(aerial view of SFO)

EARTH WIND & FIRE DAY TODAY...

I'm off to Hawaii with the team tomorrow AM. Good ol' SFO and Hawaiian Airlines. I love airports. Maybe because of the freedom and adventure it represents. Or because of the love you feel and see when loved ones are reunited there. Seeing that always brings a smile to my face.

I wrote a 'travel' love letter to my girl today. Just in case anything happens, so she'll always know. I know she does, I say it to her every night. I'll miss her so much when I'm away, but I know time will fly and I'll see her soon. I'll slip it into her Hello Kitty backpack. And I'll get a nice surprise for her later. I think she wants a videogame for her Nintendo DS. She knows how to milk it with Daddy.

Love and Aloha, lots more to come...

TRAINING LOG

Location: Healdsburg, Geyserville

Distance: 55 miles

Song: Life is a Highway (Soundtrack from Cars), by Rascall Flats. Gilly sings this and sounds like a country singer, I love it.

Thoughts: Quaint, charming little town with full of stores and restaurants and art galleries. This is probably my second favorite ride. Lots of rolling hills, and beautiful wine country scenery. After a four-mile climb up Pine Flat Road (which definitely ain't), it overlooks the valley filled with endless rows of vineyards. I didn't realize there were so many varied, independent wineries. Everyone's always wanting to stop to 'sample' the wares.

Hot one today, 95 degrees of dry heat, over 100 on the asphalt, like a giant blowdryer shadowing you all day. A few on the team had symptoms of dehyrdation and heat exhaustion. I drank about 5 water bottles of gatorade over the almost four hours that we were on the road and didn't even need to use the bathroom which means I was sweating it all out.

Even so, the last 10 miles of the ride had less to do with strength, but more about will and heart. Just brutal conditions. When you're hot and fatigued you need to dig down and ask yourself what your 'why' is, why are you training, why are you out there. You then begin to focus on that 'why' while the miles beginning to slowly disappear and you find a reservoir of strength that you didn't know you had.

For many, the face of a loved one comes to mind, or their memory. For others it's the commitment to the Cause, or a new vow to be healthy, or a promise to yourself to finish an unheard of challenge, or even laying on a beach in Hawaii, drinking out of a coconut after the Century Ride.

One of my 'whys' is on my handlebar, a pink Barbie bandaid that my daughter gave me after I crashed on a ride. I look and touch that touchstone many times on many different rides. I guess we all have 'whys' in our lives, someone or something that keeps us going, keeps us living strong, keeps us hopeful and joyful, that make our lives memorable, worth living, worth the struggle. With it, we tap deep emotional reserves that propel us forward.

What's your 'why' in life?

And the reward for me on this particular ride was an ice cold beer, waiting all those hours, hiding in an Igloo cooler, nestled comfortably on a bed of ice. It's the simple things in life, yes?

Godspeed,

-R

----- o
---<# \,
--( ) / ( )

ENJOY LIFE

Today is my 3 Year Remission Anniversary (boisterous spontaneous applause ensues!), the day I found out the doctors couldn't find any traces of cancer (leukemia) in my body.

Celebrate with me: Hug your keikis (children) extra tight. Stop and smell a beautiful flower. Lose yourself in your favorite music. Have a (Mojito, Pellegrino, Corona, Frangelico, insert favorite drink here) with friends. Laugh to the point of tears. Kiss the ones you love. Hike through nature. Feel the sun on your face. Put another shrimp on the barby. Have an extra scoop of ice cream. Wander through a museum. Read from your favorite book. Live from your heart. Breathe the fresh air. Walk along the beach. Ride a rollercoaster. Paint to your heart's content. Watch the sun set.

Do whatever makes your heart jump...

It's one thing to survive. It's another to live.

En-joy,

-R

CONNECTION (Mind/Body)

I felt lousy today, splitting nauseatic (my word) headache. Most of the time, I actually forget that I'm living with cancer and feel great, amazing. But no matter how well I'm feeling, I almost always get sick at some point when I'm expecting my test results back. Happily, my oncologist called and let me now that my results were normal, everything's fine (exhale.) Next round in October.

She also gave me the go ahead to train for multiple races this year, said my lungs are functioning normally and the side-effects of my treatment are neglible, so it shouldn’t affect my stamina and fatigue. "Absolutely go for it, yes train!" she said.

My cycle training is going great, but I had to cut back on my marathon training, my left hip is bothering me (again :). My chiro said my pelvic bone is rubbing up against a nerve cluster in my hip (yikes!) which makes my back and leg uncomfortable (painful) when I run. I’m feeling a lot better after a series of adjustments (my chiro is amazing), we’ll see how my training goes. It doesn’t bother me on the bike, only when I run, because of the compression and impact.

After I got the good test results back, that 'I'm not myself' feeling is gone just as quickly. I'm always monitoring how I'm feeling, my energy level, my emotional level, my stress level. They’re the indicators of my overall health. Of course I know my body quite well, when it’s out of sorts, but I’m still amazed how it knows and responds to what's going on inside. Sometimes it just 'aches.'

FIREWORKS

The burst of colors, fire, heat, sparkle. The luminous colors, loud core-shaking bangs.

Happy 4th!

-R


(pic: view from our hotel, fired from the mountainside shown in previous post.)

TRAINING LOG

Location: Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe

Distance: 38 miles, hard tempo ride

Song: Shalamar, Switch

Thoughts: Beautiful ride along the Truckee River, though it was like Frogger at times with all the people on the bike trail. Nice loop from Tahoe City up to Truckee. It was wide open with other cyclists out for a spin. I went out too fast instead of easing into the ride. Me and another cyclist were stopped at stoplight together, nodded and when the light turned green, we both non-chalantly started racing each other, matching speed. That was fun. But when I caught a stiff headwind coming back at the end of the ride I paid for it, inhaling Cliff Shot Blocks and Gu for some much needed energy, legs and lungs protesting.

I actually started thinking, "I'm on vacation, why am I doing this again?" Because I like it, because I can. A bad ride is just part of the deal, everyone has one of those days. What's the saying, "A bad day riding out in God's country is better than a good day stuck in an office." (Okay, I made that up.) But being out on the road in beautiful country was more than worth the effort (see pics). And the pool and spa was waiting for me after the ride.

-R

----- o
---<# \,
--( ) / ( )

YELLOW

Did you see George Hincapie sprint for those extra time bonuses knowing those extra precious seconds may put him in the yellow jersey, only the fourth American to wear yellow in the history of the Tour. He just missed wearing it a day earlier by just seven-tenths of a second. One cool cat.

SCANDAL!

On the verge of the Tour de France, several of the pre-race favorites have been suspended for suspected drug use. Wow. It's like a Lakers-Celtics Championship (back in the day) without Magic, Kareem and Bird.

This still will be one to watch, with Lance retired after 7 straight yellow jerseys, and now the suspensions, the race is wiiide open. I'll be rooting for Americans George Hincapie (Lance's buddy) and Floyd Landis for the overall. (sidenote: even with Lance retired, I still see so many people wearing their yellow LiveStrong wristbands. It's not a fad for them, or me.)

Imagine, three weeks of racing covering over 2261 miles throughout France and Europe, with only two rest days. I'll be glued to my set. I love the suffering, the drama, the courage, the savvy tactics and race strategies, the mosh-pit sprints, the delirious climbs, the obssesive fans. Yes!

I read these two sites for all the stage previews, recaps and general info on the race: www.olntv.com/tdf and www.coachcarl.com.

Gotta go ride...

MAN IN TIGHTS

Went to the opening night showing of Superman Returns last night. I went by myself since everyone else had other things like sleep in mind. I don't think I've done a midnight showing since one of the latest Star Wars. The best part of opening night is the energy from the crowd, usually full of fellow-geeks. I felt left out that I didn't have a Superman t-shirt, hat or pajamas to wear. Actually, I was wearing my uniform under my suit...oh never mind. But, you know the feeling, 500 hundred of your newest friends who go into near hysteria when the lights dim and the opening credits start rolling. Love that.

The movie: I really enjoyed it. Lots of the same beats from Donner's Superman (with Christopher Reeve). It was actually more of a love story than a summer action popcorn flick, but that's fine with me. (I think "Pirates" will fit that bill.) Singer and cast came through with a modern re-telling of the 1978 classic. Go see it, you'll love the end.

PRODIGY

Saw Jake Shimabukuro at Yoshi's Jazz house last night. I just love the vibe of this club, I would see practically anyone there as an excuse to take in the music and the energy. And pretty much everybody who's anybody has played there, all the heavies. If you're in the Bay Area and never've been, then go, and tell them Roman sent you. They'll say, 'who?' After I saw my first show there, I actually went home and researched the architect and designer so when I'm ready, they can design my home theatre or new restaurant, or both.

Did I mention that Jake is from Hawaii and plays the ukelele? Not the 'Tiny Bubbles' variety of course, more like Hendrix, Paganini, Chick Corea, Bach, Bela Fleck. During Jake's energetic and passionate two-hour solo set I found myself mesmerized, holding my breath, and on the edge of my seat by both the musician and the music. During the encore Beatles cover, "Here, There and Everywhere" I was actually on the verge of tears, I was so overwhelmed by the song's beauty. True art, no matter what the form, has the ability to do that.

MEGA-PHILANTHROPHY

Wowza. Warren Buffet, the world's second richest man, has taken his philanthropy to an other-wordly level, earmarking over $30 Billion dollars or 85% of his wealth, to the charity of the world's richest man, Bill Gates and his wife Melinda. Gotta love that.

In a fascinating "Billionaire Buddies" Fortune magazine interview with the both of them, there were a couple of things that Warren Buffet said that really stood out and have stuck with me.

1. CHOOSE the things that really make a difference, not meaningless activities. My take: You'd think that a mulit-billionaire would have places to go, people to see, things to do. But Buffet's calendar is mostly blank. He's learned how to say yes to the important things, and no to the meaningless things. Clear your calendar. Lance Armstrong says your schedule is how you make your intentions manifest in the world. I say it this way: It's YOUR life. Do what energizes you. Avoid what drains you. No guilt trips, no regrets. Don't just 'jump' when something comes up. If I feel I 'have to' or 'got to' do something, I'll usually decline. I'd rather 'want to', 'get to', or 'choose to' do something. Big difference.

2. Your INNER scoreboard is more important than your outer scoreboard. My take: don't care what others think about you or what you do. Of course don't be unkind or irresponsible, but live life your way, make decisions based on your values. Honor your own preferences, be true to yourself. It takes too much energy to do otherwise. Besides, you can't control what other people think anyway. Just be yourself, at your best, unapologetically.

3. A SUCCESFUL life is defined by the people that you hope love you, DO love you. My take: at the end of one's life, that's what life's all about, isn't it? Not the 'stuff' you've accumulated, but the relationships and experiences you've shared, the person you've become, the people whose lives you've touched.

Thanks for the sage advice Warren, we seem to think alike. Well, at least those things in common. Now let me get back to working on that billionaire thing... :)

- R

An excerpt of the interview (Fortune, Oct. 17, 2005):

FORTUNE: What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given, and how has it impacted your personal or professional life?
BUFFETT: (Turns to Gates.) What did I tell you that impressed you the most? (Laughter.)
GATES: Actually, I can answer that. When I first met Warren, we were talking about getting together and doing something again, and he pulled out his calendar and the pages were so blank. I said, 'Wow, you've managed to avoid getting tied in to a lot of kind of meaningless activities.' And Warren said, 'Yeah, you have to be good at saying no and picking the things that really make a difference.' And that's one of many things I've learned from Warren, and so I can blame it on him whenever I'm turning things down.
BUFFETT: The truth is I don't get invited anyplace. (Laughter.) I got an awful lot of good advice from my dad, and he didn't lay it on me, meaning I picked it up from him but there was never any of this 'do this, do that' type of thing at all. But he really taught me that what's on your inner scorecard is more important than your outer scorecard. Some people get in a position where they're worrying all the time about what the world is going to think of this or that, instead of considering what they themselves think about it. The people who ascribe too much to the outer scorecard sometimes find that it's a little hollow when they get all through.

FORTUNE: What has been your largest non-business success in life?
BUFFETT: This will surprise you, but I would say that I've never known anybody who got to be my age who had lots of people that loved them who were anything other than a success. I mean, you have lived a successful life if as you get older, the people that you hope love you do love you. That includes your family, your business associates, all kinds of people.
And the converse of that is that I know people who are enormously wealthy--they get schools named after them and they get dinners in their honor, all that sort of thing—and the truth is that nobody thinks a thing of them. And I have to believe they know that, and everything gets quite hollow in their life at that point.

(pic: with some of the team, all cancer survivors, post-ride potluck, Pellegrino in hand :)

TRAINING LOG

Event: Honolulu Century, Team In Training
Ride location: Sonoma, Kenwood, Glen Ellen
Distance: 35 miles
Song: One of my coaches told me to always have a song in your head when you ride. Today it was "Love is the Answer", England Dan & John Ford Coley. Corny perhaps but never fails to put a smile in my heart.

Thoughts: Worked on communication, hand signals and pacelining with the team. Also gear selection and climbing and descending techniques. Climbed Sonoma Mountain Road, my first time tackling this short steep bear of climb, gets you sucking air, legs throbbing, your heart pounding in your ears. Of course the best part of climbing is bombing downhill. Got to paceline with the fast group on the team, pushing myself just beyond my comfort zone, legs burning, grinning the whole time, glad to be on the bike, one of my favorite things to do. I think it has to do with the freedom and fun of cruising the neighborhood on ten speeds as kids, the joy of movement, pushing my limits, and the 'need for speed." I paid for it in the afternoon, I was exhausted, probably a little dehydrated as well, the effort along with the heat.

I saw this line somewhere, I've adopted it as my own, a 'delicious thought': "Biking is my hot fudge sundae."

Yeah baby.

I had a chance to thank all the teams (triathlon, cycle and marathon) at the post-training potluck. It's always an honor to say thank you to the people who are raising money to help fund the research that helps keep me alive.

Most of them are endurance event first-timers: selfless, expanding their limits, relishing the challenge, doubting their doubts. I told them it's not the time, it's the distance; it's not the size of their muscles, but the will in their heart. Team In Training is all about ordinary people doing extraordinary things for extraordinary people who would give anything to be ordinary again. Speaking of, current blood test results come back on July 7, one day before my 3-year remission anniversary.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, waiting to exhale.

-R

----- o
---<# \,
--( ) / ( )

RELIEF

High 90s today.

Remedy: Jamba Juice-Matcha Green Tea Mist.

Doesn't that sound perfect?

Enjoy!

BRING IT

Props to the Miami Heat for winning their first NBA Championship:

-Riles adds another ring.
-Zo and GP get their first.
-Shaq gets one without Mamba.
-Flash gets his first ring and MVP.

NBA fans are lucky. Doc. Magic and Bird. MJ. And now we get to see Dwayne Wade and LeBron battle it out for years to come.

LEGACY

Grandma passed away yesterday. I asked that this be read at the funeral service in tribute:

Grandma was the last of my grandparents. I think about the living link to past generations that's now gone, yet continues on in us.

The time I spent with her was precious, just being in her presence during her last days, made even more so with her great-grandaughter on my lap, the next generation. Even in her weakened state, a caring look and smile connected the two. Those were holy moments to me, holding her fragile hands, seeing decades of life and love and experiences and joys in every wrinkle on her hands and beautiful face.

Those hands loved to work her garden. They wrote me Happy Birthday cards every year up to my 18th birthday with a crisp $5 bill inside. Those hands cradled my dad long ago and I'm sure pinched and pulled his ears when he was a rascal, just like mine were.

She was a radiant, spirited and strong woman who lived a long, full life. I hope my life will be worthy of her memory.

We'll miss you Grandma.

FATHER'S DAY

Small hands shaking me, waking me up. Big bright eyes and laughter. Kisses and hugs. Proud of handmade card. Open my amazing gift, thankfully a gadget, not a tie. Breakfast feast.

Father/Daughter date. Sunday Matinee Movie. Her choice. Her on my lap. Sharing popcorn and M&Ms.

Enjoying the moments. Best Father's Day ever.

There is no one left to walk with now
No small, warm hand within my own
And woods are less enchanting
When explored alone.

- Ruth Bell Graham


(pic: Hilo, Hawaii May 2006)

ON THE ROAD

MY CALENDAR

Here's my race and travel schedule so far this year. We're well into the race season so I'm ramping up my training after a rather dormant and uneventful winter and rainy spring.

June 14-17: Peak Potentials Training Seminar, Pasadena, CA
T. Harv Eker's training, best selling author of "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind." It's the fastest growing personal development company in North America. I saw a keynote of his, and it was amazing.

June 26: Jake Shimabukuro Concert, Yoshi's Jazz House, Oakland, CA
Young ukelele genius, yes, ukelele. Didn't catch him the last time he came to the Bay Area so I'm catching his late show. And I absolutely love this club (www.yoshis.com). Check him out here, jaw-dropping:

video link

July 1-4: Lake Tahoe
Going back to Squaw Valley like last year. I love Tahoe. Plan to read, bike, hike a lot. And the fireworks are loud.

August 5: Marin Metric Century Ride, Marin, CA
A training race for Honolulu, it's 100 KM which is about 62 miles. I'll be riding with some of my friends, their first event. Lots of fun, beautiful ride hitting favorite spots in the Bay Area.

September 17: Disneyland Half-Marathon, Anaheim, CA
I told my sister that I'd train and do this race with her, both first times for us. I'm proud of my sis for stepping up her health and fitness regimen. I told her that running 13.2 miles is no small feat. Plus I want the big, fat bling-bling medals that Disney Marathons are known for. It's all about the 'hardware' (racespeak for race medals.) I'm going to totally chill on this race, I don't want to blow up my legs because my century ride is the following Sunday and I'm supposed to be tapering for Honolulu. Hoo-boy, this is going to be fun and so worth it.

September 23-30: Honolulu Century Ride, Hawaii
The Honolulu Century is the big race this year, the first time I've done this event and Jean's first century ever. I'm doing this with Team In Training as a partipant and honoree to raise money for cancer research. It's a beautiful course starting in Waikiki, around Diamond Head, pass Kaneohe Bay and back. And hello...it's Hawaii. The ride's on the 24th but we'll be extending our stay because, hello...it's Hawaii. www.hbl.org/events_general.html

October 8: San Jose Rock N Roll Half-Marathon, San Jose, CA
I told my brother I'd do this with him, his first as well. Maybe I can ride my bike instead of running it. I need a massage just thinking about it. This is the inaugural race in SJ. I was at the the San Diego RNR Marathon last year, bands every mile, they're a blast. This will be too. www.rnrsj.com/Home.html

November 16-18: XanGo Convention, Salt Lake City, UT

(pic: my ASICS GT 2100s)

YEARS

Tomorrow my cousin Kenny is stepping down from his Associate Pastor post after 10 years. Props to him. That's a long time.

It made me think of these past years and a picture that a friend of ours dug up from the archives, our missionary youth group that toured Asia in 1987. Next year we plan to bring everyone back for a 20 year reunion. With the probable objection of some in the photo (it's a free country, right?), I'm posting it and a copy of my email I sent the team.

For those in the know, see if you can identify everyone (freebie: Beverly is missing.) I'll leave out the names to protect the innocent. Another freebie: I'm the good looking guy in the back but with hair :) And Kenny's in the picture too.

Here's my email, October 2005:

I'm still sooo tripping about this pic. Shook me up a little, out of the unforgiving inertia of my 'daily routine.'

18(!) years ago. Think about that for a moment. From birth to High School graduation, a lifetime in itself.

As I scan our faces in the photo, I think of what's happened in our lives since then-the good, the bad, the indifferent; mistakes and accomplishments-the joyful, painful, regretful, memorable, sublime. Marriage, children, career and locale changes, personal gain and loss (and not just weight and hair, hehe).

What will the next 18 years, 'Lord willing' (sorry, ingrained Christianese superstition) have in store for us, our families? How will we live those years? Will there be regrets of things undone, experiences unexplored, challenges unfaced, dreams unnurtured, love unexpressed. Remember, no regrets. 'I'll do it later,' or 'one day,' doesn't exist. Do it now. How we spend our days are how we spend our lives.

My latest medical tests show that the cancer is still under control, another day of life, so thankful. I often tell others not to let something as extreme and traumatic as a life-threatening illness finally cause you to live the life you've always wanted, the life of your dreams. Do what you love, with the people you love. Life is so short, so precious even in the difficult, numbing times.

Here's a pic of Gilly and I from our family reunion at Disneyland last week. 18 years from now, Lord willing :), this will be a picture of us at Gillian's graduation from Stanford. Heavy rap.

Just my .02. Thanks for the ramble, you all already know I'm philosophically wired.

Life is good. Love you all. Godspeed.

Roman

CLOSE SHAVE

Just got in from Gilly's class which had a pre-Father's Day surprise. The kids gave all the dads their cards, a bag of goodies and lunch amid golf and basketball videos and model cars and trucks. The highlight was that all the kids gave the dads a 'shave' with shaving creme and popsicle sticks. They had actually practiced this earlier on the older students who were their guinea pigs.

Of course all of that was worth a big hug and kiss and the words "I love you Daddy, Happy Father's Day!"

(pic: G at her barber chair. 'Are you ready for your shave?')

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

The DVD just came out. I just watched the entire movie with G, cool, fun flick. You'll like it...really. The next generation's 'Sound of Music', "West Side Story,' Saturday Night Fever,' 'Grease,' '8 Mile' (just kidding.)

She loves this movie, knows all the words, all the actor's names. We sing and dance to the songs. Try it, it's fun..."we're soaring, flying..."

The downside is you can't get the songs out of your head.

Enjoy.

ALOHA

Heading back to the mainland. I'm at the airport in Hilo, our flight's delayed two hours. (At least there's wifi.) Ironically, it's a sunny, gorgeous day today, the majority of my trip it was cloudy or raining.

I will miss the energy here, the fragrant fresh air that awakens my senses. I go home rested and renewed, already wanting to come back soon, to explore the other islands.

I came here to say goodbye to my Grandma who's in the hospital (she's 91). She wasn't expected to make it past the weekend but now she's actually taking a slight turn for the better. As I kissed her goodbye I whispered "I love you Grandma.' With a gentle yet weakened smile, she was able to whisper back, "I love you too." Even though the doctors had given her a short time to live, I think we underestimate the power of love.

Love will keep you going, keep you holding on, even keep you alive.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I gave her a kiss for all of you too.

(pic: painting from local gallery)

AUDIO ALOHA

MAC STORE NY OPENING

Good ol' SJ and those Apple Geniuses (Geniui?) at it again.

link

ISLAND SPIRITUALITY

Yesterday went to church, New Hope Christian Fellowship Hilo, a large congregation situated on a beautiful new campus. I sat in the back but for some reason I was on the edge of tears the whole time, not necessarily because of things that were said, but just being in Hawaii at a place of worship, silent prayers and questions to God, seeing the beauty and grace upon those around me, ordinary people like me, following the yearning for something more, something deeper. I couldn't escape that feeling in my heart, a mix of brokeness and joy, gratitude and awe.

One thing the preacher did say was to honor the Creator. Beautiful creation points to the Creator. Appropriate being in Hawaii, surrounded by its breathtaking beauty.

HILO LIFE



Here are some pics at the local diner we've been frequenting, Blanes Drive Inn (courtesy of budding photographer Gillian Seguerre). It's across the street from Hilo High School where both of my parents went to school and grew up in. My dad said this is the same location of the diner where my parents dated in High School 45 years ago. Yes, forty-five. Wow. Of course they reminisce a lot about those teenage years, "The Wonder Years." Listening to their stories over a plate lunch, I was struck by the fact that I was back here with them these many years later. However you look at it, that's waaay cool.



And speaking of Blane's. Instead of the requiste pictures of palm trees and beaches, here's a little montage of one of my favorite things to do when I'm in Hawaii...eat da local broke da mouth grinds (sorry, it means 'good food." A new phrase I heard is "If can, can. If no can, no can. " Say it, it will make you smile. It means "if you can do it, fine. If not, no biggie.")


(plate lunch!)


(super loco moco)


(Lau Lau plate)


(lomi, poke)


(yumm)


(fast food)


(slush float)

This didn't even include the fresh mango, fried saimin, spam musubi, saloon pilot crackers, freshly made mochi, one-ton chips and more.

Some more pics:


(the keikis)


(a local business)


(from our hotel balcony)


(farmers market)


(The Princess and the King)

Hey Beautiful People,

Checking in from beautiful, rainy Hilo, Hawaii (on the Big Island) at the Kope Kope Cafe (free WiFi), Jack Johnson playing over the cafe sound system. I'm here for a personal (as in close to my heart vs. private) family matter which I'll blog about a little later, but I just needed to be here now, right away.




Lots of fun things I look forward to doing and seeing while I'm here. I know I'll find new found energy from being on the islands and gathering with family.

I've attached a few pictures courtesy of my brother Noel and my daughter Gillian who got to make the trip with me. She's like her Daddy-she loves planes, travel, hotels and getting out. On the plane before take-off, sprinkled in among her many restless questions and observations, she blurted out excitedly, "this is sooo coool! I can't wait to go to Hawai-Hee! Can we go to the beach?"



Gotta run....lots more later.

Aloha,

Roman

(pic: view from my room)

VIVA LAS VEGAS

Niice, free WiFi at the McCarran Airport. I'm blogging from the terminal, waiting for my flight back home. I just smiled at another passenger who's also working on her Mac. You know the 'fellow Mac-user look.'

Here's some pics from the trip. One of the best parts of the trip was meeting so many interesting, kind people: a veterinarian and his family from Toronto, a pilot from LA, a scientist from LV, a property developer from Phoenix. I even met a realtor from Benicia (where I live). Small town, small world.

During my seminar, the keynote speaker was without a doubt, one of the most amazing, articulate, humorous speakers I've ever heard, which is high praise coming from me. I've heard many, and since I've done a lot of public speaking, I'm wired to critique a speaker. His name is Jamie Clarke, an adventurer, author who was one of the first Canadians to summit Mt. Everest, a herculean feat. He talked about courage and fear, life and passion. It sparked something inside me, the quest for adventure, for exploration, curiosity, testing my limits, overcoming my fears, and living to the fullest. Check out his site, especially his book, "Above All Else", which his talk was based on.

link

(pics: Wheel of Fortune slots at The Venetian; 'Roman' statues at Caesar's (j/k, they're Greek..); The Venetian Bridge; The Bellagio Lake)