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

National Western Stock Show

Greetings Readers

Well, it is that time of the year the National Western Stock Show arrives to Denver, Colorado.

I look forward to this event and try to go when I want to go. At times in the past though I did not want to go - just because.

This event has been going on for over 100 years, I think. 104th Annual event this year?

Not much else I can say about this.

Oh perhaps I better write a bit about what it is. Well, there are about three main buildings. One big building is like an Expo area where there are booths set up as far as the eye can see. Under the Expo is kept the Cattle, sheep and some pigs, if I remember. Oh not all the cattle are kept under the expo. There are the Cattle yards that are located just North of the Stock Show area.

The other building is the Main Coliseum where the main rodeo events are held. Just outside the arena still inside the building, are more booths and what not.

Then, there is a smaller building where the "other" events are held. And I have to admit this is the area of the Stock Show that I like. Ranch dogs compete in dog pulls, rounding up sheep, horse pulls, horse displays and all other sorts of shows that would not get into the main arena. I could spend almost all day here on certain event days. And the best thing - it's free (well included with ground admission).

On the other side of the Cattle yards is a much smaller building where the auctions are held for livestock which were brought in just for auction or for show and then auction.

I think that is about all I can really say. Well, there are a lot of Cowboys and Cowgirls and even better Hot Cow women. They can make a nice pair of wranglers look spectacular.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2008 - Day 14

Greetings Readers

I am 0-3 in my bets for this year. Yes, my finalists that I chose both lost this weekend.

The Men's Australian Open final was great, and even more so that Federer was not in the finals. I gave the Final's match an exciting and unknown on who was going to win. I did not have to listen to announcers say... for example.. How long is Federer going to take to win this Finals? or How many shots is Federer going to take to win this Finals match? How many sets is Federer going to play before he wins the Australian Open.

There was none of that talk. Should I use the word that Dick and Mary used this morning? "Refreshing". Refreshing. It was "refreshing" and in the sense that there was not the usual person that was in the Finals match. The playing field was sort of level. But, not really. There is the number three men's tennis player that was playing against an unseeded player-the under dog.

The announcers talked about "Drama" but there was no drama. Just play. Unfortunately, for Djokovic since all the Australians were behind Tsonga. Tsonga was and is the player that everyone was behind, yet deep down in our hearts we knew that the number three seeded player in the world was number three for a reason.

The final score 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (2) Novak winning the 2008 Australian Open.

Now readers, I am assuming that most of my readers are probably tired of my tennis, since most of the readers are probably not a fanatic about Tennis as I am. Who knows and do I care? Well, no. If you readers do not want to read about tennis then obviously you have the power to move that mouse and click to another website.

I did go to the Stock Show yesterday and I did have fun down North of Denver at the Western Stock Show Complex. The day was warm and sunny. I think the temperature got into the forties and there was a slight wind blowing in from the south.

As you can tell from the picture posted for today I did find, locate and bought a few items at the Jack Daniels Booth. That was the main reason why I went to the stock show this year. I did not get tickets to the Rodeo, but I was able to enjoy wandering around the ground.

I was ready this year to spend some money. I got the big booth and was just wondering what I could buy and what I really wanted to buy.

I saw that there was three different styles of Jack Daniels Bandanna's, A nice selection of hats, some shirts, and misc items.

The stuff that I got was two hats (one for me and one for my brother), one T-shirt (probably for my brother), four Bandanna's (three for me and one for my brother) and two bar mats (both for me). I wanted to buy some shot glasses, a key chain, and a jacket/coat. Yet, I was able to limit myself to the items I mentioned that I bought.

I was able to budget for this purchase two months in advanced and I did good. I also went to the Coors booth, but did not really see anything that caught my eye.

After doing all the business I needed to do I grabbed myself a beer, then throughout the time I was there I had some Lynchburg Lemonade.

Wait!

When someone like me goes to a bar and orders "Jack and Coke" I get Jack and Coke. I hope that there are people that share that same sediment.

When I said Jack and Coke, I saw that the server was going to pour some Pepsi into the cup of ice and shot of Jack Daniel's. "Whoa. stop. What are you doing?!" "I said Jack and Coke. Coca-Cola" She replies that they only have/serve Pepsi.

That is fucked up. Period. There is no way that Jack Daniel's goes with Pepsi. That is like putting Wild Turkey with Dr. Pepper. or Soy Milk in a White Russian. That's just a fucked up drink that no one should settle with. Er. Let me reiterate that. That is nothing that I would settle should there be no Coca-Cola available.

Now, I am not angry, but Pepsi does not go with Jack Daniel's. As my favorite little buddy would say "That's just wrong. Wrong!"

Alright readers I guess the first Grand Slam of the year is over and now I can get back to my regular writing tomorrow.

I took RTD and Light rail down to the Stock show and I heard and scene some interesting things.

One thing I like to mention.

I was at the 30th and Downing. I am not sure if this was a black or Hispanic neighborhood, but both were predominate. I got on the bus going north and the bus still had some time before leaving. The bus driver was black and then there was this Hispanic guy. He asked the bus driver a question, but I was not paying attention. Of all times that I did not bring my Ipod with me you would think I would have been "paying attention" to this particular conversation.

I did not know anything happened at all. The Hispanic guy gets off the bus and then just hangs out about 10 feet from the bus I am waiting on. A few minutes pass by then the Hispanic guy gets on this bus once more and then I hear the bus driver say "I told you this bus is not going downtown!" The Hispanic guy starts to put his money into the money thing-a-mig-jiggy and the bus driver once more says "This bus is not going downtown"

Be right back.. not finish....

"I am not going downtown" the bus driver says. Then something was said between them but, I could not hear. Then, the bus driver says "You asked me which way was downtown." The Hispanic guy goes "Well, that does not mean I wanted to go downtown." (Readers who does this sound like to a T?!)

"Go back to Africa."

My ears perked up even more so. I think I was about to witness an interracial showdown at 30th and Downing. How much is this Black bus driver going to take? And more importantly how was he going to respond to this Hispanic Guy? Of course the Bus driver is working and he probably has been trained/taught how to act in this sort of scenario.

The Hispanic guy passes me on the bus mumbling away and still saying go back to to Africa you black Motherf&%$#*. I was watching and listening closely to what the bus driver was/is planning to do.

Nothing happened though. No showdown in the hood.

The weather is beautiful today. It has to be in the fifties. Some wind is blowing. Otherwise - WARM.

Oh, and the women in tight wrangers! Oh baby, do you realize that I have to wait 50 weeks before I get to see another woman in a tight blue jean wrangers and a cowgirl shirt with curly long blonde (not strict though - brunette hair, red hair - all good baby) hair. Just too long to wait inbetween. I am not going to say that is a turn-on, but I do like looking at a woman who somehow got herself into some tight fitting, spray painted wrangers. And yes readers I know I could go to Stampede, but that's just not my place to go.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Australian Open 2008 - Day 13

Greetings Readers

Well, I have lost the first bet. Yes - Sharapova beat Ivanovic. Not bad of play, but yes I really knew that this was going to happen. Okay, now with that out of the way. The play last night was okay. Maria and Ana did put on a good match. There were some okay play and the final score is 7-5, 6-3.

Trying to think about this champions match last night and what I was going to write about... well I can not really write much about it. Simple, quick, a few errors by Ana less so for Maria and that was the Finals Women Match.

Yet, what I did not know was that the Australians have a found a replacement for "Aussie Kim". Oops, former "Aussie Kim" aka Kim Cjlisters. When I heard that the Aussies were now calling Ana Ivanovic "Aussie Ana" I got a lump in my throat. The Australians have adopted Ana. She deserves the "Aussie" title more than you think. That is Ana pictured when she started to cry, tear up while speaking to the crowd and the world. She is on her way be an "Aussie Kim" in the making.

And the Australians just do not pick anyone to be an "Aussie". There is more to why, but I will leave that to you readers to find out should you want to know. Way to go "Aussie Ana".

I had the same lump in my throat when Ana was talking about her post match and etc when accepting her second place trophy on stage. It hurts to lose and even more so on a big stage. Yet, Ana gave what she could and did not disappoint me in my eyes.

I am going to go... One more match.

I am going to the National Western Stock show today and I got to get going.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Biking/Cycling in the Gutter

Greetings Readers

Riding on the road. I am not sure what you readers picture/think when I say/write that.

I guess I take for granted what that sentence means and what that may mean to you.

When I ride on the road or in the Street that is sort of not the truth. I am actually riding in the gutter. The gutter (the concrete portion of the road) that is about foot to a foot and a half wide. I do ride in the streets when there is no gutter or as in winter there is snow and/or ice in the gutter. But only briefly then I go back into the gutter.

I do not believe in riding in the road. I know that as a driver that seeing a rider in the road just pisses me off and very, very deep inside I have this urge to drive as close as I can to this rider and show them that they do not belong in the road. No, I have not done this nor would I, but believe me readers my other friends have felt this and when you hear this from your friends this is something that is quite "normal".

So, that is one of the reasons I ride in the gutter. Yet, riding in the gutter did not come easy. Nor did I learn overnight. There was/is the danger of having your right pedal hit the curb. And you know that means. One hit and you could lose your balance and either go into the street or not in the street. Now, I can basically ride 6 to 8 inches from the curb and feel so comfortable.

Yet, with me finally learning to ride in the gutter I was able to learn to keep riding in a straight line. I do not weave all over the road, in a manner of speaking. I learned to be aware of where I was riding since in the gutter there are all sort of hazards/items. I learned to scrape my tires against the curb while riding. There is no reason for this except that I can.

Now, the picture that I have posted on today's blog is a picture of almost any road anywhere. Does not matter. There is the road, the gutter, and the sidewalk. Now, what would you readers choose to ride. I bet almost 90 percent of you would take the side walk. Yes, the nice wide sidewalk. Not to mention that you are going uphill so most of you readers will probably do some weaving of the bike. However, me I would still take the gutter. I do not have a reason why I would take the gutter as opposed to the empty road and sidewalk. That's just me.

On this particular road there is a sign that says "Share the road" which pictures a bike rider and car. So, the vehicles on this particular stretch of road really can not bent out of shape for me being in the gutter. Of course, that does not stop someone from not getting worked up for me being in the road/gutter.

Yet, riding in the gutter is sometimes not a option that I would take. On major travelled roads with a lot of traffic I will ride on the sidewalk. Period. With the heavy volume of vehicles I do not feel safe riding in the gutter. Also, the odds of "pissing off" drivers dramatically increases from a non-heavy volume road. Also tempting the Biking Gods as much as I have in the past 12 years may make the Biking Gods thinking twice about me. Hah hah.

At night I do not ride in the streets. Again, I may have biking lights everywhere on my bike, but with the dark and all that is still dangerous to even think about riding in the street.

Should you readers ask me do I ever ride in the street? Oh yes! Sunday morning with my Sunday Morning ritual. If you want to catch a glimpse of me just be one of the vehicles out on Arapahoe road early Sunday Morning. I actually love riding in the road (not in the gutter) biking like a mad crazy cyclist going west (downhill) on Arapahoe Road. Sometimes East if I am going to a different location to get my paper. That Sunday morning ritual is one of the reasons I like do my Sunday Morning ritual. To actually bike down a majorly travelled road that is empty is so TABOO. Yet, Sunday Morning I practically have the road to myself and the ride about mile and a half, never-the-less I am riding that length so quickly. So thank you to all the people who sleep in Sunday morning in the Arapahoe area. =)

My birthday came and went. The "mom and pop" liquor store that I frequent were very nice to me and gave me a tiny bottle of Vodka as a birthday present. That was such a nice gesture by her.

As the final minutes of my birthday was coming to an end I stopped by CB & Potts and had a few drinks and a Courtesy "birthday shot". Again a very nice gesture. A Washington Apple is what I think she called it.

By the way readers - the National Western Stock show has once more come to Denver and I think I might go tomorrow. I want to see some Cowgirls and those tight wranglers!

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The First Tuesday's blog of 2007

Greetings People

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

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

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

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

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

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete