X-mas Party Re-call

Greetings Readers

I woke up this morning to foggy conditions. I turned on the radio and heard that the snowstorm that was predicted for Denver now has been cancelled, so to speak. I guess Denver was expected to get a lot of snow, but that did not, and has not, happened.

I have a picture of me at the bus stop. Once more - I have paid for Public Transportation. Three days in a row. No regrets... well now I am up $ 9.00 total for the past three days.

Flashback - The Christmas party at Invesco Field at Mile High was good. not great nor bad - just good.

I caught a ride from "Bobbie Rae" and her brother, "Bubba" to the party. And that was basically who I hung out with during the party. I did not socialize with my department. I did meet a lot of other people I only knew by name. Yes, most were important people, but others were the people that you knew of and that was all you wanted to know.

We got there and mingled for a bit, then grabbed some food. The mashed potatoes were good, I had some sort of meat. Well, I tried, but I could not cut nor chew the piece of meat that I got. I gave up pretty quick. I was in no mood to mess around with my dinner. Also, I did have some nice hors d'oeuvres.

After our meal we decided to take "the tour" of Invesco field. I guess I was pretty impressed. We visited the areas where the visitor's locker room is. We saw the "keg" room. Some of touched the wall that was part of the cheerleader's dressing room. Rumor is that the wall is "hot". We saw "Thunder's" stall. We saw the Mile High Club. We got to go into the second biggest private suite. Impressed, but not that impressive. Then, perhaps what I thought was pretty neat I got to step on the football field.

I asked our tour director, and she said we couldn't. But, then jokingly out loud I am not looking that way. So a few of did get to step and stand on the actual football field. I did have a picture with me on the field, but the picture did not come out. Not enough light so the picture came out blurry.

There was gambling, for fun. Dancing. and then at the end of the night there was a drawing for some gifts. And that was that.

I did not get to see the woman that I was looking for that I sort of have gotten to like were I work. I guess that is best, but dang I have been making the small talk and smiling everytime I see her.

Yes, I am glad I went and my mood was better since I did go with "Bobbie Rae" and the other people I got to talk to throughout the evening. A couple of drinks did help loosen my mood also. And I did go workout at the CAC prior to the party so I was relaxed and feeling good. Not to mention my body was "tight" looking in case I was going to get something-something. Hah hah. You never know and this time I was looking "boss" and "buffed" and looking good enough to melt some woman's eyes.

As I blogged after the Christmas party I got sick, I think. And I am not sure if it came from something I ate or what. Though I was back on my feet after that.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A "Boo Hoo" Pro Cyclist's Statement

Greetings Readers

Two days straight that I have been off the bike (not riding). Granted, today I could have ridden (temperature this morning was about 31 degrees), but I have to say that the day before it was sort of nice getting on the bus and then onto Light Rail and then just a skip and a hop to work.

I was able to shower at home and get dressed at home. Opposed to doing that at the office facilities. I applied some cologne and sort of looked very "boss" the past two mornings.

Am I already spoiled? Hell no. I am a bit mad that I will be spending a total of $ 6.00 for Public transportation in the past two days. That is $ 6.00 which I had to give up for getting to work. Where as I normally do not pay a single cent for biking to work.

I guess that does get me a bit fired up at spending money that I did not have to. I know that is is six dollars, but that is six dollars. That's almost the cost of a cheap DVD, which I would have satisfaction every time I play that DVD. Whereas, I paid six dollars for a ride to and from work for one day.

That six dollars could almost buy a six pack of beer, that I drink. None of that "cheap" beer for me. I could have bought a 12 pack of Coca-Cola, maybe even two depending if there was a special going on that item.. I could of have had fast food, if I wanted to with that six dollars. I could of bought a gallon of sweet Tea at Chik-fil-let. And so on... you readers get the idea.

Now, onto the subject that I want to talk about. Michael Rasmussen. Woe is me. Get the fuck out of here!

“On the other side of the road, trucks kept passing us. It would have been easy to grab the steering wheel," he told the Dutch daily De Telegraaf in weekend editions. "Then this terrible nightmare would have been over."

Rasmussen cried while he was driven away from the race, he said. Later, sitting in a hotel room with Rabobank teammate Erik Dekker, Rasmussen said he again thought of taking his life.

"Five hours after I stood on the podium, I was sitting alone. My whole world had collapsed," Rasmussen said. "Luckily I couldn't find a rope in the room, otherwise I would not be here now."

You know this is just a crock of shit. He wants sympathy. As far as I know - And readers I am not following "Chicken legs" story - he still has not told us, the world, on why he actually lied on his where bouts and what was he doing during that time.

Yet, he gives a statement, which I only posted a few paragraphs telling that he could of killed himself, he cried his heart away, blah blah blah.

Perhaps if he was taking care of someone who was dying, perhaps he needed to get away from the pressures of life, anything. But not to say what he was doing in Europe as opposed to Mexico that's not enough to get my sympathy. Hell, today I might be saying different if he would of said "My dog died and I wanted to spread his ashes over the road of Italy where I train." Or something like that. Give us a good lie, as opposed not to saying anything.

I do, perhaps, did respect Mike for his climbing ability in the mountains prior to this year's Tour de France. But, in back of my head this was the guy that had a fucking meltdown two years ago that enabled Jan Ulrich to get a podium spot. Fuck yeah! I wanted Mike to do bad that last stage. I got more than I bargained for, when Mike crashed and crashed and crashed. I did feel bad for Mike, but Jan is and will be forever the bike rider I respect after Greg LeMond. Jan Ulrich "The Machine" "The Kiser" and all those other A.K.A's.

I do not know why Mike gave a statement about almost killing himself. He did this all to himself. He has not said why, as much as I know. He fucked up by getting caught and now he has to face what now has become of it. His former team fired him - thank goodness for some one's thinking. Sure his world crashed down, but I point out - He did this to himself. No one held a gun to his head (as far as we know) and told him to do. Mike got to this point in his career by himself. Since Mike did bring this up I hope he has gotten consuling or help. This may be a cry for help. Otherwise, we readers may hear of his death and and then perhaps a letter would be found saying he killed himself because no one would help him through this difficult time.

You never know readers. Killing yourself is never an option and would I or you be catholic - that would be a mortal sin. Which I bet his wife (Cariza), I presume is catholic (due to a Mexican National), would in turn would most likely make him catholic (due to "rules" regarding catholicism).

Note: I am presuming the religious part of my blog and can only come to that conclusion with what research I was able to find out.

Mr. Rasmussen better think before making statements like he just recently did.

If he did kill himself - the cycling world would move on without him. I do not think that he would of gotten a "special" funeral or a "Too bad a cyclist has passed away" special news report.

Michael may be following in the footsteps of Marco "Il Parata (the Pirate)" Pantani, which had a much better nickname than Michael "Chicken Legs" Rasmussen. And has anyone really brought up or even remember Pantani, besides me?

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Snowman in Lonetree

Greetings Readers

The "Abdominal Snowman"

I guess that was what I looked like when my co-worker saw me stepping through the lobby doors yesterday morning. He was smiling and laughing on the way I looked. I, of course, was in a bit of a foul mood due to me being late, the excess snow that graced my entire body, my frozen toes and taking the Mountain bike in yesterday's snow fall. I was covered with some snow, had my snow riding outfit, Natalie Merchant hat, two bandanna's on and lugging my mountain bike through the lobby doors and basically that was visible was my eyes. Everything was covered up.

I did lighten up a bit when I did see him, but at that moment I had taken off one of my Thinsulates and had it in my mouth. He then started to ask questions and I answered him with the glove in my mouth. Woo wee. I was mumbling and ranted, but thank goodness I did have a glove in my mouth mumbling my conversation. Woo wee, he knew I was getting worked up and he could hear the cuss words the gloves was mumbling, which in turn, made his smile grow even bigger and laugh a bit more. Which in effect, made me "rant" even more. By the time the elevator doors closed I was smiling and shaking my head from the conversation/ rant I had just had. I immediately forgot the foul mood I had walked in the lobby doors and that made my bike ride in the morning all worth it.

When I took a shower in the downstairs restroom my toes actually burned when the hot water from the shower hit them. Yes, that was how cold my toes really were. Other than that - boy oh boy the hot shower was fucking awesome! Tis the little things in life that sometimes make my day.

When I left work after 6PM last night that was the true test. Let me say that I elected not to go to the CAC since I just knew that I will be getting a workout going home. And true to word it was. The top layer of the snow was frozen, underneath the snow was light and fluffy and then the last layer there was a thin sheet of ice. I was weaving and riding to keep upright. I am proud to say that I did not "kiss the earth" I had to stay seated on my seat because any time I got off the seat there was no weight on the back tire and I immediately spun out. Let me tell you readers I got my hams worked out to the max. the snow's depth was anywhere from 4 to 12 inches deep so keeping momentum and upright was a chore. YET - I wanted to go to the CAC - especially the dry sauna and whirlpool.

Ooh, I did have a pit stop - The Liquor Store! Damn straight. I grabbed a 12 pack of the winter seasonal "2 below" brew and I was once more off to finish my ride home. The extra incentive was to get home so I could drink one, yet the extra incentive was not to "kiss the earth" with 12 bottles of beer in my backpack. Let me say that there could have been a mess should I have had crashed.

And yes, I did make the journey home without crashing. My toes got cold once more and this time I was wearing my dress socks with tube socks over them and I still had frozen toes. My cheeks were red and cold. As well as my nose. Dang, I would say I looked good enough to kiss and make that kiss all that. Hah hah.

Well, today I took public transportation in and will most likely take home too. No bike since I knew the ride in today and tomorrow would be worse. Tomorrow, I should be able to get on the bike once more. Depending on how sunny and warm the day is.

On a side note - I went back an audited a few recent posts with some words that may have flagged some filtering programs. I do type my cuss words which usually do not present an issue, but the words I used, regarding some women's features caused some filtering programs to kick in. I am honest, but I also try not to use those words, but felt justified in using them, due to the subject matter. So, I have made the necessary changes on my behalf. I just want to state to you readers that I have no problem "typing" the word, but I want to make sure that my readers will not be stopped a filtering program should they be surfing the net at work.

And today's picture is of the new Official Teaser poster for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Though the pictures that they have released are not very promising of the "Old" Indiana Jones that I come to know as. Unfortunately, "Junior" is just not "Indiana" to me anymore.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Exactly One Month to Go

Greetings Readers

The snow has fallen and everything is white today.

Last night I decided to go to the CAC to workout and really to enjoy the sauna and whirlpool. I wanted to be hot and toasty before making the bike ride home. Let me say my ride home was warm and toasty. I do not think I actually got cold at all. I think I did start to get cold about 1 mile away from home, but just a little - in the fingers. The ride home was good. Snow had started to fall at 6 PM and by the time I left the club - 9PM the ground was covered in a layer of snow. Going home was great. The whiteness of the ground reflected what light there was so my ride home was bright. As opposed to riding in total darkness.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

3 Weeks Left in the Year

Greetings Readers

Brand new day and a brand new week. I am sure glad that last week was over for me on Friday roughly at 6PM when I got off work. I felt finally done with what I could and rest.

This morning was very doable and not cold at all, well not cold for me, but it was a cold morning.

Let me catch up to the "Thanksgiving" story that happened to my friend.

My friend - Bobbie Rae, decided to cook a Turkey for Thanksgiving. She does not eat meat at all and well, I think, in order to make Thanksgiving - Thanksgiving she decided to make Turkey for her guests she was going to entertain on Thanksgiving Day.

Also, I heard that she bought a "free range" turkey, which is more expensive than the average Turkey.

Well, everything was going good for the cooking of the Turkey and what not. Bobbie Rae decided to add the final touch(es) to the Turkey. The instructions or what she heard was that the final process was to add some red wine to the Turkey. She did not have any red wine on hand so she used a red wine glaze (which, according to her, is only used for dessert dishes). She put on the glaze on the Turkey and put the Turkey back in the oven to finish off the cooking.

From what I remember she came back an hour or so later and the pulled the Turkey out. The oven was smoking. I guess when she pulled the Turkey out of the oven the smoke came out as well as a "black" looking turkey. Basically, the Turkey was burnt black.

Readers, I know this is not a laughing matter, but hearing this happen to a friend you know is a bit funny. Though, I was not laughing at her - I was sort of chuckling at what had happen to the Turkey.

Black. Yep, the Turkey was burnt black.

Sad. I was saying "Oh no." "Poor Bobbie Rae" then they had tried to eat the Turkey, but not the skin. Still good, but I think the taste of burnt Turkey was evident. Oh I forgot to mention, another friend of Bobbie Rae told me what happened before Bobbie Rae told me herself.

Fast forward to late evening. Bobbie Rae decided to put the Turkey outside so the wildlife could have them a Thanksgiving meal.

This is where I lost my laughter, I could not hold my laughter in.

A fox appeared in the back yard and apparently walked up/trotted to the Turkey, circled the Turkey (perhaps twice), sniffed the Turkey, then took off back into the woods. Yep. Took off. Not a single bite, so the story told to me.

A fox that did not want the Turkey? Hah hah! That's kind of an insult, but sort of sad. I felt bad for Bobbie Rae. Bobbie Rae did confirm though that in the morning the Turkey was gone from the backyard, someone or something dragged the Turkey into the woods. That was that.

It's too bad that the first Turkey she cooked got burnt - to a cinder - black. Oh well, she did learn from this, but she was more vocal at the cost of the Turkey as opposed to the Turkey coming out black. I guess I would be mad at spending more than usual on a Turkey - to see the Turkey burnt to a black crisp.

I have not brought up this incident nor can I joke about this to her. So sad. But readers, she has overcome her incident and I am happy to say that she is still walking around with her head high. Not to mention that ego - kidding. Only kidding.

Readers, I needed something to keep my mood in order so I had to re-collect (remember) this incident. Not to mention, I had blogged that I was going to tell you this story. Funny, but sad. Even when I heard the event from Bobbie Rae herself, I could not keep a straight face. I think I might of said "At least I did not come over to Thanksgiving dinner"

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another Crisp, Cold Morning

Greetings Readers

I have to say that this morning was a repeat of what yesterday was except that this time I did not have any pinto beans cooking. And hot. Nope, the beans were as cold as the air outside. I guess I could care less, but I did want to make the effort to cook something to eat.

So, about 8:30 AM I finally got the urge to get dress and brave the cold to get the Sunday Morning paper. Yes, that ritual of mine that begins almost every Sunday Morning. The blinds and drapes were closed so I did not have a clue what the weather was outside. I know that the weather was suppose to be cold, but other than that I do not have a clue.

Without TV you tend to lose what is happening in the world. Well, it does not become a concern. Technically, I have wiped some of the daily rituals away. No more turning on the TV to watch the morning news. I am not planning what I am going to watch at night or even the whole week.

Without TV reception it has been nice. Though, I am missing some favorite programs that I would like to see. And yes, I am going to have Cable really soon.

I digressed as usual. Outside more snow had fallen through the night and the world was white. I could feel the cold through the drapes and not to mention in my humble abode.

The roads did not look that bad so I decided to use the road bike once more. Well, I should have used the Mountain Bike. The roads were okay - doable. However, the sidewalks were packed with snow and not to mention the splash back from the vehicles and snow trucks driving the snow onto the sidewalk from the streets. Since the air is very cold, the snow is powdery and has not had the chance to melt into ice or to have the snow to become hard packed. So, I was able to ride about 90 percent of the way to the newspaper machine, but got "hung up" on a small hill and then spun out my rear wheel. That was that. I had to walk the bike to the next intersection before I could even try to mount the bike once more. There was no way that I was going to be able to start riding on the hill, going up.

I made it to the newspaper machine got my paper and well the ride was easier going home since I was going down hill, but still had to balance my bike going down the hill.

And that was that.

The temperature has not changed much from the morning. Currently 24 degrees at 3:51 PM. The snow has stopped falling, the sun is out shining and the sun's rays feel good against my black biking attire-warming my skin. The sun has melted some of the snow, but the cars have done most of the melting. I am not sure how tomorrow morning is going to be for me.

I got the third Ipod working and have been loading the ipod up from Tiesto's Club Life Podcast's pod casts. By the way, the Ipod color is White and a black & white screen (which suits me fine since I do not load video onto any of my Ipods.)

I guess I better tell you readers that I had to purchase the current issue of P***boy this past week (sorry readers, I have to type this way so in case someone has a filter on they will not be stopped by that word). Stephen King has written a short story - "Mute" and the only I could read this story - legally - was to buy the magazine. In addition, I was hoping for a woman that I wanted to see naked, but it was a woman Kim Kardashin (however you spell the last name) that I have no clue who she is. I know that in the past few months E! has a new show about the Kardasian's, but I have no interest in it. Of course I saw her layout! She was just okay - kind of young, big breasted and completely shaved. Most of the time when I see a completely shaved woman I am totally turned on, but this time it was just alright. Granted, this was not a personal viewing, but you would think that I might get somewhat excited. Nothing. Oh, the rest of the pictures were okay, but some were just "fuzzy" appearing, even though professionally shot. I can not tell you readers why the picture spread did not look right to me.

I have no real preference of how it looks down there, in case any of you readers want to know. But I like just a bit of hair down there, but all in all it really does not matter to me. Little triangle, little strip, closely shaved very nice. A bush is good, and completely shaved also nice. I do not descriminate - at least I hope not. If there is sex involved - believe me the way it may look downstairs, hair/no hair, is not going to make me change my mind - At All!

You see readers, I have once more digressed from the topic at hand. Stephen King's short story was good. I did like the short story and yet you still do not know all the answers in the story. I did like the story telling and the way the story within was told. Not horror, but just a typical non-horror Stephen King story.

Alright readers, I have taken more of your time that perhaps that you wanted to spend reading my blog, but I hope that I have entertained once more.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A Cold, Crisp Saturday Morning

Greetings Readers

I have to state that this Colorado morning was a bit crisp - and cold. There was some snow on the ground this morning that fell through the night and cold enough for the snow not to melt. Enough to make everything white, but the snow is not accumulating at all. About noon - the temp is about 21 degrees where I live and just flurries are falling

I made some pinto beans last night and the beans cooked through the night. So, when I got up this morning I was able to eat without going through the process of actually cooking. But not right away. For the pinot beans I just made - nothing fancy this time. I decided that I want to have some sour dough bread with my beans. Though, I did not want to leave the house, but I also did not want to have just beans.

I grabbed my Lycra biking long pants, windbreaker (with just a t-shirt underneath), Thinsulate gloves, bandanna, and the ever so infamous Natalie Merchant Stocking cap and proceeded to head to King Soopers. When I stepped onto the sidewalk where the snow had melted there was a thin coat of ice. So, that meant there was probably ice under the snow that was covered up. I had already decided to use the road bike that got the nice comments this week.

Sure, I have that one mountain bike that is hanging out on the patio. But, that meant that I had to lift that heavy bike down from the patio. Yes, the bike is heavy compared to all my other road bikes. Yet, the mountain bike does have wider tires and knobs that help with traction in the snow. But in truth I was making excuses so I do not have to take the heavy bike down from the patio as opposed to wheeling out the road bike from the hallway.

Also, I want to also go fast as I could, without falling, so I elected to use my road bike. As I rode into the crisp morning dawn I was paying mind to the biking gods. Going down hill I was being careful not to go too fast, on the non-pavement the grass was slick so I was being mindful. On the way to the store I ran into my neighbor walking to the store where we works and I shop. I slowed a bit made small talk and then of course he asked me "Why aren't using your mountain bike?" "Aren't those skinny tires dangerous on this type of surface?"

I did not argue nor explain myself, but laughed and said I was in a hurry. I have pinto beans waiting for some sour dough bread and that is my meal for this morning. (not to mention all day).

And that was that.

This past week was a tough week so when I got home last night - I made a quick meal and then headed straight for bed. I was tired, my eyes were hurting, my brain was exhausted and I was sort of physically tired from the week. No - not due to working out. Though my body is getting more tight. Woo hoo. I have to say that I now like walking around in the nude (But not all the time!) Yep readers. I will admit that nor is that embarrassed about that. I guess I have more confidence with me working out for the past 3 months. I do not think that I have anything to be ashamed about =)

Not to mention the changes that I have seen in my body. I also have been losing some of that extra little fat in the mid section when I retired. Yes I gained a few pounds when I retired a year or so ago. Noticeable to me, but now almost all that little "extra" weight has disappeared. I do have bigger pecs (bigger than I first started), biceps have some definition in the back of the arms and on my back muscles. The calves look the same, but I have not really focused on that part since I get that from riding. I am still slender.

Well, that should be all for now and since I have made the decision to stay at home I should be able to have a good blog for tomorrow. I plan to mess with my new Ipod and watch some movies all day so I should not be that bored.

And the picture is of me going out this morning.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Ready for the Weekend

Greetings Readers

As it has been for the past week I am not finding the time to blog. I am writing a bit when I get home so as not to forget some ideas and musings.

Yet, I am unable to find the time to enjoy thinking and writing at the same time. Usually when I blog - I do all writing in one sitting. As of late I start blogging then I have to save and have no been able to return.

Once more this morning the weather was too warm for snow, but the pavement was wet with rain in the middle of the night. However, I heard that the temperature is going to drop soon and we will have snow by this weekend.

Well readers, I have bought my 3rd I-pod - white 20GB - 4th generation from the local work classifieds. Woo Hoo! I now have a back up to my back to my back up. Yet, I am also thinking about a Christmas Present for someone. Brand new, never used and basically they did not need. So much better for me.

The Space Shuttle Atlantis was delayed yesterday due to failed check on pre-launch. They had tried for today, but now that is pushed til Saturday. And if I read correctly, if no launch tomorrow then the launch will not go until next year - February, I think.

Again, another picture of Atlantis sitting on the launch pad yesterday. What a picture I think.

Last night, I took Light Rail home and as reached one stop some people got on and I immediately heard "Nice Bike" and then the night before at the Colorado Athletic Club the guy on duty told me "I had a very nice bike" and "decked out" You know those comments make any of my bikes worth what I paid and what upgrades I have done. As I responded "Thanks." I also said that one is my lower end bike, but I have done many, many upgrades to the bike. Rims, seat, odometers, tri bars, handlebar wraps, tire caps, replaced the gears, added lights and water carriers middle and behind the bike. So yes, she has a lot of additions done to her. My new winter all round bike.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A Change in the Air

Greetings Readers

So.. Sorry readers. I got busy once more. Anyway, here is the logo for the Austrailan Open 2008.

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

My 1st X-mas Lights Picture of the Year

Greetings Readers

I am having a bit of a problem trying to post my blogs and having time to write them. I am still busy and trying to work, blog and do personal things are getting a bit overwhelming.

I had to post the blog post I started at lunch yesterday, this evening since I got busy all day and did not get home until late yesterday and by then it was so late that I "drank" my dinner.

Anyway, I posted one of two pictures that I took tonight of the Christmas lights that are twinkling in the Greenwood Village area near Fiddler's Green.

Since I was unable to post the picture and the blog outline I was going to blog about I was able to use the two pictures that I took and use them on both blogs since they are sort of pretty, well to me anyway.

I promise to get caught up with the ideas that I have floating in the head and get them down for you.

Well, well, well, what we have here is an update with the ever so Fucking Dairy Cow that mocked me going home almost every day on Arapahoe Road since I saw that Damn cow with utters in from of a barbecue restaurant.

The Fucking Dairy cow is gone! Ding dong - the Cow is Dead. You know like that saying "Ding Dong the witch is dead" Oscar's Smokehouse restaurant has been "dark" for the past week and then this morning I decided to see what is up since the other morning I saw some white paper on the front doors of the restaurant, which is not normally on the front door.

I biked up to the restaurant this morning and sure enough "Closed" was written on the white pieces of paper and taped to both doors of the restaurant. Before seeing the white paper on the doors, from a far Oscar's has been dark when I have been going home at night. Granted, I have been going home late, but I was trying to remember if Oscar's closed that early in the evening, but then I saw that Oscar's was really dark (like 3AM dark) as opposed to just "closed for the day" dark.

What I mean by that is that when a restaurant closes for the night, there is still some lights on. Waiters/waitresses closing and balancing out their night's take. The kitchen staff cleaning up, the manager doing whatever needs to be done for the night. But as I rode past Oscar's the other night, roughly 8 or 9 PM I saw Oscar's was very dark, then the other night I saw a truck backed up to the front doors around 9 PM so I was curious.

After all did I not blog sometime ago that the restaurant was under new management and I was going to take my parents back to the restaurant for a second chance. Well, so much for that idea.

Readers, let me take you back in Mr Peabody's Way Back Machine and for you local residents -back in the day when Pete McKay was on "the Peak 96.5" he too had a version of the Way Back Machine on his morning show. The restaurant was originally a Big Boy's restaurant. Matter of fact, I have a picture of my parents and brother in front of Big Boy himself that was taken in the 80's that I took. Ever since Big Boy's closed down a couple of decades ago many, many restaurants have occupied the building and the place never has lived up to the Big Boy's Status that our family thought was a great place.

In closing, too bad that fucking dairy cow (with an utter) will not be there anymore. Why? I will not have any more blogs to write about that Fucking Dairy cow in front of a Barbecue restaurant.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Thrive on Bike Riding

Greetings Readers

Thrive. Thriving. Perhaps that may not be the word or sentence that I am meaning, but basically I bike everywhere in Colorado. Period.

When I was beginning to start training for the Ironman Triathlon I wanted to be sure that I was in no way tempted to use my car. So I had my car taken down to our Ranch in New Mexico and that way there was no way that I could drive.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Welcome To December, Last Call

Greetings Readers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Quick First Post of the Month

Greetings Readers

I was/am on the verge of getting sick, so I have taken a little break and trying to rest the body and mind.

I was able to go to the Christmas party this weekend...

To be continued later

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another Month's End

Greetings Readers

You know, this was the lowest month of the year that I posted. Of course, I was on vacation for a few, then month and also year-end close have sort of taken over also.

Yet, if there was one good thing is that I am done with starting each post "Another". I was running out of things to say after that, but I wanted to be consistent this month so that is the only reason why I started that "Another..." bit.

This weekend is the Christmas party and the party is being held at Invesco Field. I am not excited to go since I could care less about the stadium that replaced "Mile High Stadium". I am old school and did not want any of this new Stadium. I guess the only thing I have to say, but I have not verified the facts - is that since the stadium has been built for the Broncos - the Broncos have not lived up to having a new stadium being built for them.

I am going to stop on that note and we will see you in the month of December.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another quick post

Greetings Readers

I have been busy and well no time to post. Vacation, Holiday, deadline and the sorts all happening at one time.

I will try to update tomorrow, but this week is not looking good either.

It did snow this morning in Denver - the ride to and from work was cold. The snow has mostly melted from the streets, but still pretty much on the non-concrete/asphault surfaces and in the shade. However, since I am riding home in the dark I am pretty much looking straight head as oppose to sight seeing.

I do have a story to tell about "Bobby Rae" and her first turkey that she cooked on Thanksgiving.
A sad tale, but I laughed. Not at her mind you, but at the whole story. Especially about when the first fox showed up.

Oh - I just found out there is "Blade Runner - The Final Cut" that is going to be released next month. In Austraila, but I can not tell if in the US it is going to the theatres or straight to DVD. The only reason I wonder why is that I saw the Blade Runner re-issue that was issued in the limited run. I think I see that it is going to DVD on perhaps 12/18/07. I think that I will write more on this later. I am a "Blade Runner" fan, before it became a cult hit. Anyway another time...

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another Another Post Update

Greetings Readers

I am looking at my monitor, but somehow I am not motivated to start typing away... with that I am going to share more from my past vacation that I retreived from my laptop. Here you go.

Jemez – This was the site of a festival that takes place once a year and this is November 12. Jemez is located near the town of San Ysidero.

I knew nothing of this town except this is the place that my parents go to every year for their anniversary.

I was invited to go this year and I really did not know what to expect. I heard this and that, but I did not know what to really to expect.

We arrived to this small town a little after noon and this little town was packed with cars, buses and trucks lining the sides of the streets and parking anywhere you could park. To the North of the road and perhaps about 30 yards down the road is the plaza. The plaza is where the festival was being held. As we were walking down to the plaza you could hear the Indian Drums being pounding the fall air. Outside the plaza there are booths and booths that line the area outside the plaza.

Most of the items that were being offered for sale were Jewelry. Turquoise, Jasper, and other sorts of stones were available for purchase. Most were necklaces, but there were a lot of bracelets, earrings, and rings. Then, off to the side there were items that should not be for sale but were. Let me say that my father and me bought some black market items for cheap. Cheap, cheap, cheap.

After visiting some of the booths we headed to area near the plaza. As we neared the plaza you can see the dust hanging the air and the hazy smoke from all the stoves that were cooking in all the houses.

Per Tradition of the Jemez festival all of the houses in Jemez are required to cook and provide food to all visitors that come into their house. No one is turned away nor is anyone denied any food that is available in the house that they decide to go into. My parents had a house in mind to go to, but the wait was about two hours. With that they did not want to wait so we headed to the plaza and saw that there was a crowd already lining the streets of the plaza.

The plaza is sort of situation on the side of a hill. Not much of a hill, but lengthwise the plaza was about 80 yards long and about 30 yards wide. I saw groups of Jemez Indians dancing from one end of the plaza and dancing their way down to the other side of the plaza. (Dancing East to West)

All the women were dressed in full-length gowns, with most of the women wearing some sort of wooden flat hat that tied to their head. The hat itself was colored turquoise, with three feathers on top of the wooden hat. In the middle of the wooden hat there were different symbols that were cut out – Butterflies, stars, a rainbow shape, a triangle and a few other symbols that I cannot recall.

Oh readers, the reason that I can not remember is that No Cameras, No Sketch boards, No Cell phones, No audio or video recording equipment is allowed at the festival.

Hence, that is why I am trying to remember this all from memory.

All the men were shirtless, had a bandolier of sea shells, a black feather from their head, some had two silver bells tied to the back of their belt, A fox pelt hung directly in back of them from the belt. They were covered in a light coat of mud (earth, dirt). In each of the man’s hand they held an Indian version of maracas.

…

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another Update Added

Greetings Readers

And now time to post some info from my past little vacation that was stored on my laptop...

Here I am sitting in the bus (TNM&O) on the outskirts of Raton, New Mexico. We bus passengers have a 20 minutes lay over until we continue the trip to Albuquerque.(Update : The wait was an hour)

Bus travel has its advantages, but on the other hand it has a lot of disadvantages.

Yet, all in all I have to say that this sort of travel I have come to embrace and I would not think of flying. I like the idea of catching the bus at night and practically sleeping the entire trip with only waking up here and there.

In the beginning I was skeptical about taking the bus, but once I became a seasoned rider I am now used to it. In the beginning I only had my CD player. Oh yes readers that same CD player that took a fall on the Elephant Rock Ride. Why that CD player has been through thick and thin with me and I will continue to use that CD player until the day she gives up on me. Not to mention that this CD player can play TV stations, get the weather bad in 7 different waves, 25 FM station presets, 5 AM preset, Bass, anti skip technology - something which can retain music for 1 minute. What the fuck that means I have no idea.

Yet, ever since I got my pink I-pod my music has come much easier in life. I no longer have to lug around my favorite CD’s (and their Jewel Cases). I have loaded what I needed to listen to on my Pink I-pod. Not to mention my Black I-pod. I just love it. Yet, I love listening to radio stations that I have pre-programmed on my CD so when I pass through an area that I located a radio station that I just had to remember - I automatically programmed into memory. So, you see that CD player is something that I still love to use.

Besides the music I usually have a bag of chips, or a bag of beef jerky and then a bottle or two of Cola-Cola. I have learned to take a small pillow and that’s that. I also bring my book of Sudoku, but since there is no light to really work from and I am travelling at night I only do Sudoku at the bus station. I do not want to bother the other people in the bus with my light from above me. I realize that is a small focus of light on my seat area, but I know if the tables were turned I would not want to have the light on as I was sitting, sleeping in my seat.

And that composes what I bring and do on my bus trips to and from Albuquerque.

The bus route that I take basically takes me either South or North on I-25 from Denver and Albuquerque. The other buses that leave at different times take a different route. The route zigzags through Colorado and New Mexico since there are other bus stops in the rural area of Colorado during the day. The only route to by pass all those routes is the late night bus. Thank goodness. I know the other route are not that much longer, but only seems that way when you know the bus is taking the road less traveled.

The picture on today's post was intended for an earlier post, but did not happen - so here you go readers. That is a picture of one of the dogs (Our ranch dogs) that I have caught in the middle of a sneeze.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another Holiday gone

Greetings Readers

Yesterday was pretty damn cold for me to go out to the After Thanksgiving Shopping Sales. I did go to Best Buy and boy oh boy the ride to Best Buy was a bit colder than I thought.

I got bundled up, grabbed a stocking hat (as opposed to my regular Bandanna) and full length Thinsulate gloves (as opposed to my fingerless biking gloves and I put on a thin Wind Breaker and long leg biking pants. Well, Damn that was not enough. I could feel the cold, icy air already seeping into my body. I literally felt all my body heat just leave my body.

The snow was falling very lightly and slowly, but never-the-less, it was snowing. There was a slight northerly wind and the air was foggy (about 5 miles viewing distance). I was on a mission and that was to go to Best Buy. With all the people and what not, I decided to leave my Ipod at home so I would not be "targeted" for anything at the store. I just do not like to be accused or watched for the wrong reason(s).

The roads where I live were barren, but covered with the fresh snow and hardly any fresh tire, footprints on the road. As I was biking I actually heard the day. Amazing what you can hear when you do not have earphones on while biking. I smelled the wood burning fireplaces, I can hear a chainsaw in the distance, I can hear the snow failing against my windbreaker, I could hear the tires that my bike was making in the snow covered streets, I could hear the silence, I could hear my breath. As I neared a pretty traveled streets I could hear the tires from the cars/trucks were making on the snowy,wet road. Did you know that tires make different sounds on the different types of roads (Asphalt & Concrete). One sounds just like noise on the road yet the other sounds like a jet making a fast flyby. Interesting for me to notice.

I know what I am writing sounds kooky, but most of the time I have my earphones in my ear and can only hear faintly the vehicles driving by me.

Anyway, I heard things that I have not heard in ages. Not to mention...

"I'm Impressed."

This was uttered by a guy that was walking his dog when he saw me approaching. All I could do was smile... too cold to say anything.

There were other people that said something to me "Hi", "Good Morning", "Hello". Perhaps this goes on all the time? Or perhaps it was the holiday ambiance and people were just naturally happy after the Thanksgiving Holiday. I just do not know.

And that is about all I can write on that without boring you too much readers. I just wanted to tell you readers I actually got cold yesterday from riding outside. When I home, I put on some Campbell Chicken Noodle Soup and grabbed the comforter and saw right in front of the T.V. trying to warm myself up. My teeth were not chattering, but my whole body was cold and Gosh darn my nipples could cut glass!

I saw the Mist and I was in trance with the movie. It was done very good. The movie got to the plot quickly and then I followed the storyline of the book until the end. Let me say this readers - I was hoping for a dark ending to this movie since the book has a dark ending. Let me tell you I got darker ending that I could imagine.

Thinking about the movie itself - It was a good movie. It plays to the humans fear of the unknown and what we are really capable of. The Humans emotions that happened in the movie is very realistic - not far fetched from being any truer.

And today's picture is sort of what I looked like two days ago. That too was a cold day and I was soo cold I had to take RTD home. This was a picture of me at the bus stop. By the way I do not think I ever have shown a picture of my US Open Backpack.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another Thanksgiving Arrives

Greetings Readers

Happy Thanksgiving.

Well, since I am going to be alone this Thanksgiving I will be doing the annual tradition that I do for myself when I am alone.

What could that be? Hmmm.

Okay, you twisted my arm. Enough!

When I am in town and unable to get away to go home I do the annual tradition. I go see a movie, then go to the Black Eye Pea and then drink a few when I get home. Then go cry in the closet. Kidding! I do not go cry in the closet. Matter of fact I have no room to go into the closet.

Anyway, this tradition of mine started a long time ago and I do this regularly. Yes readers, I get offers to come over to friend's house to have Thanksgiving with them, but in my view I can not simply go to their home for Thanksgiving. Whether it is friends or friends and family - I do not want to be there and feel uncomfortable thinking about the other people at the table.

I am sure that it is more than okay to go over, but I just will not. Thanksgiving is the time to be around a table with family. Friends... perhaps, but again not in my view. I do not see that as wrong. I just do not think that it is right. My friends have reassured me that I would not be intruding and they would hate to see me being alone on Thanksgiving.

So, I usually go see a movie in the morning, then head over to the Black Eye Pea in the afternoon and then head home. That's that. Nothing wrong with that. There is my TV, video games, computer, and books so I have nothing to complain about nor not to do anything at all.

Do I miss not going over to some one's home for Thanksgiving? No. Not at all. And no - it is not because I do not have to cook.

Today's picture on my blog post for today is me going to work this morning after the snow fell earlier this morning. Even now the snow is fluttering throughout the morning. Anyway, I saw the background and the ambiance of the picture I had in mind and stopped to get this shot on my digital Camera. I loved how the morning sun was being cast in the clouds and how the shot was going to look. I also thought that me against the background would be a good shot. Well, I do have to say that this shot came out better than I thought it would. I am in silhouette so you can not see me except as a dark, unknown rider standing tall before/after the storm.

But wait readers! There is more to this picture. About 20 yards before this picture is where I road off the road since I almost fell down on my bike. I was coming down on my road and this morning was very cold. So all the snow and ice on the road was being "grabbed" by my skinny tires and getting caught in the brakes. Well, I got more speed than I wanted on the downhill and decided to apply some braking. The brakes were frozen and me and the bike were going faster and faster. I freaked a bit since there is bend in road and I will need to turn. But rule number one - DO NOT TURN AND BRAKE. I tried braking with a bit more muscle and then then brakes got UN-frozen and grab some of the rim. All of a sudden the front tire went askew and I felt me and the bike were going to go horizontal. Basically, I was going to become one with Mother Earth. With my experience, Oh yes I am sticking to that story, I was able to counteract the tipping and re-position my tire in a straight line. Yet, in all this time another 10 yards rolled by and I needed to turn right then, otherwise I was going to go off the road and possibly into a small creek.

Oh the horror in what happens in seconds. I was still going straight, well my straight in order not to fall down, and I decided right then since I can not turn I better brake and come to a stop. I once more applied the front brakes and immediately the front tire turn askew once more and I was in the position to meet Mother Earth and I did not want to that - at all! Again, I was able to correct and then I was off the pavement and into the side of the road.

There I was bumping and holding onto my handlebars thinking what the fuck was going to happen to me this wonderful morning. Was I going to go down on the ground where the ground was bumpy and rocks? Was I going to overshoot the ground and simply go into the creek? Or was the moment that I was going to hope for - was I going to be able to upright?

Truth be told I was able to get one foot down and use that to come to a stop with 3 feet to go before I go over the little cliff into the icy creek. I stayed upright, but this was too close of a moment where I was going to quote my little friend "F'd in the A". Oh, I grabbed both brakes handles and squeezed those brakes like I was squeezing juice out of lemon! I heard the brakes trying to grab the rim, but grabbing the ice on the rims since it was a cold morning the friction on the rim was icing up immediately after being melted by my brakes.

I took a deep breath - looked at the Icy creek stream in front of me, looked at the ground below me, then turned and looked at the hill. Boy oh boy. You could see my bike tire trails on the road and I could see the tire turns on the hill where I almost when horizontal twice and then I could see the tires leaving the road. Hah hah. I actually laughed out loud and could see if any other runners or bikers see my bike trail I made they are going to laugh their ass off and see how close I came to crashing and going into the creek. Then, they are going to see my footprints and tires going back onto the road and then me going back onto my journey.

I basically misjudged the hill and that could be since I have not been on the bike for almost 10 days. Could be I forgot how to brake with snow and ice? I just do not know. Yet, I am thankful that I did not go into the creek or crashed.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another Dead topic

Greetings Readers

"In god we trust"

Hmmm. What does this mean to you readers? What does this mean to me? Does this really matter to you or me? I do not know the answer for you readers, but I know what it means to me. Sorry, I am not going to elaborate....

Update - Whoa! There goes my whole blog for today.

I was going to tell you a story about a sermon I heard on the AM radio this past Sunday that was held/broadcast from the town of Gallup, New Mexico. Basically, the guy who was leading the sermon was talking about the new dollar coins. He had stated that the new dollar coins do not have the words " In god we trust" on the coin. And I had a dollar coin on hand so I checked the coin and I did not see the words "In God we Trust" either on the coin.

To summarize the sermon - The preacher had indicated that he was in a store buying something and his change was back in dollar coins. He said to the clerk that he could not accept the coins since they did not have "In God we Trust" minted on the coins.

At that moment I thought how dare would this preacher question money. I bet if this preacher happened to receive these dollar coins in the offering plate I bet he would not think any less of the coins. Money is money. Matter of fact - if I was in the general vicinity of the church service I would make it a point to point out that I gave "a dollar coin" and see what sort of response/action I would get from the preacher. Darn right I would make a point.

Well, so much for this blog, because after further looking at the dollar coin I see that the words "In God we Trust" is printed on the side of the coin.

Not much else I can say after that, but now I am very, very tempted to point this out to the preacher.

By the way, I got caught up on most of my sleep last night so I should be able to get caught up on some entries from my vacation.

Also, I received two shipments from Amazon.com and let me tell you it was a nice surprise to come home and see some music I ordered show up. I would have to compare it to my Christmas present coming early for me. What were they? A couple of Tiesto CD Singles and one Madonna CD single. And I think I have two more coming soon.

I was able to watch some of the shows that I taped while on vacation - Nip / Tuck, Southpark, The Soprano's, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Let me see... in the same order - Oh she was hot!, "Sparkle", am I or Tony really experiencing the same type of situations, and gosh darn that was a messed up Season finale!

Xoday's picture is of the Ginny's that were just born when I went down a few weeks ago. All four are still alive and much, much bigger. They were finally let of the coop last Wednesday and all seem to be fine. Though the dogs and cats are wondering who are these "new" guys are. Kind of strange to see so many more Ginneys around the ranch.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another "I'm Back" Post

Greetings Readers

I just put up a panorama picture of the view from our ranch in New Mexico on the blog from 11/16/07.

Then, Today's picture... is a picture with the sheep standing tall before the man. Not. I just got the angle from ground level to show that the ram is the king of the ranch. Sorry, no name for this ram nor the other sheep that we have. Probably because you should not name an animal that you may eat later down the road or sell at auction.

Well, I got back to Denver, Colorado at about 5:15 AM this morning. I am tired, but I was able to grab some sleep on the way back. The weather is warm up here also.

I do have a lot to say, but I need to catch up tonight with me returning to town. As I mentioned before I do have this and that to say, but I am going to have to put some other things that need priority first - food, clothes, sleep, etc then I can update you readers on some things.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another Update from Grants, NM

Greetings Readers

So, I am typing this update from the Grants Library in New Mexico. I finally have a bit of time to make a quick entry before I/we have to make several stops in Grants - Such as Walmart, the Milan Store, something to eat and then something for later this weekend.

There has been alot that has been going on in the past week and I have several entries that are on my lap top, but I did not transfer the files to my zip drive.

There have been many things going on, but then again nothing really to tell you about that my entrall you readers.

Yet, the most important thing that I am going to say is that the weather is wonderful. There is the hint of cold in the air, but nothing like Colorado - that I see on the news.

I see that the temperature is a lot lower there than here. And for that I am grateful. Yet the trade off is that I am in the middle of nowhere and can not really enjoy anything besides working on the ranch.

Well.... I got to get going...

Update 11/19/07 - This is panorama shot that I put together with the Digital camera that I now own. The expsoure of the pictures gets darker as I near the setting sun so I had to manually adjust two of the pictures, hence that is why you can see the individual pictures and the sky color does not match. Oh well, this is what I can show you readers looking south of the Ranch in New Mexico at Sunset.

Until the next time readers

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another Bike Ride Morning

Greetings Readers

So, I got up early this morning since I had to check the Post Office Box that is 26 miles away. Yeah, the I have not made the time to go and check the mail. It was a nice morning seeing the coming of dawn on the Eastern Horizon (I know readers, as opposed to the western Horizon - hah hah). Yet, I was fucking cold this morning. I took one of my better bikes so I can ride like the wind. I was listening to Tiesto and just enjoying the cold wind chilling my cheeks. Readers, I mean the cheeks on my face! I only had the Lycra long pants, bike shorts on top, fingerless gloves, Natalie Merchant cap, and bandanna around my neck. When the sun finally peaked I could literally feel the sun's ray heating up my legs.

I guess I did not know how cold I was when I felt the sun's heat on my legs. My toes were tingly - I bet they were numb, though I still had the heavy white socks on.

That's about all I have to say for now, take care readers.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another Nice Day

Greetings Readers

I did not get a whole lot of sleep last night/this morning.

I would like to start on the topic at hand, but I feel that I might be a bit weary and perhaps my train of thought or typing might be a bit too much for me right now,

I feel okay, but just a little shaky. I shall continue this later...

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another Election Day passes by

Greetings Readers

Yesterday was another Election Day. The day did not matter to me nor did I vote in any sort of way. Well, I voted to go to the CAC and so I did. And sure enough that was I needed at the end of day I had yesterday.

Oh nothing to write about, but busy and kind of this and that and well all those things started to pile up and I was bit stressed.

As you can see by the picture that I have posted the Space Shuttle has landed safely once more, which means I can keep myself at ease.

I just do not know why I worry for the Space Shuttle exactly. I did go to the NASA website and I took a look on who was on the crew. But, as I told you readers before I could care less about the Space Shuttle crew. My main and only interest is the Space Shuttle itself.

Readers I have another busy day so I have to cut this time off now and I will try to catch up tomorrow and that might be about...

The Ride of the Valkyries

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Another November comes to Denver

Greetings Readers

As I finished my Sunday Morning ritual this past Sunday I decided that since sunrise was about 6:30 AM I decided to start breakfast before even getting started on the paper.

I know that you readers probably do not want a play by play recap, but sorry - I got to type a little blurb.

I was peeling the potatoes for the Hash Browns and as I have stated before I know how to multi-task, so bearing that in mind I decided that I could read the Sunday Comics while peeling and hashing the potatoes

I happened to stumble across the comic... "Pearls before Swine". Sorry readers this is not a comic I read, but my choices were limited since I was hashing and had no free, dry, clean hands to turn the comics page. I was stuck reading the other comics on the page that was laid out on the kitchen counter until I came to a stopping point.

Hence, I had to look up the name of the comic - "Pearls before Swine".

Getting back to the story. The comic in question was me to a "T". I make no excuses nor do I have to give you one readers. I sort of do that when I need to listen to the people around me - I think that the percentage is about 20 % that I would have my music low or not on, but I will still wear the earphones. You would think people would get the hint that the music is too loud to hear you.

Unfortunately, in the comic it states that "they don't talk to him" Shit. I wished that would happen to me. I can not count the number of times that I give them the "I do not have a fucking clue what you're saying - so shut the fuck up" look. It is amazing how many people still talk to me. When I point (pantomime) to my ears and turn my head to show my earphones those people still continue to talk. So be it. I have no desire to talk to you nor am I going to pull out my earphones to listen to you. Unless I am fucking you on a regular basis or you and I got rings on our fingers I am not your new friend nor do I want to engage in conversation with you.

I am sure that you are probably the most generous, caring, friendly person on this side of the Rocky Mountains, but in my book at that moment - you are nobody to me. Period.

I do not racial profile, gender profile, old/young profile or the sorts. I could be having a bad moment, or you just struck me wrong, or I want to keep the "transaction" as I am the consumer and you are providing me with a service, which I am paying for.

I do not think everyone is an "Idiot Fathead", I just do not want to talk to you. Pretend, I am deaf and mute, if my actions gets up pissed off. Remember readers, I "thrive off" you being pissed off and should you exert that animosity to me I will feed from that and that would further spurn me to act upon the current situation at hand. I got all day at that counter/check out, if I don't - I will make time. You would be holding up the line for me to answer/listen to you. Or I will talk loud if I know that there is a manager/supervisor near us. And should my actions get your feathers ruffled and I see any signs of ruffled feathers I will make sure that they get more ruffled more often than not.

Readers, people can talk. I have the people in the place of business I visit (grocery store, stores) continue to talk and talk and then stop scanning my purchases just to make me say something or acknowledge them. I give them the stare and then I pull out one of my earphones and say softly and politely "Is there a problem?" They give me like an "excuse me look" or say "excuse me" like Steve Martin did on Saturday Night Live in the days of past. No skin off my back. Scan my stuff and get me the hell out of your face if you do not like the way I am acting towards you.

Otherwise, about 80 % percent of the time I am listening to music and unable to hear you.

Okay, Okay, Okay. I have talked to my friends and co-workers and most would agree that I am being rude for not saying anything at all. Sorry. I stated this before and still state for the record - I decide on who I am and who I am not going to talk to. I have reason(s), but I am under no obligation to tell you. I am in control of who I want to talk to or not. Of course at work I am put into situations were I would have to talk to you, then the conversation is pure business - nothing else will be talked about beyond business. Outside work - Everyone has a shot in my book to be ignored. Do I care if you ignore me? Nope. I did not know you before so why should I care now that you are hurt/pissed off that I am not talking/conversing to you now.

Yet, if those same people do decide to "grow a pair" and confront me. The next time I come to the place of business where I am the consumer and see you working I will make a bee line to your counter/check out and exert some sort of payback (verbal, non-cussing conversation for me) for the previous encounter you decided to "grow a pair" with my load of item(s). I do not cuss at you nor yell, but I have my verbal skills of confrontation to put you in your place. Not to mention that I know the phone number of the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Get the fuck out of here.

In closing, I have my regulars that I know and I will stand their line to be checked out by them. I do not care if your line is free I will wait for the person I know as opposed to you who I probably do not want to know or could care less about. Oh yes, I treated the people I know now once the same way before, but after a while I decided to talk to them and in time I have come to know them as friends. As those "veterans" have to come to know me as the guy who bikes to their store - rain, snow and sun, not to mention these regulars get introduced to my parents when they visit me in Colorado. If I introduce you to my parents then that means a lot in my book and vice versa my parents know that these "select" people mean something to me than just acquaintences.

Yet, in contradiction I do not let the current "woman" at the time meet my parents, but that does not mean I think the woman is not worthy to me. I do not know why, but I just do not introduce any of the women I am dating to my parents. Perhaps that could be a subject for another blog post. =-)

This topic got longer than I thought it would, but I had to address and type like crazy before I lose the train of thoughts and I know the post is not thoroughly put together. For that - I apologize.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete