ZZ Top coming to the Paramount

Greetings Readers

The ZZ Top Key chain.

The time now has been 18 years since I bought my first ZZ Top Key chain and also 18 years that I have had the same ZZ top Key Chain on my set of keys.

That is a mighty fucking long time to have the same key chain right? After all how long have you Readers had the same key chain? The only reason why I know and remember is that when I did attend my first ZZ Top concert I was going to buy that key chain. That key chain which was so predominant displayed in the eighties ZZ Top videos.

I remember that key chain being shown in the music video and looking all so fucking cool. And yes Readers that key chain is so oh fucking cool when I do show my ZZ Top key chain.

Oh, the reason I mention the ZZ Top key chain is that ZZ Top is coming to the Paramount theatre on October 31, 2008. Unfortunately, I just found out about this. And I am a bit surprised that I found out this late. I am also surprised that they are playing in such an intimate setting.

Do not get me wrong Readers, when there is an opportunity for me to go to a ZZ Top concert I will try and go to the concert. Any ZZ Top concert is a music fan lover’s dream to go and see live. ZZ Top – Billy, Dusty and Frank are something to see in concert.

They fucking rock and roll in concert. I have seen them at McNichol’s Arena (now gone) and Fiddler’s Green. To see ZZ Top at the Paramount is sort of a desire to see them in such an intimate setting. The theatre is big, but not big. Now, what is sort of playing a factor is price. With me just finding out there is only a few seats available and through the local theatre office – not ticketmaster.

I have allowed myself to spend the money to see them at the price I saw.

After all, at the Paramount I saw Billy Squier and Natalie Merchant in concert and I loved both concerts I saw.

I have take some pictures of my old concert tickets, some of the key chains I bought, one of two bandanna’s I bought from the 2003 concert tour and the flyer for the last concert at McNichol’s Arena before the Arena was demolished. And was that the concert to remember! I think there were eight different wardrobe changes, conveyors on the stage, lasers galore, and another key chain to add to my collection.

Now the question comes into play – how much do I want to see ZZ Top up close?

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Update to Team Astana and L.A.

Greetings Readers

As you can see from the blog picture

“Armstrong’s team receives tentative OK to ride in tour”

The article talked about how Team Astana would be able to ride in next year’s, 2009, tour de France barring any doping incidents.

Of course, anyone who is familiar with cycling knows that and this article was written just for the sakes of writing an article for / about L.A.

Now, that is not what or why I am writing this post about.

“Armstrong’s Team…” Now, as I have mentioned many, many times I do not follow L.A., but do mention something about L.A. when I happen to stumble across something about him. Is it really Armstrong’s Team or is it the way that the author of this article wrote the title and article. As far as I remember L.A. was looking to get on a team and there was no indication that any Team was looking to sign him on and be designated as the rider that everyone has to support.

That is not what I found out about in the past three weeks. I only heard that he wants to come out of retirement and is looking for a team to sign and ride on. There was no indication that he was going to “take over” a team and be designated as the rider to support for the next tour de France.

One could say to me that it is arrogant to think that he would not be signed onto a team to lead a team to victory for the next tour de France.

I would say that it is arrogant to think that he would be signed onto a team to lead to victory for the next tour de France.

Since, I am not following the news perhaps there was some talking and perhaps it was confirmed that he would be the rider that would be designated to win the tour de France for the team. All other riders would have to forgo glory and help L.A. in his ride for another tour de France victory.

Continuing on with the article – the article talks about how Team Astana would most like be able to ride in the 2009 tour de France next year, barring any doping incidents with Team Astana.

Now, I am going to have to say that 90 percent of the biking population knows and cares about the tour de France knows that Team Astana was banned from participating in this year’s 2008 tour de France due to the doping on Team Astana the previous year of the 2007 tour de France.

So, whoever wrote this article wrote this as just “filler” on the cause to talk just about L.A. We all know why Team Astana was banned / barred from the 2008 tour de France. We also know that Team Astana would probably be able to ride in the 2009 tour de France barring any doping incidents before the start of the next year. Those are facts.

Now, to the other thing mentioned in the article. Should Team Astana with L.A. be able to ride in the 2009 tour de France - L.A. would be tested for doping. That does go without saying. I wholeheartedly agree with that statement. After all it was L.A. that mentioned (complained) about being tested for doping during his latter part of his tour de France victories. And believe me Readers, he fucking complained left and right that he was tested and was “clean.” So be it, if you are “clean“ then get over being tested for doping.

And yes Readers – I am seriously worried about Levi Leipheimer. I hope that he did not get “fucked out” as team leader of Team Astana. All my hope Levi. Though with Johan as L.A.’s former Team Captain Levi’s chances are fucking slim.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Longhorn Ironman - 70.3 Austin, TX

Greetings Readers

As the post title states - Ironman Austin 2008 - which takes place on October 5, 2008

And I just found out my friend is going to compete in this Half Ironman.

I hope the best for him.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Bobbie Rae's Second Bike Ride

Greetings Readers

Well, Bobbie Rae and me had our second bike ride ever since she got her new Mountain bike.

I have to say that I am getting excited. I love to encourage my friends to bike ride with me, even though I am so way ahead of them. I have to re-assure them that it is no problem that I have to come down a few gears in order to bike ride with them.

I tell them it is not a problem. If my friend(s) is looking for a reason to bike ride then I am there for them. I have no problem helping out someone to get his or her bike riding in.

Yes, I know that I am going a lot slower and that I would have to be considerate of who ever is riding with me. Yet, I have to admit I like slowing down and talking to any of my friends that are learning to bike ride. I want to make sure that he/she likes to bike and that they are enjoying bike riding with me.

I often play the “I can’t keep up” card with my fellow bike rider. They know I am joking, but I think in their mind they are showing up a seasoned bike rider. I have no problem with my friend’s thought on that. I can be humbled. I can take one for the team. I can make my friends feel good about themselves by “showing up” me on a bike.

Back to the story, Bobbie Rae decided that we should go over to a park that has a bike trail system. I agreed since I had no clue of the bike trail system and as long as Bobbie Rae thought this was an idea I was all for it.

Bobbie Rae drove over us to the park and then we headed out on the trail system. It was an out and back route. Going out we had to bike uphill and then on the way back we were going downhill with a slight detour in the neighborhood community.

Bobbie Rae looked great and I also commented on how “tight” her calves were looking.

This time I only took one picture of her. And that is Bobbie Rae in all her glory riding on her new Mountain bike. This time around we rode 4.20 miles. I think that she got a workout.

And I as told her I have no problem with her asking me if I want to go for a bike ride. After all, I like to remember that I was her once, yet I had no one to ride with on my early introduction to bike riding. And with my years of experience I want to make sure that she gets introduced to biking “nicely”

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Good and Bad from the Past

Greetings Readers

Note - Post revised later after said incident which has now been posted

Today was a great day to run into a friend from the past, but today was also the worst day to hear about another friend being given their walking papers at their place of employment.

I am happy for seeing a friend from my past, but I am also sad for hearing about the news of another friend from my past.

Let me start with the bad news. I am sad for hearing about my friend being let go from their place of employment. After all, I was in the same department that this person was let go from. I know a bit of the people involved, but I know nothing of current events regarding my friend at my former place of employment.

My friend is someone who is quiet by nature, but while at his or her job he/she is required to be in a customer service position. I am not saying that this person was in a customer service position, but he/she did deal with the customers, not to mention the outside vendors.

Besides that he/she is the example of giving 100% to his/her job and minding his/her business.

I know nothing of what exactly happened, but apparently on the day that he/she was let go neither his/her boss was present at his/her termination.

Long story short – my friend gave 2-week notice, but the HR dept decided to give his/her check today and that is that. I am going to call her/him next week and at least offer a place to go an apply for a job (at my company.)

This was a person I got a to know more than just a co-worker and in my book that means a lot. If I have a chance to help a friend out then I will make sure that I give my friend a chance, in my book.

You may or may not reading my blog, but if you are then expect a phone call from me next week. I will give whatever help I can and also help on explanation on why you were let go.

Now, onto the good news. I saw my old friend that I used to work with at a company in my past. We never worked together, but we did work together in a round about way. I think that what I liked, after some time, was that I could say “Hey D!” Or “What’s up D!?” with me stressing “D” when saying “D”

Well of course “D” nick named me “5 fingers” since I was giving away Reese’s Peanut butter Cups every now and then. “D” was implying that I stole the candy hence “5 fingers.” I never took offence to this, after all, we were friends. When I was giving away Reese’s Peanut butter cups candy it was directly from a full box that I bought at Sam’s Club.

Anyway, to bring you Readers to current my friend saw me at my Local Liquor Store just arriving on a Friday evening.

“I hear you, but you cannot be that much out of breath?” I look at who said this to me and then the smile appeared out of nowhere.

“How are you ?!”

Any thoughts of the day were wiped clean. Seeing my friend from the past made this Friday most pleasant. We talked a bit outside the store and then he or I said let’s go in together.

We talked about the past history where I used to work at together, in a round about way. Then, we talked about beer. What we both liked and what we both would recommend to each other.

I got a free wristband from the Cuervo girl manning the Cuervo Black table. I think that the wristband is pretty and I think that I going to wear this band full time for a while when bike riding. Yeah, the wristband sort of does look cool.

Readers, I am glad I ran into my old friend or my that my friend ran into me, whom I have communicated in the past two years via email, still at the same place of employment I saw him last. I am glad that he remembered me. I am glad that we were able to spend the little time we had in and outside the liquor store this Friday.

Yet, before leaving each other’s company he/she offered to exchange one bottle of beer.

Well, I was okay with this for about 3 seconds and then I came to my senses. I say

“Hey you got the better end of the deal since my beer was more expensive.”

I say to my friend that he owes me about dollar fifty or two dollars more. My friend says that his/her beer was just about expensive as my beer. I agreed with him/her but I felt I was getting the short end of the stick with a huge smile on my face.

Actually after crunching the numbers in our head the difference was about .50 cents, but to me I still paid for the most expensive beer and I felt the trade I was getting stiffed. I mean this jokingly. And my friend laughed about this, but it was his/her idea to exchange a bottle.

I was not getting screwed – after all I am all for trying a new beer for the first time and the difference between the prices is small. I only bought up the price difference since it is my nature to make sure that I do not get screwed. But this was between old friends and trying a new beer so this okay.

And no I was not expecting for him to pay me the difference – I would be a prick asking for the difference, amongst our five-year plus friendship

By the way readers - with the nice weather still here I have been riding all my bikes and forgoing the running to and from work. I know I should not, but I am trying to take advantage of the nice weather we are having. Anyway, here is picture of the three bikes - Andrea, Tracey and Rebecca that have been used all week. I never have rotated bikes all week since getting my HED. rims. Anyway, it was sight to see that these three bikes have been getting some riding time in at the beginning of Autumn.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

My Friend's New Mountain Bike

Greetings Readers

Well, today after a month that my friend got her bike we both were about to go out for an hour ride at lunch.

The hardest part was trying to decide where we should ride.

Meaning, I can ride anywhere and feel comfortable about riding. Whether there are hills, flats, traffic, roads, no sidewalks, bike paths, some hard dirt bike paths, etc. Yet, we had to make sure that Bobby Rae could ride where ever we pick.

With that the day arrived and she brought in he $ 2,100.00 (on sale) mountain bike. Oh yes, it is a pretty bike and built specifically for a woman's frame. In my opinion, it appears to be a very nice bike and the color scheme is not too bad. I like the shocks, the disc brakes, the style, but alas it is not a road bike so I probably can not really appreciate the expensiveness of the bike. I just do not know.

Well, Bobbie Rae then decided that she needed some filters for her cats water fountain so with that in mind we decided to head down to the local Petmart's store. The store was roughly 2.52 miles away and conveniently almost all downhill. Oh boy did she ever get lucky. On our way down to Petmarts I say to her

"Remember we are going to be climbing up this bad boy on our return trip."

She said something to the effect, "I know"

She runs into Petmart and then I take the picture that is posted of both bikes in the picture.

By the way, I had a hard time deciding what bike I was going to bring for our first ride together. With her expensive bike I thought about bringing Rebecca since she is the most expensive bike (frame wise) that I own. Then, I decided that perhaps I should bring Andrea with the HED. rims so at least my bike (all components) will be more expensive than her bike is. Not to mention Andrea is eye-candy.

We headed back in our return direction when we get to a well travelled bike path and Bobbie Rae asks me is this goes to the same place we need to get to. I tell her yes, but in a round about way. I also mentioned that it is longer, but probably an easier climb. She immediately responds - let's do it! or something close to that.

Towards the end of our bike journey I decided to sprint up a hill (well small incline, but I wanted Bobbie Rae to think it was a hill to her) so I could take a front view picture of her on the bike .

I got to the top, turned around and then snapped off a couple of shots. Unfortunately, with the sunlight at my back and glaring onto the LCD screen I could not actually see the picture being taken. I held the camera in the direction, held the button partially down so the camera can auto-focus and then shot a couple pictures.

We arrived at our starting place and that was the end of the journey - about 5.85 miles roundtrip.

And the last picture was a surprise since I had no clue that Bobbie Rae did that, but I guess I should not have expected anything less from her. At least I got a smile from me and our friends =)

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

L.A.'s Announcment

Greetings Readers

I went and saw a friend and immediately asked for the paper since I knew that he brings in the paper almost every day. He said that the paper is over there, pointing with his head. With that I see that the section visible on top was the Sports Section.

I decided what the heck and see what is going on in the sports world on September 11, beside what day it is known for.

When I opened the Sports Section I see a familiar face with sunglasses on page three of the Denver Post. I automatically knew whose face that was without reading the photo caption.

Mr. L.A. Apparently, I did not have a fucking clue that on Tuesday September 9, 2008 he announced that he’s returning to the Tour de France next year (2009).

This is news. And most of you faithful Readers know my stance on Mr. L.A.

Well, I could not fucking believe what I saw on page three and I was no hurry to read what I thought was going to be why L.A. was in the paper.

First of all, I knew that L.A. was participating in Mountain Races here in Colorado. Yet, what I did not know, but apparently everyone around me was that L.A. announced he was going to ride in the Tour De France next year. I shook my head in the “I cannot fucking believe what I just read” way.

Yet, I have to agree with L.A. coming out of retirement. I have many, many times come out of retirement. Why you wonder? Well, the love of my biking and saying that I am retired do not go together. I never get burned out riding, but when I first retired, I really meant to retire.

Yet, after a few months I got restless. I had these bikes and I hated seeing those girls of mine just sitting my humble abode in storage. Also, without riding for a period of time one tends to get restless.

Now, personally I could not believe that L.A. was coming out of retirement, but after my initial finding out I can see why he has come out of retirement.

I whole-hearted agree with what he has announced. The tour de France the past three years has been different, but a good different. Without L.A. there are other teams and riders that have the chance to shine.

Whereas the team that Lance was on – Team Discovery – all riders were required to help L.A. to win the tour. Now, this is all my opinion and I have no facts, but never-the-less this is what’s what on a team with L.A.

First of all, each rider is required to help L.A. Period. His former team leader Johan Bruyneel was the leader of Team Discovery and I am sure he was the 1st lieutenant under L.A. Whatever L.A. said to Johan he relayed those order(s) to each rider on the team.

Every rider was there to help and sacrifice the cause to L.A.

And that is one of the reasons why L.A. has won the Tour de France. His team members, again my humble opinion, were told / instructed to help L.A. at the cost of their own glory in the tour. Unless L.A. gave the okay for any team member to take glory on one stage should a “good” opportunity arise, then you have limited freedom, on your own mind you, to try and win the stage. Winning the stages was not important as keeping the overall lead in the Tour de France. Otherwise, each team rider was to conserve strength, provide a slipstream for L.A. to ride in and make sure he keeps his overall lead in the Tour de France or at least keep L.A. within seconds of the overall lead.

And believe me Readers riding in a slipstream for 80 miles plus you will have the advantage over all other teams that are not like L.A.’s team. L.A.’s former team was part dedication to the cause, but most of it was required to help L.A. If you were not part of the team, well part of being required helping L.A, then you were not going to be on the team or go find another team to ride for.

If L.A. or Johan said do that or this. You do it. No questions. If you are required to set a pace for L.A. you do it. If you are told to hold up for L.A. then you hold up. If you are told to go and get water bottles for L.A. you do it. If L.A. has bike trouble you hold up or even give up your bike in order for L.A. to continue in the Tour de France.

Again, what I have just wrote is speculation, but I am betting that I am not that far off from the real truth behind his winning of the Tour de France many, many times.

Now, when I found out about this news I immediately thought of Levi Leipheimer.

Levi went to another team after being under / on L.A.’s team for one bike season, but then left for another team once that was done.

I am not sure we know the real reason why, but I know that the reason was that Levi wanted the chance to ride for himself and not be told that he must give up his biking rights to help L.A. win the tour.

Now, as of last year Levi found himself on another Team - Team Astana. My team that I have behind ever since they were basically known as Team T-Mobile. Which you readers may or may not know that is where the second most bike rider I model myself after was - Jan Ullrich.

Due to doping riders of Team Astana the year before they were forbidden (not invited) to ride in the Tour de France this year. Which was very unfortunate for Levi since he was basically the unofficial team captain of Team Astana.

Now, I feel for Levi since now there is a possibility that L.A. will be joining Team Astana since L.A.’s former 1st Lieutenant is now captain of Team Astana. With that being said all previous team objectives would change since Johan and L.A. will make it clear that L.A. will be the rider to be supported on Team Astana.

I hope that I am wrong, but I want Levi to have a chance to shine at the Tour de France on Team Astana and not another team. Though I believe in my heart that L.A. and Johan will be reunited even though the team owners said in a statement that they are not interested in signing L.A. to the team, though in the past that would have been a very good option to take.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A Funeral Song List ?

Greetings Readers

I guess that is about how I can describe what I heard this morning. And of course, this came out to me in a round about way to the "death list of songs" to be played at one's funeral

Flashback - An Ipod owner I am - Three Ipods now - I did have four, but lost one due to damage.

Anyway, ever since becoming an Ipod owner, my music on my Ipod comes from my own personal collection of music. And yes that music is huge and unique. I have never, ever thought about going on Itunes and purchasing a song from Itunes. Especially so since if there was a song that I wanted to listen to - I bought the CD. Even if that CD had the only one good song I bought the entire CD.

In my view, buying a song for a dollar is alot of money. I am not talking about cost per minute or anything like that, but song buying in general.

Anyway, I go to Lamont and tell him of my dilemma of the “15 Wishes” I have been recently granted.
He smiles and shakes his head and laughs. Yes - At me. I could not help to smile and laugh back.

I explained that I purchased 15 wishes a week ago and still have yet to redeem those wishes.

I told Lamont what I wrote to you Readers – I have a tablet full of songs and artists. I have scraps of paper with songs written. Yet, I still cannot choose a wish. Then, I explained three days after getting the wishes I thought that I needed more for my money. Meaning that I had to revise my songs and pick some longer (time wise) songs as opposed to the shorter songs.

He again laughs and says to me “I’ve been there, bud”

Lamont tells me…

“Choose the songs that you chose first and purchase them – after all you can get another gift card – or as in your case 15 more wishes.”

I say “yeah that’s $ 15.00 dollars more”

“I thought you said they were wishes?!”

“They are”

“Well then, are they 15 wishes or 15 dollar gift card?”

I decided that was going to be the end of this topic.

Lamont reaches for him Day timer, opens it up and pulls out a folded piece of paper.

Lamont says to me he has made a “funeral list” of songs. Apparently, Lamont was at a funeral recently and the thing that he noticed was the music that was being played during the funeral.

I laughed at him and shook my head and I really could not believe that he has a “funeral list” that he wants to be played at his funeral. I was really shocked that he has actually put some thought into the music that he wants to be played at his funeral. Lamont recently had a birthday, which puts him into a new age bracket. Perhaps with attending a funeral and his new age bracket he may be thinking more about his death. I do not know.

Believe me Lamont talked about how this funeral list came about, but the thought that he actually put some thought into this funeral list was just a bit tad too much than my “little” problem of trying to choose 15 wishes that I want.

I did not get to see the list for myself, but Lamont did read some of the songs and artists that were listed. I did not agree nor disagree on the songs that he mentioned to me. Who am I too tell him whether those songs are good or bad.

I am still speechless on the existence of funeral list he made.

And I hope that I never, ever compile a funeral list.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

16 New Animals on the Ranch

Greetings Readers

Now, I think I will be on the last topic to blog about of my trip to the Ranch.

I told you Readers of the Massacre of the Guineas that we had earlier this year.

I was pissed off at what happened and was happy to show you that those dogs got what they deserved for killing our Guineas and Chickens.

Well, I got over the massacre being told to me by my Mom, but I was mad since I was unable to act on what happen.

Though, I am so glad that my Dad shot the dogs that were involved in the massacre.

Anyway, a week prior to going to the Ranch I spoke with my Mom and she had said that the Guinea had chicks. 16 chicks to be exact. Wow. I could not believe that one Guinea had 16 chicks. That is fucking a lot of eggs to be sitting on. I have no clue on why there were 16 chicks.

Though, at the exact same time of the year last year we had eight new chicks. But for the Guineas to double that was pretty amazing.

Believe me Readers, I wanted to tell you the great news, but I wanted to see the great news before telling you Readers. So, that was another reason why I wanted to go to New Mexico.

When I got to the Ranch I wanted to see the new Guinea chicks. Boy oh boy the chicks were still small and the mother was protective of the chicks. After the chicks were hatched my Mom and Dad moved the chicks and Mother to the bottom of the Hen house. Sorry Readers, when the mom lays her eggs she lays them away from the Hen house. I do not know the reason why, but my guess is that she would not be bothered by any other of the Guineas. Yet, I can not get over that one Guinea was sitting on 16 eggs. Pretty fucking amazing in my book – right?!

Of course, this might a normal sort of thing. But who knows?!

Since the new chicks were born we have lost three chicks. Sad, but in the grand scheme of things that’s good since what are we going to do with 16 new chicks. Two were lost to hawks (could be that one chicken hawk Foghorn Leghorn had trouble with) and the third was caught between the chicken wire and bale of hay and probably too weak to get un-stuck and died of exhaustion.

I did say that I would research the internet to see if Guineas can be eaten. After all I am not sure that we can give away any Guinea Chicks

Update 09/28/08 - I now know to correctly spell "Guinea Fowl" aka "Numida Meleagris". And the kind that we have at our Ranch is the "Pearl Guinea."

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Mom's Trip to Tacoma

Greetings Readers

About a week and a half before I arrived in New Mexico my Mom had traveled to Tacoma, Washington.

This trip was for the Indian Health Board. She is on the board, but chose to go to Tacoma, because of… well Readers I am unable to say since I am not sure if my blog readers know who I am and that I am the son of a certain Mrs. Charley.

With that said my Mom headed to Tacoma, Washington via a chartered bus. The bus apparently left from Gallup, New Mexico and headed to the 45th parallel and beyond.

This is where it gets interesting or in my case sad.

All but my mom had another “agenda” on the trip to Tacoma. Apparently, the other Native American Indian would sleep on the Charter bus and then when the bus stopped for the day – the bus stopped at a Casino Hotel (an Indian operated Casino on a reservation)

My Mom was awake during the bus ride, but all other passengers were sleeping.

What that meant was that when the bus stopped for the day my Mom was in her Hotel room while all the other Indians were in the Casino Gambling. How sad is that. Unfortunately, with us being Navajo and the Navajo president approving gambling on Navajo reservation land I think that we Navajo Indians have not been the same since. Of course, this does not apply to our family since we know of gambling and the effects of gambling with being brought up in the “white man’s” world.

So, while my Mom was sleeping all the other Indians were gambling into the night and early morning. My Mom had mentioned that her roommate had stumbled into the hotel room after 3 AM and of course my Mom was pissed for being woken up so early in the morning.

Whoever scheduled the trip to Tacoma made sure the all the planned stops were at Casinos. As an Indian I was sad to hear that. I know that we Navajo Indian have just recently approved gambling on our reservation, but hearing how my Mom’s trip was made me think that gambling is just another substitute for alcohol.

My Mom and the Chartered bus eventually made it to Tacoma and from there she was in meetings from early morning to late at night. None of the passengers had any free time to see or explore Tacoma or north to Seattle.

Towards the end of the conference she said that the group made their way to the ocean, Pacific Ocean, and according to my Mom they saw the ocean at night. Yes, I have seen the Ocean at night, but for my Mom to see the Ocean at night was a disappointment to her. She has seen the Ocean before, but the way that group saw the Ocean on this trip was just wrong.

Oh Readers, before getting to Tacoma all of the passengers wanted to stop at a Wal-mart to shop.
Back story – I am sure that most of you Readers may have heard of Wal-Mart’s dominance in small towns and how Wal-Marts have disseminated local businesses in small rural towns. Anyway, the passengers were getting restless and asking, demanding, that they stop at a Wal-Mart.

Wow. I could not believe what my Mom was telling me about the other passengers. Apparently, it got pretty ugly and all the passengers were demanding that the bus stop at a Wal-mart.

Well, the passengers won and they were allowed one hour to get the Wal-Mart out of their system.

Fast Forward – on one of the last days of the convention the Indian tribe in Washington set up a dinner for all tribes visiting Washington.

Readers – here is where I am ashamed. As most of you Readers know with Tacoma being right next to the Ocean you have to expect Seafood as the main dish. Whereas in New Mexico Beef and Sheep is the main dish.

Well, the group that my Mom was with would not eat the Seafood. Apparently, the Seafood looked like an insect. Which means that Navajo Indians do not eat insects. Obviously, I can see how crab legs and Lobster might look like an insect, but for the group of Indians not to try any Seafood was an insult to the Washington Indians.

At the last dinner it was my Mom and one other Indian that was eating the Seafood that was presented to our tribe. My mom ate what was presented, but not in excess. Whereas the other Indian did. Which if that was me I too would be eating all I could of the “free” Seafood. I often “dish” my heritage, but in this case I would eat all the Seafood to save face for the entire Navajo tribe.

And that was about all I can tell you Readers about my Mom’s trip to Tacoma.

Oh, as any daughter or son would ask – “Did you bring me back anything?” =)

Now, there is one question I would ask, but I did not when I saw my Mom this past weekend. If I have never introduced Seafood to my parents or knew how to cook Seafood would my Mom have acted the same way as all the other Indians she was with? I do not know, but that is a question that I will ask of her or my Dad on whether or not she would have acted the same way.

I know that it is not important, and irrelevant, but this is something that I now need to know.

Yet, the important thing to me is that – do the Navajo’s believe in just Wal-Mart and Gambling out their in the middle of nowhere?

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

First Day of Arrival on my Mini-Vacation

Greetings Readers

I arrived in Albuquerque, New Mexico about 4 A.M. on Saturday and waited about an hour or so at the bus station until my Dad came and picked me up in Downtown Albuquerque.

We then headed across town to go to my brother’s place on the East side of Albuquerque.

We got to my brother’s place and this was the time that I actually look forward to when arriving in New Mexico. I am not home, but I am home. My home is Dallas, Texas, my actual home is Denver, Colorado and then perhaps my Native American Indian home is New Mexico.

Anyway, sitting on my brother’s couch early in the morning, smelling and hearing the Starbucks coffee brewing, the television on and our family together is a nice feeling. This is usually only one of the times that are family is together and in harmony.

Though, perhaps I think this is my time that I enjoy the most. For me this is the time that I get to give gifts to my brother, Mom and Dad. I have to say I like this time of the day and moment when arriving in New Mexico.

This time I was able to reward with gift to my family the Coca-Cola gifts that I just redeemed a week or so ago. I gave my brother and Dad the Coca-Cola lunch bags and then I gave my Mom the Coca-Cola tub. Then, I gave my parents the Mountain Man nuts (Corn nuts and Almond nuts) I bought a couple days before at work.

Before giving out the gifts I pulled out two VHS tapes that contained the recordings of Ice Road Truckers – Season Two. I knew that they loved the first season I brought down for them last year so I was excited to bring down Season Two for them since they all liked the first season. Unfortunately, I never fully saw the first season and I did not see the second season since I was just really recording for my family since they watched the first season. Anyway, my brother started up the first tape and they immediately got into the show.

While this was going on my Mom was getting cold and asked for a towel from my brother in order to put over her legs since she was just wearing a night gown. Lo and behold this perfect. Since I bought two US Open towels – one for me and one for my parents they did not know that the US Open just happened and that I bought another US Open towel for them.

Actually, I think it is expected of me to buy a US Open towel for them, but not really. Hell, it was my fault for starting this new tradition of buying them a US Open Towel. Yet, I have no problem buying another expensive US Open towel for them – since they are my parents.

So, when my Mom asked that question to my brother. I reached into my bag and pulled out the plastic wrapped US Open Towel and said here you go.

She opened the plastic bag and saw that it was this year’s US Open towel and she said “Thank you.” She immediately covered her legs.

Lastly, I pulled out the Obama Buttons I bought during the DNC convention and gave them to my mother. “Oh Daryl” she said, but I said this is gift and I am not for Obama. Or McCain. This is just a gift from the DNC that was in Denver last month and perhaps this might be worth something should he be elected for president. I gave a rubber bracelet to my brother, just like the one that I was wearing.

My brother asked about the DNC and I told them what I told you readers when I blogged about the DNC. I told them what I did and of the experiences I had during the DNC. I basically told them Denver, in my opinion only, had become one of those countries in the Middle East.

With that it was the end of gift giving and story telling it was time to get ready to go out for our customary breakfast tradition when I get to New Mexico.

Breakfast was nice – we ate at Village Inn.

After breakfast we hit a few garage sales and then we dropped off my brother at his place. Soon, it was just my parents and me and we had a long drive to the Ranch ahead of us.

Before going to the Ranch, a hundred miles plus away, we had to stop at the Grocery Stores. We stopped at Sunflower and Smith’s and in between we stopped at our Hatch Chili place we buy our Chili from.

Let me tell you Readers it is now the season for Green Hatch Chili in New Mexico and this year the crops did not get destroyed like they did last year. When I stepped out of the vehicle I smelled the Hatch Chili being roasted nearby in the roasting containers. Ok - the smell was fucking intoxicating. That roasting is the smell that I love to smell. I compare that smell to the smell of the fragrance Woman’s Escape and the smell of French Vanilla Roast Coffee brewing. Those smells make me gaga. I love the aroma.

I walked around the store and took in the different Hatch Green Chili and the roasting. I was in heaven. We bought a bushel of Green chili. We do our own roasting so they gave us our burlap sack full of Hatch Green Hot Chili. Hot.

At Smith’s that is where I shopped for what I was going to cook and make for meals while I was at the Ranch. I bought Steaks, fish, 2 pound bag of shrimp, King Crab Legs, Brats, Spaghetti materials for making spaghetti sauce, Coca-Cola and Clover’s Chili Potato Chips. The bill came to about $ 133.00 for which I paid one hundred of and then my Mom paid for the rest. I did ask her if that was okay and she indicated yes. After all, most of it was mine, but it was all for us.

At Sunflower, I bought supplies for making my Salsa for my parents and brother. At Sunflower the supplies were cheaper and fresh. I could not wait to get to the Ranch and start my famous Salsa.

After the shopping was done we left Albuquerque and soon headed for the open road to the Northwest of Albuquerque. I pulled out my cassette adapter for my ipod and soon we were listening to my new Johnny Cash CD’s that I bought a few months ago. I was waiting for this moment to play Johnny Cash for them since this is what I listened to when I was a young child. I knew my parents loved Johnny Cash’s music and for me to play his music to them I knew that they would enjoy this. I was right. And they loved the live recording from New Jersey – The Lost performances.

On our way home to the Ranch we stopped at a local store and I bought the traditional Ice Cream we have while going home to the Ranch. Nestle Crunch Ice Cream bars and pop if anyone needs some pop. This was also the last store before going home not to mention that this is the closest store to us - 20 miles or so away from the Ranch. When I say store, it is not a store – more like an A & P of the old days. Only the necessities are available, nothing else.

An hour later I was driving up to the first gate to the Ranch and I knew I was truly home. I saw the damage the rains have done to the road I fixed last year. It was kind of sad to see all the work I did last year get washed away. Yet, I knew that later I was going to have to fix the road. I was already thinking of when and how to fix the damage to the road.

Then, I reached the second gate and I saw our dogs welcoming us home. Goofy was smiling, just like Bullwinkle did (when he was alive). I saw Koko hesitantly approach the truck since he sort of did not recognize me, but as soon as I jumped out the truck Koko jumped back scared and then saw it was just I and came to greet me. A dog never forgets his family owners. I saw most of the animals and I saw my car. I saw my parent’s home.

I was home

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Last Cattle Working of the Year

Greetings Readers

Well, this past Monday was the day that I had to leave our New Mexico Ranch and head back to my home in Denver, Colorado.

I did have a nice three-day weekend. I relaxed, I cooked and I just sort of took it easy. I did not worry about life beyond the Ranch, I did not think about work, I did not bring my laptop, I did not bring the PS3, and I did not bring a book. Matter of fact I came lightly packed.

I was woken up to the smell of breakfast, music from the transistor radio that was in the background and then I heard my dad telling me time to get up, eat and get ready for work.

“Work?” I say softly trying to wake up from my sleep in the spare room.

About one hour later I was at the corral and there were our heads of cattle in the corral. Shit. I knew this was going to happen, but somehow I just did not want to believe that this was going to happen.

Don’t get me wrong Readers, I do not hate this work, but just the thought of starting this on my last day of vacation was not pleasant.

Yet, in the end I did enjoy doing what needed to be done. After all it is just my Mom and Dad that are at our Ranch and no one else can help or that we want to help us with our cattle. With that in mind it is either my brother or myself or the both of us that has to help out our parents with the cattle when there calls for more than two people to do a job handling the cattle.

We have our Cattle Chute, our Calving Table, our portable Cattle fences, but most of the time it takes three people to do what we do all the time. And that would be giving shots, branding, castration, ear marking, dusting and ear tagging. Two people can technically do the job, but at a very slow pace. Three is better and all four of us is the best.

I am not sure if it just our family or not, but when doing the work on the cattle or feelings come out. We sometimes argue, sometimes question, but this is just what we do. There are no hard feelings at the end of the day when the last cattle is done. When the cattle are not co-operating or something goes wrong we tend to get riled up at whose fault it might have been.

Every now and then I will curse in front of my parents at the cattle. They understand, I think, that this is just what is expected of me and also I know that is when I am absorbed into the work. Not to mention that I am wearing the work. Cow shit on my shoes, my jeans, and my T-shirt. I am in zone.

At that point I actually love doing what needs to be done to the cattle.

My Dad and brother are usually the ones giving the shots and ear tagging & clipping the ears. My mom usually marks down what is being done to the cattle, the sex and what ever information that we need onto a clipboard for record keeping. Me – I help force the cattle through the chutes and then I take photographs (mug shots) of the cattle that shows the ear tag number and face of the cattle. This is for identification should our cattle gets lost, stolen or whatever. I also have a black marker to re-mark the ear tags since the ear tags fade throughout the year due to the sun and the weather in New Mexico. I also usually have a can of antiseptic to spray on the ears after ear clipping. I also use the spray on the behinds if the mosquitoes and horse flies are biting through the soft area of the cattle’s exposed skin.

During this time of the year, the calves are about 8 month old and are no longer small. These calves are now about my height and no longer fit through the calving table chute. This almost means that it takes more strength to force the cattle through the chutes. And more importantly if I am forcing the cattle through different parts of the corral and the cattle decided to turn towards me and start running I have to basically look menacing or get the fuck out the way in order not to be stampeded by out cattle(s). Yes readers, I get scared since the calves are no longer waist high to me anymore.

Six hours later we were done. Those six hours flew by and the next thing I knew it was time to get ready to leave for Albuquerque. The time was about 5 PM and it does take a few hours to reach Albuquerque. We did not have time to eat so I showered and got my gear packed. Though I was packing light since I had unloaded my Coca-Cola Reward Gifts to my parents and brother as well as the Mountain Man nuts I brought from them. I did pack all the Coca-Cola reward points that they have collected since my last visit. Considerable less, but more than I have so there is no complaint from me. And more importantly, I rewarded them for collecting the Coca-Cola points for me.

Fast Forward – I slept pretty darn well on the Americanos bus going to Denver. And that was because of the workout I got from working on the Cattle. And yes, I felt that my biceps, my pecs and basically my upper body got a fucking good workout. And it was a nice break to take from running to and from work the week before. I did not run once while on my mini-vacation.

In closing, the three best things – I did not have to shovel and transport and shit from the Ranch to the dumping ground away from the Ranch. Two – the weather was mid to high eighties and Sunny. Three - I got to spend time with my parents. Oops – there is a forth – got two presents.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

15 Wishes roughly

Greetings Readers

As you can see from today’s blog picture I have an iTunes Gift card for $ 15.00.

Unfortunately, in my mind I have been granted about “15 wishes”

Yes, wishes. That is the only way that I can see this iTunes card that I bought for myself over a week. Over a week ago and I still have not activated the gift card as of today.

If you faithful readers have been reading / following my blog over a year now you would know that I did have four ipods in the past year and now I am down to three ipods. Yet, the important thing is that until just over a year ago I never, ever believed that I would ever have an ipod. Blasphemy.

Yet, after the first ipod I bought and about a month later I was impressed what the ipod has done for me and what you can actually do with an ipod. More importantly, I did and do like the smallness compared to my portable CD player that I have and rarely use anymore.

Anyway, back to my 15 wishes. As with owning an ipod I have never given thought to buying any songs from iTunes. After all, any songs that I like I usually buy the CD so I can listen to the song anytime that I want. Yes, there are and will forever be one hit wonders, but I am the person who would buy the CD for that one song.

Hence, when I see and hear people buying a song from iTunes I roll my eyes and think wow they are spending 99 cent per song and my friends have spent a lot on buying songs to add to the their ipod.

Me, I have a CD collection close to 500 plus. So, I did not nor do I have a problem with having any songs to be put onto my ipod. Nor was / is there any desire to buy a song(s) from iTunes.

After all those .99 cents songs do add up when buying one after another.

Then, in the past two weeks I was talking to another ipod owner and he uses the gift cards like they were nothing. He says that he has spent over 300 dollars on gift cards, but in his view he loves the option of just buying that one song as opposed to buying the whole CD.

It was after this last conversation with another ipod owner in my life that I decided to see how iTunes is when purchasing songs from them.

I went out to Safeway and bought the lowest denomination available for iTunes. Later that day I got on the computer and then logged into iTunes and there I was.

I had a plan, but after four hours I still had not used the gift card. Though in those four hours I had a tablet written down of songs that I wanted to buy, but also other artist that came into my mind while trying to figure out how to use my 15 wishes.

Wishes. That is the way that I am looking at this gift card. I have been granted 15 wishes and I have to take those 15 wishes and imagine that once I choose those 15 wishes that is that. I get no do-overs.

With that mentality I have been searching and reviewing every song that I have chosen and every song and artist that I have thought about since getting the gift card. I need to make sure that I use the 15 wishes to my best interest.

I saw 15 wishes, but apparently it is less than that since iTunes apparently taxes each song so the actually cost of the song is over a dollar, which means I am going to get less than 15 wishes. No problem for me, but I still have to make sure that I am still using my wishes as my last wishes ever.

The next day or so I thought about all the songs that I have ever heard in my life and perhaps never bought the CD. I had my tablet, which by now has more lines and songs added to the tablet. I also had bits of paper with songs written down when I was work, or in Living room or anywhere else so I would not forget the song(s).

I got onto iTunes once more and had an idea and was ready to redeem my wishes, when I saw and thought – hey I am not getting the most for my money. I did not nor do not want to purchase a song that might be two minutes and three seconds long as opposed to a ten minute plus song. I want the most of my wishes. That was the end of the log in session. I had to go over my lists and see which songs were the longest and which are the shortest.

“Sucks to be me”

Here I am today and I still not have redeemed my wishes. Sad, but true. I am making this harder than it should be, but I believe in my view that I should treat the 15 wishes as my last wishes ever.

Though Lamont says get over it since you can buy more wishes later. I say to him I know that, but does Lamont know that I am going to buy more wishes. I do not know the answer myself. After all, look at the complexity of choosing 15 wishes I have caused for myself.

I will keep you readers updated on the 15 wishes or so that I will purchase for the first time. It will not be an all time list, but whatever songs I choose will be treated as perhaps my last purchase from iTunes.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Americanos Bus and Mini-Vacation

Greetings readers

So, I returned from a little mini-vacation that I whisked myself away to New Mexico for a three break from the world. It has not been that long, but long enough that I needed some down time and some time away from Denver, the world and everyone else.

With that I decided to take Monday off in the middle of the month. Which, in my view, is good time for everyone around me.

I took the bus down and pictured today is the bus station that I catch Greyhound… well actually these days it is the Americanos bus to and from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

I try to catch the later buses since that leaves me time to catch some sleep while on the bus. Also, that makes arrival time in Albuquerque early morning as opposed to late at night or evening. In addition, the bus is almost empty.

Though, there is another reason why I like the Americanos bus – the bus goes straight down I-25 to Mexico. No side stops or stops in general. Basically, there are only two stops between Denver and Albuquerque and vice versa. That’s it Readers! That is why love Americanos.

Greyhound stops everywhere between Albuquerque and Denver, not to mention taking the “beaten path.” So here are the places that greyhound stops at – Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Walsenburg, Alamosa, Taos, Raton, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Trinidad, Espanola and occasionally smaller little towns. As you can see from the list of the towns/cities mentioned there are a lot of stops. The Greyhound bus takes about ten to eleven hours to complete the trip, which is fine to some, but for me that is too long.

Wait! – Readers – I am going to give you some advice that you better take to heart when boarding an Americanos bus. Do not forgot to bring some toilet paper with you. I do not have a clue why, but on every Americanos bus I have taken there is no fucking toilet paper. I do not have clue why nor have I asked. I found out after the first time and made sure that I never, ever forget to bring toilet paper.

Oh no readers, I did not get caught taking a shit, but thank goodness I had left over napkins from a meal I had before getting on the Americanos bus. So, I was not caught without something to wipe my butt. Ha ha.

Oh another thing – if you are not partial to Spanish or even seeing a show in Spanish then do not board an Americanos bus. The TV’s in the bus most of the time play a movie dubbed in Spanish. Every now and then there are sub-titles on the bottom of the TV in English. Other times there are not – so if you do not understand Spanish then you are fucked. Oh yes, I am fucked every time that there is Spanish coming from the TV and there are no sub-titles.

As my old boss would say ‘Sucks to be you!”

And, in my personal opinion, I think the Americanos bus is basically non-stop is because the immigrant and illegals are going to and from Mexico as quickly as possible. Which works out for me since I want the least amount of stops.

And in then next couple of days I will recap some of the "fun" I had and an update to some of the animals on our ranch.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Finder's Keepers - 1 Year Later

Greetings Readers

Today is the anniversary of the Digital Camera that I found one year ago. And I have to say that the digital camera has really changed my opinion of them. Though, I am still old school using the 35 mm Canon film loading cameras.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

My Cola-Cola Rewards Arrived

Greetings Readers

I got my Coca-Coca reward items today. Woo - hoo. I had four different packages waiting for me when I got home. One big box and then three smaller boxes.

I am pretty excited. Yes, I spent a lot of points, but I knew that it was going to be worth the spending of the hard earned points. I also knew that I would not look back and think twice about what I just did by spending over 4000 Coca-Cola points. Again, the option of getting the flat screen TV by the end of the year was improbable.

Well, to start off - I got the grey Coca Cola white lettering lunch bag (tote). I had to have this because of the white lettering Coca-Cola Logo. The lettering just looks cool.

Then, I got a the grey Coca-Cola 6/12 pack cooler holder. Sort of like the one that is on my desk. Again, I got this because of the Coca-Cola white Lettering on the Cooler. I think it is pretty cool looking.

The next item is the Grey Coca-Cola Cooler tub. And let me tell you readers this tub is bigger than I thought it was. And this time the white Coca-Cola lettering is bigger than I thought it was going to be.

Lastly, and the most points that I had to redeem on this ordering - the 24 Coca-Cola Cooler with rollers on the bottom for ease. This baby can holder a 24 pack with ice. The front of the Coca-Cola cooler has a tray holder for two drinks that pops out for ready for use. I thought over and over on how and when I could use this cooler, but I could not think of one for everyday use. Never-the-less, I spent the points and basically wanted to have this since it would come done to - I have this item and you don't - so there.

With all that being said - there was a point for ordering this many items. I needed to give some of the Coca-Cola items to my parents and brother for all there help in collecting the majority of points. This is where the next step gets hard - which items can I live without. Also, not to give the least favorite items to my parents and brother. I have to not to be greedy and to give at least one or two of the items that I would want for myself, but would have to tell myself that I have to think more than just myself and give to my parents and brother for all their points collecting.

I took a picture and place a 12 oz can to give some size of the rewards items in the picture. I hope you readers agree that the items look pretty neat - especially since I am a Cola-Cola collecter.

Wish me luck

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Season Four - Starts this Month

Greetings Readers

It is that one time of the year that I look forward to. Shows that I watched that hopefully are returning for another season.

In this case I have been patiently waiting for It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. An FX show that will now start its fourth season. I can hardly believe that I am now in the fourth season of the show.

I am looking forward to “the Gang.” I want to see Green Man once more. I want to see Sweet Dee. I want to see what Charlie is going to do? I want to see Carmen and how she will play out with perhaps Mac. I want to see “the Waitress.” I want to see Mac. I want to see Frank and how he has to put up with his “children”. I want to see Rickity Cricket again. I want to see Dennis and how naïve he is.

More importantly I want to laugh and see how far the show will push itself on Cable TV. Believe me Readers, the show is funny and entertaining, but every now and then I find myself thinking that I should not be laughing at what is on the show. Whatever the show may be about I sometimes question whether or not I should be laughing at the topic of the show.

Well, the show is coming back and once more starting the format that it did last year – back to back episodes so we readers are treated to a full hour of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

I hurt, but not as much as I thought

Greetings Readers

The running for the second day straight was not too bad, but Damn I hurt on the outer side of my thighs. And then my back is a bit sore (because of the backpack I am wearing to and from work). In turn, my shoulders ache a bit too. Yet, overall I am feeling good about myself and I feel in good shape considering I have not been running since early spring.

I did take an early morning picture of a heavy mist/fog over the area I sometimes bike by in the mornings going to work. Yet, when I run to work then I go by this area all the time. More easier on the feet since I am running on a dirt path as opposed to concrete and asphalt.

So the results are as follows

Day 1 - To Work 5.68 Miles - 1:05:19 time
Day 1 - To Home 5.68 Miles - 1:03:41 time

Day 2 - To Work 5.68 Miles - 1:11:21 time
Day 2 - To Home 5.68 Miles - 1:06:01 time

The second day was expected since I just started running again. Otherwise, I am okay with the initial results. And it is taking longer to run to work since I am basically running uphill all the way. And I am running downhill going home since the time is shorter.

Here is another picture of the morning that normally that I would not see since I am usually riding fast on my bike. I have time to look around at the scenery I normally do not have time to look at.

On the flip side I feel like I am obligated to say "Hi" "Good morning" wave or nod my head in acknowledgement to all those other walkers, dog walkers, runners, bikers and coffee walkers. I just do want to answer anyone, which I am not.

Though, if there was a woman who I thought was Hot - then by all means I am going to say, as my old ex-co-worker would say an awesome "good morning" to her.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

2008 US Open Items I Purchased

Greetings Readers

You know Readers; I never showed you my US Open items that I purchased this year. I bought a towel, a water bottle and a mouse pad.

I think, I mentioned that this would be the third year that I have bought a US Open towel. Basically, this is my tradition. A must have item and an item that I have to get my parents.

Besides the US Open towel I have been buying other items that have the US Open Logo on.

This year I bought the water bottle and mouse pad since last year I bought the bandannas, for which I was disappointed in my purchase.

I sure that I might have mentioned before, but the reason why I was disappointed was that I spent like $ 8.00 for the bandanna and the US Open logo was an inch or two high and about three inches wide. Pretty small logo on such a big bandanna.

Now, I saw that there was a cool looking yellow colored black US Open Logo water bottle for a reasonable price - $ 6.00. And the mouse pad, that have the official poster logo for the US Open 2008 on the face of the logo looked pretty darn good.

So, that being said here are pictures of the water bottle and mouse pad. As well as this year’s US Open towel and the previous two years US Open towels that I have with the oldest at the top of the picture. Though the thing that I noticed with the US Open Towels this year they are getting smaller.

I do not have a picture of my friend’s towel, but basically the same except she purchased the woman’s US Open towel.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Qdoba girl officially has a name to her.

Greetings Readers

I finally have confirmed Qdoba’s girl name.

I went into Qdoba’s the following week to see if I would get to see my Qdoba girl.

Unfortunately, I saw the guy that usually helps me, but that also would help me get her name, I hope

We went through our usual routine while he was making my burrito.

Then, I could not wait any longer. I say

“Hey you remember my last visit and who I was talking to beside you?”

“Yeah.” he says with a smile.

“What is her name again?” I ask my friend.

“What?! You don’t know her name?!” he says to me smiling and laughing.

Just for a microsecond, but it seems to me that this played out for a ten seconds or so. I knew I had to respond with the correct answer, but I did not know how to answer his question – and quickly.

One – I either answer honestly that I do not know her name.

Two – I answer of course I knew her name, but I just forgot with it being almost three years since last seeing her.

Three – I say the name that I got from the other girl that used to work with her when I last inquired about her where I saw her last.

Those three options, I think, were the most important options that would either make or break my chances with Qdoba girl. Meanwhile, even with those options that were popping up in my head I was looking at my friend with a smile also.

I spoke

“Of course I know her name – her name is Debbie,” I say confidently.

“Ah my friend, you were kidding right.” He responds immediately.

Thank fucking goodness I re-read my blog otherwise I would have not even remembered the name that was given to me by her co-worker. Thank fucking goodness I blogged about that past incident or I think I could have been up shit creek without a paddle.

Now, I can solidly say that my Qdoba girl’s name is Debbie.

Oh one more thing, my friend came out from behind the dinner and told me that Debbie likes/loves horses. How in the heck am I going to use that information? I know I could later since our family has horses, but if and when I get to know her any sort of weekend trip (to our family’s Ranch) would be way too early in the relationship. Though should our relationship develop and I can get connected with Debbie then that option would be available down the road.

Oh yeah.

And ever since I ran into Debbie two weeks ago, I have cleaned my humble abode – from top to bottom. I have vacuum almost every day and boy oh boy don’t you just love those nice vacuum lines on the carpet? I have Pine-Sol all surfaces that I could. I have scrubbed and cleaned the bathroom. Clorox the tub and shower, wiped the mirror clean and even changed the shower liner. I have cleaned the oven and stove tops. All my clothes are washed. A spare toothbrush has been conveniently placed in the bathroom cabinet.

And yes Readers, I got rid of the entire woman “stuff” that belongs to Jaci. I know that some women are curious about men when first meeting them so I had to get rid of the tampons under the sink, the pink razor she has here, all her clothing (there lack of) that she “supposedly” left behind. Oh sure, I know that Jaci would never accidentally leave anything behind. And it seems that we go through this routine every year. I never know how much stuff Jaci leaves at my place until I gather up all her stuff. And no Readers I do not leave anything at her place – matter of fact, I hardly stay at her place when I am visiting Jaci.

Now, I am not assuming that Debbie would be coming over, but should there be the opportunity I want to make sure that my place looks good, matter of fact, better than good. The place has to look great and clean.

I also have the fridge stocked with drinks. Food is good since I always have food. I think some of you Readers know that there is a good population of bachelors that have an empty refrigerator. Not this guy.

Anyway, I have not been this anxious in a while and I actually am hoping for the best for me. I do not want to lose her again, in a manner of speaking.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Guitar Hero - Aerosmith Limited Edition

Greetings Readers

Well, I am not one to hide an embarrassing thing of what might of interest to you Readers. Right? I think that the only thing that I have been hiding is my locations of where I exactly live, where I work, my phone number, and of course my mother’s maiden name. Well, actually both of my parent’s names.

Though, What is this embarrassing thing?

Yours truly now owns Guitar Hero – The Aerosmith Edition for the PS3. A few people coaxed me into the game, but I have not been interested in buying. Many reasons. Well, first Guitar Hero does not appeal to me. I had no desire to buy. I saw that Southpark Episode that mocked Guitar Hero and believe me Readers I agreed with the entire episode of Southpark’s take on Guitar Hero.

Yet, my friends say that this is a great game for parties, get together and what not.

I was okay with not owning Guitar Hero, until up to about two weeks ago when I purchased another DVD recorder. When I was in Best Buy I was looking around at this and that and then I heard Aerosmith playing in the store, which I assumed was the recent Guitar Hero release that featured Aerosmith in the game.

Sidebar - I listened to Aerosmith when I was young and loved every album up until Permanent Vacation when Aerosmith became something I believed that Aerosmith should not have gone. Too pop perhaps. Or perhaps too ballad-y. I do not know really, but I used that excuse and from there I have not listened nor bought any albums from Aerosmith after their Permanent Vacation Album.

Back to present day – I turned the corner in Best Buy and lo and behold I saw a young girl 10 to 15 years old perhaps and she was kicking ass on Guitar Hero to an old Aerosmith song. Kicking ass is being polite. She was fucking rocking on the Guitar Hero game and she was basically sticking it to me. She hit almost every note and was swaying to the song and showing off to anyone who was watching that she fucking kicks ass.

From that instant I was not bothered that she rocked, but that this girl of that age was doing something better than me. No fucking way was I going to let that slide. Now, if this was something like she was building a better dollhouse than me – so what. No man’s ego can be offended by that. But, A video game with a Guitar – that’s encroaching upon a male’s ego that he must be better than the opposite sex. Period.

I brought up this incident to my friend the following week and told Lamont that this girl rocked and put to me to shame. He smiled and laughed. Yet, after talking to Lamont about this more I knew that I would not be able to live with myself. And Lamont did not help by rubbing it in that he was rocking the Guitar like Jimi and Eddie. He laughs and I too laugh, but secretly thinking that Lamont is also better than me and that really cannot be – in the right scheme of things.

I knew that I would be spending the money, but it would not a real senseless purchase since I do entertain guests from time to time and this would be a great party thing to have available.

So, this morning I headed to the same Best Buy and looked for the Aerosmith Guitar Hero edition and now I own my very own Guitar Hero.

Fast forward – I played that game for over four hours. Where in the hell did I lose 4 hours?! I was pulled in and I had a goal - to learn to use my left hand for certain moves, while my right hand “strummed” and then I had to learn more moves on top of those two independent moves. I had no clue that there was that much things that needed to be done to play Guitar Hero. I thought it was simple. Yet, you had to move fingers, watch and match the colors to the things on the TV showing what needs to be done. Also, tilt the guitar upwards when you get Star Power and also to use the Whammy bar for additional points. I was pretty crazy by the time the fourth hour came and went. I was not even blinking until the song was over so I would not miss a time that I had to pick a chord to play. I was absorbed by the game – how I did not see that coming.

And lo and behold when I made a “dead note” I cussed. Not just cussed. But Fucking cussed. That was how mad I got when I made a mistake. Is that not fucking crazy?!

In the end, I was able to get pretty far in the career mode and I did not once get booed off stage. Whereas Lamont got booed off the stage during a Slayer song. So, I guess that means I am once more better than Lamont at something we have done in common.

And you know what Readers, that’s what really matters in my own world. Shallow, but if I got a smile, walk taller and feel good then that’s all a plus in my book.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

That is a Limousine, mon.

Greetings Readers

You have to imagine a bus driver with a heavy Jamaican accent or some Caribbean island accent.

“Hey, what you riding the bus for mon?” he proudly smiles at me after saying this. Then, before I can answer.

“You got a bike that is a Limousine mon” He smiles even more than I thought that was possible.

I could not help smiling back to him. I laughed when I sat down and thought to myself this was another comment that I had to share with my friend and you Readers.

The bus driver was obviously talking about Andrea and my HED. rims that were on her. I knew that I had bike that would be compared to a Ferrari, but a Limousine was just as good as a Ferrari.

Oh Readers I was running behind since I was trying to catch up on the US Open matches that I have recorded and the next thing I knew that I was starting to run late and the RTD was the only option to get to work quickly.

Anyway, that one comment made my day on Friday and I was glad to have the bus driver comment on my bike. I knew I too made his day by making him smile and laugh at me when I knew I should be riding that Limousine to work as opposed to riding RTD.

On a side note I have made the decision to train for the 24 hours of Boulder next month by starting on Monday by running to work. I will run four days and then bike one day of the workweek. Now, this is tentative and subject to change in case I need to bike somewhere and running to and from work is not an option I can do. I am excited for Monday to come, but I am also dreading since it has been more than a few months since the last time I was running regularly. I have no clue how my body is going to react to 10 miles running in one day broken up over 9 hours. My concerns are – how bad am I going to hurt after my first day of running? Am I in some sort of shape due to my extra biking these past months? Or am I really out of shape? I just do not have a clue.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Sticking It to L.A.

Greetings Readers

Yeah, that’s right. I am currently sticking it to Mr. L.A. Since the DNC that was in Denver, Colorado I bought a bracelet that reads and supports Obama in 08.

Though, that is not the reason why I bought the bracelet. The number one reason was that I got a deal on multiple bracelets and number two was that I wanted to remember the DNC that was in Denver, Colorado in 2008.

However, a few days later, Sunday to be specific, I saw my Obama bracelet lying on the dining room table and I thought to myself I spent two dollars on that bracelet, but I am unable to wear that bracelet. Foremost, I am not a democrat so I had no reason to wear that bracelet. Yet, I wanted to wear that bracelet I spent money to own.

Well, after some thinking I thought this was the chance to stick it to Mr. L.A. in my view. I have never, never, ever, never, ever, ever, wore or purchased a Livestrong bracelet. I am a firm believer that I do not need to wear a Livestrong bracelet to how support my awareness of Cancer.

In my view, I have contributed more than one dollar that the Livestrong bracelet signifies. I do not need a yellow bracelet to show that I support Mr. L.A. and "his" personal cause.

Side note: Readers, I have contributed more money than the normal person would to to certain causes. I believe in ADA, MS, Komen – Cure for Cancer, Food for the Homeless, and small charities that are not nationally known. Since I pay for my own way into all events that support causes, I can say for a fact that I have paid for all contributions to many causes for the past 12 years. I do not ask my friends or non-friends to contribute on my behalf to a cause.

I hate giving a choice to my friends on whether or not they want to contribute to a cause. I do not want to put any burden on my friends or non-friends on whether or not they want to contribute or not to whatever cause is mentioned. Hence, that is why I do not ask for donations from people

It is kinda weird for me wearing a rubber bracelet, but in my mind I am sticking to L.A.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete