Showing posts with label 7-11. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 7-11. Show all posts

Friday, October 23, 2009

Blue Mountains

Greetings Readers

The Cold indicator

When you actually think about this it is such a worthless “extra” on a fucking cheap ass beer. Well, perhaps not to this beer drinker.

Really, why is there a cold indicator on a beer bottle to tell you if you beer is cold enough to drink?

I personally know that a beer is still good to drink cold when just bought from a liquor store and brought home. Once I get home to my humble abode and very little time has elapse I am not not going to drink a bottle of beer. After all, is it not common to pop open a cold one to celebrate the end of another workday? I have personally partake in this ritual more than once in my life.

Yet, every now and then I see that commercial with cold filter beer with the so-called promise that the “Blue Mountains” will appear when the beer is at optimum drinking temperature.

The Blue Mountains will appear when the beer is ready to drink at the temperature it should be at.

That is fucked up if any consumer believes that. We human are stupid, well some of us are, and for us to be told how to drink our beer is fucked up.

What I thought about was one of the reasons for the “Blue Mountains” indicator is – it is for an alcoholic. Though for this reason you have to assume that the alcoholic only drinks alcohol at a cold temperature. So, this alcoholic perhaps buy his/her 6-pack at lunch or after work and stores their purchase in the truck of their vehicle.

As you know Readers the trunk is a good place since there is no sunlight actually penetrating the trunk. Whereas if you left the 6 pack on the front seat (or back seat) the sun’s ray will shine upon the 6-pack to warm up the beer. Also, the vehicle becomes a temporary greenhouse with all the glass and will eventually warm that 6-pack of beer.

Let us pretend that alcoholic will not drink a warm beer. Fine. The Alcoholic puts the beer in the fridge to get the beer cold. Now, there is a waiting game - perhaps the alcoholic begins checking the 6-pack every 15 minutes. No visible cold mountains yet.

And you know why? Well, according to the “Blue Mountains” in the refrigerator getting cold the beer inside the bottle has to get cold for the beer bottle label to get cold. The cold, I think, from the refrigerator is not enough to activate the “Blue Mountains” on the label since the beer is most likely still warm to counteract the cold on the outside of the label.

That being said – here is the flaw. More often I put some bottles of beer in the fridge to get my beer cold, cold for my preference.

I decided to take a 7-11 slurpee cup I bought years ago that works on the same principle. When the cup gets cold the cup “changes” and shows that the cup is cold for optimum slurpee experience.

12 minutes later the cup was showing the “optimum” drinking temperature, yet the water in the cup was not “optimum” drinking temperature. The freezer did its job, which is to freeze. However, the freezer does what it knows – it freezes from the outside to the core – in that order.

So, the “optimum”-drinking drinking indicator was activated correctly, but too early for “optimum” drinking temperature.

With that being said, should any beer drinker put these bottles in the freezer or a container full of ice the “Blue Mountains” indicator will be prematurely activated to the icy cold temperatures of the freezer or to the ice cube bath container. And should any John Doe / Jane Doe actually believe in the “Blue Mountains” indicator they are in for a surprise when they open that bottle of beer an expecting a cold bottle of piss. Oops, Sorry Readers – I often think of that beer with the “Blue Mountain” indicator as piss beer. The beer will be cold, but not “optimum” drinking temperature.

In closing, do not be tempted to buy that “Cold Mountain” activated label beer for that reason of being reliant on the “Could Mountain” label indicator to indicate to you, perhaps falsely to indicate to you, when to drink their beer.

You Readers have enough common sense to make a cold beer enough for you to drink or know how long to refrigerator or freeze a beer to the temperature you want to indulge your beer at.

Readers – after thinking and writing about this I think I am going to have to perform a test of that “Blue Mountain” indicator beer. I just cannot believe that I am going to have to buy that “Blue Mountain” activated label beer. That is fucked up just thinking about me buying that beer. And what is worst that after the test I perform I am going to have to drink that beer – After all I do not think I am going to be able to resist not drinking that cheap ass beer since I did buy it.
By the way Readers - The first picture of my 7-11 cup you can see Bruce Banner without the "cold" being applied to the cup and then when the cold indicator "kicks in" Bruce Banner disappears and then all you see is the face of the hulk - in white (on his chest).

Fucked up.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

An Almost Exact Repeat Incident at 7-11

Greetings Readers

You have read about this incident before from me at the local 7-11 I do frequent from time to time.

Unfortunately, this latest incident is no different.

I had visited this particular 7-11 days earlier, which I bought a liter of Coca-Cola for a good deal, minus sales tax, since sales tax is not included. Yet, down the road there is Jenny’s Market, which has the same price for a liter of Coca-Cola. However, that Jenny’s Market applies a sales tax.

Readers, I am sure that you have just come to the same conclusion I did over a month ago. I am all for paying the cheaper amount of Coca-Cola, especially now with this so-called recession.

I go into 7-11 with my earphones in my ears with Guns’ N’ Roses playing Mr. Brownstone in my head.

I have to admit I was in my mood that was “don’t fuck with me” and “I could care less” mood. Not a bad thing, but not a good thing. Meaning, I was in no mood to take any shit or I was in no mood to be polite. Not mean, just not polite. One might say no remorse.

“We have been dancing with Mr. Brownstone…” is what I hear when I walk into 7-11. Now, whenever I listen to Guns’ N’ Roses I feel myself get into the music and the lyrics - quite literally. I can feel the music and more importantly I feel the music take me to the music’s tone.

I walk to the refrigerator and grab my liter of Coca-Cola and walk to the register up front of the store.

As I have blogged before there are two registers and lo and behold there are two men behind the registers. Whereas the last time there were two women behind each of their registers they were operating.

Since I literally saw two people behind each register I walked to the register that is closest to the door, which is manned by a skinny guy. That is just common for me to do is walk to the nearest register to the door. Readers, the two 7-11 employees were standing behind both the two registers talking to each other from what I saw. Not what I heard what they were talking about since I was listening to Guns’ N’ Roses.

“…That old man was a real motherfucker…”

All of a sudden I saw that the skinny guy started to walk away from his register and counter. There was no acknowledgement that I was at his counter nor was there any sort of words spoken to me from the skinny guy (example: Sorry sir, but my register is closed). However, from the corner of my eye I see the other guy, a heavyset guy, move his mouth to me, but I have no clue what he was saying. Matter of fact, I could fucking care less since I was not at his counter.

Oh yes, Readers I had my Oakley’s on so I could clearly see what they and everyone else was doing around me. And of course they could not see where I was looking if I was looking around. Believe me Readers; I make it my business to know my surroundings since I tend to ride with earphones in my ears most of the time I ride. I am always taking in my surroundings and quite acute to all things around me. After all, my life on the bike depends on me being very aware of my surroundings since I am visually depending on what I can see and not what I can hear.

That skinny guy walks away from the register and counter he is/was at and I calmly wait for him to come back. Oh Readers, I already set my liter of Coca-Cola on the counter so my job as a consumer was done, in my view. Nothing new Readers, I grabbed my item and presented the item for purchase at the check out counter.

I waited and waited for about 10 to 15 seconds making no intention to acknowledge the heavyset guy at the other counter. Meanwhile, the skinny guy was tending the hot dog roller holder, but glancing at me now and then.

Well, about 20 to 30 seconds later, meaning after the skinny left the counter, the heavyset guy whistles at me, as if he was whistling to his dog. Oh yes, I heard the sharp whistle, but pretended not to hear it.

First of all Readers, I am not a dog nor will answer to a whistle like a dog. I was offended, but did not mention this to the heavyset guy.

I hear him, and I of course saw him say, hey over here.

I looked around as if I just heard him for the first time. I see him pointing and motioning that he is open and ready for me to ring my purchase up.

He points to his counter and I point to my Coca-Cola sitting on the counter. I made no move to his counter nor did he make any move to go and get my Coca-Cola on the counter.

Hell no, I did all the work by bringing up the Coca-Cola to the counter. There was no fucking way that I was going to move my item to his counter. He was going to have to get the Coca-Cola I physically brought up from the counter to ring up himself. Granted, the distance was just over a foot, but it was just a foot for him. After all, I am the customer.

I hear the heavyset guy talk, but I could not make out what he was saying. He then shook his head in a no gesture and then I heard myself say

“Well then, if you are not going to ring me up then I guess I don’t need it. And if you can’t walk two feet to get my Coca-Cola then you are going to have to walk farther than that to put that Coca-Cola back into the refrigerator.”

I did not move nor did the heavyset guy. I waited about three seconds then proceeded to walk out of 7-11 without looking back. Out of the corner of my eye the skinny guy walks swiftly to his register, most likely to ring me up, but at this point I was done with 7-11.

Eventually, I did go to Jenny’s market and pay a little extra on the sales tax, but there was a certain smug feeling on walking out of 7-11 holding onto what I believed in – and that is the customer is always right.

I feel I won that showdown that morning. However, it was brought to my attention that they heavyset guy could probably fucking could care less about me. Another friend said I actually lost the showdown since I had to go further to get a liter of Coca-Cola that morning. All these points are probably true, but the most important thing is I did not bulge on what I know was correct and either the skinny or heavyset guy had to put that Coca-Cola back into the refrigerator eventually.

I will admit though if my mood were different that morning I would have moved that Coca-Cola to the heavyset guy’s counter without any thought. I do not blame Guns’ N’ Roses. It was just the timing of the day, the music I was listening to and the way I woke up that morning - I was just ready for a confrontation. I was looking to step into “old” Daryl’s shoes once more.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

My Birthday Cards and Gifts

Greetings Readers

Well, I finally have opened my birthday gifts and birthday cards from my birthday in January. I won 4 dollars from Scratch Lottery Tickets and then I got a lot of Reece Peanut Butter Cups and a bag load with single serving Reece Peanut Butter Cups.

I could not help to feel touched. My friends, co-workers know me so well and something that does not cost alot to buy for my birthday present is wonderful. I am easy.

Hoo Hoo. Hah Hah. Did I just say that? Hee Hee. Shit, I know that bullshit, but only for my birthday a Coca-Cola and/or Reece Peanut Butter Cups is really all I desire from anyone. After all, I usually get what I want for myself.

Oh, get back to that "I am easy." I am the most complicated and according to one/some blogger(s) "the rudest person ever known."

I digress. What made me smile was a comment on one of my birthday cards. I knew who actually wrote the note, but that was and end to a wonderful evening. And that is what I decided to post for the blog picture today

My friends really know me.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Thursday, September 06, 2007

US Open 2007 - Day 11


Greetings Readers

You Readers may be new readers or you may be seasoned readers of my blog. I do not know. I am not sure how some of you feel about me or even think about me. Do I care? Yes and No. It is a blog, therefore I am telling the Internet world about myself. I am not going to call you mean or think any less of you should you leave a comment on my blog. I have the option to delete the comment, but I never have. Also, only register people can leave comments.

There is a sub-point to me mentioning the comment thing and that is referring to the Author who got a "mean comment" on the author's blog. The Author then needed to justify the "mean comment" made by another blogger on the Author's post and make the Author's audience feel sympathy for the Author. A "woo is me" attitude. Not this guy.

I have been pretty much open to you readers. Besides giving my place of residence or where I work. I need to keep some things to myself. I do not want any retributions you may feel that I deserve from what you read or any lusty women at my doorstep. (though would be nice to meet someone new-if you're a CA Blonde type step to the front of the door) I digress.

Anyway, so there I was in Jenny's Market (pictured - it even looks like the store, my store, I visit) this morning getting my usual drink and also the drink I had to buy since I lost a bet last night (courtesy of Venus Williams).

I walk up to the counter and I see that there is a new lady at the register. Well, I would not say new, but about week or so new to me. Anyway, as you readers know I have changed to Jenny's Market due to an incident at 7-11 that has left a bad taste in my mouth. Per choice of my part. Remember readers, I am "the consumer" in the store and I do not have to so any more than I have to. Remember, you are there to help, assist the customer and more importantly getting paid to work there. Remember the motto - "the customer is almost always right" However, If I do more than I need to in the store, then that means you made an impression on me, I like you, I got a little something-something the night before or I was just being plain cordial. Who in the fuck knows. I only know when I get to the store and approach the counter.

Sure I might wake up in a bad mood, but that could soon disappear once I start riding. Or perhaps, I was in a good mood and I got into a verbal alteration while biking (yes, it is true folks ) that turns my good mood to a bad mood.

Getting back to the story. I go up to the counter and set down my items I am going to buy. I see that the totals are usually $ 1.61 or something to that nature. (i.e. $ 2.81). Well, all of the other employees (I only know 2 other employees) at Jenny's Market know me and usually say "oh I saw a penny in the parking lot." and they will usually cover the penny and I get all silver coins back. I say I guess, but there is no guessing, I have been taking advantage of the "penny" that they pitch in for me so they can give me all silver coins back. Perhaps they do not want to deal with the copper coins either. Also, they know that I am now a faithful customer so they are "chipping in the penny" so I will continue to come back to Jenny's Market. Yet, I do not know.

Anyway, the point is I was assuming that they would "chip in the penny". Well, the new lady (I am assuming that she is Hungarian descent/immigrant) is not "chipping in the penny" for me and giving me back exact change.

Hence, I am pissed off at her for not "chipping in the penny". In reality, I have no right to be getting pissed at her. I have the right not to make "small talk" to her. Of course, the may be the opening line that will make her "chip in the penny" for me. Who knows. This realization came to me after today's visit at Jenny's Market. So, perhaps if I have not already been put on her shit list then I will try to be a bit more friendly than I need to be. Otherwise, readers - Yes, I was/am being a dick about this issue.

US Open - Woo Hoo - Roddick got eliminated (but I am not really, really jumping for joy). He actually tried to keep playing and to me he did not appear to give up at all. Nor did he seem to lose his cool. Kudos on that, in my book! Oh Jelena had a chance, but was not meant to me and good for Venus to advance. However, "It's On!" for my next bet with Henin J. vs. Williams V. "It's on like Donkey Kong"

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Now Quit Your Whining


Greetings Readers

Immigrants. I think you readers may know my stance on immigrants since I have made comments here and there on my blog. Anyway, there was an article in this past Sunday's Denver Post that talked about Immigrant and also the people who do not have identification.

For me the article was a bit bias. This time I think The Denver Post only took two writers to put this article together. Anyway, I do not know how to summarize the article, but I will give some personal thoughts about the article.

Sorry readers. I am going to have continue later... the thoughts are not quite coming completely together, so let me organize my thoughts. Yes, I keep typing, deleting, typing my thoughts and I seem to be out of order.

The title of the blog? How did this come about? I have this co-worker... let us call her "Sha-nay-nay." For the past week I see this bottle of Coca Cola on her desk and every time I go into her cube (let's be honest-when I walk by) I zero in on the unopened bottle coke. Oh yes, I want that coke. I think every time I go into her cube I say "You still have not opened that coke?" Yes, something stupid to say since I know that it is not open, but never-the-less I still utter that question. She knows that I drink Coca Cola like there is no tomorrow. And she mentions that she drinks coke once in a blue moon.

Anyway, the hour was late last night before leaving work and Sha-nay-nay stopped by with the bottle of Coca Cola in hand. I was busy powering down my computer and cleaning up before I left last night so I did not see that there was a note on the bottle

Sha-nay-nay says "Oh you're still here? I was going drop and run" and I said "Why?" "Well look at the bottle" There was a blue post-it note with the words "Now Quit your Whining." We both laughed. In the end, I got the Coca Cola and this morning on my bike stop to work I usually make at Jenny's Market I got my usual Coca Cola and then I bought a bottle of Desani Flavored water - Raspberry for her. Yes, I felt guilty last night for her handing over the Coca Cola, but I made sure to get her something in return. I had to ease the guilt somehow.

7-11 has lost my business since the last incident I had there. Yep, that is 1.59 times 5 that they are losing. Not to mention any specials on pop, or a newspaper or magazine that I should/could buy in addition to my usual Coca Cola purchase. I want courtesy and not to mention someone who is not from South of the Border (yes I am assuming, but I know she had to be an immigrant) that can not speak English clearly. This is sort of an isolate incident...

I almost forgot - 11 days til the end of my biking season! Or I could even say - til my retirement. The last scheduled event is pictured on my blog. The Moonlight Classic - http://www.moonlight-classic.com This is the last official event that I close out my biking season. It is also the time I get to date and drink. Although, this year since I came out of retirement I have sort of been doing both throughout the season. I will admit this is the day I get to "get wild" since I normally do not get to do the drinking and dating during my biking season.

For my readers not based in Colorado - this bike event is an annual event (15th this year) that is held at night in the month of August. The ride times have fluctuated throughout the years, but always at night. The ride is either 10 to 20 miles long and you start and end at the State Capital. I usually do not leave the State Capital until 3 or 4 in the morning and get home between 4 and 6 AM.

Oh the stories I could tell you about my end of season Moonlight Classic rides. Then again, you probably have read my stories so perhaps there is no surprise. Two words for you - Shot stop. Woo Hoo.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Friday, March 23, 2007

A mis-mash of Information

Greetings People

What a beautiful morning to be living. Some days I wake up to tackle the world and there is nothing in the world that is going to stop or topple me from my pedistal.

I had grilled, BBQ, more chicken last night. Pretty nice dinner once more. No "other" fragrance was smelled.

I had stopped at the 7-11 this morning to get my Litre of Coke and who do I see staring at me from the magazine rack? A fat little child in a red shirt, blue gloves and hat and would say "You just got F'd in the A"? Come on readers. Yep - Cartman! To see him on the front of the magazine this morning was just the icing on top of the cake. I was smiling ear to ear and now I am going to have to buy the magazine later tonight. I also saw the words 10 years. Has it been that long? I mean Cartman came into my life about two or three years ago and since that time I can not let him go. His voice even got into my head when I left 7-11. It was his infamous song that starts out "Kyle mom's is a..." well, I could not get that jingle out of my head this morning and even now while I blogging I can heard him singing the version from the Southpark Movie.

So, as you can see readers, I have a smile and in a good mood for whatever reason. The sun was shining in and out of the clouds this morning. Apparently there is storm moving in and the sun will disappear for a day or so. Rain is forecast for tomorrow and I guess that means that I will be staying in the house. No big deal. The abode needs to be cleaned up and I have nothing else really to do.

I did not mention this yesterday, but guess who I saw on Channel 4 news yesterday morning? She was from Fox News 31. Did the weather. Starts with a "S". Okay - Stacey Donaldson. I was sort of surprised to see her. I guess she got a good offer from Channel 4 to switch to them. Unless she was "tired" of Fox news.

Speaking of which. I was watching Fox news this morning and there was this story about a Hummer that was "torched" by an someone who left the initials ELF in the Cherry Creek area. Now, Steve, the anchor on Fox news says that the initials stand for Earth Liberation Front (or something another to that effect) and then he talk a bit more then wraps up the story about the Police are investigating the fire and have not made any connection (or something to that effect) to the ELF. So readers, how bias is Steve indicating on his own, that the Earth Liberation Front is responsible for the fire when the Police do not know, according to Steve's reporting, that the Police do not know if "ELF" did the torching or not. That is assuming in Steve's part and could be slanderous. For all we know readers "ELF" could be an "Edward Lynn Frank" and could be pissed off at the Hummer (or the owner) for whatever reason and decided to torch the Hummer. Whatever happen to telling the news straight and not "bending" the news.

I guess with that I am going to bid a fond adeiu

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

2007 Spring Vernal Equinox - 6:07 PM

Greetings Readers

I thought about calling this blog "Respect in Lonetree", but alas I decided to go with something a little less "Stuck up"

In the past, before the big winter storms hit back to back to back, I have a couple of stops that I make in the morning while going to work. Usually their deal and/or prices are better than buying at work from the vending machine.

So, I headed into the local 7-11 got my litre of Coca-Cola and headed to the counter. I could not help noticing the girl that I know. Well, loosely know. I know of her and she knows of me but only in my previous morning stops from last year. I headed to her register and got checked out by her. No readers I do not mean "checked out", but ringed up at the register. She said "Gosh I have not seen you in a long time" I said "yeah because of the ice and snow that I have not been biking" She laughed lightly and smiled at me. I of course smiled right back. Of course readers, I smiled for all it was worth. Why? Well - recognition baby! As you can see I have a positive effect on people and not always the negative effect nor do I always get the "oh shit. Not this guy again." LOL. I do "touch" people in some ways that are positive and when I can bring a smile to their face or at least get them to talk more than just a customer. Well, that's a bonus for both of us. No, that does not mean I want to sleep with her. Or any of other women I know at different places. Although there is this one King Soopers employee that I know, and trying to get to know, but I still can not get the "read" on her. I digress once more.

Have you readers seen that new show that just started on FX? "The Riches" with Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver. I think it is a pretty interesting show so far. Only two episodes have been shown, but I think that the show's concept is good. The concept is believable to a certain extent. Yet, while watching the show I was actually thinking about the possible questions I would raise as the show goes further into its run. Again I was already analyzing the show. Yet what has intrigued me is the "problems" that the family has or yet to come. Whether to them personally or someone else. The picture in this blog entry is of "the house". P.S - there is a character from the other FX Show - It Always sunny in Philadelphia - that has shown up in episode 2 of the Riches.

Prison Break was a dud - I understand the "need" for all the cast members in the show to perhaps get together, but it does not make sense. I mean for almost 7/8 of the season all these cast members (who are still alive) have had their own plot lines and may have intertwined with some of the others, but largely have kept apart. Then, Michael getting all emotional about Sarah - I mean "come on". Then Michael saying there is only one thing to do "Run". Again - "Come on" - they have been running since the first season's last episode. Anyway, two episodes left.
Sorry readers about the "Come on", but if you true SP fans know why I quoted this then you know why it so fit this paragraph. And this is not the L Hewitt's "Come on!" quote.

Spring is so close and you can see the green starting to come up from the ground. I do not think the green will sprout from the trees soon, but I am thinking about two weeks for the first wave.

I just found out that NIP / TUCK is coming back for a fifth season. Woo Hoo! What would I do without McNamera / Troy? Well, nothing. But these "plastic surgeons" have made me care about them even though they are just TV characters.

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete