How many roads must a Dean walk down...

...before you can call him a Dean.

The answer, my friend, is none. Don't bother, because no matter how much you may want it, you can never be a Dean (unless your name actually is Dean - then you are ok).

So, it has been a while since I have posted anything to world of blogging. That is why I decided to put a little something up. It is also an awesome way to avoid doing some homework for like 20 minutes or something. Another great way is to play Madden, which I shall be doing in about 21 minutes or so.

Anywho, what have I been up to? We'll as you may have guessed from the previous paragraph, I have a lot of homework to do. It's not just some exercise questions or some study, but a huge final year project. It is actually not that bad to do, but it is the doing that is the problem - it takes a long time. I have the whole weekend off do it and hopefully it can be completed by Sunday night (please let that be the case). May aim for today is to complete the program part of it (in vba), which is quite attainable I think, then I can write it up over Saturday and Sunday.

Next week is actually my last week of uni. Ever. It been a good 4 years but definately time to move on. I have got a bit sick of it over the last year and can't wait to get my degree.

On the soccer front, we made the Division 1 Grand Final a few weeks back, but lost 3-2 to the top team. It was actually a really good result as this team had only lost one game for the whole season and would usually kill us every time. We have now started the next season and have our usual GF hangover. We opened up with two straight draws and then lost last night. Travis also went down with another ankle injury in the first game and is out indefinately. Brodie has mised two games as well. Infact last night we had to get Craig to fill in for us as we had no subs. He played a great game and I was really glad we got him to play. Next week we'll have Brodie back so Craig wont play, but it is good to know that if we need him again he should be able to step up to the plate.

Well thats about it for now. I can't be bothered proof reading this so I just post it and hope there are not problems.

Also, I am going to be posting this on myspace again too (those who are reading this there will already know). It seems a lot of people are using myspace a lot so I thought it would be easier for some who want to read it to put it there too.

I just have one question - Are you ready? I said - ARE YOU READY?
Then, for the thousands in attendance, and the millions reading at home. And for Rhys, who will probably be the only one who gets this (it's a wrestling thing) - LET'S GET READY TO DEAN IT.

A Reply You Say?

This is a respose to a post made by Brodie.

http://brodiepur.blogspot.com/2006/08/what-really-grinds-my-gears_29.html

I totally agree. People with big egos are arseholes.

There are things that I think I'm pretty good at but I know that there are others who are a lot better than me at them. When I'm being really arrogant it is usually when I'm joking around and I hope everyone else gets that.

I mean, I think I'm ok at goalkeeping, and I know when I do a really awesome save, like Brodie knows when he has scored a really awesome goal. But I don't claim to pull off awesome saves all the time, like Brodie doesn't cliam all of his shots are gold.

I think thats the differnce. Knowing when you are good and knowing when you are not. Not just thinking you are the best thing since sliced bread all of the time.

This originally started as a reply to Brodie's post but then I decided to make it a blog.

Dean was here.

Video Killed The Written Blog

Well it is time for the next evolution of the blog. I have now done a video blog. This should save me a bit of time and allow me to blog a bit more (hopefully). This blog is being done while I am a little drunk so keep that in mind when you watch this video. Enjoy.

*****Video Removed*****

This is Dean. On behalf of the mind of Dean.

*********
Edit: Yeah, I really did not like the video in the moring so I have taken it off. I really don't want the first video blog to be of me when I'm drunk. It seems that Leigh saw it and maybe some others, but I think that I will do a better one some other time. Stay tuned.
*********

A Little Too Long For Me Say...

It has been way too long since I last made a blog. But the sheer fact is that I have been way too busy lately. The reason: my Honours year Project for uni. This is the second of three projects and it is due in on Friday. After that I should have a lot more time to waste, so I'll update the blog a bit. It is also the reason I have not gone out much with friends lately either, actually for the past two Saturday nights I have been at home and this does not sit well with me. I should be out partying or drinking, or just anything with friends, but alas I have no time. That will all change soon and University Dean will move to the background and you will have Independent Dean back (back from the brink).

Thats all I can write now but one last thing - NFL is back. The preseason started over the weekend and I'm excited. More on this and other things in the future...

The Future Dean?

That's right (insert your name here), all the way to the year 2000.

In the year 2000....In the year 2000.

War, What Is It Good For?

So first it was Patrick and Brad who had an iPod war (I know those who read this blog will know what it is so I wont explain it). Then Brodie came to the party and gave his entry. Pat got a score of 74 out of 100, while Brad got a 76, giving him a slight lead. Brodie then split "the eye of the needle", coming in with a 75. So I then thought it would be my turn to have a go.

Before looking at this list, bear in mind that my music taste is generally a lot different to the aforementioned three guys above and these scores are based on my preferences.

So here is my list in the current battle:
The Knack – My Sharona (8/10)
Buffy Musical – Dawn's Lament (2/10) Skipped
The White Stripes – Little Ghost (7/10)
Queen – Now I’m Here (7/10)
Dido – Here With Me (6/10)
Ashlee Simpson – Dancing Alone (6/10)
The Veronicas – I Could Get Used To This (8/10)
Ignition – Love is War (Goodwill & mrT Rework) (7/10)
Rogue Traders – Voodoo Child (9/10)
ACDC – Dirty Deeds (7/10)
Martin Solveig – Everybody (7/10)

Total: 72/100

It’s not too bad, but it’s not as good as the others, it seems. Of the 30 songs on the other people’s lists, I have only heard of 3 of the songs in total, so it is a little hard for me to compare the scores.

It was pretty fun doing this little exercise and I encourage more of this in the future. Let me know what you think of my part in this war of wars.

It’s the end of this blog as we know it.
It’s the end of this blog as we know it.
It’s the end of this blog as we know it and I feel fine.

United Phoen-suspects

I don't have to time to write a full review for our soccer game from last night. I can give you a few details though.

We won 6-5 over Silver Phoenix United (that are linked with the Phoenix team from volleyball) who have a guy we have dubbed "The Ogre". He got very angry when we won and wouldn't even shake hands, he just stormed off. The win came after Marko bazooka'd home the winner with only about 30 seconds to go on a one-two. The one-two was after Mark had been shouting out for one during the whole match. He was on the sidelines and out of the game due to general soreness, that was not the only injury concerns for the game with Brodie having cramps (it was that time of the month) and Trav getting a sore ankle.

Marko got another two goals earlier in the match for a hat-trick and Matt got two himself, with one own goal after Trav applied pressure that forced the other team to make a mistake. A well played game with a great winner - very pleasing.

Final scores: The Usual Suspects 6 (Marko 3, Matt 2, Own Goal 1) - Silver Phoenix United 5.

The web site (http://home.iprimus.com.au/deanmark/) has been updated too.

Also, don't forget, next week is Brodie's 200th match. He will join me as the only players to reach 200. Lets make sure we remember and do him proud.

I'm not going to proof read this so lets hope there are no mistakes.

Dean, Signing Out. Peace.

Usual Whos?

A game review for The Usual Suspects match on Thursday July 21, 2006.

Last night The Usual Suspects took on the Soccer Whos? with a 7pm kickoff at the Action Indoor Sports Stadium. The opposition turned out to be the team formally known as Norfolk ‘n’ Chance. They must have changed their name to ‘cash in’ on the success of the Socceroos in the World Cup. No matter what they decided to call them selves we knew it would be tough game. We had faced this team twice before with the honours shared at one game a-piece.

The game started out at quite a fast pace like last week had. Our defense was bombarded in the early going and they looked very dangerous when coming forward. We had a few counter attacks but nothing that looked like troubling their keeper. It was after about 6 minutes or so that they made their first strike. On of their guys cut across the middle and took a shot straight down the middle. It skittled through two defenders and myself (as keeper) to end up in the back of the net. An unlucky goal that should have been stopped by one of us, but just managed to get away.

However, that goal seemed to spark us up and we went on the attack. In a sweeping move forward, Mark took a shot from range and on the rebound Brodie connected with the ball and drove it into the back on the net, scores 1-1. Unfortunately for us, the managed to take the ball of us and had a one on one with me, I was not able to make the save and we went down by 2 goals to one.

Again we were sparked into action, making forward moves and then keeping composure to get back and defend. These forward progresses resulted in our second goal. Marko took the ball to the left side of the goal then delicately threaded the ball through to Brodie on the right side who then latched onto the end of the pass and cannoned it past the keeper. A well taken shot and presented Brodie with his second goal of the game.

Next it was my turn to shine, if I do say so myself. They had a two on one with me and on their first shot I was able to make a diving save to my left and parried the ball away from goal. Unfortunately it went straight to their other guy who took his shot, I was then able to make a falling save with my legs and kept the ball out. By this time our other players had come back to defend and the ball was cleared. I was très happy with those saves and always like to make a few good saves a game (after all it my job in the team to make saves).

The half ended after the managed to get another goal past me with a one on one, leaving the halftime scores: Usual Suspects 2, Soccer Whos? 3.

The second half started with us wanting to push for the win by improving our game and using skill to get the ball in the goal. That did not go to plan with the other team scoring am early goal to give them a two goal lead, 2-4. The goal was a very annoying one to concede as the scorer held the ball on the edge of the circle and we just could get it away from him before he turned and slotted it home.

The game turned in our favour a bit when their keeper dove to the ground and come out of the circle, which gave us a penalty. With Matt, Mark and Brodie on the field it was up to one of then to take it. Matt usually takes the penalties but he has come under some criticism lately for missing them. But with Brodie and Mark too shit scared to take it Matt stepped up; he bazooka’d it right past the goalie and converted. A well taken penalty and that could just silence his doubters. The scores were now 3-4.

The game then started to turn a bit rough, with hard challenges and an increased about of body-checking. Earlier Matt got viciously fouled and to go off (he came back on later) and now we started to get manhandled a lot more. Of course, the shithouse ref did not call anything, and when he did he got it completely wrong. For example, the ball was rolling between Brodie and a guy from the other team. They both ran for it and as they got closer the other guy turned his back to Brodie. Brodie then kicked the ball away, without touching the guy, and he was called for making a challenge from behind, even though the guy did not have possession of the ball and Brodie kicked the ball cleanly. This was a totally bullshit call by the ref because Brodie was not even making a tackle, he was kicking the ball, and the guy did not even have possession of the ball so there was no tackle to be made. Brodie didn’t even touch the guy so there could be no foul for that either. The ref we had is the most crap one there and we always seem to be having him. The place needs to put the best refs in Division 1 and let the fuckwit we had got back to the minor league. We should not have to put up with this shit when playing in the top flight. As you can tell I’m pretty pissed off and so I, and the team, should be.

Ok, back to the game. We pressed more and more to get an equalizer but out efforts were fruitless. The same guy who got their fourth goal got them a fifth goal in exactly same the fashion so I don’t need to describe it again. The match ended with us struggling to score again but with no luck.

Final scores: Usual Suspects 3 (Brodie 2, Matt 1) – Soccer Whos? 5.

Special thanks to Patrick and Ben who turned up to watch the match and support the team. Ben currently leads the Spectator’s Award, having been to all 4 games this season, but Patrick is not far behind on 3. I really like it when people come to watch our games, it adds support to the team and I really think that it gives us a boost. So thanks for those (especially Patrick and Ben who come most of the time) that come our games and I hope to see more of you in the future.

Another thing to note is that Brodie is on 198 games and will play his 200th match in two weeks time. He will become only the second Usual Suspect, behind me, to reach the milestone and will be a great achievement. The next on the list will be Matt who has played 191 matches currently. The team is what everyone wants to see succeed but it also good to note personal achievements along the way. The website will be updated soon so you can see more stats there. The address is:
http://home.iprimus.com.au/deanmark/

Until the next time I make post,

Fuck You San Diego

(Note: 1230 word post - man that’s long)

On a silver platter...

A few days ago on Monday night Brodie and I played some squash. I had not played in years – I think the last time was is high school in around year 10 or so, which is about 6 year ago. Brodie has played a bit since then and lets just say that I had my arse handed to me (on a silver platter). I did not expect to win seeing as it had been so long since I played, but I did not expect the pounding that I received.

We played 4 games all up (I think they are games, may have been sets, I don’t really know). The scores were all in favour of Brodie to the tune of 21-7, 21-13, 21-14, and 21-12. I can now appreciate the skill of Brodie inside the court, and shall not take any future games lightly. You could go as far as saying that he totally turkey slapped me, but without his dick in my face.

Following the workout, and from playing soccer the day before, I was pretty sore, but will be ok for The Usual Suspects indoor soccer game tonight. In the game of soccer on Sunday I clashed with Brad and hurt my knee. It started getting better and after a bit of time I was able to run around. At squash I strapped my knee and will do the same tonight, as everything seems fine this will just be precautionary. I am pretty much the only player who has been playing as long as I have from our team that has not had a serious injury. Touch wood that this continues so that I don’t have to miss any games as I really enjoy playing and don’t want to be forced to stop for a while.

Stay tuned for tomorrows entry because I will do another game review from our match tonight.

Until then,

(D)EA(N) Sports. It’s in the Game.

Usual Suspects Web Site

I have made a new website for The Usual Suspects.

This is extremely basic (I made it in about 10 minutes in FrontPage) and very crap, but is only up to allow others to see some stats.

http://home.iprimus.com.au/deanmark/

Let me know what other stats you want to see and I'll try to get them up for you. If anyone thinks that they could do a really awesome job with making a site and they want to, I am more than willing to let them make one for me (hint hint). I think someone could make a really cool one but it is beyond my ability at the present moment.

Suspected Usually

A game review for The Usual Suspects match on Thursday July 14, 2006.

It was The Usual Suspects third game of indoor soccer for the season last night. We were coming up against a team that we had never played before in La La Land. Although we had never played this team it is a Division 1 match so we could expect it to be tough.

The match started off at a lightning hot pace. The Land went off like a bullet and was all out attack. At this point I thought it was going to be an extremely though game. They had many shots but I managed to save a few and our defense was tight (like a tiger). It was in this stage that I had my personal highlight for the game. As keeper (like always) I had to make a triple save (three in a row) while they had two players going up against me. I was very pleased to have made those saves and you could say that I turkey slapped all over them with my work.

So after a tense first ten minutes the game really opened up. We started to get a lot more of the ball and pushed forward in waves of good attacking football. It was then after a few great attempts that we broke through for the first goal of the contest. Matt latched onto a through ball and slotted it to the left of the keeper with deadly accuracy. It was Usual Suspects 1, La La Land 0.

A few minutes later we had a free kick from about center. The ball was played in, but well defended by The Land and came straight back out. However, as their whole team streamed out of defense to go attacking Brodie stayed up forward and when the ball was quickly won back he was in the perfect position to take the pass and slot it home. He even nutmegged the keeper to make it even more special. We were now up by two goals. The third came soon after with Brodie boxed in on the left of the field he deftly used his left foot and bamboozled the opposition keeper. A well taken shot and one for his scrapbook.
Half-time came and it was 3-0 to The Usual Suspects.

The second half was whitewash, with us pretty much dominating play and the possession. One of there best chances came early but a save by my arse prevented the goal. A third goal to Brodie to complete his hat-trick followed. It was only his second came back after major double wrist surgery and followed his two goals last week, continuing a very impressive return to top flight football.

We scored four more goals in the match, with another to Matt and an extremely impressive second half hat-trick to Mark. It must be noted that Marko created a lot of play and was unlucky not bag a goal himself. One of Mark’s goals was also a signature Usual Suspects goal. It was where we brought the ball back deep into defense, pulling the opposition with us. The ball was then played back to me in goal and I quickly passed it to Mark on the left hand side, bouncing it off the net, which then allowed him to one-timer it into the top left corner of the goal. A total trademark goal for our team. These were once the kind of goals that Alex would get, but now that he has gone Mark has really stepped up taken the role unto his own.

The best part of the game for me was not conceding a goal for the whole match, that’s right, I got a clean sheet. These are very rare in indoor soccer and I was very pleased to come away with one, only my seventh clean sheet in 222 games.

Final scores: Usual Suspects 8 (Brodie 3, Mark 3, Matt 2) – La La Land 0.

Side note: that game review above was the first one that I have done in probably more than 3 years, and it felt pretty good. It took a bit of effort so I don’t know if I will do it every week but I will do it occasionally. Also I will be creating a new website for the team and when it is completed I will let people know. If the ideas in my head come together it should be pretty good, but don’t hold your breath.

This has been a presentation of Dean’s Wide World of Sports.

A New Hope

Well, after the incredible gayness of myspace, I have now transfered my whole blog to here on Blogger.

I originally chose to have my blog at myspace because I did not want to have it at msnspaces as I loath msnspaces with a burning vengence. So, after I saw Rhys' blog on myspace I thought that that looked ok and I would too join up. Then the gayness happened. After the ordeal of having to signup I then realised that you pretty much had to be signed in all of the time do anything. Just like msnspaces. This was the main reason that I hated msnspaces, because you had to sign in to comment and that pissed the shit out of me. My worst fears had been realised - I had a shit place for my blog.

After talking to Brad and Pat, it was suggested that this place may be the answer to my problems. A place where my customers (readers) would get the service they deserved and did not have to fucking signup for anything and could still post comments. Pat has been using Blogger for a while now and I have never had any problems with it as a customer of his. Now I offer this way for all those who read this blog. Rejoice, for the promised land has been reached. Live it up, make some comments, and best of all - you don't have to signup like damn msnspaces and myspace.

This has been a post by a rejuvenated Dean.

A game of soccer?

An even bigger group of us played soccer (I dont say football much now that the World Cup is over) again on Sunday and it was awesome. This time it did not rain and we could play a game on the grass. We played two games, one on the grass and another on the basketball courts.

In the first game I was goalkeeper for the whole time, and it ended 3-3. So it was decide that we would have a penalty shoot-out. Little did we know that this would be the same outcome in the final of the World Cup later that night. Unfortunately for my team we lost and the final score in the shoot-out was 3-2. But it was not a good shooting display as it took 9 penalties by each team to get that result I was pretty pissed off to miss both of mine and even more pissed to lose as I was the goalie.

In the second game I only went goalie for about 5 minutes at the end of the first half and got to run around for the rest of the game. It felt great to score the first goal of the match, after an interception and some dribbling I got to then slot it home. I ended up scoring another goal in the second half end enjoyed my time out in the field. My team (different combinations for the second game to the first) won pretty convincingly after Brad made the mistake of not picking Matt second (after Marko) and we had both players on our team. It is common knowledge that these are the two best players and they always go in the same order, Im sure Brad will not make the same mistake again now he knows. If you are reading Brad, sorry for this little blast, it is not intended to be bagging you but after writing it, it seems I am. Please take no offence.

The day was extremely enjoyable and there is now talk of making it a regular thing. I hope we can play soccer every Sunday down at the old school yard. I know there will be a number that are interested, hopefully a lot of people will want to do this often and we can make it work. Lets just say I have a dream.

This has been a blog by Dean proudly brought to you from the Vault of Dean.

Why do they....

...call it Ovaltine?

The mug is round.

The jar is round.

They should call it Roundtine.

That's gold, Jerry! Gold!

Ice Ice Baby

After playing football in the rain on Sunday, a few of us decided to go to the Ice Hockey that afternoon. I had never been to the rink to watch a game so it was quite (or quiet in Cabbage speak) exciting for me. It was decided that we would go when Brodie suggested it after he turned up late to play football. After going home to have a shower and get changed, Craig picked me up and we met Brodie and Patrick at Brodies place. From there we hopped into Brodies car (after helping take in the groceries) and we were off.

The place is not that close to us so we had a bit of drive, however in the car we listened to an album by P!ATD (Panic! At The Disco), which I really liked and will most likely get.
Upon arriving at the centre we proceeded to find a car space. When we did find one however someone drove straight through from the one behind and total fucked us up, it was completely inconsiderate and let me tell you that the driver got a car full of greasy looks. We then got another spot and paid our $5 to get in.

The place is really small but has a great atmosphere. It was Melbourne Ice taking on the Sydney Bears, a heated rivalry (well I suppose it is). Melbourne took the early lead with two goals but then ended the first period at 2-2. In fact, all three periods were 2-2 which made the game tied 6-6 at full time. Apparently this is a pretty high score but I would not know as it was my first game. Unfortunately the ICE lost in the shootout 3-2 but I think it was still a good show.

There was also infortune for Brodie and Patrick. Brodie got a call from his girlfriend and had to go to her before the second period started. As he was our ride, this meant Pat took one for the team, and went back with him, then came back to the stadium to give Craig and I a ride back. He got to see the end of the game and enjoy some KFC after.

All-In-All a very enjoyable outing and one I will look to do again.

----Document Finished----

A game of football?

Have I forgotten about this blog - obviously not.

Yesterday, Sunday, a couple of us went Back to the Future, back to our old school, Norwood. I have not been back to the old hunting ground for a while and it felt a bit weird seeing the change that has happened. A few newish portables and lot of yellow bins about sums it up. The reason for our trip to the former Mecca of our group: a game of soccer.

Brodie organised for a get-together and a kick of the round ball for the Saturday, but I had to work and it turned out that a lot of other cancelled also so it was re-organised for the Sunday, which worked out sweet for me as I got to play. The one problem that everyone was expecting was the rain. It rained and rained and rained, but we powered through. The thing that we were not expecting was that Brodie (the organiser of the event) would not show up. It turns out that he set his alarm for 12:15am, not 12:15pm, and as such turned up after we had finished at about 2:30pm. The soccer itself was pretty good even though the only people there were Me, Patrick, Marko, Craig, Elyse and William. We had a very long warm-up of kicking around a circle and then played a short game 3-on-3. It was tomato sauce in the fridge (Dean, Elyse and Craig) vs tomato sauce in the cupboard (Marko, Patrick and William). Unfortunately for us, Marko scored the only goal before Elyse had to go and they won 1-0.

Playing soccer did get me thinking about the way that I look at the game now. Since the World Cup started I have found myself now calling it football more and more. It is like I have become European and call it by the correct name. Is it that I now have a new found respect for the game or is it that I have been watching so much SBS that it has been ingrained into my brain? Either way I like it and think I will continue in this vein at least until the World Cup Final. One that subject - go France.

Until next time.

My name is Dean.

The End Of An Era

Today marked the end of my three week beard experiment.

The story goes - on May 31st I had a job inteview so I obviously shaved for this to look my best (good news is I got the job). I then had some time off from my current jobs to study for uni exams. In this time I decided not to shave and grew a beard. However, today I had to go back to work at Capt'n Snooze and thus needed to shave. I had to do this so that I would look presentable to customers when serving them, i.e. not look like a total bum. It has been 10 hours and I kind of miss it. I must admit that I look a lot better without it but it had grown on me (literally). It was such a bugger to shave too. Each time I did a stroke with my razor I could only go about an inch before it clogged up with all the hair and I had to clean it. This led to me being late to work which is not a good thing after being away for a few weeks. Anyhoo, here is a picture of me with the beard:

and now of me after having a shave:

Now on the topic of work.

I worked at Capt'n Snooze today and it was pretty hectic. As soon as I got there (which was late) I could see that there was a shitload of work to be done. I work in the warehouse, which was a complete mess. Mattresses were everywhere, bed frames all over the place and I had to find all the deliveries that had to go out that morning (12 deliveries today - a fuckload). It took a while but the drivers went on their way. My next task was to organise the enitire warehouse. I can see how much they need me because after only a couple of weeks the whole place had gone to hell. It took the better part of the day to get it the way I like and this was in between serving customers and writing up dockets (only one sale today - $477). A very long, but rewarding, day. Also, in my lunch break I did manage to come home and play a game of FIFA '98 so that was fun.

Finally, as Marko would say, END COMMUNICATION!

My First Blog

Well like Brodie I have decided to jump on to the Blogging bandwagon. Will this turn into a thing that I update/do often? Who knows. It is very likely that I will do two or three of these things and then just stop. Or mayby, just maybe, I will continue, gain a huge readership base, get noticed by a hollywood scout, get offered a movie writing/producing job, win a few Oscars, move into acting, win a few more Oscars, get really rich, wind up in the middle of a sex scandle, get hooked on cocaine, realise what went wrong, start to teach kids what's right, come back to Australia, then play Madden all day. Well actually the only certain thing in that list is that I will play Madden all day.

Nice and short for today - I don't want to burn up all of my blogging in one post - I think I might go and play some Madden now, or perhaps some FIFA Road to World Cup '98 thanks to Pat lending me his PlayStation.

Until I next write, to all my loyal followers (nobody knows about this blog yet so that total is zero), I bid farwell.