The Australian Open 2010 - Day 1

Greetings Readers

Welcome to

The First Grand Slam of the Decade

Not with a cheer, but a whisper

at the Australian Open.

Let me tell you I do not see this as an upset. Yet, Maria is ranked 14 in the world. Yes, she is known for winning. But.

I have to disagree that this was an upset. It was not an upset. Maria has been "scratchy"...

Ouch Readers, did I not type a while back that I would not use that word. I did not mean to type that specific word since I do not want to promote that word that gets overly used by Mary Carillo.

Maria has not been playing true to form nor in my humble opinion to what her ranking is. Yes, she had a downfall from 1st in the world to a ranking over a 100th in the world. Her shoulder, her serve and well I have to admit she has had some pressure from my words in the past - LOL.

She did have a good year last year coming back to her ranking now. Unforunately, her matches have reached quaterfinals and a couple of semi and finals - if I remember correctly. Matter of fact, she did win a title, but not a Grand Slam. WIth all that said that is why she is ranked 14th.

I do not make it any secret that I do not care for Sharapova - Her young ego, those Powershot(?) (Canon) commericals, her screams on hitting the ball on the tennis court (Matter of fact, I think she has the loudest decimal scream on the tennis court record), her "and ums", and her taking her time to get to line when it is not her serve. Yet, I do like the way she looks and I have to admit she is beautiful in way to me that is attractive. Perhaps because she is an athlete? I do not know.

Anyway, I wanted to say that Readers I was glad that Maria Kirilenko won, but I wonder what the finger to her lips means? Is it not to cheer for Maria being beaten? Or perhaps to indicate not to cheer for Maria on her way out of the Austrailian Open?

By the way Readers, as I was searching for that photo of the finger to the lips since that is what I wanted to show my Readers that was the image of Day 1 at the Australian Open 2010 I ran across this other photo of her. Wow is all I got to say - Oh so my type.

Onto other news - Nadal had a first set scare, but overcame, Clijster, Henin, Murray, Roddick all won this morning (United States Morning) or tomorrow's Australia time. Blake, Isner, Jankovic were delayed to tomorrow due to rain.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Lottery Tickets

Greetings Readers

Unless you live on the Frozen Tundra or on one of the islands in Indonesia then you know that the Pittsburgh Steelers have won the Super Bowl.

Which meant I won a few bets. Though some bets were offset due to me losing bets on the Australian Open finals.

Flashback - I made a statement on Friday to my co-workers that if the Pittsburgh Steelers win then I am bringing in Lottery Tickets for our department. That's it.

Present. The Steelers won and now I have bought my department some Colorado Lottery tickets. Granted, it is only one ticket per person, but in reality it is one more than you did if (or if the Arizona Cardinals won) to do something more than just root, yell, and scream. I did not clink beer bottles with anyone, I did not high five anyone nor did I give anyone a hug for the Steelers win. I do not condone those actions, which are OK yet they are something anyone would do for the sakes of just doing.

Of course, I made no Super Bowl bets with anyone in my department, but that does not mean that I can keep my kindness to myself. I went to the local gas station on my way to work and bought some Colorado Lottery scratch tickets - Wild Bill$ scratch tickets. Get three of a kind and win that dollar amount.

I ask any of you Readers would you have done that? Matter of fact, would the rudest person you have ever known done that? And more importantly I needed no "Thank you's" or even say "I get half of what you win." Whereas, I bet some young person who calls people out would think of him/herself and not of others and demand that any winning be split with him/her. Selfish and rude, but as long as you are not part of my life so be it. The world is bigger than you think it is and more open minded as well as humble and experienced with life.

P.S. The guy in the mail room we made a bet and he gave me ten dollars to buy my six pack of Corona, which was the bet between us. I went to the local liquor store near my house and this morning I gave him the change back from the 10 spot he gave me. On top of that I gave him a Colorado Lottery ticket just because. I won, but that does not mean that I should leave him losing. Would the rudest person you have ever known done that? Matter of fact, I am betting that most of my Readers would just say "good game" and drink the winnings without giving something back in return for a good sport to the person you made the bet with.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete.

Last Day of the First Month of 2009

Greetings Readers

I did stop by and see the Qdoba girl, but you Readers I will have to tell I only went for the sakes of going. I made the first move and I waiting in the beginning for a response, but nothing has happened since December.

No biggie. Life has gone on and believe me Readers there are a lot of women out there. Anyway, the hair was kind of teased up and that's about all I can say. She was working the register, but other than that I was all business.

I already knew that I was going to take my dinner to go. With that in mind I decided to be the customer and not be the talkative person that she knows. I am not embarrassed about being there after the Christmas Card incident. Hell, as I stated before I was there first and I do not planning on going to another Qdoba's farther away. I liked this place since it is a hop and a skip away from my humble abode.

I think I made eye contact a few times, but other than that I made no small talk. She asked her customary "How are you doing tonight?" and I replied "I am doing good." And I made no question to ask her anything else. I did see a nice ring on the left hand, but then again I am not sure if I saw that ring before. Never-the-less, that is a moot thing since I am not really trying for something with the Qdoba girl anymore.

In closing, the few moments I did see her I really did not see her.

Changing subjects - I never did show you Readers my Jack Daniel's merchandise that I picked up at the National Western Stock Show a couple weeks ago. Of course, you Readers will from last year will see some of the same items I purchased last year.

I know I just blogged about this recently, but I will re-list on what I bought at the booth. Two Large bar mats, two small bar mats, 2 black Bandanna, 1 metal Jigger, 2 Caps and one Black T-shirt. I will admit that the bandannas, the jigger, and one of the mats I will keep for myself. Otherwise, I plan to give the rest of the merchandise to my brother and a cap to my Dad.

This is nothing new for me since I have blogged about this before.

Oh Readers, I lost another bet so now I am down 9 bottles of beer. I know, I know sucks to be me, as my ex-old boss would say when things don't look good. The Australian Open Men's Final is tonight and I have picked Nadal to win. Yes Nadal, but in order to have a bet I had to choose him in order to have a bet. Again Readers all in good fun. I thought I would never say this, but I guess I am going to "Go Nadal." Damn, I can not believe I said this about Nadal who has to pick out his short from the crack of his ass almost every serve.

Tada - Another good deed last night. I was getting another ticket for Light Rail, when a Dad with two children asked me when the next E line was going to be hear.

"I don't know." I replied "I take the next train since it does not matter what line I take."

"oh ok. thank you anyway." and started to walk away.

I started to bike away then I said "Excuse me. Where are you going?"

"Downtown. Pepsi Center"

"Well, you could take a train down to either, Belleview, Broadway or 10th & Osage and then take another Light Rail train from there."

"Really?" he responded

Then, me being so kind as opposed to the rudest person ever known

"Although it is rush hour, people are getting off work, so should you decide that you and your children risk the chance of not getting a seat in the Light Rail Train at those stops. If you catch the Light Rail Train here you are almost guaranteed of getting a seat here."

"Your probably right. Thank you very much for the information and your help"

"Not a problem. Have a nice evening with the children."

Was that not an over and beyond of doing a good deed for me? Or was that something unexpected of me?

By the way Readers - It is time for the 31 days of Oscar on TCM

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Place Your Bets

Greetings Readers

As the blog post title reads - Place your bets with me. I am game on Australian Open matches and the Superbowl, but only if you not taking the Pittsburgh Steelers. Those black and yellow are my team to win. I have 90 percent belief that they are going to win, but there is that small chance that Arizona could pull it off. After all, who knew that Arizona would even be in the Superbowl.

Now, it has been about 9 days since buying my Mountain Bike. And for the past nine days I have been riding that Mountain bike. I really have to say that I do love my new Mountain bike. I have been riding down concrete steps/stairs. I have been riding down the sides of hills. And I have riding like a Mountain bike rider as opposed to deeply trained road biker.

So, this morning - Friday - today was going to be stellar day. Meaning, the sun is going to be out and it is supposedly going to be in the high 50's. Amazing, since the beginning of the week were in the single and negative digits here in Colorado. And I have to admit I was cold for a few of those days. Even though I rode to work and felt fine, I just did not want to ride home after work. I do not have a clue why I felt this way.

Perhaps, I was still asleep and I could not feel how cold it really was. Who knows. What I did know that I felt the cold and I was not properly dressed each day. I forgot this, or neglected to wear that, or felt I did not need to wear this. It comes down to how much clothing and stuff that I want to haul around. And I do not like hauling a lot of stuff.

I made a few bets today and I expect to make a few more.

And this is a picture of me on Andrea on the bike rollers in my humble abode. Trying to set up the camera, beat the 30 second timer and get going and balanced on the rollers is pretty tough before the picture is taken. Needless to say, it only took two tries. This is me on the rollers that I bought last year? Or was it the year before. I can not remember. Although, I am sure that I have blogged about the rollers. Anyway, I wanted to share to you Reader me riding the rollers in Winter.

By the way Readers, I know that I have my Oakley's on the top of head, but if I do not have them on I feel naked when I have my biking gear on. Silly? Perhaps, but I just got to have them regardless.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

And Another Good Deed

Greetings Readers

Well, being on Australia's time for LIVE coverage has finally taken its toll on me last night. I had to crash and get some much needed sleep. I was getting very weary and fading throughout the past few days. In the Australian Open we have reached the Quarter and Semi Finals of the Australian Open.

With so few players left there is not much to say or write about. I can say this and say that, but I would be sounding like a broken record. For the women's Finals it is going to be Safina vs. S. Williams. For the men's we only have Federer confirmed this morning with his win over Roddick.

Another Good deed by me. I was waiting for the bus this morning at one of the bus stops I would catch the bus at. It is in the shade and with the wind blowing a bit and the temperature around thirty, I think, this morning I was a bit cold. As I was waiting and I was the only one waiting I saw that the bus stop was full of trash laying around the area. With me being me I decided that I am going to pick up the trash. All the trash at the bus stop. I did have my gloves with fingers on so I did not actually touch the trash with my fingers, but with gloved fingers. I picked up the newspapers, an empty 2 liter bottle, a couple empty 20 ounces bottles, and all the cigarette butts I saw around the waiting area.

Was that not a good deed? I ask how many of you would have done that? I bet most would not. Matter of fact I bet most, if not all, would kick the cigarette butts off the curb and into the street. Whereas, I picked up the butts and disposed properly in the trash receptacle attached to the bus stop. This was kind gesture that I did this morning and not the rude thing I did. I know for a fact that most of you would have waited and waited until bus came. Believe me Readers, this is not the first time I have done this, but I do not do this regularly either. Just when I feel like it. I am not saying that this offsets any sins, or get me into heaven, but you know what I did do a good deed and that is what counts - in anybody's book.

By the way, if any of you Readers feel or think that I just put someone out of a job, then you have an issue. Whether it is with me or perhaps yourself. I cleaned up one RTD stop and believe me - only the trash can and items of trash that seem big enough to get cleaned up get cleaned about every week or so. So, with me doing this good deed I should not have put anyone out of a job.

Speaking of good deeds - I told you Readers and my friends of me helping out that couple at the machine kiosk at a Light Rail Station the other day by getting them tickets to get out of the cold quickly. Yes, I did a good deed for other than myself. Yet, it was also brought up that I could have been rude.

That is true. I do not deny that could have happened. Yet, as I have pointed out in the past with you Readers and my friends beyond this blog I told you I have days that I have a "do not fuck with me" attitude. Or "don't bother me" attitude. Or I "just do not want to help" attitude. I have my reasons at those moments. But, none of those "attitudes" that I have been known to share about happened - I helped without any bad / ill thoughts and thought nothing more of it. Matter of fact, I have not been expecting any "Thank yous" or in the words of my ex-co-worker "just so awesome" from anyone.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. That is me. I have told you Readers all of my adventures dealing with the Good and the Bad - even the Ugly.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Gran Torino

Greetings Readers

As the Blog post shows - Gran Torino. I finally got to see this movie. I enjoyed this movie pretty well. Overall, this movie is very good, but not great. There is story, but the movie really focuses on Clint as opposed to the story and the title of the movie.

This is a drama, though there is/are some funny lines, DEPENDING on your point of view. I did laugh / chuckle smile at some of the dialogue by Clint that is offensive, but otherwise I kept a straight face and no laughing since this is drama movie and in the movie there were serious scene that would not make the lines funny.

I do recommend the movie if you are a Clint Eastwood fan, but I would not recommend this if you take offense to racial slurs, whatnot. And that is strong "subject matter" that brings this movie into a very good movie.

Clint did a good job, but I really do not see any sort of nomination for him or the film. It was just a very good movie. And the racial subject is a strong presence in the movie, but as the movie goes further you understand, I hope, that is what makes this movie the movie it is about. Without it - there would no very good movie. You may have not/will not like Clint's character in the beginning of the movie, but in the end you will/should.

As my in personal life - you Readers who have read about me may have thought / said / think that I am rudest person ever known, but if I / we really know each other then you would really know that I am not rudest person you have ever known. After all Clint helps out someone in the movie, which I would hope in all of our books that is nice thing to do for someone else. As opposed to thinking about yourself.

Speaking of nice things. The other day I was going home on Light Rail and I was getting my ticket from the machine kiosk when I went to the machine kiosk next to another machine kiosk that was being used by a young couple going to the Avalanche game downtown.

I touched the screen fast since I do know what to push in order to get my ticket. The young couple saw me do that and spoke

"Boy your fast!"

"Thanks, but I know what to push"

"Hey can you help us get a ticket to Downtown - Avalanche game."

"Sure." I walked to their Kiosk "One way or Round trip?"

"Round trip."

"How many tickets" I ask

"Two"

Then, I started pressing buttons on the screen and about 15 seconds later I was done.

"Thank you very much" the woman said"

"No problem"

"Thanks bud" he said.

And that was another good deed I am sharing with you Readers. I ask how many of you would have done that in single digit temperatures at night? Yes, this couple would have eventually gotten their tickets without my help, but I helped them get their tickets right away since the Light Rail train was coming up and I would hate for them, hell for anyone else, to be waiting for another Light Rail Train in the icy, cold blowing wind in the dark. If you think that if I was the rudest person ever known - would have I helped that couple out?

Sorry, I am not going to tell you the race of the couple since that is irrelevant - the subject is that I thought about someone else besides myself and in my book that is another good deed. I spent that extra minute or two in the cold helping that couple out as opposed to getting my ticket and walking to the Light Rail train to get out of the cold and into the heated Light Rail Trains.

Urgh - I lost another bet and now I am down a six pack of beer. Well, there are only a few more days left in the Australian Open, but not sure with the players left that I want to bet. We will see.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete.

The Australian Open 2009 - Day 5

Greetings Readers

I sort of put it together, but I guess I was blind to it. Australia and the Australian Open are where tennis players say their goodbye for the last time should this be there last year. Most of the time the players have told the world of their intentions, yet there are others that do not. Sometimes - between the Australian Open and the French Open players are tested and know whether or not to continue playing tennis.

Marat Safin has made it known that this is probably the last time and the last year that he will play Tennis professional at the Australian Open.

I have to be honest that his honesty was refreshing to hear. He knows that his tennis playing is not up to par and it is getting difficult to keeping playing tennis when he is not playing his best. Hell, would you get day after day and train and not make good results?

These are a couple of pictures that I am going to miss from him when Safin retires. His shoulder shrugs, whether the shoulder shrugs mean, “What that fuck was I thinking?” Why the fuck did I hit it the ball that way” or is it “I cannot fucking believe the call!?” Oh yes, Marat has said fuck and has been fined. Fuck – he probably ranks up the top 5 of getting fined on the court for his actions and or words in the tennis world. Perhaps I should do some research on this.

Anyway, the match was between Federer vs. Safin and most of us were expecting a battle. There was was no epic battle, but there was the battle with Safin himself. He has beaten Federer before and yes it was in Australia that Safin beat Federer to be Champion of the great Grand Slam years ago.

The match was so-so. Good, but not great. Safin was in control and subdue. There were some moments of rage about to erupt, but Safin managed to control himself.

Until the last set of the match. Safin was losing and it was serve. “Fault!” Safin turns around and apparently the center linesman called a foot fault on his serve. Oh yes, Safin and the fans, as well as myself, could not believe it. But I have to admit it was the vintage Marat we wanted to see and it was about to show itself.

Safin walked back of the court and basically was standing right before the linesman and looking over the short’s lineman. The linesman did nothing, except to stand with his hands behind his back and say nothing.

Safin was pissed and it showed. Safin was talking, but no yelling. There were a lot of arm and hand gestures being done by Safin. Yet, the moment was not complete until you saw the linesman Adam’s apple go up and down. The linesman swallowed and you could see literally see it happening. Wow. Of course, I probably would have done the same thing swallow since you are probably forbidden to talk/confront to a tennis player on the court. Though, I do not know.

That is just one of the moments I am going to miss on court when Safin takes the court at any of the last three Grand Slam tournaments this year. I am going to miss his anger, him destroying rackets, him throwing his rackets, him destroying the tennis walls; I am going to miss him arguing with the chair umpire. I am going to miss that Safin walk and playing style that is just unique to him alone.

Should this be the last Australian Open you play Marat Safin thanks for making us viewers see a lineman swallow in fear as you towered in front of him.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2009 - Day 4

Greetings Readers

Oh my, oh my - "She Out!" Boo yah. Now, the Australian Open 2009 has truly begun.

The timer went off this morning and I was able to awake myself from going to sleep for about two hours. I wanted to see the two night matches Live at Rod Laver Arena. To say the least I was not disappointed.

I was able to shut off the timer and then turn up the volume on the stereo so I can hear the match of V. Williams vs. Carla Suarez Navarro. I would estimate that I was about 20 minutes into the match when I started to hear, really hear, that the match was getting good and the crowd was coming alive. I turned on the TV and I soon saw the two women battling on the court.

I saw this young white little woman on the opposite side of Venus and I did not have a clue, at the time who she was. Of course, now I know all about her - Carla Suarez Navarro. Twenty years old, from Spain and taking the play to Venus in Rod Laver Arena.

Perhaps at the beginning of the match Carla was getting warmed up and not to mention this is a new opponent that Venus does not know.

Towards the end, I was trying not to yell too loudly, but at 4:02 AM (Mountain Time) I pumped my fist, smiled, yelled "yes!"

Standing proud on the opposite side of the court was a smiling short, petite young woman who just upset Venus Williams at the Australian Open. Readers, I have made it no secret that I do not care for the Williams sisters and so to see one (or them) get eliminated is something I like. Meaning, the players that I am rooting for gets to advance further into the tournament.

And two, it shuts up those so bias announcers rooting for either Williams before the tournament starts. There are other players out there who deserve a chance to win and be talked about. After all, the tennis world is better and more importantly getting older for Serena and Venus.

When Carla won that match, she smiled, sort of pumped her first, but I think she was just so happy in the moment to take down Venus. Fuck it, we all would be happy to take down a top seeded player if we were not seeded in a tournament.

And my thinking - literally Carla was a "giant killer" like a female version of David and Goliath if there was ever one.

Since I was happy Carla won it was now time to watch the Brit - Andy Murray.

Holy shit what happened in the past five months? Andy Murray fucking looks like a well oiled machine. He's changed since last year and he looks like someone to watch out for. I really was impressed with the entire match this morning (our morning). Though again, he had a bit of a rough start when the match started, but perhaps that just him getting used to the court, and the player he was playing. Murray's match was over at about 6:00 AM Mountain Time. Easy put away for him.

Before coming to work I stopped by the store and bought some Lipton Pure Leaf Iced Tea. When I got to work I gave five of my closest Tennis watchers a drink on me. Wasn't that nice of me?

P.S. What kind of pissed me off was the post press conference. They showed Venus, but not Carla. Why? Then when referring to the match throughout the remaining time the Australian Open was on TV it was labelled "Venus Highlights" when in fact the highlights should have reference both players since it showed equal time on Venus and Carla. And then there is Pam, suggesting that Venus was not at 100% healthy and perhaps it was something else. When in fact, Venus just got beat - Get over it - praise Carla and stop talking about the Loser of the match. After all Pam, you are an American and knowing you from what I see on TV you talk about the winners and hardly the losers if they are not seeded (or ranked.)

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2009 - Day 3

Greetings Readers

Day Three of the Australian Open and there have been some very interesting physical changes of many Tennis players in the past four months that I have not watched Tennis. New bodies, hair cuts and clothing

And the biggest change that is noticable right now is Marcos Baghdatis. I am so use to him having hair. And now to see him have a shaved head is kind of wierd. On top of that he is unseeded and his rank has dropped from last year due to some injuries.

Fear not, I as well as the Australian Tennis fans, are excited to see Baghdatis once again in Melbourne. Last year, as I have mentioned to the prior of the start of my blogging of the Australian Open 2009 I re-capped the ending of the Hewitt vs. Baghdatis match last when Marcos left the with the start of tears beginning and him walking to the locker room at 4:34 AM Melbourne Time.

How difficult was that to watch. An epic Battle. The Aussie fans love Hewitt since he is from Australia, but the Aussie crowd also like Marcos from two years when we Tennis Fans were treated to Marcos playing another epic match against another great tennis player in the finals...

Anyway, I finally got to see him in action this morning. Good to see his playing, but I have to say when he banged his tennis racket on the ground during the break it was good to see. Yet, he was fined 770.00 dollars for racket abuse. When he did that, he turned on the "afterburners" and won. Baghdatis will never be close to regular racquet abuse as Marat Safin does, but we tennis fans love to see that.

Way to go Marcos and I hope you do well and give us tennis fans another epic battle in Melbourne And a picture from last year.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2009 - Day 2

Greetings Readers

"Come on!"

And you faithful Tennis watchers know who says that phrase and technically who started those two words in Professional Tennis play.

After all, when he started saying this years ago many thought that he was being rude. In reality, he was saying that to himself to get himself pumped up and to keep his play the way he wanted to play.

Many people in the beginning thought that was "rude." Many people thought they knew him and assumed that he was being rude.

Yet, after a bit it later revealed that Mr. Hewitt was saying that to himself, even though he yelled those two words out with the arm raised and all fingers pointed at his face. There was never any finger pointing at the opposite side of the court to his opponent.

Here we are the year is 2009 and now we faithful Hewitt fans expect and want to hear those two words yelled "Come on!" with Hewitt's cap turned backwards on his head, arm raised in the pose with his fingers pointing to his face after winning a point (and perhaps the match.)

Welcome Readers Day Two - Not a day for me really to say much or had any desire to watch. I do not care for the Williams sisters, Nadal or any American player for that matter. But there were a couple of matches that I wanted to see - Amelie Mauresmo, Andy Murray (and hear his roar and see him flex his Biceps after winning like last year - oh yeah that's just what I might have done), and of course I want to see the "Monfils's shuffle" like he did at the US Open this past year after winning his match.

And you loyal Tennis followers have to wonder why Americans are not really followed. A few are good players - the Williams sisters, yet the others are not. Most are arrogant and perhaps that is because of general way Americans are seen (and I do not disagree.)

Hewitt - "Come on"
Safin - His Anger and Tantrums are what we like and expect to see
Santoro - his playing even though he knows he's over the hill, but give 100% play
Ivanovic - so Sweet and humble (unlike the William Sisters)
Federer - Earning his place among the elite Tennis players in history
Bagdahtis - becoming a fan favorite

as so goes the list.

As you can sort of read each of those Non-Americans have personality of something. Whereas the Americans I am going to list a few.

Roddick - give poor, poor post game interviews, pains for me to watch him being him.
S. Williams - "I am good and your not", but not literally said that way by her.
Fish - nothing really to say
Ginepri - friend of James Blake
Blake - I would have to admit the nicest American player out playing.
Scoville Jenkins - Young, up and coming player still new to the ATP so not arrogant yet and enjoys playing tennis. Go for it and keep it up.

Anyway, I think there were two upsets, but really only one and that would be Radawanska.

Otherwise, so far so good for the Australian Open.

By the way Readers it was hard to watch the Gonzo vs Hewitt match. Two years ago, Gonzo (oops Readers that is his nickname his real name is Fernando Gonzalez) was someone who met Hewitt in the semi finals if I remember correctly and I thought who in fuck was this guy. Arrogant and taunting the crowd since the crowd was for Hewitt since he is Australian. Now, Gonzo has made himself a present and earned the respect of me and a few others. So, when I saw that these two were going to do battle I did not know who to root for.

In the end I wanted Hewitt to advance since this is really his home country's Grand Slam tournament, but I think it was of injuries, a recent surgery and just getting old that Hewitt lost to Gonzo. Who knows readers this could be his last year if his hip does not heal, mend good. With that that is why I put Hewitt's picture on today's post.

"Come On!"

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2009 - Day 1

Greetings Readers

You loyal Tennis Fans, especially of the Australian Open, You do Remember Tipsarevic from last year?! His picture is posted first.

Flashback

If there was a match to sum up the Australian Open it would be the Epic Tennis battle on the First Friday (In the United States) that we saw two warriors take the stage under the Tennis lights of Melbourne's Australian Open. Note: this match does not over see the emotional match of Bagdahtis vs. Hewlitt last year, which to me was the match of the tournament.

He gave Roger a run for his advancement in the tournament and nearly, nearly, dethroned the number one player in the world, at that time.

Present

Day One has finished and now we American in the United States are waiting for 7 PM Mountain time for Day Two - LIVE coverage to begin.

Yesterday was an okay day and I would have to say it was good. Aussie Ana had me worried and it pained me to see her serving toss suck. And it sucked big time. In the end Ana pulled the win, but I am going to have to say she better get into form or else she will be going out of the tournament pretty early.

Now, onto the unknown seed, to us Americans anyway. An Aussie to boot, which Melbourne will love to support in the Australian Open. Unfortunately, we viewers did not get to see this match. Though the camera crews were able to get a camera over to the court towards the end of the match.

Bernard Tomic - 16 years old. That picture says it all. He won. And I liked how he won. Though, in the grand scheme of things he barely pulled the win out so I can not fully support him advancing to the next round. Yet, his next opponent did play a four and a half tennis match so Tomic does have that for him. Meaning his opponent has played longer than him. I do root for the underdog so I do hope that he does advance to the next round.

Bad news? Good news? I do not know and it does not matter to me, but many American players were eliminated on the first day of play at the Australian Open.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2009 - Qualifying Round

Greetings Readers

Today (technically yesterday) is the official start of the Qualifying rounds at the Australian Open 2009.

Oh Yes! Readers another year has come and gone and now we are onto the first of the four Tennis Grand Slam in 2009. Every year it begin in Australia - Melbourne.

The website

http://www.australianopen.com

The official start will be on Monday, January 19 2009, but their time, not U.S. time. And you faithful readers know that this will be the hardest two weeks to begin the New Year with. Again, I want to see live action so that means that play will start late at night in the Mountain Time Zone in the United States. Of course I could catch the tape delay, but then I would not be satisfied with that alone. That being said I will be up into the wee hours of the morning and perhaps staying up all night and morning.

The biggest news for me is that Maria Sharapova will not be able to play and defend her title from last year. Apparently, she is still out with the same injury that kept her from playing in the US Open and the Beijing Olympics last year. And I guess to look further than that we viewers do not have to put up with Yuri. Woo hoo!.

I had to use the picture from last year when she won and the she lowered both knees to the court in victory. However, using this picture and the tone of my post it appears that she is "sad." I know I am bending the truth, but I needed a picture that was worthy of the Australian Open 2009 - The Grand Slam of the Asia / Pacific.

I hope, desire, that we viewers are treated to another fantastic first week of the Australian Open, especially the 24 hours of Friday and Saturday of the first week of play last year - that was spectacular! And the epic matches that lasted wee into the night (in the United States) and the Morning (Australia and United States.) Seeing Federer being taken into a 5 set match and then seeing Hewitt start his tennis match at Dawn in the United States was unfucking-believeable. Or in the words of my ex-co-worker "just so awesome!" Those tennis players that played in that 24 hours were tested to the best of there playing abilities. Who knew that Australia could have a "Super Saturday" on the first Saturday of a Tennis tournament?!

And was it not tough for us hard core tennis watchers see Bagdahti start to cry when leaving the tennis court when Hewitt eliminated him from the Australian Open 2008?!

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Wimbledon 2008 - Day 4

Greetings Readers

Oh my the seeds were falling from the sky today! Let see who got their walking papers - Roddick, Sharapova, Blake, Hanuchova, Zvonareva to name a few. Many, many, many seeded players were eliminated today. He gone! She gone! (yes readers said just like that "He gone" and not "He's gone") That was me saying those words throughout the day - he gone - she gone - he gone - she gone - Is it on? - It's on like Donkey Kong!

Yet, I think that the best news was the elimination of Sharapova. I guess "someone saved the Queen!" I think, I remember hearing eight double faults. Eight!? Wow. And then her attire - that is something in itself. Well, I am very happy that she is gone and I am so excited to see this match when I get home tonight. I want to see defeat. This defeat made the day so much sweeter. She gone! And the other player - I have no clue who she is but she will be remembered for bringing down Sharapova. Even more so - continuing reading readers.

Now, Roddick was eliminated by Tipsarevic. Remember readers - earlier this year in the dead winter of January - It was Friday night, Saturday Morning in Colorado when we saw this sort of look on Janko's face at the Australian Open. A look of fucking determination and a look of I am giving this my best tennis against another seeded player. That look Tipsarevic had when playing Federer at the Australian Open is displayed in this one picture from the match I have yet to see. Fucking determination. A true warrior looking for a battle upon the greens of the United Kingdom. I was on my lunch break listening and watching the live score tracker and I was cheering for Janko all the way. My co-workers knew that there was a smell of defeat and the cheerful side of Mr Charley was going to be appearing in a few. I am just so glad that the match was finished before darkness would have stop play.

I was able to listen to most of the events on Radio Wimbledon at work which is on the website www.wimbledon.org

I will give you a summary on the matches that I will watch later tonight that I did record.

By the way this made me laugh

After dumping former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova out of the tournament, Alla Kudryavtseva really twisted the knife by declaring she didn’t like her fellow Russian's famous on-court outfit.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

31 Days & Getting Carded

Greetings Readers

I am happy to say that I got to bed at a decent & sane hour as opposed to the what-the-fuck am I sleeping & waking on this schedule. The Australian Open always does this to me.

Alright, I saw the commercial for TCM. Turner Classic Movies and the 31 days of Oscar. I am am getting so excited. This is my favorite time of the year since I/we get to the see the best films that have been given the Oscar. Some movies I still have not seen yet. But last year I was able to see some films that I have always wanted to see and never have. Like Ben Hur. I have seen that movie in parts, but last year I made myself sit and watch that movie from beginning to end. That was an award winner - period.

And I have some sad news. I have not got carded since my birthday earlier this month. To me - that is pretty sad. I am so use to getting carded, but now I have been on a bit of a dry streak. I mean it is practically a given that I would get carded in some club, bar, liquor store or event. Nope. Nada. Does that mean I have hit that magical age and I am now old? I just do not know. I am now waiting for when I get carded. I am actually trying to make myself look young. You know. Dress like a college guy. Got the hair gel working in the hair. Putting on the cologne. Shaving. Putting on some bling-bling. But nothing. I really want to be carded. I want to feel like I am young. I think I know. I better find myself a younger woman. Yeah.. that's the ticket. Wiht a young woman at my side that will make someone card me.

Alright I have a cycling topic for you readers. Water Bottles.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2008 - Day 14

Greetings Readers

I am 0-3 in my bets for this year. Yes, my finalists that I chose both lost this weekend.

The Men's Australian Open final was great, and even more so that Federer was not in the finals. I gave the Final's match an exciting and unknown on who was going to win. I did not have to listen to announcers say... for example.. How long is Federer going to take to win this Finals? or How many shots is Federer going to take to win this Finals match? How many sets is Federer going to play before he wins the Australian Open.

There was none of that talk. Should I use the word that Dick and Mary used this morning? "Refreshing". Refreshing. It was "refreshing" and in the sense that there was not the usual person that was in the Finals match. The playing field was sort of level. But, not really. There is the number three men's tennis player that was playing against an unseeded player-the under dog.

The announcers talked about "Drama" but there was no drama. Just play. Unfortunately, for Djokovic since all the Australians were behind Tsonga. Tsonga was and is the player that everyone was behind, yet deep down in our hearts we knew that the number three seeded player in the world was number three for a reason.

The final score 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (2) Novak winning the 2008 Australian Open.

Now readers, I am assuming that most of my readers are probably tired of my tennis, since most of the readers are probably not a fanatic about Tennis as I am. Who knows and do I care? Well, no. If you readers do not want to read about tennis then obviously you have the power to move that mouse and click to another website.

I did go to the Stock Show yesterday and I did have fun down North of Denver at the Western Stock Show Complex. The day was warm and sunny. I think the temperature got into the forties and there was a slight wind blowing in from the south.

As you can tell from the picture posted for today I did find, locate and bought a few items at the Jack Daniels Booth. That was the main reason why I went to the stock show this year. I did not get tickets to the Rodeo, but I was able to enjoy wandering around the ground.

I was ready this year to spend some money. I got the big booth and was just wondering what I could buy and what I really wanted to buy.

I saw that there was three different styles of Jack Daniels Bandanna's, A nice selection of hats, some shirts, and misc items.

The stuff that I got was two hats (one for me and one for my brother), one T-shirt (probably for my brother), four Bandanna's (three for me and one for my brother) and two bar mats (both for me). I wanted to buy some shot glasses, a key chain, and a jacket/coat. Yet, I was able to limit myself to the items I mentioned that I bought.

I was able to budget for this purchase two months in advanced and I did good. I also went to the Coors booth, but did not really see anything that caught my eye.

After doing all the business I needed to do I grabbed myself a beer, then throughout the time I was there I had some Lynchburg Lemonade.

Wait!

When someone like me goes to a bar and orders "Jack and Coke" I get Jack and Coke. I hope that there are people that share that same sediment.

When I said Jack and Coke, I saw that the server was going to pour some Pepsi into the cup of ice and shot of Jack Daniel's. "Whoa. stop. What are you doing?!" "I said Jack and Coke. Coca-Cola" She replies that they only have/serve Pepsi.

That is fucked up. Period. There is no way that Jack Daniel's goes with Pepsi. That is like putting Wild Turkey with Dr. Pepper. or Soy Milk in a White Russian. That's just a fucked up drink that no one should settle with. Er. Let me reiterate that. That is nothing that I would settle should there be no Coca-Cola available.

Now, I am not angry, but Pepsi does not go with Jack Daniel's. As my favorite little buddy would say "That's just wrong. Wrong!"

Alright readers I guess the first Grand Slam of the year is over and now I can get back to my regular writing tomorrow.

I took RTD and Light rail down to the Stock show and I heard and scene some interesting things.

One thing I like to mention.

I was at the 30th and Downing. I am not sure if this was a black or Hispanic neighborhood, but both were predominate. I got on the bus going north and the bus still had some time before leaving. The bus driver was black and then there was this Hispanic guy. He asked the bus driver a question, but I was not paying attention. Of all times that I did not bring my Ipod with me you would think I would have been "paying attention" to this particular conversation.

I did not know anything happened at all. The Hispanic guy gets off the bus and then just hangs out about 10 feet from the bus I am waiting on. A few minutes pass by then the Hispanic guy gets on this bus once more and then I hear the bus driver say "I told you this bus is not going downtown!" The Hispanic guy starts to put his money into the money thing-a-mig-jiggy and the bus driver once more says "This bus is not going downtown"

Be right back.. not finish....

"I am not going downtown" the bus driver says. Then something was said between them but, I could not hear. Then, the bus driver says "You asked me which way was downtown." The Hispanic guy goes "Well, that does not mean I wanted to go downtown." (Readers who does this sound like to a T?!)

"Go back to Africa."

My ears perked up even more so. I think I was about to witness an interracial showdown at 30th and Downing. How much is this Black bus driver going to take? And more importantly how was he going to respond to this Hispanic Guy? Of course the Bus driver is working and he probably has been trained/taught how to act in this sort of scenario.

The Hispanic guy passes me on the bus mumbling away and still saying go back to to Africa you black Motherf&%$#*. I was watching and listening closely to what the bus driver was/is planning to do.

Nothing happened though. No showdown in the hood.

The weather is beautiful today. It has to be in the fifties. Some wind is blowing. Otherwise - WARM.

Oh, and the women in tight wrangers! Oh baby, do you realize that I have to wait 50 weeks before I get to see another woman in a tight blue jean wrangers and a cowgirl shirt with curly long blonde (not strict though - brunette hair, red hair - all good baby) hair. Just too long to wait inbetween. I am not going to say that is a turn-on, but I do like looking at a woman who somehow got herself into some tight fitting, spray painted wrangers. And yes readers I know I could go to Stampede, but that's just not my place to go.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2008 - Day 13

Greetings Readers

Well, I have lost the first bet. Yes - Sharapova beat Ivanovic. Not bad of play, but yes I really knew that this was going to happen. Okay, now with that out of the way. The play last night was okay. Maria and Ana did put on a good match. There were some okay play and the final score is 7-5, 6-3.

Trying to think about this champions match last night and what I was going to write about... well I can not really write much about it. Simple, quick, a few errors by Ana less so for Maria and that was the Finals Women Match.

Yet, what I did not know was that the Australians have a found a replacement for "Aussie Kim". Oops, former "Aussie Kim" aka Kim Cjlisters. When I heard that the Aussies were now calling Ana Ivanovic "Aussie Ana" I got a lump in my throat. The Australians have adopted Ana. She deserves the "Aussie" title more than you think. That is Ana pictured when she started to cry, tear up while speaking to the crowd and the world. She is on her way be an "Aussie Kim" in the making.

And the Australians just do not pick anyone to be an "Aussie". There is more to why, but I will leave that to you readers to find out should you want to know. Way to go "Aussie Ana".

I had the same lump in my throat when Ana was talking about her post match and etc when accepting her second place trophy on stage. It hurts to lose and even more so on a big stage. Yet, Ana gave what she could and did not disappoint me in my eyes.

I am going to go... One more match.

I am going to the National Western Stock show today and I got to get going.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2008 - Day 12

Greetings Readers

"The shot that was heard around the world"

I do not know if that sentence would pertain to the event that transpired this morning at 1:30 AM MST. Yet, this news is travelling and gaining in strength.

I will tell you what I saw. The same exact thing I saw in the Tsonga vs. Nadal the morning before. Decimation. Period. No excuses. And no one should say there was. I was watching the same exact match.

I will tell you readers on the first thing that I heard after the game. Federer's streak. Federer not going to be number 1 this year. Federer was not "playing well". Federer this. Federer that.

All this was mention regarding Federer, yet not one of those announcers even gave the winner, Novak Djokovic (pictured on today's blog), the time of the day he deserve in anyone's post game recap. Not to mention the honor and respect a player deserves for beating the number one player in the world. Those announcers were still talking about Federer and what this loss means. And so forth. No other words were exchanged about Djovokic until the very end of the announcer's post game conference before signing off the air. Final score of this last man standing match 7-5, 6-3, 7-6.

Readers - as much as I want to give you something I am going to wait since they have/or will air this match on ESPN2. Please see for yourself what I am talking about and take in mind what you see and what you hear. And more importantly = ) my post regarding this match.

I am happy to say I am glad that Federer lost, yet he still has my respect. 100 % and more due to me not caring for Nadal. Thirty four hours ago Tsonga played like he owned that tennis court. Ten hours ago Djokovic played like he owned the same tennis court.

Now, Djokovic vs. Tsonga. Readers - I am going for the underdog and the "New Aussie favorite this year" Tsonga. Oh, it's on!

Tough match to choose for the Women's Final - My heart and hope goes to Ana Ivanovic, but Maria has the game to destroy Ana very quickly. My friendly bet is available should I choose Ana to win. I just do not know. A double bet since that offer applies to the Djokovic vs. Tsonga Men's Final. Me Tsonga to win.

I think I will take both bets!

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2008 - Day 11

Greetings Readers

I am now in sync with Melbourne. Granted, it took a week and now there are only a couple of days left in the Australian Open. But I am now sleeping on a routine schedule and I am waking up at 1:15 AM (MST) Denver, Colorado time and awake until I get home and then I go to sleep right away.

Now - The match that was aired at 1:30 AM Live - Tsonga vs. Nadal. This match was almost a match that I did not want to watch since I can not watch Nadal and his picking at his shorts from his ass movement almost every point of the match. Yet, there was Tsonga (pictured on today's blog post). I have been keeping tabs from the first match when he beat Andy Murray. The other day he got more and more of my attention when he defeated Youzhny. Hence, that is why I elected to watch this match - Live.

Listening to the announcer(s) once more is just sad. Sad that they are so bias and do not give the underdog a chance in hell. Have these same announcers been paying attention to Tsonga? Have they watched the same matches I have not watched? Have they notice who Nadal has played and the results that have transpired in the past week or so? Have they seen the numbers for Tsonga in the past week and a half?

Even when Tsonga has won the first two sets and leading in the third set those same announcers are still behind Nadal. Even when they are commentating it's - An example and not actual quote - Nadal get a racket on the ball and it is innnn... nope out. Nadal runs up and hit the ball down and it is a winnnnnn.. nope out. These announcers are just for Nadal regardless how Tsonga was playing last night.

As I mentioned before when Tsonga was leading in the third set yet the announcers are talking about him choking. Choking on his play. Going to get tight. Have these same announcers been watching the same match I was watching?! Tsonga was playing Tennis and his play was, I hate to say this, was very entertaining and so unusual to see such play from an unseeded player. And this unseeded player was taking the number two seed in the world for the ride of this tournament. Tsonga's play was just better. Nadal did play tennis last night. I can not fault him for not playing. Nadal did play and it was good. Yet, Tsonga had answers for almost all his shots.

If I were to coin a label for Tsonga it would be "the Dropper King" aka "the Droppa King" of the tournament. I have not seen such "droppers" during one match. And such variety. Yes, a couple "droppers" looked lucky, a couple "droppers" were awful, but the other "droppers" were fantastic. Even the announcer Darren Cahill did not want to say his usual way he says "droppa" to his favorite players in the tournament. Yet, Darren finally had to give in and he gave Tsonga the respect he earned in the first set of the game "the droppa"

This is who the Aussies are behind this year and rightly so. "Oy Oy"

And the decimation that was ensued last night the final score was 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. At the end of the last set the announcers were changing their tune, so they did not look like shitheads by not giving Tsonga his respect he earned way before coming into this match. Tsonga moved as if he knew the court as his home. He was eloquent on the way he moved on the court. So fluid like an oiled machine.

I mentioned back in July of a certain "Dark Horse" and this will be the male version of the "Dark Horse" I can and will label the song "Dark Horse and Under the Cherry Tree" Oooh hooo.

With that play of tennis I witnessed this morning I was impressed. And I will close on that word.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2008 - Day 10

Greetings Readers

The fourth seeded player in the world beat a lower seeded player in the world. Yes, that is the number fourth player pictured in the world - Ana Ivanovic. She played Venus Williams last night and her play showed why she is number four in the world. In my opinion I think that Ana has probably almost gotten past the feeling that "I am now in the big times" and plays badly under a full stadium with everything on the line. Anyway, that is what I saw last night at 7:00 PM (MST)

I do not agree with the announcers (I know - what's new) that any injury or something else made Venus not play. In one word Venus got Outplayed. The match was what the number four seeded player would do to the eighth seeded player of the world. No decimation by Ana, just played a whole lot better. Really no errors by Venus.

Long story short - The William sisters got ousted out of the 2008 Australian Open in a span of 24 hours - singles and doubles. I am not jumping for joy, but I am glad those two are out of the tournament.

I am going to touch this subject as an opinion article and will most likely submit to http://www.sportingo.com/ in a day or so. I need to submit an article since I have not submitted for a awhile.

I saw the match evening match, which is 1:30 AM (MST) in Denver, Colorado. I knew the outcome, but I did want to Blake to win. This time Blake did put up a better play of tennis, but this match was quickly over in three matches. Yet, this was not the same play in the last meeting that these two had at the US Open last year or two years ago - I can not remember the exact Open from memory. The last one was a pure beat down in New York.

Tsonga - This could be a possibility. I have been keeping my eye on him for the past two years. And now he has Nadal next. Tsonga just beat Youzhny. I can not believe that, but the way things are happening this Grand Slam. Interesting to say the least.

So, that pretty much sums up the Australian Open the past 12 hours.

As I have mentioned the past few blogs the weather has been cold, cold each morning. And I mean cold. Three of the past five days it has been so cold that my 30Gig Black Ipod automatically shut down. I thought it was the battery power. Nope. Pure cold. I am not sure that is something that happens. Yet, on the 8Gig Pink Ipod that does has not shut down in the cold, cold air. Perhaps the size of the Ipod has something to do with the Ipod shutting down. I just do not know. Anyway, nothing that I am concerned about. Just something that I noticed.

Readers - I do have some more personal cycling topics and I am going to try to squeeze a subject in the next day or so.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete