Greetings People
The thing with blogging - I can write a simple blog and it would not have to be one of my epic stories, or something messed up, or funny, or whatever. For instance, I can say
Happy Halloween!
and...
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Happy Halloween 2006
Greetings People
The thing with blogging - I can write a simple blog and it would not have to be one of my epic stories, or something messed up, or funny, or whatever. For instance, I can say
Happy Halloween!
and...
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Two Week Ago In Albuquerque, New Mexico
Greeting People
Sometimes a week goes by as "slow as molasses in winter time" and other times a week goes by so fast.
I never have been to the opening day of the Balloon Festival in Albuquerque. Let us say that was an amazing sight to see in the early morning sun that came over Sandia Peak on the East side of Albuquerque. Dawn patrol started about 6:00 am and their goal was to test the air and wind and see how the conditions of the morning were going to be. This Dawn patrol is essential to all the balloonist since there are going to be quite a few of them in the air.
Located just to the North of Albuquerque is where Balloon Festival Park is located. That is the starting point for the balloonist to begin their ascent into the sky. the balloon are assigned into waves and the waves are timed out and incredible to watch the ascention. Not to mention all the people in attendance that are present to see this world wide event happen.
Well, that being said. On opening day the balloonist do not take off from Balloon Festival Park. Instead, the balloonists are assigned to many different elementary schools throughout the city of Albuquerque. I think I saw as many as eight balloons at one elementary school getting ready to lift off.
I am assuming that the coordinators at each of the schools get the okay to start the lift offs of the balloons and the next thing you know there are balloons floating up in the air from all over Albuquerque. The sight was unbelievable. My dad was driving so me and my mom were able to see balloons around us. My dad unfortunately had to focus on the road in front of him and also be careful of the traffic around us since this was Friday morning traffic time. I lost count around 90 balloons.
So, I think the balloons stayed in the air for about 30 minutes then next thing you know the balloons are literally dropping to the ground right in front of you. You can see the balloonist in their baskets looking for a place to land. They are limited to the landing area depending on which way the wind was blowing them. As we were coming up 4th street going north we saw one balloon select a spot in between the main road and a sub division. The supposed landing area was on a hill and the utility lines were sort of here and there and the space was about 40 yards long. Amazingly enough that balloon landed safely. Of course while that was happening right in front of us there were three more balloons coming down to the west of us. All of them picking little landing area between building and homes. If you had your window down you can hear the gas increase or decrease if they were added more hot air to the balloon for more lift in order to clear a utility line or building/home. Pretty amazing.
Now, while that was going on you had to be careful of the "chase vehicles". The chase trucks were trucks with trailers who were assigned to follow their balloon and help them out. These drivers were good not to mention on their toes watching, following and anticipating the flight path of the balloon. I sort of related the sight to storm chasers or tornado chasers and how they follow their subjects.
By eight in the morning almost all the balloons were down and the opening morning of the Balloon Festival was over. I am glad I was able to watch this amazing event and also that the rain did not come. Saturday was a partial rain out and part of Sunday was also a rain out due to the cold front that had arrived Friday night/Saturday morning.
Sometimes a week goes by as "slow as molasses in winter time" and other times a week goes by so fast.
I never have been to the opening day of the Balloon Festival in Albuquerque. Let us say that was an amazing sight to see in the early morning sun that came over Sandia Peak on the East side of Albuquerque. Dawn patrol started about 6:00 am and their goal was to test the air and wind and see how the conditions of the morning were going to be. This Dawn patrol is essential to all the balloonist since there are going to be quite a few of them in the air.
Located just to the North of Albuquerque is where Balloon Festival Park is located. That is the starting point for the balloonist to begin their ascent into the sky. the balloon are assigned into waves and the waves are timed out and incredible to watch the ascention. Not to mention all the people in attendance that are present to see this world wide event happen.
Well, that being said. On opening day the balloonist do not take off from Balloon Festival Park. Instead, the balloonists are assigned to many different elementary schools throughout the city of Albuquerque. I think I saw as many as eight balloons at one elementary school getting ready to lift off.
I am assuming that the coordinators at each of the schools get the okay to start the lift offs of the balloons and the next thing you know there are balloons floating up in the air from all over Albuquerque. The sight was unbelievable. My dad was driving so me and my mom were able to see balloons around us. My dad unfortunately had to focus on the road in front of him and also be careful of the traffic around us since this was Friday morning traffic time. I lost count around 90 balloons.
So, I think the balloons stayed in the air for about 30 minutes then next thing you know the balloons are literally dropping to the ground right in front of you. You can see the balloonist in their baskets looking for a place to land. They are limited to the landing area depending on which way the wind was blowing them. As we were coming up 4th street going north we saw one balloon select a spot in between the main road and a sub division. The supposed landing area was on a hill and the utility lines were sort of here and there and the space was about 40 yards long. Amazingly enough that balloon landed safely. Of course while that was happening right in front of us there were three more balloons coming down to the west of us. All of them picking little landing area between building and homes. If you had your window down you can hear the gas increase or decrease if they were added more hot air to the balloon for more lift in order to clear a utility line or building/home. Pretty amazing.
Now, while that was going on you had to be careful of the "chase vehicles". The chase trucks were trucks with trailers who were assigned to follow their balloon and help them out. These drivers were good not to mention on their toes watching, following and anticipating the flight path of the balloon. I sort of related the sight to storm chasers or tornado chasers and how they follow their subjects.
By eight in the morning almost all the balloons were down and the opening morning of the Balloon Festival was over. I am glad I was able to watch this amazing event and also that the rain did not come. Saturday was a partial rain out and part of Sunday was also a rain out due to the cold front that had arrived Friday night/Saturday morning.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
The First Endo of the Year
Greeting People
I have to start and mention that this morning on my bike ride into work, which I also did on my mountain bike I bought this summer, I went up and over my handlebars. Sort of like an ungraceful ballerina or maybe a ballerina who decided to get wasted before an event. It happened so quick next thing you know I was laying on right side in the three to five inches of snow that had fallen in the past 24 hours.
You know I guess this is why I have a blog. I can tell you, or even remind myself of the misfortunes of my life. I know you probably shaking your head in disbelief, but I guess I am here to amuse you.
So, returning to the story.
I had to ride along the side of the road, basically in the gutter. There was no sidewalk on this portion of the road. The morning was a bit cold and the sun had not quite warmed up the snow and ice that had been compacted in the gutter in the night. I had to be careful of the frozen ice and slushy ice that was being warmed up by the sun. Well, there was I going up Park Meadows Drive, with my music going on the background.....
Oh, on a side note once more, let me tell you people about the new CD burner that I bought this past weekend. I was able to get last year's Sony model of the CD burner that one of the Office Depots had out on clearance. Since I have not been able to buy a new computer and unable to buy the Ipod that was suppose to buy last month which I have been brooding about, if you will. I saw the burner and saw that the specs met one of my computer's requirements and decided to gamble. Long story short I able to get the baby installed all by myself Sunday night and then I bought the CD-RW disc on Monday. Oh let me tell also, that while I was in Wal-Mart I had to ask for help since I no clue on whether to buy a CD-R or a CD-RW discs. But let me tell you that the Wal-mart employee was able to set me straight that morning. He sort of noticed I knew nothing about burning. Or probably thinking that this guy does not know his head from his ass. Well, I would not taken offense even if he said that. I am green behind the ears... well not green anymore since I am able to tell you that I have burned my first CD! He automatically recommended that I buy the CD-RW discs since I am beginner and would basically "Fuck it up" and then I would up the creek. I am happy to tell you I am glad I did buy the CD-RW since I tried to "burn" a CD Monday night and I did have problems - tiff, wma, etc, too many fucking audio formats and I did not get the hang of what format to rip to until near midnight. I will pass on my wisdom right now - you better "burn" in wav format since that what my CD music is recorded in. This info will save some headaches and lots of Donald Duck imitations that I was doing late Monday night and well into Tuesday morning. I could of been mistaken as Donald Duck with all that muttering and walking around in a pissed off state of mind.
...so going up Park Meadows Drive listening to my first "burned" CD. I was listening to the Scorpions version of "Dust in the Wind" and then next thing you know I was gliding through the air on a one way ticket downward arch to kiss Mother Earth personally. This fall was sort of controlled, since I sort of know how to fall, as opposed to the other people who fall like stone to the earth. Remember - I said I was"gliding" to earth. I only "fell like a stone" early in my falling days. Hah hah. I immediately turned my body to land on my side with my arm against my side and then fwump. I was glad I was not on the CD track "Fragile" by Sting, otherwise this blog might of been different.
Not a thump, but a fwump. A fwump is when you land in snow. Woo hoo - another fall that I was able to get up and laugh about. Son of a bitch - I must be experienced in accidents, unlike others I know who get themselves "F'd in the A" as my favorite little buddy would say. Also, a fwump is much more gentle than a thump. And even better than a bump bump your fucked thump. Hah hah. I am now making myself smile and laugh. I can laugh, because I have experienced all those sort of falls.
A couple of cars slowed down but I waved indicating the universal sign that I was okay and that was that. I was smiling and laughing to myself. I guess I need more riding time on my mountain bike. Granted, this was the first time that I rode the bike in the snow, which was the plan this morning. But, I bet that if I was riding my road bike this accident would not of happened. Then of course I would not been able to entertain you reader with another accident in my life.
Alright, until the next time I bid you adieu.
The Fallen Athlete
Daryl Charley
I have to start and mention that this morning on my bike ride into work, which I also did on my mountain bike I bought this summer, I went up and over my handlebars. Sort of like an ungraceful ballerina or maybe a ballerina who decided to get wasted before an event. It happened so quick next thing you know I was laying on right side in the three to five inches of snow that had fallen in the past 24 hours.
You know I guess this is why I have a blog. I can tell you, or even remind myself of the misfortunes of my life. I know you probably shaking your head in disbelief, but I guess I am here to amuse you.
So, returning to the story.
I had to ride along the side of the road, basically in the gutter. There was no sidewalk on this portion of the road. The morning was a bit cold and the sun had not quite warmed up the snow and ice that had been compacted in the gutter in the night. I had to be careful of the frozen ice and slushy ice that was being warmed up by the sun. Well, there was I going up Park Meadows Drive, with my music going on the background.....
Oh, on a side note once more, let me tell you people about the new CD burner that I bought this past weekend. I was able to get last year's Sony model of the CD burner that one of the Office Depots had out on clearance. Since I have not been able to buy a new computer and unable to buy the Ipod that was suppose to buy last month which I have been brooding about, if you will. I saw the burner and saw that the specs met one of my computer's requirements and decided to gamble. Long story short I able to get the baby installed all by myself Sunday night and then I bought the CD-RW disc on Monday. Oh let me tell also, that while I was in Wal-Mart I had to ask for help since I no clue on whether to buy a CD-R or a CD-RW discs. But let me tell you that the Wal-mart employee was able to set me straight that morning. He sort of noticed I knew nothing about burning. Or probably thinking that this guy does not know his head from his ass. Well, I would not taken offense even if he said that. I am green behind the ears... well not green anymore since I am able to tell you that I have burned my first CD! He automatically recommended that I buy the CD-RW discs since I am beginner and would basically "Fuck it up" and then I would up the creek. I am happy to tell you I am glad I did buy the CD-RW since I tried to "burn" a CD Monday night and I did have problems - tiff, wma, etc, too many fucking audio formats and I did not get the hang of what format to rip to until near midnight. I will pass on my wisdom right now - you better "burn" in wav format since that what my CD music is recorded in. This info will save some headaches and lots of Donald Duck imitations that I was doing late Monday night and well into Tuesday morning. I could of been mistaken as Donald Duck with all that muttering and walking around in a pissed off state of mind.
...so going up Park Meadows Drive listening to my first "burned" CD. I was listening to the Scorpions version of "Dust in the Wind" and then next thing you know I was gliding through the air on a one way ticket downward arch to kiss Mother Earth personally. This fall was sort of controlled, since I sort of know how to fall, as opposed to the other people who fall like stone to the earth. Remember - I said I was"gliding" to earth. I only "fell like a stone" early in my falling days. Hah hah. I immediately turned my body to land on my side with my arm against my side and then fwump. I was glad I was not on the CD track "Fragile" by Sting, otherwise this blog might of been different.
Not a thump, but a fwump. A fwump is when you land in snow. Woo hoo - another fall that I was able to get up and laugh about. Son of a bitch - I must be experienced in accidents, unlike others I know who get themselves "F'd in the A" as my favorite little buddy would say. Also, a fwump is much more gentle than a thump. And even better than a bump bump your fucked thump. Hah hah. I am now making myself smile and laugh. I can laugh, because I have experienced all those sort of falls.
A couple of cars slowed down but I waved indicating the universal sign that I was okay and that was that. I was smiling and laughing to myself. I guess I need more riding time on my mountain bike. Granted, this was the first time that I rode the bike in the snow, which was the plan this morning. But, I bet that if I was riding my road bike this accident would not of happened. Then of course I would not been able to entertain you reader with another accident in my life.
Alright, until the next time I bid you adieu.
The Fallen Athlete
Daryl Charley
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Something from the Plains of New Mexico
Greetings People
Here is a picure that I like, but does not show the mother of the bitch - HeartBreak Hill. This woman is located in the early part of the Santa Fe Century, but still a hill that one should not take lightly. She can take down 90 percent of the riders that try and tame the bitch. I do have some journals of the Santa Fe Century, but I am currently in the process of loading onto Blogger.com. Anyway, this picture is the smile of a well done job that awaiting for me at the top of the climb. Yet, the bitch took a shot at me and nearly caused me a heartbreak on this day.
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