Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Happy Happy Birthday, Michael Dear!!!


(above: one of Mike's "forgotten" art pieces...aka, ones he thinks suck and tries to throw away and I dig them out and keep them. Also, click on any of the pictures in this post to see them in their true glory)


Soooooooooooooooooooo it's Mike's 30th birthday today! He's finally entered the 30's with me and what a wonderful feeling it must be. I remember my 30th and it was not spectacular, so I wanted this one to be extra special for him.

Last night, we went to this amazing place on the "strip" of Palm Springs. For those of you who have not seen this, it's something amazing, I have to say. Forget all your preconceived notions of what a "strip" is and imagine a long street lined with old spanish style buildings and mid-century (50's retro style) stores all pressed together side by side. Then imagine millions of palm trees and quiet sidewalks and restaurants to DIE for oh and the best part!!! (other than the shopping, but who can afford that, really?) The Art scene there. Oh and there's a Shag exhibit right now and I can get discounts because I'm a crazy stalker of it! Wanna see my favorite new Shag piece???:

Oh and if you're not familiar with Josh Agle's work, a few years ago he did ALL OF THIS MERCHANDISE for Disneyland I'm sure you've all seen:






Anyway, my Mike's an artist and an incredibly talented one at that: (this was a "doodle" in ball point pen one day while he was on the phone. Not the greatest scan, but just know, it's detail is incredible in person)

and I'm an art fanatic but our taste is a bit different, but just similar enough to where we appreciate eachother's opinions and likes. Palm Springs is fantastic. I love it. We decided that if we were a childless couple entering their mid thirties/forties, we'd move there and live in a sprawling ranch style house like this one that we love:



So we went to dinner last night just after the sun set behind the mountains right behind the restaurant. We went to Kaiser Grill. I had the salmon and a mixed field green salad with candied walnuts and craisins and goat cheese, Mike had his favorite Asian Pear and Gorgonzola wood fired pizza and we shared the crab cakes as an appetizer. Oh my delicious. Sooooooooo good. A bit on the spendy side but it was only like $60 for both of us. Oh and we had streetside seating, and it was a Tuesday so there were not many cars but it was nice to see some of the locals strolling down the gorgeous quaint sidewalks hand in hand.

Anyway, today he went to work, even though I begged him to stay home with me and play (he's such a good dad/husband/provider) so tonight, when he gets home, I'll have something nice for him...this baby will be sitting in the driveway.

That's right kids, it's a Badonkadonk. Here's the description from Amazon.com:

Product Description The JL421 Badonkadonk is a completely unique, extremely rare land vehicle and battle tank. Designed with versatility in mind, the Donk can transport cargo or a crew of five internally or on the roof, and can be piloted from within the armored shell or from an exposed standing position through the hatch, thanks to special one-way steel mesh armor windows and a control stick that pivots up and down to allow piloting from the standing or seated positions. The interior is fully carpeted and cozy, with accent lighting and room for up to five people. A 400 watt premium sound system with PA is mounted to project sound both into the cabin and outward from behind the windows. The exterior is a steel shell with a rust patina, and features head and tail lights, turn signal lights, trim lighting, underbody lighting, fixed slats protecting the windows, and a unique industrial-strength rubberized flexible skirt that shields and protects the wheels to within an inch of the ground, while still allowing for enough flex to give clearance over bumpy and uneven terrain. Master power, ignition, all lighting, and stereo features are controlled from a single switchboard to the left of the driver, again accessible from either the seated or standing position. Standard drive is an air-cooled, 6hp Tecumseh gasoline (unleaded only) engine, with centrifugal clutch, giving the Donk a top speed of 40 mph. This vehicle is not licensed for use on public roads, and is intended as a recreational vehicle only. Badonkadonks are produced on an order-by-order basis, with each one having it's own unique set of features. With your order is included unlimited consultations with the designer and manufacturer concerning all relevant options (a representative from NAO will contact you shortly after your order). Price does not include shipping and handling.








...just kidding.

Anyway baby, if you're reading this, I love you so much. You have taken this old girl and her 4 kids and turned us into the family we never had. You're a patient daddy, a sweet husband, an amazing provider, a priesthood holder, an amazing artist, an incredible person and last but not least, my very best friend. I couldn't want more, and we love you so much!


Happy Birthday Michael!

16 comments:

Ashley O said...

I love his stuff...he must be of the craziness! And yes I TOTALLY thought of the retro Disneyland merch as I saw your monkey love peecha! I';m cool like that!

So, CHAPPY BAHVDAI VAHNDAMAHK DEAH FREN!!! Yay to the Mike to the Izzay! I love you man! (remember how dad would say that all the day? thank goodness for beer commercials) and I digress...

You are great man! Best of luck to being in your 30's! and I'm freaking out because I'm almost 24! EEK...and what the ayeff was that Donk all about?

Stacey said...

What a doodle! Happy Birthday Alli's sweet husband. The date sounded awesome. And 30 is the new 20, remember?

Dani said...

Okay, so I was getting on my private plane in my best white dress and warming up my voice to come and sing a happy bday song for Mike, and my Pilot called in sick. So sorry! This will have to do......ahem....and many more....... There! Gas for my plane is so expensive anyway. Oh yeah, and I WISH I could draw like that, my 6 year old draws better than me. Have a superdeedooper day!

K. H. said...

Hippy B-dizzle!!!

Can't believe I've only known you guys 4.75 years. Feels like 100!!

In celebration, here's a photo of you posing with a feather.

-KJ said...

K, does that first picture remind you of TMNT? That is what it made me think of!!! He is muy talented!
Happy B-day Michael! Who needs a birthday party when you live at the circus!

shauna said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Michael from the Oblad parents. Remember 60 is the new 30. That is what I will be saying in a couple of years!!!
I was going to send a card with Alli and I forgot. We will get it to you some time this year if you know us!!!!

We love you!!!

shauna said...

Did my last post come through? I got a weird prompt after I sent it>..

Eliza said...

Happy Badonkadonk-day Michael. Remember not to answer the phone if I call. From all of us in lovely ol' Lehi, Utah....WE LOVE YOUR GUTS!

Lyd said...

Hoppy Birfday Mike! I'm sure that it will be a good one. Did you go and get Halo 3!? And I totally love your drawrings! They are so amazing! I wish I could doodle like that!

And I totally love those Shag pictures! They are so freakin cute! And I agree with you Kissy. That first one is totally TMNT!

Mandy said...

happy birthday! ill go at some cake for you

Tippidy said...

i love you dad-dad! i hope you like all your presents. you are the best dad in the whole wide world.

Mike Easley said...

Helloooooooo!

Thanks for all the wonderful birthday wishes and whatnot. It was one sweet day, like the hit single from Mariah Carey. I got the totally most awesome gift from my most awesome wife, which is the Halo3box360. All I know is that at some point I saw a guy walking around with a gatling gun. Now that's what I call entertainment. Oh and I'm pretty sure that picture with the feather is NOT me because I only do manly poses like arm flexes and throwing up peace signs while I'm squatting in front of my crew. WORD.

Mike Easley said...

the badonkadonk would be so sweet in halo.

Alli Easley said...

Honey, next time you and your "crew" get together, I'm making you all pose like that with flexing and peace signs et al. so I can take pictures of it. You are sick.

Mike Easley said...

dude I just heard one sweet day my mariah carey at the bank

Alli Easley said...

SHUT YOUR FREAKIN MOUTH that is so awesome. It is indeed One Sweet Day today, now in't it?