An Open Letter To The Universe

Lately it seems as if the world around us has been spinning at a rapid pace. All this talk of “change” has caused me to slow down and reflect on principles and values that, to me, always stay the same. Don’t get me wrong – this is not meant to sway anyone’s opinion or change someone’s mind. It is simply a few thoughts that have been on my mind that I am sending out to the universe. So here goes:

I will not apologize for believing in God and His son, Jesus Christ.
I say “Merry Christmas”, not “Happy Holidays.”
I believe we live in the greatest country in the world, protected by brave and noble soldiers who do NOT callously “air raid villages and kill innocent civilians.”
I believe in the Law of Attraction and have witnessed that we create our own world in which we live.
I believe in personal responsibility and that we should all strive to be self-sufficient.
I ask for nothing from my government – not a stimulus check, not a tank of gas – only an opportunity to earn a living on my own, free from high tax structures.
I believe that “Bail Outs” should be called what they really are – “Hand Outs”.
I am a capitalist and believe that companies that cannot succeed on their own merits should fail.
I believe that if I choose to buy an American car, it should be because it is the best vehicle in the world and not because a union tells me I should buy it.
I believe that I should not have to navigate through three screens on an ATM machine, just to find instructions in English.
I am choosing faith over fear in this “negative” economy, knowing that my true source of abundance comes not from man, but from a Higher Source.
I will purposely choose to remove myself from the negative people and the naysayers and will set a positive pace that they will be unable to keep up with.
I believe that if you are still reading to this point . . . you must be really bored – ha!

Merry Christmas to all and have a Happy New Year, too. Remember in the coming year to pick up the pace and run your own race.

- Jeff

Summer Road Trip!

Okay, so maybe we did something a little unethical last weekend. But with airline and gas prices at an all-time high, Jackie, Murph and I kind of convinced Aubs that she was on a NASCAR thrill ride at Disneyland. (Thank you Lowe's - your shopping carts are some of the coolest we've ever seen.)

SO, all loyal readers of the blog, as little Aubs grows older and starts asking questions about her "2008 Summer Vacation", let's remember to keep our stories straight - okay?

Until then, pick up the pace and run (or drive) your own race.

- Jeff

Impeccable Image

Skateboarder, snowboarder, all-around great son and big brother - and now, published photojournalistic! Murph recently added to his list of credentials as his dramatic image of recent flooding in the St. Louis area appears in the May/June issue of Paddler Magazine. An editor from the magazine came across the photo on Murph's web site and contacted him to request permission to use it in the flood article. Murph's name appears in the magazine as a photo credit (click on the image above and note Murph's name at bottom right) and the image is also featured in the table of contents in the opening pages of the magazine. (NOTE: The above photo features blue in the image, when it should actually be red. Not sure why it didn't translate in the blog - but you get the idea!)

Read more about the magazine at http://paddlermagazine.com/.

Congrats, Murph! And please remember us all when you are rich and famous!

Talk to you soon. Until then, pick up the pace and run your own race.

- Jeff

H2Ohhhhhhhh!

Ever have one of those weeks when a common theme begins to emerge? It starts out as a series of seemingly small coincidences, followed by an undeniable pattern, and finally a "okay, you don't have to hit me over the head, I get it" kind of thing. Last week was one of those times, and for whatever reason, all roads flowed to water.

Let me give you three quick examples. The first was anything but a liquid asset, as first our basement drains backed up, followed by our toilets, then our showers. After much plunging and baling, we let the experts take over, and Jackie and I knew that the problem was much bigger than the both of us when we glanced around the corner to discover that the plumbers had placed one of toilets on our kitchen floor. Although the repair process seemed never-ending, and at one point, Jackie actually threatened to use the toilet in the middle of our kitchen, the job was finally completed and the results were Roto-Riffic. (Thank goodness we have a health club across the street from us with spacious locker rooms - and toilets!)

Secondly, if you live anywhere near the St. Louis area, you would swear we are now a suburb of Seattle. I can't remember a year when it has poured this much . . . and I absolutely love it. I'm no manic depressive but something about the dark, damp days has always put me in a great mood - something so cozy about it. (Jackie agrees.) Not to mention that I love to throw on my old shoes and visor and go for long runs in it. I've really turned up my training it recent days and wet weather always seems to encourage and motivate me to higher levels. Go figure.

Finally, and I was saving the best for last, our daughter, Aubrey, experienced the zoo for the first time. Wide-eyed and amazed, she smiled and giggled as she marveled at the animals and crowds of people. Jackie and I felt thrilled and humbled to see her so joyful as she rode on the carousel and constantly pointed to the new and interesting images that surrounded her. It was like seeing everything through her eyes for the very first time. Just as we were about to leave the zoo, Aubs pointed to a man-made stream flowing through the park, and proudly exclaimed, "WAT-ER!" While her vocabulary consists of all the everyday words we have taught her thus far, we didn't even know she had learned that one. It was yet another milestone in her childhood . . . and yet another indicator of the liquid pattern that had become our unofficial theme for the week. Coincidence? I think not.

Talk to you soon. Until then, pick up the pace and run your own race.

- Jeff

Let There Be Light

So a few weeks ago, my always-up-to-something son, Murph took a small flashlight and vanished into the dark of night toting his Nikon D80. Less than an hour later he came back with the images below. How did he do it? After setting the shutter to stay open for a long exposure, Murph would "draw" images with the flashlight. The camera picked up this movement as a continuous stream, or line of light. We went outside and watched in amazement as he created more of these photos. Let's just say that this is further proof that the boy ain't right. But these photos attracted a lot of attention on his web site, and one awards annual is featuring a photo entitled "Piano Man" in an upcoming edition. Congrats, Murph!









To see all of Murph's latest work (and there is some really good stuff there), visit http://flickr.com/photos/murphyr.

Talk to you soon. Until then, pick up the pace and run your own race.

- Jeff

Oh, Hoppy Day!

Happy Easter, everyone. Thought you might enjoy a few photos of Aubs on her big Sunday!









Talk to you soon. Until then, pick up the pace and run your own race.

- Jeff

Take A Ride On The Wild Side

"Do one thing every day that scares you." I've always been inspired by this Eleanor Roosevelt quote and try to stretch my comfort zone as often as possible. Ready to take a vicarious ride on the wild side yourself? Check out these hellions on wheels that combine two of my favorite things in life - cycling and The Big Apple. Clip in to your pedals and get a tight grip on your handlebars . . . you gotta go strong to survive and thrive in the urban jungle - and life.



Take another roll around the NYC, this time with only one wheel and no handlebars required.



What's your next challenge? It doesn't have to be death-defying. Maybe it's speaking in front of a group. Or taking a class that you feel is "over your head." Or making it a point to wave to the rude neighbor across the street. Or volunteering to help people you don't know or understand. What will you do today to get your heart racing?

Talk to you soon. Until then, pick up the pace and run your own race.

- Jeff

Zen Snowboarding

So what colors do you dream in? For me, at least for today, it's in lovely hues of . . . white. Actually, I'm at my desk daydreaming about hitting the slopes and shredding on a board down the side of a mountain. Or at least a few big hills. Murph and I had planned to sneak out to Hidden Valley (our local "resort") to get a few rides in this afternoon but unfortunately we've encountered obstacles that are blocking the fun: homework for him, pesty clients for me. So as the snowflakes continue to relentlessly tease me as they dance just outside the window, I'm trying to live in the moment, clear my mind and senses, and re-focus. Which makes me think of . . . snowboarding.

You see snowboarding can be an almost spiritual experience. Fresh air, fresh powder, best friends. I'm in the part of my life where I love experiences in which you participate as a group, yet are uniquely individual in nature. While you're surrounded by other boarders carving paths around you down the hill, you're free to go your own way, at your own speed, in your own style.

When I am really boarding "in the moment", my mind is silent, my body loose, and my board seems to almost become one with the snow - the ultimate definition of going with the flow. As Murph and I are on the lifts headed back up to the top I often look around me and think that this must be a small slice of heaven. We've had some of our best conversations on those hills. And what could be more spiritual than that?

It's odd how you can often find peace, happiness and serenity in the most unexpected places. Where do you go to find yours?

Talk to you soon. Until then, pick up the pace and run your own race.

- Jeff

あなたは日本語の「punked」と言うことができますか？

Okay, so what happens when you finally make it to the Big Leagues, have a great year with the team and love your life? As a reward, you find out that you've been traded to a team in Japan and have to fly out the very next morning. This was the elaborate hoax that was played on Phillies player Kyle Kendrick, involving his manager, his teammates, and the media. Take a second and paste this youtube link, then watch poor Kyle as he thinks that the world as he knows it has changed forever.

Pretty mean. And pretty funny. Watch it now at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nKKqPOiJxI&eurl=http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post/-Trade-to-Japan-leaves-Kendrick-in-shock?urn=mlb%2C67246

Talk to you soon. Until then, pick up the pace and run your own race.

Keneshi-wa,
-Jeff

Let Levi Ride

Today's blog entry is about cycling. Okay, before you quickly click out of this post for lack of interest, please bear with me. You see it's a much bigger story than just bicycles racing up steep mountains and sweaty guys in Spandex shorts. It's a question of right and wrong. Of good guys and bad guys. Of underdogs against the establishment.

Last year was the final season for Team Discovery, Lance Armstrong's former team. A team that when formed was laughed at by Tour de France organizers as a ragtag American-lead team whose feature rider was a relatively unknown cancer survivor. This team turned France - and all of Europe - on its collective berets by winning eight of the next nine Tours de France. Last year the team, after winning the Tour once again, was dissolved for lack of sponsorship. Although none of the riders on Team Discovery EVER failed a drug test, the prevailing drug culture in cycling frightened away potential sponsors from investing millions of dollars back into the sport.

SO, this group of champion riders, suddenly without team, is re-formed taking over the sponsorship of Team Astana. Last season, this team was riddled with drug scandals and talk was that they would be disbanded. Instead, Johan Bruyneel, former director of Team Discovery, took over Team Astana, fired all of the riders in question, hired a respected physician to set up a voluntary drug screening program, and brought most of the riders from Team Discovery onto this new team, including last year's winner Alberto Contador of Spain and third-place finisher, American Levi Leipheimer. They did everything necessary to set a new standard of clean riding and clean competition in what has become a very dirty sport. And guess which team is the only one not invited back to the Tour de France this year? You guessed it - Team Astana.

ASO, the French governing body of the Tour, said that even though the team has completely new riders and new management, it was holding this group responsible for the past discretions of others. BUT, they are inviting all the other teams who were mired in previous drug scandals. Once again, it comes down to French whine and sour grapes.

Here's how you can help and it only takes a second. America's top rider, Levi Leipheimer, who was hailed last year for saving the Tour with his sportsmanship and clean riding has in effect been banned from this year's Tour for doing . . . absolutely nothing. Go to www.letleviride.com and simply enter your email address at the bottom of the page to sign a petition asking the ASO to re-instate Levi Leipheimer and Team Astana in the 2008 Tour de France.

I agree that the ASO should take every necessary measure to clean up the Tour. But excluding one of the few teams that has never been guilty of performance enhancing drugs is pure insanity. Thanks for taking the time to read this. And thanks for helping a good cause.

Talk to you soon. Until then, pick up the pace and run your own race.

- Jeff

Straight From The Heart

Yesterday was your chance to celebrate your inner Cupid. So what did you do? Jackie and I had the opportunity to celebrate over a sumptuous lunch date at one of our favorite restaurants (although every day with Jackie is like a celebration of the heart . . . ). Aubrey enjoyed a special card and presents before a day of play with her girlfriends at school. Unfortunately Murph came down with a touch of illness and had to cancel his dinner date with his girlfriend, at least for now. One thing that was interesting about yesterday was that in every email exchange with my clients, there was the inclusion of a Happy Valentine's Day wish, which was pretty cool or kind of creepy depending on who was the sending the well wishes. It seems everyone was feeling the love.

Last weekend, Murph had the chance to fire up the Nikon and take some shots of Aubs for her Valentine's Day photos. The weather was nice and Aubs was ready to power pose. Thought I would share these with you as a Valentine's Day present to you . . . from the Roberts family with love. (And don't forget to check out all of Murph's latest work at: http://flickr.com/photos/murphyr.)









Talk to you soon. Until then, pick up the pace and run your own race.

- (LOVE) Jeff

Writer's Strike Over! The Blog Is Back!

It's official: The Writers Guild of America strike is over. And Roberts On The Run is back! As a virtual member of the WGA, you'll note that my lack of blog entries coincided with the exact strike dates of my brother and sister scribes. The result? The best WGA contract in history and well deserved! So while you wait for new episodes of your favorites shows on the tube, celebrate the fact that Roberts On The Run is back and it's bigger, badder . . . well, let's just say it's back.

Speaking of comebacks, let's take a look at the top 5 greatest in American history:


5. Dewey Defeats Truman
Or does he? The ultimate example of never counting your chickens happens during the 1948 presidential election.


4. Jordan Returns
On March 18, 1995, His Airness comes out of retirement against the Indiana Pacers. Shortly after, the "rusty" Jordan drops 50 points on the rival Knicks in the Garden.


3. America Wins Revolutionary War
Against all odds, the American victory at Yorktown in 1781 marks the upset of upsets.


2. Giants Win Super Bowl
David Tyree makes the greatest catch in Super Bowl history and Eli Manning adds to the family legacy as the best road team in football history shocks the world - go G-Men!!!


1. Roberts On The Run Returns
Strike over. Blog back. 'Nuff said!

Talk to you soon. Until then, pick up the pace and run your own race.

- Jeff