Greetings Readers
Auto posting - I hope everyone was able to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Winter Hook - Winter Ale
Greetings Readers
Not much to say today, but thought to quickly show another beer by Redhook that this "Redhooktyrant" loves. This is an annual beer that only comes out at winter.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Not much to say today, but thought to quickly show another beer by Redhook that this "Redhooktyrant" loves. This is an annual beer that only comes out at winter.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Me an "asshole?"
Greetings Readers
The other day I decided to go for a run during my lunch break.
I was kind of pissed off and pounding some pavement tends to relieve some stuff. Just me and the road (well sidewalk if you want to get technical).
There I was running down the street when I came to my first intersection with a stoplight. The Green light was on in the direction I was running. However, the “red hand” signal for pedestrians was blinking off and on. Where I was going to cross.
Now, idling (but inching) that was going to turn towards me was a red truck. Both windows were open (rolled down), a dog in the back and a young girl looking in the opposite direction to see if a vehicle was coming her direction that she was turning into. Not once did she look in my direction to see if there was anyone coming in the opposite direction.
This scenario has played over in my life and will continue to do so after this day.
Well, by the time the oncoming car had past I was in the crosswalk with the red hand still blinking off and on and I had the green light. By law, I have the right of way. Any vehicle must yield to any vehicle and/or pedestrian that has the right of way in the direction the other vehicle/pedestrian are going in.
I was about three feet into the crosswalk when the red truck took off right into me. Not once did she even glance in my direction to see if anyone was coming in the opposite direction.
I yelled “Heads up” pretty darn loud since I had moments before being hit/run over. Readers, sure I could have stopped since I knew that she was not going to look my direction at all. I am pretty good at guessing at ignorant people who do not look both ways when they have to yield before turning. No point or point – I was not going to me whether I was going to get hit or not.
I heard the brakes lock on the red truck and then I give her “the look.” I said nothing since I did not need to say anything. Just “the look.” Well, “the look” did or did not help depending on your point of view”
I see her mouth form “You fucking asshole!”
Yes Readers, I was wearing my earphones and listening to some Tiesto. So, I could not hear her exactly say “You fucking asshole.”
Since I did not say the first words, because I was content with just “the look” I replied.
“Look both ways you Bitch.” And then I turned my head forward and I was running out of the crosswalk. By then the stoplight did change lights and the people who had the red light now have the green light.
I never looked back since I could care less what just happened.
Perhaps twenty yards later I noticed out of the corner of my right eye there was a vehicle matching my pace. I did not turn my head, but turn my eye as much as I could see (which was not much) and I could see the vehicle’s driver’s window down with a woman yelling/screaming at me.
I do not know why. I kept on running and where I was running. There is a middle concrete island separating traffic so I guess that kept me safe in a manner of speaking. Another twenty yards later that vehicle got into the turn lane to turn into a complex’s parking lot on my side of the road. All this time I pretended not to notice her.
Yet, I foresaw trouble. Since there was no oncoming traffic she had the opportunity to turn and perhaps really get into my face for whatever reason she was yelling about. I quickly slowed my running pace and hoped for on coming traffic coming around the corner. Sure enough the biking gods were watching over me. Three vehicles were coming and were going to block that person from getting to me. As soon I saw the vehicles coming I quickly turned up the pace and soon I was safely past that complex’s parking lot where she could have turned in to confront me.
All the time I never acknowledged her. I kept look straight ahead where I was running and with my Oakley’s on. I am sure that even infuriated her more.
However Readers, why was she pissed off and yelling at me? After thinking about it – probably that was her daughter in the red truck turning without even looking in the opposite direction that could have run me over if I had not yelled “heads up.” Or perhaps “sister” looking after another “sister.”
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
The other day I decided to go for a run during my lunch break.
I was kind of pissed off and pounding some pavement tends to relieve some stuff. Just me and the road (well sidewalk if you want to get technical).
There I was running down the street when I came to my first intersection with a stoplight. The Green light was on in the direction I was running. However, the “red hand” signal for pedestrians was blinking off and on. Where I was going to cross.
Now, idling (but inching) that was going to turn towards me was a red truck. Both windows were open (rolled down), a dog in the back and a young girl looking in the opposite direction to see if a vehicle was coming her direction that she was turning into. Not once did she look in my direction to see if there was anyone coming in the opposite direction.
This scenario has played over in my life and will continue to do so after this day.
Well, by the time the oncoming car had past I was in the crosswalk with the red hand still blinking off and on and I had the green light. By law, I have the right of way. Any vehicle must yield to any vehicle and/or pedestrian that has the right of way in the direction the other vehicle/pedestrian are going in.
I was about three feet into the crosswalk when the red truck took off right into me. Not once did she even glance in my direction to see if anyone was coming in the opposite direction.
I yelled “Heads up” pretty darn loud since I had moments before being hit/run over. Readers, sure I could have stopped since I knew that she was not going to look my direction at all. I am pretty good at guessing at ignorant people who do not look both ways when they have to yield before turning. No point or point – I was not going to me whether I was going to get hit or not.
I heard the brakes lock on the red truck and then I give her “the look.” I said nothing since I did not need to say anything. Just “the look.” Well, “the look” did or did not help depending on your point of view”
I see her mouth form “You fucking asshole!”
Yes Readers, I was wearing my earphones and listening to some Tiesto. So, I could not hear her exactly say “You fucking asshole.”
Since I did not say the first words, because I was content with just “the look” I replied.
“Look both ways you Bitch.” And then I turned my head forward and I was running out of the crosswalk. By then the stoplight did change lights and the people who had the red light now have the green light.
I never looked back since I could care less what just happened.
Perhaps twenty yards later I noticed out of the corner of my right eye there was a vehicle matching my pace. I did not turn my head, but turn my eye as much as I could see (which was not much) and I could see the vehicle’s driver’s window down with a woman yelling/screaming at me.
I do not know why. I kept on running and where I was running. There is a middle concrete island separating traffic so I guess that kept me safe in a manner of speaking. Another twenty yards later that vehicle got into the turn lane to turn into a complex’s parking lot on my side of the road. All this time I pretended not to notice her.
Yet, I foresaw trouble. Since there was no oncoming traffic she had the opportunity to turn and perhaps really get into my face for whatever reason she was yelling about. I quickly slowed my running pace and hoped for on coming traffic coming around the corner. Sure enough the biking gods were watching over me. Three vehicles were coming and were going to block that person from getting to me. As soon I saw the vehicles coming I quickly turned up the pace and soon I was safely past that complex’s parking lot where she could have turned in to confront me.
All the time I never acknowledged her. I kept look straight ahead where I was running and with my Oakley’s on. I am sure that even infuriated her more.
However Readers, why was she pissed off and yelling at me? After thinking about it – probably that was her daughter in the red truck turning without even looking in the opposite direction that could have run me over if I had not yelled “heads up.” Or perhaps “sister” looking after another “sister.”
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tiesto at Club Beta
Greetings Readers
Well, well, well, I have to admit - I still fucking know how to dance the night away, hook up, and stay awake for 40 hours plus.
Flashback – Over a month ago I found out that one my favorite artist was coming to Denver. At that time I did not have a clue where that artist was going to be performing at until about three ago.
Tiesto was coming to Denver and was on this tour to promote his new release Kaleidoscope that was recently released in the past month. More specifically Club Beta is where Tiesto was going to be performing live in the beginning part of November.
I was ecstatic with this news. Basically, this was a no-brainer that I was not not going to go.
Yet, about a week ago I found out that tickets were limited and that tickets were $ 60.00 dollars. It is a lot of money, but with Tiesto coming to a Club and not to (“The Can,” the Fillmore, Paramount Theatre, or the Denver Coliseum) I knew that tickets could possibly sell out before the day of show.
Thinking that I changed my thinking. I thought about it is $ 60.00 – hard earned money these days. Also, the weather – I was not going to go if there was snow and/or rain that day. I started to think of reasons that I could use as an excuse not to go.
Monday morning – I went to my financial institution and withdrew some cold hard earned cash. I still was undecided at that point, but I wanted to at least have the money available should I change my mind.
Later that day I was talking about the concert and how I was unsure if I wanted to go. First - $ 60.00 and two – the concert is at a club.
Soon, the “Fred Flintstone” whistle went off and I was still at work an hour later than I should be. I was still unsure of whether or not I should go to Club Beta.
I left work, caught Light Rail, then stopped off the local liquor store to get a six pack of beer just in case.
I was committed not going to Tiesto about 80 percent. However, on the third beer I thought what the fuck. I can go downtown and at least try to see if tickets are still available for the show. Worst case scenario I am out Light rail fare both ways – basically under ten dollars. Justifiable cost considering the cost of the ticket itself. Before leaving my humble abode I drank another bottle as fast as I could – cheaper drinking now should I considering drinking at the Club where the price of one beer is going to the price of a six-pack I just bought.
I soon got to Union station and headed to part of downtown that I Googled Club Beta was located at.
I soon saw a lot of people, young people, at this stone building. I soon found out that this was Club Beta. I could hear the thump thump of the club music playing. That sound was pretty incredible to hear and I know that was not Tiesto, but Tiesto’s opening act; which was no concern to me.
I located security person and asked him
“Is this where Tiesto is playing?
“Yes” he replied.
“Sorry, I have not been here before, where do I go to inquire about tickets being still available?”
“Go up there.”
“Thanks” I replied.
Basically, no line at the entrance. Either most of the people were inside, or these people outside Club Beta were waiting for Tiesto to take the stage or worst - the concert was sold out.
I went up to the counter talked loudly to the girl behind the booth and asked are tickets still available. She nodded yes and said $ 70.00.
I did not hesitate on the ten-dollar increase due to day of show. I was there at Club Beta, tickets were available and I was being drawn to the music that was thumping from the entrance of Club Beta.
I got my ticket, got a wristband (over 21 yrs old) and then got stamped twice on the back of my right hand and soon I was walking into Club Beta.
Readers, I have not been to a Club (Night Club) in ages (you’ll sort of know later). The atmosphere, the people, the music and the ambiance all made me coming down to downtown Denver on Monday well worth this day in November.
I immediately looked for the restroom since the beers I drank at home were going through me. Thank goodness I drank before hand – I was intoxicated and also saving money since I did not have to spend much money on alcohol at the club.
After the restroom break I headed back to club level (1st Floor). Readers, there is a balcony (2nd story), but I wanted to be on street level; specifically the dance floor so I can experience Tiesto as close as I could.
Before finding a spot on the floor I headed to the bar. I ordered a Corona – and was immediately $ 5.00 lighter.
I then started to look for an area on the dance floor that I could claim as “mine.”
The opening act was just finishing up and I soon found myself a spot. Not far, but not near, but so acceptable for me to be in.
I would say there was a few minutes after the opening act finished went Tiesto starting playing his music.
Wow. Fucking wow. The music was loud, but when Tiesto started playing the music went even high. The thump thump got deeper. Matter of fact Readers, I could literally feel the sound wave through out my body. I actually wondered about the damage this decimal of sound was doing to my eardrums and to my internal organs.
Yes Readers, when you get my age you wonder about these types of things. Whereas, and I do remember when I was younger, I could care less about the decimals. Matter of fact, I think it was goal to see how deaf you would be the day after a concert. The good old days – not. As I mentioned the music was loud, I mean loud. What made the damaging decimals worst was that there were four huge speakers (that I could see) that were position in a square on each corner of the dance floor in a building that is really not that big; at all. I really started to think how much hearing loss am I going to suffer for the next couple of hours.
Then, I saw the first girl, young woman that caught my eye. Oh so my type – dirty blonde, slender, pink bra showing from her shirt. Jeans. All those thoughts of what I am doing to my hearing were immediately forgotten. She was so oh my type.
I soon began to notice other hot young woman. But then I started to notice the guys and then I started to notice the people on the dance floor. Everyone looked young. I know I can pass for late 20’s even though I am late 30’s so I know I did not look too out of place, but I sure noticed the age difference of me and the rest of the people on the dance floor.
I think it took me about two songs until I started to get into Tiesto’s music and starting dancing. I soon got swept into the music.
After midnight the music was still pumping and I was still dancing away. I was moving and dancing my way closer and closer to the front where Tiesto was. There was the usual bumping of elbows and bodies on the dance floor between me and other people. You tend to ignore since the dance floor is crowded with people and touching between other people is expected.
Well, at one point I felt a left breast against my left side of the back. Yes Readers, I know when a breast is pressed against my body. I thought nothing of it since there were so many people dancing. Then, I felt the right breast being pressed against the right side of my back. Again, nothing was thought of it – basically I thought that she was probably being pushed and accidentally pressed into my back. A third time, I felt the left breast being pressed into my back and then I felt her hips being pressed/grinded into my ass. At that point I knew that this was no accidental touching. Though, at this point I was hoping that it was woman doing the pressing. Readers, you never know these days. So, I turned around and there was a cute young woman smiling, looking and dancing at me. What a turn on.
I was working up a sweat from dancing and the heat as well as body heat.
Soon, 2 A.M. came around and that was the end of Tiesto. Well, I think, that there is a Colorado law that probably states that a club must shut down at 2 A.M. Tiesto did not want to quit, but we did and we dancers did not want him to quit either.
That November Monday night, in my ex-coworkers words, was “just so awesome”. I am glad that I made the decision to go to Tiesto. After all, I would have never thought any more of Tiesto than I do now. Seeing him in such an intimate setting was a treat. There was not the usual concert sound set-up. I think that is what made the difference. And I would not have met Katie… or should I say that Katie would have not met me.
I got to my humble abode around 6 A.M. and as I walked in the door I smelled something different. I did not smell/reek of cigarette smoke? Wow. That is how long that I have not been to a club since smoking was banned here in Colorado in establishments. Now my clothes and I only smelled of sweat and sex in the past six hours, which I soon only had a limited amount of time to get cleaned up and get to work. How in the fuck was I going to work at work being up all night? Back in my youth I know I could this, but now I am so much older and these types of nights are hard now. There was no thought of calling in a PTO day, but just make it through the day and then get home and go directly to bed.
Listening to Tiesto’s music on my Ipod now I have a better understanding of what I am hearing now is nowhere close to hearing Tiesto performing these same songs live.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Well, well, well, I have to admit - I still fucking know how to dance the night away, hook up, and stay awake for 40 hours plus.
Flashback – Over a month ago I found out that one my favorite artist was coming to Denver. At that time I did not have a clue where that artist was going to be performing at until about three ago.
Tiesto was coming to Denver and was on this tour to promote his new release Kaleidoscope that was recently released in the past month. More specifically Club Beta is where Tiesto was going to be performing live in the beginning part of November.
I was ecstatic with this news. Basically, this was a no-brainer that I was not not going to go.
Yet, about a week ago I found out that tickets were limited and that tickets were $ 60.00 dollars. It is a lot of money, but with Tiesto coming to a Club and not to (“The Can,” the Fillmore, Paramount Theatre, or the Denver Coliseum) I knew that tickets could possibly sell out before the day of show.
Thinking that I changed my thinking. I thought about it is $ 60.00 – hard earned money these days. Also, the weather – I was not going to go if there was snow and/or rain that day. I started to think of reasons that I could use as an excuse not to go.
Monday morning – I went to my financial institution and withdrew some cold hard earned cash. I still was undecided at that point, but I wanted to at least have the money available should I change my mind.
Later that day I was talking about the concert and how I was unsure if I wanted to go. First - $ 60.00 and two – the concert is at a club.
Soon, the “Fred Flintstone” whistle went off and I was still at work an hour later than I should be. I was still unsure of whether or not I should go to Club Beta.
I left work, caught Light Rail, then stopped off the local liquor store to get a six pack of beer just in case.
I was committed not going to Tiesto about 80 percent. However, on the third beer I thought what the fuck. I can go downtown and at least try to see if tickets are still available for the show. Worst case scenario I am out Light rail fare both ways – basically under ten dollars. Justifiable cost considering the cost of the ticket itself. Before leaving my humble abode I drank another bottle as fast as I could – cheaper drinking now should I considering drinking at the Club where the price of one beer is going to the price of a six-pack I just bought.
I soon got to Union station and headed to part of downtown that I Googled Club Beta was located at.
I soon saw a lot of people, young people, at this stone building. I soon found out that this was Club Beta. I could hear the thump thump of the club music playing. That sound was pretty incredible to hear and I know that was not Tiesto, but Tiesto’s opening act; which was no concern to me.I located security person and asked him
“Is this where Tiesto is playing?
“Yes” he replied.
“Sorry, I have not been here before, where do I go to inquire about tickets being still available?”
“Go up there.”
“Thanks” I replied.
Basically, no line at the entrance. Either most of the people were inside, or these people outside Club Beta were waiting for Tiesto to take the stage or worst - the concert was sold out.
I went up to the counter talked loudly to the girl behind the booth and asked are tickets still available. She nodded yes and said $ 70.00.
I did not hesitate on the ten-dollar increase due to day of show. I was there at Club Beta, tickets were available and I was being drawn to the music that was thumping from the entrance of Club Beta.
I got my ticket, got a wristband (over 21 yrs old) and then got stamped twice on the back of my right hand and soon I was walking into Club Beta.
Readers, I have not been to a Club (Night Club) in ages (you’ll sort of know later). The atmosphere, the people, the music and the ambiance all made me coming down to downtown Denver on Monday well worth this day in November.
I immediately looked for the restroom since the beers I drank at home were going through me. Thank goodness I drank before hand – I was intoxicated and also saving money since I did not have to spend much money on alcohol at the club.
After the restroom break I headed back to club level (1st Floor). Readers, there is a balcony (2nd story), but I wanted to be on street level; specifically the dance floor so I can experience Tiesto as close as I could.
Before finding a spot on the floor I headed to the bar. I ordered a Corona – and was immediately $ 5.00 lighter.
I then started to look for an area on the dance floor that I could claim as “mine.”
The opening act was just finishing up and I soon found myself a spot. Not far, but not near, but so acceptable for me to be in.
I would say there was a few minutes after the opening act finished went Tiesto starting playing his music.Wow. Fucking wow. The music was loud, but when Tiesto started playing the music went even high. The thump thump got deeper. Matter of fact Readers, I could literally feel the sound wave through out my body. I actually wondered about the damage this decimal of sound was doing to my eardrums and to my internal organs.
Yes Readers, when you get my age you wonder about these types of things. Whereas, and I do remember when I was younger, I could care less about the decimals. Matter of fact, I think it was goal to see how deaf you would be the day after a concert. The good old days – not. As I mentioned the music was loud, I mean loud. What made the damaging decimals worst was that there were four huge speakers (that I could see) that were position in a square on each corner of the dance floor in a building that is really not that big; at all. I really started to think how much hearing loss am I going to suffer for the next couple of hours.
Then, I saw the first girl, young woman that caught my eye. Oh so my type – dirty blonde, slender, pink bra showing from her shirt. Jeans. All those thoughts of what I am doing to my hearing were immediately forgotten. She was so oh my type.
I soon began to notice other hot young woman. But then I started to notice the guys and then I started to notice the people on the dance floor. Everyone looked young. I know I can pass for late 20’s even though I am late 30’s so I know I did not look too out of place, but I sure noticed the age difference of me and the rest of the people on the dance floor.I think it took me about two songs until I started to get into Tiesto’s music and starting dancing. I soon got swept into the music.
After midnight the music was still pumping and I was still dancing away. I was moving and dancing my way closer and closer to the front where Tiesto was. There was the usual bumping of elbows and bodies on the dance floor between me and other people. You tend to ignore since the dance floor is crowded with people and touching between other people is expected.
Well, at one point I felt a left breast against my left side of the back. Yes Readers, I know when a breast is pressed against my body. I thought nothing of it since there were so many people dancing. Then, I felt the right breast being pressed against the right side of my back. Again, nothing was thought of it – basically I thought that she was probably being pushed and accidentally pressed into my back. A third time, I felt the left breast being pressed into my back and then I felt her hips being pressed/grinded into my ass. At that point I knew that this was no accidental touching. Though, at this point I was hoping that it was woman doing the pressing. Readers, you never know these days. So, I turned around and there was a cute young woman smiling, looking and dancing at me. What a turn on.
I was working up a sweat from dancing and the heat as well as body heat.
Soon, 2 A.M. came around and that was the end of Tiesto. Well, I think, that there is a Colorado law that probably states that a club must shut down at 2 A.M. Tiesto did not want to quit, but we did and we dancers did not want him to quit either.
That November Monday night, in my ex-coworkers words, was “just so awesome”. I am glad that I made the decision to go to Tiesto. After all, I would have never thought any more of Tiesto than I do now. Seeing him in such an intimate setting was a treat. There was not the usual concert sound set-up. I think that is what made the difference. And I would not have met Katie… or should I say that Katie would have not met me.I got to my humble abode around 6 A.M. and as I walked in the door I smelled something different. I did not smell/reek of cigarette smoke? Wow. That is how long that I have not been to a club since smoking was banned here in Colorado in establishments. Now my clothes and I only smelled of sweat and sex in the past six hours, which I soon only had a limited amount of time to get cleaned up and get to work. How in the fuck was I going to work at work being up all night? Back in my youth I know I could this, but now I am so much older and these types of nights are hard now. There was no thought of calling in a PTO day, but just make it through the day and then get home and go directly to bed.
Listening to Tiesto’s music on my Ipod now I have a better understanding of what I am hearing now is nowhere close to hearing Tiesto performing these same songs live.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Monday, November 09, 2009
Marlboro Man?
Greetings Readers
What do you think? Does the cigarette belong or not?
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Two Weeks? Really?
Greetings Readers
“Two weeks”
Total Recall
Two weeks. I can not believe it, but I can believe that I have been riding the Mountain bike for Two weeks now.
First of all, I can not ride the all round road bike, Tracey, since she still has that fucked up flat tire I got a couple of weeks ago that forced me to ride Lily since then. Secondly, I cannot ride the other bikes since I do not ride those “good” bikes in the snow / rain. Perhaps lastly, I am actually enjoying riding Lily.
Though, there are plenty of drawbacks. The handlebars. The handlebars are wide and I have to be careful of turning corners and areas where there may be a tight turn. Most of time, I know what I can and cannot ride on my road bikes, without the fear of my handlebars hitting the corner of whatever I am turning into.
The gripping of the handlebars. I am used to gripping the handlebars in the traditional 0 to 180 degree direction. With the Mountain bike grips I am continuously gripping in a 270 to 90 degree directions (basically perpendicular to my body.) I find myself trying to grip as I ride a road bike, but quickly know that I cannot.
The weight of the Mountain Bike, excuse me, Lily. She is heavy. Matter of fact, I think that the tires combined weigh about the weight of any of my road bikes. She is a bitch to carry up and down stairs. She is a bitch getting off and on the Light Rail Train.
The crank Lily. The Crank has less “teeth” than a road bike crank, which means I have to pedal much, much more, than I do on a road bike. It sucks. What usually takes me no sweat and no gasping for breath on a road bike now makes me work up a sweat and breathing heavy in the same distance on Lily.
The Height of Lily. She is much taller than my road bikes, but I feel even taller since the pedals are attached to a smaller crank, therefore giving me more height on Lily. Not a problem usually, but when I sit up from the seat on Lily I am usually standing up straight on Lily. Whereas, if I am out of the seat on any of my road bikes I am out of he seat, but hunched over and forward and not much taller than just sitting on any of my road bikes. So, I sometimes find myself hitting the branches of trees that I would not worry about while on any of my road bikes.
The Appearance of Lily. The M.S.R.P was about $ 800.00 dollars, but I got her at a discount since the store was clearing inventory. I am sure Lily looks great, but to me she sort of looks plain in a manner of speaking. Not a bad thing, but some of my faithful Readers out there know that I like to look more than just “plain.” Yet, as Lily is based upon the real Lily – she may look plain, but to me she is a goddess.
On the opposite side of the spectrum – I love the disc brakes. I love the shocks; I love the feeling that I can now jump off and onto sidewalks from the street without worrying about bending/cracking a rim. I can go up and down grass/dirt hills. I can ride in the winter feeling much more safer than being on a road bike in winter. I can carry a shit load of items without worrying about the weight limit on my carbon road bike rims that is specified. And most of all – I love getting dirty. More to the fucking point I desire to get myself muddy to show everyone/no one that I am one bad ass hardcore mountain biker. As oppose to being just a badass hard-core road bike rider.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
“Two weeks”
Total Recall
Two weeks. I can not believe it, but I can believe that I have been riding the Mountain bike for Two weeks now.
First of all, I can not ride the all round road bike, Tracey, since she still has that fucked up flat tire I got a couple of weeks ago that forced me to ride Lily since then. Secondly, I cannot ride the other bikes since I do not ride those “good” bikes in the snow / rain. Perhaps lastly, I am actually enjoying riding Lily.
Though, there are plenty of drawbacks. The handlebars. The handlebars are wide and I have to be careful of turning corners and areas where there may be a tight turn. Most of time, I know what I can and cannot ride on my road bikes, without the fear of my handlebars hitting the corner of whatever I am turning into.
The gripping of the handlebars. I am used to gripping the handlebars in the traditional 0 to 180 degree direction. With the Mountain bike grips I am continuously gripping in a 270 to 90 degree directions (basically perpendicular to my body.) I find myself trying to grip as I ride a road bike, but quickly know that I cannot.
The weight of the Mountain Bike, excuse me, Lily. She is heavy. Matter of fact, I think that the tires combined weigh about the weight of any of my road bikes. She is a bitch to carry up and down stairs. She is a bitch getting off and on the Light Rail Train.
The crank Lily. The Crank has less “teeth” than a road bike crank, which means I have to pedal much, much more, than I do on a road bike. It sucks. What usually takes me no sweat and no gasping for breath on a road bike now makes me work up a sweat and breathing heavy in the same distance on Lily.
The Height of Lily. She is much taller than my road bikes, but I feel even taller since the pedals are attached to a smaller crank, therefore giving me more height on Lily. Not a problem usually, but when I sit up from the seat on Lily I am usually standing up straight on Lily. Whereas, if I am out of the seat on any of my road bikes I am out of he seat, but hunched over and forward and not much taller than just sitting on any of my road bikes. So, I sometimes find myself hitting the branches of trees that I would not worry about while on any of my road bikes.
The Appearance of Lily. The M.S.R.P was about $ 800.00 dollars, but I got her at a discount since the store was clearing inventory. I am sure Lily looks great, but to me she sort of looks plain in a manner of speaking. Not a bad thing, but some of my faithful Readers out there know that I like to look more than just “plain.” Yet, as Lily is based upon the real Lily – she may look plain, but to me she is a goddess.
On the opposite side of the spectrum – I love the disc brakes. I love the shocks; I love the feeling that I can now jump off and onto sidewalks from the street without worrying about bending/cracking a rim. I can go up and down grass/dirt hills. I can ride in the winter feeling much more safer than being on a road bike in winter. I can carry a shit load of items without worrying about the weight limit on my carbon road bike rims that is specified. And most of all – I love getting dirty. More to the fucking point I desire to get myself muddy to show everyone/no one that I am one bad ass hardcore mountain biker. As oppose to being just a badass hard-core road bike rider.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Saturday, November 07, 2009
"Force Flex"
Greetings Readers
Consumers – are we that gullible?
Last month I had commented on the “Cold Mountains” activator.
This month – “Force Flex Trash Bags”
I remember the commercial with a piano being pulled up to an apartment many stories high by two piano movers. All of a sudden the piano gets dropped and falls to the ground and eventually breaks into many pieces. The movers then pick up the pieces of the piano and stuff the broken pieces into the force flex trash bag. Where we consumers view the piano’s jagged pieces stretch the force flex bag, but never rips through the bag.
Now, there is a new commercial for the “force flex trash bags”
The lady in the commercial is throwing away food into the trash can (with the ordinary trash white bag.)
There is the first thing that is wrong – no woman that I know throws food away into the trashcan. All the women that I know use the garbage disposable. Period. There is also every three months “Oh, I got call my plumber.”
“Why?” I ask.
“The Garbage disposable is not working.”
“How did that happen?” I reply.
“Disposing of food – what else.” And I get the “why do you think” look.
Readers, I am sure that at least most of you will agree with that women will use the garbage disposal for grinding up food as opposed to throwing it away. However a man will throw away food into the trashcan without a second thought (unless we have a dog). And then we hear-
“You know you could have fed a whole village in Africa”
I digress.
As I stated the woman in the commercial throws away food in the garbage can and sure enough she throws the plate of food away with one hand about 5 inches in the air from the trashcan and into what can be assumed is a brand new trash bag. The other hand is nowhere to be seen.
Any consumer, and human consumer, knows to hold onto the trash bag with one hand while throwing away food with the other hand when throwing away anything into a brand new trash bag. Otherwise, if you do not then sure as shit the trash bag will collapse on itself and the bag will not be around the rim of the trashcan, but in a heap at the bottom of the trash can. Common knowledge to anyone throwing away food or anything else for that matter.
That is why we consumers just deal with it when the trash bag is new, or why we tie a knot on the excess trash bag so the bag will not slide into the trash can when throwing away trash.
However, we consumers are being lead to believe that “Force flex trash bags” are here to fix that problem of the trash bag not staying up on the trash can rim without holding onto the trashcan.
Note: some consumers have the trash cans with that plastic lid on top which actually secures the trash bag from falling into the trash can so the “force flex trash bag” is irrelevant to the bag collapsing at the bottom of the trashcan Readers.
Readers – don’t be suckers, your ordinary trash bag will be okay. As long as you use common sense that ordinary trash bag is just as good as the “force flex trash bag.” Hold onto the trash bag when first dumping trash into a new trash bag and two you are never going to put a broken piano into a trash bag.
I do not know how much more the “Force Flex Trash Bags” cost, but the next time I go to the store and remember I will get the price and compare that to the price of my ordinary trash bags. Oh by the way, I just went to the website and it appears that you can download a coupon for a dollar off so that is telling me that Force Flex Trash Bags must be expensive.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Consumers – are we that gullible?
Last month I had commented on the “Cold Mountains” activator.
This month – “Force Flex Trash Bags”
I remember the commercial with a piano being pulled up to an apartment many stories high by two piano movers. All of a sudden the piano gets dropped and falls to the ground and eventually breaks into many pieces. The movers then pick up the pieces of the piano and stuff the broken pieces into the force flex trash bag. Where we consumers view the piano’s jagged pieces stretch the force flex bag, but never rips through the bag.
Now, there is a new commercial for the “force flex trash bags”
The lady in the commercial is throwing away food into the trash can (with the ordinary trash white bag.)
There is the first thing that is wrong – no woman that I know throws food away into the trashcan. All the women that I know use the garbage disposable. Period. There is also every three months “Oh, I got call my plumber.”
“Why?” I ask.
“The Garbage disposable is not working.”
“How did that happen?” I reply.
“Disposing of food – what else.” And I get the “why do you think” look.
Readers, I am sure that at least most of you will agree with that women will use the garbage disposal for grinding up food as opposed to throwing it away. However a man will throw away food into the trashcan without a second thought (unless we have a dog). And then we hear-“You know you could have fed a whole village in Africa”
I digress.
As I stated the woman in the commercial throws away food in the garbage can and sure enough she throws the plate of food away with one hand about 5 inches in the air from the trashcan and into what can be assumed is a brand new trash bag. The other hand is nowhere to be seen.
Any consumer, and human consumer, knows to hold onto the trash bag with one hand while throwing away food with the other hand when throwing away anything into a brand new trash bag. Otherwise, if you do not then sure as shit the trash bag will collapse on itself and the bag will not be around the rim of the trashcan, but in a heap at the bottom of the trash can. Common knowledge to anyone throwing away food or anything else for that matter.
That is why we consumers just deal with it when the trash bag is new, or why we tie a knot on the excess trash bag so the bag will not slide into the trash can when throwing away trash.
However, we consumers are being lead to believe that “Force flex trash bags” are here to fix that problem of the trash bag not staying up on the trash can rim without holding onto the trashcan.
Note: some consumers have the trash cans with that plastic lid on top which actually secures the trash bag from falling into the trash can so the “force flex trash bag” is irrelevant to the bag collapsing at the bottom of the trashcan Readers.
Readers – don’t be suckers, your ordinary trash bag will be okay. As long as you use common sense that ordinary trash bag is just as good as the “force flex trash bag.” Hold onto the trash bag when first dumping trash into a new trash bag and two you are never going to put a broken piano into a trash bag.
I do not know how much more the “Force Flex Trash Bags” cost, but the next time I go to the store and remember I will get the price and compare that to the price of my ordinary trash bags. Oh by the way, I just went to the website and it appears that you can download a coupon for a dollar off so that is telling me that Force Flex Trash Bags must be expensive.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Finally the Bandanna Again
Greetings Readers
Finally Readers, I am finally able to wear a bandanna on top of my head.
As opposed to my Natalie Merchant Stocking Cap due to the cold weather this Autumn. The weather warmed up enough for me not to worry about losing about 80 percent of my boy heat through the top of my head.
Occasionally, I am smarter than the average bike rider.
Do not get me wrong. I love and do wear my Natalie Merchant stocking, but I also like not wearing a stocking cap. I want the bandanna on my head since that is the way people know me on the streets in my “hood.”
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Finally Readers, I am finally able to wear a bandanna on top of my head.
As opposed to my Natalie Merchant Stocking Cap due to the cold weather this Autumn. The weather warmed up enough for me not to worry about losing about 80 percent of my boy heat through the top of my head.
Occasionally, I am smarter than the average bike rider.
Do not get me wrong. I love and do wear my Natalie Merchant stocking, but I also like not wearing a stocking cap. I want the bandanna on my head since that is the way people know me on the streets in my “hood.”
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Hoptober
Greetings Readers
Since becoming a Fat Tire drinker last year I see that there was a new brand type for me to try this year under Fat Tire.
Just as you can see the word – “Hop” in Hoptober I was actually excited to try this selection of beer from Fat Tire. I love the smell of hops, as well as the taste of hops.
Basically, in one word I thoroughly found the beer “delectable.”
“Delectable” – I do not think that I have ever shared this word with you Readers. The people that know me in person know that I am picky. Real picky.
If I think some food does not look good; 99.5 percent of the time I am not going to try that food. That’s stupid. That’s dumb. What a jackass. And so on. I have heard them all, but I am and will continue to stick to what I believe in.
Let me put this in another way. If I try something for the first time and I do not like the taste, the texture or even the smell I will spit that piece of food I ate right out. I have no reason to pretend to like that piece of food nor am I going to subject myself to misery trying to eat that bite I took.
Readers, I know there are a lot of delicious foods out there awaiting for me to taste, but I am okay without ever, I mean EVER, knowing what that taste may be. I have not lost sleep over a piece of food I have not wanted to try. I have not screamed myself awake from a terrible nightmare of what that food may taste like. I still sleep like a baby when I do not taste something I have never tasted before.
Getting back to the word “Delectable.” Should I ever try something for the first time out of curiosity; and not because of pressure and come to find out that I love that food – that gets the “delectable” label and soon word gets around like that old TV commercial for Life cereal “He likes it. Mikey likes it.”
Now, that is sort of an on going joke and whether or not I find something “delectable” to eat.
That food may be homemade, that food may be store bought, that food may be unique, and that food may be your best recipe, but if I do not like the way that food smells and/or looks I am not going to try. I am okay with that. That food could be free, but I still would not have a bite even if it were free to everyone.
Also, I eat and cook what I want to eat. I have basically not settled for something that I did not want to eat. That is not counting for when I was saving to buy those carbon road wheels the past two years. I still ate Uncle Ben’s white rice for 30 days as opposed to buying a cheap brand of rice and not being happy about the other brand of rice. Also, I think I have mentioned in the past I have not bought a cheaper brand of beer in the past year during this 21st century recession. I would and will continue to buy what I like and will not settle for something cheaper.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Since becoming a Fat Tire drinker last year I see that there was a new brand type for me to try this year under Fat Tire.
Just as you can see the word – “Hop” in Hoptober I was actually excited to try this selection of beer from Fat Tire. I love the smell of hops, as well as the taste of hops.
Basically, in one word I thoroughly found the beer “delectable.”
“Delectable” – I do not think that I have ever shared this word with you Readers. The people that know me in person know that I am picky. Real picky.
If I think some food does not look good; 99.5 percent of the time I am not going to try that food. That’s stupid. That’s dumb. What a jackass. And so on. I have heard them all, but I am and will continue to stick to what I believe in.
Let me put this in another way. If I try something for the first time and I do not like the taste, the texture or even the smell I will spit that piece of food I ate right out. I have no reason to pretend to like that piece of food nor am I going to subject myself to misery trying to eat that bite I took.
Readers, I know there are a lot of delicious foods out there awaiting for me to taste, but I am okay without ever, I mean EVER, knowing what that taste may be. I have not lost sleep over a piece of food I have not wanted to try. I have not screamed myself awake from a terrible nightmare of what that food may taste like. I still sleep like a baby when I do not taste something I have never tasted before.
Getting back to the word “Delectable.” Should I ever try something for the first time out of curiosity; and not because of pressure and come to find out that I love that food – that gets the “delectable” label and soon word gets around like that old TV commercial for Life cereal “He likes it. Mikey likes it.”
Now, that is sort of an on going joke and whether or not I find something “delectable” to eat.
That food may be homemade, that food may be store bought, that food may be unique, and that food may be your best recipe, but if I do not like the way that food smells and/or looks I am not going to try. I am okay with that. That food could be free, but I still would not have a bite even if it were free to everyone.
Also, I eat and cook what I want to eat. I have basically not settled for something that I did not want to eat. That is not counting for when I was saving to buy those carbon road wheels the past two years. I still ate Uncle Ben’s white rice for 30 days as opposed to buying a cheap brand of rice and not being happy about the other brand of rice. Also, I think I have mentioned in the past I have not bought a cheaper brand of beer in the past year during this 21st century recession. I would and will continue to buy what I like and will not settle for something cheaper.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Monday, November 02, 2009
Things I Carry - Part 54
Greetings Readers
Let me see…
1 pair of Jeans (Levi’s zipper)
1 dress shirt (Van Huesen)
1 brief (underware exchange)
1 Running Shorts (Reebok)
1 Tie (Oakbrook)
1 Bandanna (Jack Daniel’s)
1 large bottle of Powerade (Mountain Blast - ?? oz.)
1 can of Green Beans (Del Monte - 14 ½ oz.)
1 regular can of Cream of Mushrooms (Campbell’s - ?? oz.)
1 Bottle of A-1 (Cracked Peppercorn - 10 oz.)
1 bottle of Sweet and Sour Mix (Mr. & Mrs. T’s - 33.8 oz.)
1 pork roast
1 crown of Broccoli (fresh)
3 Jalapenos (fresh)
3 lemons (small and fresh)
And
Then, in one hand (right)
1 – 2.5 Gallon of Water (Deep Rock)
Nope, I do not have a fucking clue how much the entire grocery store load weighed in at. Nor do I care. And I do not have a clue why I took inventory of this particular shopping excursion. And the distance was at about 1 mile - half down hill and the other half uphill was the total distance of carrying this load home
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Let me see…
1 pair of Jeans (Levi’s zipper)
1 dress shirt (Van Huesen)
1 brief (underware exchange)
1 Running Shorts (Reebok)
1 Tie (Oakbrook)
1 Bandanna (Jack Daniel’s)
1 large bottle of Powerade (Mountain Blast - ?? oz.)
1 can of Green Beans (Del Monte - 14 ½ oz.)
1 regular can of Cream of Mushrooms (Campbell’s - ?? oz.)
1 Bottle of A-1 (Cracked Peppercorn - 10 oz.)
1 bottle of Sweet and Sour Mix (Mr. & Mrs. T’s - 33.8 oz.)
1 pork roast
1 crown of Broccoli (fresh)
3 Jalapenos (fresh)
3 lemons (small and fresh)
And
Then, in one hand (right)
1 – 2.5 Gallon of Water (Deep Rock)
Nope, I do not have a fucking clue how much the entire grocery store load weighed in at. Nor do I care. And I do not have a clue why I took inventory of this particular shopping excursion. And the distance was at about 1 mile - half down hill and the other half uphill was the total distance of carrying this load home
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Things I Carry - Part 53
Greetings Readers
1 pair of Jeans (Levi’s zipper)
1 white dress shirt (Van Heusen)
1 pair of dress socks (Geoffrey Beane)
1 red string bikini (Life)
1 brown belt (Eagle’s Nest)
1 bath mat
1 full size bath towel (JC Penney’s)
1 T-shirt (for running at lunch - Ride the Rockies T-shirt)
1 Bandanna (Jack Daniel’s)
1 tie (Oaktree)
1 Hairspray (Paul Mitchell – 16.9 oz)
1 six pack of beer (Deschutes – Black Butte Porter)
I had to take the bath mat and bath towel home to get them washed since those are the two I use at work. I change my towels every week to two weeks. I also had to take the hair spray since I used my last bottle of hairspray at work.
Readers, when I first started “a year of bike commuting” I was once green behind the ears. I carried a gallon zip lock bag to and from work that held all my bath supplies (Shampoo, soap, hair gel, hair spray, hair brush, toothpaste and toothbrush.) I have to admit Readers; I did this for a long time. Then it occurred to me, why don’t I just have two sets – one at work and then one at home. That way it frees up space in my bag. Sure it costs money to do that, but once you start having two sets then it becomes routine and you do not think about the two sets.
Yet, such as now, when I run out of hairspray and have not made the time to buy a new bottle of hairspray I have to transport my hairspray back and forth to and from work.
I remember back in the day when I happened to forget my bathroom shower supplies bag and my hair would be something else without gel and hairspray. The shampooing without a day was all right and for soap I used the liquid soap at work.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
1 pair of Jeans (Levi’s zipper)
1 white dress shirt (Van Heusen)
1 pair of dress socks (Geoffrey Beane)
1 red string bikini (Life)
1 brown belt (Eagle’s Nest)
1 bath mat
1 full size bath towel (JC Penney’s)
1 T-shirt (for running at lunch - Ride the Rockies T-shirt)
1 Bandanna (Jack Daniel’s)
1 tie (Oaktree)
1 Hairspray (Paul Mitchell – 16.9 oz)
1 six pack of beer (Deschutes – Black Butte Porter)
I had to take the bath mat and bath towel home to get them washed since those are the two I use at work. I change my towels every week to two weeks. I also had to take the hair spray since I used my last bottle of hairspray at work.
Readers, when I first started “a year of bike commuting” I was once green behind the ears. I carried a gallon zip lock bag to and from work that held all my bath supplies (Shampoo, soap, hair gel, hair spray, hair brush, toothpaste and toothbrush.) I have to admit Readers; I did this for a long time. Then it occurred to me, why don’t I just have two sets – one at work and then one at home. That way it frees up space in my bag. Sure it costs money to do that, but once you start having two sets then it becomes routine and you do not think about the two sets.
Yet, such as now, when I run out of hairspray and have not made the time to buy a new bottle of hairspray I have to transport my hairspray back and forth to and from work.
I remember back in the day when I happened to forget my bathroom shower supplies bag and my hair would be something else without gel and hairspray. The shampooing without a day was all right and for soap I used the liquid soap at work.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
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