Happy Pre-Halloween 2010

Greetings Readers

Every year I try and get the Reece Peece's King Size candy bars for my Trick o' Treaters, but this year I was kind of late and I did not want to pay full price for a King size Candy Bar. Especially so when I have to buy so many of them.

Instead, this year I bought M&M's since they were on sale. I am a fan, but only to the Peanut Butter M&M's. Heaven. Matter of fact Readers, I am putty in a woman's hands if she gives this to me. Hard for me to say no or put up a fight, argument or discussion when presented with Peanut Butter M&M's.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

What is up with the Damn M&M's ?!

Greetings Readers

I do not eat the Blue M&M’s. Period.

I do not have to tell you the reason why I do not consume the Blue M&M’s. I do not have to give an explanation to anyone. Nor do I “owe” you readers an explanation. I have my reasons. I can tell you - go fuck yourself. I can tell you it is none of your god-damn business. I can and have the right to ask you why do you care. I can tell you there are more portentous items than why I do not eat the Blue M&M’s.

I do not care if the M&M’s are plain, peanuts, peanut butter, or dark chocolate. I just do not eat the Blue M&M’s. I am not saying that I have not eaten a Blue M&M in X amount of days. Sure it happens that I might grab a handful of M&M’s and eat them all without segregating the M&M’s by color. But very, very rarely does that happen.

Yes readers, I divide my M&M’s by color before I eat them. And! I am not the only person on planet Earth that does this segregation. Matter of fact, the person who instigated this blog – LaMont does the separation process that I just mentioned. I am not sure if he does this subconsciously, but I was witness to this incident.

I do have a reason why I do this particular ritual, but I do not owe anyone a reason why. I will admit to you readers though this would not be an uncommon element in my existence. I am very, very analytical about most factors in my life. There has to be an unfluctuating order in my life and any “chaos” that I can elude - I will do. Hah hah. Readers, there are others who would declare “Damn that is one fucked up guy to do that!” You readers are entitled to your opinion and I would think not one thought about what you think. Believe me, there are many things other people do that are more fucked up than what I do. Hah hah.

You bet readers. How many of you readers put your pen in your mouth at work? Well, consider this. I bet none of you put your pen in a place that no one would use it by chance. Perhaps leave the pen laying on your desk/table, or put in the pen holder when not using the pen, or someone borrows your pen for a moment when you are not present. Who knows what/where that pen might be picked up by someone. Could that person put a portion of your pen in their mouth? Or chew on the pen cap. Perhaps the person who borrows that pen washed their hands in the restroom, but did not use a paper towel to open the restroom door thus acquiring other germs? Or maybe that person wiped their nose with some part of their hand / fingers. You just do not know or do not know to care.

I am thinking about all those things, but I bet most of you readers are not. So – who is more fucked up? Will I sleep better for watching myself about those things I mentioned? You bet. Will you readers sleep better not even thinking about that? You bet. No one is right or wrong in their view. We all have heard that phrase “what you don’t know can’t hurt you.” Well, what I know that you don’t know may hurt you. Think about that the next time you use your pen.

Getting back to the M&M’s. In my opinion – yes, there is a slight taste/texture to each of the M&M’s colors. I could care less about what the chemical make up of each color is. For example, I think I heard that a color red dye had a hazardous substance to that particular number back in the day. There may or may not a reason, but I organize my colors into each of their own color piles. No, I do not have a particular color that I must start with or end eating with. Just as long as I eat all the same color before moving onto the next pile of color.

Again readers, I do not condone the people who eat M&M’s what I would call - recklessly. These are most likely the same people who do not think about other things I do not take for granted. How filthy money is. How dirty restrooms are. What could be / is on the salt & pepper shakers at the restaurants. Who sneezes/coughs without covering their mouth. Or they sneeze in their hands and then grab a door handle. Yuck, yuck and yuck!

These are things that I think of constantly. Do I let that ruin/lead my life? No. I do take whatever steps to avoid those things. Yet, there is the extreme. There are people that have to wash their hands 20 to 50 times in one day. Or people that have to check the door locks 10 times or more just to be sure that they locked the door. There are others that have to use a new bar of soap each time they wash their hands. You could say OCD. Would I? I would not say it was not OCD, but I also would not say it is OCD. I definitely do not consider myself an OCD.

Do not concern yourself about why I separate my M&M’s into their own solid color of piles. And do not worry why I do not eat the Blue M&M’s. I have my reasons and they are none of your fucking business.

You can take that a face value. You can take that personally. You can laugh at me. You can think whatever you want about me. Does not matter. I sleep like a baby who goes to sleep content.

You readers can ponder, wonder how this came all about. Who knows. I can tell you readers I was fortunate to be raised in a lifestyle wealthier than most of you readers did when growing up. I did get what I always wanted… well I would have to say that I almost did get everything I wanted. I was not spoiled, but did have the benefit of having a preference about things, in general. Was I born with a silver spoon? Perhaps. Do I currently eat with silver ware? Oh yes! Only the best in that department.

If I did not like a certain food when growing up, I had the choice not to eat that food. There was always something else to be eaten or could be made for me to eat. Or I just did not eat at all.

I remember this tidbit from my youth – approximately 1st to 3rd grade for me. I loathed green olives, but I loved the red thing that I could slurp out of the green olive. So, my parents bought me jar of olives and let me only eat the red portion of the olive. I did not have to eat the green olive itself. That was a choice. Not stuck up. To a child that is choice and not a “problem”. Also back in the day there was no one saying “there is a whole village in Africa that is going hungry and you just threw away a week’s worth of food that could feed an entire village on the Serengeti.

Presently, I do imply that saying. Famine is everywhere and I hate wasting food. Now, I really do know that there is a starving village out there in Africa.

The Blue M&M’s that I do not eat, I often give away. If not, then yes I will throw away the Blue M&M’s. Those Blue M&M’s are my leftovers. Those Blue M&M’s are my “rejects”. Those Blue M&M’s are not good enough for me to eat.

Do not bite the hand that feeds you or offers you a gift. Yes, a gift in my view, but in your eyes you may see that as “my leftovers.” I do give the Blue M&M’s to the fortunate / unfortunate people and if you decide to throw them away – so be it. Not my concern. I could care less. At least I was thinking about other people than just me. I every now and then do show some non-selfish qualities about myself.

As I stated in my opening line and will use as my ending line - “I do not eat the Blue M&M’s. Period.”

Changing topics, if you readers can not guess from the blog pic that graces this blog, well I have made the community news blog front page. I guess my "Soldier Statue" blog from this blog was something worthy of front page news. As my favorite Simpson would say again - Woo Hoo!

And the Season Finale of the Amazing Race - All Stars. A very tough choice to pick a winner from the three that are left. I think that almost all of us faithful viewers do not care for any of the teams that are left to win the million dollars. My co-worker chose the "Beauty Queens" and I chose "Charla & Mirna" I agree with my co-worker that the Beauty Queens have an 80 % chance to win tonight. Yet, something inside of me is rooting for Charla. Charla has so many things and because of her size I see her as the underdog. As with most "underdogs" I want them to finish first, to win. I could care less about Mirna.

Until the next time readers

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Taco Bell Incident Revisited

Greetings Readers

Do you realize that LaMont is most likely still pissed off about the "Taco Bell incident" back in February. For you fairly new readers you can read the "Incident" in the month of February or click on the label "Taco Bell" and you should be able to locate the blog.

LaMont has not once asked me out for lunch since then. I made a couple of comments about going out to lunch. You know readers - inviting myself, but he came up with the excuse that his wife, "Shay Nay Nay" made him lunch. Then, the other time he said he did not want to drive out to the Bell. So after that last suggestion by me I stop asking.

Well, last week I decided to bring this subject to light. I told LaMont that I knew he was still mad about the Taco Bell Incident and that is the reason why he has not invited me out to lunch since then. You know I say that jokingly, but I do think that is that. Does it bother me? No. But then one would say why blog and write about the incident if it does not bother you. Because I can. As of today, status is still status quo.

LaMont indicated that I should get over it. And I am. But I like bringing up the issue. What I mean is that there is nothing else I really have to talk about between me and LaMont. Readers I have to admit if I want to get a smile on my face, or lift my spirits, just read that blog and you will start laughing about how LaMont was handling his order after finding out his tacos were not his tacos. Hah Hah

I normally do not eat out, but I have something to "hold over" LaMont and now bring up at any opportunity I can. And with Spring and Summer here I am able to bike over to that area of Lonetree or drop by after a lunch bike ride.

My "Pink" Ipod. I can not believe that I have had this Ipod for two months now. Two months. I hate to say this and even state this, but the Ipod is very, very cool. Putting the songs on "shuffle" I am able to hear songs that I have not heard in years. Years baby. I do like the compact design and so much easier to run/jog with. The only drawback is no radio/tv/weather channel reception. I still have to use my portable CD player for that. Not a problem.

I have programmed a music list, set up the alarm for my Ipod. I guess I better fess up and tell LaMont he was right. The Ipod is so much cooler than my portable CD player.

The M&M issue did not get finished last night since I did not get home until late last night. That is the reason why I did not post on today's blog.

until the next time readers

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

1/2 Clay 1/2 Grass Tennis Court

Greetings Readers

Before starting the topic of the Tennis Court...

Boy oh boy, I really got a foot-hold on the M&M issue and I also sort of included some other information pertaining to that issue, in general. Isn't it amazing how a subject sometimes does not come together as an idea, but as soon as you start writing about the issue the pieces start to come together like a puzzle. Ideas were coming like a raging waterfall. I found myself starting to explore other aspects of the issue and had to restrain myself from going off on a tangent. I have to admit, sure it is a topic not even worth getting "worked up" about, but sure as shit got me going. My unstated motto is if something gets you thinking go with it - you perhaps might find something more about it than you ever thought about it. Anyway,...

I think, I should be ready for me to post to tomorrow's blog.

The picture that graces my blog today is the half clay and half grass tennis court that was built on a Spain Island and an exhibition match was played today, Wednesday. The match was between Roger Federer and Raphael Nadal.

I do not know how I really feel about this concept. I can not say this, as an old co-worker would say, an "awesome" idea, but unique and made me go Hmmmm. Tennis as we know it is either played on Clay, Hard or Grass surface. I mean why make a 1/2 Grass and 1/2 Clay court? I can only see the benefit of this by making the playing field "even" between both players. As in the case with Nadal - superb Clay court player. Federer - a phenomenal Grass court player. Yet, in this match I think that each player would be even.

I do not have any pros or cons regarding this "new" concept, but just thinking from the top of my head - I do not like the idea of this. I do not have a concrete reason why nor any reasons why I dislike the idea. I guess thinking about it more now - and subconsciously, I think, why I do not care for this - is if I were on this tennis court my line of sight and peripheral vision would be thrown out of whack due to the contrast of the clay and grass court at mid court. Then again I/the tennis player might not be affected at all. Who knows.

Yes, I would like to see one game on that sort of surface to see how each player acts and reacts to the ball going from one side to another. I guess I am "old school" and believe in Tennis should now forever be on one of the three whole type of surfaces. None of this 1/2 and 1/2. Next thing you know they will change the outer courts to another type and soon the courts could be 1/4 this 1/4 that 1/2 some of this. hah hah. If this is an effort to "spice" up Tennis I think that USTA better reconsider this idea.

Is there a women's match scheduled or was this court mainly build for the two best players on each surface? If so, that was shallow thinking on everyone's part.

Two years ago, I embraced the color changing of the hard courts. I was pretty impressed with the "blue" color of the hard court and I have to admit the color is a lot better than green. Now, no big deal, but I still look forward to summer play in the tournament that surrounds the blue court playing that could determine a higher payout at the US Open should you win the Blue court tennis series.

Now if you are a Spiderman fan I guess we have two more days until the web slinger is back. Yes, I am excited, but not pumped to see the movie the first day. I heard that the movie is dark, so that is something to look forward to. All those other movie goer have to realize movie are not always happy. I have to admit the darkest movies are always the best.

until the next time readers

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Number 99

Greetings readers

I am not sure if you care or not about "99". I do not think that I care, but it is sort of an amazing thing. 99 is the number of blogs have been posted to this blog. I guess this is the last of the double digit blogs for me on this particular blog. I hope that I have kept you readers entertained and informed perhaps on some level.

Of course, you may be thinking this guy had 99 fucked up things to say and there is no end in sight. Which I have to agree - I do not see an ending, so far. I am not hear for you to pass judgement on me, I am here on blogging since I have come to be comfortable about blogging. As you can see in the beginning I did not know how to start, but then in the last five months I started to get into a rhythm. A good thing.

Which brings me to my next topic, I think, LaMont and M & M's.

La Mont had something yesterday and really provoked me thinking about what was talked about last night between. I am not sure what to call this or even how to start. But I think this "issue" is something I am going to write about. The working title that I have been throwing around since yesterday evening is "What is up with his Damn M & M's". It is not an isolated case, but something that is probably unique. However, on a lower level than me LaMont is still guilty of the same thing with me and my M & M's.

Anyway, this is a topic that I am going to write about - and soon. It is funny, but also not. You could bring up so many things about me, or you readers. I have not stop thinking about this so I am going to write about this as soon as I organize some thoughts.

Oh news from yesterday, Rosie announced she is leaving the View, Adam Baldwin rant is still in the news, Brittney and Lindsay both out of rehab, Richard Gere in trouble with India, and in closing I have no news to report on the VA Shootings. Can you believe that?! I have been able to avoid the news regarding that. I do care, but in this current year somehow news reporting and gotten to an high time about who can report first, more and the breaking news to us viewers. At least this event, in my opinion, will overshadow the Columbine incident. Woo Hoo. At least we, meaning Colorado, will not have the "braggers" about we are known for the worse tragedy in education history.

Let me tell you readers out of state from Colorado. People come out of the woodwork. Saying this, saying that, remember-never forget, give us money, he/she was a hero, etc. I will be looking forward to next year when the focus will really be off Columbine and onto VA Tech. Of course, we are going to hear something to the effect - It was a real tragedy about VA, but don't forget Columbine. P.S. give us more money for the memorial that has not been built yet.

I will tell you readers right now. No one really cares anymore, except the community. If someone really did care, then the Columbine Memorial would have been completed already. I think I saw a picture, an overhead picture of the sight, and it is a picture of dirt here and there. Basically, all that has been done is Landscaping. Get the fuck out of here! Hah hah. If they are really complaining about that - start a volunteer program to get the landscaping done. This could be irrelevant since I really do not know nor care. Save the Memorial money for the actual Memorial.

Although, the community near Columbine did get in a uproar last week or was it two weeks ago about a statue of a fallen soldier from Iraq. It was a statue of a Soldier holding a machine gun with his Gulf war uniform on. Long story short, from what I remember from the news, is the community, some or few (who knows) do not want a "machine gun statue" so near the Columbine site. In my opinion, they are upset that there is a statue/Memorial and the Columbine Memorial has not even been started. Who knows readers. Perhaps I might do some research on this so I can get the facts on this case. I think I have something that is now starting to get interesting to me.

From The Blogs: Group Protests Statue for Soldier Killed in Action
Hero's Statue: Should It be Built?

by DavidM
A group of parents in Littleton has expressed concern about a statue that is going to be built in honor of Danny Dietz.
He was a Navy SEAL who died in Afghanistan while saving the lives of his other team members, the U.S. military said. He received the Navy Cross for his actions.
The parents group says the statue depicts Dietz clutching an automatic rifle. It will be built in Berry Park, which is within a few blocks of three schools and two playgrounds. The group says the statue glorifies violence.
Dietz' family members say they are upset about the uproar. So are the people who raised $42,000 for the statue.What do you think? Should it be built? Should its design and/or location be changed?

You see readers, sometimes I do not want to write about something, but as the words start flowing I start to see a path or two that I want to run down and see where they end up.

time for me to bring this blog to a close

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete