A Celebration Gift For A Big Occasion

Greetings Readers

I do not talk about where I work - only in Finance & Accounting.  Anyway, I just want to say that I, along with the rest of the people I currently work with were acquired by another company.  As of Last Friday, I got to celebrate in a manner of speaking.  And it is a god send that the ex is an ex since I am... well it is what Dave Chappelle (or was it another character?) is practically famous for a line on the Chappelle Show - "I'm ##ch ###ch!"  Which by the way thank goodness there is only one celebration instead of two this time of the year.  Yes, the ex had a birthday last week (and you know what I actually forgot what day it was-wow) and this year I have no responsibility of taking the ex out.  Last year we went to Las Brisas and I also got the ex a DVD player and the year before we went to 3 Maragaritas (and that was on a limited budget).  So, woo hoo one celebration for me this year.

I saw that the local liquor store that I go to... well used to go to regularly before starting the P90X program, had the Skull vodka on sale - basically 82.99 for 1.75.  That is an awesome deal since usually 1.75 is basically 100 dollars.  What even made this deal more sweet was that they had the gift set that I bought last year.  The gift set is 2 Martini Skull glasses with the 1.75.  So, when I saw that this was the same exact gift set I was excited.  I was kind of worried about getting them home safely, but knew I could do it.  And needless to say after some careful, slow and all sidewalks home riding the bike I did make the journey without incident.  The two newest ones are in the front and the two in back are the ones I got last year/

I did take a picture with all four skull martini glasses - in the immortal words of my ex-co-worker - awesome.  And of course placed the Skull vodka in the middle with the glasses.  Yes Readers, I did open that Vodka bottle to taste some of the best Vodka ever produced, in my humble opinion.

However, to recap last week.  I almost got sick.  So close.  Sore throat, cold, tired, lost voice and not feeling well.  When I felt that I was getting sick and I think I blogged about this.  I went to Sprouts and got Orange and Grapefruit Juice (The Simply Brand)  I bought four of them in the course of three days.  I also ate normally in a manner of speaking.  Not sticking to the P90X program.  I also had two sprites at work (16 oz) as well as water to keep my body full of liquids.  I bought some sirloin steaks on Friday so I had been having that all weekend.  And this weekend I slept and rested.  And I think that did the trip. And I did take one Nyquil capsule on Thursday night.

And to repeat I have not been doing the P90X program due to being in that condition.  Tonight though I am planning to get back on to the program.  I think I am ok now.

I did go to the store last night and got another 2.5 gallon of Deep Rock Water and some salad materials and chicken. 

Well, the weather has changed in Colorado in the past week.  I guess in the mornings it is now about 30 degrees when I leave the humble abode.  The days are now about 60 degrees - roughly.  The outlook this week ahead is barely at 60.  And of course the Daylight Savings Time ended so now it is getting dark right about 5 (little after of course)  What all this means is that I have to now wear my reflective riding vest, dress warmer and ride carefully on the sidewalks going home.  I do not have lights on my bike, yet.  Though I should be getting them this weekend or at least replace the batteries on the ones that still work.  Sometimes the winter and spring showers damage the lights I have so I have to buy new ones each year.

Update: that Halloween competition on that server I play on was cancelled.  Just as well I could not find a place to region a good size land.  I had the idea and that was cool.  Now, I saw that there is a winter competition and I have since then found a place of land (150 x 150 blocks)  I am in the process of putting up walls to surround the area so when I build no one can interfere.

Also, today I went on a bender on food-  For breakfast I had a Denver Omelet with 3 pieces of toast and for lunch I had spaghetti with meatballs, salad and garlic toast.   I needed to, I wasn't feeling quite right so I decided to get some "other" food into me.  And a fountain drink of Coca-Cola.  Again tastes funny, but it is alright now after finishing my lunch.  And my weight this morning is about 141.  I got back up to 143 a few days ago.  I took a another picture in another pair of jeans that I could hardly fit into about three weeks ago.  As of this morning I can fit into them, but with just a bit spare tire in the stomach and sides.  And as I have said before I just wish I took before pictures with me in each of these jeans I am now getting back into as well as not being able to keep them up anymore.  Anyway, for me this pair of jeans that now fit almost perfectly this is great results and showing the results of me following and doing the P90X program.  I forgot that I had button fly jeans until I put this on this morning.  Most of my jeans are zippers.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley

The P90X athlete ready to re-join program now

Just a Seasonal Message, last for the year

Greetings Readers

I am not going to say anything really, except

May your holiday be what you want it to be.

Note: D.P. - hope your Hubby had nice birthday and H got/done something nice for him.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Lonely Lit Up Santa Claus

Greetings Readers

Any other time I would not give a shit.

Yet, with the things that are happening around me in my life currently I feel sad for this one 6 Foot Light Up Santa that I have been seeing on my bike route home after work for the past week.

I take this bike trail part of the ways home and it is pitch dark in most places.

Anyway, tonight I see the light up Santa facing the bike trail, the trees, the creek - and there he is. Lit up and his right arm in the waving hi position. Basically, waving to me as I bike on by each night. Just me, him lit up and the one little sidewalk path lamp with a small string of Christmas lights (I estimate about 50 light bulbs on the string) lighting up this darken part of the suburbs.

No one is going to see this Santa Claus driving by. No one will see this Santa Claus walking by at night due to the lack of light. I think, the only time that this Santa will be seen is by the likes of me biking home. Though there could be the occasional dog walker, there could be the runner running at night on the bike path. Other than that - that Santa will not be able to wave to the world with his lit up smile.

Yet, from a certain point of view one could say that this Santa is lucky to be displayed, at all. And I do not disagree.

I do not care for Christmas, but I do hope that any person who comes by the Santa will give him a glance. That's all that Santa needs. A glance. A second. or more.

This Santa - to me - will be remembered as the Lonely Lit Up Santa Claus of 2010.

Update - 12/14/10 - Sorry Readers - this is the best picture I can do without the flash and darkness. And his left hand waving - not his right.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

"You Should Dismount"

Greetings Readers

Before I start I want to say that I have a few blog posts that I am going to post from the end of December so pay attention to the posting for December since I will be catching up for quite a few. There are reasons, but if you think you know me then you probably know the reason why I did not post.

Now, onto the "You Should Dismount"

So, today I had to bring in a cake for a friend who had a birthday a couple of Sundays ago. With it being the end of the year there was our month end close, year end close, and holiday time off which means some people are gone so celebrating a birthday is not really good since most of us are gone on different days of the year.

Anyway, with some ice still left on parts of the bike route I take going to work I decided to take RTD and then LightRail to work. Just in case I might slip on the ice and destroy the cake I made and I would hate for that to happen.

So I took a bus part of the way and then I had to bike a bit of a way to the Arapahoe Light Rail Station. Anyway, to the West of the Arapahoe Light Rail Station there is remodeling being done on the walkway from the Arapahoe Light Rail Station to the Street of Fiddler's Green Circle.

I have taken a screen print and drew on the picture to estimate the "new" Fucked Up Walkway that was designed. Yes Readers, I will take a picture later, but right now this is bothering me too much to wait and now with that comment I have to blog about this.

I do not remember if I "drew" in all the curves in the walkway, but that is certainly the amount of switchbacks on the new walkway from the Arapahoe Light Rail Station to Fiddler's Green Circle. I think I saw, well I did not see the old walkway so it is a safe bet that we "Commuters" are going to be forced with taking the new walkway.

Anyway, this new walkway has just been introduced in the past two or three weeks, I think. Let me tell you it fucking sucks. With me being so used to two straight walkways and now forced to be going through 3 switchbacks and about 5 corners sucks. Sucks!

I digress, but I wanted to let you Readers know that I fucking hate the new walkway.

This morning I approached the new walkway and I see that there were a few commuters who had just gotten off the Light Rail and were all walking to their place of work. I approached the walkway and slowed down a lot, but I did not dismount. As far as I know there is not a sign saying to dismount. Yet.

So, with me being me, I am taking what I can within the law and not breaking the law. That's another topic, but for this sakes there is no sign indicating dismount. However Readers, on the Light Rail side going to Fiddler's Green Circle there is a sign that says dismount from bike. I have seen that sign and have ignored this since the times that I have gone through there are no pedestrians on the new walkway. That is not an excuse, but if I am the only one on the walkway I am going to stay on my bike and ride on the walkway.

But, going from the Fiddler's Green Circle to Arapahoe Light Rail Station there was not a sign that I saw. Perhaps because there is still construction going on that side of the walkway. I do not know.

With that in mind I stayed on my bike and coasted slowly through the walkway. Right foot in the toe clip and the left foot pushing me along the walkway since I am not pedaling. I slow down even more when I approach more than one person walking. And I come to a complete stop when the pedestrian will not move out of my way. I have the right of way since I am on right side of the walkway (but as a cyclist I do not have the right the way in a walkway), but the pedestrian will not move from my way. So, with that I stop and wait and that means that he/she will have to move from my right of way. Oh yes, I get satisfaction. Minute, but satisfaction never-the-less.

The pedestrians and I past each other and soon the walkway was mine to me - meaning I can be all over the walkway and I could put my left foot and coast down down to the Arapahoe Light Rail Station weaving through the switchbacks.

Lo and behold I see a bike rider walking his bike up the walkway and I was approaching him pretty quickly. I slow down once more since we were going to meet at a corner.

"You should dismount." he said to me just before passing me.

"Thanks for your advice" I say as we pass each other.

This was all said non-chalantly to each other.

Yes, he was right and I should have, but I did not since there was no other pedestrians. And also there was no sign from the Fiddler's Green Circle saying "to dismount"

I got to the Arapahoe Light Rail Station and waited for the train and I thought about more what had just happened. I was mad, but I had no right to be mad. I was a bit sarcastic, but still within what I would consider "normal" for myself. I will keep doing what I can, until I can not.

Then again, that brings me to tomorrow's topic, which will negate what I just touched upon (in my opinion). Most of you bike riders will agree with me, but a few others will shake their head and remind me that it is posted I can not ride in that area.

Update 7:45 PM - I was reading last year's blog and I would have to say that this was the first Light Rail incident of 2009. Go figure - it is like clockwork to get into an "incident" at the beginning of January.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Jack Daniel's Seasonal Gift Set

Greetings Readers

The past two weeks have been very, very busy for me. Personally and work related. Now, I know why I take time off during this time of the year.

So, I think it was about two days before Christmas that me and a friend went over to the liquor store for some much needed alcohol.

I had in mind to buy some wine and even knew what I wanted to drink and purchase.

As we were going through Lukas Liquors aisles I came across the Whiskey and I saw the Jack Daniels. With it being this time of the year I am on the lookout for and seasonal gift packs that may be offered. After all I am a loyal drinker and a collector of Jack Daniels.

I saw the gift pack - that I bought the other week - the one with the two new glasses with the Jack Daniel's logo etched into the side of the glass cup.

Then, I thought to myself is there a seasonal aisle in Lukas Liquors? Sure enough I found that Aisle and was soon rewarded a Jack Daniel's seasonal gift pack - Limited Edition - sitting on the shelf.

I hope you can see from the pictures, but there are two bottles (which are limited editions and numbered) of Jack Daniels that are encased in a small enclosure that looks like a miniature glass cabinet.

The enclosure is pretty neat. Made out of wood, a clasp on the front of the doors, the windows are made out of plastic and then against the back of the cabinet is something like Mylar that reflects like a mirror giving the impression of a pretty realistic fancy cabinet. I think the cost was 80.00 or 90.00 dollars.

Each bottle had a year and number which commemorates the year of prohibition, I think, and the year Jack Daniel's begin making Whiskey once more - 1933 and 1938 (Going from Memory).

When I bought the gift pack I had thought perhaps that the whiskey may be from those years, but in reality I knew that the cost would be much more. It would have to be - right? After all the cost of a good bourbon that old is over 400.00 dollars.

Since then, I did open one bottle. The not so oldest bottle marked. The bottle is corked, which is pretty neat - just like my Single Barrel Jack Daniel's whiskey. The alcohol content is more than just the regular Jack Daniel's and lower than the Single Barrel Jack Daniel's. I have not registered the bottles, which I can do so on-line. The taste was okay, but not like the Single Barrel Jack Daniel's.

Oh, on the back of the miniature cabinet are some words about Jack Daniel's

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Christmas in Colorado

Greetings Readers

Hope today is what you wanted it to be - Have a nice Christmas

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Qdoba Girl - 7 Days later...

Greetings Readers

I am nervous, very nervous. It will be just about a week since giving my Qdoba girl a Christmas card. Also, suggesting that we go out for a bite to eat or grab a cup of coffee even though I do not drink coffee. Readers, I will force myself to drink coffee if she does agree to go out for a cup of coffee.

But that is jumping the gun.

I am wondering how my visit will go later on today. Oh yes Readers, I have to go tonight. I have to go since it is my regular thing to go to Qdoba’s every Friday now. I am assuming that if I do not show up I might cause my Qdoba girl to think twice about what happened last Friday.

Believe me, I have been thinking about what I did last Friday and the train of possibilities that are now in motion. What if she says she’s involved? What if she says no to me? What if I made things awkward? What if she called and I was not home? What if…?

And so goes the list. I have talked to my friends and they have all agreed that I need to go to Qdoba’s tonight since that is something I do regularly. Then, they have all agreed that I must not, DO NOT, bring up the Christmas card. Let her bring it up, and then I can comment on it. Then, make sure I dine in. Do not make the burrito to go. This will give my Qdoba girl the opportunity to talk to me at the table in case she does not talk about the Christmas card while serving me.

All sounds good, but then I am seeing the other side – what if she outright shoots me down. I will be sad, but I need to know. After all, all this time I have been trying to ask Qdoba girl out.

I have been joking/talking with my friends about if it does not go well I will be crying on their shoulders come next week. Hah hah. Yes, I am kidding. I am not putting everything on this girl. I will be okay, but like anyone else I am subject to being rejected.

Our relationship on the whole is great. Me as the customer and her as the producer - things are going great, in my view. I order, she makes and we talk as if we are close friends. I do (did not) want to ruin that, but as I wrote Readers I am finding myself looking at her more and more each time I see her. Not love, but lust and yes Readers I do find her as “my type.” Although my friends are surprised it is not a blonde.

In closing if she says no, I will try to sway her. Yet, I bet I am going to have to change my Friday visit back to a Sunday visit, which in turn I will not see her. Though this is from the top of my head. I do not want to cut her out of my life, but that may be the only thing to do. And I say this since I was at that store first. Also, this Qdoba’s is the closest Qdoba’s to my humble abode

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Sad News Readers

Greetings Readers

I never ask for something awful/bad/terrible to happen during this time of the year to affect me directly or indirectly.

However, I am very sad to report that my close friend's son passed away this past week. I was shocked and perhaps I am a bit still shocked. When I heard some lyrics to a song that may reference something about lost I can not help to get choked up. Then again, the song may have that certain vibe and I can not helped not to get choked up and think of what just happened this past week. I have been busy with month and year end close and not to mention a pot luck day that I have been able to really think about what happened to my friend.

I do hope my friend will overcome this tragedy. I do not how to react nor how to say anything for what has happened. Damn if I can write, but Damn if I can not find the words to comfort anyone on a tragedy like this. A card and flowers were sent this week.

Why did something like this have to happen indirectly to me? Another reason in my "why I do not like this time of the year" column.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Qdoba - Christmas Card Incident

Greetings Readers

I was a mess for a whole week. Well, not a mess, but damn it was hard to pick a Christmas card out for my Qdoba girl.

The card could not be serious, no word “Love” in/on the card, could not be suggestive (i.e. Like I got stocking stuffer for your stocking), and it could not be stupid funny. So, there I was in two different specialty card stores the past week.

Let me tell you I wanted one that was “To a Friend”, but I am not sure that we are even that. Yes, I know that we both known each other for a while (Over a span of five years or so), but hell we did not know each other’s name until just two months ago.

We said hi to each other, she serves me my order, I say “Thank You” and that has been our “Friendship” over the past five years or so.

Oh by the way Readers, where my Qdoba girl works is probably the only restaurant that I have to be so not me. I have to be nice, not that it is that hard, but yes I will admit it is a challenge in itself. Because you know I can find something to complain or basically make you be the person you were hired to do. After all I am the customer!

Anyway, the Christmas card was hard to pick out. I even had to ask some other customers (women) their opinions on whether this card would be too much for my situation. And believe me that was not hard asking women who I did not know for their opinion. I think all were helpful =),

That was half the battle.

The next part was not writing something wrong. As you make or not make out I have posted a picture of the Christmas card I bought and all the writing I added to the inside of the card.

Boo-yah! Nope, damn that was hard trying to figure out what I wanted to write and say to her. There was a lot I wanted to say, but I also to have to hold back on other things to say or not say.

So, all week I was trying to figure out what to write in the card. Come last Friday I was about two blocks from Qdoba’s already freaking out when I remembered that I did not write my final note in the card. I did write what I was going to say on scrap paper, but I actually did not write in the card.

So, I had to turn around and go to Office Max or Office Depot and buy some pens since I did not have any in my bike back pack. Well, I needed some new pens anyway. A few minutes later I was outside in front of the store in my biking gear, bike shorts, nervous and on top of that getting very cold so writing in the card I was shaking from the cold and pure nervousness.

Five minutes later I was biking up to Qdoba’s with my Charlie Brown Christmas card with my personal note written in the card. I was scairt! (Slang)

I open the door and see that my Qdoba girl is working. And looking good and the same as last Friday.

Yet, when I got to the counter I saw the twinkling of a diamond or Cubic Zircona earring in her left ear lobe. I also saw a smile and her stand a bit taller when she addressed me. I also notice a sparkle of light in her eyes. Although that could have been my imagination. Yet, I doubt that.

Readers, I really do not know what I said or talked about. I remembering me saying something about working long hours at work since it is month and year end close. She said that she has been working longer hours and cutting down staff hours because of cutting costs of labor.

I was nervous and not paying attention since I had done everything I said I was going to do and here I was. I pulled out my wallet and Christmas card at the same time and kept them out of her vision. Just in case I chickened out. Oh yes Readers that was a possibility I did take into consideration! So, if any of you Readers do hear a “cluck” on a Friday evening in the South side of Denver – that be me.

She helped me throughout the line, my Qdoba girl did not pass me off to the ingredient person. Thank goodness.

Basically, we were done with each other and this was the moment to give her the Christmas card.

Then

1. What if she opens the card right there?
2. What if she asks me if she can open the card now?
3. What if she asks me if she can open the card later?
4. What if I dine in and wonders if she should open the card?
5. What if I make her uncomfortable with the whole card thing?
6. and so forth.

Mind you Readers, all these possibilities played out in a few seconds and then I figured out that I will not dine in. I will take it to go therefore making her or me uncomfortable with the Christmas card I am planning to hand her in the next 10 seconds.

“Happy Holidays” Or something to that effect and then I hand her the card.

I have now passed the point of no return. I am out there! No turning back. I can not undo what I just did.

I see her face light up a bit, a smile and a she says “Thank you” and I think that is all I can remember. By the way Readers, I was sweating in places that I never knew. Hah hah.

I walked out of Qdoba's hopefully like I was like "The Man" and not too fast. Oh yes, I was thinking “Oh Fuck me – I did it.”

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another Old Friend from the Past

Greetings Readers

I called my friend that who I worked with at my previous job before taking a permanent job in the corporate world this past week.

I wanted to ask her how her Thanksgiving was and subconsciously I was needed to let her know that I was ok.

I am not sure if I have shared with you readers since starting this blog, but during this time of the year I am not “I.” Many, and I mean many things have happened during this time of the year that has caused me not to celebrate and enjoy this time of the year.

A broken heart, a serious bike crash, a death that was expected, but very hard to take, a loss, and so on has made this a time of the year different from everyone else. I am not comfortable saying Merry or Happy Christmas. However, I do say I hope that the holidays are what you want.

With age I have been able to cope and deal with this time of the year. Yet, in the past I have came very close to depression, in my opinion. My feelings are near the edge and sometimes it may only take something as a commercial to make me feel sad. Though these past few years I have learned to deal with this time of the year and deal with the others that enjoy this time of the year.

After all, during this time of the year I have no right to project how I feel about life at that moment onto my friends, strangers or anyone else.

Returning to the story, I thought about my old, old friend that I knew from the company before coming to the company I left. I knew her when she was married and the eventually separation. I got to know her and her two children. I got to know how intelligent and mature she was for her age, which was she was younger than me. She was about 5 years younger than me and someone I came to respect.

Respect. In my view, anyone younger than me I regard as inexperience. Not as I am better than him/her but just not knowledgeable. Yet, with my old friend… let me give her a name, with “Iris” I was not thinking my usual thinking.

Iris was different. She is black (afro-American) and not the typical black woman you may know from TV, movies or books. She is very nice, so not the typical black acting woman, and does not speak that “Ebonics.”

Iris is more humble than I ever shall be. And I am sure that she would continue to be so.

So, while talk to my friend I asked if Iris was still working there. She said yes. I asked for her number.

I got Iris’s number and thankfully she was still there. I was ashamed that I have not even contacted her since leaving my last job. After all I knew Iris before even coming to the job we both worked at. I hope I was there for her during her separation and I knew I was there to listen to her to talk. And believe me Readers Iris is just as private about her life as I am. With that you can see I feel bad about not calling her since leaving her life.

Readers, well not since I started blogging, but I still have not told you a lot of stuff about me. Those are still private and I will perhaps tell them in time.

Five minutes later I finished up my phone call with my old friend and then I saw myself staring, looking at the post-it note with Iris’s phone number.

I was scared and thought what or how should I start.

I picked up the phone and started dialing. I soon heard that familiar tone “You have reached a number that is no longer in service or disconnected. Please check the number you have dial and try again”

Fuck me.

Did I dial wrong?

Sure enough. I dialed 303 when I have should have dialed 720.

I try again. Ring. Ring. “Hello this is Iris”

“Hi. This is Mr. Charley. How are you?”

“Good. How are you doing?” with Iris knowing who I was immediately.

Fast-forward about 20 minutes. I soon said goodbye to Iris. I am so glad to re-connect with Iris. After all it was my fault for not continuing my friendship with her.

I am just so glad that she did not quit/leave that job. Talking to Iris brought back memories and how we both were to each other – true friends in a sense. Not sharing secrets, but life. Enjoying lunch together which we shared our intimate things with each other.

“Iris” I know that I gave you the web address of my blog and I do not know if you will visit or not, but I am sorry for not contacting you since I left the place we worked at together.

I think perhaps it is during this time of the year that I thought of you since I do need people I know and care about to help me get through the end of the year. You do not know that just talking to you is enough to make me continue to be sane. Please catch up on my history with this blog since it was started after I left the company.

You will see that I have not changed… well perhaps a bit, but I think in a positive way. I am not asking for any comment or anything else from you, nor am I expecting anything from you. Yet, I want to apologize for being “silent” the past three years.

In closing “Iris” I wish I could name you by your real name, but I give code names to my friends that I talk about so no one can identify the people I know on this blog. “Iris” thanks for talking to me and perhaps forgiving for not contacting you for the past three years. Believe me Iris you made my week and month, and for that please forgive me for not contacting you since leaving you.

I hate to bring this up, but if I am wrong, please tell so I know not to bother you anymore. I know we talked for about 20 minutes or so and I got the impression that were okay with each other, but I am giving you the option for you to say goodbye to me. You know that saying… “Some things are left…”

Though, I am happy I did call and was able to talk to you. I am okay Iris.

With that I wish you and my Readers the best during this holiday.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Qdoba girl - 20 Days Later

Greetings Readers

I had a destiny with the Qdoba girl. After all it has been over two weeks since I had last seen her. Not to mention that I was a bit “drunk” when I last saw her. And I was acting funny, talking slowly and trying to speak clearly, and using my hands to also talk when I last saw her. Wow – that was a fucked up moment with the Qdoba girl. Fuck me is what I say non-chalantly.

Readers, you have to imagine that I was a bit worried, to say the least. I remembered my last encounter with my Qdoba girl and, in my view, it did not go well and I am sure that she and everyone knew that I was a “bit tipsy”

All day I was thinking about not going or going to Qdoba’s. After all - the last time I saw her was two weeks ago and I really have not thought about Qdoba girl, in a manner of speaking.

I was okay with not knowing how she might or does not think about me since my last visit seeing her. After all I was sort of fucked up at that last meeting and I knew, I knew, that I should gone straight home. However, to me that Qdoba girl is something special to me. And I had a destiny to see her on “our” Friday. So, the alcohol won and I walked into Qdoba’s to see my Qdoba girl.

Getting back to the present – I decided that I was taking Light rail and the bus home, with a visit to Qdoba’s. Or so I planned.

Yet, getting back to my Qdoba girl. I wanted to see her since coming back from vacation for I am not sure how she might see me now (or ever since that last “incident”). Then again, I did not want to know how she felt about me. After all, I think I only thought about her twice while on vacation when I saw a falling star and like a child wished upon it.

Being back from vacation I was okay. Mentally, I was almost constantly thinking about Qdoba girl before my Thanksgiving vacation. On what transpired the last time I went to Qdoba’s. How I have acted in front of her. How I have flirted, but could not back it up. How I was thinking, to me, that she is all that and a bag of chip. What I was going to do the next Friday I go Qdoba’s. Etc.

You see Readers I was thinking all this and more. I was also thinking that she is too beautiful to speak to (or perhaps that she is out of my league), so this visit I imagined that I was talking to a friend or a sister if I had a sister. And you know what Readers? It worked. I was cool. I was calm. More importantly I was myself, well the nice side of myself.

I was on foot, which meant I was dressed nice and planned to look sharp since my last meetings did not go well. Meaning, I did not have my biking gear on – jacket, gloves, bandanna, cycling pants, Oakleys, etc. I had my long black overcoat, white scarf, my I.O.U. sweater, jeans and the new sneakers I had bought for the 24 hours of Boulder. I was pretty sharp. I think I left off the earring so I was very business like.

Although, I was hot wearing the overcoat, but that was only because I thought it was going to be cold as it was yesterday. And yesterday I was cold biking home.

I was a bit scairt (slang), but I “manned up” and walked into Qdoba’s.

I made eye contact with her when I saw her behind the counter upon entering Qdoba’s. I broke eye contact first and then saw that the place was about 1/3 full and all were eating – happily it looked like to me. Qdoba girl was finishing up with a customer and I was the only person next. Good. Matter of fact, as my old ex-co-worker would say it was “just so awesome.”

“Hi how are you?” she asked me with a smile and a sparkle (perhaps a gleam) in her eyes.

Flashback – The entire day I was planning my line that I was going to use on Qdoba girl. “Hey if you get a moment come on over to my table if you get a minute so we can catch up” or “Come by my table when you a moment and we can catch up with each other” and so forth. Matter of fact, I took the bus, as opposed to light rail so I could practice out loud my line I was going to say to my Qdoba Girl. I was talking out loud on the bus, but I was the only one on the bus. Crazy. But I figured if I cannot say out loud then there is a real good possibility that I was going to “flub” my line. I was not embarrassed about talking out loud. After all, I had to nail my line I was going to use.

Then, “Christmas card” popped into my head. This is the time of the year that you could give a card that would not seem out of place or awkward. After all, Hallmark thrives on this part of year, besides Valentine’s Day, of selling cards.

Hmmm. A Christmas card to my Qdoba girl.

Present – “I would like a Steak burrito – black”. Readers, ordering was nothing like my last visit when I was ordering my burrito in an alcohol state. Yeah, I was a bit fucked up, but we are all human and do things we normally do not do when lusting or in love with someone.

“How was your holiday?” I asked.

“Good.” She looks at me in her look I just adore “How was yours?”

“Good, I went to visit my parents in New Mexico for Thanksgiving.”

“Oh, I went to my Mother’s place with my sister for Thanksgiving.”

“Really? Did you cook?”

“Me?” she responds questioningly, but with a smile ”No, I do not know how to cook.”

Readers, when she said this last sentence my brain was working on an answer or a response to that statement. I could remark on that statement. I could ask a question about that. I could make “light” of that statement. Perhaps three seconds later I came to a decision – no joking, smart-ass or sarcastic response to that question. After all I have to appear “good” in her eyes and not the person I truly am when you know me.

“Really?” I respond

“I know. I have worked at Qdoba’s for the past seven years and I do not know how to cook”

I am resisting any come on line. I am resisting all lines I could say about how I could cook a meal for you. Note – Once more all her co-workers (employees) seemed to have found other things to do while her and me are talking at the counter. No one was waiting to be served. It was just she and I.

“Interesting” I say with a smile and as if I was commenting on something not that interesting. Go figure.

“What would you like in your burrito?” she then asks

Readers, just like Forrest Gump would say, “Me and Jenny were just like Peas and Carrots” That was Qdoba girl and me – we were like peas and carrots again. I was myself. I was seeing her as just a friend and not like the girl I want. I was holding the winning card and I knew it. Oh yeah.

We talked a bit more. She asked me if I was eating here. I responded perhaps not.

“I need to get going before it gets cold”

“Oh, I have not been out since I got to work today.”

And so goes this conversation, which I will not bother reciting since it is really not that pivotal.

She is ringing my final total and all the while I managed to pull out my post-it note out of my wallet and had it post it to the top of my wallet.

Christmas card.

That flashed in my head. The conversation had been going well and I was a trying to figure out what to do in the seconds I thought I had available.

“I can’t remember. You want something to drink?” she asked me.

“No thank you. Not this time since I am going to take it to go. Otherwise, if I am staying I do normally have a drink.

She rings me up. I give her money, she gives me back my change (paper money) folded in between my receipt and I hear the change dispense in the change machine.

We look at each knowing that is the end of our conversation. Is she waiting for me to ask something? Is she waiting for me to make my move? Is she waiting for another question about what we just talked about? I do not know, but I kept my hand over the post it note just in case so she would not see it.

The time was right as I was ready, but a Christmas card was blinking in my head.

“Alright I guess I will be seeing you.”

“Yes, you will” or something to that effect she responds with a smile.

I turn and leave, without taking my change from the change dispenser. Readers – Fuck no I was going to let that go. No fucking way I was going to say that I left my change in the change dispenser. Change was less than a dollar and my conversation with the Qdoba girl was a perfect ending to the day, to the week and the past twenty days. Fuck the change. Let her remember our conversation and not me “complaining” about my change I left in the change dispenser.

Overall, I am happy. My heart was beating fast, since I was expecting the “cold” a response from her. For example – I was expecting to hear “Hi, what can I get you?” with a cold demeanor. Readers you know what I mean – the look and talk that really implies “I’m not interested.”

But I got the…

“Hi how are you?” she asked me with a smile and a sparkle (perhaps a gleam) in her eyes.

One word - Ecstatic

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Soprano's Box Complete Series

Greetings Readers

There was no question, no hesitation, and no expense that I had to purchase the complete Soprano’s series boxed set DVDs right away.

With me being a die-hard fan and still a faithful watcher to this day, I had to get this set as soon as possible.

And with the release of this set this past week I knew I had a chance before the week was up that the sale price would be a good price to buy the complete Soprano’s series at. Basically, Target had the lowest price at 249.99. That was that. I knew that once the week was over the opening week sale price was going to go to normal MSRP. And once after the first week was over I knew the complete series will be staying at normal price for a while.

Why? Well first it is an HBO set, which means any DVD sets hardly go on sale until four years later or so. And in between now and Christmas I highly doubt there is going to be a bigger sale price on the Complete Soprano’s seasons DVD set. Either buy the set now or wait, which the set will not get any cheaper. Or that much cheaper than what I paid.

Needless to say, I bought the set and I am so glad I did. The big reason that I decided to buy the set was that I have been waiting and waiting until the Season Six, Part II to come down in price. What I mean is that for the eight episodes HBO still wanted full price of a regular season (roughly $ 80.00). To me, that was a rip off. So ever since seeing the last episode I have not be able to see the second part of Season six.

When I got to Target and saw the Soprano’s I picked up the box and it was heavy. And I mean heavy. But the weight of the complete series I held in my hands I knew I was about to be reunited with my second family.

Tone, Carm, AJ and Med. A family not so much different than our families that we may know. I know that it is a fictional family, but it is pretty close to dysfunctional to a family that you may know of. Besides being dysfunctional, the Soprano’s are a family that you could relate to on another level.

I care about the family. I feel their heartaches, their anger and their issues. All in all they have secrets, have race issues, money issues, life issues and day-to-day relationship issues that are not much different from our issues in life. To say that is not true is not accepting that it is true.

Anyway, this past weekend I made it a Season Six – Part Two marathon. I had to catch up where I left the family last. Those last eight episodes are pretty remarkable. Written, directed and nicely put together those eight episodes gave us “the beginning of the end”

I could not help to reflect on the last commercial I saw for Season Six – Part Two being released on DVD. The woman crying because she saw two garbage men throwing a rolled carpet up in the trash dump truck in an alley, the black guy crying when he sees a heavy set guy walk past him by in a track suit. The man crying in the deli over deli meats he sees in the window counter display. And lastly, the guy crying outside a train store window that holds a model train set being run.

That commercial ranks up in my top 5 commercials of all time. Yes, it was sad to see those last eight episodes. Bobby, AJ, Christopher, Uncle Junior, Silvio, to name the “good guys.” And then a couple of the bad guys, Johnny (I have to admit I got choked up), Phil (oh yes!). Overall, I did mimic that commercial, I shed a tear and then some.

Readers, I want to tell you about my favorite scenes and episodes, but I am sure that some of you Readers have not seen the Soprano’s and perhaps are waiting to see the Soprano’s when the time is right.

Getting back to the box set. Beautifully put together. There is a black box made out of sturdy material as opposed to just cardboard. Inside the box is a black velvet-like bag that contains a “family” album. An album like you Readers might have for photos. The album is also black with red lettering of “the Soprano’s” on the front of the album. Inside the album contains album like pages made out of very sturdy material. Pretty thick pages so the pages will not get bent. Each page holds four discs (two on each side). At the back of the album there is are some pages that give a brief description of each of the season’s episode. Unlike the normal description, these brief descriptions are to the point and are pretty humorous to read. Funny, but to the point.

I just love my family Album. With my box Seasons of the Soprano’s I plan to give them to my parents.

Anyway, I am very, very proud to own and say that I have the complete series of the Soprano’s on DVD. I can see Paulie, Pie o Mine, Big Pussy, Dr. Melfi, Hesch, Vito, Agent Harris, “Ichabod Crane”, to name a few characters whenever I want. 86 Episodes, 33 DVD’s, over 3 ½ hours of extra stuff. Nice.

And in my opinion - the last scene of the Soprano’s that has the song playing “Don’t Stop Believing” is very good. To this day I still wonder. The Soprano’s getting together in a restaurant after all that has happened and Tony’s last look, supposedly, to the front door of the restaurant then the scene goes black. Wow.

Mad? Yes. Yet, after being mad it was a perfect ending to the Soprano’s. Granted, I wanted an ending to wrap up loose ends, but then again whatever happened to the Russian in the forest in the middle of winter?

I am still wondering about what ever happened to that Russian that “supposedly” got shot. So, with the series finale you Readers can see that David Chase is not unfamiliar to leaving loose ends open.

P.S. To be honest I miss Tony, Carmella, A.J. and Meadow as much as miss my parents and brother. The Soprano’s are as real as my family. I did care about the Soprano’s and always hoped the best for them.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

My Last Saturday At This Age

Greetings Readers

Okay, I was able to load some files from my laptop to my main computer and I was able to post one for your enjoyment. This is Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, last week...

My Christmas arrived while I was taking the Americanos Bus down to Albuquerque, New Mexico. This was the second time that I took the Americanos bus. I guess I have to say that the Americanos Bus is better than the Greyhound bus. First of all, they have drapes on the windows, two - there seems to be more leaning (incline) in the seats and three - it seems that the bus are non-stop to whatever destination is stated.

Yet, there seems to a bit of a drawback to the Americanos bus. The inbound (Inboard) movie is in Spanish and I bet the movie is from Mexico. In this case the movie was a black and white movie and I could care less what was showing. I guess I really do not pay attention to the movie that is playing since most of the time I have my Ipod playing.

Well, now I have arrived in Albuquerque and it is a little after 2:30 AM Christmas Morning. I am not tired nor did I sleep on the way down to Albuquerque. I guess being sick the past weekend and sleeping around the clock has taken all my sleep and I am not that tired, the least.

Now, I am sitting with the people that I stick up for. The “Little People”. Yes, there are all types of little people that I would consider and I have to say that Bus station is a great place to see the little people. Yet, as I was typing this entry I was bothered by someone trying to sell me a leather wallet for a few bucks.

I have to say that deep in the back of my mind I heard every comment that was said about my wallet, but all those memories flashed by like a camera flash. I came to my senses and said no. I was busy and the thing that I hate the most is being interrupted when I am deep into something that I am in. Readers, I was typing away like a mad man and he was saying “Excuse me” “excuse me” and I was not going to stop typing for him nor anyone else.

I hope Christmas is what you make it. Or in my view I hope that the holiday is what you make it. Do not worry if you think that you are the only one that does not celebrate Christmas or perhaps does not get into the Christmas spirit. There are other people just like you. Like me. Like everyone else. Sure the percentage is small, but yet even one percent is a lot of people. Christmas for me is a time for family to get together. Not the actual give giving, per se.

Getting back to the past few days. I was literally knocked down sick. This virus hit me like a freight train and Saturday I was down and out. I could not get up, my head hurt; I couldn’t sleep more than a couple of hours at a time. I did not even try to eat anything solid. I crawled to the pantry and pulled out the last Chicken Noodle soup and heated that up for the only meal of the weekend. I had some Vanilla Coke, but I also had water. My refrigerator was empty and in the condition that I was in I was not going to be able to go to the store anytime soon. I played a VCR tape and basically dozed in and out while that was playing. I did not have the TV on since I was just listening and had no urge to watch what was playing.

Alright, I have arrived at the ranch. My parents and brother are off to the All Families Christmas Party and I am going to sleep and rest.

The picture for today's post was taken last week. This is at one of the Light Rail Stations. Yes, it very windy snowy, dark for afternoon.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

First Blog Post of 2008

Greetings Readers

A lot of things have come to pass in the past week. I spent Christmas on the road and then my Christmas was in Denny's in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Nothing fancy mind you, but that was my Christmas. Was it great? Hell yes. Something to tell you readers about? Not really, other than having breakfast as the only family in Denny's at 6:10 AM in the morning. Sitting around the table overlooking Albuquerque and we were the only people in the restaurant. That is Christmas for us, or me. No gifts, but just being together as a nuclear family and not just with relatives.

Now, as of 7:45 AM this morning I am back in Denver, Colorado and I think I am glad to be back. It has been a tough week with me being sick and getting well.

Not to mention that in New Mexico - it was fucking icy, cold. I guess it did not help that I was sick, which of course makes everything seem colder. I do not think that the temperature ever got over 35 degrees. There were alot of single digit temperatures (along with the wind chill) and as you can tell from my picture on my blog here is some of the ice that we had to break for the livestock in the water trough.

And yes, that is over one day/night.

Readers - I caught up with some of your blogs when I was on my lunch break. Great to see that I was not the only one sick, or travelling. =) I do not know any of you except by casual comments, but that does give me the right to say "I hope the holiday's were what you wanted/expected to some degree."

And now, I am going to finish the day, go home (finally) and just sit down. I will load a couple of notes (entries) I made while on vacation. Not much, but enough to post an entry.

Welcome to 2008 and I hope my blogging continues to be just as strong as last year.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

My 1st X-mas Lights Picture of the Year

Greetings Readers

I am having a bit of a problem trying to post my blogs and having time to write them. I am still busy and trying to work, blog and do personal things are getting a bit overwhelming.

I had to post the blog post I started at lunch yesterday, this evening since I got busy all day and did not get home until late yesterday and by then it was so late that I "drank" my dinner.

Anyway, I posted one of two pictures that I took tonight of the Christmas lights that are twinkling in the Greenwood Village area near Fiddler's Green.

Since I was unable to post the picture and the blog outline I was going to blog about I was able to use the two pictures that I took and use them on both blogs since they are sort of pretty, well to me anyway.

I promise to get caught up with the ideas that I have floating in the head and get them down for you.

Well, well, well, what we have here is an update with the ever so Fucking Dairy Cow that mocked me going home almost every day on Arapahoe Road since I saw that Damn cow with utters in from of a barbecue restaurant.

The Fucking Dairy cow is gone! Ding dong - the Cow is Dead. You know like that saying "Ding Dong the witch is dead" Oscar's Smokehouse restaurant has been "dark" for the past week and then this morning I decided to see what is up since the other morning I saw some white paper on the front doors of the restaurant, which is not normally on the front door.

I biked up to the restaurant this morning and sure enough "Closed" was written on the white pieces of paper and taped to both doors of the restaurant. Before seeing the white paper on the doors, from a far Oscar's has been dark when I have been going home at night. Granted, I have been going home late, but I was trying to remember if Oscar's closed that early in the evening, but then I saw that Oscar's was really dark (like 3AM dark) as opposed to just "closed for the day" dark.

What I mean by that is that when a restaurant closes for the night, there is still some lights on. Waiters/waitresses closing and balancing out their night's take. The kitchen staff cleaning up, the manager doing whatever needs to be done for the night. But as I rode past Oscar's the other night, roughly 8 or 9 PM I saw Oscar's was very dark, then the other night I saw a truck backed up to the front doors around 9 PM so I was curious.

After all did I not blog sometime ago that the restaurant was under new management and I was going to take my parents back to the restaurant for a second chance. Well, so much for that idea.

Readers, let me take you back in Mr Peabody's Way Back Machine and for you local residents -back in the day when Pete McKay was on "the Peak 96.5" he too had a version of the Way Back Machine on his morning show. The restaurant was originally a Big Boy's restaurant. Matter of fact, I have a picture of my parents and brother in front of Big Boy himself that was taken in the 80's that I took. Ever since Big Boy's closed down a couple of decades ago many, many restaurants have occupied the building and the place never has lived up to the Big Boy's Status that our family thought was a great place.

In closing, too bad that fucking dairy cow (with an utter) will not be there anymore. Why? I will not have any more blogs to write about that Fucking Dairy cow in front of a Barbecue restaurant.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete