Happy Halloween

Greetings Readers

Happy Halloween!

Update 11/01/07 - Sorry readers, Yesterday was a pot luck, then getting ready for the Treat o Treaters and buying Candy and beer for the adults. And of course, I watched my annual Halloween movie. A today's picture is of a bike race in Africa. This is sort of picture of the terrain of what and where I bike when I am on vacation down in New Mexico.

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Night Before Halloween

Greetings Readers

You know I really do not have anything to write today.

Though I have been mulling over a question to ask. Since Halloween is right around the corner - I have a ritual that I have been doing each year.

I am the guy that gives out the regular size candy bars. I do not believe in the tiny little snack size candy bars. And really there is only one type of candy I give out and that is Reese Peanut Butter Cups. I want the single/divorced women to remember me when they bring the little trick 'o' treaters by. And yes, I also stock the refrigerator with a 12 pack of corona for an emergency beverage. Oh yes, there have been offers in the past, hence that's why I do that as a yearly tradition on Halloween for myself.

Then, there is a movie that I have to watch on Halloween. That movie is "Halloween III - Season of the Witches" Nothing special about why that particular movie, but I think it is because it has nothing to do with Michael Myers. And the ending is dark, for its time. There is no "fairy tale" ending in real life and I think that is why I am also drawn to dark endings.

So, that will be my schedule of events tomorrow. Nothing much, But the humble abode will be cleaned in case I get some company and also to make an impression when I open the front door and any single/divorced woman are perhaps looking for anything that they might like about me as a first impression.

I guess that could be considered shallow, but something I have to do once a year. I think I am entitled to do this one thing a year.

Well, in case any of you readers are new to my blog you probably do not have any idea about today's picture. To the old readers, it is finally that Fucking Dairy Cow that I have been blogging about from the beginning. Nothing really special, but this is the cow that I see almost every other day. I just wanted to finally show my faithful old readers the cow I have so eloquently wrote about in the past. Nothing new to talk about the Dairy Cow - Same shit, different day.

Do not forget readers - The premiere of Nip / Tuck - Season 5.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A "Sweep" of the Rockies

Greetings Readers

A sweep. A sweep! The Rockies lost the World Series in four straight games. Yes, it is too bad, but I am sure glad it is over. Or so I had thought. The Local News casts still had 10 to 15 minutes of more Rockies this and that.

Yet, the good thing that came out of the Rockies losing is that.

1. I won my bet.

2. No more irrelevant news about the Rockies

I will mention this readers. As I was channel surfing this morning I kept hearing the Rockies had a fabulous season. Excuse me? The Rockies had a great run at the end of the season, but by no means did anyone pay attention to the Rockies before going on the late season winning streak. As you have read - I am a betting man and I bet that most of the Coloradans never gave a second thought to the Rockies even making the playoffs. The Rockies had some ugly losing streaks and those streaks were present throughout the season. So, when the news cast people say they had an excellent season - it's a lie. They sucked.

The Rockies "great fortune" counted when it mattered. Would I say it was luck? I do not know. I do not follow the Rockies and I only went to one game this season and that was when the Rockies were playing against the Pirates and the Pirates won that day. Oh yes, Coors Field was empty like it has been for the past 10 years. Granted, the game was during the week, but this sort of sight was evident throughout the season.

Today's picture is of the Sunrise, just about 10 minutes after the sun rose over the horizon. The horizon was orange and a bit of red. I think that is due to some of the smoke from the fires in California. The reason I took this particular picture is that there was many gooses that had just flew over me and this was picture taking shot. You can see about four formations of ducks, but I think there were eight formations. You can see about three formations to the left of the rising sun and one formation to the right of the sun.

I would like to say the picture was inspired by "Those God-Damn Ducks"

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another Beatdown! This Time Denver

Greetings Readers

As the posts states - There was another beat down from the Boston Red Sox and this time the location was in Denver, Colorado. 10-5, with a supposed rally. I supposed since the news people are trying to make the story have a silver lining. Ain't that a bitch! Too bad. Leave it to the any of the Colorado teams to set records that should not be set in the first place. I would hate to remember for some "awful" records in a major event. My silver lining is that I am one game away from winning a bet. Woo hoo as Homer Simpson would say.

I saw two TV commercials that I want to mention that I saw in the past twenty four hours.

The first shows the close up face shot of people crying, then the scene switches to a far away shot and then you see various images that have invoked the crying - The Deli, A guy in a track suit, model train set in a store window and my favorite - "Those God Damn Ducks" I have to admit I also want to cry. I miss "them" too.

The other commercial is a ESPN sportcenter promo. The commercial shows a football player going through a metal detector and then taking off various items of jewelery. A chain, A ring, etc. So, here is what gets to me.

Okay, the football player goes through the metal detector and set off the alarm. He takes off an item and gives to a man. Then, the football player walks back through the metal detector - and mind you - does not set off the metal detector. The football player then turns around and then steps through the metal detector once more and sets off the metal detector alarm. Get the Fuck out of here! Is this a one way metal detector? Get the Fuck out of here! So, the football player takes off his chain and then steps back through the metal detector and again does not set off the alarm. The football player turns around and then steps through the metal detector once more and sets off the alarm. Get the Fuck out of here! Then, the football player give the man a ring.

You get the drift. I know the commercial is suppose to be funny, but it is not. The commercial is not funny and once I saw this inconsistency I can not unsee the fact that the commercial "breaks" the metal detector rules. Now, it is just stupid.

Readers - the first commercial - "them" is "The Sopranos". After I saw the first reference for the first time I automatically knew that the commercial was about the Soprano's. I still love watching the family on A&E.

Update 10/29/07 - This picture is of four Ginny(s). Sorry readers, I do not know if I am spelling that correctly. My parents have two Ginny's and for the past five years it was just two Ginny's. Matter of fact, I thought nothing more of it. Well, when I went on vacation a few weeks ago I was surprised to learn that we have four new baby Ginny's. Four. Go figure. The Baby Ginny's love, absolutely love, lettuce.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Autumn Leaves - Pretty & Dangerous

Greetings Readers

Let me pick up with the Autumn leaves once more. Those Damn Autumn Fallen leaves that are precarious to me and hopefully to other bike riders as well. As I mentioned in a previous posting I hate the Autumn leaves for various reasons. And I am going to continue my views on the Autumn leaves.

This post could be a Part Two, but does it really matter? No. As Colorado enters into the Fall season and leaves are falling from the trees, someone shakes the tree or even if the wind blows the leaves will fall to the ground.

Now, after the first rain or snow storm when there are fallen leaves are a plenty on the ground; the leaves get wet and start sticking to each other. When I go bike riding and I try my first turn, whether turning left or right, I have to be careful not to slide on the leaves and go horizontal. Yes readers, those same gorgeous Autumns leaves that hide objects are now a nice slippery patch on the road. I have had my tires lose traction more than my fair share on those flat, wet patches of leaves. Not to mention going down once or twice in my lustrous biking career all due to those Autumn leaves

After the second rain/snow storm or so the fall foliage is usually washed down into the gutter drains. Once more I am able to ride like the wind on the concrete road, I call “my life.”

The End. Not much of a part Two, but I thought I would blog about since Colorado had our first good snow this past Sunday and the days following the snow melting I have been trying to avoid the wet patches of leaves here and there.

Now, going back even further in my blog than the subject I just mentioned. Turning. A few months ago I went horizontal with my brand new bike I purchased this year. I was a bit nervous, wounded and shook up after this particular crash. My new bike had the original tires that were on the bike and I basically I did not look at the tires. I thought the tires were okay, nothing special to check out for myself. Yet, I forgot I purchased a road bike that was built for speed. She is not like any of my other bikes, which are built for distance and different situations, and include a third chain ring, the ever so named “Granny gear”

The tires have two thin treads at the 45 degree angles from the top (where the tire is in contact with the road). Otherwise, the tire has no tread. When I took a fall I think I went beyond the tire tread and that was that. Boom – I had a great fall.

Getting to the “Turning” once more, I think, I am still a bit cautious on turning at a steep incline. I am riding on the other bikes with my trusted Michelin tires I buy. I have the tires pumped to the pressure I ride at, but yet I am a bit afraid to go at a lower incline into corners. I know this is nothing big, but when I find myself applying the brakes a bit and slowing down, then I have an issue. Not necessarily a problem, but an issue.

I do not know what it is going to take to get over this little fear, but I will. Worry not reader. I thought to share since I noticed this “little thing” in the past two weeks.

Pictured today on today’s post is the “bike trail” I left on the sidewalk on my way to the store on Sunday morning. Of course, I was the only one out on the bike Sunday morning. I saw this as a picture moment while going to the store and thought to myself this does look like a good place to take the picture of the day.

Today is Game 3 of the World Series in Denver, Colorado at Coors Field.

Nip / Tuck - In three days! Oh, I am getting excited. I have to buy my customary bottle of wine so I can drink and enjoy my show while having some wine.

I do not know what else to write.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

October's Full Moon

Greetings Readers

I received my new Tiesto - In Search of Sunrise - Volume 6 - Ibiza last night from Amazon.com. I have only listened to Disc 1 and the music is what I wanted to hear from Tiesto. This follows, I think, to the early ISOS volumes and I think that's what I have expect from him. I did not care for Los Angeles Volume. ISOS - Los Angeles has good tracks, but in my mind not necessary representative of the other In Search of Sunrise (ISOS) Volumes.

Too bad about the Colorado Rockies, but dang did you see Holliday get picked off at first base last night? Damn! Not even close and that was a fuck up that the Rockies did not need that late in the game. Whew wee! I am glad for the Boston Red Sox, but of course I would like for Colorado to give it some excitement. Dang. I saw many, many strikeouts last night and that was pretty ugly, yet at the time I was pumping my fist in the air. Boo yah!

I left early for work so I did not get to see the news this morning. I wanted to see how the news was going to play out this morning about the beloved Rockies in the newsroom.

I guess it is time to show another one of my girls. This is Heidi that is pictured on today's blog. She is my first official road bike, after my Motobecane of course. I got her at a discount since the store was clearing the "old bikes" out. I put her on layaway and then picked her up with my tax refund that year. I think she is 7 years old and has about 50,000 miles. I have basically retired her. She gets all the old parts of the later girls that I might of upgraded. I quite proud of her and she is "old school" The paint is faded here and there from the sun, I still have the original crank, but boy oh boy the teeth are not even teeth anymore. The chain skips since there is no teeth to hold the chain tight. So, I have to be careful not to apply any quick, sudden pressure or else the chain will literally skip over the teeth. Yeah, I know that I should have changed/replaced the crank, but I am always upgrading the other bikes and Heidi is no longer priority. Upgrading my 10 bikes is very, very expensive so I have to choose where I want to spend the money. I still take Heidi in for her yearly free check up, and Heidi still gets riding time only in the winter and rainy months. Otherwise, I have her hanging up from the wall, looking oh so pretty.

Heidi is still the love of my life. She was the first bike I named and she is aptly named after Heidi Klum.

Update 10/27/07 - I was wrong about the Tiesto - In Search of Sunrise - Vol 5 - Los Angeles. I had to be sure last night and I did pick the wrong CD that I thought it was not very good. I am going to have to listen to the other CD's to verify which one I thought was so-so. Sorry readers for making the mistake.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A "Beat Down" In Boston!

Greetings Readers

I have to say that I actually was looking forward to the morning local news casts. I wanted to see how they are going to report the "beat down" that happened last night. Boy oh boy - It was ugly. We even set a record for the World Series. Leave it to the Rockies to follow in the step of setting "records" in the most critical game(s) of sports like our Broncos do.

This time the news started with about 6 minutes of actual news, but of various topics. Then, after six minutes it was 5 more minutes of Rockies news. 5 minutes compared to about 2 minutes on the fires in California. Apparently, the news do not care that CA is on fire. Only the opinions of the people in the morning and not to mention hearing "this is just the first game" Yeah, it was the first game and there was a beat down in Boston! A beat down!

I did not mention this before, but yes I knew that Space Shuttle Discovery lifted of Tuesday's Morning. I was once more happy that everything worked out for the best. That pictured on today's post is the Space Shuttle Discovery. What a sight folks. What a picture.

Game 2 and I hope there is another beat down in Boston. No, I am wearing my Colorado T-shirt, but I am just hoping that these news people stop reporting "stuff" that does not even pertain to the Rockies except probably through their sister's boyfriend's little brother's cousin from their mom's side of the family. =) You know what I mean. I have friends in CA and I want for Colorado news to show California fire news and not interviews with the fans, the children talking about what could of been done, what's your ritual, or whatever.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Rockies vs. Soxs

Greetings Readers

Well, I was doing the thing I wanted to do for the 200th post last night, but I did not get done. It is taking a lot longer than I anticipated.

Rockies this. Rockies that. Rockies whatever. Rockies. How many fucking times do I have to hear this?! Granted, I am behind the Rockies, but when the national, international news gets pushed back to 10 or 15 minutes later in the broadcast... well that's a problem. We have California on fire and hardly a blurb on TV. A quick minute or so and then back to the Rockies this. Rockies that. Give me a fucking break.

I had to stop watching local news and the newspaper. Rockies this. Rockies that,

By the way, did you know that there are purple colored dumpsters just for showing support for the Rockies. So Fucking what. Did you know that the dumpsteres are downtown? those supposed Rockies Dumpsters. So fucking what. Hey did you know that those Rockies dumpsters will make a personal appearance at the victory parade should there be one? Again, who fucking cares? Oh, did you know that the dumpster look like any other dumpsters, except they are purple? Again, So what the fuck. And, I hate to say this readers, on Monday I actually watched this transpire on FOX news in the morning. The dumpsters are freshly painted purple, but dented and there is no Colorado Rockies Logo. So, If I painted a Dumpster orange does that mean I support Oranges? Get the fuck out of here. Again, the Purple Dumpster news was "bigger" news than the Fires in California when I saw the news days ago. Fucked Up.

Urgh. Yes, I am tired of hearing this and that. Everyone and their grandmother knows everything about the Colorado Rockies and they even have to say to me "do you want to hear these questions that someone asked a few of the Colorado Rockies Baseball Players- If the Rockies win and there is a movie who would you play your part in the movie?" Again, who in the fuck cares. How does this help me like the Colorado Rockies More? How is this relevent?

Yep, I have thrown the "Fuck" word around quite a few times in this post, but that is about how much I feel about hearing Rockies this. Rockies that. Say is it nice weather that must mean good luck for the Rockies. Again, I do not see the correlation to weather and good luck for the Rockies. Perhaps the news people need to look in their studio and take a look at the weather and see where the cold/hot fronts and jet streams are and they will see the cause of the good weather in Colorado. Yet, I can hear the rebuttal - Well, God is making the weather good for the Rockies and this is not just a natural event. Get the Fuck out of here with that fucked up logic!

Well, I better get going before I start going off more and more. Rockies this and Rockies that.

By the way readers, there is already the "special" plaque with some dirt from Coors Field in the coin attached to the plaque I saw in the paper the other day. Get the Fuck out of here.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A Fall Rocky Mountain Sunset

Greetings Readers

Today's picture is after the sun has set and this is the part of the day that I enjoy the most. This evening was more than pleasant. Most of the snow from Sunday has melted or evaporated away. There is a nice very light wind blowing slightly. As I have mentioned before there is that "inch" of orange, then dark blue and black towards the heavens. I know that this picture can only show this part of the Rocky Mountains, but seeing this entire orange over the horizon is quite exquisite.

This picture was taken near one of the light rail stations. The silhouette mountains are the Rocky Mountains and obviously you can not tell from this picture that the mountains tops are almost completely covered in snow. The foothills still need a lot snow, but the higher mountains that you can see from Denver are covered with snow. Yet, 10 days ago those Rocky Mountain peaks were void of snow. Period.

I think, there are only two ski slopes open now, but I could be wrong.

Today, I took one of my co-workers to the CAC for lunch. Let me tell you I did a power lunch workout in 45 minutes. Damn. Of course, she enjoyed my club and wished we could stay longer. We did not get to go to the pool, but next time. I hope she had a nice time.

Oh, I almost forgot, I ran into the "Orange Eskimo" this morning. I saw her from afar. She is looking good. I asked about the daughter, the Husband. I then asked if both are still talking with the Jamaican accent. Hah hah. I just love the way that she and her husband talk. It is probably not the true Jamaica Accent anymore since they have been living among us Coloradans, but then again what do I know.

Today is also the 200th Post of 2007. I have thought about the 200th post for a bit in the past two days, but did not come up with something definite. I will think more about it tonight and I should have something for tomorrow.

I received another shipment from Amazon.com that I ordered a while back. I received the CD Twitch by Ministry. I do have the cassette tape in my library, but I did not have this on CD. This particular album was first discovered by me when I hitched a ride from Durango, CO to Denver CO back in 1989 or 1990. I needed a ride "home" from Paris on the Platte, since I dumped my ride in Denver. Well, when I squeezed into the car with my old high school friends went to school with this particular music started playing in the car deck. I was astounded. I had never heard music like this and I wanted to know who was the artist, what sort of music this was and more importantly I secretly wanted this album as soon as I could buy one.

The music is sort of true today, but as time past the music has changed a bit. Yet, whenever I hear a song by Ministry I can tell you right away when it is Ministry. I like a recent song they did for the movie - A.I. by Steven Speilberg.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

My Garage Sale Mountain Bike

Greetings Readers

As you can see clearly I have posted another picture of myself. Who knew that I would do this. I guess I did not mention to you readers at all that I actually own one mountain bike among my other 10 other road bikes. This Mountain Bike purchase was made last year during an annual Garage sale run that me and my mother did. Same old sad story - husband bought the bike, Husband never rides the bike anymore, Wife got tired of seeing the bike in the garage, Husband is conveniently out of town, Wife has garage sales, wife see opportunity to sell bike. End of Story.

The Mountain bike is nothing fancy, but for $ 25.00 I think that the mountain bike was a bargain. I did use the mountain bike last winter and when the snow did stop the mountain bike has been hanging in my balcony until yesterday morning. The chain is a rusty from last winter and the tires were flat when I took the bike down for my first snow adventure of the season. I only had to pump up the tires and after that I was ready to go enjoy the heavy, blowing snow.

I have to say that a year later the Mountain bike did do its job last winter and I have to say that the fat 3 inch tires as opposed to my 23 mm tires is a huge difference. I am now not so careful in the snow and on the ice. I do ride a bit faster since I do have the fatter tires. More importantly, I do not have to "mess up" my two other road bikes that are designated winter/rain bikes. The disadvantage is that this mountain bike weights a ton. Well perhaps not a ton, but a fuck lot more than my road bikes do.

The cold weather had arrived on Sunday and as you can tell I am now wearing the attire I will most likely wear until next April. Yes, there will be periods of warm days here and there, but with the early cold, cold mornings, I probably will be wearing the long pants to work from now on. If there is a lot of snow, but if the air is in the forties then I would take the chance for bike shorts. Also, in this picture is the Jack Daniels Bandanna I wear every now and then.

Don't get me wrong readers, if the roads/sidewalks are clear oh yes I will take one of the two road bikes designated as winter bikes out to the streets. Yes, three ago I had brand new Michelin tires, the 49.99 Pro Race 2 tires and I totaled both tires on actually having them both be sliced by a piece of ice. Fuck me. Of course back then there was an exclamation point after having that little incident.

Nothing much else to write about - I am approaching the 200th post for 2007 only. So perhaps I will think of something special. Then again perhaps not.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

First Snow of the Season in Denver

Greetings People

Today, I have posted a picture of me after going to the store this morning. This is near an area where there is an open area, a dam, a park. My fingerless glove, my Natalie Merchant Stocking cap, my skintight full lycro bike pants, cheap sunglasses, ZZ Top Bandanna and bike bag.

Every Sunday morning I have a ritual that I do when I get up. I must be out the door before 8:00 AM in order to ride to the local restaurant that is sort of nearby and pick up the paper from the vending machine out in front of the restaurant.

Some days I am out the door at 6:00 AM other times I am out the door later.

Yet, this morning I was bit late waking up since I was loading up my brand new Black Ipod late last night, early this morning. Yes! You heard right readers I got a brand new Black Ipod on Friday. 30GB and this time it is BLACK! And thankfully not another Pink Ipod. I picked up/bought the Black Ipod through the work classified Ads. The Black Ipod had never been used and he was looking to unload the Black Ipod for a reasonable amount.

A Black Ipod. Oh yes. The Black Ipod is very cool and I have been trying to load up the Black Ipod, but I got busy Friday night and basically all day Saturday. Then, this morning I was a bit lazy and took a late morning nap. Mainly, I was a bit cold and I curled up into two comforters on the sofa and turned off the TV, but left the stereo on so I could hear the TV. I think I took a hour and a half nap, but does it matter? Nope. I was nestled in my warm cocoon on the couch with the view of the snow blowing from North to South outside my balcony window.

30 GB! This is nothing compared to my Pink 4GB Ipod. Nothing. The 30 GB Black Ipod is like an artist's blank canvas. The possibilities are almost unless - well right now. Yet, I am already up to 2 GB in the past two days. And yes that is not even a quarter of the way. I now have to look for some kind of protector for the Black Ipod in order to protect my new baby.

With the new Black Ipod I decided to stay in last night so I could load up my new Black Ipod. Yet, again I got sidetracked once more. When I made the decision to stay in I went to the grocery store and picked up a few things in order to keep me busy.

I made a decision that on Sunday I was going to have beans all day. The main reason was that the weather forecasters were predicting cold weather and snow at a certain elevation. Needless to say, the snow is in Denver and Centennial once more.

I was going to have Pinto beans for breakfast Sunday morning since I wanted to start them in the crock pot and then Sunday evening I am going to have Chili. After I have my breakfast of Pinto Beans I am going to change the Pinto beans into Chili and that will be Sunday evening meal. Readers, when I typed "going to change" that means I will add stuff in order to make the beans to become chili. I can not magically change beans into Chili. Hah hah. I know that some of you readers will say something like - wow he might be Harry Potter's long lost brother.

I got the stuff (a new Spice and some ground Pork) for the Pinto Beans and then decided to make some salad while getting the beans ready. The green leaf lettuce was about 1. 29 each and I picked up two heads, some mushrooms, package of sprouts, a bunch of radishes (pretty dirty), a bunch of green onions (sorry looking green onions), and a cucumber.

As I was going here and there in the Produce part of the store I saw the Tomatoes. Tomatoes. Hmm. Yep. You guessed it readers. I thought of something else that I could make while doing the Pinto Beans and Salad.

Who knew that I could multi task at home. In the few minutes I was in the Produce area I had an outline on what I am going to do and how to do it.

I grabbed a bag of Tomatoes (I think, tomatoes on a Vine) and then I grabbed a shallot, a bunch of cilantro, a whole garlic, and a white onion.

Let me digress for a moment. Those grocery cashiers probably hate me when I go through their check out line. I usually have about 5 to 20 plastic bags with various items from the Produce department. I think about every time I go into the store I always come out from the Produce area with something I want/need.

I know that the Grocery cash register people that do not know me probably do not care for me doing this. Yet readers! Make sure that you watch the screen and what is being charged. That is where all the fuck ups happen to me. I get charged for Snow Peas when I should have been charged for Broccoli. There is a big difference most of the time. Snow Peas can be 4.99 a pound while Broccoli could be 1.49 a pound. And Broccoli weight more than Snow Peas so you can see how you could be overcharged in error.

Never-the-less I still watch the grocery cashiers I know because they still do make mistakes. I am a penny pincher, but if there is big difference then yes I will make myself heard.

Readers, just watch out when you have alot of Produce that has to be weighed and the cashier has to manually look up the numbers on the wheel/book at their register. They have fast/fat fingers and they do have the tendency to type an incorrect number. One more thing - make sure that they are not charging you for organic if you did not pick up organic vegetables.

Now, back to the story. I went from the Grocery list of Pinto Beans, Salad and Salsa and decided to head out of the Produce section and go get some sourdough bread for my Pinto Bean Breakfast on Sunday. Yummy.

Then, I saw the bag. It was red. It was on the corner end of the aisle. It was on sale. It is something that I like every once in a great while. I swear, I could smell the aroma from the sealed bag. I could literally feel the food between my thumb and forefinger. And the taste. Oh boy. (Sigh) Doritos. Yes Doritos. I am not sure how the desire came, but the craving was unavoidable. And what made it worse was that I was already planning when I could eat the Doritos while making/cooking Saturday night. Note: This is a desire for me, but not very high on the list for me, but this morning I saw the Doritos and I could not resist.

I caved in to my desire and bought one bag of Doritos (I think the price was 2 for $ 5.00). When I got home the bag of Doritos sat on the kitchen counter while I was getting the kitchen ready for me to cook like an Iron Chef. Before I started - I put in the DVD of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and off I went to cook.

Now - Sunday. Yes, I had my Pinto Beans with Sourdough bread this morning and I did change to Chili so I will have that probably during the Baseball Game or the Steeler's vs. Broncos game. I have two containers of salad. And the salsa I made last night had time to set and yummy oh yummy when I had a taste this morning with the bag of tortilla chips I bought this morning.

All in all this is a good weekend.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Tipping - Continued

Greetings Readers

Where did I leave off...

Oh yes.

... the blogger posted that 20% tip is the "regulation tip" now. There is no regulation on tipping. Period.

As I listed on my blog post a couple of days ago I put in a graph showing the standard 15%,the 18% (that is my standard tip) and 20% tip calculations on the bill that caused the blogger to post this incident for everyone to read. Once more I think the author is trying to get sympathy. Get the fuck out of here.

The as the post goes on the author realizes the friend is part of the "bad tippers" The author was bent of shape for paying more than their share of the dinner and the tip, but what put the author "over the top" was the friend perpetuating the ever-oh-so bad tipping.

Excuse me. The friend "Perpetuating bad tipping?" I can not tell you readers if the author meant this was related to this one particular incident or just in overall with going out with the friend over a period of time. I do not know.

With that I can not say that the author needs not to go out with this person. Whether or not this person wants to leave a tip or not - it is their American Right. More importantly, the consumer's right to leave a tip or not.

Yes, in this age being a server, waiter, or a waitress is probably tough. I too,was once a waiter back in the early nineties.

I digress... back to the story... the author then brings up the point that the friend makes more money than the author. And the author also posts that the author could not get four dollars for a tip from the friend.

How much who makes is irrelevant to tipping. I know that I tip on service and the whoever the server is. I have a set "regulation" I personally go by. How the server starts service. And from that point on - It's On. I am careful not to judge the food promptness/lateness nor the food's quality in the restaurant.

Yet, I am critical. In most restaurants, spoons are not included nor on the table when you first sit down. So, when I order an Iced Tea I politely ask for a spoon when I get my Iced Tea. The spoon does not have to be an Iced Tea spoon, but I better get a spoon. Period. I am not going to stick my finger in my drink in order to stir my sugar. And it will be cold day in hell before I use my fork as a spoon. But. I will use my knife as a spoon - as a last resort. Also, that is "the signal", my signal, that the waiter/waitress has fucked up. You make think this is some small, but I like my Iced tea Sweeten. And when I add sugar to my Iced Tea I want to have a spoon to stir up that sweetness I am about to taste. It is not proper table manners to use a knife as a stirring spoon.

If the waiter/waitress noticed that I am using my knife or I state "I am still waiting for my spoon" and the waiter/waitress politely laughs or says sorry - I will not laugh or smile back. I will let them see how they just fucked up with me.

Sure there are times I will drink Iced Tea without sugar, but not many. Asking for a spoon when there is not a spoon on the table is something very simple. I know that the wait station can not be more than 10 yards away from the dining table which means there should be no problem in bringing me a spoon for my Iced Tea. If the waiter/waitress has a bus boy then he/she can ask to bring me one. Or the waiter/waitress can ask another waiter/waitress to bring me a spoon. Just do not forget my fucking Iced Tea Spoon.

Yes readers - this is a hot topic for me every time that I go to a restaurant and order an Iced Tea. My experience is really based on whether or not that the waiter/waitress can remember to bring the spoon.

Oops, I digressed again.

The blogger post that in the future the the author will be wary of splitting checks with the friend. Again, get the fuck out of here. The author stated that the server fucked up the the bill and the friend meal got put on the author and partner's bill. The author also states that the friend left a dollar tip on the meal the friend had. According to the author the friend's meal was about twenty dollars (but the author thinks that she rounded down)

Rounded down? Rounded down from what $ 21.00? 24.00? 27.00?

I know that a dollar tip on $ 20.00 is 10% percent. My personal opinion is - that is also wrong, but who am I to say to you or anyone else on how you tip the waitress/waiter. I am not your father, your husband, your lover, your boss. I have no right to tell you readers on how to tip.

I have been in that situation many times, and I have learned from the first time that has happened. I make up the difference without telling you on how to tip, nor do I give you any bad looks on your portion of the bill. I paid/provide the rest of the money and move on.

I agree with the author there are "bad tippers" out there, but it is life and there is no way that is going to change. Back when I was waiting tables I was making 2.10 an hour. I had a goal every time I waited and that was 18%. Hence, that is why I tip 18% myself. I made that goal almost every time, if I remember correctly.

I could perhaps pass on some information that I used when at a restaurant, since most of us readers do not carry calculators. I use the $ 2.00 for every $ 10.00 dollars of the bill method. I know that is 20%, but that is a start point and much easier to add/subtract/multiple in your head at the dining table. Of course that would $ 1.00 for every $ 5.00 of the meal.

These views and opinions were based upon what I read in the author's blog post and there are other things I have questions about. There are other factors that would change certain things I have stated myself, but of course I will not know unless I ask the author. Not going to happen. The author's blog post was about the tipping, but was the service good? Sorry readers, the blogger did not mention one iota about the service/waitressing at all. Leaving a bit more than 18% is justifiable given that they all waiting for 15 minutes or so for the waitress to come and get the bill. And the waitress still did not show. I think the difference from 20% to what was left $ 88.00, is perfect.

I still can not get over that 15 minutes. 15 Minutes of waiting - get the fuck out of here!

And Today's Blog picture was taken with my Digital Camera a couple of weeks ago. My pride and joy, currently.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Two Flat Tires in the Dark Last Night

Greetings Readers

Okay, pictured today are pictures combined from the new SouthPark that premiered a few weeks ago. This is what sort of pushed me over the edge when I saw the new episode for the fall season. Tourette's. The short back story is that Kyle went to a center to see that there are different variations of Tourette's Syndrome out there.

At the center Kyle was being introduced to the many different people at the center and when Kyle was introduced to this girl it was over for me. She was talking away and then as she was finishing up her conversation she tilts her head to her left and then snaps both fingers up in the air. Fucked up! How in the world do Matt and Trey come up with this shit. Too Funny for me to witness this. Or perhaps this was based on a "true" person(s). I do not know.

Yes readers, I know Tourette's is nothing to laugh about, but within the SouthPark Realm it is okay to laugh.

I have nicknamed the scene the "tilt and snap".

Last night's episode was the first of a two parter. It was a bit more than OK. Yet, the
"Imagination song" was too much for me. I could not stop laughing and smiling to myself last night. Enough said, but if you saw or will then you either agree with me or think that part was not as funny as I think it was.

Fall - Oops the Fall Season. Is not the best time for me to be riding, in my opinion. Why? There are several reasons, but the one that arises to my mind is what happened to me last night while riding home just when the sky was almost dark.

In Colorado, the leaves have been changing and some leaves are still on the trees, while others leaves have turned yellow and red. At that stage they are either on the tree or have been blown off the trees by the winds.

The night was dark and I was riding carefully going home. Making my way by the lights and signs of the stores, the sodium arc streets lights and the headlights of the cars going my way or the opposite way.

In the Dark, the leaves on the road and sidewalks cast shadows here and there. Which makes the shadows look like rocks or "pits" in the pavement. Unfortunately, I have to ride slow because I do not know if the shadows are actually rocks or pits in the pavement. Not to mention that all the leaves could be hiding other sorts of trash, bumps, or tree limbs. I just do not know. Or if there is a pretty big hole leaves could technically fill up the hole and I would never know until I rode into the hole and then you hear me yell "Fuck me" and wonder if I just fucked up another rim.

I was doing very good riding home in the dark last night. Most of the way home I know the terrain and area of where I am riding. I can tell you where most likely where the holes, pits, rocks, dirt are on my route. Yet, due to the darkness I had to take an alternate route. I was doing good, I thought. I was riding fairly slow since there was not an ambient light source and I was using the passing vehicles headlights to guide my way on the sidewalk.

I was about 20 yards from the corner of the street where there was a circle of light waiting for me. I must not of paid attention, or the passing vehicle's lights hid the rock, or something, but all of a sudden my front tire and then milliseconds later my back tire hit the same rock. Fuck me. I said calmly. I reached the street corner and turned the corner to go North and that was when I felt the back tire was flat and I heard the air hissing out of my front tire over Madonna singing "Hung Up" in my ears. Fuck. Of all times.

You know I was mad, but I also half expected this since I was taking a route which I have not been on for some time now. I was tempting fate and sure enough I was being made to notice the results. The night was fairly warm, little wind, but still dark where I was at and a mile and quarter from home. I decided about 5 seconds later to just keep going, meaning walk my bike home. I was not in the mood to change two flat tires in partial dark. On tire was a immediate flat and no telling how big the "hole" is. The other tire was a slow hissing flat so the "hole" was probably small. Yet, all in all I did not want to sit, patch, pump, and hope to biking gods that I did a good flat repair on both tires. I guess I should have of went the longer (about 1 mile further) familiar dark biking route I know by the back of my hand. Though, I just wanted to get home quicker. I knew better. I just knew it.

I could see myself getting "worked up" over fixing the flats when perhaps I could be halfway home by the time I got both tires fixed. Sorry readers, I was not going to use my new spare tubes that I have in the bike pouch on my bike. I was taking an unfamiliar route home last night and the risk of hitting another rock was too great of a chance to take. This is a bet that I would not take.

Basically, I ran and walked home with Tracey at my side. Not bad and I was even okay with running/walking home. At least I got home in time for the Soprano's to start on A&E.

When I got up this morning I fixed both flats and I was done in about 20 minutes while watching TV. No problem, but whether or not that could have happened last night will still be forever a mystery.

That's about all for today

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Mid month of Octobre

Greetings Readers

I have something to say, but I am out of time so I think I should be able to post later today...

... And I have returned. Here you go

There is a blog that I have been visiting off and on for the past month, I think. Some blogs catch my eye for the reasons that they would not catch your eye. So, I was about to give up on this blog when I see the author blogged about a birthday present and the "adventures" of the birthday present from point of origin until the present got picked up at the post office.

Ever since that blog post I have been paying attention to what this author was going to blog about. Now, a recent post has made me decide to blog about that author's post on my blog.

The Topic - Tipping. The author and partner when out with another couple to a restaurant. Long story short - When the bill came the bill was not split correctly. The author & partner and another person in their group got their dinner put all on the same bill.

The total bill came to 74.50

Readers I have done the math so nothing needs to be done by your TI calculator, the computer's calculator, the slide rule or the abacus.

I can even do the math even further for you the difference between the 15% and 18% tip is (2.23) and the difference between 15% and 20% tip is (3.73).

On the blog, the author states that the tip percentage would be about $ 15.00. Granted, I highly doubt that the author knew this at the restaurant. What? Why would I doubt this? The author is in the early 20's, and not the mathematical genius type. Believe me readers.

Now, when the author, partner and other person put the money together the total amount of cold hard cash they had among them was $ 88.00.

I have my graph, which I put in my blog, and you can see that the amount pooled together is above 18% tip marker and $ 1.40 below the 20 % tip amount.

But, oh no - the author blogged about the tip being not enough for the server. The author put all the money away and pulled out the debit card to pay for the dinner.

15 minutes later. Yes readers, 15 minutes later and those three are still waiting for the server to pick up the debit card to pay for dinner. 15 minutes! I could not believe this when I was reading this on the author's post. Damn. I get bent out of shape if the server is more than 5 minutes later with picking up the bill. There have been times that it has been longer than 5 minutes and at that point I get up and go find someone to find my server. I look for someone who looks like a manager, the hostess, or another server. Damn. 15 minutes! How fucked up is that for waiting that long and who in the fuck would wait that long in the first place?!

Oh yes readers, the author could not "see her" (her = the waitress) anywhere to wave her over to their table. Get the fuck out of here! The author nor the other three people in their party could not get out of their chairs. "So they sat. "Holy-Fucking-Shit! Yes readers, I quote the author's blog" So they sat" and the dinner party waited and talked. I am not sure if this sort of thing goes on with where the author lives, or the dinner party is ignorant, so to speak. I just do not know, except about the blogger and by the author's blog posts that I would expect this sort of thing from the author.

After waiting more than 15 minutes the author takes back the debit card gathers the cash back up and then leaves the cash on the table. The author felt she stiffed the server. Get the hell out of here. In closing of the author's blog, the author then mentions that one of the dinner guest was nagging for the past 15 minutes to leave the cash so they all could go...

To be Continued...

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Motobecane, My First

Greetings Readers

I have just posted the first picture from the Digital Camera that I just recently acquired.

This is the creme de la creme of my collection. Forget the Carbon Fiber, the color schemes, the brands, etc. One word - Motobecane. This was the first racing bike that I acquired. Little did I know that this bike would be one of many bikes down the road. Not to mention that this Motobecane is what helped me with my "redemption" in life prior to acquiring the Motobecane. Sorry readers, I can not elaborate on that subject. Perhaps later, perhaps never.

This is the bike that started my "new life". I have had to replace some of the parts that got worn out through the 11 years that I have owned the bike. Granted, the Motobecane no longer gets the mileage that I used to put on that bike on a yearly basis. Probably, this bike has moved into second place in total mileage put on by me. I let no one ride this bike except me.

The Motobecane is now located at my parent's place, in New Mexico. I only ride the Motobecane when training on vacation or sometimes I will riding the Motobecane during the Santa Fe Century in New Mexico.

I am really not sure what else to say, to write about the Motobecane, my Motobecane. The seat, the front fork, the rear cassette, the cables, the rims have been replaced. The metal clips have not been replaced. I want to hold onto them since metal clips are no longer made. If you look closely I think that you can see the condition of the metal clips and the duct tape that is sort of holding the metal clips together. The Motobecane itself weights incredibly heavy and I am happy to say that I rode this bike in many of the Rocky Mountain passes.

The Colorado Rockies. You know readers I was wrong. Somehow the Rockies have managed to get into the World Series. Incredible. I did not give the Rockies the benefit of the doubt, but with their record the past years it was pretty well unchanging. I am not going to say lucky or unlucky, but overall I am happy that the Colorado Rockies have made the World Series. Yet - Two Sweeps and 21 game winning streak. Pretty amazing.

Yet, what gets me is that the reporter and others seem to somehow "forgot" that Todd Helton was not even suppose to be with the Colorado Rockies. He wanted to be traded to another team and then he had "to settle" and "work out" the outcome of him staying with the Rockies by really no choice. I can not remember is there where many trade deadlines for him, but I do remember something to that nature. Anyway, I see that the camera/TV/reporters/anchors/whatnots show Todd Helton and his happiness. Yet, no one mentions the very beginning of the season on his status with the Rockies and how he felt being with the Rockies. Go Fucking figure. No ill wills, but the true people know the truth behind Todd Helton.

And I almost forgot to mention... well hesitate to mention – with the Rockies winning this part of the division I lost two bets. So, another bottle of Crown Royal and a cup of Coffee (Latte) from the little shop that located in our office building. All in good fun though. Perhaps, I should start with… “ Hello, my name is Daryl and I have a gambling problem.” Get the fuck out of here with that shit!

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Ironman Kona - October 13

Greetings Readers

Well... the not knowing that I mentioned on yesterday's blog did not even last 24 hours. I heard unintentionally and that was that. It was the Ironman Hawaii that happens every October. The Championships - the most coveted event among athletes. Chris McCormack won the men's race. That's all. Now, I have to wait for the TV show that should be out within a month.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

T Minus - Zero Hour

Greetings Readers

Well, my decision for the 24 hours of Boulder was a no-go. Period.

I saw that the weather forecasters were predicting steady rain starting Saturday evening and continuing into Sunday morning. And that was that. I was not in the mood to run in the rain, whether heavy, steady or light rain. I did not want to be wet and cold or one or the other. Wet is wet and I just did not want to be miserable.

There was a bit of sadness of not doing this event, but I do have to watch out for my well being. Actually, I wanted the adventure to be fun and nice, so to speak. I am sure that I could have been okay in doing this. Yet for the sake of argument - I would be changing my socks and probably would have taken a couple pairs of running shoes and a few jackets to change when soaking wet. There is always next year or perhaps there is one on the horizon. I did train for the event so I am still ready to an event.

Speaking of events there is something I would like to talk about but I do not want you or anyone else to tell me the results. I am busting, but alas I can not tell you readers.

And yes the Rockies won once more and Eddie Murphy and his movie "Nowhereland" finished their location shoot in and around in Denver and have headed back to La-La Land (LA). And the Broncos are off on their bye week - I so wanted to witness a beat down since I was out of town for the beat down that happened last week.

Update 10/16/07 - This is a picture from my balcony. I have mentioned my Balcony several times and here is a view that was recently taken in the past two weeks.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley

The Fallen Athlete

T-Minus 20 hours and counting.

Greetings Readers

Less than a day to the 24 hours of Boulder and the weather does not favor my taste. Rain is forecast for late Saturday into Sunday Morning. Nope. Not. I do not want to run in the rain. Especially during those times they are predicting. I think my decision is final, but perhaps the weather prediction will change in the next 12 hours. We'll see.

Do we know if this movie is any good that I pictured on today's post? I like westerns, but I am not sure if Brad Pitt is "western" material.

Rockies Won. And my humble abode is finally clean and pretty.

Until the next Time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Start of the Championship Series

Greetings Readers

I guess I might as well start talking about it now since everyone and their dead grandmother's are talking about the event happening today.

The Colorado Rockies. And yes, I made two bets against my co-workers today. This time it will be for the series as oppose to a game a bet. My two bettie took the Colorado Rockies and I took the Arizona Diamondback. Now, that is the team that is going to win me a Liter of Coca-Cola and a shot bottle of Jaggermeister!

I do not know if any of you readers care or are really into Eddie Murphy. Denver has been the host of Eddie Murphy and his movie that is being filmed around Denver and just in past couple of days in Boulder. There was an open extra cast call about a month ago and now here we are. They have started filming and I swear every fucking TV and newspaper are doing the Eddie Murphy update and also running some sort of contest or just send them a photo(s) of the movie if you happen to get lucky. Eddie Murphy this and Eddie Murphy that. Thank goodness the Rockies are where they are to take some of the focus off Eddie Murphy. God forbid the news reports in depth about shootings, accidents, and other news worthy events. They do a quick update and then it is back to talking about Eddie Murphy and the film being shot in Denver.

Oh, I got a new TV. Well used, but to me it is new. I bought the TV through a classified ad and yes I am pretty happy. 24", but not the flat screen I was looking at 2 months ago.

And another thing. I received part of my Amazon order today and I got some new music to listen to. Woo Hoo! I have Madonna, and Tiesto - 4 Cd's total. Let me see... Tiesto - Love Comes Again (Maxi-Single), Tiesto - Break My Fall (Maxi-Single), Madonna - Ray of Light (Maxi-Single) & Madonna - Hung Up (Maxi-Single). I have two more Cd's on the way, but I am happy with what I have gotten, so far.

I know these are just quick updates, but I guess it is better than nothing.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Trying a quick update readers

Greetings Readers

Tis the second day that I am getting re-integrated into society once more.

Nothing much has really changed, but coming home to an abode that I had left in disarray is something that I did not want to deal with. So, tonight I will have to at least make an attempt of getting some furniture reorganized so my living and bedroom has some sort of furniture in place. Though, I have been thinking of rearranging my furniture so I do not go back in to the same rut. Change in this instance would be good.

Well, on the way back Monday night from New Mexico we had to listen to the Monday night Football game on the radio. I guess it was interesting, but not as interesting as the game was probably on TV. Needless to say, the Dallas Cowboy's did win with seconds left on the clock. How the Cowboys won - how in the fuck I know. Nor do I know how in the fuck did the Cowboys win in the first place. Holy Fucking Shit did Dallas worry me about bragging and strutting in the office Tuesday. I also was able to say "Oh the Broncos lost" Woo Hoo!

This past weekend the Albuquerque Balloon Festival started and for the second time in two years I was able to attend opening weekend. As like last year, I was able to see the lift off of the balloons from roughly 25 elementary schools over the Albuquerque area. What was new this year was a special shaped balloon from Belgium. Drum Roll please.... The Darth Vader Hot Air Balloon. Yes, I have to admit I was impressed, but not really impressed impressed. I am an avid fan, but not enough to get that excited about. Yet, I am glad to see that I was able to see the Darth Vader Balloon. The "Bees" did get up in the air on Sunday, but were unable "to kiss" in the air, but it was nice to see them aloft.

I did do something nice this past weekend. As almost usual. There was a "homeless" looking person outside Wendy's who wanted some money for coffee. I obviously said "sorry" as is my usual custom with being asked for money from a homeless person. Then, the man said "Well, okay then I guess I will have to drink alcohol tonight then." Like this line is going to work on me. Or make me feel sorry for the man. Not going to happen to this guy. Instead, since he wanted coffee I decided to buy him a coffee. yes, I do have a "kind" heart. As I have stated numerous times - I do have to stick up for the "little people."

More to come...

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

My Mini Vacation is over

Greetings Readers

Back with the world once more...

Daryl Charley

The Fallen Athlete

New Southpark

Greetings Readers

I got the carpet steamed yesterday and boy oh boy - the place does look nice. I had to move all the furniture off the carpet so my humble abode seems empty like when first moved in.

It was sort of strange. I decided to leave almost everything off the carpet and took only the sofa pads that you sit on and decided that was going to be my bed. I hooked up the TV and VCR and watched some "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" Anyway, I know that may seem unordinary, but in the grand scheme of things the abode is a mess. With me sticking furniture, boxes on every surface I could so I would have the entire carpet clean. And I was able to sleep and rest without giving a second thought to cleaning up the stuff I moved the night before.

The Rockies won the first game of the playoffs against the Phillies. I paid up on one bet so I have one more bet to fulfill on my Rockies vs. Padres bet

Oh! Oh! - New Southpark Season tonight! Woo Hoo!

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Power Outage in Arapahoe Last Night

Greetings Readers

I lost two bets last night. At the cost of a Crown Royal and Cafe Latte. Urgh. Oh well. The bet was in good spirit and I just wanted to bet. The Rockies are off to the Playoff and I think they are playing the Phillys.

The Power went out last night in pretty big city grid. I actually wrote (typed) my short entry on my Lap Top so I will have to get what I wrote and post here. Again, nothing big and nothing you have not heard before, but does tell you what I was doing.

Update 10/3/07: I needed to add a picture to this post and I could not think of one to post. Then, I remembered. Nip / Tuck - Season 5. It is a nice promo picture. I case any of you readers do not follow Nip / Tuck but do follow my posting - Sean is on the Left and Christian is on the right

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Welcome to October, Mon Amie

Greetings Readers

I am not sure if the website on where I registered for Tiesto info and stuff got my birthday wrong, but in my email inbox I got a email wishing me a Happy Birthday. I like the personal message, but only a few months early. At least I get to post the picture on today's log.

I guess I sort of care now, but today is the big day in Denver. Today, is the playoffs, well a one day game playoff series, Both teams are 89-73. Go figure the Colorado Rockies would even have a chance for this sort of thing. It is nice to see the Rockies have a chance, but in my opinion is would be for the better to lose tonight. I would to see a blow out in the playoffs. Sorry readers, the Colorado Rockies is our Baseball team.

T minus thirteen days...

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete