The French Open 2007 - Day 4

Greetings Readers

I was in a "foul" mood yesterday and I was not in the mood to communicate with the world. No, I am not going to tell you why readers. Let us just say that it began when I got up in the morning.

So, I went home to check the tape that I used for yesterday's match. I sort of went through the tape. I did not feel like watching so I wanted to see what matches I did get. Sharapova - nope did not want to see. Williams - Not even either. Monfils - yes, but not at that moment.

Then, I saw on the official website there is a picture of Mary Pierce. The picture is from the official website of the Roland Garros (Mary on the far left). I simply forgot about her and I have not even thought about her for about year or so. So, that is her gracing my blog today. She was a good player, but not great. I guess the thing that I remember the most is that she was a winner of an event then she showed up at the French Open, I think, and she got the shit beat of her by Henin-Hardenne (married at that time) I think in the finals. She cried after that lost and I think she lost all confidence after that tremendous beating. Again, I could be wrong since I am trying to remember my history on Mary Pierce.

Thinking about that - my time with the Women players is almost at an end, so to speak. The players I have watched in the past are all leaving (retiring). I tend to dislike all "new" players and have a tendency to compare the women of today to the women of yesterday. I know that is not fair. But sheeze the face of Women's Tennis has changed. I am changing though since I have to have new players to follow. As in real life I have to learn to accept change.

Sorry that I have no comments on the matches from yesterday, but since I did not watch I have nothing to write about. Below are the results in case you readers are following...

Thursday, May 31

French Open - Men's

Second Round

Rafael Nadal (2) def. Flavio Cipolla, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4
Novak Djokovic (6) def. Laurent Recouderc, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
Ivan Ljubicic (7) def. Stanislas Wawrinka, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3
David Ferrer (12) def. Diego Hartfield, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)
Lleyton Hewitt (14) def. Gaston Gaudio, 4-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2

Marcos Baghdatis (16) def. Kristian Pless, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4
Jarkko Nieminen (20) def. Mathieu Montcourt, 6-1, 6-1, 6-4
Fernando Verdasco def. Dmitry Tursunov (21), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
Carlos Moya (23) def. Florent Serra, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4
Oscar Hernandez def. Philipp Kohlschreiber (28), 7-6 (10-8), 6-1, 6-1

Olivier Patience def. Mariano Zabaleta, 7-5, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-4
Juan Pablo Brzezicki def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 6-0
Paul-Henri Mathieu vs. Gilles Simon
Jan Hajek def. Bohdan Ulihrach, 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 6-2
Jonas Bjorkman def. Ivo Karlovic, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3

Nicolas Massu vs. Igor Andreev, 3-6, 4-0
Albert Montanes def. Ernest Gulbis, 6-1, 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (7-3)

French Open - Women's

Second Round

Maria Sharapova (2) def. Jill Craybas, 6-2, 6-1
Svetlana Kuznetsova (3) def. Meghann Shaughnessy, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
Amelie Mauresmo (5) def. Nathalie Dechy, 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-1
Ana Ivanovic (7) def. Sania Mirza, 6-1, 6-4
Serena Williams (8) def. Milagros Sequera, 6-0, 7-6 (7-3)

Anna Chakvetadze (9) def. Agnes Szavay, 6-4, 6-7 (1-7), 6-4
Daniela Hantuchova (12) vs. Olga Poutchkova
Patty Schnyder (14) def. Kateryna Bondarenko, 6-3, 6-2
Shahar Peer (15) def. Edina Gallovits, 6-4, 6-1
Katarina Srebotnik (17) def. Vera Dushevina, 6-4, 6-2

Ai Sugiyama (21) def. Meilen Tu, 6-3, 1-6, 6-1
Karin Knapp def. Alona Bondarenko (22), 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
Anabel Medina Garrigues (24) def. Elena Likhovtseva, 7-5, 6-4
Lucie Safarova (25) def. Nicole Pratt, 6-0, 6-1
Alla Kudryavtseva def. Gisela Dulko (29), 7-5, 1-6, 8-6

Martina Muller (32) vs. Dominika Cibulkova, 3-6, 1-2
Ioana Ralucca Olaru def. Tatiana Poutchek, 6-3, 6-0

Readers time for me to go...

Until the next time

Dayl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The French Open 2007 - Day 3

Greetings Readers

The Holiday was yesterday for me and I just did not make the time to blog.

Getting to business - Basically no play of Tennis was yesterday, but boy oh boy the schedule was packed today. I set the recorder so I am anxious to start watching some of the matches tonight.

Today's picture is of Davydenko. I know the player, but I really do not follow him. I think I like him just because of his name. It has that "True" Russian sounding name - "Denko" and not like those pesky "ovas". Anyway, he was the only Men's match that was finished yesterday and he is onto the next round of the French Open.

In case any of you readers need the official website of the The French Open - www.rolandgarros.com. All the info that you need is there. Please peruse. I visit often, but try not to until I watch my matches that I have recorded in the day while at work. I want to be surprised and find out myself when a seeded player gets "the boot". Of course, it comes to no surprise that Roddick has been eliminated already

French Open - Men

Roger Federer (1) def. Michael Russell, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4
Rafael Nadal (2) def. Juan Martin Del Potro, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2
Igor Andreev def. Andy Roddick (3), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4
Radek Stepanek def. Fernando Gonzalez (5), 6-2, 6-2, 6-4
Novak Djokovic (6) vs. Santiago Giraldo, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) suspended

Ivan Ljubicic (7) def. Arnaud Clement, 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (7-2)
Ivo Karlovic def. James Blake (8), 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5
Tommy Robredo (9) def. Sergio Roitman, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
Tomas Berdych (10) vs. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, 5-7, 4-6, 2-2 suspended
Richard Gasquet (11) def. Nicolas Mahut, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2

David Ferrer (12) vs. Daniele Bracciali, 6-1, 6-1 suspended
Mikhail Youzhny (13) def. Jan Hernych walkover
Lleyton Hewitt (14) def. Max Mirnyi, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3
David Nalbandian (15) def. Hyung-Taik Lee, 6-2, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
Marcos Baghdatis (16) def. Sebastien Grosjean, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4

Juan Carlos Ferrero (17) def. Amer Delic, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-3, 6-4
Juan Ignacio Chela (18) def. Fabrice Santoro, 6-7 (5-7), 6-0, 6-3, 6-3
Guillermo Canas (19) def. Victor Hanescu, 6-3, 6-1, 6-4
Jarkko Nieminen (20) def. Feliciano Lopez, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2)
Dmitry Tursunov (21) def. Alessio Di Mauro, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

Carlos Mayo (23) vs. Andreas Seppi
Carlos Moya (23) vs. Andreas Seppi, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 0-4 suspended
Bohdan Ulihrach def. Dominik Hrbaty (24), 6-2, 5-7, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 6-3
Albert Montanes def. Robin Soderling (25), 7-6 (7-4), 4-1 retired
Mariano Zabaleta def. Agustin Calleri (26), 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5), 7-5

Jurgen Melzer (27) def. Jose Acasuso, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4
Philipp Kohlschreiber (28) def. Lukas Dlouhy, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, 4-6, 17-15
Filippo Volandri (29) def. Paul Capdeville, 6-3, 7-5, 6-3
Carlos Berlocq def. Julien Benneteau (30), 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3
Paul-Henri Mathieu def. Florian Mayer (31), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2

Nicolas Almagro (32) def. Justin Gimelstob, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
Edouard Roger-Vasselin def. Marcos Daniel, 6-1, 4-1 retired
Juan Monaco def. Fabio Fognini, 3-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4
Konstantinos Economidis def. Chris Guccione, 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-4, 6-1
Kristof Vliegen def. Danai Udomchoke, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3

Simone Bolelli def. Martin Verkerk, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4
Werner Eschauer def. Alexandre Sidorenko, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 5-4 retired
Stefan Koubek def. Christophe Rochus, 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, 1-2 retired
Juan Pablo Brzezicki def. Robert Kendrick, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1
Jan Hajek def. Thomas Johansson, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-3)

Jonas Bjorkman def. Peter Luczak, 6-7 (4-7), 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, 6-1
Gaston Gaudio def. Marc Gicquel, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
Gael Monfils def. Olivier Rochus, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
Nicolas Massu def. Luis Horna, 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-7 (1-7), 6-2
Gilles Simon def. Vincent Spadea, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3

Florent Serra def. Igor Kunitsyn, 6-3, 6-0, 6-2
Kristian Pless def. Yen-Hsun Lu, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1)
Martin Vassallo Arguello def. Alejandro Falla, 6-3, 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-4)
Flavio Cipolla vs. Teimuraz Gabashvili, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 suspended
Michael Llodra def. Nicolas Devilder, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3

Ivan Navarro Pastor def. Boris Pashanski, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, 6-4
Ernest Gulbis def. Tim Henman, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2
Therry Ascione def. Marin Cilic, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1
Olivier Patience def. Jonathan Eysseric, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
Robby Ginepri vs. Diego Hartfield, 4-6, 6-1 suspended

Stanislas Wawrinka def. Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, 0-6, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4
Nicolas Lapentti def. Alexander Peya, 6-1, 6-4, 2-1 retired
Mathieu Montcourt def. Benjamin Becker, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3
Fernando Verdasco def. Jerome Haehnel, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-0
Laurent Recouderc def. Sam Querrey, 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-0, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3

Juan-Pablo Guzman vs. Oscar Hernandez, 6-7 (4-7), 0-6, 1-3 suspended

French Open - Women

First Round

Jelena Jankovic (4) def. Stephanie Foretz, 6-2, 6-2
Nicole Vaidisova (6) def. Emmanuelle Gagliardi, 6-4, 6-3
Kveta Peschke def. Nadia Petrova (11), 7-5, 5-7, 6-0
Elena Dementieva (13) def. Angelique Kerber, 6-3, 6-2
Marion Bartoli (18) def. Aravane Rezai, 6-2, 6-4

Sybille Bammer (20) def. Roberta Vinci, 6-4, 6-4
Francesca Schiavone (23) def. Yvonne Meusburger, 6-2, 6-4
Mara Santangelo (28) def. Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-1, 6-4
Tzipora Obziler def. Melinda Czink, 6-3, 6-4
Nuria Llagostera Vives def. Anna Smashnova, 6-2, 7-5

Akgul Amanmuradova def. Vania King, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-3
Catalina Castano def. Emma Laine, 1-6, 7-5, 6-4
Mathilde Johansson def. Anna-Lena Groenefeld, 7-5, 6-4
Milagros Sequera def. Virginie Razzano, 5-7, 6-3, 9-7
Olga Savchuk def. Yaroslava Shvedova, 7-5, 7-5

Tamarine Tanasgarn def. Casey Dellacqua, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
Andrea Petkovic def. Jarmila Gajdosova, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
Pauline Parmentier def. Mariya Koryttseva, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
Maria Kirilenko def. Maria Camerin, 6-3, 6-0
Timea Bacsinszky def. Jie Zheng, 7-6 (7-3), 6-0

Shenay Perry def. Oliva Sanchez, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
Stephanie Cohen Aloro def. Anastasiya Yakimova, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1

And that schedule was only Tuesday's schedule! Monday's schedule is listed below.

French Open - Men

Nikolay Davydenko (4) def. Stefano Galvani, 6-3, 6-1, 6-1

French Open - Women

Na Li (16) def. Sandra Kloesel, 7-6 (7-4), 6-0
Tathiana Garbin (19) def. Akiko Morigami, 7-6, 6-4
Venus Williams (26) def. Alize Cornet, 6-4, 6-3
Samantha Stosur (27) def. Jamea Jackson, 6-1, 6-2
Michaella Krajicek def. Severine Bremond (31), 6-3, 6-3

Ashley Harkleroad def. Aleksandra Wozniak, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1)

I was watching Fox 31 News this morning and guess what? My previous blog about the Denver Bronco player Darrent Williams may have been on track, the way I saw the incident after hearing the news. But I do not know the whole "new" news so I am going to have to follow up on this and keep you readers posted. Here is the previous entry I blogged on http://redhooktyrant.blogspot.com/2007/01/three-fridays-in-row-for-snow-bro.html.

By the way readers, I have been trying to get my thoughts together, but I can not. My mind is on the Tennis matches that I have taped. So, with that I am going to say...

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Start of the French Open 2007

Greetings Readers

And we have our first winner of the day - Marat Safin. Yes, that is the picture of "the man with attitude" Boo- yah! I will say this again and again - Safin is an interesting player to watch, especially when he gets fucking pissed off. Rackets are thrown and broken, some damages usually ensues around the court. No one is safe from his temper. One may compare him to McEnroe, but I would highly disagree. Anyway, Congrats Safin.

Play was suspended to rain and will resume tomorrow with a full schedule, but the weather forecaster are predicting more rain. I have copied the schedule of the first day of play so you readers do not have to go looking for the information.

First Round - Men

Fernando Gonzalez (5) vs. Radek Stepanek suspended
Ivan Ljubicic (7) vs. Arnaud Clement suspended
Mikhail Youzhny (13) vs. Jan Hernych suspended
Juan Carlos Ferrero (17) vs. Amer Delic suspended
Marat Safin (22) def. Fernando Vicente, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1
Julien Benneteau (30) vs. Carlos Berlocq suspended
Janko Tipsarevic def. Dusan Vemic, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo vs. Stanislas Wawrinka suspended
Stefan Koubek vs. Christophe Rochus suspended
Potito Starace def. Ivo Minar, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)
Edouard Roger-Vasselin vs. Marcos Daniel suspended
Nicolas Lapentti vs. Alexander Peya suspended

First Round - Women

Justine Henin (1) def. Elena Vesnina, 6-4, 6-3
Serena Williams (8) def. Tsvetana Pironkova, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
Dinara Safina (10) def. Yuliana Fedak, 7-5, 6-4
Na Li (16) vs. Sandra Kloesel suspended
Francesca Schiavone (23) vs. Yvonne Meusburger suspended
Venus Williams (26) vs. Alize Cornet suspended
Severine Bremond (31) vs. Michaella Krajicek suspended
Mathilde Johansson vs. Anna-Lena Groenefeld suspended
Tamira Paszek def. Aiko Nakamura, 6-4, 6-0
Oliva Sanchez vs. Shenay Perry suspended
Ashley Harkleroad vs. Aleksandra Wozniak suspended
Melinda Czink vs. Tzipora Obziler suspended

The only thing that you readers will find during the French Open 2007 will be one picture that I select each day for my blog. For the readers who have been with me for a while I usually have a story/match about the picture from what I saw with my own two eyes. I do, and will not, use another person's summary of the match(es) I see on TV. So if you are going to be needing to see other photos then you will have to "surf " the internet for them. Believe me, I wish I could post every picture here, but then I would selecting picture after picture and I would never stop. Hah hah. So, that is why I only limit one photo from each day of the Grand Slam on my blog.

The second day of the three day Memorial Day weekend. Sunny and a bit cloudy outside. I got a bit sentimental thinking about the soldiers that were killed on Normandy Beach decades ago. I could even say last century. I was thinking about "Saving Private Ryan" and the intense opening scene of the movie. I know not how close to the truth that is, but those soldiers on that beach died protecting freedom.

Stop. I am not going to talk about the Iraq/Gulf war so please do not ask. I have views and probably not in view with yours. Yes, I will talk in due time about it, but for now I will have to leave that subject alone.

I saw "28 Weeks later" this weekend. I found the first story/movie intriguing even though I did not see the movie "28 days later" until the movie premiered on FX. Now, the second movie was interesting. The movie was good, but not much of a movie for an hour and a half. The plot was simple and yes we have seen it time after time, but I was not bored. Unlike Spiderman 3 where I was tossing and turning in my seat trying to stay interested in the movie. If you like the first movie go see it, but if you have not seen it then you should skip the movie. The plot - trying to stay alive and sane.

Oh, I saw the teaser trailer on FX for McNamara / Troy - Hollywood - this fall. Yes, I know that the trailer showed nothing except the skyline of LA from the Hollywood sign on the Hill, but never-the-less I got excited. I have fallen for the characters of Sean & Christian and yes I will miss them in Florida. I am happy that the show did not get cancelled. I get an excuse to drink a glass of wine, stay up til 11 PM when the show starts and for an hour I get to immerse myself with those two doctors. Oops - the show is Nip / Tuck, but the teaser trailer had NcNamara / Troy - Hollywood

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Memorial Weekend Holiday - The 1st Day

Greetings Readers

Well I have a bit of time and I have decided to write something short.

The first day of a three day weekend and also the another mini-vacation since I just came back from a vacation on Wednesday.

I do not think that I have told you readers that I belong to the Coke rewards program. Anyway, I have some points to spend and I have finally reached the level I thought I could not get to. I am thinking about cashing in and get a DVD player. Granted, I am sure that the DVD played is under $ 100 in the stores but the thought of a "free" DVD player is really nipping me in the buds. However, there is a lot of Coca-Cola items that are also very cool. Unique and not available anywhere, so to speak.

Woo-Hoo - I finally got my last bike back from the bike shop that I turned in a month ago. I could say "Tracey", but most of you readers would wonder why finally I got Tracey back from the bike shop after a month. She got her annual checkup and not to mention some new parts. I could not believe how much parts were worn out after 5700 miles in three years. Of course Heidi is over 50,000 miles, but she only got the "free" lifetime check up. I am not sure that the cost of getting her repaired would be a cost that I could do. Granted, she's my first, but she needs so much work. Anyway. Tracey is a few pounds lighter (I got new rims) and she is ready for my daily commute to work. Gosh-Damn - she has new rims, new middle ring, new cables, cassette, & brake pads. And some other minor things. Yes, I spent alot, but the cost will outweight me using the next good bike at home. The picture on today's blog is of Tracey and me.

By the way readers, it took so long because I told them to take their time. I believe in them getting the job done on my bike the attention that I need to them to do. I do not want to rush people nor let them work with a deadline on my bike since some people could rush the job in sakes of making the customer happy. Sure I want my bike right away, but I also want people to take "pride" in working on my bike(s). Selfish? Arrogant? You bet, but I do expect the best when dealing with my bikes. I take pride in my bikes and what I do biking.

I hate to say this, but I am thinking that Tracey is too pretty now and I do not want her to get dirty, rained on, or used. I am really thinking getting Heidi fixed up. She is over 6 years old and is my babe from the beginning. Who knows. I did get my tax refund back so I have some money to use, if needed.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another Fallen Athlete in 2007

Greetings Readers

Very, very interesting news from a former Tour de France winner (Pictured - Bjarne Riis). I just read the article on Yahoo.com and I see that this former winner admitted that he took banned substances. He further goes on to say that the jersey he won is in a cardboard box and not being displayed.

"My jersey is at home in a cardboard box," said Riis, now manager of the CSC team. "They are welcome to come and get it. I have my memories for myself."

He is also okay with the Tour de France to take back the jersey and do whatever needs to be done.

I guess why this impacts me so much is that the jersey is in a cardboard box. Biis knew how he won the jersey and knows that he really did not earn that jersey without "cheating". I am not going to talk about that part, but the visual of seeing that jersey in a box. Sort of sad, but in a sense that is exactly the thing that I would do. Sad, in a sense, that I can really feel for Biis. I hope that if he had any "weight on his shoulders" then the burden has been lifted. As for his status, does not matter either way. Keep it or strip it? Only the appropriate person(s) will make that decision. I hope the best for you Biis.

Thinking more and more about this new news it does make sense since this was the time that the Tour was being rocked by scandals. Though that is purely subjective.

Ivan Basso has been banned from racing for 21 months, if I read the news articles correctly.

Readers, do not forget the French Open - starts Sunday. Except without Martina Hingis...

"... Switzerland's Martina Hingis, who has a hip injury."

I am looking at the Women's Draw and there are a few names that I do not see. Then, I see Ivanovic, Peer, Kuznetsova, Henin, the Williams sisters, Dementieva Vaidisova & Srebotnik to name a few.

Okay readers, time for to wrap it up and let you guys and gal enjoy a 3 day weekend, if that may be the case. I am not sure that I will be on the net, but if I do I will make sure to post a blog.

Until the next time readers.

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Almost the Three day weekend

Greetings Readers

Well, Finally the day turned out to be alright and the sun did shine. I was worried since the morning was only in the 30's and the ground was still wet from all the rain yesterday evening. The rain started yesterday afternoon and then the rain did not let up until late last night. The rain was steady and not really a heavy, hard downpour.

Okay, So I got the chance to read more about the story of Landis and the "dark" secret. Apparently, from what I read, Landis's manager - Will, called Greg LeMond pretending to be his "uncle" and tried to scare Greg about the secret being divulged if Greg LeMond testifies at the hearing. While Will was making the phone call to Greg, Landis was in the same room across the table from Will. According to the articles that I read Floyd could not hear the phone conversation. Well readers, that must be either one fucking long table or the noise level was so loud that Floyd could not hear, but then that would me Will had to talk loud into the phone. Who knows.

Anyway, using intimidation in Floyd's hearing was something no one should even think of. Especially an American doing this sort of tactic on another American. I guess thinking about this more I could see why Floyd would use this info since LeMond had said some remarks back in the past about his former teammate Armstrong. So, I could the reason why Floyd would try this sort of tactic, even though he knew nothing of this conversation.

So, today I read the news that the hearings have been concluded and from there it is in the hands of the 3 person "council". Just like Tyler Hamilton did two years ago.

The opinion that I have come to after "digesting" all this info - is that this hearing really did not help Floyd and there is really no evidence to show otherwise. Wait! I know that there are pictures of the place where the tests were taken. And of course some reasoning's why the test may be "untrue", but this synthetic hormone showed up in the test - period. I guess that is about all I can say about this for now, until I see something else in the news. Otherwise, I guess we will play the waiting game.

Marty Fish has withdrawn from the French Open. I know readers, somehow I am not listing my favorite players, women Tennis players that is. Well, I want to leave something a mystery for you readers. Unless a favorite of mine drops out then I will tell you.

The picture on today's blog is the picture from the "Run The Register 2007" that I did earlier this year. Yep, I finally got the pictures developed last week. There are a lot more pictures and I have been posting them now.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Back to Colorado - Catch up

Greetings Readers

I am now back from vacation. I have a lot of passages and also some notes that I have found interesting that were from the Albuquerque Journal. I do not have them organized nor do I have them with me so it will be a day or so until I get to them.

The weather back in Colorado is very, very cool compared to New Mexico. By the way readers, I only stopped in Grants, New Mexico since that was the closest town for an internet / phone connection. Our ranch is not even close, but it is the closest town, so to speak.

Woo - Hoo - The French Open is almost here. Sunday is the big day. You know readers am not sure if I am ready for the time change once more. At least this time there is only an eight hour time difference, I think. Definitely better than Australia. I wore myself out for two weeks trying to watch live coverage. Haas and Murray have withdrawn, which I just read. By the way readers, the picture that graces my blog is the one and only Martina Hingis.

Now, while I was incommunicado my only source of news was radio, via CNN hourly updates, I happen to hear that Landis was on the stand and that he had revealed a "dark secret" of Greg LeMond. I could not believe I heard this correctly and I had to wait another hour until the CNN hour update happened. If you fairly recent readers that have come across this blog I doubt that you know that Greg LeMond is the person I look up to and still respect in the cycling world. He was the person that got me really into biking. But I did not like the way Greg LeMond commented on Armstrong years back. But I digress..

So Floyd tells Greg LeMond's secret that was told to him to his manager and then that is where I lost why it matters with the doping of Floyd Landis. Anyway, I am a bit peeved that Floyd would even consider this bit of information on his doping.

Granted, I know not how it pertains to his doping, but I did see at lunch this was "big" news. I mean what does this info go with Floyd's doping?! I can not call Floyd - a piece of shit - but considering what I have read in the past 30 minutes that is about what sums up what I think about him. Going further this is not going to bide well with other riders/captains/managers in the cycling world. I can not help to think that Floyd is digging himself a hole that he will never emerge from, but it is looking so very much like that. Alleged doping, could be the 1st first person to be stripped of the Tour de France, a 2 year ban, revealing secrets to others. Oh, just thinking about this more and more is getting me riled up.

I will read more about Floyd's hearings and Greg's announcement last Thursday and see what I am missing, if anything, why this "dark" secret relates to his doping. Sorry readers this is not a subject that I have researched before blogging, but the news to was something that I had to comment on immediately. So forgive me if I am missing something that does not make sense in my blog.

Giro d'Italia - Petacchi won today's stage. Andrea Noe has the overall lead in the Tour. McEwen has withdrawn to prepare for the Tour de France. Tomorrow -

"The mountainous route from Scalenghe to Briancon, in the Haute Provence region, is one of the toughest of the 21-leg race: uphill from the start to the 9,002-foot Colle Dell'Agnello in the Alps -- the highest point of this year's Giro."

Anyway, time for me to go.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Grants, New Mexico - Vacation

Greetings Readers

So readers, I have nothing that I can blog about in the time frame that I have been granted in Grants, New Mexico. Not to mention that we, or should I say I, have a lot of ranch work to do. Of course, daylight is burning and the day is getting later and I have to clean the corral and I have to continue to feed the animals (mainly the dogs and cats). Not to mention empty and haul water. Okay, perhaps I am making the jobs seem a lot more than it should be, but I can say that I do not have to do all the work myself.

The weather is pretty good today. There is the promise of rain later this afternoon. There is a slight wind blowing in from the west.
I think that I have you readers that we have such and such animals. Well, we can add another animal to that list and that would be a very, very young lamb that was on the verge of "pushing up daisies"

Oops, I almost forgot readers this time I am on vacation for a full week and I plan to take advantage of my time off since I am not sure when the next time I am going to be able to take another long vacation.

I really did not want to leave for vacation since I was not ready, but I guess the question is "when will I be ready for a vacation?"

Anyway, it is good to be back on the ranch and the isolation is at its best. No one to bother me and not a sound to worry about. Except the animals and the wind blowing.

I know that perhaps some of you readers may be waiting for part two of the Oscar Smokehouse incident and I have to say that I am sorry that I will not be able to continue the story until most likely when I get back from vacation. I did bring my new laptop so I am going to continue to audit and add more to the story and if I get the chance to get back to a place to load my blog onto the internet - then I will.

The Riches - the past two episodes have been good and I have found out there are only three more episodes that are left in the season. That is way too bad. I have thoroughly enjoyed "The Riches" and I do hope that it gets re-newed for next season or of there is talk of continuing the story I hope they consider that. Granted, the story may have to change, but the concept of the "The Riches" may change since there is only so long that you can keeop up appearances. As I mentioned, the last two episodes have been very good. I/We get to see that there life is about to change and more importantly their life has changed and they did not actually see this change happen until it happened to someone that they know, sort of. The brutality or honesty, or maybe "new" life and seeing with a new pair of eyes have made them forget who they were or who they want to be. I do not know. Anyway, ramblings from me.

until the next time readers

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Runnin' of the Green - Picture

Greetings Readers

This is the picture that I have finally gotten around to developing. This was the Runnin of the Green that was held Downtown Denver. I guess the picture looks okay, but not great. I am not sure why I do not like the picture. You can see the fabled "Union Station" in the background.

I am not going to continue the "Smokehouse incident" until later.

Today, I want to blog about "Larry Sanders." Recently, I got the Best of Larry Sanders Show for my mother and we have been watching episodes when we get a moment the past week

So, last night the episode that I saw and has kind of "captured" my attention was the episode with Sharon Stone. The last episode on the first disc. Anyway, there was an "extra" included with the episode and it was 10 to 20 minutes long. Gary had brought a television crew over to Sharon Stone's house and he got a candid interview while they were eating breakfast.

Both were definitely showing their age. Both looked great. The start of the conversation was lighthearted, but as the interview progressed they got pass the initial awkwardness of seeing each other in a long time.

Anyway, as the "extra" concluded Gary had wrote that he was "shaking for the rest of the day" That was a really a touching statement. Considering what has happened ever since they first knew each other, did a Larry Sanders episode together, their lives after and then meeting once more, but much older. As a faithful follower of both of them I felt the intimacy of the conversation they shared in this "extra" that Gary included in the DVD. I think that most of you readers perhaps remember Sharon Stone with the brain tumor that showed up in her life. Personally, I thought the brain tumor was going to be bad (since it was in her head)and we, the world, would lose a great actress. Now, I am not saying that was could have been applied in the interview, but I think that Gary was very, very happy to see her still with the living. Yes, they had their moments of "not talking" to each other, but the simple act of apologizing does wipe away all that "not talking" period away for the both of them

Well, my time is up and I guess I need to get going.

Until the next time readers

Daryl Charley

The Fallen Athlete

Garage Sale-ing this Weekend

Greetings Readers

Well, as the title of the blog states, me and my mother went to the Saturday garage sales in the local South of Denver area. Of course, we brought along our driver, my father-her husband. Saturday was a nice day to do the Garage sales. We have not done this together for about two years and since this past weekend was Mother's Day this was something that she/we wanted to do. We decided to switch Sunday to Saturday and that way it was her day.

Not much was out there, but we did find some of this and some of that. Granted, there were some items that I wanted, but I was not going to pay that amount that they wanted the item(s) for. It is a garage sale. I can not tell how many of those Garage sale operators wanted this amount and they won't budge. Sorry, their loss. I always offer half or some lower price if I think I can get the price I want. Yes, there are some times when the price is right and I will paid the price with no haggling at all.

We got out the door about 7:00 AM and started the day with a quick stop at McDonald's. Hah hah. Not the same one that I had my "almost" incident last week. Dang 2 McDonald's visits in two days and before that it must of been 6 months since my last visit to McDonald's.

Anyway, we started going to visit the garage sales about 7:20 AM and we had followed two signs, but they were not even set up. So, we pulled over in an empty strip mall parking lot and had our breakfast while we waited for the clock to strike 8:00 AM. We were surprised that people were not set up at 7:00 AM. Perhaps the garage sale season has not started. Who knows.

There was not a bargain that I can blog about that I was excited about. I did buy some old cassette tapes, computer games, and misc this and that. There were a lot of TV that looked good, but I was not going to pay 50 dollars for a 12 inch TV. I do not care if it is a TV/VCR combo.
I did find a camper's backpack for my brother. I would keep the backpack for myself since the "Dos Equis" logo is on the bag. But, I guess I better give it to him since he does use this sort of equipment. And if I were to keep the backpack, it would be for display.

Now on Sunday, there was this new restaurant that opened up the road from me called "Oscar's Smokehouse and Saloon". Every time that I rode by the restaurant I can smell the good aroma emulating from the place. So, I decided to take my parents to the place for lunch. I also wanted to eat there since I love BBQ.

The place was empty at 3:00 PM. Our waiter was a Mexican guy and his dialect needed some work. He asked my mother

"What would you like to read?"

My mom says "read?"

"What would you like to drink?" Our waiter says a bit more clearly. Yes, me and my father thought that was what he also said to her.

From there our Oscar's visit went downhill.

We could hardly understand what he was saying throughout the visit. I asked what came with the meals. Of course the waiter points to the menu and reads off what I just read. I then asked

"Does anything else come with the meal that is not listed? Salad? Bread?"

"No...." mumble. Mumble. our waiter mumbles.

I look at my Dad and he looks at me and we just knew that asking anything more was just wasting our breath. We could not understand our waiter and to ask him to repeat again is going to piss him off or make him nervous.

Flashback - Before we even got into the Smokehouse. There is this life size cow plastic statue that is in front of the restaurant. Yes, I see the connection. But! Readers. The cow status was a fucking Dairy cow (black and white) statue. Yes, there was a "hefty" Udder ready to be milked. I would like to say that anybody who is anybody would know that a Dairy cow can not be associated to a smokehouse. Of course, the average Joe would thought to themselves "that is pretty cool. A cow in front of a smokehouse" However, my first reaction was why do they have a dairy cow in front of smokehouse? Smokehouse/BBQ meat comes from other types of cows, such as our Black Angus cows that we raise, not a dairy cow. So readers keep that in mind - a dairy cow does not belong in front of a smokehouse. I guess that a diary cow could be associated to the butter that is served with bread.

Returning to the restaurant experience - Me and my father ordered the combo and my mother got the "hot links" platter. Two coffees and and Iced Tea. Well, we made the waiter nervous before and up to the point of ordering. Perhaps he was thinking that we would be like "dairy cows" come in, sit down, order, eat, and go. Not this Family! We are accustom to asking questions and basically getting things our way, within limits of course....

Readers, my time is up so I had to stop here. I will have to pick the conclusion tomorrow...

Hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day.

until the next time readers.

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The McDonald's Incident - almost

Greetings Readers

I guess I will start with the picture that has made my day "right" again. I see that http://www.myfoxcolorado/ on the Blogs tab I have had another photo selected for the community pages. I am not sure if there are not enough pictures for them to chose from. Our I am just that darn beautiful. I know, I know, get the fuck out of here. Hah hah. Well, I got to get the laughs from myself if I am not going to get them from someone/anyone else.

Just Be
DJ Tiesto

Now, onto the story that sort of got me almost bent out of shape this morning. I decided that I was hungry this morning. Well, let me say that I was craving a McMuffin of some sort. I knew not what I wanted. And I would not have a clue until I actually got to the counter.

So, I got to the McDonald's Lonetree at 9800 South Yosemite; Lonetree, CO 80124. When I walked in I could smell the hash browns. That was what got my attention first and the McMuffin no longer seemed appealing. Yet, I thought to myself that a Combo meal would be just fine. I walk up to the counter and asked

"So, tell me what is the most popular combo that people choose?"

I said this very nicely. Well, I must of got the "immigrant" who does not understand what I just said or was not going to answer my question. She looks at me mumbles something and points to the menu and says...

"The meals are up there" or something to that effect.

"I know where the menu is, but what is the popular McMuffin that people chose?"

Well, she just looks at me and gives me the "I can wait" attitude. Well readers, you can figure out where this is going. I looked at her a few seconds back and I knew that this was going to be like talking to a "mutt" dog. I then said

"I will have the Sausage Egg Muffin. Number 2."

She says to me

"2?"

"Yes. Number 2"

"You want 2?"

"I will have number 2" and I hold up two digits of my fingers, like the universal "peace sign."

"You want two number two's?"

Check this readers. Sure I was mad, but not mad in the sense that she did not understand. Two can play this fucked up exchanged. I pull out the other ear phone from my right ear and got up in her face and said slowly

"I want combo meal number 2. period"

She opened her mouth to most likely say that I wanted two orders. But it must of been the look in my eyes and she shut that fucking partly open mouth of hers and rung my order up. Oh you bet I checked the display on the register and sure as shit that immigrant knew who owned this conversation.

I have to state this readers and I am sure that my faithful readers know that there was going to be a "throw down" if she charged me for two. A "throw down" by meaning that I was going to raise the roof in Lonetree. I have no problem making a spectacle when I am right. Granted, there were only two other customers in McDonald's but I would do the "throw down" just to get myself worked up. And honestly, I "feed off" the energy of showing that this fucking customer "is right"

Well, I gave her my cash and then she proceeded to give me my change. So she had her hand cupped with the coins and then the bills in between her fingers. I was still a bit worked up that I had to repeat myself several times. Yep you heard me right readers I actually let this immigrant get away with me repeating myself more than two times. As soon as she dumped the coins in my hand I immediately took my left away and then held out my right hand as far to her left that it did not look to obvious what I was doing. I made sure that she had to work to give me my money back to me. Uh-uh. You do not "played dumb" with this customer. Needless to say she gave me a quick look and I could see that she wanted, so wanted, to say something. By then there was this small smile on my face and knew she better not try her luck any further than she did. So she had to move her right hand to her left and I did not make any attempt to move my hand any further closer to her hand.

I did not get the last word though. Of all the McMuffins pre-made I got the one that was black, burnt on the very edge of the muffin. I took about two seconds to decide whether to take this up with the Manager or LIG. Needless to say, I smiled big and lightly laughed at myself while shaking my head with the attitude of unbelievable. The Sausage McMuffin was not bad, but I only ate about half the McMuffin and demolished the Hash Browns.

LaMont would say that was Karma. I would not say that.

Readers, in case I do not blog this weekend you better wish/call that mother and say "Happy Mother's Day"

until the next time readers

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Three days til the Giro d'Italia

Greetings Readers

Tis a beautiful day in Denver, Colorado and the weather promises to be nice until next week. I think that we finally deserve a nice sunny weather.

With that in mind me and Rebecca rode to work. I took the long way so I could show her off to the world.

Once more I have nothing to start a blog about with so little time left on my lunch break.

Uh-oh, just as I feared that would happen. Tyler Hamilton has just been suspended from his team (Tinkoff Credit Systems) that he signed with and he can not ride in the Tour of Italy (Giro d'Italia). I guess it was confirmed that Tyler was named in the Spanish doping scandal (Operation Puerto), but no one really knows what his part may or may not be in this. I just hope that it is not true. I do not like nor dislike him, but he has respect from me. Granted....

Tyler still fucking pissed me off years back when Lance and another ride crashed after a spectator's item got caught in the handlebars or something and both riders went down. That was the moment that Jan Ullrich had the chance to win the Tour de France. I say chance, but that was the defining moment that Jan lost the tour. There is nothing in the tour that says you have to wait for a rider(s) if they crash no fault of their own or on their own.

So there was Tyler in front of the breakaway group (small peloton) on the climb and waving everyone to slow down and wait for Lance to get back up and catch up. Uh-uh. Jan should of "pushed" that Tyler out of the way and went for it. Yes, one may say it is sportsmanship, but other like me - say "fucking sucks to be you!"

You readers can debate with me on this, but I of course will come back with this and that. And a vicious circle will most likely ensue.

Sure there were a few more stages left in the tour de France, but not many and Jan, in my humble opinion, would of won had he not listen to Tyler. I have never read or heard anything on that particular event since that happened years ago. Yes, I would like to know how Jan feels about that particular moment in time. But. I also know where I stand, which means I really do not care one way or another how Jan was thinking. I think I also remember Jan looking forward and backwards really comtemplating what he should do.

until the next time readers

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Alcohol information, sort of

Greetings Readers

I want to write about beer. Beer. I only drink beer from a bottle, mostly straight from the bottle. I do not drink a beer from the can. Why?

Well, I do not want to be remembered of the old college days of drinking that cheap beer from beer cans. Busch, Coors, well not even coors, Milwaukee's Best, Strohs, etc. Gosh Darn I sure did enjoy those days of drinking and partying, but somehow I have associated that any beer that comes from a can I think of my college days.

One may say that I am relating drinking beer from a can a "red neck" thang. But that is not that case. I could care less.

With beer. I will not drink the "cheap" beer. Absolutely not! I guess our definition of "cheap beer" differ among us. But the beer that I listed above is exactly what I consider cheap. Although, I do enjoy every once in a great while MGD (Miller Genuine Draft - Long necks) and import Corona.

I only drink beer that were from bottles or that "oil can" from Australia. Hah hah. I enjoy the dark beers mostly. If I have to name a few for you readers I would say Redhook, Corona, Guinness, Tractor, to name a few. I am very open to new micro brews. But they can not be Strawberry or any sort of berry flavor or have chocolate in the beer. I am sure that it is good, but I am not going to take the chance to find out.

I will not drink, Bud, Coors, Michelob, basically none of the domestics. Of course, there are exceptions. Such as, If I am at the National Western Stock Show there is basically domestic beer, for all those cowboys, available and if I remember correctly, there other beer that is available is some sort of red beer - Killian's red, I think. So, if I am craving a beer at the Stock show yes I will succumb to the Domestic beer and will usually get an MGD.

If there was free "cheap" beer in a can would I drink it? No. Sorry, I am not going to taste that "cheap" beer. Those people who drink beer regularly do say that there is a difference in taste, but to me - It is all the same.

So if any of you women out there looking for the non-cheap beer drinking guy well here I am. I only stock the fridge with the "good" stuff. Of course, there is the Absolute in the Freezer, Tequila, Triple Sec and Kaula in the Refrigerator. And then the cooking liquor "Jack Daniels" in the back. Okay readers, I do occasionally mix good old Jack with Coca-Cola. MMMMM. good.

I am also a wine lover. I have my periods when I crave my wine, then I am good for a few months. I also like a good wine when I am watching one of my good drama shows on TV.

I thought to blog on this since this subject came up and they wonder why I do not drink beer from a can or drink the "cheap" beer. You readers are getting to know me and I thought to add this to the ever growing list of useless knowledge.

Do I drink regularly? I would say no. Only when the mood hits. I just can not drink for the sakes of drinking. Or having something to drink since I have it in my household. It is nice to know that I can have a drink anytime, since I have liquor on hand.

Oops, I remembered my brother's birthday, but I forgot to blog about it on Monday.

Until the next time readers

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Farewell Kim Clijsters

Greetings Readers

So, I really have nothing to blog about today. Or you could say that nothing has pissed me off yet.

I saw the Spiderman 3 Movie. The movie was good, but not great. I was restless and fidgeting in my seat when the scenes just "dragged" on. The initial run-in of the Goblin and Peter Parker at night was a "messy" scene The scene was at night, the goblin had a dark suit, Peter was wearing a gray suit. Both of them flying, turning around in the air with the camera moving around was too much too follow. The crane scene was not very exciting.

Was there any good things that I thought? Yes. I enjoyed "the Sandman". I wish there was more about him. Venom was a big, big disappointment. I think that his screen presence was only about 10 minutes, in my opinion. Yes, the movie showed his origin, then getting together with the Sandman, and then the end of the movie. But that was it. Nothing more on or about Venom.

To me this is a bit of sad news. Kim Clijster has officially called herself retired - retirement. "Aussie" Kim announced that she is done and briefly gave a statement. The AP writer who wrote the story basically quoted her Kim she was tired of getting warmed up each day of tennis and it was taking longer and longer to do. Also, loss of motivation and play was a factor. Yes, Aussie Kim is on the left side of the Picture posted on today's blog.

I do not want to quote or incorporate the AP writers article, but basically that was the jest of the news. So, as of last Thursday, that was Clijster's last match.

Little did I know that my January Blog of "Aussie" Kim would technically be the last major that Kim would be in.

http://redhooktyrant.blogspot.com/2007/01/last-of-semis-at-australian-open-2007.html

I am glad I was able to state how I felt about Kim and I still do feel the same way now. I do not think that anyone will come close to the playing style that Kim had on the court.

Davenport - Gone, Clijsters - Gone, who's next? I hope it is not Hingis.

Farewell Aussie Kim and I hope the best for you in retirement - Goodbye.

until the next time readers.

Daryl Charley

The Fallen Athlete

What is up with the Damn M&M's ?!

Greetings Readers

I do not eat the Blue M&M’s. Period.

I do not have to tell you the reason why I do not consume the Blue M&M’s. I do not have to give an explanation to anyone. Nor do I “owe” you readers an explanation. I have my reasons. I can tell you - go fuck yourself. I can tell you it is none of your god-damn business. I can and have the right to ask you why do you care. I can tell you there are more portentous items than why I do not eat the Blue M&M’s.

I do not care if the M&M’s are plain, peanuts, peanut butter, or dark chocolate. I just do not eat the Blue M&M’s. I am not saying that I have not eaten a Blue M&M in X amount of days. Sure it happens that I might grab a handful of M&M’s and eat them all without segregating the M&M’s by color. But very, very rarely does that happen.

Yes readers, I divide my M&M’s by color before I eat them. And! I am not the only person on planet Earth that does this segregation. Matter of fact, the person who instigated this blog – LaMont does the separation process that I just mentioned. I am not sure if he does this subconsciously, but I was witness to this incident.

I do have a reason why I do this particular ritual, but I do not owe anyone a reason why. I will admit to you readers though this would not be an uncommon element in my existence. I am very, very analytical about most factors in my life. There has to be an unfluctuating order in my life and any “chaos” that I can elude - I will do. Hah hah. Readers, there are others who would declare “Damn that is one fucked up guy to do that!” You readers are entitled to your opinion and I would think not one thought about what you think. Believe me, there are many things other people do that are more fucked up than what I do. Hah hah.

You bet readers. How many of you readers put your pen in your mouth at work? Well, consider this. I bet none of you put your pen in a place that no one would use it by chance. Perhaps leave the pen laying on your desk/table, or put in the pen holder when not using the pen, or someone borrows your pen for a moment when you are not present. Who knows what/where that pen might be picked up by someone. Could that person put a portion of your pen in their mouth? Or chew on the pen cap. Perhaps the person who borrows that pen washed their hands in the restroom, but did not use a paper towel to open the restroom door thus acquiring other germs? Or maybe that person wiped their nose with some part of their hand / fingers. You just do not know or do not know to care.

I am thinking about all those things, but I bet most of you readers are not. So – who is more fucked up? Will I sleep better for watching myself about those things I mentioned? You bet. Will you readers sleep better not even thinking about that? You bet. No one is right or wrong in their view. We all have heard that phrase “what you don’t know can’t hurt you.” Well, what I know that you don’t know may hurt you. Think about that the next time you use your pen.

Getting back to the M&M’s. In my opinion – yes, there is a slight taste/texture to each of the M&M’s colors. I could care less about what the chemical make up of each color is. For example, I think I heard that a color red dye had a hazardous substance to that particular number back in the day. There may or may not a reason, but I organize my colors into each of their own color piles. No, I do not have a particular color that I must start with or end eating with. Just as long as I eat all the same color before moving onto the next pile of color.

Again readers, I do not condone the people who eat M&M’s what I would call - recklessly. These are most likely the same people who do not think about other things I do not take for granted. How filthy money is. How dirty restrooms are. What could be / is on the salt & pepper shakers at the restaurants. Who sneezes/coughs without covering their mouth. Or they sneeze in their hands and then grab a door handle. Yuck, yuck and yuck!

These are things that I think of constantly. Do I let that ruin/lead my life? No. I do take whatever steps to avoid those things. Yet, there is the extreme. There are people that have to wash their hands 20 to 50 times in one day. Or people that have to check the door locks 10 times or more just to be sure that they locked the door. There are others that have to use a new bar of soap each time they wash their hands. You could say OCD. Would I? I would not say it was not OCD, but I also would not say it is OCD. I definitely do not consider myself an OCD.

Do not concern yourself about why I separate my M&M’s into their own solid color of piles. And do not worry why I do not eat the Blue M&M’s. I have my reasons and they are none of your fucking business.

You can take that a face value. You can take that personally. You can laugh at me. You can think whatever you want about me. Does not matter. I sleep like a baby who goes to sleep content.

You readers can ponder, wonder how this came all about. Who knows. I can tell you readers I was fortunate to be raised in a lifestyle wealthier than most of you readers did when growing up. I did get what I always wanted… well I would have to say that I almost did get everything I wanted. I was not spoiled, but did have the benefit of having a preference about things, in general. Was I born with a silver spoon? Perhaps. Do I currently eat with silver ware? Oh yes! Only the best in that department.

If I did not like a certain food when growing up, I had the choice not to eat that food. There was always something else to be eaten or could be made for me to eat. Or I just did not eat at all.

I remember this tidbit from my youth – approximately 1st to 3rd grade for me. I loathed green olives, but I loved the red thing that I could slurp out of the green olive. So, my parents bought me jar of olives and let me only eat the red portion of the olive. I did not have to eat the green olive itself. That was a choice. Not stuck up. To a child that is choice and not a “problem”. Also back in the day there was no one saying “there is a whole village in Africa that is going hungry and you just threw away a week’s worth of food that could feed an entire village on the Serengeti.

Presently, I do imply that saying. Famine is everywhere and I hate wasting food. Now, I really do know that there is a starving village out there in Africa.

The Blue M&M’s that I do not eat, I often give away. If not, then yes I will throw away the Blue M&M’s. Those Blue M&M’s are my leftovers. Those Blue M&M’s are my “rejects”. Those Blue M&M’s are not good enough for me to eat.

Do not bite the hand that feeds you or offers you a gift. Yes, a gift in my view, but in your eyes you may see that as “my leftovers.” I do give the Blue M&M’s to the fortunate / unfortunate people and if you decide to throw them away – so be it. Not my concern. I could care less. At least I was thinking about other people than just me. I every now and then do show some non-selfish qualities about myself.

As I stated in my opening line and will use as my ending line - “I do not eat the Blue M&M’s. Period.”

Changing topics, if you readers can not guess from the blog pic that graces this blog, well I have made the community news blog front page. I guess my "Soldier Statue" blog from this blog was something worthy of front page news. As my favorite Simpson would say again - Woo Hoo!

And the Season Finale of the Amazing Race - All Stars. A very tough choice to pick a winner from the three that are left. I think that almost all of us faithful viewers do not care for any of the teams that are left to win the million dollars. My co-worker chose the "Beauty Queens" and I chose "Charla & Mirna" I agree with my co-worker that the Beauty Queens have an 80 % chance to win tonight. Yet, something inside of me is rooting for Charla. Charla has so many things and because of her size I see her as the underdog. As with most "underdogs" I want them to finish first, to win. I could care less about Mirna.

Until the next time readers

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Making the Community Page

Greetings Readers

Nothing to blog today. I checked www.myfoxcolorado.com and saw that I made the community page with one of my cycling pictures. Do not worry readers - I do not regularly post. If I post there I lose my rights to the post. So, I have to be careful on what I want to post there.

until the next time

Daryl Charley

The Fallen Athlete

The Taco Bell Incident Revisited

Greetings Readers

Do you realize that LaMont is most likely still pissed off about the "Taco Bell incident" back in February. For you fairly new readers you can read the "Incident" in the month of February or click on the label "Taco Bell" and you should be able to locate the blog.

LaMont has not once asked me out for lunch since then. I made a couple of comments about going out to lunch. You know readers - inviting myself, but he came up with the excuse that his wife, "Shay Nay Nay" made him lunch. Then, the other time he said he did not want to drive out to the Bell. So after that last suggestion by me I stop asking.

Well, last week I decided to bring this subject to light. I told LaMont that I knew he was still mad about the Taco Bell Incident and that is the reason why he has not invited me out to lunch since then. You know I say that jokingly, but I do think that is that. Does it bother me? No. But then one would say why blog and write about the incident if it does not bother you. Because I can. As of today, status is still status quo.

LaMont indicated that I should get over it. And I am. But I like bringing up the issue. What I mean is that there is nothing else I really have to talk about between me and LaMont. Readers I have to admit if I want to get a smile on my face, or lift my spirits, just read that blog and you will start laughing about how LaMont was handling his order after finding out his tacos were not his tacos. Hah Hah

I normally do not eat out, but I have something to "hold over" LaMont and now bring up at any opportunity I can. And with Spring and Summer here I am able to bike over to that area of Lonetree or drop by after a lunch bike ride.

My "Pink" Ipod. I can not believe that I have had this Ipod for two months now. Two months. I hate to say this and even state this, but the Ipod is very, very cool. Putting the songs on "shuffle" I am able to hear songs that I have not heard in years. Years baby. I do like the compact design and so much easier to run/jog with. The only drawback is no radio/tv/weather channel reception. I still have to use my portable CD player for that. Not a problem.

I have programmed a music list, set up the alarm for my Ipod. I guess I better fess up and tell LaMont he was right. The Ipod is so much cooler than my portable CD player.

The M&M issue did not get finished last night since I did not get home until late last night. That is the reason why I did not post on today's blog.

until the next time readers

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

1/2 Clay 1/2 Grass Tennis Court

Greetings Readers

Before starting the topic of the Tennis Court...

Boy oh boy, I really got a foot-hold on the M&M issue and I also sort of included some other information pertaining to that issue, in general. Isn't it amazing how a subject sometimes does not come together as an idea, but as soon as you start writing about the issue the pieces start to come together like a puzzle. Ideas were coming like a raging waterfall. I found myself starting to explore other aspects of the issue and had to restrain myself from going off on a tangent. I have to admit, sure it is a topic not even worth getting "worked up" about, but sure as shit got me going. My unstated motto is if something gets you thinking go with it - you perhaps might find something more about it than you ever thought about it. Anyway,...

I think, I should be ready for me to post to tomorrow's blog.

The picture that graces my blog today is the half clay and half grass tennis court that was built on a Spain Island and an exhibition match was played today, Wednesday. The match was between Roger Federer and Raphael Nadal.

I do not know how I really feel about this concept. I can not say this, as an old co-worker would say, an "awesome" idea, but unique and made me go Hmmmm. Tennis as we know it is either played on Clay, Hard or Grass surface. I mean why make a 1/2 Grass and 1/2 Clay court? I can only see the benefit of this by making the playing field "even" between both players. As in the case with Nadal - superb Clay court player. Federer - a phenomenal Grass court player. Yet, in this match I think that each player would be even.

I do not have any pros or cons regarding this "new" concept, but just thinking from the top of my head - I do not like the idea of this. I do not have a concrete reason why nor any reasons why I dislike the idea. I guess thinking about it more now - and subconsciously, I think, why I do not care for this - is if I were on this tennis court my line of sight and peripheral vision would be thrown out of whack due to the contrast of the clay and grass court at mid court. Then again I/the tennis player might not be affected at all. Who knows.

Yes, I would like to see one game on that sort of surface to see how each player acts and reacts to the ball going from one side to another. I guess I am "old school" and believe in Tennis should now forever be on one of the three whole type of surfaces. None of this 1/2 and 1/2. Next thing you know they will change the outer courts to another type and soon the courts could be 1/4 this 1/4 that 1/2 some of this. hah hah. If this is an effort to "spice" up Tennis I think that USTA better reconsider this idea.

Is there a women's match scheduled or was this court mainly build for the two best players on each surface? If so, that was shallow thinking on everyone's part.

Two years ago, I embraced the color changing of the hard courts. I was pretty impressed with the "blue" color of the hard court and I have to admit the color is a lot better than green. Now, no big deal, but I still look forward to summer play in the tournament that surrounds the blue court playing that could determine a higher payout at the US Open should you win the Blue court tennis series.

Now if you are a Spiderman fan I guess we have two more days until the web slinger is back. Yes, I am excited, but not pumped to see the movie the first day. I heard that the movie is dark, so that is something to look forward to. All those other movie goer have to realize movie are not always happy. I have to admit the darkest movies are always the best.

until the next time readers

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Continued - Ivan Basso and others

Greetings Readers.

I just pulled some info from www.yahoo.com and I see that "this" Ivan Basso news I blogged about yesterday was just recent news in the world. I guess I just stumbled on this by accident the other day. Here is the article from AP that basically gives the low down on Ivan Basso...

Discovery team releases Basso
April 30, 2007

ROME (AP) -- Italian cyclist Ivan Basso quit the Discovery Channel team after Italian authorities reopened an investigation into his role in a Spanish doping scandal.
Less than two weeks before he was slated to defend his Giro d'Italia title, Basso asked to be released immediately from his contract during a meeting Sunday with Discovery officials, the team said in a statement Monday.
"This was a very difficult decision, for me and my family, but I think it is the right thing to do," Basso said. "The team is trying to find a new sponsor and win bike races, and my situation is a distraction to both of those goals. It is important that everyone knows this was 100 percent my decision."
Basso is scheduled to appear Wednesday before the Italian Olympic Committee on charges of having used or attempted to use a banned substance or method. The Discovery team already had suspended Basso from riding last week.
"Ivan's request was unexpected and he was very emotional, but adamant, about his decision to be released," Discovery director Johan Bruyneel said. "We spoke with him at length before granting his request."
The Giro, one of cycling's three premier tours, begins May 12.
The 29-year-old cyclist was one of 50 riders implicated in last year's Spanish doping scandal, Operation Puerto, which led to his exclusion from the 2006 Tour. His name appeared on a list of cyclists who allegedly had contact with a Spanish doctor accused of running a blood doping clinic in Madrid.
Italian investigators reportedly have obtained bags suspected to contain Basso's blood and want to compare them with his DNA. This month, a DNA sample of 1997 Tour de France champion Jan Ullrich was matched to blood bags seized in the scandal. The now-retired German has denied using any banned substances.
On Monday, the Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport reported another 49 cyclists were implicated in new documents stemming from the Spanish investigation.
The Gazzetta also suggested American rider Tyler Hamilton, who recently completed a two-year ban for doping, and German rider Joerg Jaksche would be suspended by their team, Tinkoff. However, Tinkoff team manager Omar Piscina said the report was false.
"We have no intention of suspending Hamilton or Jaksche. We haven't received any sort of notice from the authorities, and nobody is investigating them as far as we know," Piscina said.
Piscina said he was aware the Spanish investigation could escalate.
"If (the Giro organizers) tell us that some of our riders can't ride in the Giro, then the team will make a decision," Piscina said. "All of the teams that have riders mentioned are watching with great interest to see what develops."
Basso repeatedly has denied doping and was cleared of involvement by the Italian Olympic Committee and the Italian cycling federation last October.
Despite the clearance, Basso left his former team CSC by mutual agreement in October.
Like Ullrich, Basso was one of the few riders able to challenge Lance Armstrong in the mountains during the American's stretch of seven straight Tour de France victories. Basso finished third in the 2004 Tour and was runner-up in 2005.
Basso has not won any races since joining Discovery.
Discovery, Armstrong's former team, signed the Italian last November and expected him to make a strong bid to win this year's race.
"When we signed Ivan, all the necessary governing authorities had cleared him," Discovery team general manager Bill Stapleton said. "He deserved a team, and we had always wanted to sign him. We did our due diligence, and we have no regrets."
Stapleton said he expects Discovery to made a strong run at the Tour even without its top rider.
"We have great depth and talent on our roster. We will continue to win and be competitive in all of our races, including the Tour De France," Stapleton said.
Last week, Armstrong said American Levi Leipheimer might move into Basso's spot on the team.
AP Sports Writer Jim Vertuno in Austin, Texas contributed to this report.

Interesting article, I think. Sort of interesting that these "new" documents have named/suggested Hamilton. Hamilton, as we know readers (that is a picture of him on today's blog), has been out of cycling for the past two years. Tyler is/was a local athlete in Colorado so I do see his name in the paper every now and then. Well, more in the past than recently. Tyler fought long and hard against being banned, but it was a wasted effort. I am not saying that he was guilty or not guilty, but what can you really do?

During my cycling season and off season, any medication I take or shots I might need for whatever reason I write down in my cycling log. That way if I ever, ever get tested for substances then I will be able to provide the necessary info. Granted, I have no clue what tests and what chemicals will show up a lot or a little, but with me/anyone saying I did not take "drugs" well those are dime a dozen. If this should happen then well there is nothing that you really can do.

I know that we Americans live by "we are innocent until proven guilty", but the actions of Tyler fighting the IOCC and any other cycling organization was a wasted effort, even though he wanted to be cleared of the charges. Do I believe him? It does not matter. What the tests showed - was the substance found was listed is among the banned substance list. I just hope that Tyler was not associated with this new investigation while he was suspended. I think the next charge after the two year ban - is a lifetime ban. But again I can not remember.

Though, the good news for him is that Tyler was able to compete in the Tour De Georgia just recently. I have no idea how he is doing/or did, but I hope that he was able to find a team to join and yes I hope to see him in the Tour de France. Yes, he was spectacular in those unique times in the past and I was behind him. But, let us see if he took the time off to heart or did he really just take a "break" from cycling all together. If he does a good showing I think any team will overlook the 2 year ban that Tyler Hamilton was issued.

In a recent medical condition, I had to use some type of steroid that was listed as a banned substance. Luckily, this was used after my biking season ended last year and only had to use the steroid for two months or so. Yes, it was a matter of retaining something and the amount of the steroid use was minute, but I had no choice. This was a career breaker, not to mention a life-breaker for me. My doctor and pharmacist have given me the go ahead to release their number in case I come up positive, on the steroid I took, on a substance test this year in my cycling or running events in the event I get tested. I am sure that the steroid is way out of my system, but who know how long the drug stays in the system, left over residual amounts, or how sensitive the tests are. I do not know.

My fellow readers, sorry that this blog is not my usual banter, but I had to write about this since my "official" cycling season is about to start and the professional biking season is well under way with the Tour de France right around the corner. I thought I would blog on this so I can satisfy my other following or readers regarding the cycling world.

Do I have a favorite for this year? Nope! I do not have a fucking clue who to follow for the Tour de France for 2007. I have Alexander Vinokouv (oops forgot how spell his name) Andreas Kloden and a couple of other riders. For the tour last year I did not have a clue either, since the scandal broke the week before and my favorite - Jan Ullrich had withdrawn. I do not know if Alexander V. is even competing.

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete