The Day After the End of the 1st Slam of 2007

Greetings People

All of us "die hard" tennis fans have finally recuperated our daily schedule here in the MST, specifically Denver, Colorado. The late evenings and trying to stay up until the 1:30 AM MST match was a lot of work. Last night I was finally able to go to sleep at 11:00 PM and not worry about who's playing and whether or not I want to get up and watch if I was sleeping good. Or was I going to pull have an all niter since the 1:30 AM match turned out to be something special.

If you readers have not heard. Serena Williams and Roger Federer won the Australian Open 2007 this past weekend.

My opinion? Really? Okay. Well, the Williams vs. Sharapova match was domination on Serena's racket. Sharapova was almost shut out. She played the play she has been since the first match of the tournament. Oh yes, I was saying "yes" and yelling for Serena to stick it to Sharapova! The match was "pretty". Not entertaining, but was a pleasure for me to see Sharapova get her "ova" knocked out from her. The picture does not do her justice on what she really looked like.

Gonzalez vs Federer - I enjoyed this match. Again we were hoping for Fernando to pull an upset, but even I had to come back to earth and face reality of who is going to win. The first set was good - the hits, rallies, the shots and the overall play. After the first set the next two sets went fast. Not like the Roddick match, by no means, but Gonzalez was fighting til the end.

There is really not much else to say. Mary Carillo only took five minutes this time to use "s - - - - - - - ". It is her new favorite word and I know that she going to use this more and more throughout the year.

The Dick Enberg (? - sorry I do not remember his last name) I have no real problem with his commentary, but jeez louise. When Gonzalez was serving he says Federer needs only two more points to win. Why couldn't he say Gonzalez can not give up two point or something along that line. Sure he sounds to be a Federer fan, but by no means does he need to comment for Federer when Gonzalez has the serve. Then "Stoic Silence" ? Hmmm.

That is all from Denver, Colorado from me watching ESPN2 and ESPN. I hope you readers enjoyed another report from me. I may write a followup to some things I touched upon, but if not then perhaps in the future.

Now, back to my almost "normal" schedule. I got to watch my shows I taped in the past two weeks - Prison Break, Gilmore Girls, PBR and AE's The Sopranos. I cooked some food. Can you believe I ate pizza for a whole week. I got the 10 + 9 special at Pizza Hutt, so I did not have to worry about cooking while watching the Australian Open. I sometimes get distracted and have been known to burn or forget something. I did laundry, cleaned up, made Potato Salad, grilled outside and watched the snow fall on Saturday morning out on my porch.

With that I guess I better get going.

until the next time

Daryl Charley

The Fallen Athlete

The eve of the Australian Open 2007 Finals

Greetings People

We have finally arrived on the eve of the finals of the Australian Open 2007.

Last night was the "highlights" show, but it was not highlights of the entire tournament - just the Serena vs Vaidisova, Clisters vs Sharapova and Roddick vs Federer match. Nothing else was really covered. Oh well.

WAIT! I, of course, knew that Davenport was pregnant and was not going to play. Oops, sorry readers - Lindsay Davenport. Well, there was a taped clip, about 10 minutes long and she had announced her retirement - is official. The tears were rolling after a minute or so as she was re-collecting her past and present. Meanwhile, clips of her were shown while she was talking. Davenport is, well was, my "american" player I routed for. She was also part of the Williams era I had mentioned in a earlier blog and always wanted her to beat any of the Williams in any tournament. Lindsay is the person with class on the court. She will play and give her all in a match. If not, such as last year finals when she had to pull out, she apologized to the fans and then cried on the sidelines for retiring in the finals. I got to grow old with her as I watched her play throughout the years. I do not remember anything bad about her nor does some "bad" press come to mind. Anyway, Lindsay is becoming a mother and has bid tennis a final farewell. I know that she will not return and neither as a commentator. If Lindsay thinks like I do, I know that she does not want to be in the same room as Mary Carillo, or Mary Jo Fernandez. i know that she would get along with Pam or Tracey. My last thoughts - Davenport to me is a "Legend"

I set the VCR timer last night, mainly to get some sleep, but I woke up when the timer started and stereo starting transmitting sounds. I will get to watch this match tonight, but I heard Gonzalez did some more "thrashing" and this time it was on Haas.

I am going to give myself a break from writing/comments and basically give some predictions on the finals

Serena to win, IF the day is hot and Sharapova continues to play the play she has been doing

Sharapova to win, IF her game gets a lot better

Gonzalez to win, IF he continues his almost perfect tennis playing

Federer to win, IF he intimidates Gonzalez

I want Serena and Gonzalez to win though.

And that Mary Carillo last night... not even five minutes into the show was that word "s - - - - - - -" which I mentioned I would not mention again regarding the Australian Open.

Sorry for the short entry. With me getting some sleep last night , I am unprepared and my blogging thoughts are random right now.

until the next time

Daryl Charley

The Fallen Athlete

The Last of the Semi's at the Australian Open 2007

Greetings People

Well, if you faithful readers do not know who this picture is of - I am pleased to tell you. "Aussie" Kim Clijsters. The "Aussie" is because Kim had once been engaged to an Australian, but that did not go through. However, when she became engaged the Australians took Kim in as one of their own, therefore she has been known as "Aussie" Kim Clijsters. Even after the engagement was called off the Australians have welcomed her back to Australia with a smile and open arms. To Australia and even to me she will be forever be known as "Aussie" Kim whenever in Australia.

So, the match was good, but not great. I woke up in the middle of the first set. I apparently fell asleep during the beginning of the first match of Serena vs. Vaidisova. Not because I was bored, but because I did not get to bed until 4 AM MST the previous morning and then got up at 7:15 AM MST. With only three hours of sleep in the past 40 hours or so, I succumbed to the "sandman" of Colorado. I even made the effort to stay awake - I stayed off the couch, I stayed off my bed. I put a blanket on the living room floor, got a couple of pillows and then opened a can of Black Cherry Vanilla Coke and the next thing you know I was waking up in the middle of the Clijsters vs. Sharapova match.

"Aussie" Kim Clijsters at 11:45 PM MST waved goodbye to the Australian Open, to her fans, to Rod Laver Arena and to me (well I would like to think at least to me). Yep, I got a lump in my throat at that moment. Nothing was emotional when Kim talked, but just the moment and the reflections of the past remind me of her playing and the "splits", "slides" and "turns" we faithful tennis fans are going to miss from her and perhaps this will be the last that we ever see such "flair" on the women's side. Well, perhaps for a long while. The play was a bit better than when she played Hingis the night before, but the unforced errors were there. I rooted until the end, but the "glimmer of hope" was gone and I knew nothing to stop her from losing unless Sharapova could even play even worse than she has been doing since the start of the tournament.

To the rest of the world, Kim has "left the building". Goodbye "Aussie" Kim until the next major tournament of the year.

Well, a window of opportunity opened up so I immediately set the VCR and went to bed to wake up at 1:30 AM MST for the Federer vs. Roddick match.

I was dozing in and out of this match from the get go, so I decided to let the VCR record and set the T.V. timer since I knew I was fading to the approaching "sandman" of Colorado. Oh, the match was good from the beginning, since Federer was showing his style of playing whenever he takes the court.

I will have to watch this match later since the other men's semi's do not start until 1:30 AM MST. I have a big window tonight to catch some serious sleeping time.

Again, I really can not remember what I saw, but I do remember the commentary and the words yelled by Roddick at the end of the third set "G-- D---!" and then I think I heard that he threw his racket down on the court. Yes, I heard he got a warning, but I am not sure if it was for both outbursts or one. What was sad was that Roddick's parents were in the audience and for them to witness this sort of thing from their son in front of a live audience on court and TV is very, very unprofessional. Granted, I do not know how much of previous play in the match could of stirred that sort of emotional outburst. Yet, we faithful tennis fans know this is nothing unusual from Roddick.

I am once more glad that Roddick is out of the tournament, as well as Jimmy Connors. People, have you seen how many times the T.V. camera people have to get Connors reaction to almost every shot in any of Roddick's match? This is the only time that I feel "sorry" for Roddick. I would be mad if the cameras were on my coach for a quarter of the match and not to mention talking about my coach as opposed to me.

This, of course, I relate to my athletic career. When I am competing it is all about me and no-one else. Yes, very conceited, but in my own opinion I have earned the right to feel that way. So, that is why I feel "sorry" for Roddick.

Since I did not have time yesterday let me talk about Pam Shriver once more and her commentary during the women's match. Did you hear her talk about the "roof" and the "chair umpire"? Dang. Oh the roof is partially closed, did the roof close more? Did the roof open more? Is the roof open fully? With the roof comments was the shadow comments. Oh the shadow there, the shadow getting on the baseline, sideline, etc.

Then, "Is the chair umpire wearing a fleece jacket?" "Why is the chair umpire still wearing her jacket?" Come one. Who cares. We t.v. audience do not care. If Pam was so concerned about the umpire, perhaps she should go hug and hold the umpire to get the umpire warm. From all the comments about the chair umpire it sounds like it was her "life partner" or "girlfriend". Hah hah. Okay, only kidding, but I could of came to that conclusion with all of her comments.

Alright readers - one match tonight 1:30 AM MST. Whew!

Update 1/25/07 6:31 PM MST - Can you readers believe how the word "scratchy" has been used ever since the Sharapova vs. Chakvetadze match. Oh this was "scratchy". Let me be blunt. Her, Sharapova, play was anything, but "scratchy". I will be the first to say it "It fucking sucked. Especially the entire tournament of the Australian Open" "Scratchy" would be perhaps a set, or even a game, not the entire tournament. Anyway, this was something I noticed from the interviewer first said after the match, then mentioned in the press conference, then all the tv commentators and the rest of the world. This will be the last time I used "scratchy" in my blog. I did not even want to use it now, but I was forced to blog my opinion on this.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Semi Finals of the Australian Open 2007

Greetings People

The site was down for most of my lunch time, so I will have to be brief.

Not, tennis related - We have had another calf. That is 6 new calfes in the past month. Very unsual, but I guess our bull did his part this summer. Last night I bought an external DVD/R/RW drive. It was on sale for a Franklin, plus tax, which I could not resist. Oh, I did not mention this a month ago, but I also bought my first Flash drive. Wow. In the past month this Flash Drive is so much better and very, very cool. I love saying I am a flash drive carrier.

Well, time is of the essence and I need to get going.

Nadal vs. Gonzalez - Woo Hoo. This match destroyed me this morning, but when this game started at 2:30 AM MST time I was ready to watch and, yes, hope that Nadal would lose. Long story short - Nadal lost in straight sets. Oh yeah! I have smile that has not come off since this morning. I do not hate Nadal, but nor do I care for him. This Gonzalez person is the same person I saw only a few days ago when he "aroused" the crowd at the Hewitt match he played against him. Gonzalez has game and it sure does show. His play is darn good and he is not relying on his opponent to lose against themselves. Yep, I was yelling at 3:00 AM MST for Nadal to lose more points.

Sharapova vs. Chekvetdaske - oops, I forgot how to spelled her name. Good first set. They played like they were on a mission and then the match became a 20 to 30+ return points. Sounds exciting, but it was not. Interesting, but nothing to comment about. Sloppy playing, unforced errors abound. I am glad that Sharapova got a warning from the umpire about Yuri's "coaching" from the stands. I totally agree with the umpire.

Hingis vs. Cjlisters - My baby fell. There was a chance, but I knew from last year that she had lost matches against Cjlister throughout the year. I also attribute that to Hingis getting back into the WTA, but I knew this was the second year and she has a better chance. The match was good and there was a point in the third set (between 12:15 AM and 12:35 AM I was yelling, slapping my hands saying "yes", then that was then end of that.

Sorry readers... got to go.

Daryl Charley

The Fallen Athlete

The Quarter finals of the Australian Open 2007

Greetings Readers

Before beginning - this is the next "ova" in line for the winner of the Peer vs. Williams match

Shahar Peer was playing like the number 16 seeded player that she has before her name in this Australian Open.

Regardless of what Mary Carillo was saying on her commentary and/or play by play, Serena is still unseeded. Serena is playing the game that her WTA ranking is currently at. Meanwhile, Shahar was playing the game she has been playing by her WTA ranking. So, with those two important sentences let me begin my recap... er review of the match

Well before I start, can Mary Carillo be such a ....., I mean her commentary, her references, and more importantly her opinion had no business being aired to the world. Who in the fuck cares about her Marty Fish reference, "Clam" up, "porpoise" = purpose, "flounder". I mean it was one irrelevant "joke" after another throughout the Serena vs Peer match. I would let it go by if maybe once or twice talked about. This was overkill throughout the entire Peer vs. Williams match. Then, it was made obvious that Carillo "loves" Serena. Yes, her game is on, that was Serena three years ago. I have to disagree so much. Peer was "on fire" the first set! The play showed and that play exemplified the number 16 seeded player. Yes, you readers guessed it, I am no fan of Mary Carillo. I perhaps can address this later since she irritates with me with her commentating, well "her opinion" and "her platform" since she has the spotlight for the match.

What started off with me regarding Mary Carillo this year was her reference to Justine Henin-Hardenne. Justine is out of the Australian Open due to personal reasons. That should of been enough. There was NO need for Mary Carillo to elaborate on the "personal reasons" So, for the past week Mary would give the reason why. This reminded me of the "National Inquirer" and that new show "Dirt" (which I have not watched) and how they provide the not so "pretty" news of the famous/infamous people. Anyway, last night was the first night that Mary Carillo said "out to personal reasons" and nothing more. Too late for me to take back my ill feelings towards Mary.

Sorry for the tangent readers.
Back to the Australian Open...


The first set was how the numbers showed, The number 16 player was playing the number 85 rank player in the Open. Peer's game was on. Peer's serve, the returns, the power was evident by Peer. On the other hand Serena showed her errors - not getting the ball over the net, over hitting the back baseline of the court by a foot or more or hitting some "chili pepper" Those "chili peppers" reminded me of some of my early years at playing golf. Hah hah.

The start of the second set was the same as the first set. However, Peer started to show some errors. I could not see from watching what the errors were being contributed to. I was beginning to see the decline of play of Peer and, in my opinion, it is the thought of playing a famous tennis player. Not necessarily the name "Serena", but playing someone everyone knows that any non-tennis follower would call a legend. Me? Serena is no "legend" and she still had a way to go.

The third set showed both players picking up right where they left off at the second set. Serena was finally showing some sort of life, a past life, in her tennis game. Meanwhile, Peer was starting to show some playing errors. A 180 degree turn from the first set of the match. It was at this point that I had changed my allegiance to Serena and wanted her to win. This was an 83 minute set by the time this ended.

Two hours and thirty-eight minutes later - the older player came out on top and has another date with another pesky "ova"

Roddick vs. Fish. I watched the first set and we viewers knew this was going to be one sided.

I set the tape for 1:30 AM MST and the match was Federer vs. ????and I just let that go. I am a Federer fan, but not going to cry if I did not get to record the whole match. I heard this morning he won in straight sets. Yep, he still has not given up a set to any opponent this Australian Open.

Note: Prison Break started, but I had to record since the Open is my focus. I will try and watch this week, but perhaps until this weekend

Well, until the next time readers,

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Weekend not-so Recap of Australian Open

Greetings People

I did not blog over the weekend. I thought to give myself a break from everything, except the Australian Open. Well, before we get any further I am sorry to be talking only about the Australian Open, but this is one event that I follow. Even more this year since Hingis is now ranked as opposed to the previous years. So, faithful readers I will return to my other everyday rambling pretty soon. Perhaps I might throw in a rambling in the middle of the week.

The Round of 16 has begun as well as the second week of the Australian Open

The mighty sure did fall this past weekend. Upsets were all over the Women side of the draw. I could not believe some of the seeded players being eliminated from the Australian Open.

I have so much to talk about, but I do not want to bore you readers with info, stats and re-cap. I will assume that if you were a follower that you watched the event on t.v. over the weekend.

Though, I am going to talk about Serena Williams. I wish I can quote what she said, but for the life of me I can not remember exactly how she phrased the words that rang a tune in my head and made me said "hmmmm"

Readers, she has advanced to the round of 16 and her chances are quite good. I am not going to say that she has the easy road to the semi-finals, but she has a lot better road than Hingis does. So, I caught the Serena match over the weekend.

Once more Serena played with some authority and some finesse, but to me she looked like she getting by, just by getting by. I am not going to say it is luck that she has gotten this far, but I will say she has gotten this far because of her opponents not capitalizing on their advantages throughout the match. I am, of course, bias when any of the Williams play tennis. I dislike them from the early years, when they were the "foes" of Martina Hingis and Jennifer Capriai. Readers, I am not sure how much you know about the past history between the William sisters and Hingis and Capriai. Even now while I am remembering I am getting worked up at all the "things" the sisters did. Let me save that for another day since that would take a lot of this day's blog up...

So, Serena looked tired, but the thing that I noticed that when she had dug herself a hole that nearly got her booted from the Australian Open she somehow found something inside her to get the win she needed. After those key points that she won, you saw the face of absolute "anger". Anger in the sense of winning the point and expressing the anger on your face.

Listening to Mary Jo once more she had mentioned that the face was the face of years past. I disagree. This face is something new we have not seen in Serena. The face shows the face of "yes, I want it", but more importantly, I am onto the next match. She is living each match - match by match. She also said that she is a " dangerous floater". That says it all. She has not said that she came to win the Australian Open, She has said that she is floater and she is a force to be reckoned with. Serena has given us some good matches, but I can still see she needs something else in order to convince the world that she is back. I still Serena getting tired as the match progresses, such as the case I see in Hingis.

In order for Serena to get good, she has to follow in Hingis footsteps. Hingis, my girl, came back to the WTA in the past 15 months or so not ranked and now before the start of the Australian Open she is ranked number 7 in the world. She has earned the respect of the fans, but not me. She already had my respect. Yes, Hingis still has problems against high seeded players, but she is gaining confidence. Yet, I know as well as you know if she does win she gets respect immediately and then the headlines will fly.

Serena does have my vote to move on deeper in the Open and I support her now. Even more so when battling those pesky Russian women that have the "ova" at the end of their last name. I will root for her in the next match, but as the semi's come up I will most likely go for another girl.

Now, Blake vs Gonzalez - what a sorry match. Blake was not feeling it. However, I saw Gonzalez play Hewitt the game before and I knew this guy was going to be force to be dealt with. I do not know Gonzalez and this is the first time that I actually heard of him.

I was hoping that Roddick would fall, but he did not. And yes, I was yelling at 10:57 PM on Saturday night MST that the game went another set. I was just hoping.

Poor Mauresemo, Nalbandian, Murray and Harkleroad (oh if only they would of showed this match in its entirety).

Well, I guess I better let you readers go

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The anger fueling the play of tennis this morning

Greetings People

I am functioning on no sleep. Yes, you got that right. The evening's tennis match was Roddick vs. Safin. Well, the match did not get over until 5:15 AM MST.

Oh, this match was good. Good in so many ways, but the way and why is because of Safin. If you readers did not get to see I guess you will probably get the condensed version on the same-day tape delay. The play was an eye for an eye. Roddick would win a game, then Safin, back and forth.

I am not sure how to begin my re-count of the match. The American "bad boy" and the Russian "bad boy" were going to clash and I had no idea that the clash that happened last night did not involve the both of them at each other.

Safin's emotion was towards the chair umpire.

Oh, Safin was doing well and did not get angry until some rain, drizzle, started to fall. Play was halted and then after the comemerical break that is when the match started to get really interesting.
By no means, was it not interesting, the first match was 6-7 and play by Safin was there. His "game" was on.

Well, we viewers, returned to the match and the chair umpire called time, which means play needs to start. Safin did not like that. Not one bit. He walked out voiced his thoughts at the umpire, pointed here and there at the tennis court. After a little of this Safin went back to his area and sat down. Meanwhile, Roddick was on his side of the court. We viewers only saw a glimpse of him since all camera were on Safin and the chair umpire. Next thing you know the Chair umpire called someone on his radio and real quickly another official came out to court.

Oh this enraged Safin. Oh, this is the Safin I wanted to see tonight and he did not disappoint. He argued with this "more" important guy. Readers, I only say that because he looked official looking and of course he had been called on the radio. Enough said. The exchange only lasted a minute or two then Safin got up and headed to the court, with a very dark cloud and a pissed off look.

The camera angle was pretty tight on Safin and the chair umpire while they were talking to each other. The words were muted a bit, but you definitely could make out what he said.

You.... readers I will have to finish up later. Tonight - Blake is on tap once more.

until the next time

Daryl Charley

The Fallen Athlete

Eighteen hours ahead of Colorado (MST)

Greetings People

I have to say that I finally got some sleep, but only allowing myself to go to sleep. I was still wide awake at 1:45 AM MST, but I started a new tape to record the match Hingis was in. Of course, this morning I heard that she won 6-2, 6-2. A bit of trouble here and there, but nothing that she could not handle nor should we fans worry about.

This picture is how often I feel after completing a grueling bike ride or running a good race. Well, I hate to say this, but I only got to see clips of this match and I was in awe. Monfils vs Bagdahtis. Bagdahtis first round playing carried over to the second round and Monfils took advantage of his playing ability and sent Bagdahtis back to Croatia (however you spell that country). Monfils was all over that tennis court. One might compare Monfils court ability, or feats, to Kim Cjlisters. I realize this match was played over 24 hours ago, but it has been in the news ever since.

The commentators saying that he is young, should not be doing that, he will never survive a fifth set match play. So what. Yes, it is a Grand Slam. Yes, the event is big. However, Monfils has been riding this "wave" ever since last year when he got noticed by the world at the US Open. He is having fun and he is probably playing to win, but looking at this picture he is playing to having fun! When he loses, he'll think "oh well" and move on. We viewers are getting a look at the next thriller entering the majors, in my humble opinion.

So, last night/early morning was exciting. My match that I enjoyed - Murray vs. Verdasco. Murry with the patent Lleyton Hewitt's "COME ON!". Oh, the play was good and the sets last night were pretty close 7-6(7), 7-5, 6-4 Murray was fired up and it showed all over the court. What I noticed was Murray's black high top shoes. I do not know why, but that was something I could not help not to look at.

I digress for a bit. Can you believe that Murray almost had a triple bagel in his first round play 6-0, 6-0, 6-1. Oh, that would of been so neat since the last time that happened in a Grand Slam event was 13 years ago, per the news indicated.

Blake vs. Kuznetsov - The news are saying that Blake demolished Kuznetsov. I guess I agree with that, but the saying does not really indicate how. What made the "thrashing" was when Kuznetsov had to second serve. Well, Blake fired that serve right back at the same speed. And you faithful viewers may already know this style of playing especially from the US OPEN last year. Blake then had some very, very "awesome" returns. Some that you say oh Blake has no chance. Well, Blake made the impossible possible. Yes, I was in awe. Overall, a good match.

Hewitt vs Dancevic - The match was good, there were some foot faults by Hewitt, but that is the norm for him. One of the commentators was trying to make something out of that, but another commentator indicated that is Hewiit's method. And yes his play in the past years always includes foot faults.

Sharapova vs Rodionova - I have no idea who Rodionova is, but the match did not last very long and the play was mediocre. 6-0, 6-3. I did like the racket throwing by the other Russian into the court. Boo-yah!

Hingis vs. Kudryavtseva - The match started at 1:30 AM MST time and I could not stay awake so I had to tape and send her my best in order for to do good. 6-2, 6-2. I will try to watch this match tonight before live play begins at 7 PM MST.

Clijsters vs Morigami - 6-3, 6-0. Kim is rolling down her opponents just one more set than Hingis. You can interpret in any way you want, but do not that as gospel meaning that Kim is one set better than Hingis.

Well, that is my summary in a nutshell.

This morning when I took the Light rail into work I saw my Orange Eskimo. She was sleeping on the light rail. Well, okay her eyes were closed, but that did not stop me from bothering her. We only had a minute to catch up before she had to get off for her stop. Morgan is doing fine and so the husband. Work also is good. Oh, the first thing that the Orange Eskimo says to me "What happened to your hair?" with a smile and a small laugh. Hah hah.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley

The Fallen Athlete

Three days down in the Australian Open

Greetings People

It was another late night early morning viewing. I hate to say this but I was dozing between 9:30 pm and 1:00 AM MST. I remember little about each match. I guess I was pretty tired.

Anyway, the alarm came on at 1:25 AM and I was instantly away. And what a time to come a wake. We viewers were granted the viewing of the third set between Safin vs. Sela. Wow, I like saying that I like Safin, but not for playing ability. I like Safin, because he entertains us tennis fans with his anger and uttering those Russian words in the messed up, foul mood he may be in. Things will either get broken around him or things that he owns will get broken. What can I say. This truly makes his matches enjoyable.

So, once more Safin almost followed the path that Nalbandian and Hewitt nearly took. Down two sets and nearly gone in the fourth set. Then, the rains from the Australian Heavens opened up and play was delayed. Well.... not to be one-sided, but the suspended play was called for by Safin and was valid. One may argue that was not the case, but if the rain is on the court, the court will become slick and slippery. Injuries are bound to happen and no player will risk the dangers of that happening.

Yes, I agree Sela had opened a can of cool whip was doing some serious playing while Safin played not very good. I would not say tired, but not playing tennis at the level he is used to. Safin called and asked for the rain delay and was granted by the chair umpire. Yes, he was booed, but again a valid call.

So, the roof was closed and play started about 20 minutes later. And Safin starts off with an ace and then another point and in the end Safin won the match. 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 7-6(4) 6-0

The commentators said, well that Mary Carillo, oh the rains saved Safin's game. Well, yes and no. I will keep my opinion on this, for now, until the end of the Open

And the picture is of Lleyton Hewitt after his comeback the other night

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Grand Slam of the Asia/Pacific

Greetings People

I realize that this is technically the third day of the Australian Open, but second day of coverage only ended 8 hours or so ago. Damn I am very tired. I am trying to balance watching all the matches so far and the event has taken a toll on me already. Being 19 hours behind them always messes me up.

Live match play begins tonight at 9 PM MST on ESPN2. I am going to take a nap when I get home and then set the alarm to get up later. I can not handle these late night, early morning matches for us MST people. Granted, I could watch the same-tape delay in the afternoon, but I want my information now and I also want it live.

Such as Sharapova said to Chair Umpire

"Are you Fucking kidding me?...."

I could not help to laugh at Sharapova. The Umpire's call was valid and was immediate. Too bad for Sharapova. I am sure that this might be deleted on today's same-day tape delay.

Day 2 - Re-cap

So, let me begin with that match. Sharapova vs. Pin. I have to say that this match was exciting, because Sharapova was looking pretty awful. Our coverage began in the third set and Pin had one match finally trailing 5-0. So, next thing you know it is 5-1, 5-2-,5-3-,5-4, 5-5, 5-6... and I was yelling and slapping my hands together loudly closing upon the witching hour. I oh so wanted Sharapova to get "Dismissed"

Then, a break was called by Sharapova. Medical and trainer were called. I agree with the call and no problem for the request. I did have a problem with Sharapova walking to the shade part of the arena whether it was her serve or Pin's serve. Overall, the match was good for me, because we, the audience, were witnessing the breakdown of Sharapova on court. She was not pissed, but the look was tired and no remorse for anyone, not even herself. Pin eventually had the meltdown, but was oh so close to kicking her butt back to Florida.

Nadal vs. Kendrick. I have to admit this match was where I was dozing in and out of conscious. I really do not care for Nadal, but I had to try and keep awake so I can watch Hingis. Anyway, the end was nothing new Nadal won. I will have to re-watch again since I can not remember any good shots.

Nalbandian vs. Tipsarevic. Coverage was very limited and we only saw updates that Nalbandian was down two matches and about gone in the third match. 6-7(5), 4-6, and then 7-6(2). I did not want Nalbandian to leave and somewhere Nalbandian found the strength and won all the set until the 5th match when Tipsarevic retired after. Boo yah!

Hingis vs. Dechy. The match that I was absolutely looking forward to. Hingis came onto the court with a black outfit with white trim here and there. She had that smile and spring in her step that makes Martina - Martina. A little trouble for Martina in the beginning of the second set, but won hands down 6-0, 6-2. The commentators on the match also mentioned that Hingis got engaged.

Cjlisters vs Bardina. The first "double bagel" of the match! We did not get to see any coverage of this match except a clip or two. Cjlisters last Australian Open people.

Blake vs. Moya - I only got to watch the first two sets. Urgh 1:45 AM MST I was tired especially after yesterday's early match, so I made myself go to sleep on the couch and the next thing you know it is 5:00 AM. Blake had a tie break in the first set 7-6(8), then the second set apparently end at 6-2 and then this morning when I woke up I saw Blake closed out the match 6-4.

Hewitt vs. Russell. Oh so close. He followed the exact same path as Nalbandian. 4-6, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. I like Hewitt because he is sort of unpredictable. Hewitt almost had an early departure, but I don't think so!

This second day of coverage was better that the first day of coverage. More exciting. Also, the temp was 103 degrees by 4pm their time. One of the announcers on the sideline had a hand held thermometer and it was pegged over 120. Whew wee.

This was only the second day - and an exciting Day at that!

I really do not have anything else to talk about. This is my life for the next week or so.

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Start of the Australian Open 2007

Greetings People

The first major tennis event is here - live from Australia. The Australian Open. The first major of the year. Yes, I caught Day 1 of the event. I even had to give up the show 24 start of the 6th season. I would rather watch the Australian Open than Jack.

Anyway, Not much happened yesterday. I guess I will start with the match I was looking forward to Bagdahtis vs. Schlitter (I forgot how to spell his name). This match was one hour too long. Bagdahtis played so-so. No spunk, electricity if you will, in his step. His Opponent was okay. The match was even, not very exciting and then toward the end of the second set it got "oh great" A medical injury break, calling for the doctor and trainer. Meanwhile, Bagdahtis could not take advantage of the situation. Bagdahtis kept on hitting his balls right back to his opponent. Not making him run. Anyway, not exciting and Bagdahtis won the event eventually.

Federer's match was limited in showing. His opponent looked young and full of energy and to me was sort of exciting to watch. Federer got broken a few times, but won. The 20 point tie-breaker from Tsonga vs Roddick was pretty neat. Not interesting, but good. 59 minutes for the first set. and the same for the second set.

Mauresmo, Janovic, Vaidisova, Roddick, and then I had to record Serena's match this morning (1:30 AM MST) but I saw and heard that she won pretty darn good.

Day 2 starts tonight at 7 PM MST. Blake is on tap.

Other than that a darn cold weekend - 6 degrees on Saturday and 19 on Sunday, I think. I stayed in almost all weekend except to get the Sunday Paper and that was a cold 5 degree 3 mile bike ride to the grocery store.

Nothing else to blog. Until the next time...

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Happy Birthday to Me

Greetings People

Happy Birthday to me.

Let me get right to the point of today's topic

“Something” has once again inflamed a passion in me to compose a blog about “something” I have addressed in the days of old. Nevertheless, I have to broach this subject every two or three years, basically whenever I get a new circle of friends. Or when someone discovers the other side of me.

Let us commence with an example that has inspired me to get my creative juices to ignite for 2007.
I am not sure how to initiate this blog, but let me embark on how all this transpired down in my hood of Englewood, Colorado.

As I stated in yesterday’s blog I at long last got around to utilizing the gift card that I acquired from RTD.

Well, I began the 10th day of January earlier than usual. Perhaps I was hoping to get a call from my mom, since I do not know when their day starts these past few weeks. We have had five newborn calfes in the past four weeks and my parents have been busy trying to keep those newborns alive – the cold, the snow, the ice chopping, feeding, etc. I have digressed so let me return to the story at hand.

I even left early for work with a little spring in my step. The morning temperature was cool, but not cold. A slight wind was blowing in from the North with the winter sun shining ever so brightly, but providing no warmth in the bitter beginning of the winter season that started on December 21.

This is where the story truly commences - I go into Starbucks with my own Starbucks “old school” coffee thermos in one hand and gift card in the other hand. There was no line for ordering, which is an amazing thing since that is very unusual for that Starbucks location. I walked up to the register and speak the line of dialogue I always say when ordering the only order I get at any Starbucks store.

“A large Mocha Frap with whipped cream in my own container and that’s it.”

I spoke clear and slow, since I have encountered numerous incidents as the one I am going to recount to you faithful readers, here and now. So, while I was saying the above rehearsed sentence I reached out to the cash register woman operator (the young 20’s college student working at Starbucks so I have spending money) presenting my gift card, from RTD, as expenditure for the Mocha Frap I have been thinking about ever since obtaining the gift card.

“Would you like a scone or muffin?”

What the fuck I thought to myself. I know what I just previously said and I looked at her and reiterated what I said – word for word not fifteen seconds ago. Readers, I will recite myself in this sort of circumstance so the person who is serving/helping me does not have to inquire for a third time. If she/he then has to ask the exact question once more I will give that person the look of “I am not going to repeat myself so you better consider about getting off that pedestal that makes you one step closer to god than me because I have all the time in the world since you decided to challenge my initial request.” I was not going to repeat myself for a third time nor will I start a new line of discussion.

Readers, this is like a double-sided sword and there is only one side or the other side. There is no middle. One may say that this is a conundrum. However, for me this is a situation normal for me and I am willing to challenge my last word of conversation. Period.

As I touched upon before, even before getting to the door of Starbucks, I departed out my front door with a spring in my step. I even got up earlier than usual to have ample time to go to Starbucks this morning, so there was no “attitude” to begin with. In layman terms, nothing has yet to piss me off on this fogless morning. I had woken up with a layout of my morning’s agenda, feeling like a new man and no chip on my shoulder.

Now, back to the story… there was an awkward moment of silence for her. However, for me the taciturnity was nothing unknown and nor was I going to utter one more word of dialogue. You could parallel my stance to Rosa Parks saying those infamous words “I’m not moving.” Or as a “brutha” would say “Did I stutter fool?! I’m not moving. And if you choose to continue you will be taught what I learned from the school of hard knocks. For real.”

After that short moment of silence she starts to ring my order up and after a second or two she appeared, to me, that she was done ringing me up. What I noticed while she was ringing me up on the register she did not ring up my discount. Word. So, I say to her “Is that the total? I did not see my discount for bringing in my own thermos.”

She immediately knew I “got her” (busted her), but she indicated that she was not done and then depressed a few more buttons on the register and my new adjusted total came up, with the discount. Oh yeah, no smile came to my face, but oh how that lifted my getting “pissed off” mood. I mentally chalked this up as another win in my “Customer is always right” column and took my gift card back and dropped no money in the tip jar. I know the discount is only a dime, but she tried to fuck me out of a dime, when in fact she fucked herself and the barrister out of that dime, plus more when she had asked that million dollar question With me walking out my front door feeling like Jaci spent the night, I might have left a dollar tip on the Mocha Frap order. We will never know though nor will I give a second thought about what could have been.

Yes, that is what I wrote. I left no tip. She fucked that up when she asked if I wanted a scone when I had clearly stated…

“A large Mocha Frap with whipped cream in my own container and that’s it.”

And she had the audacity to try and get me to say something more or answer her only question she asked.

And that, my friends, was the morning episode of my mother’s birthday in this brand new year of 2007. Now, when my mom says did I remember her birthday this year I can say “Hell yeah that was the day I went into Starbucks with my gift card from RTD to have my Mocha Frap with whipped cream.” Hah hah.

With my morning incident presented to you I am pretty sure I have gotten your attention. Whether for the good or bad I could care less. I am responsible for my actions, but more consequentiality, I am not the submissive person in this affair. I was the dominant person. I am not succumbing to “the man”, nor to a life partner, the wife, the children, the girlfriend or age. I have not become jaded to the world nor been oppressed by anyone else. I have not forgotten where I came from and where I stand with my morals and myself. Meaning, I will take no shit when I do not have to.

I am an equal opportunity person to everyone I meet, but there is always something that will either make me respect you or not give you the benefit of me, yet being only as cordial as I could be. There are a lot of things I wrote down that you readers would disagree with, but before you call the kettle black, meaning me. You better take a look at your own life before judging me by the stories I communicate to you readers.

Yes, I understand the cashier may be required to say “anything else?” or offer something else or it’s free according to their policy. Fine. But, I repeat, when I include in my conversation words such as “that’s it” or “I only want this” or “and that will be all” that means that. Do not ask me for anything else. Depending on the day I may be having I might be the sarcastic son of a bitch I am when I am on the bike and say something like “Did I ask you for your phone number? Well then, I guess you know the answer to both questions that have been asked in the past 15 seconds by both of us.” This customer is right and I dare you to try your luck with me, because I promise to give you my undivided attention of me getting up in yo face. Or if am pissed off/foul mood I will become like a bitch and give the old silent treatment. Silence is such a powerful tool for me and I will often implore this method.

You may be thinking to yourself “What a son of a bitch. Not leaving a tip.” Again I say, you better get off your high horse or you better get off that step that makes you one step closer to god, because I ask you readers how many of you tip a fast food joint worker? I am proud to say I do, but only the regular fast food joint I go to for a gallon of Sweet Tea – Chick-fil-A. In addition to tipping, I also managed to get the two I deal with a 10.00 gift certificate to Starbucks. I did this act out of the respect I get when I go in there for my gallon of Sweet Tea. These two employees immediately start my order and I do not have to say one word on what I want. That is service my friend and there is no need for tipping them since society deemed them not people to tip, only waiter/waitress, bartenders, etc. The day any of you readers tip a fast food worker then you will have earned my respect and my attention to any issues/concerns you may have about me. Otherwise you better recognize.

Note, I have never stiffed a waiter/waitress out of tip money. I will give 15 % percent no matter how bad of a service the waiter/waitress may have provided. I was a waiter back in the day and I know from experience firsthand on waiting and tipping. There are a lot of people who tip less than 15 %. The government requires that we account for 15% of income made. Back in the day, I was earning $ 2.01 an hour plus tips. I am not sure how much that has changed, but that is pretty rough if you can not wait tables. Me? I made 18 to 20 percent when I worked about 95 percent of the time. More and less other times.

The cashier girl, well young woman, at Starbucks provided a service by taking my order and ringing me up. However, she did not make my Mocha Frap. She only gave me about a minute of her services. After that my order was in the hands of the barrister for the rest of my visit. Should I have still left a tip in the jar? Fuck no. Do you let a puppy piss all over the house without acknowledge of how wrong that was. Fuck no! You exert dominance, as the dog whisperer Romero would voice. So, the next time they see my thermos, my face, and remember not to ask a fucking question when I state “that’s it” they have learned not to question this customer. You may think I am a face among thousands that visits that certain Starbucks, but alas I have a certain something that one can not help to forget. Character. Okay, okay, now I am full of it, but I do have that certain impression on most people.

You may be saying to yourself “ I should have apologized to her” Fuck that. I do not apologize for her not listening to me in the first place. She did not offer any apologies to me for asking a question she knew she asked nor saying “oops sorry, I was not listening to you”

Readers I will pause for now since this has already gotten pretty lengthy

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Happy Birthday to my Mom

Greetings People

I have to post this message even though my mother will not even know this nor would she be able to find her way around the internet to this blog site, but here it goes.

Happy Birthday

There, I have it on record that I did not forget her birthday and I can use you readers as my witness to this well wish.

However, you readers will have to wish my birthday tomorrow.

Soprano's on A/E tonight.

Oh, and this morning I finally used that gift card I got from RTD last month. If you new readers need any background on this please see an earlier blog about the gift card.

I got my favorite drink there - A large mocha frap with whip cream in my own container. Which means I better get my discount for bringing in my own mug and I do not want them to use their paper container to put my Mocha Frap in. Also, when I saw Large that means Large, none of the venti, or whatever words that Starbucks uses for small, medium, and Large sizes. I bring in a large container, I say Large and you charge me for a large and I say that's it - it had better be Large and that's it. When I say "that's it" it means that's it. I do not want a scone, I do not want your muffin, I do not want to try the house blend. Do not do the semanics retort on me. Do not pull the know it all, I'm young, going to college routine and asked me what was I ordered again when I clearly and slowly said when I ordered and handed over my thermos to you.

As you can probably tell readers I can not put up with that sort of attitude or ignorance.

Readers, I almost got on another roll and I better stop and let this go, for now. Perhaps I will return to this since I started to think about this more and more.

Anyway, until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Looking back at past reflections of my life

Greetings People

As I was cleaning up one of my very old, old computers (133 Mhz) I found this file and thought it would be nice to share a moment about two years ago. After I read this I was instantly reminded of this time in my life...

Greeting Goofball-ers'

Now, if any of you son of bitches got anything else to say, now is the fucking time!
Kill Bill. Volume One

Time sure has a funny time passing us by and getting us another day closer to death. A dark perspective or maybe the accepting the truth is a little hard to comply with? I do not know. No, I am not looking for an answer nor am I going to give you an answer.

So, you Goofball-ers' know the drill. I am about to embark on a journey and I, of course, will be your guide for the length of this story telling. Grab your drink and let us go forth together

Grab my hand or put your arm around my waist and let us embark into the world of the Goofball-ers', a world that unfortunately is drawing slowly to a close. Not much is holding this world together and the solution is beyond my control. Sure, another year has gone by, but somehow time is getting irrevelant in the Goofball-ers' world and the ties that hold this world to the Goofball-ers' are slowly deteriorating away...

Note: Before reading further - No disrespect is intended to any religious parties. My apologies to anyone who is offended. Remember you do not have to read anything you do not want to. All views expressed are mine. thank you.

(Before starting this section, put in Kill Bill. Vol 1 Soundtrack, Track 14 - The Lonely Shepard)

The sky is overcast in gray with the snow falling gently around him. Tis a cold day, but not too cold for him to enjoy a nice bike ride. Even though he is enjoying his ride, you can not see the pain that his well hidden below the surface. Emotional pain is one of the hardest things to overcome in life and every year during the winter he has to come to terms with past emotional pain and new pain that occurs during this time of the year.

Steadily biking through the snow he thinks of what has transpired this past November and December to him. That was a mental and emotional time and nearly costed him his soul. He knew that he was close, very close, to depression. He knows depression, but he also knows about winter doldrums and the difference between the both of them. Doldrums are what he gets every year.

Yet, on this particular ride, he is able to make peace with himself and look back on his life so far. He was able to overcome the seriousness of sadness that occurred and actually get a smile to his face. A smile that is hardly seen at all anymore.

As we see him riding toward the gates of Cherry Creek State Reservoir Park we see his ZZ Top bandanna wrapped around his head, his Oakley Sunglasses covering his dark brown eyes from the snow and wind , his winter bike riding outfit and fingerless riding gloves. Heidi is with him also enjoying the day. Just before he passes the gates we can hear Natalie Merchant singing from her The House Carpenter's Daugther album coming from the CD Walkman's earphones. Perfect music for the perfect day of snow riding.

He is not smiling, especially with him finally letting go of the one he started to have feelings toward.

Looking back on the year of the Ram (sheep), is a year he would like to put well behind him. Though readers, fear not for him, his road to recovery has been swift and quite acceptable to him considering the circumstances. Let us watch him disappear in the falling snow and fog and hope we may re-visit him again...

(End the song that was started for this section)

Welcome to the year of the Monkey. Tis the year of 2004.

Well, now we are in 2007 and now I have to figure out what year it is. Rooster? Anyway, I will try to blog tonight, but may not have the time to. Oh the Soprano's start this Wednesday on A & E and yes most likely I will watch.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Brand New Sunday in January 2007

Greetings Readers

Today is... well, was now, my final eye appointment and I was given a good, clean bill of health. Everything has cleared up, but I still do have to be careful for the next months to be sure I do not have a re-occurrence of my situation with my eyes. January 7, a few days before my birthday I am very happy to be out of the red zone. The danger of this happening again is still there, but my doctor and myself did what we could since October to correct my situation and we did a total remission with a minute scarring on the lower part of the eye.

Dallas Cowboys lost last night on a "Romo" fumble. Urgh. Although, yes to me too, the ball looked shiny (wet).

Readers, I am not really into blogging today, but thought to write something down.

Another show that I did not catch the first time around, but the second season was "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" This is one messed up show, but damn funny. I do recommend this FOX show.

This Picture was taking during a period of rain that fell over a 24 hour period and after this ride I was soaked, basically a drowned rat. Anyway, I do not think that I have uploaded this image to this blog site and I really do not have a perfect place to place this so I am going to insert the picture here

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Three Fridays in a Row for Snow, Bro

Greetings People

I guess you readers can see I can rhyme, or might say I am on my way on to becoming a poet.

Well, On this particular lunch break I am going to share something some of you readers might of heard on the news regarding the Denver Broncos.

Long story short, A Denver Bronco was shot to death outside a club on New Year's Eve night.

Going with that. Yesterday morning on Channel 13 Good Morning Fox news. I hear breaking news in the morning.

6:10 A.M

"Good Morning Colorado, Breaking news.
Police have located the possible vehicle that was used in the shooting..." blah, blah, blah,

6:20 A.M

"We have breaking news.
The vehicle has the license plate the police are looking for..." blah, blah, blah

6:25 A.M.

"We have breaking news.
The vehicle's roof is white while the body appears to be painted black..." blah, blah, blah

6:30 A.M

"We have breaking news.
The vehicle appears to be spray painted black..." blah, blah, blah

6:35 A.M.

"We take you to breaking news.
The vehicle appears to have been spray painted horribly..." blah, blah, blah

6:40 A.M.

"We have breaking news.
....A back load tow truck has arrived..." blah, blah, blah.

6:45

"We have breaking news.
The tow truck is in the process of loading the vehicle..." blah, blah, blah

Readers, do you see the trend that I heard yesterday morning? Fox Morning News was beating this story to the ground yesterday morning. I mean yes it is good that the news that was reported to the public, but do not give a play by play and say that it is breaking news. "Breaking News" is something that related to something related and associated with something important.

Example, The finding of the body of one of the missing climbers on/near Mt Hood. Yes, that is breaking news.

By the way, I do not know the exact times, but it was between every commerical break. Breaking news, breaking news.

Breaking news is not a play by play of the same event every time a new thing starts.

The other thing that was not fair, was yes the vehicle is registered to a known gang member who is in jail, however he did this and that, and was responsible for this and that. The guy is in jail and there was no way for him to be the driver or passenger in his vehicle. Remember readers, in the U.S. we are innoceny until proven guilty. Right away readers, this guy is in jail and in no way he was there at the scene of the shooting. Leave him alone until he is becomes a person of interest or arrested for whatever they decide to charge him with. I am not on his side, he may have a connection from jail where he may have some sort of connection, but that has yet to be proven.

On the flip side, the news said, that Broncos is not a gang member. How do they know that? He could be a gang member in shadow. We do not know. For all we know he could be funding the gang since he was earning some money. I am not saying that, but that is a possibility to ponder.

In closing, since my lunch break is almost up. FOX news had the nerve to say that they were responsible for getting the info to the public and helping to locate the vehicle. What sort of claim is that?! Granted, I can not remember what was said, because I really was not listening until I heard made me re-think what I just heard. I was like "she did not just say that did she?"

As the Title implies, more snow this Friday. And more forecast for this evening.

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Music Soothes the Beast (in me)

Greetings People

Music is very powerful tool, if you will, for me in life. I generally associate a lot of things and events to music, whether there are words or just instrumental. I live and have accidents by music. I also associate my memories with music. I often dub music over my home videos. Music follows me while I am out training (riding and/or biking)

Granted, I can not play a tune nor can I sing. Well, at least I can chalk that up to my puberty stage early in life. Although, the allure of being a rock star would of been cool.

I have browsed many, many blogs and I do see a lot of people blogging lyrics and even incorporating music into their blogs. I never thought about that, but I do every once in a great while I will quote a line from a song and incorporate that into my journal entries. Not because of blogging. I do because most likely that was the song that was playing or was running through my mind at the time of the event. I draw upon the music, the notes, the lyrics and yes sometimes the visual images behind the song (singer, music video, album cover, etc.)

I make mixed music tapes for myself. Nope, never for the girl I may be dating at the time. Giving mixed tapes are something I do not do, nor will practice to do. My tapes are personal, as well as my life.

Readers, Although do not get technical with me about blogging my life on a blog. I am sharing moments in my life, BUT by no means am I sharing mundane instances in my life.

Example, my friends (*Note - This is not me-so do not think that I gone coo-koo)

I got up, showered, ate, dressed, fixed tie, went to work, went
to story, trimmed finger nails, got home, watched TV, went to be bed, cried to
sleep.

Readers, this is an example I have used, but this is something close that I have read elsewhere on some one's blog. That is fucked up and who the fuck cares about her life that specifically.

As you readers hopefully read so far on my life - I share life moments and incidents that have a specific bearing on my life. I can say know that I have been blogging pretty good now for the past three months, but it took some time for me to open and share what I want to share to you readers and the general public that might stumble upon my blog by chance. Granted, I have not opened up completely nor do I plan to, but I am sharing more about myself.

Well..... I have to go since my lunch break has come to an end. I may try to finish this up later today, if not, then I guess in the future.

By the way, I have been watching that new series that started on WTBS called "My Boys" and I am glad to say this new series was thoroughly enjoyable. I do hope that the series will return. I think the series finale was two weeks or so ago

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The First Tuesday's blog of 2007

Greetings People

Alright, I guess I better write something down so I can start off the new year of 2007.

A lot of things coming up this month....

1. My Birthday
2. The National Western Stock Show
3. Continuation of Prison Break - second Season
4. Start of "24"
5. Second season of Dr Who (new version) being released on DVD
6. Mom's Birthday
7. The Australian Open 2007 (w/the instant replay inauguration)
8. The Sopranos premiere on A&E (edited of course)
9. The continuation of this Blog!

Then, numerous comments about the good deeds of people during the past two weeks of the snow. The ramblings I have planned for the new year. And so forth.

I hate to say this - but I am so glad that the Broncos did not make the Playoffs. I am glad Dallas Cowboys did, but their playing has gone pretty bad in the past month. Wildcard weekend this weekend and then the playoffs. The Playoffs Baby!

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete