Sick?... Perhaps. But, Trying Not to Let That Happen.

Greetings Readers

I am off the P90X program for just a bit.  I am perhaps getting sick as I knew this would kind of happen.  Though this may be to some of the people sick around me as well as riding in the cold and rain in the past days.

This morning I went to Sprouts and bought Simply Grapefruit and Simply Orange Juice.  Yes, two different ones.  I am dumping my body full of vitamins and resting.  I did not work out last night either.  I grabbed the comforter, and went to bed.  Rest.  And now, for lunch at the place I work at I got beef tips with rice and green beans.   Again, off the program at the moment so I can get food into me without worrying about fat, sugar, carb intakes.  I am sorry about the white rice, but I am eating it as well as keeping my body full with food.  In a manner of speaking.

When I woke up this morning my throat was kind of hurting when I swallowed.  My throat got better as I got ready to leave, but as of this moment my throat is still hurting a bit when I swallow.  Nothing big, but could be the start of me getting sick.   Which I do not want to happen.  I came into work earlier so I can leave earlier as well.

Anyway, I will try to recap the past week of P90X that I said I was going to do in the previous blog post.

Let me start with going downtown.  I decided to go downtown since I heard that the bar I go to - the 1 Up Club had the new The Walking Dead Pinball machine.  I was stoked.  I am a fan of the show and with me being a pinball player I was excited to see and play this machine.  I did not want to go on a Saturday so I went on Sunday afternoon.  I also wanted to hear the machine and not be rushed to move to another pinball machine.  Overall, I did not like the machine.  The play field was kinda of small and crowded.  I did not like the skill shot either.  The right most ramp I could not hit.  I tried and tried on the three dollars I spent on the machine, but I just could not get the angle right to get that ball up the ramp.  What was disappointing to me was that I did not recognize any of the voices on the pinball machine.  I was actually expecting to hear some of the character voices, but to me, I did not hear one voice that is from the show.  Getting back to the machine - there is the well zombie in the play field.  I did not like the placement and with me being so new to the machine I do not know what to do with him.  I did hit a few times though.  There was a return lane on the right.  The left side had drop targets and then in the upper middle portion of the play field was a vault.  Hit the doors x amount of times and then you see a zombie head once the vault doors open.  Then, the walker kill mode starts.

I will give the machine another try the next time I go and see if I have a better experience.   I could also need a bit more playing time on the machine.  However, I do not want to waste money on the machine if I do not like playing or feel like the playing time is not worth it.  Speaking of which, the exit lanes on the left and right side were in play alot and I lost a lot of balls on those exit lanes.  I did not like that.  If pictures are not posted then I will post later.

Yes, I did some drinking when I went to the 1 Up bar.  Apricot beer - yummy.  Who knew that I would even have and like that beer that is served there from the Tap.  Love it.  And believe me that I do not use that world a lot.  LOVE.  I love you, Apricot beer.  I can not remember the maker, but I think the maker is in Aurora, CO.  Though not sure.

After the 1 Up club I stopped by CB & Potts and had some potato Skins.  I know, I know.  But I wanted some food.  Not healthy food.  But the food I have been forbidden to eat.  And what started this was that I could smell that at the 1 Up club as well as other types of appetizers.  I was going crazy while playing pinball.  Even as I write this my mouth is starting to water and the memories of me playing on Sunday and smelling that hot food being delivered to whomever ordered it at the bar.  Oh so good.  Yes, the potato skins were yummy.  I LOVE you potato skins.  I loved the way you tasted on Sunday.  I can not wait until the next time I decide to do something like this.

Then, the past weekend as well I did some minecrafting.  Alot of things have happened on the server I play on - mostly on the survival econ game of the server.  The way I make my money is gone.  They took away that option to sell that item and now I can not make my money and the mine craft farms that I have made are all useless, at the moment.  I had immediately thought of converting the farms right away, but I have decided to wait to see what is going to be done, or replaced, with that one item that can not be sold anymore to get money.  I did work on landscaping as well as getting some materials for that Halloween competition as well.  The deadline is 11/5 so I have a bit time, but not much time.  I did get an idea so now I just have to get the land and start building like a mad man. 

Yesterday, was the one month anniversary of starting the P90X program although you and I know Readers it has been two weeks officially going by the routines.  It is what it is.  I just hope I feel better tomorrow and do not get worse.  I want to get back on with me now being off the plan for five days.  Thank goodness it is just me now, meaning no ex.

Oh, I took a picture of me in some jeans that I was barely fitting into two months ago.  Now, I can not get them up.  They are too big.  Even with the belt being cinched in the jeans look goofy on me.  So, I took a couple of pictures and decided to retire them since I really can not wear them without them falling down.  Anyway, that is an awesome feeling knowing that the P90X plan is working awesomely, but also feeling that I am getting back into shape.  I also have another pair of jeans that I might have to retire as well since it is also having the same effect.  Breaking up with the ex was the best and healthiest thing to happen to me.  I think I may be down to waist 31, but not sure.  Weight this morning was 138 pounds.

Alright time for me to go.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley

The P90X athlete on halt with program-perhaps sick

Breaking Bad Binge - Last Sunday

Greetings Readers

Today was the final Sunday for the Breaking Bad binge that AMC has been running for about two months or so.  They are reruns.  I have seen them before.  However, I like the "binge"  It made for almost all my past Sundays great.  I did miss a few Sundays for various reasons, but I did try to make an effort to be home after 3PM on Sundays. 

I once more have all the seasons again since I had to buy one through four since the ex stole them from me.  I asked for my stuff back for over a month and in the end the ex tried extorting money for my DVDs.  If this way on becoming or is an Evangelist then these are not good things to start with.  Readers, I have may have mentioned this before, but if not, yes the ex- was not very cooperative on returning my stuff to me.  And in the end the ex wanted to tour my humble abode and then tried to extort money from me before giving my stuff back to me.  The ex said I owed kitty money.

What about my stuff.  I got some stuff back.  I even wrote in an email that the ex could some stuff - the ex made no effort to even return the stuff I said the ex- could keep.  I gave the ex's stuff back and then some.  I wanted to make sure that there was/is no reason to contact me any further.  Some stuff?  I missing a blanket, A towel, A cup, A glass, Dave & Busters Card with some points, An Ice Box Cooler, A tomato Plant. A computer mouse, Some cooking pans, some cooking sheets, etc.  The stuff I told the ex to keep, but thought the ex would return - some spices, some steak, some of my bathroom stuff, my portable boom box stereo.

I digress Readers - Breaking Bad.  Sorry, I think back on what the ex did on my original Breaking Bad DVDs and tried extorting 60.00 dollars for me in the end.  Even though in the ex's previous emails she wrote what the ex wrote- I did post one of the email's from the ex about that 60.00 kitty money.  Needless to say I was able to buy the seasons that were stolen from me and I now can enjoy them once more. 

The final six episodes are being shown and I am not going to say these are the best of the series, but sure does move very fast in those last few episodes and does have it moments.  I do not care for the last episode and I have many reasons why, but I think I am going to save that for my Breaking Bad episode thing I am planning to do.  I will let you Readers know that I love and think it is very sad for that one flashback scene of Jesse making that box for his mother in woodshop class.  I remember the story of Jesse telling it in NA/AA class, but to actually see a Flashback that was so sad yet so real. 

The gunfight with Hank and Gomey, Heisenburg on the run, Skyler's attitude in her "new" kitchen.  Junior's attitude.  The FBI agents.  Jesse pouring gas.  Walter speeding, really speeding out of Albuquerque.  Walter sitting with his barrel of money waiting for his ride out of town.  And then the scene that actually used the Breaking Bad theme music in the show.

Anyway, The Breaking Bad Binge is over and now we have the start of the Walking Dead starting.  The seasons will be replayed this week and the Season 5 Premiere will be next Sunday. 

Us fellow Breaking Bad watchers at one time or another watched the Breaking Bad Binge and enjoyed seeing what was one of the best shows that AMC has came out with.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The P90X athlete unable to do this past weekend

Da Announcement - I am starting the P90X program - again

Greetings Readers

There is the announcement I have been talking about this week - I have been buying stuff all week - meaning the whey, creatine, recovery drink, yoga mat (Yes, I actually now own an official Yoga Mat) and then tonight I plan on buying the first week of food and perhaps Yoga Blocks.  For the Yoga the first other two times I did the P90X program I never had a mat or blocks.  I did okay without them, but this time around I wanted them.

Having done this twice before I know this is going to be something when beginning.  However, I am excited to do this again.  I have been all week.  Though I am dreading the Coca-Cola withdrawal as well as the no alcohol.  Basically, no no's when doing the program.  But this goes in hand with my new start in life since then end of my recent relationship.

Anyway, I guess there is not much else to say about this.  I have gotten my P90X books out once more as well as the DVDs, I got my exercise stuff and ready to go.  And this time I downloaded some free P90X worksheets since last previous two times I had a spiral note book to keep track of reps and weights and info.  I think I will have the one day a week reward I had last time.  There was no guilt on my part and it worked for me.  If I remember correctly my rewards were like a medium french fries and boy oh boy I remember my time I did this.  My friend noticed that after I ate the fries I actually licked my fingers for the salt and was getting some salt off the good times fry container. LOL.  Maybe I even blogged about this =)

I am gung-ho to take the pictures and logging my progress.  And once more I will use this blog as a journal of my progress.  LOL.  I just looked back at the second time I did this and I am pretty impressed on what I did and the pictures show the progress.  Damn =)

So, let me take you Readers back two months ago.  The last ride I got from the ex was in mid-July and then I was on the bikes from that point on.  Let me tell you Readers - My first week to work on a bike again was tough.  I was huffing and puffing and out of breath.  My legs were sore.  I was tired.  I was out of shape.  Well, that feeling probably lasted for about two to three weeks.   I just wanted to tell you Readers I was not the same person I was two years ago.  I could ride to work up hill without any issues and not be sore the following day.  And now fast forward to now.  Those two latest pictures of me I just hate looking at, but I took and posted for you Readers to see even I can get out of shape.  I just want to have that slim body I had two years ago from that 8/31/12 picture.

What was even funnier about me was the huffing and puffing - I told my co-workers and friends.  And we all laughed.  Mr. Charley is out of shape and we, yes me too, all laughed and smiled.  It is funny.  Me.  Out of shape.  And I am okay with that.

Obviously, my time is going to be strict and in the beginning of this I am going to getting up, go to work, go home, workout, eat and then sleep - well not so much as sleep, but crash out/ lights out after the exhaustion that is coming.  LOL.  Bear with me and I will try to throw in some other non P90X stuff.  I have been toying with the idea of picking up where I left off with Breaking Bad.  I will watch that episode and then blog about the episode and hopefully remember how I felt and thought.  Which is not that hard to do.  I want to share from the point I left off to the last episode.  I was even thinking of just perhaps starting from episode one and then you will see my entire views of Breaking Bad.  I turned alot of friends onto Breaking Bad and I am glad.  Just one of the best shows ever I have come across.

If I get any new Readers with this P90X program please say hello.

Oh and I have designated that today, most likely, is my last day of my everyday food and drinks.  Tomorrow is the day I have deemed to begin the program.  Although, if plans do get scheduled then I will have to post pone to Sunday start date.  Grrrr.  I do not want to take pre P90X measurements tonight.  I hate that measurement tape measuring.  The weight this morning was at 151, which is incredible since I was at basically 160 two months ago.

Alright, that is it

until the next time

Daryl Charley

the Athlete starting the P90X for the third time.

The Devil's Got a Hold of Me

Greetings Readers

That the is the song lyric from the second official trailer for Season 4 - Breaking Bad.

It's got a beat, It's got a nice singer, but so 180 degrees from the piano dramatic playing in the first Breaking Bad teaser trailer.

And I have to admit that when you see these two sentences in the trailer while that song is playing - you can not help rockin to the beat and getting caught into the trailer that shows snipets of Season four scenes - as well as past season scenes.

"Walt is not in Danger.

He is the Danger."

as Walter White would say calmly with authority...

"yeah."

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Sunday Morning Mishap

Greetings Readers

Okay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What the Fuck?

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

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

Somehow, I fucked up.

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

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

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

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Breaking Bad - Promo for Season 4

Greetings Readers

Wow.

That is an excellent promo, first poster, for next month's new season of Breaking Bad. Season 4.

I just love that warning sign next to Walter White's profile.

And of course I saw the next teaser trailer for the new season on AMC's website on Thursday of last week. Nothing revealed for Season 4 mind you, but I have to use this word again, I love, the piano's keys making the music on how the trailer starts and then Walter's voice starts talking over the cut scenes that are from last season. Soon, we hear other voices from the main characters of Breaking Bad. Meanwhile, all this time that piano is playing softly, melodic, giving me restlessness. Only because I have to wait just over a month to see the first episode of Season 4. The trailer is only a minute long, but beautifully spliced together.

Now, let me get back to the poster - Walter White - I am going to bet that most of the viewers are going to say that is Heisenberg in full presence. Meaning, that is not Walter White.

I have to say no. That is Walter White. I have seen the subtle transformation from Walter White from the first season and well into the third season. In my opinion, there is really no way that the character Walter White could have two separate identities with all the "stuff" going on in his life. I think he has a strong character, but as he is progressing into the business he is make that character more of whom we stereotype as who could be a drug dealer type.

Again, that is Walter White. Is he mad? No, that is just the look. And I am racking my mind - what other character(s) in the TV realm with spectacles can make that look "bad!" That is the "Don't Fuck with me" look. And that look works.

We Readers saw that in the season finale of Season three when Walt was about to be shot at the Laundry (Meth Super Lab) by Mike. I think that was probably the best scene of Season Three with Walt turning the tables. I am not rooting for the drug dealer, the bad guy, but I am rooting for Walter White - especially when Walter says...

"You might want to hold off."...

"...6353 Juan Tabo Apartment 6.

Yeah."


Oh, the way Walter speaks that line (starting with 6353...) and delivered that confident look that Walter gives Mike. That is the look and the stance we all perhaps felt or want to feel if in the same or similar situation.

As the first words flash in the teaser trailer.

"Once you break bad"

"You never go back"

There are alot of variables to Walter White at this point in the series and I do not think I could have done any different from what Walter has done to this point.

What I mean is - what would you have done on Episode 12 - Half Measures - Season 3 - when Jesse is walking to the Drug Dealers he is planning to shoot. You Readers who know the story up to this point - what would you have done? Needless to say - that scene fucking blew my mind when I first saw it. That was not Heisenberg - that is Walter White. You know what Readers, that scene is still powerful to me - I mean that scene caught me totally off guard and I never saw it coming. I expected the scene to be about Jesse and the Drug Dealers and what the outcome would be in the finals minutes of that episode.

And Fuck me - even after Walter White did what he did he then gets out of his vehicle and finishes "the job". again wow.

Calmly Walter looks and says to Jesse - "Run."

So, you see I know that this is perfect promo poster for the upcoming Season Four of Breaking Bad.

Even as I write this blog I am just anxious since we faithful Breaking Bad watchers now have a solid start date of Season Four - as well as a teaser trailer and two promo posters.

Which brings me to the other poster I have not talked about nor posted. Basically, it is the promo poster expanded. To Walter's right (or to the left of the warning signage) is Jesse's head. It is okay, but somehow it does not fit. I am sorry I do not know why, but for me it just does not work.

I am not saying the wider promo poster is bad (sorry for the "bad" reference), but just does not fit. Although, if you Readers and faithful watchers look closer - (and yes I know it is a promo poster) - does it look like Jesse's head is/may be shaved? Anyway, from the poster Jesse's left side of the head appears shaved. His hairline on the front of his is that high so you can not tell if his head is bald or not. Hmmmm?

And that is about all I guess I better write since this blog post is getting long.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

IRT Deadliest Road - Lisa Kelly

Greetings Readers

I have to admit there is something about Lisa Kelly.

When I first saw her on Ice Road Truckers there was something I was drawn to.

Not her attitude, but how she looks and carries herself. And honestly Readers, Lisa is wearing sunglasses all the time, which is probably due to avoid going snow blind from the sun reflecting off the snow. Which means I can not say it is sultry look of those penetrating eyes.

Oh yes, I know about that and that does happen time to time here in Colorado when we become heavily saturated with snow. The landscape turns 90 percent white and the only way to really see is to have sunglasses on.

Anyway, Lisa Kelly is very cute to me. I think it is her body type, but with that it is some of features that I am drawn to. Her smile, her cheekbones, her hair are just a few things that I am drawn to about Lisa.

She is just not a woman driver thrown onto IRT for the sakes of ratings. We faithful Readers know that Lisa is a skilled driver. She does belong and does deserve the respect of being an Ice Road Trucker.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A Blog Post after the Deadline

Greetings Readers

"Ding. (pause) Ding. (pause) Ding..."

Do any of you faithful Readers remember?

Just about a year ago was the Season 2 of Breaking Bad that just started and I remember either episode 2 or 3 was the "Ding."

and Uncle Tio.

I never thought that he would be back.

And this time he was fucking ringing that bad boy bell on his wheelchair. Not the ominous bell ringing when the scene fades to black. But Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding...

The bell ringing was constant and in anger on the scene that played out last night.

It is interesting where Breaking Bad has started this season and what has yet to come. But, what I found out that is neat is that in some of the new episodes they have filmed some of those scene sort of close to where our Ranch is located. Close - meaning about 50 miles away or so. That may seem alot and so what, but when the scene was filmed out in the middle of nowhere and on the way to Albuquerque from our Ranch it is kinda neat to know that I know where they filmed the scene that was supposedly representing Mexico in Breaking Bad, but in fact in the near the Heart of the Navajo Nation (in a manner of speaking.)

So far so good with Walter and Jesse, as well as some nice flashback scenes that showed characters from the past season. Not actual flashbacks per se, but scenes of the old characters that showed what happened prior to us seeing them last.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Nip / Tuck - Final Cuts - One to go

Greetings Readers

"I wanted this to last forever. And you know that."
Dr. Christian Troy


And that my Readers is a quote from the the last episode of Nip / Tuck next Wednesday that was in the trailer for the series finale show.

I really love the trailer, simple, and perhaps zen-like. The Piano's single or double melody that I can hear from my inexperience ears. I got a bit choked up and a bit teary eye knowing that this is it Readers. No more episodes left, no more McNamera / Troy, Liz, Kimber, Julia, Matt. and of course Nurse Linda.


Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Breaking Bad - Season 3 next month

Greetings Readers

Have you?

The Third season of Breaking Bad starts on March 21, 2010.

Season 2 was excellent. Now, the time for Season 3 has just about arrived.

Spoiler Alert for Season 2 finale.

When we last Walt he had just saw his wife drive off and then two airliners exploding right above his house due to crashing into each other by Jesse's dead girlfriend's father who was the air controller manning the radar station that caused the mid air collision.

Wow.

I am wondering how Season 3 is going to start, but more importantly there was so much damage to Walt's personal life as well as his partner's, Jesse's life - how can it get better?

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Nip / Tuck - The Final Cuts

Greetings Readers

The Final Cuts. Readers, I knew that this was coming over a year ago. Unfortunately we faithful watchers are now down to the final cuts of Nip / Tuck. Nine episodes make up the Final Cuts. And Last night was the first of the final nine episodes.

I have blogged about Nip / Tuck and probably most of the characters on the show in the past.

Now, eight episodes to go. I am sadden to see Nip / Tuck ending.

Spoiler Alert - Last night episode - I am going to mention some parts so if you have not seen it then you may want to skip the rest of the blog entry.

I was sort of worried at the beginning of the show since it showed Dr. McNamara swinging a sledgehammer at a Marble wall and then shattering an award. I was worried that Nip / Tuck was going to borrow from Breaking Bad on how they did last season. By showing a bit of the end of the last episode of the season at the beginning of each episode during the season.

I want to be completely surprised and not be teased on what may or may not happened. Like the Soprano's - no hint given on the last episode and boy were we faithful watchers surprised and/or angry.

Back to Nip / Tuck - Last Night episode focuses on Sean and Christian getting an award, a prestigious award. Overall, very good and I think I like the flashback sequences to a young Sean and a young Christian when they were going to school. Those flashback scenes tied in together with the last scene of the episode played out last night. In addition to tieing in they have set up a story line that will I imagine go well, but will show the destruction of... well... I do not want to give you Readers what I think will be destroyed. What I am wondering about is Matt, Julia's mother, the loan Christian took out again the practice without Sean knowing. And I have a feeling that perhaps, just perhaps two characters from the past seasons, brother and sister, may make an appearance. And I am not talking about the Escobar (the drug dealer that was murdered 2 or 3 season ago) and now resides in Sean's memory and comes to light every now and then.

I laughed a bit in the episode last night, but mostly it was serious and I appreciate and glad that Nip / Tuck took that approach.

If there was a crowning moment in last night's episode it would be Christian meeting Sean in the Library and Pat Benatar singing "We Belong" in the background.

"...many times I tried to tell you
many times you cried alone
always I'm surprise on how well
you cut my feeling to the bones..."

and then there is one more line to the stanza, but the key part for me "...I've invested too much time..."

I have invested my time with Nip / Tuck and in a sense Nip / Tuck belongs with me - we belong.

I will go out on the line right now, due to the nature of the show and past season, I think, there is not going to be a happy ending. Meaning, that I think there will not be a final scene with the characters of Nip / Tuck laughing, talking and the camera shooting the table scene. I am not hoping for either, but I think there will be sad ending to Nip / Tuck. I will be content for both since I know either direction is very possible.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Nip / Tuck - The Final Season

Greetings Readers

I just saw the trailer for the new Nip / Tuck Season on FX. Season 6 – The final season of Nip / Tuck starts in October. I knew about the ending of the series Nip / Tuck over a year ago.

I am excited since the new Season is here, but I am also sad that the final season is here.

As I have posted in the past I have come to adopt and care for Sean McNamara and Christian Troy. I know that there are fictional characters, but I have come feel for them. Especially so with last season – season 5. I was happy that Sean did not die, which I knew he would not since I knew that there were more episodes to come. What I did not know was how hard it was going to be for Sean to come back.

Yet, what the hardest part of the show was yet to come – for me. Cancer. Christian Troy was diagnosed with Cancer and unfortunately it is terminal. This news was in line with the final season so I knew that this plot line was justifiable. Believable is what I mean. In addition to what happened to Julia all the “new” plot lines were in line with my thinking.

I have to admit at the start of Season 5 with Christian and Sean in California – Hollywood I was worried about that season’s story line. In the end, the story line was good and kept me on my toes. Matter of fact at the end of Season Part 1 was worried on what would happen with the start of Season 5 Part 2.

Why there was a Part One and Part Two is because of the writer’s strike that year they were filming. I was not happy with the strike, but the cliffhanger of the season was perfect. Literally, Sean was dying at the end of the final episode, at that time. Yet, that was not the only cliffhanger of the season.

What I am trying to say I have been patiently waiting for the new and final season of Nip / Tuck and I have not been trying to find out when the new season is to start to do my own research of the new season. I want to be surprised.

Nip / Tuck to me is more than great. The music, the story, the way that the episodes are presented is perfect. There are some references to past episodes, which are great, however they also make you remember the bad things about the characters. Some story lines throughout the season are wow, while other are just so. Most episodes make me laugh, but other might make me feel remorse / sad for the character(s).

By the way, the Nip / Tuck trailer was not a trailer per se, but a trailer of Sean and Christian in the typical pre-season trailer for the new season of Nip / Tuck. It is not truly until the end of the first episode of the new season that we faithful watchers get to see previews of the upcoming season’s episodes in a series of clips. Titillating and exciting and leaving us viewers wondering on how those clips will be presented in a full episode in the upcoming weeks.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Last Day of Winter

Greetings Readers

Welcome to the last official day of Winter. The first day of Spring is here tomorrow, yet with all the beautiful weather this year it seems Spring is already here. The grass is turning green in spots, the trees are starting to bloom and I can hear the birds outside my living room window. Those birds come by every year to have their babies nearby.

I was so anxious this past Sunday night to see the next episode of Breaking Bad.

I did not have a clue what was going to happen. Matter of fact, I went to the amctv.com website to see if I can see or learn anything new.

Readers, I can not believe how addicted I am to the AMC series Breaking Bad.

With the start of episode I see that Jesse’s car is bouncing. Meaning, that Jesse has a low rider bouncing kit installed on his car.

I had no clue what was to come, but I knew that this was going to be bad for Walt and Jesse.

I saw was shown, but I did not see how what happened to what we viewers are being shown. Car window shards falling off the car, empty bullet casings on the ground and the only sound that can be heard is Jesse’s car hydraulics going up and down.

And what about Uncle Tio and his bell. That is just too much. "Ding" Then, the scene goes black. Uncle Tio.

Now, I can not wait for the next following week on how that episode is going to play out from the ending of this episode. I did watch a preview of the next episode and I see that Badger is back. Badger was a character that we met in the first season.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Breaking Bad - Season 2 Premiere

Greetings Readers

I have been anxiously waiting for the Season two premiere of Breaking Bad.

I was a bit disappointed that the show had to re-show the ending of last season's ending so that wasted about 10 minutes of the hour long show.

Otherwise, it started out as it has in the past. You see an ending event, perhaps, as in this case the view is of Walt's backyard. Sunny, clear, the camera pans to the swimming pool and in the distance you can hear sirens of an police car, fire truck, ambulance ? We just don't know. The camera eventually goes into the pool and focuses on a plastic eyeball and you can still hear the sirens from under the water when the camera submerges into the swimming pool. The camera then locks onto a pink teddy bear which slowly turns to the camera. When the Teddy bear turns around you can see the other half that was not shown is burnt (perhaps burnt from fire?).

Then, the scene cuts to commerical. We faithful watchers know that is usually the ending of the episode's last scene. I thought to myself "oh no." and now I really anxious to watch the season premiere of Season 2.

I am not going to give any more details on what happened in the show, but I will sum up the end. So, when the hour was almost up the last scene showed Tuco, with Walt and Jesse in Jesse's car driving away from Walt's home at night, which is what is pictured on this blog's post.

Hmmm. I am thinking that opening scene of the Pink Teddy bear is going to be last scene of this season's Breaking Bad. I fear the worst for Walt and his family, but I think Walt or his family will not be killed off at the end of the season two. This is pure speculation on my part and I am only drawing this conclusion since they did not show that beginning scene at the end of Episode 1 of Season 2 Breaking Bad.

All in all, it was a very good start to Breaking Bad, minus the re-cap of Season 1 in the beginning of the show. A Dark kind of Funny and serious at times and I think that is what really draws me into the show. Not to mention that the first scene of the show usually pertains to what is to come in that episode. Usually.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Breaking Bad - Crazy Handful of Nothin'

Greetings Readers

I was visiting a girl friend this past Valentine’s weekend and was introduced to the show Breaking Bad, which premiered last year on AMC.

I have not seen Breaking Bad nor even thought twice about the show since hearing about it. I have heard the reviews in the beginning, but did not care at the time – whether the reviews were good or bad.

The number one reason why I did not watch Breaking Bad is that I knew that the actor (the father) starred in the comedy show “Malcolm in the Middle” before it was cancelled. That was reason enough. I only knew the actor Brian Cranston, as the father, from “Malcolm in the Middle” and thought nothing more.

Yes, I have seen parts of “Malcolm in the Middle” while channel flipping, but I have to say that it is not a show that I wanted to see. With that reasoning I felt that this new show – Breaking Bad – was not going to be up my alley since I did not watch “Malcolm in the Middle.”

The number two reason, which is probably the only other reason why I did not watch the show before was that I did not know what Breaking Bad was/is about. Or perhaps I did at the time last year, but probably did not spark an interest to me.

Oh Readers, I have to “man up” and admit I was totally wrong again. And this time it only took a year to admit I was so wrong on another show I thought was no good.

So, I saw the entire first season of Breaking Bad this past weekend. If I have only one word to sum up the series Breaking Bad it would be – “Wow!”

I was literally pulled in and power watched the entire season this past weekend. Granted, it was not a full season because of the writer’s strike, I think, but it was very good.

I would like to tell you Readers all about the show, but then again I want to keep some of the show’s scenes and story a mystery. A mystery for you to perhaps discover on your own, should you want to take chance to see Breaking Bad for yourself.

I will sum up the premise hopefully in one sentence. Long story short Brian Cranston, his character is Walt and he is a High school science teacher who finds out he only has 18 months to live, which he eventually meets up with Jesse, a former student he flunked in High school, to make and sell Meth.

That is it. But there is so much to the story - Walt’s wife, Skylar, is seven months pregnant. Walt Jr., Walt’s son, has cerebral Palsy. Walt’s Brother in law, Hank, is a DEA agent. Walt’s Sister in Law, Marie, is basically a shoplifter. And there are more interesting things which make Breaking Bad pretty dam good.

Breaking Bad is a drama show, but it does make you think and also watch closely since each episode references either to a future show or to a past episode. Breaking Bad has it funny moments. As well as the “I just can not fucking believe that happened!” moments. And yes there are the touching moments that you would not believe that came from that certain character you may have stereotyped while watching the show. Readers – are we not guilty of that? I know that I am and not to proud to admit that. After all, I am human and to be human is to err.

And now, I only have to wait less than three weeks for season 2 to begin on AMC. And yes Readers, I am so excited and can hardly wait until March 8, 2009.

The blog post picture is of Walt and this was right after he was in that building and said the line

“You got one part wrong. This is not Meth.”

Again Readers, I was in awe what happened moments before he walked out that building. I bet every Walt “supporter” cheered in that scene – “Bad Ass.”

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

All Good Things Come to an End

Greetings Readers

This past Sunday was the start of Season 6 Part 2 of the Soprano's on A&E.

I know that you faithful Readers know that I have bought the Complete Soprano's Boxed Edition late last year, but it has been routine for me to watch the Soprano's on A&E when I feel like watching. Granted, it has been audited for content, but sometimes I just want to have background noise or there is really nothing on TV Sunday Morning to watch.

So started the final eight episodes and yes Readers this is where it really, really got interesting. And I have to admit this was the time I actually knew how to pronounce Bobbi's last name.

I do have to admit this was the episode (Soprano Home Movies) that Tony got his AR-10 Automatic Machine Gun , which in one of these final episodes you get to see him and his AR-10 together in a dark bedroom with Tony clutching his AR-10. A powerful image of Tony and what is about to become... Sorry Readers, I can not give away the scene or why Tony is holding onto the AR-10 in bed for the Readers who have not seen the Soprano's.

As I saw once

"The Beginning of the End"

And we faithful Soprano's watchers still miss Tony, Carm, Sil and of course Paulie, to name a few to this day. Will we ever know what happened when Tony looked up in that last second of the Soprano's? I hope so. I sure do hope so Readers.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Nip Tuck - Season 5 Part II

Greetings Readers

Wow - The Nip / Tuck Premiere was excellent. I have been waiting and waiting since the end of the last episode last year. I yearned to know what was in store for new Nip / Tuck Episodes that were (and are now here) scheduled for January 2009.

Just as a recap - Nip / Tuck episode - "Ronnie Chase" - Colleen came back and stabbed many times Sean in the back. And we viewers were left with Sean laying on the floor, gasping, blood seeping from his mouth and spreading onto the floor of the operating room from the stab wounds in his back. Talk about another cliff hanger that was excellent for Nip / Tuck.

I know I have mentioned this in the past, but Nip / Tuck is a show that I follow faithfully. I have a glass (or more) of wine and curl up on the couch with a blanket and watch Nip / Tuck. Sean and Troy, as well as Julia, Liz and Eden (new for Season 5). Oh my oh my! Eden is fucking my type that I love. That body, the hair, the eyes and every now and then her sweet innocent look, but not the attitude.

Anyway, there was a bit of a recap in the new episode last night from where we viewers were left. Also, we were treated to see how Colleen got in and what happened throughout the incident from a different view.

And then, the show picked up where it left off. Sean gasping and looking up from the floor on his back. We hear some medical equipment beeping urgently and Sean making the attempt to save his daughter's life regardless of his own.

Fast forward - Right before the first commercial break I could not help really feeling for Sean as he laid in Christian's arms and then Christian screams "Liz!" and then the scene goes black while Christian's last word continues on getting softer and and softer and then silence. I know this is fictional show, but remember Readers I have invested my time with this show and I have come to know them just as the other fictional family "The Soprano's." I care was happens to them since I really treat them as people I would know if they were real and I knew them.

Spoiler Alert - Skip if you do not want to know what happened in the show.

I was shocked to learn about Christian's Stage 2 Breast cancer. This was shocking since it hits so close to home in my past with some people very close to me.

So, in my opinion the episode was very good and very sad. Though, I am glad that Sean is up, in a manner of speaking.

Yet, the other cliff hanger was Julia getting shot and has lost all her memory. She was not in last night's episode so we still are in the dark on what is going on. A reference was made, but that only she was, as still is, pissed off at Sean for lying. I know - what's new.

And that was that. I sort of knew something was going to happen since in between the last episode and this new episode. Nip / Tuck will be ending on the 100th episode. No more. And I think this was announced some time mid year last year so I think they need to start setting up the plot lines in order to get show ready for the finale on the 100th episode.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Down and Dirty, Baby!

Greetings Readers

At my current age I have noticed certain things through out the years. Just in the past year I am assuming I have come to notice things I never noticed before.

What I want to bring up and talk about is a few commercials I have seen on TV of various cleaning supplies. Squirting mops, pads that “click off” toilet cleaners, a shower cleaner that auto cleans your shower somehow, a carpet cleaner that you squirt, brush once (according to the commercial) and clean (yes that easy! – apparently) and a remote control vacuum cleaner.

Wow. What ever happened to getting down and dirty when cleaning, Baby?! Back in the day when I was growing up I learned to clean up the shower stall/tub with a hand brush, I learned to wash dishes by hand, I learned to get on my hands and knees and scrub the tiled floors with a hand brush also.

Matter of fact, I picked up dog shit without needing a sign to indicate to clean up after my pet back in the day. I also learned to wipe surfaces not standing on my two feet. Get a stepladder; stand on chair to reach those high out reach places. Get down on your knees and scrub the floor. How much is liquid going to so on a dirty floor going to do? What if the stain needs to be scrubbed clean? Are you going to let the liquid set and wait until the liquid penetrates the stain? Meanwhile, you could have been done by getting on your knees, apply pressure to a hand brush or a rag and wipe clean that stain in 7/8 the time for the liquid cleaner to work “its magic.”

Sure Readers, these new gadgets are apparently make cleaning easier, in my view, are helping America get lazier and perhaps contributing to the overweight Americans. Readers! By no way am I implying this is the cause, but perhaps the not getting yourself dirty may make others not get dirty from doing other things that you need to get down and dirty.

Such as changing a flat tire. I was watching the past Amazing Race season and on the show there was a black dating couple and they got a flat tire. Fuck me. The man just looked at the tire from different angles to see the flat tire as if he could not believe the tire was flat. Not once did he touch the flat tire with his hands, matter of fact, not one finger. Nor did he even open the trunk to get the jack (and perhaps spare tire.) He did yell out to his woman to flag down another vehicle while closely looking at the flat tire from different angles. Who knows how long he just looked at the flat tire, but the next scene shows that person they flagged down was changing the flat tire, while the black guy watched what he was doing. Readers. Come one. A man needs to know how to change a flat tire. What I mean, in my book if you cannot change a flat tire then you are not a man if you are a man that does not know how to change a tire.

Again I know that the Soprano’s was a fictional TV show, but when Tony and A.J. got a flat tire in Tony’s SUV A.J. immediately suggested that they call Triple A (AAA) to change the flat tire. Tony looks at A.J. and gives him the “what the fuck look” and gets angry and proceeds to tell A.J. he is going to change the tire, from what I remember in that one episode.

Getting back to the cleaning of the house. Get yourself a bucket of hot water, a bottle of Pine sol and dish gloves if you want and start cleaning for yourself. Get yourself on your knees and scrub. Don’t rely on a “squirting” mop. Or a disposable toilet cleaner. Damn. Get a rag. Get some paper towels and starting cleaning like Mr. Clean is looking over your shoulder. Use bleach for the toilet. Ajax the tub / shower. Windex the mirrors and windows – or a water and white vinegar mixture.

I know it is a dirty job, but what’s a little effort into cleaning? You will feel good about yourself for doing the job entirely yourself. You will smell the cleanliness of your job. After all, I feel good about cleaning once I see I did the job that I did not want to do, but had to do. After all the cleaning is done go take a shower and then you will come out as clean as you cleaned up and you will notice and smell the cleanliness of your cleaning job(s).

I have to say that seeing those commercials on TV I really wonder about us American and how much that is having an effect on the younger generation.

In closing Readers, not that you care, but if I am over a girl’s/woman’s house I will look under the sink in the kitchen and faucet to see if there are cleaning supplies. After all, if I notice a woman who does not have any cleaning products is something I should worry about since I do care about how clean I want and tend to get at my humble abode. I do not want someone who may be living in filth. Of course a little filth is okay, but if I see no signs of being clean then that is red flag in my book.

Oh another thing if any of you readers use a shower liner spend the extra 5 to 15 dollars for a new shower liner if you need a new shower liner.

Okay, okay, okay. I will stop now. I just wanted to talk about this subject since this was something that I noticed and wanted to blog about.

I could be unique on this subject Readers, but this is what I wanted to say on this subject.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

My Cold Humble Abode & New Ipod

Greetings Readers

So, fresh from my vacation I am finally home and "fresh". Meaning, that I was able to sleep in my own bed and I was also able to say I am home once more and take a nice hot shower to wash away the after vacation essence. Whatever.

When I walked into my humble abode I heard the heater going. I left everything at the front door - meaning all my luggage, grabbed the television remote, turned on the TV and walked to the kitchen. I grabbed a bottle of beer from the refrigerator and popped the top and got ready to sit down and watch some WWE.

Well, as I was drinking my bottle of beer - end up to the ceiling - meaning the bottom of my bottle I felt the heater air. It was not hot. Matter of fact it was not warm. Cold air was blowing out of the vents.

I immediately stopped drinking, stopped what I was doing and smelled the abode. I smelled no gas, but I was immediately worried. I went to the furnace was located and felt, or not felt, any heat in that area. Usually that furnace you can feel the heat when the furnace is going. Oh Readers, I did not turn on any lights so I was in the area with no light. I slowly closed the door and could not see the pilot light that I see when the furnace is going (or not going.) As one of those favorite movie lines would be in the Big Lewboski "It was dark as a bull's tookis on a moonless night" or something to that line.

I did not want to "spark" anything or create a spark by static electricity. I thought, I smelled a little gas, but perhaps because I had it in mind that I was expecting to smell gas.

Damn. I turned off the heater, and left the heater off for about 5 minutes or so. I then turned on the heater hoping that the mercury switch does set off any gas I imagined I could smell (or perhaps not smell.) The heater went through the turning on process and then finally the furnace kicked in. Cold air continued to blow out. By the way Readers, the temperature gauge on the thermostat was pegged all the way to the left meaning it was darn cold than the Thermostat can register. Who knows how long the heater has been running. Am I going to have a high bill? How cold was it?

Fuck me. I grabbed the cordless phone, went out on the balcony and called for assistance. Again, this was done because I would think that the spark may come inside the handset as opposed to the base of the telephone. I do not know. I also opened some windows just to be safe.

Two hours later, the repair person shows up. I learned a lot from him on what type of furnace I have, how it works, how if there was a leak I would have definitely smelled gas. How if I missed the gas and when the mercury switch clicked on - I would not have a humble abode. Anyway, a piece was broken inside the furnace and that was the reason why that the furnace was blowing cold air. I do not have the pilot light, but some other type of lighting for the furnace.

So between getting home from vacation and the repair man showing up I was sitting on the couch with my heavy jean jacket on, my Natalie Merchant on my head, a blanket covering my legs and a beer between my legs watching WWE with the volume pretty low. Again Readers, I was not going to click anything just in case I may create a spark and blow myself up. What I found out after the repair person showed up I did not have a clue about and only knew what I have heard and seen on television, which was really nothing.

Oh, and in closing I bought another Ipod - Shuffle again and the same color as the other one - Gray. $ 42.00 dollars brand new, never use. A friend was selling the ipod as I agreed to buy. Just an impulse buy.

"Hi, my name is Daryl. And I am an Ipod buying addict."

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Soprano's Box Complete Series

Greetings Readers

There was no question, no hesitation, and no expense that I had to purchase the complete Soprano’s series boxed set DVDs right away.

With me being a die-hard fan and still a faithful watcher to this day, I had to get this set as soon as possible.

And with the release of this set this past week I knew I had a chance before the week was up that the sale price would be a good price to buy the complete Soprano’s series at. Basically, Target had the lowest price at 249.99. That was that. I knew that once the week was over the opening week sale price was going to go to normal MSRP. And once after the first week was over I knew the complete series will be staying at normal price for a while.

Why? Well first it is an HBO set, which means any DVD sets hardly go on sale until four years later or so. And in between now and Christmas I highly doubt there is going to be a bigger sale price on the Complete Soprano’s seasons DVD set. Either buy the set now or wait, which the set will not get any cheaper. Or that much cheaper than what I paid.

Needless to say, I bought the set and I am so glad I did. The big reason that I decided to buy the set was that I have been waiting and waiting until the Season Six, Part II to come down in price. What I mean is that for the eight episodes HBO still wanted full price of a regular season (roughly $ 80.00). To me, that was a rip off. So ever since seeing the last episode I have not be able to see the second part of Season six.

When I got to Target and saw the Soprano’s I picked up the box and it was heavy. And I mean heavy. But the weight of the complete series I held in my hands I knew I was about to be reunited with my second family.

Tone, Carm, AJ and Med. A family not so much different than our families that we may know. I know that it is a fictional family, but it is pretty close to dysfunctional to a family that you may know of. Besides being dysfunctional, the Soprano’s are a family that you could relate to on another level.

I care about the family. I feel their heartaches, their anger and their issues. All in all they have secrets, have race issues, money issues, life issues and day-to-day relationship issues that are not much different from our issues in life. To say that is not true is not accepting that it is true.

Anyway, this past weekend I made it a Season Six – Part Two marathon. I had to catch up where I left the family last. Those last eight episodes are pretty remarkable. Written, directed and nicely put together those eight episodes gave us “the beginning of the end”

I could not help to reflect on the last commercial I saw for Season Six – Part Two being released on DVD. The woman crying because she saw two garbage men throwing a rolled carpet up in the trash dump truck in an alley, the black guy crying when he sees a heavy set guy walk past him by in a track suit. The man crying in the deli over deli meats he sees in the window counter display. And lastly, the guy crying outside a train store window that holds a model train set being run.

That commercial ranks up in my top 5 commercials of all time. Yes, it was sad to see those last eight episodes. Bobby, AJ, Christopher, Uncle Junior, Silvio, to name the “good guys.” And then a couple of the bad guys, Johnny (I have to admit I got choked up), Phil (oh yes!). Overall, I did mimic that commercial, I shed a tear and then some.

Readers, I want to tell you about my favorite scenes and episodes, but I am sure that some of you Readers have not seen the Soprano’s and perhaps are waiting to see the Soprano’s when the time is right.

Getting back to the box set. Beautifully put together. There is a black box made out of sturdy material as opposed to just cardboard. Inside the box is a black velvet-like bag that contains a “family” album. An album like you Readers might have for photos. The album is also black with red lettering of “the Soprano’s” on the front of the album. Inside the album contains album like pages made out of very sturdy material. Pretty thick pages so the pages will not get bent. Each page holds four discs (two on each side). At the back of the album there is are some pages that give a brief description of each of the season’s episode. Unlike the normal description, these brief descriptions are to the point and are pretty humorous to read. Funny, but to the point.

I just love my family Album. With my box Seasons of the Soprano’s I plan to give them to my parents.

Anyway, I am very, very proud to own and say that I have the complete series of the Soprano’s on DVD. I can see Paulie, Pie o Mine, Big Pussy, Dr. Melfi, Hesch, Vito, Agent Harris, “Ichabod Crane”, to name a few characters whenever I want. 86 Episodes, 33 DVD’s, over 3 ½ hours of extra stuff. Nice.

And in my opinion - the last scene of the Soprano’s that has the song playing “Don’t Stop Believing” is very good. To this day I still wonder. The Soprano’s getting together in a restaurant after all that has happened and Tony’s last look, supposedly, to the front door of the restaurant then the scene goes black. Wow.

Mad? Yes. Yet, after being mad it was a perfect ending to the Soprano’s. Granted, I wanted an ending to wrap up loose ends, but then again whatever happened to the Russian in the forest in the middle of winter?

I am still wondering about what ever happened to that Russian that “supposedly” got shot. So, with the series finale you Readers can see that David Chase is not unfamiliar to leaving loose ends open.

P.S. To be honest I miss Tony, Carmella, A.J. and Meadow as much as miss my parents and brother. The Soprano’s are as real as my family. I did care about the Soprano’s and always hoped the best for them.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete