H & G Asian Cafe

Greetings Readers

As I mentioned yesterday I am maybe getting sick.  Too early to tell at the moment.  And bottom line the throat is a little better today, but now I have lost my voice.  Well, if I try to speak it comes out croaky and choppy.  So, now I am whispering when needed in order to talk.

I got off work at a decent time last night and then headed straight home.  I was going to go to the grocery store, but I decided not to.  What was I really going to buy and how much do I feel like cooking after I get back?  I really did not want to.  Left overs?  A salad?  nope nope nope.  So, I decided to order delivery from my favorite little dive restaurant up the road, so to speak

H&G Asian Cafe - Here is the website

http://handgasiancafe.com/

I have not been since the last time I was with the ex and that could have been in June most likely.  I know I have not been since the last day I left the ex's place which was on July 19.  And since then I have not been motivated to go by and starting the P90X program that is kind of a no-no as well.  Lots of noodles in the dish I love.  I love you - Pad Thai Noodles and Summer Spring Rolls.  Oh yes, I love Summer Spring Rolls and that was a thing I kept from the ex.  Next thing you know I would be buying two orders and I would be down another 10 dollars basically if I had introduced that into our former relationship.  Not once did I even order when the two of us went to this restaurant/cafe.  Needlees to say, it was over two years since my last Summer Spring Rolls.  Oh baby!  Oh baby!  It was good.  I loved every bite as well as the sauce that comes on the side.  Granted, I never had a Summer Spring Roll from H&G Asian Cafe before, But when the former place - Lemon Grass Grill was there - yes I did have at that time.  I was not disappointed at all with the taste of the Summer Spring Roll at H&G Asian Cafe.  Nope nope nope.  The Pad Thai was delicious.  Yummy.  Better than plain sex.  LOL.  So, I ordered in last night and again that was to get food into me and try to get to bed as soon as possible so I can rest and get better.

I have some left over so I will eat the remaining amount tonight as well as the left over steak and wild rice from earlier this week.  Overall, I feel okay, just can not talk.  Sucks.

This cafe is nothing spectacular in appearance, but the food is better than great.  Good.

Though something just triggered a memory.  The ex's youngest child ate with us a couple of times and the first time I bought.  However, when I saw that he ate of the meal that I bought I was pissed.  This child just ate the rice and meat with Teriyaki sauce.  And did not eat any of the vegetables.  Also, he did not even finish the dish.   I paid almost $ 10.00 for his meal.  Anyway, from that point on if that specific child was coming to eat with us I was not going to pay for his Dinner.  Although, I did pay one more time, but we had ordered the family dinner plan so in the grand scheme of things I was okay.  This child as well as the second oldest child were fucking picky eaters.  And I mean picky.  And lazy.  One of the times was that there was, I think, a 5 party frozen pizza party pack in the freezer.  The second oldest one decides not to eat what I cooked for dinner and make himself a pizza for himself.  He takes the last pizza and leaves the empty box in the freezer until I stumble on it when I was putting my steak into the freezer.  How did I know?  I put the steak on top of that Pizza box and the pizza box caved in and my steak fell out of the freezer and onto the floor right in front of me.  You see Readers this is some of the shit that I put up with in the last year.  Readers, this is just a few things I mention - there are a lot of memories regarding said subject.  They do not eat vegetables.  They don't like additional items with rice when it is cooking.  They cook everything on high heat on the stove.  Yes, everything.  I can not even count how many times I saw those cooking burners glowing red.  And so on. 

Well, needless to say I got to loathe the children about this same time last year (or a bit earlier)  Inconsiderate children.  I am not their father so I had no right nor was I going to tell them what was wrong.  I have no authority.  Here is a confession from me.  The ex has four children.  Four.  I was so embarrassed by this that when my friends and co-workers asked about the ex I said that the ex had two children (not four)  Technically, there is two around, so to speak.  The oldest is up in Northern Colorado and the third oldest is living in another state from my last bit of information.  A nuclear family plus two children minus a father.  I did not want anyone to know that I was dating a woman with four children.  Even now I can not tell them that I lied about how many children the ex had.  It is embarrassing.  And looking back the ex really wanted me to meet all four of them.  I did not want to - and I only met the two I am talking about and the other two I did not.  Yes, I know their names and from bits and pieces who they are, but I do not know them.  The second oldest should have been out on his own, but still living with mother and the youngest child.  I tried to get the ex to get the second oldest out, but it was one thing after another with that child.  Drama story galore.  Getting into a car accident, rehab, living on the couch, Getting his apartment rent deposit stolen, getting in a work accident, getting robbed, his account getting "robbed", kittens, not working anymore, buying action figures as opposed to saving his money, etc.  Readers, this all happened in about a span of six months!

Getting back to the post - H&G Asian Cafe if you live nearby.  Give it a try.  I am sure that you will like.  It was comfort food last night and I enjoyed every bite I had.  Excuse me, I loved every bite I had last night.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Athlete who still might/may be sick =(

P90X - 2014 - Day 12

Greetings Readers

So much information to update in the days that I have not posted about P90X.  Not a vacation, but a few days off nevertheless.

On Friday, we had at work a birthday celebration for the people of that month that have a birthday and we all celebrate on that one day - with treats.  Believe me I was not going, but then the co-workers came back and said that we got the little treats from that one store which are always good.  I couldn't resist; after them talking about it and I do remember how good it was since the last time I had.

I went over to the area and got a marble cake.  I brought it back to my desk and then prepared to eat it.  I was salivating so to speak.... meaning I could feel my mouth watering up.  At the same time I was thinking no you do not want to take a bite.  Just forgot it.  However, I took a picture and you will see the bunt cake was not a very big treat.  Just a little bigger than a staple remover.

Ten seconds later I took my bite.  It did not taste good.  Well, it did not taste like the last time that I had cake from that store.  It tasted funny and the frosting to me was awful.  Could that be because of the no/little sugar in my P90X program.  I do not know.  I did take another bite and soon I was done.  I did not really enjoy the treat as much as my mouth was watering before that first bite.  I was disappointed in that treat for me, but as a whole I am sure it was good to everyone else.  I think being sugarless the past three weeks has something to do with this.

I have been having salad for lunch the past four days or so at work.  I think that is good.  The Salad is pretty plain when I buy at work - lettuce, green peppers, little cheese, hard boiled egg whites only (no yoke), cucumber, celery, vinegar, broccoli and more vinegar.  No oil, no croutons, no bacon bits.  Then, when I bring my salad to work I have the same thing as well as some red onions and green onions and green bell peppers.  Sometimes about an ounce or two of fat free Ranch dressing.  I really have to watch the amount and I really don't want since the amount really does not cover the entire salad amount of my lunch meal.  Red vinegar is just fine for me.

I made pork tenderloin in the crock pot on Saturday so I have that as my main meal.  I was tempted to make some white rice the other day, but said NO.  The white rice is a no-no in a manner of speaking due to the carbs involved.  I know that and I do respect that.  And will adhere to that.  I have that ::mumble mumble:: wild rice. 

Parker came by on Saturday for a visit.  Not much else to say on that Readers.

Now, the big news.  I broke the Coca-Cola no drinking streak.  On Monday evening.  22 days with a Coca-Cola.  Pretty amazing for me.  It was not temptation, but the curiosity on how it will taste.  I went to the refrigeration dept and got a 16oz Coca Cola.  It was more expensive than the two Liter, but then that would lead me to finishing the 2 Liter if I bought.  So that option was a no.  I took it home and funny thing was I left the Coca-Cola in my back pack for an hour before I remembered that I even bought one.  You see Readers I forgot about buying a coke and actually wanting to drink one.  I put the bottle in the freezer to get it cold.  An hour later I opened and took my first drink in 22 days.  There was a metallic taste.  Took a few more drinks in the next 5 minutes and the same taste was there.  I would not say that the Coca-Cola tasted bad, but did not taste the same way I remember it.  Nor was the feeling of just taking a few drinks at once.  I did finish, and I think that towards the end of the bottle I started to remember Coca-Cola and how it tasted.  I think if I had bought the 2 Liter I would have eventually polished that 2 Liter off Monday night.

Both Coca-Cola days counts have been reset.  Today, for no alcohol the count is at four days and two days for no Cola-Cola.  It is what it is.  I read this term on another P90X blog - accountability.  Sure, it was accountability.  I have no problem with that.  I am glad that I am not with the ex anymore since I know I would not be doing this awesome thing now - no drinking everyday, no Coca-Cola everyday, eating very healthy, no fast food, no eating out, working out, and 21 pounds lighter to name the few things that have happened since I left the ex.  My friends and co-workers see me much much happier, much thinner and are amazed I am doing this.  I keep telling them I am doing this for myself, some (#####) as well as backing up what I say I am going to do and not all talk like the ex was. 

Perhaps I will talk about the Ride the Rockies in a future blog post that the ex wanted to do with me since I showed interest in doing/entering earlier this year.   Just to give a brief overview: I saw the bike route in February and really was planning on entering the lottery.  After that little talk and ensuing hurting the ex's feelings nothing more became of that talk.  The ex never got on a bike after that talk we had up until the last time in July were together.  The ex was (and still is the last time I saw the ex) in no condition what so ever to do a tour like the Ride the Rockies.  I did not want the ex to waste money, and more importantly I knew that there was not going to be commitment on the ex's part.  I can see into other people after knowing them for a bit what they are really capable at that time I do look.

I was searching some blog sites the past week and I noticed there are a lot of incomplete blogs on the P90X programs being entered on their blogs.  Yes, I mentioned this before, but I did not realize that there are really a lot.  Mine is one of them - twice before this third time starting the program.  Basically, the same blog posts to report - the pain, soreness, toughness, weak, can't balance, eating, etc.  Again, I want to say I am still sticking to this P90X program this time around.  I have to.  I want to.  Even though every week I have been not doing on the weekend.  Which surprises me - I would have thought I would be skipping days during the week.  Just on the weekends.  I need to really focus and do on Saturday and Sunday.  I am about to start the third week on the program (though it has been 3 and a half weeks as of today with days off I made)  Again during those days I did not do I did not do.  That's all - I did not bing or cheat or go crazy with not doing. 

Oh lunch time is up so I will have to continue this entry later on my P90X day 12 - Legs and Back tonight.  Today I ate hard boiled egg whites only, homemade salad for lunch and a tiny bit of tenderloin.  I did weight myself this morning and I am now at 139 pounds.  A co-workers asked me at lunch today.  She can not believe it -160 pounds when I left the ex in mid July and basically just three months later I am 21 pounds lighter.  And she can see that in my face as well as my pants being so loose. LOL.

Note to self: Today Toys R Us pulled Breaking Bad toys from their shelves.  Damn I now wish I would have bought last week.  Oh well.

Sorry Readers, I am back.  I was beat tired last night and did not work out or complete the rest of this entry. 

So, the Legs and Back went very well.  I added a weight bar to the wieder machine I have in my living room and basically I added 5 pounds to almost all of the routines I did.  I elected not to use the ankle weights, but only for the reason I thought that I would hardly be using in my routines.  I was wrong.  So, next week I will strap on the ankle weights for this routine.  And yes I know that it will be tough.  Matter of fact, my calves and butt are kind of sore from the routine two days later.  I do not think that I slept very well for that reason alone.

I did awesome on the wall squats and all squats and lunges with weights.  The Weider machine I did add another bar to the pulley so I was able to feel the weight and also I was doing less reps.  I still worked up a sweat and sweated like crazy.

And then once that was over it was the Ab Ripper X once more.  Once a bane in my side, but now less and less of a bane.  It is coming easier to do moves and I am almost to point of actually doing the routines like they are on the DVD.  Not the 25 they are doing, but soon I will be.  Soon.  The Mason twist I am seeing improvement each time I do the Ab Ripper X.

I am not say it is getting easier, but easier in a sense that I am getting back into knowing the routines and doing them.  I did throw out a Fuck you last night at the tv, but it was not in anger.  Just please give me a break.

Next routine is Kenpo X.  For now this time around my least favorite at the moment.  Only at the moment.
Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The P90X athlete finished with Day 12

P90X - 2014 - Day 3

Greetings Readers

To start off the bat - it was a tough morning for me.  I slept on the couch and when I actually tried to get up.  I could not.  My abs were hurting and well as my biceps.  LOL.  Oh yes, the day that I knew was going to come, but did not know when has arrived.  Gosh darn.  I am in a good kind of pain.  I had to come later into work.  Needless to say I literally rolled off the couch and got myself moving.

I thought about calling in to work, but then thought even if I took the day off I do not have the day off since this is going to be Day 3 of the P90X.  So, if was a moot point for me to even say I am taking a personal day off since I am obligated to do Day 3.  I will admit after I moved around a bit I did loosen up and feel a whole lot better. 

Last night I did Plyometrics.  I know this is one of the easier days, but knew I was going to work out and sweat.   Fuck yeah I did both.  I can not believe how much I forgot how much you sweat doing Plyometrics.  When I started last night I saw the time - urgh - 56 minutes.  Dang.  Again Readers, it has been two years and I remember most of the routines, but I did forget a few.  All in all, I was able to do most correctly, but as we got to the end I was getting exhausted.  So, since I started this program I did not give in, but I still kicked it.   As another phrase from the program - Do your best and forget the rest.   As I mentioned I did most of the routines per the DVD, but got exhausted towards the end as well as during some the routines.  Thank goodness their was one person showing the modified move if you can do the regular move.  I did succumb to doing that a few times and I am not ashamed.  I would have been ashamed if I just gave up and waited for the next routine to start.  I was dripping sweat like crazy even though it was like in the 50 last night and I even had the windows open. 

The only two routines that gave me a hard time was the Rock Star Hop and the Hot Foot.  Again, I did what I could and the Rock Star I did very few, but I did attempt to as much as I could in the time allotted.  The Hot Foot - I did do the cross, but eventually I just had to hop in kind of one spot.  Again, better than not doing it at.  You have to bring it in order to see what you want eventually.  Oh, the Pitch and Catch was difficult in a sense that I could not get coordinated on how to pitch from my non-dominated side.  That was an issue as well the previous two times.

For the meal last night as well as for lunch right now I had Stir Fry Shrimp.  Minus my rice and various "extra" condiments I put in Stir Fry.  And I put in very very little nuts, 1 oz worth.  I ate one nut alone and I was in heaven.  Oh my,  The salt and taste of that nut. mmmmmm.

I know, I know.  Day 3 no Coca-Cola and no alcohol and doing ok.  I went to Sprouts for all the various vegetables for the stir fry and then I bought the shrimp at Safeway.  I even picked up a fitness magazine for the Ab routine.  I am not looking for another, but wanted to see the latest.  The Ab Ripper X is doing just fine and of course so not looking to do again tonight if any indication of how much it took to get up this morning.

I think that is about all I can blog about at the moment.  Tonight is the Shoulders and Arms and with my Biceps being sore I am not looking forward to it.  LOL

Note:  I do have pictures, but have to upload them from my new camera.  I will try to make the effort tonight.

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The P90X Athlete on Day 3

Cooking

Greetings Readers

Let me talk about cooking

the ex- could not fucking cook

the ex- could not get the meal done at the same time

matter of fact - the ex ruin a pan of mine to steaming.

After that I tried to "teach" her how to cook but she did not want to.

And this was not the first time.   I do not why she could not fucking cook.

It is amazing that I let it go on for almost two years.  When she was cooking she had to be on Facebook.  I have nothing against Facebook, but when it takes priority over my cooking then I have an issue.

What I mean is she steamed vegatables, but steamed the water out.  How fucked up is that?!

She could not even make all the dinner components done at the same time.  Fucking cold potatoes.  She would get done one component, but the others she could not fucking get cooked.  I could not figure out why this was a problem for her.

I even texted her on how I was going to teach her how to cook.  She was offended of course, but I wanted to guide her on how to cook.

As of today - I look back she could not cook for the life of her.  I supported her through going out to eat and my cooking.

What pissed me off the most was that she complained at a restaurant and when she got a Manager to get a free meal- she said oh this is nice -  me and her son can have a free meal.  Not me.  How mean and unrespectful to say that.  I was unhappy at the meal offering, but for her to take advantage of that.  I couldn't forgive her for that.  Right Readers?  She should have said that we have a free meal then next time.  "we"  but she did not.   What a bitch.  If you are reading this ex you know that was wrong to say that.  I paid for your dinner and you say that oh me and David can have a nice meal.

I know it was a family place, but for you to do that was uncalled for.

And here is another memory I had not eaten all day and we get back to ex's place.  I asked what is for dinner and she did not know.  Ok.  I sit down to think on what options there are.  She makes herself a bowl of cereal, eats it lays down and then went to sleep all in 15 minutes.  I could not believe it.  The ex only thought of herself. 


until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Athlete who's back

Sunday Morning Mishap

Greetings Readers

Okay

It has been a while since I have made breakfast… well going all out on breakfast. Granted, it is just me, but every now and then I will cook like I am cooking for a family of four.

I was missing some ingredients so I had to go to King Soopers to pick up some of the breakfast materials. I was getting this and that. Bread, Cheese, Coca-Cola, onion and then some breakfast sausage.

Soon, I was home. I was motivated, but not motivated. So, even then it took another 15 minutes for me to actually get started cooking.

I peeled and cut the potatoes, diced the onions grated some cheese prior to actually cooking.

After channel flipping for a bit I honestly have to say there was shit on TV Sunday morning. Nothing. I actually had to do On Demand. So, I picked some Curb Your Enthusiasm episodes to watch. Readers, that is another blog post, but this show was the very first time I saw this year. I have to admit that I was entertained and have to admit that some of the things Larry gets into are things that happen to me. Getting back to the story.

The pans were getting warmed up so I started cutting the sausage, cracking the egg shells so I can whip them up for scrambled eggs.

Fast forward – all done, except the toast. While the toast was toasting I put the final touches on my breakfast. The toasts pops up, I butter and then wait another 30 seconds.

I grabbed the buttered toast and then put some of my breakfast in the toast and took a big bite.

What the Fuck?

Fuck me. I picked up the wrong sausage. Un-fucking-believe-able.

I know I picked up the sausage I wanted from where I usually pick it up while shopping.

Somehow, I fucked up.

Fast forward to right now. If you were you and this just happen to you what would you do? I am pissed. BUT. I have no one to blame. It was my fault.

In addition, I opened and cooked about ¼ of the package. With that said – am I allowed to go back to the store and say I picked up the wrong package? Even though I did eat some? I do not want to eat the sausage since it is not the kind I eat.

It is not an issue, but it is an issue. I paid about 4 dollars and I simply can not throw this away. Again, it is my fault. I know I did not look at the package. I just picked up the package from the same place I always pick the sausage I eat. Anyway, I do shop there a lot so I really can not do what I want to do. I am going to have say nothing and just eat the rest – sucks to be me.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A Grilling Split-Decision

Greetings Readers

Alright - this is going to be another what would have done situation.

Are you Readers ready? Remember, you have got to put yourself into my shoes, but you are not me - you are you. Okay, let us begin.

Let us say over the Memorial Day Weekend you bought some chicken and decided that weekend you are going to grill / barbecue some chicken at the local community pool.

You get to the community pool a little after noon and immediately see that the pool is packed with people. You walk to the area where the barbecue grills are located. You can already see that out of most them smoke is coming from the closed grills. You happen to see a closed grill with no smoke. You walk over and open up the grill - filled with food. OK. All the grills are being used. Basically, first come first serve. Not a problem. You leave just as quickly as you came since you got to go back home since you can not have raw chicken getting warm. Perhaps try again later in the evening.

Flash forward - it is after 6PM that same day. You do the exact same thing and it appears nothing has changed at the community pool, except the angle of the sun in the sky. All the grills are still being used. At this point you leave again - this time for good. Either grill at home or cook the chicken some other way.

Now, two days later you bought some steak two days ago and basically now it is time that you have to cook the steak you bought from the store.

You bought the steak on sale for 21.32, although the original price was 38.06. With all good steak being expensive these days you need to make sure you cook the steak the way you want it.

You decide that you are going to the community pool to use the outdoor grill at the pool that evening. After a full day of work earning that American Dollar and then some, you get home after 6 PM that evening. Your steak was prepped with a marinade and now is ready for cooking. It is about 6:45 PM that you finally get to the community pool. Immediately, you see that all the grills are available - you can pick and choose which one you want to use.

So, you choose a random one since there is no clear favorite that you want. Now, with this expensive piece of steak, mind you a package of three steaks being of New York Strip Sirloin Steak you decide you are going to cook this slowly and over medium heat.

After a while the grill is ready for you to use and all that time you were waiting for the grill to be ready all other grills filled up with other people and their dinner. Although, not a steak among them. Just hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken and bratwursts from what you can identify when looking around.

Your steak is the most expensive food there at the grill area. Anyway, with these steaks ready to be cooked you decide that you are only going to use the top rack of the grill as opposed to the bottom of the grill. One reason is to keep the steak as far as from the heat and two - to keep the steak juicy. Since you elected to cook the steaks this way you know that you are going to have a longer cooking time from the other people there.

Oh, before even coming to the community pool you packed a book since you know you are going to be cooking for a while and you wanted to keep yourself occupied. You also set your watch timer at 5:00 minutes since that is what you are going to go by and flip the steaks over.

Back at the grills, while you are reading and grilling you notice some other people showing up, but turning away even before getting to the grills since they can see that all the grills are in use. Although, you happen to see one person with a plate of hamburgers walking and talking on the cell phone coming to the grilling area without stopping.

The person eventually takes a table behind you since you can hear them talking on the cell phone almost right behind you.

About five minutes later that person leaves the area still talking on the cell phone and you now see that person is not holding their plate of hamburgers. You have to assume that person left their plate of hamburgers on the table behind you since you do not care to turn around and verify. You are still cooking and reading.

Another five or ten minutes later that person shows up again still talking on the cell phone. Whether or not that is the same phone call or not that is irrelevant.

Now, another five minutes later and at this point in the scenario all the grills are still in use. No one has left their grill nor finished cooking.

You hear that same voice that has been talking on that cell phone came from right behind you.

"Excuse me? I see that you are using the top of the grill. Can I use the bottom of the grill?" is what that person that has the plate of hamburgers and been talking on the cell phone asks you.

Readers - you have a micro-second split decision to make and answer this person. What do you say? I have laid out the facts as well as all what I remember.

Remember Readers, you have the background as well the luxury of what has been read and what you may have already decided. Yet, in life you never know what is going to happen in the future.

I do not remember word for word, verbatim, but I answered

"No, I do not want your 3.99 hamburger's aroma in my 38.00 dollar steak."

There was no hesitation in my answer to her question. I said no for many reason - for example another reason - I was there first. And all the other people came thereafter. Meaning, first come first serve. Basically, when a grill becomes available that person is the next in line to use an open grill.

Whether or not I am not using the bottom of the grill - I am using the grill. Two, how do I not know what ingredients are in that person's hamburgers. Three, the fat from the hamburgers are going to drip and that will cause the grill to flame below thereby causing the heat to rise as well as the possibility of fire flaming up to your steaks.

Now, you Readers are not the first people I presented this to. I actually asked alot of my friends and about 90 percent of them would have said yes - no problem. But, none of them even thought of the hamburger's aroma cooking into the steak. They did not have a problem sharing, but they did not think of that factor of the hamburger's aroma seeping into your steaks. And half of them did not think that the fat from the hamburgers will cause flame ups.

So, with most of my friends saying that they would have share the bottom of the grill I had to find someone like me. Hah hah - impossible, I know. Let me rephrase that - I had to find someone with a type C personality. And yes, I know of two friends who are Type C like me.

I decided to ask one of them since that is all I need the opinion of. I told the above story and here is their answer.

"No. I am cooking a special dinner and I do not want your hamburger's aroma cooking into my special dinner."

I was not surprised. Type C's are always thinking "beyond the path."

For example - you get into an elevator going down. You get on and soon after a few stops the elevator gets crowded with people at each stop. Eventually, the elevator is packed and you have not reached your floor. What are you thinking? Anything? Nothing? Could care less? Not the Type C's - they wonder about the other occupants of the elevator, the people next to them, and more importantly the weight of the elevator with the elevator car filled with people. How many stops are there going to be before you reach your floor?

Bottom line - I was there first and that person, or any person, needs to wait until a grill opens and was out of line asking me to use my grill I was cooking on. It is generally known that if something is in by another person you wait your turn until it opens up for the next person to use.

Oh one more thing to add - one friend asked me - What if your hot next door neighbor, and if she was single that you knew of, was that person with the plate of hamburgers and asked you to use the bottom of the grill you were using? I said I probably would have had said "no problem" without a second thought. They laughed and I laughed, but I will admit I would have most likely said yes and not said no. Discrimination - I know. I might have even said "Sure, but I am gonna need some sugar" LOL.

And yet - another friend pointed out that plate of hamburgers was for three's children dinner and I made those kids go hungry for another hour than they had to. My friends are relentless.

Now, time to end this blog post - by the way Readers that person who asked me to use the bottom of the grill was just an average looking woman about late 20's / early 30's.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

P90X - Day 17

Greetings Readers

Alright. Back to the P90X Program. I know, I know, but the break in the program had to be done.

I am not reluctant, but I will freely admit that I went on what alcoholics call a "bender" with food last week starting Thursday and ending Sunday.

Now, today after being back in Colorado for the past two days I have gotten caught up on some much needed sleep and rest. I made an effort to eat healthy for the past two days at lunch. I have not gotten to go to the grocery store and shop for some food to eat since being back at my humble abode. With me leaving Colorado so suddenly I had to throw out the food I was going to eat and I really do not have anything to make that is not healthy. Well, let me put it another way I do not have anything to eat at all. I can not even say that I can eat junk food since I do not have any junk food in the house.

I know, I know I do have the wild rice - but come on Readers I could not wait over an hour for that rice to cook. That was not an option I was willing to bend on.

So, after work I was going to go to Sunflower and get some salad materials (for Lunch) as well as some vegetable... well P90X vegetable soup making groceries to make that soup. I know that I start that in the crock pot and I am okay for having that a couple/ few days. No problem.

I got to Sunflower at a decent time after work. I was excited in a manner of speaking...

Flashback -

My lunch run was pretty good after not running since Monday Feb 28, 2011. I basically have not run for nine days and for me to start up once more without any workout/ running was alright. All in all, I was two seconds faster on my lunch run counter clockwise loop I run. Today, I ran 35:05 and I was alright with that. I was not expecting to be slower than my run 9 days ago.

My goal, for now, is to go as long as I can by lowering (beating) my running time each time I run. So far so good, but I have not got that many runs under my belt, yet. I took longer strides and and tried to keep that going for as long as I could. I kept in check my wanting to run like Forrest Gump, so I kept a nice pace where I was comfortable with my breathing and stride. Though near of each run at lunch I pick a point and then "run like the wind blows" since I know the finish line is near and I want to stop that stopwatch with a faster time than the previous run.

And on this specific lunch run there is only one point on the course that I check my watch for my time. It is at a corner and basically once I reach this point I can see my place of employment and there is a gradual downhill run, but with a short little wicked climb. This is always tough at first when I started running, but becomes easier and I do not refer to a wicked little climb, but a little hill. Yet, in the homestretch of finishing there are two stoplights and there are many fast food places located in this stretch. With that said there is heavy traffic and I have to be careful to watch each driver turning in and turning out of these strip malls. I could become an statistic if I am not careful of the other drivers.

With all that said I do like running this part of the course - I can see the place where my run will end. I can smell the aroma of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Five Guys and some Fries (I do not specifically remember the name of that fast food joint) and there are a few other aromas that I can smell and remembered that I was eating the foods those aromas I am smelling on my lunch run just a month ago.

Well, I pushed myself towards the end of the run as per tradition. I was expecting to have a slower time (but not much) with me not working out or running for the past 9 days. I reached the start/finish point stoplight and I pushed the stop button on my watch.

35:05(.29) - Uh-oh. Since I did not look at my journal recently I can not remember what the actual time was the last time I ran on 02/28/11. However, I knew it was 35: something. Fuck me. I walked back to my place of employment cooling down and listening to music. Yet, I wanted to know if I did run a higher time.

I showered and changed as fast as I could and then got back to my desk. I open my journal and looked at the previous time - 35:07. I smiled big. Fucking two seconds faster. Fuck me. I could not stop smiling. I fucking beat my time. 2 seconds. It could have been one second. The point being I beat my previous time. It's all good.

Present - ...and that is why I was excited when I walked into Sunflower that evening.

I just could not stop thinking how I beat my previous running time.

I grabbed my Salad material - Leaf lettuce, Green onions, a green pepper, and radishes.

Then I started grabbing my vegetable materials. I was doing okay with the shopping, until I was getting/looking for the carrots, and celery. Sunflower, and I do not know if it just this Sunflower or all, but this Sunflower does not sell individuals celery or carrots. Both celery and carrots were being displayed in bags/bunches. At King Soopers and Safeway I am able to pick as many celery and carrots I want/need. I am not forced to buy a bag/bunch. Fuck me.

Prior to going in I already made up my mind this was the only stop that I was going to make tonight. I am not going to any other store for anything else. I made up my mind to do all my shopping at Sunflower.

Needless to say Readers - I called it the P90X vegetable soup, but it sure was not the P90X vegetable soup. I will admit this soup was potato soup tasting to the core. I added mushrooms, snap peas, white onions and a generous amount of black pepper, but that did not help the missing celery and carrots.

For any of you future P90X participants make sure you get all the ingredients as listed in the P90X Nutrition Plan Book. Otherwise, this vegetable soup will not taste like P90X soup - and personally I did not want to eat the soup. But I did. And matter of fact, this will be tomorrow's lunch so I will have to eat this soup tomorrow.

This is the price I am paying (suffering) for for not stopping at Safeway, which is practically down the street from Sunflower. All I had to do was bike 20 yards North and I could have been in and out in less than five minutes and not blogging about how I fucked up my P90X vegetable soup.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

P90X - Day 11

Greetings Readers

Today was the last of the vegetable soup was for lunch.

And for the first time in 11 days I had something different besides water. I had Glaceau vitamin water Zero Naturally Sweeten - Lemonade flavored.

Less than a gram of sugar, but I think I tasted sugar. Nevertheless, I have to admit that little sugar was pretty good in the drink - as well as the different taste. Since, I have been mostly have plain water or every now and then water with a slice of lemon. Yes, I would consider this a treat for me!

I have scheduled the YogaX program for the P90X for tonight. If I remember correctly this is the longest workout on the program. An hour and a half. That's too much time, but okay. I just hate that I have to set aside an hour and half.

Oh, today was the second run at lunch and second run since doing the 24 Hours of Boulder last October. Fucking awesome. I felt good and ran about 5 minutes and 20 seconds faster than I did two days ago. I felt good to put the hammer down and kind of go for it. I did hit a few stop lights, but other than that I was okay. Again, I ran 3.86 miles in 35:30.

For the evening meal I had saute shrimp only. Using Olive oil and the seasoning I used was onion power and black pepper. I did not even use salt. No biggie since I really do not add salt to sauteed shrimp. I had about 8 oz and it was pretty good.

And that is all for today's post.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

P90X - Day 7

Greetings Readers

Last night was my first steak in a while... well, since being on the P90X plan again.

I bought some sirloin steak (a 4 pack) for a pretty good price on Saturday afternoon.

First, the weather was actually ok (meaning not cold and not windy). And lastly, I was craving steak.

I did think about buying just one, but thought I am allowed to have steak on my plan, but I do not think back to back. Yet, that was not going to stop me from eating a portion for the next few days. As long as I watch my portions, the fat (oh I desire to eat that, but alas can not since I am on this P90X program.

The only thing that was with the buying of the steak is that I could not have A1 sauce, a lot of salt (meaning the usual amount that I put on a steak) and I could not have a beer or Coca-Cola wth my steak. Fucking sucks. Well, I could have, but again that defeats the purpose of the food plan.

Anyway, as much as I wanted to eat the steak alone, I did buy some fresh green beans from the produce section and then I cooked up some Wild Rice (though that added more than an hour to my cooking time since it does take that long to cook the wild rice. Since I was not going to have my usual seasonings with my steak I did buy a Jalapeno to eat with my steak. I have to admit the jalapenos was ok - not hot nor mild.

Oh, the other thing I want to mention is that I could not eat more than 1/2 a steak. Fuck me, did that fucking suck. I only limited myself to half a steak - I estimated about 8 oz. And that is basically going to be my portions for the next few days until I eat all of the steak - NY strip by the way.

And, I have to admit I do see a difference in the waist line. Though, the real noticeable place I notice is my pants. I can already feel the difference of how much of that "spare tire" I have lost in the past 10 days (or 6 days officially)

I do not know if the picture does it justice, but that is the picture of my dinner and it was oh so delicious. And I have to admit the steam fresh Green beans came out good - I added Onion power and just a dash of garlic salt - and lot of black pepper.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

P90X - Day 4

Greetings Readers

This is another picture of me. I know I can not see any difference in my body and did not expect to since I just started the P90X program (again). This is the fourth day and it is way too early to see / notice any differences to my body in a picture. Yet, I am hoping to see that "spare tire" go down in the next week though.

Yet, I needed to take a picture since I am going to make a conscience effort to take a picture of myself and post.

I did not eat breakfast. Time got away from me, but I did take some Stir fry for lunch (and was also going to have for dinner). Since there is shrimp in the meal that shrimp must be consumed within a couple of days of cooking or else it goes bad.

I did make alot of stir fry and that was the plan. I wanted shrimp for the next couple of days and knew I would be okay with it.

I am very sore today, but overall my mood is okay. I did have about 2 oz of cashews for dinner.

Unofficially, this is the 8th day of starting my program, but officially the fourth day. I am very sore and knew what to be expecting. Yet, every time I start a new plan (again) I have to learn to cope with the new (or old) workout and what it initially does to the body. In the end, though the soreness will go away and I will be fine.

Here is the funny part, though it was not funny when going to bed. I have several positions that I sleep in.... anyway, I could not sleep in any of them. I basically slept in comma position all night. If I tried to move my legs, arms or straighten out my body - I could feel the soreness / tightness of my muscles. LOL. I think I smiled, but I can not remember, when trying to get into any position to go to sleep in. Oh, I did fall asleep right away, but getting into position was the hard part of going to bed.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The First Pre-P90X Meal

Greetings Readers

Okay, this is my first un-official healthy meal from the P90X program.

The weather was a bit cold for grilling on the barbecue grill and I have loaned out my indoor grill to my brother last year.

So, I was stuck in a bit of a pickle, a quandary.

Well, perhaps that is the wrong thing to say. What I mean that there was only one way to cook this Salmon. I was going to have to Pan fry this Salmon - in Olive Oil. Believe that. First of all, to pan fry a fish, to me, is a big no-no. I just do not do that. Period. Number two. I was going to have to use the healthy Olive Oil, as oppose to using something like butter or Crisco shortening.

Anyway, I tried remembering seeing any of the cooking shows on the Food Network that someone had cooked a fish in a pan. But, I could not remember. I did have the notion of wrapping this Salmon up in Aluminum Foil and sticking the Salmon in the Oven to cook. Fuck that option. I wanted to see first hand if I was going to fuck up cooking this Salmon.

Oh, before starting the pan fry Salmon I had started the Canadian Wild Rice since that does take about an hour to cook fully.

That was going to be my meal. Salmon and Canadian Wild Rice

Oh.... you know Readers this was not first pre-meal before going officially on the P90X program - my first meal was the Red Pepper Soup. Sorry.

I would say about 15 to 20 minutes later on the stove and pan frying the Salmon I was done. I knew that I did not want to over cook my Salmon since a dry fish sucks. All in all I got the right temperature, flipped accordingly and carefully and was able to get a nice cooking on the fish side and a nice and crispy skin on the skin side of the fish. I think what helped was monitoring the cooking temp, listening to the cooking and keeping a piece of aluminium foil over the frying pan. That helped keep the moisture in the fish.

Anyway, here is picture of the Salmon and I have to admit that I did a fairly damn good job pan frying my first fish on the stove stop.

And tomorrow will be the first official day of starting the P90X program, again =).

P.S. Yes, I sure did stink up my humble abode with Salmon smell.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Apology Letter (and last) to D

Greetings Readers

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

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

Hi D

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yours Truly

Daryl

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

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

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

P90X - Day 1

Greetings Readers

Day 1 - is now in the book

I have to say that I woke up and started to shake. Whether it was from the caffeine, or Coca-Cola I do not know, but what I will admit is that if there was any fresh Coca-Cola in my humble abode I would have immediately "went for it."

I would estimate it was about 10 minutes later when I was finally really awake and was able to get up. I was still shaking slightly. Now Readers, I have gone cold turkey as of Saturday afternoon. No more Coca-Cola, no sugar, no alcohol, and no fast food. Basically, stopped all the "bad" stuff I consume on a daily/weekly basis. I figure I give myself a few days before actually starting the P90X program to detox, in a manner of speaking. It may be a crazy, but I figure I might as well do this. All or nothing.

I got up and knew that I had to have my first breakfast, my first P90X breakfast. Egg white Mushroom Omelet. Let me tell you Readers, An Egg white, a 6 egg white, omelet, was not very pleasant to look at. Meaning, comparing that to my pre-P90X program, my omelet looks no where near close to the Egg white Omelet. I had the entire thing though - Perhaps my mind made it tasted funny, but that may be because of what I normally have in my omelet as opposed to the P90X omelet.

That done - I got my lunch, which I premade, as well as all the supplements and Whey I bought earlier in the week. Again, Supplements are extra, but I thought to myself - what the fuck. I might as well go "Full Throttle" with the program and hope this will be the way to the results I am hoping for. I am expecting something, but with the supplements I am betting that will only help even more. Right?

Oh on the way to work I bought a huge bottle of water at the gas station (Circle K). $ 1.99. Note: This is even cheaper at the Store (King Soopers) for 1.29. I knew that I drink water all day. Well.. let me rephrase that - I have to drink water - period. I am actually watching what and how much sugar anything I may want to drink. I know that perhaps I may want to buy a powerade/gatorade, but their sugar in it - alot in manner of speaking.

Taste good and probably okay. But again. what the fuck. If I am going "full throttle" then I need to still to stick to water. Even though there is no Coca-Cola for me I might as well not substitute for a less sugary/fructose drink.

Lunch - Chef Salad - The P90X chef salad. Good, but again not what I am normally use to eating when I make my salad. Doable and eatable, but just not what I am used to. Oh, I forgot the dressing, but I do not eat Ranch dressing, so I was going to bring vinegar and Oil, but I forgot that so I was dressing-less. There is a cafe in our building and in the past I can get a saucer of Italian dressing when needed. But again - what the fuck. No substitution and I need to stick to the meal plan as close as possible. And we all know that those Ranch dressing are loaded with "stuff" whereas vinegar and oil (olive oil) is much, much better.

After work I went to the store to buy my dinner and my meals for the next day. Salmon for tonight and stir fry. Readers, I did go grocery shopping days before - I bought the stuff that will not go bad - rice vinegar, bottle of white wine, sesame seeds, etc. Whereas, I can not buy the stuff that is going to go bad in a few days or needs to be cooked a couple of days.

It is so weird to see my fridge filled with so much fresh and good stuff. All there is now are vegetables, Ham, Onions, Almond Milk and all my hard liquor and wine I keep in the fridge. Don't worry Readers, I am not going to be tempted by the hard liquor. I do drink the hard liquor, but I can months without drinking that. Also, that bottle of wine is the same one that I bought a year and a half ago. Now, if there was bottle of beer then I would be tempted.

Anyway, it does look odd to see a "Clean" fridge, as well as a "pantry." No junk food in the humble abode. That part was not hard, since I normally do not have any junk food in the abode. I only buy when I get the craving - Lays Potato Chips, Frozen Ice Juice bars (sorry I can not remember the actual name since it has been a while since my last one), etc. I threw out condiments that I was not going to use - barbeque sauce...

Fast forward - the Day 1 photo. I decided on the boxer briefs and I am actually embarrassed by the photos. What I see in the mirror every morning is not what I am seeing on what the camera took. I do look big in the stomach area. Can I blame the lighting? the angle? Does not matter. I took and posted and will have to get over what I saw/see. Though, I better see improvement in 2 to 4 weeks in the 30 day picture. I just better.

I put in the first workout. It was tough. I did my research before buying the P90X and yes they said the DVD instructor does says some "corny" things from time to time and yes that is correct. But all in all, he made me smile, when I was grimacing trying to do some routines. There are options before starting the DVD so technically I think that you could mute the dialogue. Sorry Readers, I did not thoroughly look into since I am going to listen to what he says in order to do my first workout. I would estimate that I was able to do about 80 percent of the DVD workout - Day 1. Some routines were hard. Though if I could only do one, then I did a modified version. Yes, I could wait and catch my breath until the next routine, but what it boils down to is that I am in full throttle, I better give it everything I can.

Needless to say, I was sweating when the end of the program was reached. Wait. Apparently, I was not done. I had to do another routine and this was pure ab work - 22 minutes or so, I think. I have to admit I was already "burning" and the muscle were fatigue by the first 55 minute workout. This was torture for me. I did what I could do and if I couldn't I tried as hell to do what I could. I did not wait until the next routine started.

And that Readers was my first day of the P90X program.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

P90X

Greeting Readers

I see that the blog site I am on is still up - which I like.

Well, I have to say that I bought the infomercial - P90X.

I know, I know, but I needed a change in my life. not necessarily a goal, but just a change.

I have to admit that I am getting a little bigger in the stomach area, due to no training, no biking, no running, drinking, and a bit of junk food, per se.

Anyway, I am excited. I know I can, but the thing is that I am going to go cold turkey with the eating program, no drinking beer/alcohol and no Coca-Cola. I hope I can do all that.

There is going to be none of that reward things we tend to do for ourselves when doing something great. For example, I am not going to drink a bottle of Coca-Cola after a week into the program. To me that defeats the purpose of the program.

Sure, I would like to get ripped, but that is not why I am doing/bought the P90X. I have no goal(s) to do, I have no plan(s), I just want to try and see what happens.

I did the research for the past 2 weeks before buying the P90X. I think I have an advantage to the start of the system since I do bike/run normally. Then again, this P90X program might kick my ass off the bat. Who knows.

Now, some of my faithful Readers know (and have commented) on some of my pictures of myself. I am not shy, though now I am a bit shy right now. I was not worried about the before picture, but in the past two days I now have to pose for some pre-shots and then post.

Question is Readers - Do I take a shot in normal underwear, A thong, Boxers, String bikini, Briefs, boxer briefs, or shorts (running, normal, everyday shorts)? I do not know. I have to admit I have been thinking about the thong. Why not. I might as well show as much as I can so we can see the difference all over my body. What? Why not the birthday suit you ask? I think that would be too much (err too less).

The changes will happen in the beginning of the program, but I am not sure if the results are going to be "big" since I am in the shape I am in. As opposed to being really overweight. The body fat for me is above normal so I know that will go down and perhaps that may show in the first two weeks.

I am going to do this program full throttle. I did have all the accessories that are needed for this program so I do not have to buy any extra equipment. Wait - It is recommended that I get Yoga blocks for the Yoga program so I may have to buy that. Since I have not done Yoga ever I better try without the blocks and see if I need after my first workout (whenever that happens in the program).

The food buying is going to be expensive that my current spending, but not a big change for me since I do eating healthy. The biggest thing will to be stop eating white rice and potatoes that I do now. I go to the grocery store every other day so going to get fish that is on the program is not going to be a problem for me.

Lastly, the supplements. We know that can get really expensive. Question to myself - Do I really need? Whey, fat burner (i think), some sort of bars, a few other things. Obviously, I would need if I want t probably do the program to a T as well as see the best results. I do not know.

I have a couple of more days to decide on the supplements. I do have the creatine recovery stuff, since I use that for biking so I do not have to worry about that expense. Just all the other expenses is what I am worried about.

I think that is about all I have to say.

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

December Update 12/10/09

Greetings Readers

Excuse # 45

While on vacation I left an important bag that contains my camera USB cord, my three SD USB disc holders, 2 Sandisk memory cards, Ipod cable, 2 Flash Drives and bits and pieces of paper that contained this and that at our Ranch.

Needless to say, I am lost without that stuff. For the past two weeks I have been able to buy yet another flash drive 8G, but other than that I can not do what I need to do what I have been doing prior to last month's vacation. I am going to be back most likely at the Ranch this month so there is no reason to ask for the stuff to mailed to me; hence might as well make a back up bag so if something like this happens again then I will not be "shit out of luck."

I have pictures to share and more often than not I have been able to post a picture with each blog post. That being said posting a blog does not seem right without a picture I took.

Excuse # 24

I have been busy - month and year end close right around the corner.

Excuse # 63

I have been cold. C-O-L-D readers. Matter of fact, I have been able to get rides home from work or to the Light Rail Station due to people/friends concerned about me. Let me tell you Readers some people have those heated seats - wow. I was (and am) cold from the single digit weather currently happening the past week in Colorado.

Excuse # 26

I want to write about current topics too, but have been too busy.

Excuse # 4

Get home late, cook dinner late, watch one tv show, try to sleep and the next thing you know it is 4 AM and time for another day.

Anyway, I am going to try buy a camera USB cord and Mike's Camera and go to Park Meadows Mall for the Ipod cable so I can get on track with my blog.

Perhaps make you Readers laugh, but more likely shake your head and think who is this guy?

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Post Weekend Wrap-Up

Greetings Readers

Wow Readers, I was soo close to getting full fledged sick, meaning getting that flu that is now making its rounds in the Denver area. I started to get that funny feeling of getting sick last Wednesday. Yet, by Saturday morning I woke up with no scratchy / sore throat.

Of course, I soo wanted to go out and do the Snowman Stampede on Saturday, but by the choices I outlined last week I either was going to rest or to compete. I chose the first choice and stayed home and on the couch. I hated to do that, but resting my body was my only choice to avoid becoming perhaps becoming sicker with the flu symptoms I was showing.

What even hurt more was that I was not going to compete in the Run the Register on Sunday… oops Run the Republic once again. Apparently, this is going to be the second year that the Run the Republic was going to be held at the Republic building as opposed to the “Register” building downtown. The picture posted is the last medal awarded for the last “Run the Register” event in Denver, Colorado in 2007. I am glad to have that on my athletic resume.

Yet, coming into work this morning I heard…

“I thought of you this weekend”

Or

“How did you do this weekend?”

And those people were referring to the Run the Republic or the Snowman Stampede events that were held this past weekend. I said “Sorry,” but I was sick and I was not going to risk wearing my body down and becoming more susceptible to the flu should I have competed in either/both events. It hurt to say that, but I have to be realistic about my well being as opposed to doing every event I have stated I will compete in. Experience and getting older seemed to have finally made me aware of my mortality, in a manner of speaking.

So, I made home chicken noodle soup and had that all weekend long. I made myself sleep for 12 hours this past weekend. Granted, I did not sleep the 12 hours straight, but I did wake up about every two hours (not by choice) and I took some Nyquil Cough medicine (syrup) and either a glass of Orange Juice or Grapefruit juice and then laid back down. Within moments I was back to sleep and another two hours I was doing the same procedure over again. Although, every four hours I took one Nyquil capsule as opposed to the cough syrup.

I heard Sunday’s weather was nice, but I would not know since I did not even step outside my humble abode.

And this morning I felt pretty good and I was able to ride the bike without feeling tired / exhausted. I felt good and I actually felt like I wanted to ride a bike just for the sakes of riding. And to top that off – I felt like I wanted “get into it” with anyone that was going to push the wrong button with me. I know that’s a clear sign that I am getting back to the old, sarcastic self – yeah right.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A Live Lobster's Last Leg on Life

Greetings Readers

As I said about a month ago “I love to toot my own horn” when I can.

As the blog picture shows I received a Live Lobster.

I do not consider myself a Lobster person since I absolutely love Alaskan King Crab Legs. Since I hardly ever have Lobster I could not tell you Readers the differences between the two regarding taste, texture and flavor.

Anyway, I was not going to turn down Live Lobster. I do (and did) thank the client that gave me the Lobster. Sorry Readers, as I perhaps stated before I do not have a clue if I sound hungry when I talk to my clients. This was a welcome surprise indeed.

Even though I was full from the potluck we had all day, I had to cook the Lobster that evening. Oh yes Readers, I do know how to cook Lobster. After all if I can cook crab, then Lobster is no different.

Now, this is the only thing I hate about cooking Lobster is I have to kill the Lobster in order to eat the Lobster. I feel bad when I am doing the killing. I am sentencing the Lobster to his/her death and I will be eating the Lobster within the hour.

I have no problem when I am at a restaurant and order a Lobster, since I am not doing the cooking. I think nothing less (or more) while eating the Lobster. Same goes if I am over a friend’s for dinner. As long as he/she is doing the cooking I think nothing of the Lobster I am eating.

Yet, when I am doing the cooking of the Lobster I hate it. After all I am extinguishing another creature’s life for food. Now, this is where there is a conundrum in my extinguishing my dinner. Our family raises Black Angus and I have no problem eating the meat. However, not in this case. I cooked a Lobster and then when I am about to eat the Lobster I can see the cooked eyes gazing up at me from my plate. Crazy, but only an hour ago this Lobster was alive, on my counter and I was intrigued by the Live Lobster when bringing it to my humble abode.

To say the least I steamed the Lobster and had a container of melted butter by Challenged Butter. Oh the Lobster was cooked to perfection. Dipping into butter prior to eating was exquisite tasting. The tail and the claws were delicious.

Sorry Readers I could not make myself take a picture of the “Lobster aftermath.” To me it was too morbid to take a picture of my dinner that I killed in order to eat.

Again, I am proud to say that I can cook Lobster. And I am proud to say that I received another meal from a client for what I do best.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete