Greetings Readers

I am not sure if I have ever followed up to a blog of mine.

Depeche Mode

There is a lot I can say

as opposed to someone saying that is isn't much to say.

I think, looking back, Black Celebration is where I came into Depeche Mode.

I shit you not, Performances - is Depeche Mode and there is nothing more than that.

People are People.  Or I Just cant Get Enough.

Fucking awesome 

I know that we as a nation are in a dark time

yet stay vigilant

We will come out of this in a year, I hope.

Fucking sucks.

I wanted to add a but

but there is no but

To see Depeche Mode in concert is unreal.

or surreal.

We have our ups and downs in life and Dave may be one of the individuals close to the up and downs of life.

Many times he has come close to death.

yet.

a few days ago here he is -presenting a Rock in Roll of Fame Speech.

Thanks again

I mean that from my heart.

Daryl

The Aging Athlete

Hello 2020

Greetings 

It has been a long time since I have blogged and now we are in a different time, so to speak.  Bandana's for me and face masks for everyone else.  who knew.  Why have I come out and blogged now?

Depeche Mode

I have to say - Thank you!  

There is nothing like seeing Depeche Mode live in concert.

I saw Depeche Mode for the first time at Red Rocks in Colorado.  Sure I had cheap seats but never the less I loved the concert.  And it was Front 242 who opened for them.  Damn!  I have to say that was amazing.  The way that singer posed and sung during his time was amazing.  And then when Depeche Mode took front row on that summer night.  wow.  It was the Violator Tour.   I do not remember how I got Red Rocks, but I have to say that was an amazing concert.  Fuck.  Even after all these years.  Fucking Awesome concert.

Dave Gahan.  Martin Gore.  Who knew.   Granted the Hall of Fame was warranted; and granted.  Yet to the other eye David Gahan was...lost.  He tried suicide if I remember reading the headlines correctly.  How?  Why?  Yet, tried.  I can not say failed, but Dave is still with us.

I want to say that seeing that Depeche Mode making into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is due.  

Depeche Mode

Never let you down

Reach out and Touch Faith

Enjoy the Silence

and so on

That concert I saw at Red Rocks  decades ago... is something I can not forget.

Words like violence...

I want to thank the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for choosing Depeche Mode.

I do not know about this album...

Performances

Wow

It is pre-Violator and what and is Depeche Mode.

I will admit I have not listen to the new Stuff of Depeche Mode after the Exciter album.

Nothing bad mind you but I have a recording of World in my Eyes that has kept me with Depeche Mode

as well as - I just can't get enough

Listen to the music as well as the lyrics.

I just "can't get enough"

I hope that I get another chance to see Depeche Mode in concert.  If not, I will and do remember the last time I saw Depeche Mode at Red Rocks in Morrison Colorado.  Under the moon.  Fucking Awesome.

Thank you.

Thank you Martin. Dave and Andy.

I fucking love listening to your music on my i-pod

with love

Daryl Charley

the Former Fallen Athlete

3 Days later... On the Eve of RTR 2018

Greetings Readers

A lot of thoughts have past through my head and I am not sure how to feel.  I was robbed of a month's period and have to deal with the first come first serve of the RTR.  As far as I know this is the first time that RTR has initiated this type of format.  I have always known that the route gets announced then you have the whole month of February to decide and sign up to see if you get in the RTR.  The sign up being lottery.  Well, suffice to say this year, 2018, it is first come first serve.  I don't know. 

I am going to the pre-party tonight and I guess me and my teammate will decide and hope to sign up for the RTR at that time, if we like the route they are going to announce.  I did get some information, but I can not say what I know.  I am thinking and knowing what I know from last year - it is going to be a nice route and a ....  With that being said I am about 99 percent sure that me and my teammate are going to sign up for the RTR.

Here's to hoping to an exciting RTR route being announced for 2018

Thanks

Daryl

2-time RTR rider - hardcore - lol

Tom Petty - Passed away at 66

Greeting Readers

Amazing that I have lost another of my favorite singers - I practically grew up listening to Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers.  And I will admit that one of his music videos.. yeah music video... that Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers made that I fell in love with was Don't Come Around Here No More.  It's Alice in Wonderland theme, as well as his singing and I will have to admit - Dave Stewart.   I remember watching on PBS as well as MTV.  From there, the songs of Petty where just there.  You Got Lucky, Rebels, Refugee and so on.  I did think back and I never did get to see Tom Petty in concert even though he did come to Denver throughout the decades.

I guess for me this is sad - just as Prince and Scott Weiland have passed on as well. 

Wow, I just remembered my old college next door roommate when we would go back and forth from Denver to the College where we went Gerald would pop in that cassette tape of Tom Petty's album Full Moon Fever.  At that time I did not think that was great tape, but it was good.  I think by the time we had finished half the school year the album finally grew on me as well as Gerald mimicking and mouthing the lyrics to Running Down a Dream.  Or maybe it was a CD?  You know I can not remember...CDs by then were still kind of new... well not, new new, but damn they did cost an arm and a leg.  I just knew I still had my huge cassette tape collection and what was cool when I was in college the whole world of music opened up to me.  I digress thou.  Eventually I got Full Moon Fever as well though only a few tracks caught my ears and yes - the album is on my ipod as well as Greatest Hits.  I have more Tom Petty Albums, but I ran out of space on my ipod years ago so anytime I want to add music I have to make tough decisions on what to remove.  Eventually, I am down to those two CDs by Tom Petty.

Not much I can add to this post.

Until the next time
The Aging Athlete

There she is...There she is...

Greetings Readers.

Not so wounded as we were lead to believe....

The Left Overs Series Finale - Book of Nora. My very first episode I watched

Greetings Readers

I saw my first episode of The Left Overs, which was the Series Finale of the show this past week.

I did not know what the show was about nor did I even give a thought / an inkling to even watch the show.  I have seen the trailers being run on HBO these past few months and to tell you the truth I had no idea what the show was even about.  All I got was something about Australia, the Outback and an airplane.

I had no interest in the show at all.

Then, I really started seeing the trailer for the final episode of the Left Overs being advertised on HBO.  I would not say that it was being over advertised, but perhaps... Well, since I have just watched the entire series in the past three days I do not know the answer(s) and you can hypothesize about what transpired with me and The Left Overs.

Spoiler Alert - If you have not seen the show and do NOT want to know what happened then I would stop reading here. 

However, I watched the series finale as my first time ever watching The Left Overs - I got it, in a manner of speaking.  And to tell you the truth Readers there were tears in my eyes by the time the first episode I was watched, which was the final episode of the series ended.  I have no clue what transpired from the first episode until the series finale.  So, why are there tearing running down my cheeks?

In the final episode, I deduced what was going to happen to that woman who entered the semi trailer - probably from the books I read and the movies I watch that it was some sort of machine to transport that woman elsewhere, whom I learn was Nora.  I did not automatically think time machine as you might have thought, but a machine that was going to be taking her somewhere else.  Even as that man was writing her obit I knew that something was going to happen to her and it was going to be for good  (By the way Readers - that man was the actor who played Doctor Who when it brought back again, Christopher Eccleston).

Watching what happened after the shot with her being in a plastic bubble being filled up with a liquid and to the time that she invited that man into her house for some tea I understood everything that was going on and I did not wonder what I was missing for not watching all the episodes before the Series Finale - titled the Book of Nora.

I did not even think this was odd nor did I even think twice about stop watching the last Episode of the Left Overs this past Sunday.  This goes against for what I may believe in me not to do.

As Nora was drinking her tea she started to talk about what happened to her.  I hung onto every word that was being spoken by Nora.  To me as a first time watching The Left Overs I really listened to every word she spoke and I looked at her face as she spoke about what happened to her.  The man across the table started to tear up as Nora was talking; as well as I did too.  Why did that happen to me?  I only invested 70 minutes into this show for the first time and there I was on my couch tearing up as well.  I knew nothing about the show, I knew nothing about the characters and I knew nothing about what happened prior to this series finale.  Yet, that those thoughts did not occur while I was watching the show.

I am not going to look up on the Internet on what exactly Nora said word for word, but what resonated with me on what she told that man, who later I found out was Kevin, is where Nora went they are orphans.  Also, when Nora said she went back and traveled back Home and it took a long time for her to travel back to the States.  I understand now what she meant that why it took a long time because what had happened to Nora and to where she went - why there are no pilots and why it took a long time for Nora to get Home.  And I understood why Nora went back since where Nora went her family were the lucky ones - they were not orphans.  Sad, but true.

I have no regrets watching the Series Finale first.  Matter of fact, this past week and multiple viewings of the series finale being played over and over this was the best choice I could have made with a TV show I had no clue what it was about.  Even now, this is could be the first episode of the Series.  I do not feel that this gave away anything at all.

Like Breaking Bad, which I did blog about watching for watching for the first time - the episode Crazy Handful of Nothing.  You see a bald man walking across a street with smoke pouring from a building in the background and sirens in the background.  I knew nothing was transpired up to that point.

Four days ago, Monday, I started the first season of The Left Overs and I just finished up watching to the second to the last episode of The Left Overs Season three last night and I have to say that this was an excellent TV show that I am truly sorry that I missed following throughout its run.  It is not that I can not wish, but I want to know more.  My "more" is secret and I am going to leave it at that.  

The Left Overs was... I do not know how to word it.  Sad?  Love?  Family?  The End?

Through the past three seasons I just watched this week - it was a powerful show.  Maybe a bit slow in the beginning, such as Better Call Saul was, but the show's strength grew with each episode I watched.  There are a few characters that I thought were excellent - Matt, Kevin, Nora, Wade, Dean, John and Patti.  One that I think that is... Mark Linn Baker - it is amazing how he fit into the show, even though he was in only two episodes of the show.  Readers - if you don't know the name, DONT Google please, I think you will rewarded when you find out who that is (Note: this will only pertain to Readers who grew up in the eighties)

There you have it Readers - I have no clue why to blog after so long, but this show was enough to get me to blog and I think I just wanted to tell anyone/someone about how I felt about The Left Overs.

I have read a lot of reviews since Monday.  I want to say that I have some questions, but to me, I do not think I have any unanswered questions or questions I want to know the answers to.  The series to me is complete and I do not feel cheated or feel like the last episode was a dud. 

The ending was near perfect - as just as Six Feet Under was to me.  Though Six Feet Under it was sad for me to see the ending of the characters and to me it is probably the best ending to a series finale ever.  The Left Overs was ending was sad as well, but complete

The Left Overs Series Finale is touching as one could be for one who never saw the series before.

Daryl

P.S.  the song by Aha - Take on Me.  This song I now takes on a new... well when I hear this song from now until the end of my days I will not forget.  For the lack of a better word.

Guns & Roses - The Original Band Member Back - ?!!?!

Greetings Readers

Well, boy a lot has happened since my last post.  I did see Star Wars - The Force Awakens... but what drew my attention when I saw the movie twice - The first regular and the second time in 3D was in the Trailers - I hear Guns 'n Roses and we viewers see a black and white footage of concert goers and then that was that.  Of course you faithful followers know that I am a huge Gun 'n' Roses Fan.  I thought perhaps they were going to re-lease a concert film by the original group. 

Anyway, that was my thinking, but from the short clip it could have been anything.  That is until last week/this week - it has been confirmed - the Original Gun Roses are going to headline Coachella - in CA.  Unfucking believeable.  Now, at this time only three original band members have been confirmed - Axl, Slash and Duff are confirmed to the motherfucker - lol  There are a lot rumors and talk so I am not sure what is confirmed or made up at the moment.  There is talk about a stadium tour as well, but I hear that GNR is asking for a huge performance fee.  I don't know money costs of a concert show or what, but that could limit concert shows to big cities.  Could Denver pass on this concert?  I am thinking yes.  Whereas New York probably would not.  Anyway, as I heard and they were labeled in their original days - the most notorious Rock Band.  And as a VH1 Documentary - when the band played either you got the show of your life or didn't.  There was never a just a so-so concert.  I am excited.  Time will only tell what I will do.  Will GNR do a stadium tour?  Will Denver/Concert Promoter pay the fee?  Will the tickets be high?  Bottom line - more than likely I will go if all things line up.  There are already blogs and articles saying that we will not get the same GNR from the past.  True in a sense since there are only 3 of the 5 confirmed original band members as of today.  We are... what over 20 years since their last concert together.  Bad blood, various band, Feuds, substance abuse, etc.  However, with all that said and money I am thinking that we will hear the GNR of the past and we will be treated to probably a concert to be remembered.  Granted, a lot of things have transpired since the break up of GNR.  And a lot of words were said and whatnot - that could come up.  And of course they could go on tour then cancel the tour following the start for any reason.  Like they cancelled that tour date in Canada and I think the concert goers rioted.  So, I got high hopes, but I am not counting anything set in stone.  After all, it is GNR.

"Welcome to the Jungle"  Welcome Back.  Welcome Welcome.

Daryl Charley
The Faithful Guns 'n' Roses Follower

Taylor Swift

Greetings Readers

Amazing now - I have to admit that I did like the sound the CD 1989 by Taylor Swift and now as she is older than from when I started to pay attention to her I have to admit that she is looking hotter and hotter more and more - there was one photo shoot this past year - Not the usual  make up, but made up differently and I have to tell you that photo shoot did not look like the normal Taylor we are known to.  Anyway, someone dropped off a GQ magazine and there she was - looking Hot

 

 

Until the next time

 

Daryl Charley

The Athlete's New Woman to follow - lol - perhaps

Five Years Later

Greetings Readers

What would the world write about me?  I just re-read my last blog about the 24 hours of Boulder and I re-read what I read and what inspired me to write that blog post, but not for a positive way...

Christian "Chris" Pruchnic, the Denver climber who died Saturday afternoon on a treacherous ice- climbing route on Thatchtop Mountain at Rocky Mountain National Park, was the chair of the Front Range Section of the American Alpine Club.
On its website, the American Alpine Club describes Pruchnic, 42, as "an avid adventurer who is passionate about climbing, scuba diving and foreign travel."
At the American Alpine Club's national headquarters in Golden, executive director Phil Powers said his staff was in shock over Pruchnic's death.
"Chris was a very thoughtful guy — a measured individual," Powers said. "He thought things through. By profession and demeanor, he was a very considered and cautious person. It makes this even more bothersome."
About 2:30 p.m. Saturday, visitors to the park notified park dispatchers by cellphone of a climbing death.
The incident occurred on the "All Mixed Up" ice-climbing route above Mills Lake. The route is steep with loose ice, loose rock and snow. It sits about 1,200 feet above the lake.
Pruchnic was part of a two-person climbing party. His partner was uninjured.
"I would say he was an accomplished climber, a respected climber and a competent climber," Powers said. "These things happen in climbing. To the degree that the (American Alpine Club) staff is in shock, shaken and sad is a testament to how close they were to Chris."
Pruchnic was a manager of disaster preparedness for Qwest, company spokeswoman Diane Reberger said. He had been with the company since 2002.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time," Reberger said. "Chris was a valued employee and will be missed."
Pruchnic was also an active member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Association of Contingency Planners, a group that prepares disaster contingency plans.
"He was a really nice guy, a really nice person. I can't believe he is not around," said Bill Million, a past vice president of the chapter. "He would give his shirt off his back for someone even if he didn't have a shirt."
Million added: "He was a world traveler. This is unbelievable. It is a shocker."
On the website of the Front Range Section of the American Alpine Club, Pruchnic was described as someone who, while leading trips abroad, made it a point to learn about local culture and history.
"His adventures often include visits to ancient ruins, markets, museums and other experiences to go beyond just exploring," the website said.

Readers, if you haven't read that blog please do.  I was pissed off at this guy for his remarks about other runners on the 24 Hours of Boulder on a blog post he did.  Apparently he died 11-20-2010

I wonder - did this guy ever read my post about the 24 Hours of Boulder and how he inspired my blog post about the 24 Hours of Boulder as well as his comments?  I do not even remember writing about this guy's comments until I re-read what I wrote back then.  Amazing.  The when I did a search I would have to say that I was kind of shocked.  Could I find his blog post again on what he wrote?  Or perhaps that is gone as well?  I don't know.

Again, I wonder - what would the world write about me when I am gone.

With utmost sincerity

Daryl Charley
The Veteran 24 Hours of Boulder Runner

...I'd rather be a hammer than a nail...

Greetings Readers

As you know Readers I have a strong connection to music and I would have to say that I found another beloved song from before my time on Mother Earth

I finally got to see "Wild" and I was very impressed and emotionally attached in a sense.  I did not get to see the movie in the theater, but oh so wanted.  I wish I did.  Really.

In no way have I done what Cheryl did in life, but what I felt was probably what I felt when I did the 24 hours of Boulder.  She did the PCT and I did the 24 hours of Boulder.  I have written about this event twice, I think, and I want to say that when Cheryl reached the Bridge of the Gods is when I saw the sunrise of my final lap in the 24 hours of Boulder.  I knew that this was the last lap that I could complete within the time limit, but I could have gone another.  Anyway, in that moment when I saw the sunrise in the East coming over the Dam - it was something incredible-the colors, the feelings, reflecting on the past 21 hours, the pain, the relief, the end.  I guess when I saw "Wild" and put the music of El Condor Pasa (If I could) - that is the definitive music of that moment.  And forever will be now. 

I'd rather be a sparrow than a snail
Yes I would, if I could, I surely would
I'd rather be a hammer than a nail
Yes I would, if I only could, I surely would

Away, I'd rather sail away
Like a swan that's here and gone
A man gets tied up to the ground
He gives the world it's saddest sound
Its saddest sound

I'd rather be a forest than a street
Yes I would, if I could, I surely would
I'd rather feel the earth beneath my feet
Yes I would, if I only could, I surely would

I guess the part that really gets to me is... "A man gets tied up to the ground He gives the world it's saddest sound..."  I gave a lot myself during this event.  No doubt.  I do not wonder what Cheryl gave during her journey on the PCT, but I am sure that she surely did give it everything she could - she surely would.

I even still remember that one woman offering to walk with me toward the finish line - just a small loop, but nevertheless the offer was truly sad for me and I did get emotional when I heard her say that to me.  I was a hurting, beat, but not down for the count.  That last lap did me in, yet to this day I can still say that I did 57.12 miles in 21 hours.  Who else in the fuck can say that beside the elite few ultra runners on Mother Earth.  Running two fucking marathons in 21 hours.  I can also remember me in the early morning getting those "hand warmers" from that one guy at the half way point on the 24 hours of Boulder.  I swear I did not even think about even getting some of those, but when I put in my gloves - wow - I did tear up after that as well.

Anyway, "Wild" was a very interesting movie and yes I could relate in my own sort of way.  When you do something of what Cheryl did as well as I did - you think, you reflect, your mind is open.  Being on a journey and looking, perhaps watching, others around you on your journey.  Humans are kind believe it or not- even an asshole like me have a moment on humility.

Until now, I think I understand...

With utmost sincerity

Daryl Charley
The Veteran 24 Hours of Boulder Runner

1 week to go - horrific

Greetings Readers

I know how horrific usually means something huge and...

and if not seeing "the Falcon" crashing through the snow covered trees and then crashing to the snow covered ground and appearing to bounce back up into sky is not horrific - then perhaps you are not known to the most famous spacecraft to make the fastest Kessel run ever.  The clip is only about 2 seconds long, but seeing that clip is not good to see for "the Falcon."  She is by far my most favorite spaceship - behind the Slave IV and B-wing.  I guess I should note-small spacecraft.  I have my favorite huge ones and from many movies and perhaps another time I may talk about that subject. 

I have not spoken to date on this movie.  I was against this from the start, but now with the footage that has appeared as well as the director JJ Abrams I have a feeling this will be a "true" movie and not get too flashy or kiddie or over CGI'd (computer Generated Images).  the Imperial Shuttles look fantastic, the Star Destroyer (or Super Star) in the desert.  Interesting footage.  Though I think I am not sold on the red lightsaber design.  My humble opinion, of course.

until the next time

Daryl Charley
the patiently waiting Star Wars Fan

Stone Temple Pilots - Scott Weiland

Greetings Readers

I just found out that Scott has died.  I am truly sad.  This singer was someone who helped me, in a manner of speaking, through a rough patch of my life when I was younger.  I know that some people thought he copied Eddie.  But he did not.  Scott was unique.  Sorry Readers, this is hard for me to write since I am listening to my most favorite song - Interstate Love Song. This is my favorite song among many.  I connected to this song while I was on the road - hence interstate.  I am really sad that Scott is gone.  I want to say that he was/is part of my life.   And matter of fact, on a side note - my minecraft friend earlier this year got me back into STP.  I listen to all the CD's and I remembered what I forgot in the early 90's.  Thank you Scott. 

"Leaving..."  Promises.  I am going to dedicate today to STP as well as Velvet Revolver Day.  Scott's lyric's and voice was a lot to me.  as he said "said to you..."  I do not know what else to write at the moment, so forgive me.  I am shocked on what I just read 15 minutes ago.   Scott was troubled, but probably no more than the rest of us.  Please do not forget that- we all have our own personal demons.  How we deal or not deal with them is our burden. 

When Scott covered my other favorite band - Depeche Mode - But not tonight.  It is amazing.  Scott kinda sounds like Dave but Scott's unique voice brought something else to the song which I love.

Thank you Scott

with utmostsincerity

Daryl Charley
The STP fan

Picture of the 5000 piece Puzzle

Greetings Readers

Just a short post, but really just a picture of the puzzle that I have been on for the past twelve years - lol.  The last eleven do not count since I did not technically work on.  I yahoo'd and was able to find the picture.  The picture has a bright colors, but in reality my puzzle is darker-darker waters and sky - meaning a deeper blue

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The I don't care Athlete at the moment