Texas On My Mind, or, Varsity Blues: Another Reason To Love Texas

This blog entry is in honor of, well Texas obviously, but also, to Jacqueline because she has totally got me thinking about Texas and its greatness for a couple of days now. Being in Thailand, you would expect the homesickness to create a need for more Texas. But I'm here, why do I crave it so? Because it is awesome is why.

I just got back from lunch, which was BBQ. Mondays and Thursdays is Mexican. This new work schedule is great for fulfilling those cravings. But what else do I crave? What else is there to appreciate about Texas and the food that is ours and ours alone?

1) Blue Bell. Now I know they sell it in other states but c'mon, its Texas through and through. When people here ask if you want ice cream, they don't say "ice cream". They ask "do you want some Blue Bell". It's like pop vs. soda vs. coke. Brand recognition. Ya know what, you should have yourself a Blue Bell Country day.

2) Speaking of ice cream, lets DQ something different. Now I know most of you only eat their ice cream, and that is totally legit. But Dairy Queen also makes a mean chicken finger basket. The Hunger Buster isn't bad either. I recommend branching out and trying these delectable items.

3) Which of course brings about DQ's rival on chicken baskets, What-a-burger! I know its not spelled like that, but that's how the ads say it so I wanted to give you the true experience. With their awesome ketchup containers and Taquitos, truly, a Texas original.

4) Shiner anyone? We all know that other states pale in comparison to our greatness, but some of them redeem themselves by transplanting some of our treasures to their own boundaries. Living in Florida, I had Blue Bell so that was a life saver but no Shiner to be found. 6 months. That's how long I went without it. No wonder I was depressed.

5) To round out the top 5, I bow to the all mighty queso! With your golden color and spicy flavor you put me in a trance and make all the bad parts of life melt away. How I love thee, let me count the ways. Ya know what, I can't even begin to describe the love affair, so I will leave it at that.

At this point in the countdown, I am realizing this list is gonna be longer than I thought.

6) Kolaches. I'm not sure if ya'll understand that these are ours and ours alone. You go to the other coasts, they look at you like you're crazy. Better than a donut. Better than pig in a blanket. They're just great, great, great.

7) I realize that Mexican food is technically "Mexican", but we in Texas believe that ours is better. So rather than take the credit, I pay homage to our southern neighbors for giving us the inspiration and basis for our favorite staple food.

8) BBQ. All I have to say is that Memphis, Kansas City, and any other yahoo city who thinks that they are " The BBQ Capital", can suck it.

9) Some might consider this item to fall into some of the above categories, but I believe it stands alone. Breakfast tacos. From the gargantuanness of the Don Juan, to the sublimeness of Taco C at 4 in the morning, I salute you, creator of breakfast nirvana.

10) Another item that is found outside our state but we totally have claim over, Dr. Pepper. DP and DDP are such Texas staples that I have had cousins with Dr. Pepper themed decorations for there home coming parties. DP is home. Glorious with its syrupy awesomness. I'm a pepper, he's a pepper, she's a pepper, we're a pepper, wouldn't you like to be a pepper too?

Honorable Mentions

A) Now I know this belongs to our neighbor more than us, but I would like to thank our eastern neighbor for: crawfish. It wouldn't be spring without a Saturday filled with ripping open shellfish while my fingers were on fire and dirty with spice and chugging beer to save my life.

B) Lonestar Beer. I had to mention it.

That was the food section, shall I continue...

Here goes... The Hill Country, Tubing on the Guadalupe, Friday Night Lights, "G"uadalupe and not "huadalupé", Gruene, 6th Street, Fredricksburg, Timber Cove, Pecan Pie, George Strait, Houston, The Czech Stop, Juan in a Million, Pecan Trees, Taylor Lake Village, Hruska's, Boating, Luminarios, Possum Kingdom, Ranches, Football: High School, College, NFL, Amy's Ice Cream, Bluebonnets, Boondoggle's, Reckless Kelly, Lake Travis, My Line of Trees, Max's Cafe, Horny Toads, Seabrook Classic Cafe, Astros, Austin, Varsity Blues, Nolan Ryan, Small ass Texas towns with college sized football stadiums, The Alamo, Walter Cronkite narrated "We are Texas"/ "What Starts Here Changes the World" ads,NASA, Dallas, Longhorns, Kay's Lounge, Maggie Mae's, Fort Worth, First Friday, Tilden, Shipley's, Big Bend, Frenchie's, Town Lake, Darcy, Trudy's, Enchanted Rock, Christmas on the Bridge, Tito's, Country accents, Pickup trucks, Ghostland Observatory, Lonesome Dove, and THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS.

B.T.Dub

I am beyond tired today. Absolutely worthless. You'd think I would get a little rest over the weekend, but no. Epic fail. I feel like Bill Cosby was describing my life when he said this. Spot on awesomeness. On to the weekend...

So Friday was good. Left work early. Hit traffic, not cool. It was like 2:15 in the afternoon, where were all these people going?? Got to the cousin's, got on the road. Got to Pleasanton and went straight for the Mexican food, diet much? It was pretty chill night, a little TV, a couple of beers, nothing to big. Had to get up at 6am this next morning, suh-weet. I think I had 3 cups of coffee in the hour, ridiculous. Got on the road, loaded up the trucks and trailers and headed to the ranch. No a/c. Manual labor. 103 degrees. Yup, I'm dumb. So we started the work, it lasted about 5 hours, and thank god it wasn't longer because the nausea set in and I was done. Went and had a burger. Got on the road. Sat in the car like a zombie for 4 hours. I was done. After a MUCH needed shower, I went to Kate's. Chatted it up with the recent graduate. Got drunk. Went home.

Sunday, woke up in just enough time to get drunk again. Got the champagne. Oh right, btw, the Kroger off 2oth in the Heights, dry. As in no cereveza. Or wine. I was none too pleased. Alright, made it to the house. Got wastyface. Picked some rando's for my fantasy team. But hey, I got P Manning, so that's all that really matters. I mean c'mon, who doesn't absolutely love that man??
When I got home around 6, I was ready to pass out. But hey, its only 6. I had a conference call at 8, so I needed to make it. What did I do? Found a neighbor and proceeded to be a bad influence. I mean, I got hammered. Goood Sunday. Now I've been at work all day, ready to go home. I feel fairly confident I won't drink tonight. It was a loooonnng weekend. Here's hoping!

Manual Labor In 110° Weather? Count Me In!

Last weekend of summer. Granted, I am no longer in school, but many people I know have kids in school, so their drinking habits definitely take a hit. Not to worry, I'll just be depending on the under 30 crowd for a couple of months. Should be good. Friday is great, maybe a little under productive, but no biggie, I mean, we worked the "full" 4 days previous. I'm gonna cut out early today, head to the ranch. Weather forecast: high of 103°. Heat index of 107°. And what pray tell have I been conned into doing? Manual labor, really? I know I have already mentioned this, but c'mon, it's just now setting in, and this is gonna suck. Hard. And I am confident in my abilities, I mean, I can do some work, but is my pride really worth a heat stroke? Also, these guys can drink, it's part of the whole fun part of "family time", we all get shithoused. But, I have the sinking feeling, that people are actually expecting to work, which means a lack of consumption, which means, kinda lame. We'll see. And everyone is driving back home before Saturday night, another mark in the "no drinking" column. It's like I don't even know them. Then Sunday: draft day. Which is just another stepping stone on the way to football season. I'm feeling pretty confident about this year. Confident I'll be wasted that is. Ya, I said it. Alright, I'm tired. I have nothing to say. I thought my lack of productivity was only related to work, but apparently, it has spilled over to hobbies too. Another update to come later...

I Know You're Interested

I mean. It will not stopping raining at the office. Everyday after lunch, I come back, it rains. I'm already primed for nap time. Big lunch, lowered productivity, and then rain? I have no chance. So, to stay productive(?), I will write an entry. It is a Tuesday, so I have no drunken debauchery stories to tell. Of course, some Tuesdays I will, but not since this whole "no drinking during the week" thing. On that subject, I had 2 beers last night. We decided that one was OK, with dinner and all. But once I start down that road, I mean, whats 2 gonna do. Oh well, better luck next time.

On to good news, Football. College, NFL, whatever, its about to dominate my life and I couldn't be happier about it. Maybe this year, the BCS will get their heads out of their asses, and stop screwing us over. One can dream. And maybe, just maybe, the Texans will end up with a truly winning season. We've ended up with 8-8 before, but can we finally get a 9 out there in front, that would be sweet. And then there is the all day drinking on Saturday at the bar, and then waking up hungover and watching football from the couch all day Sunday(only way to recover). Then there is fantasy, so all the shit talking can happen, even when not together. Glorious.

One last thing: my dear momma. There is a "Ranch Weekend" this weekend where members of the family go to the ranch and do some sort of manual labor. Be it clearing, building, or cleaning. I generally am "busy", so I never make it. In my defense, it is hot as blazes and you'd have to be flipping crazy, but whatever. So this year, I am an adult and able to go. My cousin needs a driving partner to fight off the boredom. My parents are throwing a birthday party for the bro, so I'm the only Stansfield who can attend. Before I say yes to this hell, I make sure not much is expected of me. As Michael Topping would say, I'm dainty. In this family, saying you're a girl doesn't get you out of much. I'm told it shouldn't be too bad. I say OK. Enter "The Momma". She writes an email to the entire family letting them know I am the Stansfield Representative and that they should make sure I pull my own wait and give me a lot to do. What the hell did I ever do to her??? Rude. Threw me right under the bus. I of course will help, and do what is asked of me, but did she really have to remind them of it. Now, I'll be right there, an easy victim. It's really too bad, maybe I'll come down with swine flu or something else realistic to get me on the DL.