The Conference Call

Working for myself, I tend to wear many hats. Typically, when I don’t have a day of meetings, it’s my trusty NY Giants slouch cap. Another one is the welcome responsibility of taking care of my baby daughter Aubrey for a couple of days a week, as I run my writing business . . . at the same time. It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Although a very demanding boss, Aubs is easy to be around (and love) and can be bribed for up to a half hour at the time, simply by popping in her favorite DVD. This gives me opportunities to sneak a few steps away into my office for things such as conference calls with my clients. As a matter of fact, let’s join one now, in progress:


Client (Male): So, you understand what we need you to do on this?
Me: Perfectly – not a problem.
Client: I’ll put you in touch with Mr. Jackson for further reference, before you start writing the ads.
Aubs (From The Room Next Door): Baaaaaaaarney!!!!!!!
Client: That’s Mr. Jackson – not Mr. Barney . . .
Me: Yes, right.
Client: Are you okay?
Me: Yes, of course.
Client: You sure you can meet the deadline?
Aubs (Now In My Office And In Hysterics): Baaaaaaaaaaarney!!!!!!
Client: You sound upset.
Me: No, actually I’m just here with . . .
Aubs: DVD!!! DVD!!!
Client: You understand we’re writing prints ads, not a video – right?
Me: Yes, wait, hang on . . .
Aubs (SCREAMING): Broken, Daddy!!!!!!
Client: Wait, what’s broken? And did you just call me "daddy"???

Me (LAUGHING): Actually, I’m here with my baby daughter, Aubrey. Something seems to be going on with her Barney DVD. Do you have kids?
Client: No.
(LONG AWKWARD PAUSE, THEN AUBS LAUGHS HYSTERICALLY).
Me: Look, Jim, I think I have everything I need to get started. Sorry for the hysteria, but it’s all under control. I really appreciate the opportunity and will meet the deadline.
Client (Sternly – No Sense Of Humor): Well, I hope so.

Me: Thanks - and bye, Jim.
Aubs: Byyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
(PAUSE)
Me (To Aubs): You know, sweetie, I hope you always keep your sense of humor. Life is just too short to deal with sour pusses.
Client: Um, Jeff, I’m still on the line.
(EXTREMELY AWKWARD SILENCE)

Being in business for myself has brought my priorities into sharp focus. And Aubrey, Jackie and Murphy are always at the top of my list. Although I completely love my job, sometimes it's important to realize that we're all working to live, not living to work. And I'm reminded of that important fact every time Aubs smiles and calls me Daddy.

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

- Jeff

Virtually Yours

As I sit here jammin' on the keyboard of my Apple MacBook, monitoring my TweetDeck twitter updates, glancing through my facebook news feed, emailing clients, checking the latest sports scores on the ‘net, listening to a streaming radio feed on iTunes, and watching the latest MTV video download in the upper corner of my laptop screen, while simultaneously texting on my BlackBerry, I’ve come to the realization that we live in a virtual world.

With all of the communications technologies and “social media” that are always at our fingertips, staying in touch with family, friends, customers, complete strangers and events around the block and around the world, is an easy process that is always just a click away. The techno-cynics would have you believe that this inundation of electronic connectivity is the literal downfall of modern society; the cause of everything from carpel tunnel to Attention Deficit Disorder to the collapse of personal and meaningful relationships.

Call me an interactive apologist, but I have a virtually opposing point of view. My closet office (insert “closet” joke here) in my house has gone from a place where faded t-shirts and tattered overcoats went to die to a literal nerve center of interactive communication that has allowed me to stay in closer touch with the people I care about most, keep up with the latest info on the topics and happenings that interest me, and even start my own business. Granted, your interactive connection is what you make it. At its worst, it is a poor substitute for human contact and personal conversation. But at its best, it is a priceless opportunity to stay up to speed with family and friends, near or far – the fact that you are reading this right now effectively illustrates the point.

So at this time of year when we celebrate our relationships with loved ones, here’s to continuing to use the best available technologies to connect with the people who mean the most to us . As always, I am virtually yours.

XOXO,
Jeff

Extra Mileage


Congrats to my niece, Meagan (pictured here with her mom, Sheila and her crazy dad, Roger!) on celebrating her Senior Night at West Virginia University. Meagan has been a very prominent cheerleader for both the football and basketball team and will be graduating this year. Way to go, Meagan!



Murph has been at Disney World with his mom for the week and shot this image on his iPhone to share with us. (That young man has a very rough life - ha!) Watch for lots of additional photos from Florida coming soon to his web sites.


Thanks to my beautiful dates for Valentine's Day. Note Aubs's popcorn at the movies - she couldn't take her eyes off the screen!



Lance rides again at the Tour of California this week. The man himself continues to promote cancer awareness and he prepares to ride himself into shape for The Giro (Tour of Itay) and Le Tour de France this summer.


Not sick enough of my web presence already? Here’s where else Roberts is on the run (at least on the Internet):

http://www.robertsontherun.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/jeffroberts
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1454040460
http://www.youtube.com/jeffrobertsnyc
http://www.powerbar.com/user/JeffRoberts.aspx
http://www.athlinks.com/racer/46773555/Jeff-Roberts.asp...
http://www.jeffrobertsink.blogspot.com

Thanks for reading. Until next time, remember to pick up the pace and run your own race.

Tri It Indoors

So what do you do when after weeks of sub-freezing weather, you're finally presented with a beautiful, balmy day with temperatures comfortably near 70 degrees? If you're like us, you take it inside and work up a sweat in an indoor triathlon - at least for a few hours. My good bud George and I had participated in this early season, fun-filled event last year and couldn't resist a return performance. And this time, we were lucky enough to have Jackie and Aubs as a welcome cheering section! The Jewish Community Center Indoor Triathlon consists of an indoor pool swim, a ride on a spinning bike, and finishes with a treadmill run. Let's get ready to bring the pain!


Aubrey stays busy "carbo loading" for the big event with her very favorite treat - Cheez-its!


No, it's not the Loch Ness Monster - this is me on the swim during the first leg of the triathlon.


George is slightly startled - and gets a case of the giggles - when I surprise him with the camera at the end of the pool.


Let's get those legs in motion as we head for the second leg of the competition - the spinning bike. I'm waving to Jackie with the camera and to Aubs, who was a little embarrassed by Dad looking like a maniac. Also note the nervous girls walking behind me and keeping a safe distance from my sweaty self.


George turns up the heat in this documentary-style video of him powering through the bike stage. Note the "toweling off the face" move for effect. Sweet.


Bringing it home on the run. Aubs is just looking for more Cheez-its.


George shows no mercy to his fellow competitors as he completes the race.













Extra Mileage

Big news from Murph's photography adventures - he just sold his first stock image! He has sold photos in the past directly to companies and advertising agencies but now he has some of his work represented on "stock" sites that allow people to buy directly from the web site. It's a very competitive industry and although Murph is very modest about all of this, it is a huge accomplishment. Congrats, Murph! Also, in addition to Murph's personal site on www.flickr.com (http://www.flickr.com/photos/murphyr), he has also started a new blog at www.murphyrphotography.blogspot.com to chronicle his daily and weekly photo shoots for his school newspaper, yearbook and other endeavors. He never slows down - check it out!

That's all for now. Talk to you next week. Until then, remember to pick up the pace and run your own race.

- Jeff

Shred Headz

This week, don't read the blog - watch it! Join us for a day of shreddin' on the slopes. Your snowboarding experience begins when you click the first video below.





















Thanks for watching. Until next time, pick up the pace and shred your own race.

- Jeff

P.S. Thanks for the great photos, Murph!