About

The Quick & Dirty

Hi there. Name’s Matt. Or Doogs, if you prefer. I work as lead writer at a social marketing firm here in Austin, TX.

I’m 29. Married. Dad to an adorable little boy and four dogs.

In my free time (ha!), I, um, write. Historical fiction. It’s a nice constrast to the consumer electronics, digital content, and social media strategeriness I write about during the day.

I also get all interested in cars, photography, politics, history, movies, and knitting. Actually, scratch that last. I can barely tie yarn in a knot.

What’s the Deal With Doogs?

Last name’s McDougall. But three syllables is a lot, so people started calling me Doogs. And it stuck. To the point where our CEO calls me Doogs.

Carpe Hot Dog…?

It’s Latin for “sieze the hot dog”. You know, live for today, because hot dogs are delicious.

A Brief Timeline of Time

202 B.C. – Scipio defeats Hannibal at Battle of Zama, ending Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage

410 A.D. – King Alaric of the Visigoths sacks Rome. Dies a few months later of swine flu.

1979 – Born

1984 – Transformers debuts.

1996 – Driver’s License. Roads (and closed roads, and places without roads) never safe again

1998-2000 – Vanderbilt. That’s in Nashville.

2000 – Transfer to UT and return to Texas.

2001 – Met the wife.

2002 – Graduated. Full time job. Full time fiance. House #1. Dog #1. Big year.

2003 – Married.

2005 – Basically a crazy year all around. The herd swells to four dogs.

2008 – New job. New baby. This is what health insurance companies call a “life-changing event”.

2009 – Holy shit what happened to the economy and why is every celebrity dying?