Greetings Readers
Today was the first day this year that I made myself run to work. I have been planning this for a few weeks now, but I got sick about two weeks with a cold. Well, I got sick, but not fully sick so I postponed til I got better.
It was amazing that I had to shut down my body, to rest and drink and eat properly. Meaning, taking in healthy food, but also having won ton soup from two different Chinese restaurants. That was not a problem for me. I know that won ton soups is tremendous on helping me fight a cold.
What I liked but did not like was spending money on Orange Juice and Grapefruit juice - That shit is expensive. Needless to say I did and thank goodness they were on sale otherwise I would be paying about one dollar more.
So, with the start of this week I feel about 90 to 95 percent well. That said I made it point to start my first run to work. Perhaps I was looking for an excuse, but I really could not come up with one.
Lo and behold the morning came around and there I was lying on the floor. It was going to be a nice day and the air was just right for drinking... oops just kidding. The air was just right for running.
The alarm clock came on as she does every morning. Yet, this time I knew what was planned and I was already starting to plan. Planning on finding some excuse not to run. It was not a cold morning really. It was sunny and there was no excuse not to run this morning to work.
Well, the number one excuse would be is that my run to work is going to be about 6 miles and when I get off work tonight I am going to have to run another six miles to get home. And with me not running for a bit now I never know how my legs will react to running this many miles after so long for not running at all. Sometimes, everything goes great; other times I over do my body limit's and walking and standing hurts due to over working my muscles in my thighs and calves.
Anyway, I got the kitchen timer also this morning and started the countdown for 15 minutes. Soon, an hour past by and I was no closer from getting out the door. But, I was no closer to getting on the bike either. That was a good thing. I did not even think about getting on public transportation either.
Soon, zero hour came and I knew there was point I had to get moving or else I would be getting to work late.
I got up and soon I was packing a small backpack with only my work clothes, getting my winter running gear on and getting ready to leave the humble abode.
The first mile was tough in a manner of speaking due to not running for a long time. Yet, I found my pace and mantra with the tunes from my Ipod. I found my running mode.
It was hidden, but not too deep for me to find. I just had to re-discover where it was. Soon, the miles clicked off and then I got near work.
And that was when I found... er smelled... what I love to smell in the morning even though I do not drink. Starbucks Coffee. The wind was blowing the aroma of Starbucks coffee where I was running and that was the most wonderful smell at that moment. Lucky me. I think I smelled the aroma from about 1/2 mile away. Wow. What did that was also the cause why my running slowed down. I was running into the wind as well as running uphill. My speed dropped drastically, but I was not worried about it. I knew I was running at the pace I was at for the reasons of the environment conditions.
Anyway, five hours later - I feel good and the legs are doing okay. I felt a tinge of my calves tightening a bit; perhaps wanting to cramp.
You may wondering, perhaps not, but I did this run since I am planning to start the P90X once more. I want to work off some stomach fat which I do have. But I want to start again. Nothing more or nothing less. Well, I want to start again since apparently there is now a P90X 2. And before I attempt to try that program I want to re-introduce myself to P90X since I know that program can, and will, kick my ass overall. Not funny, but funny since it does work.
Alright Readers, just thought to let you know, read, about my first run of the year as well as my first run to work. The time kinda sucks - 1:20:15.65 - for me from what I can remember, but can not remember. So, I am going to have to look for old calendars and see what times I did log for a run to work. I want to say I was, at my best, averaging 50 minutes - running to work. Remember, a run to work best - not an overall best time by no means.
I say I feel good, but the worst is yet to come when I wake up tomorrow morning. I will have delayed body shock to 12 miles of running in one day after months of not running a mile at all. I bet that I am going to be in some difficultly tomorrow.
Yet, what they say is true - No Pain, No Gain.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Showing posts with label Starbucks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Starbucks. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Friday, March 12, 2010
Mudslinger (from Redhook)
Greetings Readers
My faithful Readers should know my aka
If you are not a faithful Reader then I shall divulge that aka
My a.k.a. (Also Known As) originated after an extensive trip to Seattle, Washington back in the 1990’s
I visited the Redhook “plant” that was/is (sorry Readers as of 2011 I do not have a clue if that is still in operation in Freemont) in Seattle / Freemont and if I remember correctly it is near the outdoor cinema park. What I do remember was the smoke coming from the rocket out front of their building. Someone told me that smoke from the “Blast Off” of the Rocket comes out at the top of the hour.
Anyway, I was very impressed with the microbrew Redhook. Back then I did not even have a clue what a microbrew was. The taste was something unbelievable to me. A definite change from the beer I was drinking back then.
Fast Forward. I soon became a faithful beer drinker of Redhook. Back then there was this beer they made – and perhaps they still do – but I have not seen for a very long time, Blackhook Porter. Oh fucking wow. That beer was the Holy Grail for me. Until, one year I saw they incorporated Starbucks into their beer and made that as a single 40oz bottle. I had that special made beer once and that was that. Never again. Fingers crossed that they do make that again. If I remember I think it called Triple Stout.
Anyway, with me loving Redhook and becoming a regular drinker of Redhook soon the name Redhooktyrant came out of that.
As of today I am known as the “Redhooktyrant” and also use that as a team/individual name when required for any race that needs a team/individual name besides your given birth name.
With the first picture on the blog post I think that this a new type being released this year. Mudslinger. I am not excited about the caramel and as stamped on the six pack carton – “Nut Brown Ale.”
I was not impressed, but I did not say it was not good. Not bad, but I think this is not really a beer that will make me buy more of this Mudslinger. Thinking about it I think it is due to the mix of caramel and Nut Brown Ale. Though, what I did like about Mudslinger was the taste was definitely different from the Blonde, Longhammer, Winterhook, Copperhook to name a few kinds of beer Redhook makes. Please give it a try if they do make next year since it is a seasonal beer. I am sure that I will buy another six-pack next year, if to be produced.
Lastly, the other pictures are pictures of the only bottle of beer (unopened) that I have left from a 6 pack of Blackhook I bought back in 1998. Wow – 12 years ago. That bottle was bottled on 03-04-98.
I rarely keep any bottles of beer, at all. Yet, I was so fucking moved by the taste I had to keep an unopened bottle to show off/keep as a reminder. When I do entertain guests and they see that bottle of beer on my shelf they do ask what’s so special about that bottle of beer. And at that point I tell them and more than they probably expected about that one bottle of beer. Yes, they know I know my liquor and have taste, but know I do know my beer and they agree with me about 90 percent of the time...
Redhooktyrant.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
My faithful Readers should know my aka
If you are not a faithful Reader then I shall divulge that aka
My a.k.a. (Also Known As) originated after an extensive trip to Seattle, Washington back in the 1990’s
I visited the Redhook “plant” that was/is (sorry Readers as of 2011 I do not have a clue if that is still in operation in Freemont) in Seattle / Freemont and if I remember correctly it is near the outdoor cinema park. What I do remember was the smoke coming from the rocket out front of their building. Someone told me that smoke from the “Blast Off” of the Rocket comes out at the top of the hour.
Anyway, I was very impressed with the microbrew Redhook. Back then I did not even have a clue what a microbrew was. The taste was something unbelievable to me. A definite change from the beer I was drinking back then.
Fast Forward. I soon became a faithful beer drinker of Redhook. Back then there was this beer they made – and perhaps they still do – but I have not seen for a very long time, Blackhook Porter. Oh fucking wow. That beer was the Holy Grail for me. Until, one year I saw they incorporated Starbucks into their beer and made that as a single 40oz bottle. I had that special made beer once and that was that. Never again. Fingers crossed that they do make that again. If I remember I think it called Triple Stout.Anyway, with me loving Redhook and becoming a regular drinker of Redhook soon the name Redhooktyrant came out of that.
As of today I am known as the “Redhooktyrant” and also use that as a team/individual name when required for any race that needs a team/individual name besides your given birth name.
With the first picture on the blog post I think that this a new type being released this year. Mudslinger. I am not excited about the caramel and as stamped on the six pack carton – “Nut Brown Ale.”
I was not impressed, but I did not say it was not good. Not bad, but I think this is not really a beer that will make me buy more of this Mudslinger. Thinking about it I think it is due to the mix of caramel and Nut Brown Ale. Though, what I did like about Mudslinger was the taste was definitely different from the Blonde, Longhammer, Winterhook, Copperhook to name a few kinds of beer Redhook makes. Please give it a try if they do make next year since it is a seasonal beer. I am sure that I will buy another six-pack next year, if to be produced.
Lastly, the other pictures are pictures of the only bottle of beer (unopened) that I have left from a 6 pack of Blackhook I bought back in 1998. Wow – 12 years ago. That bottle was bottled on 03-04-98.I rarely keep any bottles of beer, at all. Yet, I was so fucking moved by the taste I had to keep an unopened bottle to show off/keep as a reminder. When I do entertain guests and they see that bottle of beer on my shelf they do ask what’s so special about that bottle of beer. And at that point I tell them and more than they probably expected about that one bottle of beer. Yes, they know I know my liquor and have taste, but know I do know my beer and they agree with me about 90 percent of the time...
Redhooktyrant.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Things I Carry - Part 52
Greetings Readers
1 Digital Camera (Canon)
1 Ironman watch (Timex)
1 Bike pump (Peak - compact model)
1 Oakley sunglass carry bag
1 bike lube (White lightening)
1 wallet
2 Ipods
1 Ipod cable
1 digital camera cable
3 tire levers (flat tire repair)
1 tire patch kit
1 CD-RW (Sony)
1 Orange GU packets
1 pen (jet stream)
2 Flash Drive
3 Photo adapter drives
1 spoke wrench
1 zip lock bag (filled with bits of paper & misc. items)
1 running shorts (Reebok)
1 Double AA battery (Duracell)
1 Starbucks card (gift card)
1 work ID access card
1 Chap Stick
These are the items that I carry on a day-by-day basis. Of course, this changes should I be going to the store / mall, when some of these things are not needed.
Otherwise, in my view these are essential things that I believe that I need to have in my bag.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
1 Digital Camera (Canon)
1 Ironman watch (Timex)
1 Bike pump (Peak - compact model)
1 Oakley sunglass carry bag
1 bike lube (White lightening)
1 wallet
2 Ipods
1 Ipod cable
1 digital camera cable
3 tire levers (flat tire repair)
1 tire patch kit
1 CD-RW (Sony)
1 Orange GU packets
1 pen (jet stream)
2 Flash Drive
3 Photo adapter drives
1 spoke wrench
1 zip lock bag (filled with bits of paper & misc. items)
1 running shorts (Reebok)
1 Double AA battery (Duracell)
1 Starbucks card (gift card)
1 work ID access card
1 Chap Stick
These are the items that I carry on a day-by-day basis. Of course, this changes should I be going to the store / mall, when some of these things are not needed.
Otherwise, in my view these are essential things that I believe that I need to have in my bag.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Monday, January 26, 2009
Happy Chinese New Year 2009
Greetings Readers
Well, I guess I need to a re-cap of some the things that I have done this past week or so.
I did go to the National Western Stock Show a couple of Saturday’s ago. The weather was perfect and I decided to take a couple of buses down to the stock Show. I had thought about taking my bike down, but I wanted not to worry about my bike and what sort of clothes to wear. So, with that in my mind, I had to take a couple of buses and then walk about 8 blocks to the Stock Show through “the Barrio.” I walked tall, with confidence and perhaps more importantly - in the morning.
Soon I reached the Stock Show and I was getting my General admission ticket. Already there were long lines to the booth to purchase tickets.
The stock show was already packed at 11:00 AM in the morning. I knew where I wanted to go first, but I made a beeline to the booth that I usually get my Jack Daniels Lynchburg Lemonade. Sure enough there were the other Jack Daniels – Single Barrel, Gentleman’s Jack and just the regular Jack Daniels. And the only choice of pop was Pepsi. As I said last year that is just fucked up. No one should forced to be drink Jack and Pepsi when everyone knows that Jack only goes with Coca-Cola. Suffice to say I will not be ordering any Jack that I have to drink Pepsi with. So be it I can drink Lynchburg Lemonade and be okay with that.
I then made myself walk around the expo as opposed making a beeline to the Jack Daniel’s Merchandise booth. I knew where it was probably going to be and I brought enough money to buy anything I wanted to buy. Actually I have been saving all year for this one day of the year that I buy Jack Daniel’s merchandise.
I hate to say it was only about 30 minutes later when I reached the Jack Daniel’s Merchandise booth. Of course I was in awe. I saw a lot of stuff and I saw the same girl from last year that helped me when I was buying merchandise. She did not recognized me, which I am sure she would not since she probably sees thousands of people for three weeks each day. I would have to say that she kind of cute and would not mind knowing her, but my chances are so low it is not even worth trying.
In the end, I bought 4 Jack Daniel’s bar mats, a shirt, 2 Bandanna’s, 2 Jack Daniel’s caps and a Jack Daniel’s metal Jigger. I spent about $ 130.00, which was way under what I was expecting, but I think that was due to me not really buying anything new. I made small talk with her and told her that I remember her from last year. Nothing. And that was that.
I also went to the Coor’s Merchandise booth, but there was nothing really that caught my eye. Last year I bought a Coor’s wall Bottle opener and an Anklet for a future girl friend I decide to give this to.
I went to the PBR Merchandise booth near the main arena and bought a couple of large PBR stickers. Their selection was not even good, so I just bought those two PBR stickers and commented on how the selection was poor.
About 15 minutes later it was time to eat. I was thinking about going to the booth near the stockyards where I ate, but I wanted to try something new. I was thinking about the two booths between the main arena building and the expo building. One booth has barbeque of all sorts and the other offers pizza and a large sausage.
The barbeque was what I wanted, but the presentation that I saw did not look good. It looked like something from a cheap place that would serve that. The sauce looked watery and thin. Uh-huh. No way.
I walked to the Sausage place and decided I am going to have delicious looking large sausage. After all I love hot dogs from time to time and who does not like bratsworth sausage?
Five minutes later sitting on the stairs and munching on the sausage – it was not worth the eight dollars I spent. Yes, it was good sausage, but that was that. It was spicy, but only from the Jalapenos seeds that were in the sausage. I ate about 7/8 of the sausage, and then threw the rest away.
I decided to go and get my pork chop on a stick. After all, years ago I know that is something I enjoyed. Sure enough the pork chop was good and surprising enough I ate the whole thing, even after eating almost that large sausage.
I did take a picture of the area that I was sitting at while eating my pork chop. There was this guy
who job was to keep the regular people on the north side of the walkway and keep the south side of the walkway just for cattle that is being walked from the stock show area to the stockyards or vice versa. Some of you Readers would call me rude, but from what I saw for about 30 minutes there are ruder people than me. I lost count on how many people, young people, would walk under the rope that separates the walkway in half. Would I have done that? No. After being a part time cowboy and also a loyal National Western Stock Show supporter I have no reason to be rude and cross under the rope just to walk on the other side where you are not suppose to walk.
After that I took in a few free shows and walked underneath the expo to see the different cattle and then called it day.
I did have a great time. No great hot looking women caught my eye, but I saw a few with nice faces. Body wise, nothing to really write about.
Fast forward to this past Wednesday I bought a new bike. A new Mountain bike. GT Avalanche 2.0. I have named her Lily after the woman I lust for in the mornings on the show I try to watch each morning. Lily is blue with white here and there. Can you believe that I actually bought a Mountain bike?! Me? A Mountain bike. Who knew? Yet, I think it was because I enjoyed my $ 25.00 garage sale mountain bike from two years. Unfortunately, last year something stripped and I had to total out the bike since replacing the bike part would cost more than what I bought the bike for.
Now, days later and with some mud on the bike I can now see why Mountain Biking and mud all over you go hand in hand. Saturday I was able to ride in a park area that had mud. With the snow melting with the warm weather this past week I was riding in an area that was going to be muddy. At first I did not want to get Lily muddy, but then I thought what the fuck. Between Wednesday and Saturday I have been trying to keep Lily clean. After all she is brand new. But when I started riding through the muddy area a feeling came through. I was pretty excited about riding through mud. After all I cannot ride through mud especially on a road bike.
Getting muddy was a new experience for me and any bike I own. I smiled and then rode through some grass in order to get some of the mud off the tires. In the past few days I have rode off curbs and did jump some two-foot jumps. I also was able to ride up a side of a hill (and down) and also jump up from the street onto the sidewalk from the curb. Pretty fucking cool since I cannot do that on road bike.
The only thing right now that I hate is the small crank. I am not used to a 42 teeth crank. After all Readers, I ride in large crank ring and pushing the hard gear rings on a ride bike. With Lily I have been riding in the big ring, but I have not been able to ride the same way as I do on a road bike. I feel like I am doing twice, if not, three times the amount of pedaling on a Mountain bike as opposed to a road bike. I love the shocks. And I have to say I like the disc brakes on the Mountain bike. Although, I asked for the cost of disc brakes and it seems that is going to be an expensive part to replace when it goes out. The guy says a decent replacement is going to cost me $ 80.00 to begin with.
I have been riding Lily since Wednesday and I have to say right now I am really enjoying riding Lily. Did you know that I saw one of those hub cabs on the sidewalks and I rode over that hub cab on the sidewalk? If I was riding my road bike I would have ridden around the hub cab, but on the Mountain bike I rode over the hub cab and split the hubcap into three large pieces. I have to say that it felt good.
I am out of breath when I get to work and that is because of the extra pedal strokes I am doing. Do I mind? Yes, but I knew that this was expected so there is no reason to complain. After all having a Mountain bike you do Mountain bike riding and most likely need easy gears to do Mountain bike riding. Whether going up the mountain or down the mountain.
Oh Readers, I have won three bets in the past month and I was able finally to collect, even though I was no hurry. My friend and I made a trip to the liquor store this past Friday and I was able to cash in my winnings. 9 bottles of beers. Boo yah! I got a six-pack of victory beer and then three different bottles of beer at Lukas Liquors. And I also bought me a six-pack of Winterhook beer from Redhook. Let me tell you Readers, I had to leave some work clothes at work since I had no room in my backpack to take all the stuff I needed to take home. I thought about leaving some beer at work, but I have to admit I wanted to take the entire beer home. Fuck my clothes.
I did not get to see my Qdoba girl this past Friday. I have to admit that I had a couple of beers while going home and I knew that I was not going to repeat the incident I had a few months ago after consuming alcohol before seeing my Qdoba girl.
Oh Readers, on Thursday I saw Mike and he saw me. I asked what was up and he told me that he had twenty dollars. I knew that he probably wanted me to go to the store. With me being me and not “the rudest person ever known” I told Mike give me about 10 minutes and I can go to the store for him.
10 minutes later I arrived at his humble abode and he told me what he wanted – 8 piece chicken dinner, 3 Diet Mountain Dew two liters, 2 frozen Totino’s pizzas and 2 pop tarts. I said no problem. After all I may be rude sometimes, but at least I make up for it by helping out others in need. How many of Readers do that? Specifically, to the Readers that call me rudest person ever known. You never tell us Readers of your good deeds that help the needy. Helping out at the DNC is not really a good deed, so forget about mentioning that. You are helping out a “party” and not a person in need. If you can tell me of a good deed in the past week please tell me, otherwise look in the mirror and see if you can see inside yourself and decide whether or not you are selfish and call people “rude” when yourself you are ruder than me for not doing anything for anyone besides yourself.
And tipping a waiter or barrister at Starbucks is not a good deed in my book, unless you tipped more than 25 percent, then perhaps I will accept that as a good deed.
Today is the start of the Lunar New Year – Year of the Ox. I did buy some stamps of the New Year and they are, in my ex-co-workers words, “just so awesome.” You faithful Readers know that I collect and follow the Chinese New Year Stamps that are issued each year. I guess, I can take a picture and show you Readers the new commemorative stamp offered by the USPS.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Well, I guess I need to a re-cap of some the things that I have done this past week or so.
I did go to the National Western Stock Show a couple of Saturday’s ago. The weather was perfect and I decided to take a couple of buses down to the stock Show. I had thought about taking my bike down, but I wanted not to worry about my bike and what sort of clothes to wear. So, with that in my mind, I had to take a couple of buses and then walk about 8 blocks to the Stock Show through “the Barrio.” I walked tall, with confidence and perhaps more importantly - in the morning.
Soon I reached the Stock Show and I was getting my General admission ticket. Already there were long lines to the booth to purchase tickets.
The stock show was already packed at 11:00 AM in the morning. I knew where I wanted to go first, but I made a beeline to the booth that I usually get my Jack Daniels Lynchburg Lemonade. Sure enough there were the other Jack Daniels – Single Barrel, Gentleman’s Jack and just the regular Jack Daniels. And the only choice of pop was Pepsi. As I said last year that is just fucked up. No one should forced to be drink Jack and Pepsi when everyone knows that Jack only goes with Coca-Cola. Suffice to say I will not be ordering any Jack that I have to drink Pepsi with. So be it I can drink Lynchburg Lemonade and be okay with that.
I then made myself walk around the expo as opposed making a beeline to the Jack Daniel’s Merchandise booth. I knew where it was probably going to be and I brought enough money to buy anything I wanted to buy. Actually I have been saving all year for this one day of the year that I buy Jack Daniel’s merchandise.
I hate to say it was only about 30 minutes later when I reached the Jack Daniel’s Merchandise booth. Of course I was in awe. I saw a lot of stuff and I saw the same girl from last year that helped me when I was buying merchandise. She did not recognized me, which I am sure she would not since she probably sees thousands of people for three weeks each day. I would have to say that she kind of cute and would not mind knowing her, but my chances are so low it is not even worth trying.In the end, I bought 4 Jack Daniel’s bar mats, a shirt, 2 Bandanna’s, 2 Jack Daniel’s caps and a Jack Daniel’s metal Jigger. I spent about $ 130.00, which was way under what I was expecting, but I think that was due to me not really buying anything new. I made small talk with her and told her that I remember her from last year. Nothing. And that was that.
I also went to the Coor’s Merchandise booth, but there was nothing really that caught my eye. Last year I bought a Coor’s wall Bottle opener and an Anklet for a future girl friend I decide to give this to.I went to the PBR Merchandise booth near the main arena and bought a couple of large PBR stickers. Their selection was not even good, so I just bought those two PBR stickers and commented on how the selection was poor.
About 15 minutes later it was time to eat. I was thinking about going to the booth near the stockyards where I ate, but I wanted to try something new. I was thinking about the two booths between the main arena building and the expo building. One booth has barbeque of all sorts and the other offers pizza and a large sausage.
The barbeque was what I wanted, but the presentation that I saw did not look good. It looked like something from a cheap place that would serve that. The sauce looked watery and thin. Uh-huh. No way.
I walked to the Sausage place and decided I am going to have delicious looking large sausage. After all I love hot dogs from time to time and who does not like bratsworth sausage?Five minutes later sitting on the stairs and munching on the sausage – it was not worth the eight dollars I spent. Yes, it was good sausage, but that was that. It was spicy, but only from the Jalapenos seeds that were in the sausage. I ate about 7/8 of the sausage, and then threw the rest away.
I decided to go and get my pork chop on a stick. After all, years ago I know that is something I enjoyed. Sure enough the pork chop was good and surprising enough I ate the whole thing, even after eating almost that large sausage.
I did take a picture of the area that I was sitting at while eating my pork chop. There was this guy
who job was to keep the regular people on the north side of the walkway and keep the south side of the walkway just for cattle that is being walked from the stock show area to the stockyards or vice versa. Some of you Readers would call me rude, but from what I saw for about 30 minutes there are ruder people than me. I lost count on how many people, young people, would walk under the rope that separates the walkway in half. Would I have done that? No. After being a part time cowboy and also a loyal National Western Stock Show supporter I have no reason to be rude and cross under the rope just to walk on the other side where you are not suppose to walk.After that I took in a few free shows and walked underneath the expo to see the different cattle and then called it day.
I did have a great time. No great hot looking women caught my eye, but I saw a few with nice faces. Body wise, nothing to really write about.
Fast forward to this past Wednesday I bought a new bike. A new Mountain bike. GT Avalanche 2.0. I have named her Lily after the woman I lust for in the mornings on the show I try to watch each morning. Lily is blue with white here and there. Can you believe that I actually bought a Mountain bike?! Me? A Mountain bike. Who knew? Yet, I think it was because I enjoyed my $ 25.00 garage sale mountain bike from two years. Unfortunately, last year something stripped and I had to total out the bike since replacing the bike part would cost more than what I bought the bike for.
Now, days later and with some mud on the bike I can now see why Mountain Biking and mud all over you go hand in hand. Saturday I was able to ride in a park area that had mud. With the snow melting with the warm weather this past week I was riding in an area that was going to be muddy. At first I did not want to get Lily muddy, but then I thought what the fuck. Between Wednesday and Saturday I have been trying to keep Lily clean. After all she is brand new. But when I started riding through the muddy area a feeling came through. I was pretty excited about riding through mud. After all I cannot ride through mud especially on a road bike.
Getting muddy was a new experience for me and any bike I own. I smiled and then rode through some grass in order to get some of the mud off the tires. In the past few days I have rode off curbs and did jump some two-foot jumps. I also was able to ride up a side of a hill (and down) and also jump up from the street onto the sidewalk from the curb. Pretty fucking cool since I cannot do that on road bike.
The only thing right now that I hate is the small crank. I am not used to a 42 teeth crank. After all Readers, I ride in large crank ring and pushing the hard gear rings on a ride bike. With Lily I have been riding in the big ring, but I have not been able to ride the same way as I do on a road bike. I feel like I am doing twice, if not, three times the amount of pedaling on a Mountain bike as opposed to a road bike. I love the shocks. And I have to say I like the disc brakes on the Mountain bike. Although, I asked for the cost of disc brakes and it seems that is going to be an expensive part to replace when it goes out. The guy says a decent replacement is going to cost me $ 80.00 to begin with.I have been riding Lily since Wednesday and I have to say right now I am really enjoying riding Lily. Did you know that I saw one of those hub cabs on the sidewalks and I rode over that hub cab on the sidewalk? If I was riding my road bike I would have ridden around the hub cab, but on the Mountain bike I rode over the hub cab and split the hubcap into three large pieces. I have to say that it felt good.
I am out of breath when I get to work and that is because of the extra pedal strokes I am doing. Do I mind? Yes, but I knew that this was expected so there is no reason to complain. After all having a Mountain bike you do Mountain bike riding and most likely need easy gears to do Mountain bike riding. Whether going up the mountain or down the mountain.
Oh Readers, I have won three bets in the past month and I was able finally to collect, even though I was no hurry. My friend and I made a trip to the liquor store this past Friday and I was able to cash in my winnings. 9 bottles of beers. Boo yah! I got a six-pack of victory beer and then three different bottles of beer at Lukas Liquors. And I also bought me a six-pack of Winterhook beer from Redhook. Let me tell you Readers, I had to leave some work clothes at work since I had no room in my backpack to take all the stuff I needed to take home. I thought about leaving some beer at work, but I have to admit I wanted to take the entire beer home. Fuck my clothes.
I did not get to see my Qdoba girl this past Friday. I have to admit that I had a couple of beers while going home and I knew that I was not going to repeat the incident I had a few months ago after consuming alcohol before seeing my Qdoba girl.Oh Readers, on Thursday I saw Mike and he saw me. I asked what was up and he told me that he had twenty dollars. I knew that he probably wanted me to go to the store. With me being me and not “the rudest person ever known” I told Mike give me about 10 minutes and I can go to the store for him.
10 minutes later I arrived at his humble abode and he told me what he wanted – 8 piece chicken dinner, 3 Diet Mountain Dew two liters, 2 frozen Totino’s pizzas and 2 pop tarts. I said no problem. After all I may be rude sometimes, but at least I make up for it by helping out others in need. How many of Readers do that? Specifically, to the Readers that call me rudest person ever known. You never tell us Readers of your good deeds that help the needy. Helping out at the DNC is not really a good deed, so forget about mentioning that. You are helping out a “party” and not a person in need. If you can tell me of a good deed in the past week please tell me, otherwise look in the mirror and see if you can see inside yourself and decide whether or not you are selfish and call people “rude” when yourself you are ruder than me for not doing anything for anyone besides yourself.
And tipping a waiter or barrister at Starbucks is not a good deed in my book, unless you tipped more than 25 percent, then perhaps I will accept that as a good deed.
Today is the start of the Lunar New Year – Year of the Ox. I did buy some stamps of the New Year and they are, in my ex-co-workers words, “just so awesome.” You faithful Readers know that I collect and follow the Chinese New Year Stamps that are issued each year. I guess, I can take a picture and show you Readers the new commemorative stamp offered by the USPS.Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Friday, September 19, 2008
First Day of Arrival on my Mini-Vacation
Greetings Readers
I arrived in Albuquerque, New Mexico about 4 A.M. on Saturday and waited about an hour or so at the bus station until my Dad came and picked me up in Downtown Albuquerque.
We then headed across town to go to my brother’s place on the East side of Albuquerque.
We got to my brother’s place and this was the time that I actually look forward to when arriving in New Mexico. I am not home, but I am home. My home is Dallas, Texas, my actual home is Denver, Colorado and then perhaps my Native American Indian home is New Mexico.
Anyway, sitting on my brother’s couch early in the morning, smelling and hearing the Starbucks coffee brewing, the television on and our family together is a nice feeling. This is usually only one of the times that are family is together and in harmony.
Though, perhaps I think this is my time that I enjoy the most. For me this is the time that I get to give gifts to my brother, Mom and Dad. I have to say I like this time of the day and moment when arriving in New Mexico.
This time I was able to reward with gift to my family the Coca-Cola gifts that I just redeemed a week or so ago. I gave my brother and Dad the Coca-Cola lunch bags and then I gave my Mom the Coca-Cola tub. Then, I gave my parents the Mountain Man nuts (Corn nuts and Almond nuts) I bought a couple days before at work.
Before giving out the gifts I pulled out two VHS tapes that contained the recordings of Ice Road Truckers – Season Two. I knew that they loved the first season I brought down for them last year so I was excited to bring down Season Two for them since they all liked the first season. Unfortunately, I never fully saw the first season and I did not see the second season since I was just really recording for my family since they watched the first season. Anyway, my brother started up the first tape and they immediately got into the show.
While this was going on my Mom was getting cold and asked for a towel from my brother in order to put over her legs since she was just wearing a night gown. Lo and behold this perfect. Since I bought two US Open towels – one for me and one for my parents they did not know that the US Open just happened and that I bought another US Open towel for them.
Actually, I think it is expected of me to buy a US Open towel for them, but not really. Hell, it was my fault for starting this new tradition of buying them a US Open Towel. Yet, I have no problem buying another expensive US Open towel for them – since they are my parents.
So, when my Mom asked that question to my brother. I reached into my bag and pulled out the plastic wrapped US Open Towel and said here you go.
She opened the plastic bag and saw that it was this year’s US Open towel and she said “Thank you.” She immediately covered her legs.
Lastly, I pulled out the Obama Buttons I bought during the DNC convention and gave them to my mother. “Oh Daryl” she said, but I said this is gift and I am not for Obama. Or McCain. This is just a gift from the DNC that was in Denver last month and perhaps this might be worth something should he be elected for president. I gave a rubber bracelet to my brother, just like the one that I was wearing.
My brother asked about the DNC and I told them what I told you readers when I blogged about the DNC. I told them what I did and of the experiences I had during the DNC. I basically told them Denver, in my opinion only, had become one of those countries in the Middle East.
With that it was the end of gift giving and story telling it was time to get ready to go out for our customary breakfast tradition when I get to New Mexico.
Breakfast was nice – we ate at Village Inn.
After breakfast we hit a few garage sales and then we dropped off my brother at his place. Soon, it was just my parents and me and we had a long drive to the Ranch ahead of us.
Before going to the Ranch, a hundred miles plus away, we had to stop at the Grocery Stores. We stopped at Sunflower and Smith’s and in between we stopped at our Hatch Chili place we buy our Chili from.
Let me tell you Readers it is now the season for Green Hatch Chili in New Mexico and this year the crops did not get destroyed like they did last year. When I stepped out of the vehicle I smelled the Hatch Chili being roasted nearby in the roasting containers. Ok - the smell was fucking intoxicating. That roasting is the smell that I love to smell. I compare that smell to the smell of the fragrance Woman’s Escape and the smell of French Vanilla Roast Coffee brewing. Those smells make me gaga. I love the aroma.
I walked around the store and took in the different Hatch Green Chili and the roasting. I was in heaven. We bought a bushel of Green chili. We do our own roasting so they gave us our burlap sack full of Hatch Green Hot Chili. Hot.
At Smith’s that is where I shopped for what I was going to cook and make for meals while I was at the Ranch. I bought Steaks, fish, 2 pound bag of shrimp, King Crab Legs, Brats, Spaghetti materials for making spaghetti sauce, Coca-Cola and Clover’s Chili Potato Chips. The bill came to about $ 133.00 for which I paid one hundred of and then my Mom paid for the rest. I did ask her if that was okay and she indicated yes. After all, most of it was mine, but it was all for us.
At Sunflower, I bought supplies for making my Salsa for my parents and brother. At Sunflower the supplies were cheaper and fresh. I could not wait to get to the Ranch and start my famous Salsa.
After the shopping was done we left Albuquerque and soon headed for the open road to the Northwest of Albuquerque. I pulled out my cassette adapter for my ipod and soon we were listening to my new Johnny Cash CD’s that I bought a few months ago. I was waiting for this moment to play Johnny Cash for them since this is what I listened to when I was a young child. I knew my parents loved Johnny Cash’s music and for me to play his music to them I knew that they would enjoy this. I was right. And they loved the live recording from New Jersey – The Lost performances.
On our way home to the Ranch we stopped at a local store and I bought the traditional Ice Cream we have while going home to the Ranch. Nestle Crunch Ice Cream bars and pop if anyone needs some pop. This was also the last store before going home not to mention that this is the closest store to us - 20 miles or so away from the Ranch. When I say store, it is not a store – more like an A & P of the old days. Only the necessities are available, nothing else.
An hour later I was driving up to the first gate to the Ranch and I knew I was truly home. I saw the damage the rains have done to the road I fixed last year. It was kind of sad to see all the work I did last year get washed away. Yet, I knew that later I was going to have to fix the road. I was already thinking of when and how to fix the damage to the road.
Then, I reached the second gate and I saw our dogs welcoming us home. Goofy was smiling, just like Bullwinkle did (when he was alive). I saw Koko hesitantly approach the truck since he sort of did not recognize me, but as soon as I jumped out the truck Koko jumped back scared and then saw it was just I and came to greet me. A dog never forgets his family owners. I saw most of the animals and I saw my car. I saw my parent’s home.
I was home
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
I arrived in Albuquerque, New Mexico about 4 A.M. on Saturday and waited about an hour or so at the bus station until my Dad came and picked me up in Downtown Albuquerque.
We then headed across town to go to my brother’s place on the East side of Albuquerque.
We got to my brother’s place and this was the time that I actually look forward to when arriving in New Mexico. I am not home, but I am home. My home is Dallas, Texas, my actual home is Denver, Colorado and then perhaps my Native American Indian home is New Mexico.
Anyway, sitting on my brother’s couch early in the morning, smelling and hearing the Starbucks coffee brewing, the television on and our family together is a nice feeling. This is usually only one of the times that are family is together and in harmony.
Though, perhaps I think this is my time that I enjoy the most. For me this is the time that I get to give gifts to my brother, Mom and Dad. I have to say I like this time of the day and moment when arriving in New Mexico.
This time I was able to reward with gift to my family the Coca-Cola gifts that I just redeemed a week or so ago. I gave my brother and Dad the Coca-Cola lunch bags and then I gave my Mom the Coca-Cola tub. Then, I gave my parents the Mountain Man nuts (Corn nuts and Almond nuts) I bought a couple days before at work.
Before giving out the gifts I pulled out two VHS tapes that contained the recordings of Ice Road Truckers – Season Two. I knew that they loved the first season I brought down for them last year so I was excited to bring down Season Two for them since they all liked the first season. Unfortunately, I never fully saw the first season and I did not see the second season since I was just really recording for my family since they watched the first season. Anyway, my brother started up the first tape and they immediately got into the show.
While this was going on my Mom was getting cold and asked for a towel from my brother in order to put over her legs since she was just wearing a night gown. Lo and behold this perfect. Since I bought two US Open towels – one for me and one for my parents they did not know that the US Open just happened and that I bought another US Open towel for them.Actually, I think it is expected of me to buy a US Open towel for them, but not really. Hell, it was my fault for starting this new tradition of buying them a US Open Towel. Yet, I have no problem buying another expensive US Open towel for them – since they are my parents.
So, when my Mom asked that question to my brother. I reached into my bag and pulled out the plastic wrapped US Open Towel and said here you go.
She opened the plastic bag and saw that it was this year’s US Open towel and she said “Thank you.” She immediately covered her legs.
Lastly, I pulled out the Obama Buttons I bought during the DNC convention and gave them to my mother. “Oh Daryl” she said, but I said this is gift and I am not for Obama. Or McCain. This is just a gift from the DNC that was in Denver last month and perhaps this might be worth something should he be elected for president. I gave a rubber bracelet to my brother, just like the one that I was wearing.
My brother asked about the DNC and I told them what I told you readers when I blogged about the DNC. I told them what I did and of the experiences I had during the DNC. I basically told them Denver, in my opinion only, had become one of those countries in the Middle East.
With that it was the end of gift giving and story telling it was time to get ready to go out for our customary breakfast tradition when I get to New Mexico.
Breakfast was nice – we ate at Village Inn.
After breakfast we hit a few garage sales and then we dropped off my brother at his place. Soon, it was just my parents and me and we had a long drive to the Ranch ahead of us.
Before going to the Ranch, a hundred miles plus away, we had to stop at the Grocery Stores. We stopped at Sunflower and Smith’s and in between we stopped at our Hatch Chili place we buy our Chili from.
Let me tell you Readers it is now the season for Green Hatch Chili in New Mexico and this year the crops did not get destroyed like they did last year. When I stepped out of the vehicle I smelled the Hatch Chili being roasted nearby in the roasting containers. Ok - the smell was fucking intoxicating. That roasting is the smell that I love to smell. I compare that smell to the smell of the fragrance Woman’s Escape and the smell of French Vanilla Roast Coffee brewing. Those smells make me gaga. I love the aroma.
I walked around the store and took in the different Hatch Green Chili and the roasting. I was in heaven. We bought a bushel of Green chili. We do our own roasting so they gave us our burlap sack full of Hatch Green Hot Chili. Hot.
At Smith’s that is where I shopped for what I was going to cook and make for meals while I was at the Ranch. I bought Steaks, fish, 2 pound bag of shrimp, King Crab Legs, Brats, Spaghetti materials for making spaghetti sauce, Coca-Cola and Clover’s Chili Potato Chips. The bill came to about $ 133.00 for which I paid one hundred of and then my Mom paid for the rest. I did ask her if that was okay and she indicated yes. After all, most of it was mine, but it was all for us.
At Sunflower, I bought supplies for making my Salsa for my parents and brother. At Sunflower the supplies were cheaper and fresh. I could not wait to get to the Ranch and start my famous Salsa.
After the shopping was done we left Albuquerque and soon headed for the open road to the Northwest of Albuquerque. I pulled out my cassette adapter for my ipod and soon we were listening to my new Johnny Cash CD’s that I bought a few months ago. I was waiting for this moment to play Johnny Cash for them since this is what I listened to when I was a young child. I knew my parents loved Johnny Cash’s music and for me to play his music to them I knew that they would enjoy this. I was right. And they loved the live recording from New Jersey – The Lost performances.
On our way home to the Ranch we stopped at a local store and I bought the traditional Ice Cream we have while going home to the Ranch. Nestle Crunch Ice Cream bars and pop if anyone needs some pop. This was also the last store before going home not to mention that this is the closest store to us - 20 miles or so away from the Ranch. When I say store, it is not a store – more like an A & P of the old days. Only the necessities are available, nothing else.
An hour later I was driving up to the first gate to the Ranch and I knew I was truly home. I saw the damage the rains have done to the road I fixed last year. It was kind of sad to see all the work I did last year get washed away. Yet, I knew that later I was going to have to fix the road. I was already thinking of when and how to fix the damage to the road.
Then, I reached the second gate and I saw our dogs welcoming us home. Goofy was smiling, just like Bullwinkle did (when he was alive). I saw Koko hesitantly approach the truck since he sort of did not recognize me, but as soon as I jumped out the truck Koko jumped back scared and then saw it was just I and came to greet me. A dog never forgets his family owners. I saw most of the animals and I saw my car. I saw my parent’s home.
I was home
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The Spring Morning Sun
Greetings Readers
Holy Shit! I can not believe that I got blinded this morning by the morning sun. Nope - I was not blinded by Science.
With the time change (Daylight Savings Time) the past week and me leaving a bit late this morning I experienced riding directly into the bright rising sun.
I was actually like Gizmo - "Bright light! Bright Light!"
I guess with the sun rising earlier in the morning each day and the sun shining more and more in the Northern Hemisphere as well I just can not remember the last time that I saw the sun in this position early in the morning. This picture shows the morning sunrise is now rising on one of the routes that I bike to work on. The sun is now shining directly in front of me as opposed to the far far right
I could not look straight ahead at all. I actually had to look down about 3 feet in front of me so I would not see sun spots on my retinas. What was even worse my Oakleys were dirty and have a few smudges and water spots on the lens. Urgh. Though I did stick to the sidewalks since I knew I fairly handicapped by the morning rays of the sun. I was riding slow and not looking ahead, which was called for on this particular morning. And yes I did readers, I made sure to look ahead every now and then to make sure that no one was coming towards me. I was all over the sidewalk - as it should be. Maniacal laughter.
I also wore my bike short only (no long bike pants) and I wore my Star Wars - A New Hope bike jersey to work today. I was actually alright. The initial start of the ride was a bit cold, but after getting the blood flowing in my thighs I was alright. I love it when I do not have to wear a jacket or the long bike pants. Just more clothes to put on and take off. Also, less weight that I have to haul around. I know I know - how much does my jacket weight? How much does my long bike pants weight? Nothing really, but I just want to wear, carry, be as light as possible for riding back and forth from work.
Then, the other picture is a better, close up picture of my Star Wars - Return of the Jedi bike jersey. I know that the other picture that I posted was a bit small and I also was wearing the bike jersey.
In closing, something was on the local FOX news this morning and I was unable to watch what the "problem" was specifically about. Apparently, it was about tipping and Starbucks. And you faithful readers know my stance on this particular topic and how I feel. Anyway, let me do some investigating and see what's "Rotten in Denmark." Once I find that out - let me decide if this is something that I need to touch upon once more.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Holy Shit! I can not believe that I got blinded this morning by the morning sun. Nope - I was not blinded by Science.
With the time change (Daylight Savings Time) the past week and me leaving a bit late this morning I experienced riding directly into the bright rising sun.
I was actually like Gizmo - "Bright light! Bright Light!"
I guess with the sun rising earlier in the morning each day and the sun shining more and more in the Northern Hemisphere as well I just can not remember the last time that I saw the sun in this position early in the morning. This picture shows the morning sunrise is now rising on one of the routes that I bike to work on. The sun is now shining directly in front of me as opposed to the far far right
I could not look straight ahead at all. I actually had to look down about 3 feet in front of me so I would not see sun spots on my retinas. What was even worse my Oakleys were dirty and have a few smudges and water spots on the lens. Urgh. Though I did stick to the sidewalks since I knew I fairly handicapped by the morning rays of the sun. I was riding slow and not looking ahead, which was called for on this particular morning. And yes I did readers, I made sure to look ahead every now and then to make sure that no one was coming towards me. I was all over the sidewalk - as it should be. Maniacal laughter.
I also wore my bike short only (no long bike pants) and I wore my Star Wars - A New Hope bike jersey to work today. I was actually alright. The initial start of the ride was a bit cold, but after getting the blood flowing in my thighs I was alright. I love it when I do not have to wear a jacket or the long bike pants. Just more clothes to put on and take off. Also, less weight that I have to haul around. I know I know - how much does my jacket weight? How much does my long bike pants weight? Nothing really, but I just want to wear, carry, be as light as possible for riding back and forth from work.
Then, the other picture is a better, close up picture of my Star Wars - Return of the Jedi bike jersey. I know that the other picture that I posted was a bit small and I also was wearing the bike jersey.In closing, something was on the local FOX news this morning and I was unable to watch what the "problem" was specifically about. Apparently, it was about tipping and Starbucks. And you faithful readers know my stance on this particular topic and how I feel. Anyway, let me do some investigating and see what's "Rotten in Denmark." Once I find that out - let me decide if this is something that I need to touch upon once more.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The President's Day 5k
Greetings Readers
This has now become the third week that I have started this new ritual of running a 5k in Wash Park in Denver, Colorado.
As you can see this pciture was taken in the same place as the other two pictures from the past two Sundays in Greenwood Village Area. Yet, from last week and 10 minutes later than last week it was 12 degrees cooler
Just before I left the house at 8:00 AM the snow was falling and the wind was blowing so it looked like a blizzard outside. Yet, by the time that I got outside the snow had all, but dissappeared. The wind had a bite and it was blowing pretty good in from the North.
I arrived at Wash Park just before 9AM for the President's Day 5k. Boy oh boy I was cutting time very close to not participating. I was cold, but not as cold as I was two weeks ago at the start of the Super Bowl 5k. I was feeling and hearing the wind and I knew that this wind was not going to relent by the time that we runners started the race.
The turn out of runners looked pretty good this Sunday morning that turned out for the cold and windy morning. I did not get a T-shirt since the event ran out of T-shirts by the time that I showed up to register. I placed my name and address on the clipboard and so I guess that they will mail me a T-shirt. My $ 30.00 T-shirt.
Fast forward to the end of the race. Wait - I was... er am still sore from the workout Bobbie Rae and I had on Friday. Mainly the bottom portion of my arms, my pecs and more importantly, my inner thighs. I really worked the inner and outer thigh muscles when I worked out on Friday. And I was feeling the tightness mainly in the inner thighs. Other than that I also had a slight injury to the kneecap and out right leg when I fell down on my bike while riding down the side of a grassy hill that I had no snow, but forgot that did not mean that the ground was wet and when I was riding down on the hill in the evening I forgot that the water freezes at night. Well, I hit a grassy,icy spot that had some frozen water and that was that. I fell, but I really did not fall that hard. I sort of was preparing the impact when I was going to "Kiss the Earth". I did do good, but really cursed at myself not really expecting that the grassy ground could be icy.
Back to the race, I have a time on my watch that say 24:01, but I know that may be off 15 to 30 seconds. My race number was/is # 3217 and I think I placed 37th, but I do not know. The event did not post the times and everyone was leaving right away so the awards happened quick and the next thine you know everyone was leaving. Not all of the walkers had not even finished and all of us runners had left. No sense waiting for nothing when the body was cooling off the wind still blowing pretty hard and the temperature was not even up a degree, I bet.
I did meet a runner that was from Las Vegas, New Mexico today. He was only in town for the weekend and he wanted to a longer mile race, but the only event in town was basically this 5k. And I think that you readers may know what I did ask him. Come on. "No Country for Old Men" since the movie was partially filmed/shot in that location. He said yes, the bridge, the plaza, and used some extras from the high school in the Las Vegas area.
I think, I better come clean and this is something I need to confess to you readers. I did something that I do not do. Period. I would consider this a cardinal sin, in my humble opinion and book.
This week and two weeks ago I was okay right after the 5k races. But as soon as my body cooled down and my heart rate returned to normal I got cold. Very cold. I was sitting on my gloves on the concrete barrier, with the sweat in my jacket starting to get cold. Anyway, I saw the Starbucks coffee table in the distance and I knew there was some warm/hot coffee in that dispenser. I got up and started walking to the table in the distance. There were other people there using sugar, half and half, sweetner and whatever else goes with coffee. When my turn came to at the front of the line I grabbed a paper cup and proceeded to get a cup of coffee - 3/4 of a cup full. Well, more than that 3/4 cup of coffee. A cup of hot liquid. I took my first sip of coffee since 1996 and I was immediately warmed up. I could literally feel the liquid coffee running down my throat into my stomach. The liquid along the way warmed up my upper body from the chilling cold. I only had a cup of coffee two weeks ago and today I only had one cup of coffee. I had to readers. I would not say that I was weak, but I was desperate to get warm. near the finish line in Wash Park there is no wind barrier to stand behind and basically it is just open space.
However, I want to assure to you readers that I have not acquired the taste of coffee. I did appreciate the warmth that it gave to my body, but I still could not make coffee a drink for me. Today, I put a packet of sugar in there, though there was nothing to stir the sugar into the coffee so the top half of the coffee was the same taste I had two weeks ago. But as I got to the bottom of the cup I could taste the sweetness and that was when I threw the rest of the coffee away. Yuck. I am not sure what the sugary taste did or did not do. Or perhaps I added too much. I do not know. I am going to label this "Coffee Incident" as desire, but in the total opposite direction of desire.
Once again - I a-po-gize (as someone I know says the word "apologize") for not turning out to my faithful Sunday crowd for my regular Sunday Morning Ritual. Though it did occur to me to go out before I left for Washington Park, but I did not want to get cold until I absolutely had to.
Note: I did not do the HRCA race in Highlands Ranch since apparently registration for non-Highland ranch residents closed at noon on Friday. That was/is Fucked up. Well, to look at it from my point of view - I saved $ 35.00 dollars.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
This has now become the third week that I have started this new ritual of running a 5k in Wash Park in Denver, Colorado.
As you can see this pciture was taken in the same place as the other two pictures from the past two Sundays in Greenwood Village Area. Yet, from last week and 10 minutes later than last week it was 12 degrees cooler
Just before I left the house at 8:00 AM the snow was falling and the wind was blowing so it looked like a blizzard outside. Yet, by the time that I got outside the snow had all, but dissappeared. The wind had a bite and it was blowing pretty good in from the North.
I arrived at Wash Park just before 9AM for the President's Day 5k. Boy oh boy I was cutting time very close to not participating. I was cold, but not as cold as I was two weeks ago at the start of the Super Bowl 5k. I was feeling and hearing the wind and I knew that this wind was not going to relent by the time that we runners started the race.
The turn out of runners looked pretty good this Sunday morning that turned out for the cold and windy morning. I did not get a T-shirt since the event ran out of T-shirts by the time that I showed up to register. I placed my name and address on the clipboard and so I guess that they will mail me a T-shirt. My $ 30.00 T-shirt.
Fast forward to the end of the race. Wait - I was... er am still sore from the workout Bobbie Rae and I had on Friday. Mainly the bottom portion of my arms, my pecs and more importantly, my inner thighs. I really worked the inner and outer thigh muscles when I worked out on Friday. And I was feeling the tightness mainly in the inner thighs. Other than that I also had a slight injury to the kneecap and out right leg when I fell down on my bike while riding down the side of a grassy hill that I had no snow, but forgot that did not mean that the ground was wet and when I was riding down on the hill in the evening I forgot that the water freezes at night. Well, I hit a grassy,icy spot that had some frozen water and that was that. I fell, but I really did not fall that hard. I sort of was preparing the impact when I was going to "Kiss the Earth". I did do good, but really cursed at myself not really expecting that the grassy ground could be icy.
Back to the race, I have a time on my watch that say 24:01, but I know that may be off 15 to 30 seconds. My race number was/is # 3217 and I think I placed 37th, but I do not know. The event did not post the times and everyone was leaving right away so the awards happened quick and the next thine you know everyone was leaving. Not all of the walkers had not even finished and all of us runners had left. No sense waiting for nothing when the body was cooling off the wind still blowing pretty hard and the temperature was not even up a degree, I bet.I did meet a runner that was from Las Vegas, New Mexico today. He was only in town for the weekend and he wanted to a longer mile race, but the only event in town was basically this 5k. And I think that you readers may know what I did ask him. Come on. "No Country for Old Men" since the movie was partially filmed/shot in that location. He said yes, the bridge, the plaza, and used some extras from the high school in the Las Vegas area.
I think, I better come clean and this is something I need to confess to you readers. I did something that I do not do. Period. I would consider this a cardinal sin, in my humble opinion and book.
This week and two weeks ago I was okay right after the 5k races. But as soon as my body cooled down and my heart rate returned to normal I got cold. Very cold. I was sitting on my gloves on the concrete barrier, with the sweat in my jacket starting to get cold. Anyway, I saw the Starbucks coffee table in the distance and I knew there was some warm/hot coffee in that dispenser. I got up and started walking to the table in the distance. There were other people there using sugar, half and half, sweetner and whatever else goes with coffee. When my turn came to at the front of the line I grabbed a paper cup and proceeded to get a cup of coffee - 3/4 of a cup full. Well, more than that 3/4 cup of coffee. A cup of hot liquid. I took my first sip of coffee since 1996 and I was immediately warmed up. I could literally feel the liquid coffee running down my throat into my stomach. The liquid along the way warmed up my upper body from the chilling cold. I only had a cup of coffee two weeks ago and today I only had one cup of coffee. I had to readers. I would not say that I was weak, but I was desperate to get warm. near the finish line in Wash Park there is no wind barrier to stand behind and basically it is just open space.
However, I want to assure to you readers that I have not acquired the taste of coffee. I did appreciate the warmth that it gave to my body, but I still could not make coffee a drink for me. Today, I put a packet of sugar in there, though there was nothing to stir the sugar into the coffee so the top half of the coffee was the same taste I had two weeks ago. But as I got to the bottom of the cup I could taste the sweetness and that was when I threw the rest of the coffee away. Yuck. I am not sure what the sugary taste did or did not do. Or perhaps I added too much. I do not know. I am going to label this "Coffee Incident" as desire, but in the total opposite direction of desire.
Once again - I a-po-gize (as someone I know says the word "apologize") for not turning out to my faithful Sunday crowd for my regular Sunday Morning Ritual. Though it did occur to me to go out before I left for Washington Park, but I did not want to get cold until I absolutely had to.
Note: I did not do the HRCA race in Highlands Ranch since apparently registration for non-Highland ranch residents closed at noon on Friday. That was/is Fucked up. Well, to look at it from my point of view - I saved $ 35.00 dollars.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Happy Birthday to Me
Greetings People
Happy Birthday to me.
Let me get right to the point of today's topic
“Something” has once again inflamed a passion in me to compose a blog about “something” I have addressed in the days of old. Nevertheless, I have to broach this subject every two or three years, basically whenever I get a new circle of friends. Or when someone discovers the other side of me.
Let us commence with an example that has inspired me to get my creative juices to ignite for 2007.
I am not sure how to initiate this blog, but let me embark on how all this transpired down in my hood of Englewood, Colorado.
As I stated in yesterday’s blog I at long last got around to utilizing the gift card that I acquired from RTD.
Well, I began the 10th day of January earlier than usual. Perhaps I was hoping to get a call from my mom, since I do not know when their day starts these past few weeks. We have had five newborn calfes in the past four weeks and my parents have been busy trying to keep those newborns alive – the cold, the snow, the ice chopping, feeding, etc. I have digressed so let me return to the story at hand.
I even left early for work with a little spring in my step. The morning temperature was cool, but not cold. A slight wind was blowing in from the North with the winter sun shining ever so brightly, but providing no warmth in the bitter beginning of the winter season that started on December 21.
This is where the story truly commences - I go into Starbucks with my own Starbucks “old school” coffee thermos in one hand and gift card in the other hand. There was no line for ordering, which is an amazing thing since that is very unusual for that Starbucks location. I walked up to the register and speak the line of dialogue I always say when ordering the only order I get at any Starbucks store.
“A large Mocha Frap with whipped cream in my own container and that’s it.”
I spoke clear and slow, since I have encountered numerous incidents as the one I am going to recount to you faithful readers, here and now. So, while I was saying the above rehearsed sentence I reached out to the cash register woman operator (the young 20’s college student working at Starbucks so I have spending money) presenting my gift card, from RTD, as expenditure for the Mocha Frap I have been thinking about ever since obtaining the gift card.
“Would you like a scone or muffin?”
What the fuck I thought to myself. I know what I just previously said and I looked at her and reiterated what I said – word for word not fifteen seconds ago. Readers, I will recite myself in this sort of circumstance so the person who is serving/helping me does not have to inquire for a third time. If she/he then has to ask the exact question once more I will give that person the look of “I am not going to repeat myself so you better consider about getting off that pedestal that makes you one step closer to god than me because I have all the time in the world since you decided to challenge my initial request.” I was not going to repeat myself for a third time nor will I start a new line of discussion.
Readers, this is like a double-sided sword and there is only one side or the other side. There is no middle. One may say that this is a conundrum. However, for me this is a situation normal for me and I am willing to challenge my last word of conversation. Period.
As I touched upon before, even before getting to the door of Starbucks, I departed out my front door with a spring in my step. I even got up earlier than usual to have ample time to go to Starbucks this morning, so there was no “attitude” to begin with. In layman terms, nothing has yet to piss me off on this fogless morning. I had woken up with a layout of my morning’s agenda, feeling like a new man and no chip on my shoulder.
Now, back to the story… there was an awkward moment of silence for her. However, for me the taciturnity was nothing unknown and nor was I going to utter one more word of dialogue. You could parallel my stance to Rosa Parks saying those infamous words “I’m not moving.” Or as a “brutha” would say “Did I stutter fool?! I’m not moving. And if you choose to continue you will be taught what I learned from the school of hard knocks. For real.”
After that short moment of silence she starts to ring my order up and after a second or two she appeared, to me, that she was done ringing me up. What I noticed while she was ringing me up on the register she did not ring up my discount. Word. So, I say to her “Is that the total? I did not see my discount for bringing in my own thermos.”
She immediately knew I “got her” (busted her), but she indicated that she was not done and then depressed a few more buttons on the register and my new adjusted total came up, with the discount. Oh yeah, no smile came to my face, but oh how that lifted my getting “pissed off” mood. I mentally chalked this up as another win in my “Customer is always right” column and took my gift card back and dropped no money in the tip jar. I know the discount is only a dime, but she tried to fuck me out of a dime, when in fact she fucked herself and the barrister out of that dime, plus more when she had asked that million dollar question With me walking out my front door feeling like Jaci spent the night, I might have left a dollar tip on the Mocha Frap order. We will never know though nor will I give a second thought about what could have been.
Yes, that is what I wrote. I left no tip. She fucked that up when she asked if I wanted a scone when I had clearly stated…
“A large Mocha Frap with whipped cream in my own container and that’s it.”
And she had the audacity to try and get me to say something more or answer her only question she asked.
And that, my friends, was the morning episode of my mother’s birthday in this brand new year of 2007. Now, when my mom says did I remember her birthday this year I can say “Hell yeah that was the day I went into Starbucks with my gift card from RTD to have my Mocha Frap with whipped cream.” Hah hah.
With my morning incident presented to you I am pretty sure I have gotten your attention. Whether for the good or bad I could care less. I am responsible for my actions, but more consequentiality, I am not the submissive person in this affair. I was the dominant person. I am not succumbing to “the man”, nor to a life partner, the wife, the children, the girlfriend or age. I have not become jaded to the world nor been oppressed by anyone else. I have not forgotten where I came from and where I stand with my morals and myself. Meaning, I will take no shit when I do not have to.
I am an equal opportunity person to everyone I meet, but there is always something that will either make me respect you or not give you the benefit of me, yet being only as cordial as I could be. There are a lot of things I wrote down that you readers would disagree with, but before you call the kettle black, meaning me. You better take a look at your own life before judging me by the stories I communicate to you readers.
Yes, I understand the cashier may be required to say “anything else?” or offer something else or it’s free according to their policy. Fine. But, I repeat, when I include in my conversation words such as “that’s it” or “I only want this” or “and that will be all” that means that. Do not ask me for anything else. Depending on the day I may be having I might be the sarcastic son of a bitch I am when I am on the bike and say something like “Did I ask you for your phone number? Well then, I guess you know the answer to both questions that have been asked in the past 15 seconds by both of us.” This customer is right and I dare you to try your luck with me, because I promise to give you my undivided attention of me getting up in yo face. Or if am pissed off/foul mood I will become like a bitch and give the old silent treatment. Silence is such a powerful tool for me and I will often implore this method.
You may be thinking to yourself “What a son of a bitch. Not leaving a tip.” Again I say, you better get off your high horse or you better get off that step that makes you one step closer to god, because I ask you readers how many of you tip a fast food joint worker? I am proud to say I do, but only the regular fast food joint I go to for a gallon of Sweet Tea – Chick-fil-A. In addition to tipping, I also managed to get the two I deal with a 10.00 gift certificate to Starbucks. I did this act out of the respect I get when I go in there for my gallon of Sweet Tea. These two employees immediately start my order and I do not have to say one word on what I want. That is service my friend and there is no need for tipping them since society deemed them not people to tip, only waiter/waitress, bartenders, etc. The day any of you readers tip a fast food worker then you will have earned my respect and my attention to any issues/concerns you may have about me. Otherwise you better recognize.
Note, I have never stiffed a waiter/waitress out of tip money. I will give 15 % percent no matter how bad of a service the waiter/waitress may have provided. I was a waiter back in the day and I know from experience firsthand on waiting and tipping. There are a lot of people who tip less than 15 %. The government requires that we account for 15% of income made. Back in the day, I was earning $ 2.01 an hour plus tips. I am not sure how much that has changed, but that is pretty rough if you can not wait tables. Me? I made 18 to 20 percent when I worked about 95 percent of the time. More and less other times.
The cashier girl, well young woman, at Starbucks provided a service by taking my order and ringing me up. However, she did not make my Mocha Frap. She only gave me about a minute of her services. After that my order was in the hands of the barrister for the rest of my visit. Should I have still left a tip in the jar? Fuck no. Do you let a puppy piss all over the house without acknowledge of how wrong that was. Fuck no! You exert dominance, as the dog whisperer Romero would voice. So, the next time they see my thermos, my face, and remember not to ask a fucking question when I state “that’s it” they have learned not to question this customer. You may think I am a face among thousands that visits that certain Starbucks, but alas I have a certain something that one can not help to forget. Character. Okay, okay, now I am full of it, but I do have that certain impression on most people.
You may be saying to yourself “ I should have apologized to her” Fuck that. I do not apologize for her not listening to me in the first place. She did not offer any apologies to me for asking a question she knew she asked nor saying “oops sorry, I was not listening to you”
Readers I will pause for now since this has already gotten pretty lengthy
until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Happy Birthday to me.
Let me get right to the point of today's topic
“Something” has once again inflamed a passion in me to compose a blog about “something” I have addressed in the days of old. Nevertheless, I have to broach this subject every two or three years, basically whenever I get a new circle of friends. Or when someone discovers the other side of me.
Let us commence with an example that has inspired me to get my creative juices to ignite for 2007.
I am not sure how to initiate this blog, but let me embark on how all this transpired down in my hood of Englewood, Colorado.
As I stated in yesterday’s blog I at long last got around to utilizing the gift card that I acquired from RTD.
Well, I began the 10th day of January earlier than usual. Perhaps I was hoping to get a call from my mom, since I do not know when their day starts these past few weeks. We have had five newborn calfes in the past four weeks and my parents have been busy trying to keep those newborns alive – the cold, the snow, the ice chopping, feeding, etc. I have digressed so let me return to the story at hand.
I even left early for work with a little spring in my step. The morning temperature was cool, but not cold. A slight wind was blowing in from the North with the winter sun shining ever so brightly, but providing no warmth in the bitter beginning of the winter season that started on December 21.
This is where the story truly commences - I go into Starbucks with my own Starbucks “old school” coffee thermos in one hand and gift card in the other hand. There was no line for ordering, which is an amazing thing since that is very unusual for that Starbucks location. I walked up to the register and speak the line of dialogue I always say when ordering the only order I get at any Starbucks store.
“A large Mocha Frap with whipped cream in my own container and that’s it.”
I spoke clear and slow, since I have encountered numerous incidents as the one I am going to recount to you faithful readers, here and now. So, while I was saying the above rehearsed sentence I reached out to the cash register woman operator (the young 20’s college student working at Starbucks so I have spending money) presenting my gift card, from RTD, as expenditure for the Mocha Frap I have been thinking about ever since obtaining the gift card.
“Would you like a scone or muffin?”
What the fuck I thought to myself. I know what I just previously said and I looked at her and reiterated what I said – word for word not fifteen seconds ago. Readers, I will recite myself in this sort of circumstance so the person who is serving/helping me does not have to inquire for a third time. If she/he then has to ask the exact question once more I will give that person the look of “I am not going to repeat myself so you better consider about getting off that pedestal that makes you one step closer to god than me because I have all the time in the world since you decided to challenge my initial request.” I was not going to repeat myself for a third time nor will I start a new line of discussion.
Readers, this is like a double-sided sword and there is only one side or the other side. There is no middle. One may say that this is a conundrum. However, for me this is a situation normal for me and I am willing to challenge my last word of conversation. Period.
As I touched upon before, even before getting to the door of Starbucks, I departed out my front door with a spring in my step. I even got up earlier than usual to have ample time to go to Starbucks this morning, so there was no “attitude” to begin with. In layman terms, nothing has yet to piss me off on this fogless morning. I had woken up with a layout of my morning’s agenda, feeling like a new man and no chip on my shoulder.
Now, back to the story… there was an awkward moment of silence for her. However, for me the taciturnity was nothing unknown and nor was I going to utter one more word of dialogue. You could parallel my stance to Rosa Parks saying those infamous words “I’m not moving.” Or as a “brutha” would say “Did I stutter fool?! I’m not moving. And if you choose to continue you will be taught what I learned from the school of hard knocks. For real.”
After that short moment of silence she starts to ring my order up and after a second or two she appeared, to me, that she was done ringing me up. What I noticed while she was ringing me up on the register she did not ring up my discount. Word. So, I say to her “Is that the total? I did not see my discount for bringing in my own thermos.”
She immediately knew I “got her” (busted her), but she indicated that she was not done and then depressed a few more buttons on the register and my new adjusted total came up, with the discount. Oh yeah, no smile came to my face, but oh how that lifted my getting “pissed off” mood. I mentally chalked this up as another win in my “Customer is always right” column and took my gift card back and dropped no money in the tip jar. I know the discount is only a dime, but she tried to fuck me out of a dime, when in fact she fucked herself and the barrister out of that dime, plus more when she had asked that million dollar question With me walking out my front door feeling like Jaci spent the night, I might have left a dollar tip on the Mocha Frap order. We will never know though nor will I give a second thought about what could have been.
Yes, that is what I wrote. I left no tip. She fucked that up when she asked if I wanted a scone when I had clearly stated…
“A large Mocha Frap with whipped cream in my own container and that’s it.”
And she had the audacity to try and get me to say something more or answer her only question she asked.
And that, my friends, was the morning episode of my mother’s birthday in this brand new year of 2007. Now, when my mom says did I remember her birthday this year I can say “Hell yeah that was the day I went into Starbucks with my gift card from RTD to have my Mocha Frap with whipped cream.” Hah hah.
With my morning incident presented to you I am pretty sure I have gotten your attention. Whether for the good or bad I could care less. I am responsible for my actions, but more consequentiality, I am not the submissive person in this affair. I was the dominant person. I am not succumbing to “the man”, nor to a life partner, the wife, the children, the girlfriend or age. I have not become jaded to the world nor been oppressed by anyone else. I have not forgotten where I came from and where I stand with my morals and myself. Meaning, I will take no shit when I do not have to.
I am an equal opportunity person to everyone I meet, but there is always something that will either make me respect you or not give you the benefit of me, yet being only as cordial as I could be. There are a lot of things I wrote down that you readers would disagree with, but before you call the kettle black, meaning me. You better take a look at your own life before judging me by the stories I communicate to you readers.
Yes, I understand the cashier may be required to say “anything else?” or offer something else or it’s free according to their policy. Fine. But, I repeat, when I include in my conversation words such as “that’s it” or “I only want this” or “and that will be all” that means that. Do not ask me for anything else. Depending on the day I may be having I might be the sarcastic son of a bitch I am when I am on the bike and say something like “Did I ask you for your phone number? Well then, I guess you know the answer to both questions that have been asked in the past 15 seconds by both of us.” This customer is right and I dare you to try your luck with me, because I promise to give you my undivided attention of me getting up in yo face. Or if am pissed off/foul mood I will become like a bitch and give the old silent treatment. Silence is such a powerful tool for me and I will often implore this method.
You may be thinking to yourself “What a son of a bitch. Not leaving a tip.” Again I say, you better get off your high horse or you better get off that step that makes you one step closer to god, because I ask you readers how many of you tip a fast food joint worker? I am proud to say I do, but only the regular fast food joint I go to for a gallon of Sweet Tea – Chick-fil-A. In addition to tipping, I also managed to get the two I deal with a 10.00 gift certificate to Starbucks. I did this act out of the respect I get when I go in there for my gallon of Sweet Tea. These two employees immediately start my order and I do not have to say one word on what I want. That is service my friend and there is no need for tipping them since society deemed them not people to tip, only waiter/waitress, bartenders, etc. The day any of you readers tip a fast food worker then you will have earned my respect and my attention to any issues/concerns you may have about me. Otherwise you better recognize.
Note, I have never stiffed a waiter/waitress out of tip money. I will give 15 % percent no matter how bad of a service the waiter/waitress may have provided. I was a waiter back in the day and I know from experience firsthand on waiting and tipping. There are a lot of people who tip less than 15 %. The government requires that we account for 15% of income made. Back in the day, I was earning $ 2.01 an hour plus tips. I am not sure how much that has changed, but that is pretty rough if you can not wait tables. Me? I made 18 to 20 percent when I worked about 95 percent of the time. More and less other times.
The cashier girl, well young woman, at Starbucks provided a service by taking my order and ringing me up. However, she did not make my Mocha Frap. She only gave me about a minute of her services. After that my order was in the hands of the barrister for the rest of my visit. Should I have still left a tip in the jar? Fuck no. Do you let a puppy piss all over the house without acknowledge of how wrong that was. Fuck no! You exert dominance, as the dog whisperer Romero would voice. So, the next time they see my thermos, my face, and remember not to ask a fucking question when I state “that’s it” they have learned not to question this customer. You may think I am a face among thousands that visits that certain Starbucks, but alas I have a certain something that one can not help to forget. Character. Okay, okay, now I am full of it, but I do have that certain impression on most people.
You may be saying to yourself “ I should have apologized to her” Fuck that. I do not apologize for her not listening to me in the first place. She did not offer any apologies to me for asking a question she knew she asked nor saying “oops sorry, I was not listening to you”
Readers I will pause for now since this has already gotten pretty lengthy
until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Happy Birthday to my Mom
Greetings PeopleI have to post this message even though my mother will not even know this nor would she be able to find her way around the internet to this blog site, but here it goes.
Happy Birthday
There, I have it on record that I did not forget her birthday and I can use you readers as my witness to this well wish.
However, you readers will have to wish my birthday tomorrow.
Soprano's on A/E tonight.
Oh, and this morning I finally used that gift card I got from RTD last month. If you new readers need any background on this please see an earlier blog about the gift card.
I got my favorite drink there - A large mocha frap with whip cream in my own container. Which means I better get my discount for bringing in my own mug and I do not want them to use their paper container to put my Mocha Frap in. Also, when I saw Large that means Large, none of the venti, or whatever words that Starbucks uses for small, medium, and Large sizes. I bring in a large container, I say Large and you charge me for a large and I say that's it - it had better be Large and that's it. When I say "that's it" it means that's it. I do not want a scone, I do not want your muffin, I do not want to try the house blend. Do not do the semanics retort on me. Do not pull the know it all, I'm young, going to college routine and asked me what was I ordered again when I clearly and slowly said when I ordered and handed over my thermos to you.
As you can probably tell readers I can not put up with that sort of attitude or ignorance.
Readers, I almost got on another roll and I better stop and let this go, for now. Perhaps I will return to this since I started to think about this more and more.
Anyway, until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Thursday, December 14, 2006
The RTD Light Rail incident in Lonetree, CO
Greetings People
Well, I guess... er I know, my mood has gotten better, improved one might say, over the past 24 hours.
As I have mentioned in the past, I think. Well, maybe not on this blog, but sometimes "It is the little things in life that might bring a smile to your face"
Well, I walking to the light rail station after work yesterday. Still full of piss and vineager one might say. Actually, I would relate myself to was that I was walking with attitude and the chip on my shoulder from when I woke up was still there. Oh yes, sometimes you wake up with an attitude and that stays for the whole day. As was the case with me on this particular day. So, I was walking with my head high, taking long strides and with the face of "Don't fuck me with" mood all over.
A woman was "pacing" from which I saw from a distance, but I thought she was just waiting for the light rail started making a straight line for me and I knew she had her sights on me, but I gave no acknowledgement of her. I kept my eyes straight and my stride was still strong. Then, those immortal words were spoken by her "Excuse me. excuse me." I had picked up my pace so she actually had to pick up her pace in order to intercept me from getting by her. Oh, I nearly lost my cool. I did not want to do a survey tonight, nor could I fucking care less about how you have no money and need to borrow a dollar to get home. As you readers know, I have my Russian "girlfriend" asking for money and you know that outcome. I was not even going to give any money away - especially today. And more importantly no dollar to an American woman this evening.
So, getting back to story I turned my head to her, showed my "who the fuck do you think you are?!" face and said "yes" in cold, terminator voice. She then start a speel and I gave her less than 10 seconds in my mind to wrap it up. She said she was sorry on behalf of RTD and please accept this gift from her, RTD. I might of mentioned before - I was wound up, like a crack ho needing some drugs, and I said something to the effect "what is the catch?!" I was still having the attitude and I was not going to give her any of my information nor was I going to sign any papers. She said "Nothing. free." Immediately, I got rid of the attitude and came down from the archs of heaven and joined the rest of the human race on earth and said "thank you" with remorse in my voice. I managed a smile and became submissive in this conversation. I think, I said sorry for my initial "coldness", but I did follow up with more thank you's since the initial thank you I said.
The gift was a $ 5.00 dollar gift card to Starbucks. I hate to say this, but that $ 5.00 dollar gift card turned my day right around. Not just because of $ 5.00 dollars, but the gift itself. I thought and have been thinking about buying my Large Mocha Frap with whipped cream in my "OG" coffee mug from the 90's tomorrow.
In closing, yes I am human and yes I have my days where I want to be left alone. I realize how bold it was her to approach me in what I am sure she saw hostilty in me. She took her chance with me and now I post my "I am sorry" to her even though she will never know most likely.
Until the next time readers...
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
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