Rock in Roll Inductee - Guns N Roses

Greetings Readers

The Final Rock in Rock Inductees were named. There was/is a list and you can go and find out yourself if you want to know all of the nominations - go Google.

However, there were only a few I cared about and only really I wanted to see two to make it into the Hall of Fame that I personally wanted to see. Granted, there were a couple more, but I had to think logically which ones that had a chance and ones that I almost knew were going to get in.

Guns 'n' Roses

I will have to admit that in the beginning I was not a Gun's n Roses fan. Not at all. I think it was that song Sweet Child o Mine. I was in Junior High, I think, when Guns in Roses came onto the scene. That Bandanna wrapped (Blue I remember) around Axl's head in such a way that only Axl can pull it off. Then, when MTV played music videos I remember seeing Sweet Child o Mine and seeing Axl do that move with his body. He sways his body from side to side in a big motion. Again, only Axl could pull that move off. Often imitated, but never could be done as Axl does.

I remember a couple of student, girls in school would dress up as Axel. Funny, but not funny. Funny were the Goths, but lets save that for another time. I remember the posters of the Guns and Roses being on the room walls of my friends. Needless to say I did not join onto the band wagon right then.

Then, it happened - I heard Paradise City. And then I saw the music video. Something about that song got my attention. the guitar riff, then the beat of the drums, then Axl starting to sing.

"Take me down to the Paradise City..."

What an intro as well as lyrics to being with I thought; as well still think as I write this today.

From that point on I have been a fan. Of course, I bought Chinese Democracy and it is not nothing like vintage Guns n Roses. Not at all. And Axl's voice is there, but not there.

In between Appetite for Destruction and Chinese Democracy I have gotten most of their albums - save for a collections and perhaps... what was it String Cheese Incident? Sorry Readers, I do not have time to check Google. Anyway, that album did not interest me or ???? I have forgotten.

Anyway, Guns n Roses. A band that was high and now loss. A rift between Axl and his former original members - minus one or two due to death. I even saw the VH1 special made on them. Wow. Yet, even though it was wow - it was not something unexpected nor would never expected. Guns was Guns. Yet, what was interesting is that either Axl showed up and gave concert goers a concert to remember for a lifetime or he showed up and did not perform at all. That was true. Even said that - Axl was known not for showing up on time and even started a riot in Canada (not literally started himself) for not showing up for a concert. People rioted.

Anyway, the last time I think I saw Guns n Roses play was when Axl showed up for an MTV show with new band members in Guns N Roses. It was weird and even seeing that guy "bucket head" supposedly to be Slash. I still can not figure that one out. Anyway, that was the last time and I was not impressed. I think Axl did that just to kind of stick it to his former band members. Though that is just a guess.

Mind you, I don't hate Guns N Roses now, but it will never be what it was in the beginning. Yes, I bought Chinese Democracy since it was the new album in such a long time. I have the album in my Ipod but the listening to the album is so rare.

I even found out two weeks ago that Guns N Roses is coming to Denver and they will be playing the 1st Bank center on 12/11/11. I kind of toyed with the idea of going, but not really. I do not know what to expect and I really do not know anything after Chinese Democracy nor have followed Axl's journey.

Anyway, so I saw on the list was Guns N Roses for the Rock in Roll Hall of Fame. Even without knowing who else was on the list I was 99% sure that Guns was going in. They paved the wave for... you know I am not sure, but I have this radio commercial saved on a cassette tape and this is what I remember and what I associate to the original Guns N Roses....

"They are the Most Notorious Rock band..."

Notorious, I think, sums up Guns N Roses.

Guns N Roses had hits as well as Bombs. Yet, something about the band makes them a place in history.

And I have been waiting and waiting for the final nominations to be made and they were on 12/07/11. Should I wonder if the remaining original band members will get together for the Hall of Fame concert? I don't know Readers. It may be best not to revisit this past Band.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Apology Letter (and last) to D

Greetings Readers

As I mentioned just recently in order to move forward you have to put the past behind you.

I have and thought to myself I might as well complete this statement by writing a blog post that will mean nothing to any of you faithful Readers, but only to that one person. I do not have a clue if she does read my blog, but there may be a chance that she does. Does that matter? I guess you faithful Readers may never know that answer to that question.

Hi D

This is not the first time that I was wrong and this will not be the last time that I will be wrong. I also do not like to give an apology for something that I did not do wrong initially.

I acted the way the way I did since the initial act was instigated by you. I felt that if you treated me the way that you did I could do almost the same thing, but in a different manner to you. It does take two to Tango and I know I have things I did to you that you could mention.

I gave you the silent treatment. Yes, silence is a powerful thing to do someone close. All I wanted was for you to ask me why I was giving you the silence treatment. I would have given you the reason why – no bullshit.

Like the reason I was mad at you for not keeping a couple of lunch meetings early in our friendship. Yes, something small and I understand that we all have emergencies and what not, but that was/is something I do not tolerate if the same thing happens over and over. Call it a pet peeve or not, but I do not like to be cancelled and cancelled upon over and over again.

I was mad for a time and then I came to you and explained why I was mad at you. If the other person was wrong I wait for them to come to me, but in the case with you I came to you and explained why I was the way I was. We mended the relationship, but with my character I can not forget that this event ever happened.

Well, this past year, you approached me in a manner that I was taken aback by surprise. I understand you got the degree and have that over me as education and status placement, but my placement in life is what I have chosen. Though, the one thing that I am not is an AA or an EA. I do not fetch coffee, I do not keep up calendars, and other things EA’s or AA’s are known to do for the person(s) they are hired to assist. You had a pissed off look and addressed me in a pissed off manner and I did not especially care for that.

Then, as the weeks past by and you noticed something different you used a mutual friend to try and talk to me through our mutual friend. That further drove the nail in the wrong direction. If there is an issue – talk to me directly, pull me aside, just do not involve any of our mutual friends into our differences. I am honest with you and can take most things that are said or thrown at me.

Sure, I would have apologized for my above actions in a heartbeat, but you never came to me at all. I could have went first to you, but after the first incident in our relationship I could not make the first move again. No matter what, in my opinion.

I enjoyed knowing you. As you know I made the effort to get to know you. And so as I learned of your martial status I did not let that deter me. And at that time I knew that I could not pursue you as a romantic interest – even though you are the woman I do desire – the hair color, the body, the voice and the demeanor.

I did flirt from time to time, but I hope never flirted any more than I should of. I never suggested let’s go for a drink, I did not inquire about your personal life. Though when I saw that one tattoo – it was an immediate turn on. But again, I kept the friend relationship to a minimum, even by not talking to you every day, which I could have done, but elected not to.

So, that is what caused my friendship with you to be cut off so suddenly. Now, I do and did apologize and I did call your phone number for the first and only time since you gave to me a couple of years ago and I left you a voicemail. I could have hung up, but I did not. I kind of remember leaving a voice message, but I do not actually remember what I said on the voicemail. Sorry. I was nervous, but my message was unrehearsed and my thinking on what to actually say was the tough part.

I could have said so much, but not knowing how you felt about me, what had happened and what you did not know – again I did not want to say something that could be perceived as something it should not. And I will admit that I may be thinking something else, but that is neither here or there. And as Prince sang “…it’s such a shame our friendship had to end…”

I do wish the best for you and I do hope that you give me a call, or send me an email to say something / anything from – a fuck you or you accepting my apology and tell me I am still an ass for acting the way I did to you. If not, I also understand your reasoning why not. I truly do.

What also bothered me, though not from you was that other people suggested that perhaps I was the one that made you question yourself. Or I was the cause for your troubles with giving you a bottle of wine. You giving me a couple / few rides home. I hope that was not the case. Again, I never asked about you and your hubby’s personal current relationship. I do not know if perhaps there is a therapist that you may be seeing for whatever reason(s). I do not know about your life except those moments you did share with me, which in my mind were not on a personal / taboo basis at all. Anyway, once those “seeds” were planted I could not help think I may have had something to do with your personal life. I hope not, but somehow I feel I did, but only by people even saying I may have a part. Consciously, I know I did not, but perhaps subconsciously I did do something that I am not aware of. If I did, I am very, very sorry. I am past that part of my life where I did have extra-martial affairs, but as we age so does comes wisdom and more thinking to the consequences of the act of an affair. Granted, I do have a lot of gorgeous married women friends and I do tend to flirt from time to time, but I think I know when I have / am crossed the line of going to far with a married woman. With your physical condition the last time I saw you – you were thinner than ever. I was worried, but also brought flashbacks to a woman I loved who is no longer in my life. Yet, that is another story, which I talked very little about, but affected and changed my life from that point on in my life.

You referred to yourself as a princess, I disagree. You are more than that – a desirable Queen. Though again that is something I never voiced to you - or could. And I could never call you a princess since I had a friend who referred to herself as a princess and she was that (but a whole more, but not princess like.) One princess in my life is plenty and I could not make two princesses in my life. If I were to be blunt you would be my “cougar.” Oh baby.

The only way to go any further is in my fantasies, but that is something that I will not share. We all have fantasies and I am not going to share about who I may be having fantasies about. (Not going to talk about that with you my faithful Readers… well you could buy me a couple of drinks and perhaps I might just slip about that subject.)

By the way, I know it has been two years, and like an elephant I really never forget things. Do you remember when I made Lasagna and I gave you a small Tupperware dish with a piece of Lasagna? I never asked for the dish back nor did I ask what you thought about my cooking. I am not worried about the Tupperware not being returned to me – at all. After all, my faithful Readers know how I personally feel about Tupperware.

If you need a reason, one reason, to contact me and are reading this blog, then that there is a reason (or additional reason) why you could contact me. Tell me how you liked/disliked my cooking. We may laugh. We may have uncomfortable conversation. Or we may say sorry to each other and see what happens. I do not know.

But again – As I was sitting with my family after Christmas in the living room – “in order to move forward mama always said you had to put the past behind you.”

I did see you walk out of my life before you were gone – walking to your vehicle. Corny as that statement reads but that is the last time I saw you. Sounds like a cowboy song. Or could just be life.

Take care and I hope the best for you in your life.

Yours Truly

Daryl

Readers, that is that. Readers, it took Forrest Gump to make me realize that I had to do the same thing. I have made my peace with myself and now look forward to a new year and a new age bracket to compete in. Hah hah. By the way, it does sound like I lost a love, but it is not. Just someone I cared about more than most of my friends - nothing wrong with that.

“and that is all that I have to say about that.”

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

May Day - Apology Day

Greetings Readers

“I Apologize”

You faithful Readers know I rarely apologize and hardly apologize for any of my actions or interactions with others unless it is truly something I need to apologize for.

Yet, I do have to apologize - today - to my Readers and to the unknown people I have met in my travels that are not aware of this blog I have.

Flashback – The first day of the Green Festival Bike Show at the Colorado Convention Center in Downtown Denver.

There I was standing in line with about 20 other bikers getting ready to show off their bikes to the attendees of the Green Festival. Specifically, to the woman from San Francisco with the old style Bianchi bike that now lives in Denver.

Before actually saying “Hi” to her I looked at her bike and thought that looks likes a piece of shit. What I mean Readers, that bike does not look anything special to me. It does not look vintage, hell it does not look beautiful. More to the point, she spent 2K and to me it still looks like a piece of shit. (P.O.S.)

I think, about 6 hours later I soon came to realize that was I in her shoes at a point in time in my past. Yes Readers, that woman was me.

Meaning, my French racing bike – the Motobecane.

I am so fucking proud of my Motobecane that she is the only bike that does not have a “Girl’s” name in my collection. When I say “Motobecane” - old school riders and bike riders who think they know bikes know the word Motobecane look and listen to what I may have to say and show. Hell, the people who know about bikes stop and comment when I ride my Motobecane.

Readers, with that said here is what I realize. I talk about the original metal clips I have for the pedals, the rim that I had to have restrung, the original paint job and gearing located on the slant frame as opposed to the handlebar area of the bike we bike riders are used to seeing. I also brag about the weight of the bike and the steel that is on the bike. I like telling people that I have the original braking parts that I still have on the handlebars.

Now Readers, you just read what was said to me about their bikes at the Bike Denver Fashion show and what I say to people when talking / showing my Motobecane.

I do not have a clue whether or not an old looking bike is from the 70’s, 60’s or 50’s or even from Europe. To me, the old looking bikes look like shit and are just old looking. BUT. I just realized that is me from a road bike perspective as opposed to the everyday old time bikes that were made during those decades in the past.

If I was just an ordinary bike rider I would have most likely taken an interest in most of those bikes at the Bike Denver Show, but I did not. To me all the old “so called” vintage bikes looked the same to me.

Then, I realized that I was them when I ride, talk and show my old school Motobecane to other people and riders who are not familiar with old French racing bikes. To them my Motobecane probably looks like a piece of shit. Matter of fact, they are probably wondering the same thing – How much I paid to have one of my rims re-strung? How come I have not painted my Motobecane? How come I have not replaced those old broken metal toe pedal clips?

With that realization “I am sorry Readers.”

I guess the thing that I did learn was that I found this out all by myself as opposed to someone else pointing that out to me.

In closing, those old bikes were and are nice and I am sure were a hit of the Bike Denver Fashion show. I just hope that my bike, the only road bike, was not too “odd looking” at the bike show. In my view, I was not showing the entire bike off – just the rims. But as seeing this was a bike show I neglected to realize that I was not just showing off my rims, but the entire bike. At least I did clean up Andrea and put on new White Bandannas.

Again Readers “I apologize” for thinking that bike of yours is a P.O.S. not realizing that you too may be thinking the same exact thing about my Motobecane.

P.S. I am only apologizing to the vintage bike owners. I am not apologizing to you bike riders who have bikes that look and are P.O.S. bikes. Rust, dents, and just plain fucked up bikes are just P.O.S. bikes.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Green Festival - I Got Picked

Greetings Readers

"I'm going to be a Superstar"

... well

"I'm going to be a Hot Urban Model"

for a day, err I mean an hour, err I mean for just one minute!

Well, yours truly will be going to the 1st Annual Green Festival this Saturday since I was chosen to "show off" my bike at the Colorado Convention Center on Saturday at 3:00 P.M. I think the event at the show is called BikeDenver's fashion show.

I did fill out the form that was required and was sort of doubting that I really would get to participate. After all, my bike(s) are nothing special. Overall, I am not contributing to the smog by driving to and from work (or anywhere else) every day in Denver. So, that was about I could say that I was helping out by being "Green."

And there was this one question on the form - What's makes your bike so special? I thought and thought about this and honestly listed - nothing really makes my bike special - I have two water bottle cages, a rear 2 water bottle cage holder, aerobars, and I think I wrote my handlebars wrapped in bandanna's and then the piece de resistance - HED Jet c2 Deep dish 90 mm rims.

In another blank I quoted myself "It's all about the wheels"

So, with the sort of answers I wrote down I was really doubting that was going to be accepted. I do not know what they were / are looking for. I did not know how shallow I sounded when I wrote down my answers. If there were alot of riders submitting forms I was pretty sure that I was going to be at the bottom of that list to be chosen.

Overall, I was okay with what I put down and I felt there was no reason to lie or exaggerate any of my answers. The only goal I had was to get pick so I could show off my rims. That's is all.

Now, my next worry is what outfit I am going to "model" in. Should I going Business-like, Gangster-like, hard-core rider-like, Beat-up looking-like, color coordinated-like, time-trialing-like, Texas themed-like rider, and so on. Do I bring my Cuervo wristband I wear occasionally? Do I wear a bandanna around my neck since I do when it is winter to keep the cold air going down my neck and into my jacket? Do I wear my fingerless gloves or my fingered gloves? I just do not know. So, now I am going to have to lay out my biking wardrobe and see what's what and decide what to wear.

Oh yeah, I have to bring a bike helmet. A helmet? Fuck - I do not wear a helmet unless required or I feel bad ju-ju that tells me to wear a helmet. Now, I have to decide on whether I should bring either of the two over $ 100.00 bike helmets (yellow or blue)? Or should I bring in my $ 10.00 helmet that is... well looks like $ 10.00 and has stickers plastered all over the bike helmet. I will most likely wear a bandanna on my head since that is my MO. Then again, I am thinking about wearing one of my bike caps. I just do not know.

Decision, decision and the right decisions need to be made in the next 3 days.

P.S. - I will try and work on those calves of mine like a mad man - hah hah - Let's see if I can get them calves "popping" by Saturday 3 PM for the runway!

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Casualties of Sticking it to the Man

Greetings Readers

Casualties. There are always an innocent bystander(s)

My faithful Readers will remember me "Sticking it to the Man" from a while ago.

Long story short - I was "bent" that the Coca-Cola machine price of a 16 oz of Coca-Cola went up from $ 1.00 to $ 1.25. I was "bent", and I guess I still have a little "bentness" about the price increase. Again, for the record, the price of a Coca-Cola increased 25% percent. 25 percent % is a lot, even though it is low expense.

I have made the necessary changes in my life to counter that increase and have been bringing in Coca-Cola from the grocery store or Gas stations on route to work.

However, there are days that I do have to buy Coca-Coca from the Coke machine since I may have run out of Coca-Cola or just did not have the time to stop at the store that morning before work.

Anyway, that is the back story. Fast forward to this past week. I spent my allowance for the week and when that happens I try not to charge or go to the bank for more money. If I mismanaged my allowance I need to "pay" for spending it all so quickly.

Hence, that is what happened. I have told you Readers that I have three empty bottles of 1.75 L Absolute Vodka Bottles on my mantle where I put my pennies, nickels and dimes from my many purchases. Well, I try not to go to the change bottles, but when I spend my allowance there is really only one choice to go to. The jars. I decided to empty some dimes from the dimes bottle and use that for anything I may need - example - Coca-Cola.

Now, I was standing in front of the Coca-Cola machine with my zip lock bag of dimes. I started to drop the dimes into the coin slot and I heard the familiar coin noise going through the machine. Then, I heard the dime actually hit the bottom of the coin container in the machine. Clink! Clink after Clink. Hmmmm.

I put in $ 1.25 pushed the button for a regular Coca-Cola and then got my Coca-Cola. I put the bottle of Coca-Cola on the counter behind me and then started to put in some more of my dimes into the Coke Machine. Clink! Clink! I reached $1.30 and then briefly paused and then pushed the coin return knob. I heard the Coke machine return my money to me in the coin return slot. Clank. Clank. Clank. 5 Clanks I heard. That meant I got 5 quarters in return. hmmmm.

Minutes later and all my dimes gone I had all quarters in change. Pretty cool I thought to myself. I just unloaded about 39 dimes and got 15 quarters back.

I went home that night and could not let that go. I saw all the nickels in the nickel bottle and thought to myself - why not.

I emptied the entire bottle of nickels into a zip lock bag - and there was a lot.

The following morning I got to work early since I was going to do the same thing again. This time I needed some personal time, as opposed to company time, to feed in the nickels into the Coke Machine.

Thirty minutes later and $ 15.00 dollars in quarters I decided that I had better start work. I was about 2/3 through the zip lock bag and decided I could finish up at lunch or make myself take a break in the afternoon.

The afternoon break was when I went back to the Coke Machine. I started feeding the Coke machine the rest of the nickels that I had remaining in the zip lock bag. It was not about $ 3.75 later that the machine was dispensing dimes back to me.

I had taken all the quarters from the machine. Damn, but good. Well..... Hey, it takes two nickels for every dime I thought to myself quickly.

With that mentality I thought of further sticking it to the man. I am going to dispense the rest of the nickels and get back dimes instead.

Oh yes Readers, shallow and probably not going to matter to the Coca-Cola person, but there was a certain satisfaction by getting rid of all the nickels I had and supposedly filling up the coin container inside the Coke Machine. I heard the "Clink" two days ago, but soon I could heard the familiar sound of coin hitting coin inside in the Coke machine. I was filling up that coin container inside the Coke Machine.

Well, I was done. Mission is accomplished, for now.

But I had all these dimes. Hmmm. There are always innocent Casualties. In this case the Pepsi Machine. I loved seeing the bag of quarters I got in return from the Coke machine and like the dog with a bone that sees his/her reflection in a pool of water - I wanted more.

I started dropping my dimes into the Pepsi machine and soon hit $ 1.30,which at that point I hit the coin return knob again and soon heard that familiar sound of "Clank" in the coin return slot.

Minutes later I was at my desk with a zip lock bag full of quarters and one dime left over. I dumped out the zip lock bag of quarters and started counting out 4 at a time and lining up in a row on my desk.

$ 25.00 dollars worth of quarters.... well actually nickels since that is what I started with. Wow. I was amazed that I had that many nickels.

A friend came by and wondered what's going on. I told him/her flat out what I did. No shame. He/she said remarked well how do you feel about the next person who puts in two $ 1.00 bills and gets dimes in return since you took all the quarters. I responded - innocent casualties on the war on sticking it to the man. He/she smiles and shakes their head in disbelief -

"Oh you are something else. And you know that Coca-Cola person that who is going to empty that coin container in the Coke Machine will probably get upset."

"Probably, but you forgot about the big stink I raised about the 25% percent increase last year. Well, I finally am able to get back in the only way I can and that is feed that Coke Machine full of nickels and take all the quarters in return."

"That Coke person is not even responsible for the increase, it is Coca-Cola and you targeting him/her."

"I don't make up the rules. I take them as far as I could. In the grand scheme of things I deposited my nickels and then changed my mind on getting a bottle of Coca-Cola and pushed the coin return for my money"

"What 20 times?!"

"Yeah." me smiling "And that is the story I am sticking to."

"Mr. Charley you are something else."

Now, I have all these quarters and they are just beckoning to be spent. Now, what can I spend my new found wealth on...

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Other Side of Mr. Charley

Greetings Readers

Well, I thought to once more “toot” my own horn (since you know I love to do as much as I can). As you can see from the Blog picture post I got a letter from a vendor indicating to me that my “communication skills” were appreciated.

Oh yes readers, I have been carrying that letter around for the past week. I wanted to put this in my personnel file, but then I thought this just a letter, with a gift certificate, and I am happy enough. I do not need this in personnel file, since this may promote me, which I do not want to happen.

Anyway, I wanted to share this with you Readers. Yes, to show you that the “business” side of me is opposite from what you have read on this blogsite. As I have stated for the record in my blog profile - I am two different people. There is “work” Daryl and then there is “not at work” Daryl.

And I am looking forward to take me and my friend to lunch on behalf of this very nice vendor that I deal with. After all, my friend is the one that does the driving when we go out for lunch each week.

Changing subjects – I think I have finally given away all my Halloween candy. Unfortunately, I did not get the trick or treaters in my neighborhood. And as per my custom I buy full size candy bars to give out as Trick or Treat Candy. I do not believe in the little bars of candy of bags of Halloween candy that us consumers can buy for the trick or treaters.

This past Halloween I was unable to go to ZZ Top so I was going to entertain the trick or treaters. And I have to say that it went well. The trick or treaters, and their parents (the hot moms) remembered me from last year. “Oh, you are the full size candy bar guy” or “you are the bike rider in our neighborhood” and I smile and agree. After all, one of those hot moms, if single, might come by. It has not happen, yet, but it might.

I think, that since Halloween was on a Friday this year it kept some of the Trick or Treaters from coming out. Perhaps their parents had plans on a Friday. I do not know. But in my opinion I think that is the reason why I did not get a lot of costumed children.

I used my bike wear as my costume and should anyone ask who I am I would say that I am either Greg Lemond or Jan Ulrich. Should someone say, “Are you L.A.?” I would say quickly – no.

P.S. Readers I lost my first bet of this Amazing Race Season. My friend chose “the divorcees” and she won. Urgh. I chose the “separated couple” since they had a speed bump to complete before resuming the Amazing Race, but they were able to recover nicely and not come in last. Oh, my friend had the taste of victory and she said “ah.”

I could not help to laugh with her. Hah hah.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Happy Chinese New Year 2008

Greetings Readers

(continued)... Rat.

Happy New Year. That's Happy Chinese New Year. The year of the rat and also the start of the 12 year cycle of the chinese calender.

The Chinese New Year is just any other day, but yet I feel a sort of connection to the day. Probably because I have almost the complete sets of USPS stamps that were issued for the 12 year Chinese Calendar. I think, I missing the year of the dog and rabbit. And that is the real reason why I celebrate the start of the Chinese New Year. Not to mention there is this restaurant that is located down the road that has the Annual Chinese New Year tradition and I love going and celebrating when I can at that restaurant.

Thank goodness I was unable to ride yesterday since the winds that were blowing in the Denver area were "ugly" to say the least. Straight hard, blow wind. Crosswinds, when the structures made that possible. Blowing snow and boy it hurt my face and eyes when I saw the wind blow snow everywhere. The, the snow that melted during the day well all that water had turned to a sheet of ice by the time I made my way home. I had to walk about 2 miles last night and that was long, cold walk. I had my Natalie Merchant stocking cap, my long thick overcoat and two scarfs. Still, with my hands in my pocket the cold wind was freezing my hands and coins in my overcoat pocket. My hands were tingling when they moved on their own or if brushed up against my body/coat. I could not run nor could I wait for a bus since the bus route only has the bus running once an hour and I missed that time frame by five minutes, I bet.

And that was the evening trip home from work.

Oh yes. the underwear. I have a few Nautica Competition underwear brand that I wear every now and then. I love them or I desire them when one catches my eye. Anyway, I love the brand, since you know that I am a name brand wh-re. Secondly, they look good, I think, on me. And third, the women that have bestowed their eyes upon them like them too. Oh yes.

Anyway, I met this woman, girl, a while back and well the last time I remember I had them on when I saw her last. Since then I was doing laundry about two weeks ago when I discovered that I am missing/could not find that one unique, particular pair of Nautica underwear I love.

Yes. Sure did. I tore my humble abode apart. I checked the laundry bin, the laundry machine, the dryer, behind & under the machines. I checked the couch and even pulled off all the pillows and pads and did not see any Nautica underwear stuffed between the cushions. I checked my bad and pulled off all the blankets to make sure that the Underwear was not caught up somewhere in the blankets.

Nothing. Next, I checked my all my clothes and yes there are a lot of clothes. I pulled off every button down dress shirt and checked each sleeve to make sure that the underwear did not get stuck in the sleeve. I did the same with the pants. Nothing. Then, I did not want to but, but had to. I had to check all my tshirt and misc shirts to make sure that I did not fold any of those shirts with the underwear in them. And there are about seven times the amount of "just" shirts as opposed to dress button down shirts. Oh it sucked, but I had to be sure. In my case, I had to find this pair of underwear.

And before all this I did check my underwear. And yes I have a lot of underwear all types and shapes and colors. You name it I probably got. So, I had to dump all the underwear in the middle of the floor and start from there. Making about 15 plus piles of underwear on the floor. I checked the socks drawer, just to be safe.

Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Next, was the towel closet. I had inherited a lot of towels from my parents and I do have a lot. So, I took each and every towel and re-washed each towel. One - that makes sure that I checked each towel before washing and two I re-checked the towels that came out of the dryer to make sure I missed nothing since I had to fold the towels before putting away. Next, was the bed and pillow case covers.

Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. For about a week and a half I was searching and searching and leaving no place untouched in my humble abode. By the end of the week and a half - I knew they were gone. Just not here. And I kept thinking when was the last time I wore and tookoff. Now, the looking was an obsession. I needed to know where they are.

This Nautica underwear is not just an ordinary pair of underwear. This baby cost me a pretty penny, if I remember correctly, about 38.00 dollars. It was not like the Walmart 3 pack bikini briefs for 8.oo dollars I buy every now and then. Sort of close to Jockey's price, but not really - quality wise - yes.

Oh, I got to go, but at least that gives you part of the back story. To be continued.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

First day of the Last Month in 2006

Greetings People

I have to say that it was pretty interesting doing some searches on Blogger.com by different words. I only browsed for about an hour and a half, but I was able to "surf" the entire North American region - I went from PA, to Buffafo, to Portland, then to South Carolina, then Halifax and then finished up in New York. Sort of a mixed bag of info. Only a couple blogs really caught my eye and gave me some ideas on a direction for next year, which I am already planning.

Oh I almost forgot to tell you about which direction I am thinking about - planning a biking journal perhaps, or maybe a wealth of useless info maybe. I could do a daily blog of riding, but that does not really sound interesting, unless something happens. Yet true to life, about 95 percent of the time something does happen to me while riding around "my hood".

I am someone unique. Yes, I know that we all are unique, but I am more unique that you think. I have mentioned some words about me and after reading them again to myself I am someone you may relate to, but would never admit it. Hah hah.

Well, Just a quick blog and then I am going to think more about this blogging direction this weekend and see what sort of ideas that I might come up with.

I know this might be rambling you are reading, but that is what a "blog" means to me. It is also some of the things that I have noticed on others blogs.

"Welcome People" things will get interesting...

Maybe I even will tell you about my "Russian" woman I am corresponding with from St Petersberg, Russia. That is something interesting already, baby!. You think you are laughing now, well wait until you hear this story.

Told you I was unique

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete