A Christmas Wish and A Christmas Miracle

Greetings Readers

Finally.

I got my Christmas wish on Sunday. That wish, and not a prayer, was for the Denver Broncos to lose to San Diego Chargers.

And this wish was possible since I have been listening to the news sportscasters on what the Broncos need to do in order to get into the Playoffs.

Flashback - Three weeks ago - the Denver Broncos were a shoo in for winning our division. After all, our division looked awful - there were no dominant records in our division. Yet, somehow the Broncos lead the division and the next close team to the Broncos was the San Diego Chargers. In my mind at that time I believed that the Broncos were going to go to the Playoffs.

With the possible combinations of what could happen for the Broncos not to make it seemed so unlikely - impossible.

Flashback - Two weeks ago - The Denver Broncos lost. I thought that perhaps I can believe in the Broncos not going to the Playoffs.

Flashback - One week ago - The Denver Broncos lose another game. Wow! I can really believe in the Broncos not making the Playoffs. After all I am talking about the Broncos. Nothing is ever set in stone with them. Nothing is normal for the Denver Donkeys... I mean the Denver Broncos.

One game left and it was the San Diego Chargers in San Diego. The Denver Broncos first meeting with the Chargers early in the season was controversial and we should have a record of a loss with them, but due to a fuck up on a call we won the game. With knowing that we really should have lost that game I knew that the possibility of losing to the Chargers was really great.

Even more so since everyone in Colorado knows that this coming game is the game that will determine whether or not the Broncos go to the Playoffs. With that sort of pressure and the Broncos I knew that this was going to go either way. And one thing that I could guarantee is that this game would not be a close game. The Broncos were either going to run away with the game or really lose the game. It would not come down to a field goal or a touchdown in the last quarter. Or the final minute of the game. That is not the Broncos style when there is something major on the line.

It is no secret that I do not want the Broncos to go to the Playoffs. I do not hate Mike Shanahan or the Broncos, but I just do not want them to go to the Playoffs. After all I have my teams - the Steelers and the Cowboys that I want to go to the Playoffs each year.

Present day - Sunday came and went and I did not even listen to the radio or turned the TV to see the game. I did not want to know or even to jinx the game. Yes "Jinx" - I tend to believe that I perhaps tune into a Broncos game I might be the Jinx that make them turn around a game and win or do good.

Monday morning came and I still had no clue who won. I did not turn on the news and honestly I did not want to know - yet. I went to the bus stop and then caught the bus to the Light Rail Station and then I saw the Newspaper machine. I did not see "Broncos" on the front page. Matter of fact from what I could see in the window of the newspaper machine had no Broncos at all.

Hmmm. Did they lose? I bet they did since if they won the Broncos would be front page news for the newspaper.

I got to work and then check Yahoo as I was getting ready for the day.

"...a historic collapse with Denver becoming the first team since divisional play started in 1967 to blow a three-game lead with three games left."

Wow! I could, but could not fucking believe that the Broncos have earned another historic awful record in football. Leave it to the Broncos to do this. The one good thing for this Broncos lost to the Chargers this past Sunday is that this time there is not another going to be another awful record set in Super Bowl play should have the Broncos made it to the Super Bowl.

Oh - the Christmas Miracle - Mike Shanahan got Fired on 12/30/08. Fired!

P.S. I am happy, but not for the reason(s) you Readers are probably assuming. I will talk about this later.

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

Welcome To December, Last Call

Greetings Readers

Looking back on my past year at www.blogger.com I have done a lot posting and opening up since finding this "blog" site and learning to blog, so to speak.

Am I better? I am not sure? Do I feel like I have wasted time? no. Did I let this Blogging run my life? No. I set a goal for the year and I think I kept pretty much to the goal that I wanted to set. Though. I probably provoked a few people, not to mention, that I have told you parts of my "everyday" life that I run into that just fucking puts me in the wrong mood. Or someone rubs me the wrong way. Who knows. Yet, the most important thing is that I have learn to myself. Blogging is sort of nice to let the world know what sort of shit that I have to put up with. Wait! Also, this tells people what sort of shit that people have to put up with me.

As you may have read throughout the past year I have put up with some amazing shit. Not to mention a few laughs on the way. Yet, there are some things that I have told you readers about. Some people I have directed to my blog and I deal with these people on almost an everyday basis so I have to be careful what I say and what I mean by that. Since my name is listed I can not talk about work since my name is not anonymous. Nor will I talk about people who are close to me or that I know or perhaps work on an everyday basis. That may be grounds for something else.

I am happy to say that I did a good amount of writing. Hopefully not too boring, and not to specific about a subject that I may have gone into detail a bit too much. Yet, the other thing that I was able to learn was that I had a lot to blog about. I do have some running story lines that started and would like to re-visit, should the opening arise. I think the "label" helped me with my subject and blogs. Though there are some labels that I want to correct and also add when the "labels" feature got added some time ago.

I have ventured out to the other blogs in the Internet world. Some are amusing, so are so teenagy, and then are just full of pictures. Some I can not even understand. My blog site is non-specific, but perhaps would like to have an ongoing blog line to report.

Changing subject - the weather has been good for the past couple of days - supposedly we got into the 60's and I heard that this may continue all through the week. The evening the clouds were all over the horizon and when the sun had set behind the Rocky Mountains the clouds were orange and red. It appeared that the horizon was on fire in the southwest corner of the world. I had my digital camera, but I had no battery power. Ugh! Never-the-less I enjoyed the warm evening a beautiful sunset that was going on at roughly 5:00 PM

I see that Pittsburgh won, Denver Lost this weekend. And in case you did not see/hear the Cowboys won last Thursday. Unfortunately, I did not get to see any of the games. No reception.

Oops - I forgot to mention that the picture today is the picture of Koko and my camero in the background. I did not realize how much of a beating the car took in the New Mexico climate in the past three years. It really does not look that bad, but a new paint job had already been planned for sometime now.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Trying a quick update readers

Greetings Readers

Tis the second day that I am getting re-integrated into society once more.

Nothing much has really changed, but coming home to an abode that I had left in disarray is something that I did not want to deal with. So, tonight I will have to at least make an attempt of getting some furniture reorganized so my living and bedroom has some sort of furniture in place. Though, I have been thinking of rearranging my furniture so I do not go back in to the same rut. Change in this instance would be good.

Well, on the way back Monday night from New Mexico we had to listen to the Monday night Football game on the radio. I guess it was interesting, but not as interesting as the game was probably on TV. Needless to say, the Dallas Cowboy's did win with seconds left on the clock. How the Cowboys won - how in the fuck I know. Nor do I know how in the fuck did the Cowboys win in the first place. Holy Fucking Shit did Dallas worry me about bragging and strutting in the office Tuesday. I also was able to say "Oh the Broncos lost" Woo Hoo!

This past weekend the Albuquerque Balloon Festival started and for the second time in two years I was able to attend opening weekend. As like last year, I was able to see the lift off of the balloons from roughly 25 elementary schools over the Albuquerque area. What was new this year was a special shaped balloon from Belgium. Drum Roll please.... The Darth Vader Hot Air Balloon. Yes, I have to admit I was impressed, but not really impressed impressed. I am an avid fan, but not enough to get that excited about. Yet, I am glad to see that I was able to see the Darth Vader Balloon. The "Bees" did get up in the air on Sunday, but were unable "to kiss" in the air, but it was nice to see them aloft.

I did do something nice this past weekend. As almost usual. There was a "homeless" looking person outside Wendy's who wanted some money for coffee. I obviously said "sorry" as is my usual custom with being asked for money from a homeless person. Then, the man said "Well, okay then I guess I will have to drink alcohol tonight then." Like this line is going to work on me. Or make me feel sorry for the man. Not going to happen to this guy. Instead, since he wanted coffee I decided to buy him a coffee. yes, I do have a "kind" heart. As I have stated numerous times - I do have to stick up for the "little people."

More to come...

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

T-Minus 14 days and counting

Greetings Readers

I see that The Dallas Cowboys have won once more.

My weekly Sunday run of 8.39 miles was even quicker this week. 1:17.37 I do not remember if I have listed the other times before, but this week I am seven minutes faster than last week and overall 12 minutes faster than two weeks ago. The morning was a bit cooler this week so I put on my light long sleeve biking/running shirt and still wore only my running shorts.

I saw on the Sunday morning news that the Space Shuttle Discovery has started the long "roll" to the launch platform for a Oct 23 launch date.

I really did a workout yesterday at the CAC. I upped some parts of my workout and also increased some weight on others. A couple I lower just 5 pounds. I think I found the perfect workout, for now.

Sorry readers, I guess I have nothing else really to write about.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Falen Athlete

Quick Note

Greetings Readers

Not much to write for today

Pittsburgh and Cowboys both won, as well as the Houston Texans - go figure.

I am under a deadline so I need to get.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A Sultry Character Arrives in August

Greetings Readers

Babies do not sleep as good as I did like I did last night. (Let me watch Fight Club to quote correctly) I got caught up on my sleep from the vacation. So, having done that I can now get motivated to get caught up to speed with the Internet. Not that I have a following, but never-the-less.

Guess who I saw in the Sunday Paper? Specifically the Comics section. I got to open my Sunday paper last night and yes I was right. Lola Granola! There she is - not that I really remember how she left Bloom County. I think that the last time that I saw Lola was she had second thoughts about marrying Opus and her thinking "He looks like a toadstool" or something to that nature. And that was all I remember - granted there was the wrap up towards the end of Bloom County so perhaps I missed where Lola went off to.

Yes, I am excited to see Lola Granola back, but she is really not a true character of Bloom County. Only when Opus and her fell in love, meeting the parents, bachelor(ette) parties, the vision of the future (2008, if I remember correctly), and that is all I can recall. I guess I am going to have to pull out my Bloom County books and research. Hah hah.

Readers - If you are not familiar with Bloom County. Lola was a love interest of Opus, they got engaged and were to marry when Opus "had an accident" and had a vision of the future with Lola. After the vision Lola and Opus came to the opinion that they should not get married. Lola, in the comic world, is a hottie, perhaps not worthy of Opus (then again who is for Opus) and yes I remember thinking Lola was a pretty "hot" comic character back in the 80's. Then again, what other comic had a "Sultry" character as Lola. =) And not to mention those sizzling outfits.

I went to Breathed's website and I see that his Sunday Comic will not be printed (carried) in a lot of the Sunday papers beginning 08/26/07 and ending 09/02/07. I think it is due to the subject matter of the script. There was a preview (one pane) and well I think I can see why, but then again.

I think Berkeley Breathed has finally re-established himself with Opus and now is fulfilling us faithful readers by bringing back "our characters" we have come to know by Mr Breathed. Breathed has subject matter to work with these days and really only has only comic a week to worry about as opposed to do doing a full week.

In closing, it is good to see another "old friend" from Bloom County in the Sunday Paper. Not pivotal for me, but never-the-less good to see her back.

The heat wave continues - another record to be broken today. I think that the news (Fox News) said the record for today is 97 degrees and we most likely will break that record.

Update 6:37 PM: I went to see my Chik-Fil-A "Amigo" and got my Gallon of Sweet Tea. Tis been a week or so since my last visit. I saw Rafael this time around and he was busy. Sort of unusual for him to be busy this part of the night. At lunch, I also read that the Dallas Cowboys beat the Denver Broncos. Woo Hoo. Go Dallas. Of course this is pre-season. But I just want to "Woo Hoo!" every time the Broncos lose. Woo Hoo! See how much fun that was for me. The Moonlight Classic happened this past weekend and unfortunately I was out of state and I could not attend. You know what that means - no more fucking training - to a T. No more strict diet. No more schedules. I am retired (or as my co-workers / friends would say to me - "You are not retired Mr.C") Anyway, you know what that deserves ?! Another Woo Hoo! I got on the bike after a four day break and was okay. While I was on vacation I saw my Motobecane. The pride and joy of my bike collection. Old school, as myself. The Space Shuttle Endeavor is suppose to come back to Earth on Wednesday. A bit early due to a Hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. I hope the best for the Shuttle and the crew. The US Open - in 6 days! 6 DAYS BABY! I realize this is a mish mash of information and a lot of labels. Most or all may be worthless, but thought to mention just in case someone out there in the Internet world is tracking the world through my eyes. Yeah right. I can dream and will continue so...

Until the next time readers

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Brand New Sunday in January 2007

Greetings Readers

Today is... well, was now, my final eye appointment and I was given a good, clean bill of health. Everything has cleared up, but I still do have to be careful for the next months to be sure I do not have a re-occurrence of my situation with my eyes. January 7, a few days before my birthday I am very happy to be out of the red zone. The danger of this happening again is still there, but my doctor and myself did what we could since October to correct my situation and we did a total remission with a minute scarring on the lower part of the eye.

Dallas Cowboys lost last night on a "Romo" fumble. Urgh. Although, yes to me too, the ball looked shiny (wet).

Readers, I am not really into blogging today, but thought to write something down.

Another show that I did not catch the first time around, but the second season was "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" This is one messed up show, but damn funny. I do recommend this FOX show.

This Picture was taking during a period of rain that fell over a 24 hour period and after this ride I was soaked, basically a drowned rat. Anyway, I do not think that I have uploaded this image to this blog site and I really do not have a perfect place to place this so I am going to insert the picture here

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The First Tuesday's blog of 2007

Greetings People

Alright, I guess I better write something down so I can start off the new year of 2007.

A lot of things coming up this month....

1. My Birthday
2. The National Western Stock Show
3. Continuation of Prison Break - second Season
4. Start of "24"
5. Second season of Dr Who (new version) being released on DVD
6. Mom's Birthday
7. The Australian Open 2007 (w/the instant replay inauguration)
8. The Sopranos premiere on A&E (edited of course)
9. The continuation of this Blog!

Then, numerous comments about the good deeds of people during the past two weeks of the snow. The ramblings I have planned for the new year. And so forth.

I hate to say this - but I am so glad that the Broncos did not make the Playoffs. I am glad Dallas Cowboys did, but their playing has gone pretty bad in the past month. Wildcard weekend this weekend and then the playoffs. The Playoffs Baby!

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete