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

Happy 1st Birthday, Aubs!

Exactly one year ago today Aubrey Avalon Paris Roberts made her grand entrance into the world - and she has NOT slowed down since. Happy birthday, sweetie - we love you!

Also, after a brief holiday break the blog is back. We have a lot to catch up on - watch for an all-new post coming Monday, only on Roberts On The Run™!

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

- Jeff

New York State Of Mind

Is it the skyline, the larger-than-life atmosphere, or just an undefined energy? No matter how you describe it, it's hard not to be in a New York State Of Mind, with eye-enticing scenery and adventures waiting around every turn. Let's explore the southern tip of Manhattan. Climb aboard the Staten Island Ferry just east of Battery Park and let's head out into Hudson Bay for a closer look at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.


Step out onto the back deck of the ferry boat for a breath-taking view of lower Manhattan. That's Brooklyn just to the right. And look just to left - to the southwest - and you'll glimpse Lady Liberty herself.


Cruising the Hudson headed toward Staten Island.


After a journey to Staten Island, we stepped back onto Lower Manhattan and explored the narrow streets of where the city was born. The New York Stock Exchange rises proudly above Wall Street and is at the center of the world economy.


Look north across Wall Street and you'll see Federal Hall where George Washington was inagurated as the first U.S. President in 1789.


Although we had not initially planned it, our path lead us to the site of Ground Zero. We were all overwhelmed with emotion as we experienced much more than a site of tragedy, but the realization of lives unfulfilled, husbands who will never return to their families, daughters who will be forever missed. The simple, yet powerful, sign memoralizing the people who lost their lives on September 11th made this event all too real. This isn't just a horror of immense proportions, these were real people, just like you and me who never expected the fateful day to come as they left their homes that morning. May God bless them, and may they rest in peace.

Like America itself, the city of New York and the people within it don't seem to dwell with a defeated heart. Even at the Ground Zero site, there is a spirit of remembrance, yet energetic optimism as construction workers work feverishly to prepare the site for the new Freedom Tower to be completed in 2012. It will be the tallest building in city and is designed to pay tribute to the past. More importantly, like New York City, it will rise from the ashes toward its destiny of becoming a towering symbol of hope, perseverance, and freedom to the world.



The day is still young. Let's walk out onto the world-famous Brooklyn Bridge for beautiful views toward Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan.


You feel the refreshing breeze of the East River over a hundred feet beneath you as you admire the beauty of this bridge, completed in 1885 and featuring over 14,000 miles of steel cable.


A stunning view of Lower Manhattan from the bridge.


Catch a cab just north and you're in the heart of Little Italy which also borders Chinatown.


It's lunchtime so join Murph, Aubs, Jackie and me for authentic Italian cuisine in a cozy cafe.


Welcome to SoHo, just a few blocks northwest of Little Italy. A mecca for high-end shops and dining, SoHo is also home to celebs such as actress/model Molly Sims and many others.


Let's take a break in Washington Square Park, a place in the edge of Greenwich Village known as a gathering spot for musicians, artists and writers. Next to the Upper West Side and Midtown, this is one of my favorite spots in the city.


The Washington Square Park Arch, designed to mimic the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, pays tribute to George Washington and also marks the starting point of 5th Avenue at its southernmost point.


Okay, I know this photo is tilted on its side, but I really wanted to include it - so strain your neck and humor me! So how do you end the perfect day? With an excursion to the top of New York City's crown jewel, the Empire State Building. Murph shot this photo of us in the picturesque lobby before our ascent. I have to add that Jackie really stepped up this night - and throughout our trip - taking on her fear of crowds and enclosed spaces to make this all possible!

At the top of the Empire State Building, Murph captured what I think are some of the most incredible images of our NYC adventure. I won't clutter them with words.








The perfect - and picturesque - ending to the perfect day. Coming this Friday, a last look at the NYC, including the Upper West Side (we even found the site of Shop Around The Corner from the movie, "You've Got Mail") and some final skyscraper and Times Square shots from Murph. Plus, don't miss exclusive photos from BlogCam™ (I kept a box camera with me as I ran the New York City Marathon), and exclusive photos and video from the Lance Armstrong press conference at Macy's. Watch for it all right here, only on Roberts On The Run™.

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

- Jeff