The Fred Flintstone Stop

Greetings Readers

Yes, I call my bike braking in the snow and ice - The Fred Flintstone stop.

Even with the ego that I have, especially when I gloat that I know how to handle a bike, I have to say I I am a bit careful. I even might have bragged that I handle a bike better than a woman. Sort of sounds messed up, but it is true. Yet, there is my ego and then there is Mother Earth.

She is ever so watchful and ready for me to "Kiss the Earth". Mothers sometimes need kisses and hugs and more importantly Love. But not in the sense of tender kisses and huges and love, but downright going endo, horizontal or falling down.

Flashback - the snow was falling pretty good and heavy last night. Yesterday morning as I indicated I was watching the morning news and I heard that snow was forecast to fall later that evening. There was no tempting the bike gods by me. I just knew that the snow was not going to fall until later, later that night. Wrong. The snow was falling and the wind was blowing when I left work. I guess I can say that the weather woman actually predicted correctly. Go figure.

The wind blew an icy, cold gust that chilled my body down. Not to mention that I was wearing my skin tight long biking pant and then on top of that I added a bike shorts with color - just to get that extra warmth and padding down there. I regreted wearing the warm up jogging pants I have, but I dealt with the cold wind.

The cold wind. Well, earlier in the day the temperature did get into the thirties, I think, which did melt some ice. Fast forward to the evening, the water that melted had turned to black ice with wind blowing that cold air from the North. I saw the black ice here and there from the reflection of the streetlights reflecting that icy surface.

I was determined not to fall. I just hate going horizontal. I slowed down and was very, very careful of making my turns. I did not use the front brake at all. Only the back. Using the brake I also use one leg as a braking system. The snow that started falling in the late afternoon had covered the ground pretty good and I knew - just knew- that there was black ice waiting for me to ride across.

So almost every corner I was doing the Fred Flintstone Stop. One or two feet sliding across the snow and/or ice.

I love doing this, but I also hate since I am not riding the speed that I usually do. I have to ride slow or else. I also couldn't ride through any yellow stoplights since I was riding slower than usual and yes I had to stop on two yellow lights for I knew I would never make the ride across the intersection in any sort time that would piss off any of those drivers.

I made a couple stops after work and I was proposed by two people.

"Hey, can I give you a ride?"

Can they give me a ride. Hmmm. Well, first of all "discrimination" came to me. Perhaps with a capital "D". Sorry readers, those two people who asked me that question were guys. One guy had a child so that was probably safe, but the other guy well.... not even an option to consider saying yes. I would hate for my friends to read/hear that a local bike rider was found dead in some part of town. Granted, they would only be able to take some money, but also my beloved Ipods.

However, these two people I am sure were okay. It goes to show you that there are people in the world who would do something for a stranger. Of course, when these two people saw me they saw about two inches of snow on my bike, me trying to wipe the snow off, I have my skin tight bike pants on and basically I probably looked like I needed a ride. But by no means was I looking at these people giving any indication that I was cold, did not want to ride, or was miserable. I was minding my own business.

Readers - I do admit that there are nice people in Centennial, Colorado.

Now readers, do not hate me. If these two people had been women, and my type of woman, most likely I would have said yes without thinking twice about it. I know that is shallow thinking, but I would never know and also I am single. Perhaps it is a guy thing, being asked by a "your type of woman" who are you/I to say no. Discrimination at its highest readers. But I am a sucker for Blondes, nice voice, gorgeous looking or eyes that my heart go thump de thump.

Back to Fred Flintstone Stopping. In case any of readers have gotten this far and do not know what "Fred Flintstone Stopping" is let me tell you. In the "The Flintstone's" cartoon Fred and/or Barney had there stone age cars. Well, in order to get the stone age car started Fred/Barney had to use their feet to start the car moving. After the car got moving then the feet magically disappear up into the car bottom. I have not seen the cartoon in a long, long time, but if I remember correctly when either Fred/Barney had to stop the stone age car quickly their feet came out from the bottom of the car and they put their feet, ankles first, into the ground making the car come to a stop. And that is the Fred Flintstone Stop.

Many of times I have used that manuveur. More so in the winter. I would saw that my success rate is 100 percent since I can not recollect ever falling from having one foot down and using that as a brake.

Using just your brakes in the winter while there is snow and ice - is tempting the bike gods. For all those times you think you got lucky on a bike the biking gods are looking for a time to show how unlucky you can be also.

By the way readers - I am using my regular shoes/sneakers and not my clipless biking shoes when doing the Fred Flintstone Stop. I paid good money for my biking shoes and I am not going to wear those shoes down. My biking sneakers have been around for more than a decade and yes they show their wear and tear. But those two pairs of shoes I have are the only ones I use and they are perfect for using on my winter bike.

Today's picture is a view of me from the back. There is my beloved US Open back pack, my purple fanny pack (11 years old, I think) my skin tight long bike pants, my regular bike shorts (gray color), my winter jacket, underneath my Nautica pullover, Thinsulate gloves and my first Ipod (yes the pink one) on the side of my purple fanny pack. That's that.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Back into Morning News Routine

Greetings Readers

Well, well, well, I actually did not have time to start a post for today. Time got away and time is about to get away for me this evening. If I have a moment I try to get a subject in, but I really have things to do.

Granted, that is not an excuse, but at least I am making an effort to make an entry.

It is currently snowing and the snow flakes are fluffly and the wind is blowing from North to South and gosh darn - I am cold. Yet, I am warmer than I have been from the cold last week, excluding this weekend when we actually got into the 50's. Pretty amazing for that crazy Colorado weather. Now, we are back into the 20's and 30's for the rest of the week. And yes I will gladly take that over the single digits.

By the way, pictured (Peggy B) is a fill in anchor/reporter that I saw on Fox News this morning. This photo is too much, but what I saw on the television this morning does not do her justice. I guess you could say that she made my heart go thump de thump. I am not sure what drew me immediately. Perhaps her face, the eyes, her demeanor. I just do not know. Anyway, today was the first time in 2 and a half months that I actually got to watch FOX news in the morning. I will tell you what readers - I did not miss a fucking thing. Still dumb joking around. Jokes about the bald headed guy who does traffic. Plain unjustified laughing with the women newscasters. And the usual "let me tell the whole world" about what my life since the last newscast.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Water Bottles and Me

Greetings Readers

I never got back to the topic that I was going to address about my cycling in yesterday's post. I ran out of time yesterday and I thought I was going to be able to finish up last night, but that did not happen obviously.

So, let me start off once more - Water bottles.

I have water bottles galore. I have pretty ones, ugly ones, everyday ones, plastic ones, metal ones, different shape ones, different sizes and ones that I absolutely will not use.

As you can read I have many categories for my water bottles and I have that many in my humble abode.

I will tell you straight up readers I only use "plain Jane" water bottles that I only purchase at the local bike shop up the road. Performance Bike water bottles. The type nor size does not matter to me. Some color does matter to me, but overall these are the ones that I use only.

I got water bottles from all the events that I have ever ridden in. And believe me folks I have alot. Not to mention ones that I actually buy that look pretty. Yep, you read that right I actually buy water bottles that are pretty, but to me that is one of a kind. Like the Tour de France water bottle (Yellow with logo) and the Coca-Cola water bottle (red).

I have water bottles that I have never, ever used packed away in a box. I have some displayed on one of my bookcases. Such as my Ironman Arizona Water Bottle and another Tour de France Water bottle.

I like displaying the water bottles so when I have company and they ask about those water bottles I can tell them the story behind that water bottle since I usually have an interesting story about something. And yes some events have pretty neat looking water bottles. And I will display them.

However, there are some pretty ugly or "plain Jane" water bottles that I have gotten from some events. I would not even consider displaying those things. Matter of fact, since I do accumulate so many water bottles each year I have to give away some water bottles. There is just no room nor desire to keep any more water bottles that do not meet my standards of keeping them around. I usually give to my parents or friends.

I know, I know what you are saying. If I have excess water bottles why doesn't he use them as his everyday water bottles. Again, if the water bottles are not pretty, then why in the hell would I use them. I do not want to display nor give the impression that using those water bottles are okay. When in fact, they are not. Butt ugly.

Hence, that is why I buy the Performance Water bottle brand from Performance Bikes bike shop. If not on sale then the water bottles roughly cost 4 to 6 dollars. I do not think that is much, but then I do wait for them to go on sale then I buy them for 2 and 3 dollars each. Which to me is more than reasonable.

Here is another fact - I only keep a set of everyday water bottles for one cycling season only. Any longer than that, in my opinion, is just disgusting. What it comes down to - A water bottle is basically the same price as a new bike tube and we are always replacing them. So, that is my practice to change those water bottles every four month. Excessive? Well, not to me.

Disgusting? Well, most cyclist do not use water. We have our own drink that we like to use. Powerade, Gatorade, Cyclomax, my "pink shit" (that my x co-worker aptly named by supplement drink), etc. We cyclist do not use water. Every now and then we will use water, but for the most part we have our own particular drink we use faithfully.

With that being said; after a bike ride, somehow the drink just gets embedded into the bottle. I am not sure if the plastic absorbs the drink. Anyway, I can not really explain it but even after you wash, bleach the bottle, the smell of the drink is still in the water bottle. That smell just does not go away for me. Granted, it is a smell, but I do not want to smell that smell in a clean water bottle.

And the other reason why I use the Performance water bottles is that water bottles get scuffed up from the water bottle carrier and/or getting dropped every now and then. Also, some how bike "grime" or as I know "that black stuff" gets on the water bottle. After a while that water bottle does show that it has been used and gone through a war or two. Imagine that stuff on my pretty water bottles no way. After a certain time, I would hate to throw that water bottle way because the water bottle is no longer clean and could not get any more cleaner. That would break my heart losing a pretty water bottle.

I try to clean my water bottles when I get home, but sometimes I do not until the following day and by that time the excess stuff in the water bottle has been absorbed into the plastic and well that's that.

I usually use the larger size water bottle as opposed to the smaller size. The main reason is that I do distance riding so I need all the water that I can get. It is funny, because when I start out in the morning all the water bottles on my bike are heavier than the bike itself. Go figure that out readers. Messed up, but I deal with it since I have to have what I want to drink and not run out or have to go to the store to buy a bottle of what I want to drink.

Also, a common practice of mine is that I will freeze some water in the water bottle so it will turn to ice then I will add my supplement drink later so at least the ice will keep the drink colder for a long period of time. Yet, not always since water does expand when it freezes which in turn makes less room in the water bottle for me to put my drink in the bottle. Yep, that is how closely I measure how much I am taking and not taking with me on my long ride.

I usually carry two water bottles, but when I go distance riding I carry four water bottles and then the water carrier between my aero-bars. However, if I am just biking back and forth from work or riding a short distance then I will not carry a water bottle at all.

The picture on today's post is of me taken by me last week or the week before when the morning was in the single digits and I had to detour to the light rail station. I was cold, cold and how in the world I got myself to bike that morning I just do not know. I thought to post since I am going to delete this picture from my digital camera.

Final paragraph, I will not use a Water back-pack on my cycling ride. That could be another topic in itself and I will not go into detail on this post since I have made this posting long already. Thought to mention this since I was writing about Water bottles and technically this could be something that someone brings up - what about water packs. Oh no.

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

The Australian Open 2008 - Day 9

Greetings Readers

Good evening readers. I had to make myself go to sleep last night at 7 PM (MST) so I could be back to a sort of normal state. As soon as the Tennis started LIVE last night I started the recording and then by the time it ended - 1 AM - I was awake for the 1:30 AM (MST ) match between Henin vs. Sharapova.

I was beat tired. I did not want to go to sleep, but I had to make myself go to sleep. I know that I could not function on less than 12 hours of sleep in the past 96 hours or so.

Yet, this is what the Australian Open is to me about. The first Grand Slam of the year. Live coverage is what I want and is what I desire. I want to know this die hard fan saw the match and no edited replay in the afternoon, our time zone of course. I want to walk into work and brag what I saw and transpired at Melbourne Park.

Getting back to the match Henin vs. Sharapova. Maria won pretty convincingly, but it appears that Henin was trying a power game with Maria. Again, that is my view and I am not sure that is the correct thing to assume. Henin did play, but some of the things I saw her do was not up to Henin's speed Pictured on today's post is Henin at the post media conference.

And Serena lost to Jelena. That was the first LIVE match yesterday evening that I made myself go to sleep to. I listened to the announcers when I woke up that they were surprised. Yet, I am not. Jelena is ranked number three in the world and I am sure that she played like the number three seed in the Tennis World. Sorry readers, I am going to have to watch this match either tonight or early tomorrow morning, should the evening match (Melbourne Time) finish quickly.

This morning it was 2 degrees. With the wind chill it was -8 degrees. And yes, it was cold, cold. I was freezing by the time I was 30 seconds outside in the morning air. Then waiting for the RTD to arrive. I was cold. My poor ears were the coldest. I had to take two scarfs this morning. One to wrap and keep the cold air from getting inside my overcoat. The other is to wrap around my neck and ears. Readers, I did not want to wear my Natalie Merchant stocking cap since I did not want to have stocking cap hair when I got to work. No way.

Oh, yesterday I took RTD once more and the bus driver made a joke. "So, you are too lazy to ride your bike to work?" I was a bit shocked since she knew that about me. I knew nothing of her, which I felt bad about. I replied - "It is too damn cold to ride this morning" I knew I would never warm up properly. My feet, hands and face would be cold and I did not want to feel that cold yesterday.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2008 - Day 8

Greetings Readers

I said this once before and I will say it again - Another Fallen Athlete - Lleyton Hewitt.

I was up for 27 hours straight and finally got to rest at about 4:14 AM (MST) this morning. I rested until 6:30 AM when I had to get up and go to work on Martin Luther King's Day. Very cold here in Denver, Colorado Yet, this was not as bad as two days ago being up for 30 hours. Overall, I have had very little sleep in the past 96 hours. I love the Australian Open!

Hewitt vs. Djokovic - Djokovic (Pictured on today's post) showed Hewitt the reason why Novak is ranked number three in the Tennis World. I knew that, but there is always a chance with Djokovic getting tired if the match got long. No such thing this morning. A straight three setter and Hewitt just did not have game. I could not speculate if Djokovic was on fire, Hewitt was tired from the match before, or perhaps his foot blisters had a factor. Perhaps Hewitt had an off day.

I will not assume - I want to remember this fabulous run by Hewitt and especially the "Loss" that administered to Marcos Baghdatis. I still tear up from just thinking about that scene I saw 48 hours ago. A match to go down in history - latest start for a match at the Australian Open.

The other matches were sort of routine. Tonight - we have Henin vs. Sharapova. Sharapova looks better than last year, but I still give the edge to Henin.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2008 - Day 7

Greetings Readers.

I was looking at last year's blog note and I see that last year the weekend was so-so and there was some upsets.

The past 48 hours or so showed some promise to be a spectacular weekend, until Sunday arrived. Friday and Saturday were the show stoppers and heartbreakers. And there were a few hearts aching after Sunday play.

Let me go backwards from current (Sunday) to past (Friday). Strictly Scores - the cold hard facts.

Players in Red - Did not want to see leave.
Players in Green - Keep it up!
Players in Purple - I really do not want to win.

Sunday Play

Fourth Round

Rafael Nadal (2) def. Paul-Henri Mathieu (23), 6-4, 3-0 retired
Mikhail Youzhny (14) def. Nikolay Davydenko (4), 7-6 (7-2), 6-3, 6-1
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. Richard Gasquet (8), 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (8-6), 6-3
Jarkko Nieminen (24) def. Philipp Kohlschreiber (29), 3-6, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (11-9), 6-3

Third Round

David Ferrer (5) def. Vincent Spadea, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2
Juan Carlos Ferrero (22) def. David Nalbandian (10), 6-1, 6-2, 6-3

Fourth Round

Justine Henin (1) def. Su-Wei Hsieh, 6-2, 6-2
Jelena Jankovic (3) def. Casey Dellacqua, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1
Maria Sharapova (5) def. Elena Dementieva (11), 6-2, 6-0
Serena Williams (7) def. Nicole Vaidisova (12), 6-3, 6-4

Third Round

Daniela Hantuchova (9) def. Virginia Ruano Pascual, 6-2, 6-3
Nadia Petrova (14) def. Ekaterina Makarova, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8)
Marta Domachowska def. Na Li (24), 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
Caroline Wozniacki def. Sabine Lisicki, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3

Saturday Play

Third Round

Roger Federer (1) def. Janko Tipsarevic, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-1), 5-7, 6-1, 10-8
Novak Djokovic (3) def. Sam Querrey, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3
David Ferrer (5) def. Vincent Spadea, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2
Juan Carlos Ferrero (22) def. David Nalbandian (10), 6-1, 6-2, 6-3
James Blake (12) def. Sebastien Grosjean, 4-6, 2-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
Tomas Berdych (13) def. Juan Monaco (21), 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
Lleyton Hewitt (19) def. Marcos Baghdatis (15), 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3

Third Round

Agnieszka Radwanska (29) def. Svetlana Kuznetsova (2), 6-3, 6-4
Ana Ivanovic (4) def. Katarina Srebotnik (28), 6-3, 6-4
Venus Williams (8) def. Sania Mirza (31), 7-6 (7-0), 6-4
Daniela Hantuchova (9) def. Virginia Ruano Pascual, 6-2, 6-3
Nadia Petrova (14) def. Ekaterina Makarova, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8)
Marta Domachowska def. Na Li (24), 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
Caroline Wozniacki def. Sabine Lisicki, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3

Friday Play

Third Round

Rafael Nadal (2) def. Gilles Simon (28), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3
Nikolay Davydenko (4) def. Marc Gicquel, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3
Philipp Kohlschreiber (29) def. Andy Roddick (6), 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (11-9), 6-7 (3-7), 8-6
Marin Cilic def. Fernando Gonzalez (7), 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-1
Richard Gasquet (8) def. Igor Andreev (31), 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
Mikhail Youzhny (14) def. Ivo Karlovic (20), 6-2, 6-4, 6-2
Paul-Henri Mathieu (23) def. Stefan Koubek, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 7-5, 8-6
Jarkko Nieminen (24) def. Mardy Fish, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 6-1
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2

Third Round

Justine Henin (1) def. Francesca Schiavone (25), 7-5, 6-4
Jelena Jankovic (3) def. Virginie Razzano (30), 6-2, 4-6, 6-1
Maria Sharapova (5) def. Elena Vesnina, 6-3, 6-0
Maria Kirilenko (27) def. Anna Chakvetadze (6), 6-7 (6-8), 6-1, 6-2
Serena Williams (7) def. Victoria Azarenka (26), 6-3, 6-4
Elena Dementieva (11) def. Shahar Peer (17), 6-2, 6-0
Nicole Vaidisova (12) def. Ai Sugiyama, 6-3, 6-4
Casey Dellacqua def. Amelie Mauresmo (18), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
Su-Wei Hsieh def. Aravane Rezai, 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4

And those are the scores for the past 72 hours at Melbourne Park in Australia. Sorry readers, it is still too early for me to make a guess at who will win. Of course, all of my "favorite" announcers are already speculating a Federer vs. Nadal match. Stop beating a dead horse announcers - there are other tennis players that better players than Nadal. Unfortunately, it is the draw that makes Nadal look good, but not all the time. Nadal can play.

Pictured on today's blog is Youzhny. And I hate to admit this readers - this was the image that I saw of him after winning a match a few years ago. The tennis racket on the head and salute. And nothing "Mile Hile" about it!

Note: I hope I cut and paste correctly - got a little confusing with days and what day it/is. Forgive me if I got something incorrect.

And today is the "big day" in Football that determines the Super Bowl Teams. I expect a - Cold day in hell - battle on the "Frozen Tundra"

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2008 - Day 6

Greetings Readers

"Come on!!"

Epic - since "the battle" early morning our time (Mountain Time Zone) and very, very early morning for the match that concluded Day 6 of the Australian Open. 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-7, 6-3.

I am not going to describe the match since that match was the match of the tournament, so far. More so for the Aussie for the Australians. One of my favorite tennis guys to watch. And Hewitt was playing Baghdatis. Baghdatis is pictured in front and left on today's blog with Hewitt in the background fuzzy. This was when he was leaving the court for the final time in the Australian Open 2008. Hewitt was not gloating and saw the decimation of his playing upon his opponent in Melbourne Park.

I started to tear up seeing from this point on. I knew that Marcos was emotionally spent and I would be doing the same thing. Especially when this tennis match concluded about 4:45 AM (Melbourne Time).

The final scene was Baghdatis walking up the steps to the locker room with his hands in face trying to keep the cameras probably from seeing him crying and broadcasting to the world.

Two players, most notable for their play/personally at the Australian Open for years battled out for almost 5 hours and unfortunately, only one could stand and be held as a winner.

"Come On!"

Now, it snowed last night and it looks like that we got about 2 to 3 inches accumulation here in the southern part of Denver.

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2008 - Day 5

Greetings Readers

Man oh man. I "conked out" early this morning while watching the start of the Roddick vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber (Pictured on today's post), but awoke in the third set. Wow. Two hours of sleep in the past 48 hours - the sand man showed up while I was on the couch.

I woke up to some pretty entertaining play of tennis. I am not going to say it was great, but the ambiance of the crowd, this Philipp guy I know nothing about, and of course Roddick, which you faithful readers know my opinion of.

Then, the match really began. There was Roddick talking loudly to the chair Umpire something like "Did you not here that?! Do you want to me to send you an email or a fax?!" Then, more was said by Roddick, but I did not listen. I was smiling.

The Fourth set came and went and that brought the fifth set and I had to go to work. I left the house about 7:30 AM (MST Zone), which is 1:30AM (18 hours ahead of MST) for Australia. Urgh. I tried to get to work as quickly as possible and then I came in at the last game in the set. Oh yeah. Roddick got his walking papers, as well as Jimmy Connors.

This was not a fantastic game, but the way the game was going on it was a pleasure to watch. This Philipp gut - I know not. He has made my Friday. I can not say "stoic" from Philipp, but I would say "remarkable" play. He gave Roddick the "boot" from the Australian Open and that's all I wanted from anyone to do to Roddick and Connors.

Unfortunately, Nadal and Sharapova (yet Maria is showing better play than last year) advanced

But - Youzhny, Gasquet, Davydenko, Jankovic, Vaidisova, Dementieva and Henin - advanced - Woo Hoo!

Mauresmo (too bad) - Eliminated.

Once again a Heat Wave! Woo Hoo! Englewood, CO is up to 24 degrees! I can not believe it?! I went out this morning and I was not cold. I was warm. I actually did not have to put on gloves or a stocking cap.

The past few days were very, very cold. Ice box cold. You know that beer from New Belgium Ale - 2 Below, well I grabbed some bottles from the refrigerator and put outside on my balcony. In 15 minutes when I opened the bottle it literally got icy inside the bottle. Yummy and cold.

I had to walk home last night so let me tell you readers on how cold it was. I was cold and getting colder as I walked. I looked at a couple of bank electronic signs (you know the ones that tell you the time and temp) well I saw 7 degrees on one then on another I saw 9 degrees. I was feeling that cold.

At least I was still able to think. I decided - fuck dinner - I am going to have Kung Pao from the restaurant that is sort of located near the place I reside. I decided on Kung Pao Combination (Desired) - to go. A few minutes later I got my dinner. Oh, the reason why was I decided to get Kung Pao was that word just entered my mind - Kung Pao. But the second reason, I wanted to put that Kung Pao order inside my coat. Damn straight I was going to use the warmth of my dinner to get and keep me warm on the rest of the way home.

Oh yes. I was warm. And the warm feeling spread out the entire area of my chest. Then, as a bonus I started to smell the aroma of my Kung Pao Dinner wafting up from my collar area. Wow. I was warm and smelling my delicious Kung Pao Dinner. The entire walk home I was not cold nor did I even think about how cold it was. I was warm. I had a dinner to look forward to. I had the Australian Open to watch. I had another 2 below beer waiting for me when I got home. Priceless.

I think what I did is funny, but also I could see myself standing on a street grate trying to get warm too. You know readers - like those homeless people do. Perhaps the homeless know what I just found out, should they have money to do what I did. I do not know.

I thought to take a break from the topic of cycling today.

P.S. Readers - I bought another Ipod (Gray) from the work classifieds and it is an Ipod Shuffle. Brand new, never open. I just wanted it. Pretty sad - 4 Ipods in less than a year. I got a bargain - $ 60.00 dollars. I think I will use this for running. Name Brand Wh-re, I am.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2008 - Day 4

Greetings Readers

"Come on!"

with the fist like that (well almost - he had his fingers pointed to him and a few inches in his face).

Do I even need to tell you readers who that belongs to? Really? "Come On!"

Hewitt (pictured on today's post). Yes readers, after a bit over two months I now have cable once more. I have been up since 9:30 pm Mountain Standard Time (Denver, Colorado) watching Live Tennis coverage of 2008 the Australian Open. The majestic aura of the first Grand Slam of the year. Oh, that pretty blue surface that I viewed for the first time in Australia was oh so pretty.

Note: In case any of you readers have not watched the taped replay tennis at 1PM on ESPN I am going to mention some winners. So do not read the next 5 paragraphs. As I mentioned last year - I want to know the LIVE action Live. Not the tape, edited, version in the afternoon.

And when I saw that backwards hat, Hewitt's Logo (sponsor logo) and that look of Hewitt - I was in awe. The "other" Aussie, besides Kim, I really care for in Tennis. And then I heard and saw my first "Come on!" of the New Year from Hewitt. I got a little lump in my throat and that "Come on!" literally got me into the Grand Slam - sort of Hewitt telling me personally to get into the first Grand Slam of the New Year. From there I could not stop watching. Matter of fact - I stopped watching at 6:25 AM this morning when my guy, Safin, lost to Baghdatis in a 5 set match.

Sure I am tired, but readers it is the Australia Open. It is a Grand Slam. It is my life for the next week and a half. Day 4 was this morning/last night. I was yelling, hollering, fist pumping and saying "Come on!" all through the morning.

By the way, Hewitt won. Though his opponent did win one set when, per the announcer, said this should have been a three set match. Any true follower of Hewitt knows he has his up and down moments - so going a fourth set was not unusual. Blake, Djokovic, Nalbandian and Berdych also won their matches.

Oops - I almost used that seven letter word starting with a "s" and ending with a "y"

The past 12 hours I was in heaven. Especially when I got to see Marat. Oh boy oh boy. As I stated there are reasons why I follow Marat. And he did not disappoint me this morning. Also, when he threw his racket on the court the ball boy came and picked up the racket and gave it back to Safin. Respect. Marat would and does pick up his racket when he does "lose" the racket. This time the ball boy ran over and picked the racket up for him.

Alright, enough Tennis for now, but I am back and I am ready to give the blow by blow details and what I see and hear.

Now, let us go to cycling/biking - and that word "Commuting"

Commuting. Bike commuting.

I never would say I am commuting, in my opinion. You ride or you don’t.

If I need to get to work I will say that I ride to work. Well, almost all the time. An influx to this statement since winter in Colorado can be pretty cold and snowy at times. As yesterday was about 12 degrees for a high and negative numbers with that oh so cold Wind Chill. Though without I think it went to -5 degrees.

Yet, I ride to work. I “show off” or to become someone I think I am on a bike. I ride with confidence. That is something arrogant to say, but it is the truth. I pretty much dress up on how I want to go out. I just do not throw on any old jacket, gloves, etc. I have purple jackets (more like wind breakers), a green jacket with some insulation, a very light jacket, and a “Polo” jacket. And on all of these jackets there are logos on the jackets. That name brand wh-re I am.

I have the most beat up pairs of running shoes should I not been riding clipless. Though if I am going clipless I have a pair from Performance Bikes.

My head – Always a bandanna. My favorite – the ZZ Top bandanna with the words “Hell raisers and Beer drinkers” Then, I have a Jack Daniels and Iron Maiden bandanna that I wear should I not feel the desire to wear ZZ Top. When the air is cold I go to my infamous Natalie Merchant Stocking Cap.

Gloves – Always a weight lifting glove(s). The biking/cycling gloves that are specially made for biking are just not right. Not enough padding, I think, on the glove. I also want wrist support since I do the long rides. I still have originally bike gloves I wore down to threads and holes galore.

I try to wear only biking shorts – I want to show off my spectacular thighs to the world. I want to flex them at the stoplights to all the people who may be looking at me. However, when the weather gets very cold I put on the long skintight biking pants. Oh yes, it hugs the legs, but I just do not want to wear them. Hiding my assets, so to speak.

More on the biking shorts. I just love the cotton bike short as opposed to the Lycra bike shorts. I do not know why. Matter of fact I still have the first to pairs of bike shorts I bought. I just cannot bear to throw them away nor could I wear them anymore. I could be ticketed for indecent exposure. Anyway, I also like to have color in my shorts. Not to mention padding in the right places.

I do own one cycling bib and I have to say I like this, but the only drawback is when you have to use the bathroom. I wear one of my “awesome” (as my old co-worker would say) bike jerseys – just because I can. So, I have to take that off before I can take the bib down.

Cycling socks – I used to not care about socks, but then one day it must of it hit me that some cycling socks are cool. As opposed to wearing a “general” sock. Again, in my opinion, it is an unsaid statement that this guy cares about biking. Which I do!

In the winter though I used just plain white socks and believe me I go through an 8 pack during the winter. By the time Spring comes around, those socks are not white. Also, courtesy of my beat-up shoes it is the mud, dirt, tetromonodichloride (whatever that stuff the DOT sprays down on the snowy roads - magnesium chloride ) and bike grime.

By the way bikers/cyclist - Clean your bike regularly in the Winter - this de-icer will "destroy" your bike and components. That is why I only use a "winter bike" I can technically not keep pristine.

I am also sporting my Oakley sunglasses, G force watch and a smile to make you melt (women).
I know there are a lot of riders who are just casual about or do not care how they look on a bike. Nothing bad in my book. Hell, there are some people who bike to work and work in the same clothes that they biked to work in. I know that I sweat when I do bike to work so to me working in the same clothes that you bike to work in is just disgusting. I know readers; some of these riders do not have a shower at there work. Sorry. I do and I will take advantage of the work shower and all the amenities.

This as something that I looked for when I was consulting for the past 12 years. I made sure that the place that I was consulting at had some sort of shower in the basement or the first floor, which they usually did. I was not worried if there was a locker since I had a backpack for all my “stuff” If there was no shower then I would not take the assignment. There was always another place that would have a shower.

Yet, which gets me and I still do not understand. How do these same riders cope with the heat in the morning or day in the summer? What I mean is when I am out the door in the morning the temps are usually okay, but by the time that I go about two miles I am literally drenched in sweat and my head has beads of water all over.

So, with that image can you imagine these same riders working in the same clothes that they biked in? Again, in my opinion, just sounds disgusting, but then I really do not have a clue how anyone would clean up at work. Perhaps they bring a washcloth or perhaps they use the paper towels in the restrooms. I guess that would work. But what about the entire body. I am not sure if I would give myself a paper towel bath in the restroom.

Again, I have nothing against this idea, but I do not think that I could this at all. There may be a time in the future that this might happen to me, but should that come up we will deal with it at that moment.

I would ask you readers what and how you do this, if this is something that you do, but honestly I do not care. If you happen to blog/publish this and I come across this then I will learn at that time.

Now, that brings me to the next thing. I have two sets of clothes. My biking clothes and then I have my work clothes. I do have to have both. This is something that is a necessity and do every morning (or sometimes at night should the urge hit me). Yet, every once in a fucking blue moon – I forgot one piece of clothes and obviously it is the most important clothing of the work clothes. The pants or the shirt. I usually take my stuff out of my bag before I shower, but every now and then I will shower and then take the work clothes out of the back. That is when I really get “I don’t fucking believe this” look and feeling. I just took a shower and I just found out that I have no pants. That is one of the worst feelings in the world, about biking. Oh yes, I would work in biking outfit, if I could. But since I am in the corporate world, I do have to look all business.

The worst feeling... well besides forgetting my post off key and and having gone 52 miles round trip without even getting the mail.... but that is another story for another time.

Forgetting an article(s) of clothing sucks. I have to go back home and then bike the way I just came. It has happened more than a few times, but I think it has been about two and a half years since my last incident of forgetting an important piece of clothing.

And I think that covers the biking/cycling gear on my person. I wanted to branch out on some sub topics, but that would make this post even longer.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2008 - Day 2

Greetings Readers

Tennis History is being made and I have no cable. For about two months now. I am now missing my first major Tennis tournament of the year - A Grand Slam.

There is a new surface in Austrailia Open. New Rules about temperature play (Heat Index) and so forth and I can not see any of this. I am missing my LIVE coverage. I want this. I need this.

Pictured is Gonzales. Who last year was unknown to me at that time, but when I saw his play against Hewitt - Gonzales really caught my eye. Not arrogant, but showing the crowd there is just more than a "Hewitt" in the house. I guess I am going to have to make that call - today. While we are still in week 1.

I am so sorry readers that I am not giving you readers the low down, my view, and the re-cap before taped play begins here in the USA.

For that - I am truly sorry.

Matter of fact I might be like TO just recently, Talking normal and then quivering towards the end of the talking.

Well, I am going to give a different reporting - for now

Uh-oh

Women's Draw

Davenport vs Sharapova - "That's my girl" meaning Davenport and I will predict a win. And not because there is/was a problem "supposely" with Sharapova's shoulder late last year.

V Williams vs C Pin - Not really a long shot - but I would want Pin to win - her performance was pretty good last year.

And I guess that's all I see that could be "different" from what "other people" would say are gimmie matches. I expect all other matches to go as planned.

Granville - not surprised she is out, but expected her to go further.

Men's Draw

Federer vs. Santoro - Could be entertaining if Santoro "shows" up and gives us watchers a match to remember.

Safin vs. Baghdatis - Wow. I like them both. Safin is my choice - for past reasons I have stated in the past.

Moya, Ljubici, Murray - Upsets? Perhaps.

That's about all I can say, for now.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Bike Tires, Sunglasses & "Please"

Greetings Readers

The subject of Bike Tires – Continued

So, when I do get a new set of bike tires I would have to say that Murphy’s Law somehow strikes.

There I am biking wherever when suddenly a vehicle pulls out or a vehicle decides to cut me off and I immediately have to apply both sets of brakes. Hard. And when I mean hard I mean locking up my brakes and skidding on the pavement/concrete. How makes times have I said “Fuck” and wonder just how much bike tire residue I left on the road and how many miles I just lost from that hard skid. Oh, that feeling is just overwhelming. Knowing that I locked up my bike tires and had to skid on the road.

That scenario just burns me up.

The next issue with my new bike tires. Now, as I stated in the previous blog I do buy the more expensive bike tire. Only the best. However, I get “burned up” when I think about how much I paid for that 700 x 23 bike tire and I then compare that to buying a speed rated tire (Firestone or Michelin) for my Camero. I usually pay $ 100.00 to $ 150.00 for each tire. And as you know those vehicle tires are over 12 inches wide. As opposed to my bike tire, which in this case, is 23 cm wide. A big fucking difference and I get worked up thinking about how much I paid for a bike tire compared to my Camero tire. Urgh! Damn. That’s just wrong. And the bike tire is only a thin tire as oppose to a vehicle tire, which can last more than a year. A bike tire only last as long as you treat the tire right and depending on the miles you put on the tires. It is just wrong. Wrong! (Readers, you have to imagine me sounding like Cartman when he says the word “Wrong”).

Alright readers, I think I am finally done with talking about bike tires. Tubes will have to be a future subject since that would be a lengthy subject.

As you can see on today’s blog is my birthday present to myself. Yep – Oakley’s M Frame – Fire Iridium vented sweep Carbon black frame. I went 8 months without Oakley’s so I planned (saved) to get a new Oakley M Frame for my birthday. Also, I lost my cheap sunglasses, which I have had for over 5 years, this past Sunday.

I think this is the fifth set of Oakley’s in 10 years that I have purchased. All previous Oakley’s have been “lost” by me. And when I say “lost” that means I left my Oakley’s somewhere and by the time I realize I left them wherever my Oakley’s were gone. I left the Oakley’s, but really my Oakley’s were stolen. Or as Ben Kenobi would say “from a certain point of view”. My ignorance lead to my Oakley’s to be “stolen” by someone else. I do have to say that on all of the Oakley’s that were “stolen” my Oakley’s were pretty used and scratched up on the lens.

However, the people who “stole” my Oakley’s have the frame so all that person needs to do is buy a new lens, which is a bit cheaper than buying a whole new Oakley Sunglasses.

I guess this is something that I have come to terms with. I have to have the best and I will pay the cost. I do have various lenses – Blue Iridium, Red Iridium, Yellow lens, Clear lens, Brown lens (heater style), Black lens and an Orange lens. But obviously, if there is no Oakley M Frame then the rest of my Oakley lenses are useless.

The past 8 months I had to ride with my cheap sunglasses I had up until last Sunday. I have the sunlight coming in from the sides since the cheap sunglasses were not wrap around glasses. I also had the sun reflected back into my eyes when the sun was at a certain angle to be reflected from in the inside of my cheap sunglasses. Yet, I dealt with the inconvenience until I felt I needed a new Oakley M Frame.

In my personal opinion, any bike rider who does not own an Oakley sunglasses is not a true biker/cyclist. Yeah yeah, I know that I have not had any Oakley’s sunglasses for the past 8 months and technically I would fall under that “not a true cyclist”. A conundrum. But, I did wear my very, very old Oakley’s every once in a while. Old school baby! Perhaps I will post a picture on tomorrow’s blog.

Once again I am a name brand wh-re.

Readers, I want to state that I am not supporting Oakley’s nor giving them an endorsement. They have not even done at thing for me nor from word of mouth would they even think of sponsoring me for wearing their product.

Oakley’s are a great lens. I would say that I look good with the Oakley Sweep style on me. And with that let me close on that subject.

By the way readers, the girl that was helping me in the Oakley store (at Cherry Creek Mall) had very striking eyes. I was attracted to her eyes and eyelashes. I am not sure why I zeroed in on her eyes. She was petite, young, and had a nice looking body. Yet her eyes were striking. Should you ask me what color her eyes where I couldn't tell you reader what color they were. Go and try to figure that shit out.

Alright readers – time for another incident on RTD. I had to take RTD Sunday afternoon since I wanted to be dressed in street clothes as opposed to bike clothes.

It was about 7 PM Sunday night and I was on my way home from Cherry Creek Mall. Me and this woman were waiting together on the bus. Trying to warm up from the cold outside.

“What time is it?”

I thought to myself for a millisecond – Should I ask her for the magic word?

I replied “about 7:29”

She said nothing else.

Not for the entire ride. As I pulled the cable for my stop I calmly said to her.

“The next time that you ask a stranger for the time make sure that you use the words please and/or thank you. The next person may not be as nice as I was”

She gave me a look like how dare I talk to her like that. Yet, I did not expect this sort of thing from a white woman. She did not say sorry or anything else. I did not say anything else. I had the past two miles to think about what I wanted to say and how to say this to her without being aggressive.

I was semi-irked that she did not use the word “Please” and/or “thank you”. Common fucking courtesy. Yet, since I had my new Oakley sunglasses I was happy. And I made sure that she heard me say “thank you and have a nice evening” to the RTD bus driver. Let her fucking think about the bitch she was being.

Yes readers - I expect a “Please” and/or “Thank you” when the situation calls for those two words.

This morning I was waiting for the bus. I was lazy about biking to work this morning.

“Boy, the bus is running late.”

This was uttered by a woman sitting at the same bus stop I was at. I was not looking at her, but I could see from the corner of my eye that she had turned to me and say this. With my new Oakley’s on she could not tell where the fuck I was looking. Like the way it should be.

Also, she could see my earphones in my ear since she is looking at the side of my head. My white earphones are pretty striking against my hair and skin. I could hear her, but also I was listening to ClubTiesto on my Ipod. I choose to not to acknowledge her – which is my given right.

Then, that “magical” sentence popped out of her mouth.

“Do you know what time is it”

I would say it was not even a nanosecond this time. I was smiling on the inside, but I could not smile nor turn my head to look at her and acknowledge that question. No way! Sure I know what time it is, the G-Shock watch on my left wrist will answer that question. Just say the magic word – “please”.

Yes readers – She did not say the “magic word” and this time I was not cold, nor happy with pure delight. I am back to my old self. Until she said “Please” she could wonder all morning at that bus stop.

And this so funny to me since technically 12 hours ago I had the exact question posed to me.

I want the fucking courtesy I have earned through my life and you best better believe it I will either get it or not get it. If I do, then respect. If not, then you better take a long look at yourself and consider reviewing your manners.

Deja-vu - Dallas Cowboys lost again, like last year (in a manner of speaking). Not this time on a fumble. I blame Jessica Simpson. Basically, The Cowboys just did not "show up" this week. Yet, I got choked up hearing T.O. talk about it was not.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete