, I think nobody reads this thing!

I think that's all for tonight. Stay tuned for 3/365 and a new post tomorrow! Later!

-M

Springtime

Whether the weather be cold

Or whether the weather be hot

We'll weather the weather whatever the weather

Whether we like it or not.

Springtime is here, even if the temperature says otherwise.

There's the proof :)

Today was day 1 of my 365 project, and if I'm being completely honest, I totally forgot about it until I got home from work. Today.....was a day. I had to open at the salon and my truck ran out of gas on the way there because the gas gauge was broken and then Podge saved the day but I was still a couple minutes late and the rest of the day just felt off and I couldn't go do what I was planning on doing after work but I got to come home earlier than I thought and have basically just chilled at home all afternoon so that was pretty nice.

25 points for a 4.5 line run-on sentence. 

It's time for a short nap before supper. Deuces

-M

365?

So a few of my friends have started/completed 365 photo projects. 

While I wouldn't even give myself the title of "amateur" photographer, I do enjoy taking photos. Unfortunately, I haven't really budgeted any time to get out there and photograph anything, as of late. 

I enjoy the idea of holding myself accountable and taking a picture of at least SOMETHING every day. I would love to have a theme, because I'm a theme kind of person, but it's not necessary.

So...how about tomorrow as a starting point? Sound okay to you? Okay great. March 28, 2011 through March 27, 2012. Here we go, I suppose...

One of these days...

I'll be here.

Under where?

Okay, so this blog is called "life&stuff". Today is when I get to talk about the "&stuff" bit of my life.

Disclaimer: this could be a bit awkward for some of you, and I'm sorry. But it's my blog and my prerogative. If you can't handle my life, then go read bakerella or something. Her blog is pretty cool.

So today I did a little bit of shopping, even though I TOTALLY should not have, considering I just wrecked my Tahoe and need to come up with roughly a grand to fix him. I'm also planning on relocating and all that jazz, so saving money should be a priority. Well, it is a priority, but when you see what I bought, you'll understand.

Actually, you probably won't understand. Not many people do. You'll find out soon enough.

So I went shopping at Buckle today, because they're literally the only place in my po-dunk little town with jeans long enough to fit my ridiculous jolly green giant legs. So I went shopping, and was SERIOUSLY just planning on window shopping. MAYBE trying a couple things on (like I did for an hour at the same store yesterday...oops), but DEFINITELY not buying anything. Okay, so I put some new shoes on layaway, but that's because THEY NEVER HAVE AWESOME SHOES IN MY SIZE. AND THEY FINALLY DID. AND THE SHOES ARE AWESOME. I need to validate myself sometimes. Okay all the time. But that's because I have self-love issues. 

ANYWAY, so I went to JUST put the shoes on layaway, and then....something happened.

I turned around from the main desk....

And....

I saw them.

I saw.....

The Underwear That Would Change My Life Forever. 

Okay, I KNOW what you're doing right now. You're either cracking the hell up, you just spit your drink all over your computer monitor, or you're going, "Oh holy hell, what the...this guy is such a freak." I GET THAT. Seriously, I know. I'm so weird, and I know I'm going to lose some friends over admitting this, but I buy underwear the same way some people buy shoes. I freakin' love 'em! I can't help it! I am a firm believer that a solid pair of underwear can make or break a day. Seriously. You can quote me on that.

Okay, let's get on with the awkwardness, shall we? So I saw the underwear from a distance, and the chick behind the counter helping me goes "OOOOOO. THOSE ARE BRAND NEW. I JUST BOUGHT MY BOYFRIEND A PAIR AND HE LOOOOOOVES THEM." and promptly drags me over to check them out. I was insanely skeptical when she told me the price, but I went ahead and bought them. Mostly because 1) they're awesome, and 2) I buy underwear based on the waistband. Seriously. Big waistband with a legit logo = bought. Thin waistband = reject. Lame-ass logo = reject. Apparently I spent too much time trying to emulate the boy band underwear pictures from the 90s to work through that idolatry. Whatever, I've got issues.

So I paid for my shoe layaway and bought the underwear and a super soft white and charcoal raglan tee and left. And you bet your buns when I got home and tried those puppies on (I had to try them on. What good is buying underwear if you don't try it on when you get home?) and OH. MYGOODNESS. Seriously the most comfortable, well-cut and awesome-fitting underwear I've ever owned. Hands down. 

I just realized I should probably 1) show you what these puppies look like and 2) shamefully tell you how much I paid for them. This is the style/cut, but not the pattern, here.The fabric of mine is sort of argyle-y/plaid in white, blue and electric red. And they were.....*cough*....$30. I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW. Spare me. But seriously. Girls, if you have a guy friend out there who's in need of some new underwear, or even if he's not, BUY THESE FOR HIM. Guys, BUY THESE. Seriously. Soooooo worth it. They're actually raw denim, but still insanely soft. It's crazy. G-Star for the win. 

Um....I think that's it. 

To recap: G-Star RAW underwear is God's gift to my tush...&stuff.

-M

Operation: Relocation.

134 days.

19 weeks.

August 1. 

Operation: Relocation is in effect.

Ideal relocation: KC-Metro. 

Secondary relocation: MHK? Perhaps?

Pre-relocation requirements:

• sustaining job.
• low rent.
• car.

But not necessarily in that order....

Here goes nothing.

tahoe.

So I wrecked another Tahoe last night. Well actually it was this morning.

I don't think I can ever own another Tahoe. Ever. And I'm being totally serious. 

In other news, I'm wearing shorts outside for the first time today. Excited. I'm also wearing my tried-and-true Sperrys for the first time this year. Very excited. I've missed springtime and my Sperrys a lot.

Random blog topic number 3: did you know J.Lo is 41?! Chick is fine. 

I think that's all for today. :)

Today...

...I remembered.

I remembered all sorts of things today. 

I remembered how much I missed the smell of cow crap in the spring sun, but always forget how wonderful it is every winter. 

I remembered how awesome it is to drive with the windows down and super awesome 90s country music playing.

I ALSO remembered how much I love watching this year's calves out in the pasture. 

Obviously, I remembered how much I miss Agriculture. 

Oh, and I remembered how much I missed blogging. I'm back! :)

Michael