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