TAKE A PICTURE, IT LASTS LONGER

Fun at the Apple Store....







...smooch.

SKYLINES

Check out the Top 15 Skylines in the World.

Of course Hong Kong is my favorite. I lived/traveled in HK and China for about five months. One of my most vivid memories is crossing the harbor on the ferry at night, mesmerized by the massive reflections of the skyline lights on the water. Because of airport regulations, the lights can't be blinking, so there's a stillness amid the ancient/urban energy.

I can't wait to go back, the next time with my girl/s.

THE DASH

Lots to think about today. My friend is celebrating his son's 5th birthday by wearing the polo shirt he wore when he was born. The shirt is clearly 'worn', a couple of holes, but his annual tradition is a touching one in celebrating one of the most significant days in his life. It was ironic, that as I shared that moment with my friend, I was preparing to attend the funeral of another friend's mother.

After the service, she told me that her mom's unending wish was for her five sons and daughters to end their 3-year feud (over money, no less, what else.) I was somewhat astonished to hear that once the children finally reconciled, just one week later, the mom passed away. It's amazing how people can literally hold on to life for something they love or desire, yet also see that once people have nothing to live for, they can literally stop living. It also boggles my mind that for three years the siblings denied their mother and the grandchildren the joys and memories of sharing life together because of bickering over money. Now, that their mom is gone, was it really worth it?

In one day I saw both poles of life, birth and death. On the photocopied funeral service bulletin, or on the headstone, just below the departed's name, they print the birth year and year of death. For instance, in my case it would read Roman Derek Seguerre, 1965 - ? (whoa, that's freaky just writing it.)

I've learned that the dates aren't most important, it's the dash in between that matters most.

Wore shorts and sandals today! What a concept.

HEALTH UPDATE

Exhale. My biopsy tests came back NORMAL, which means that there wasn't any traceble cancer cells observable in my blood. It means a clean bill of health! Much love to all for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers.

Questions people often ask me in regard to my health:

How am I feeling?
Feeling great, strong, energy still high. No debilitating side effects, just nausea at times in the evening after I pop my pills. Yech. You wouldn't know that I'm sick, as a matter of fact, I'm planning my next endurance event for the year.

How long do I have to take the medication? What happens if I stop?
At this point, indefinitely, or until a cure is found, max dosage 800 mg of Gleevec daily. It's not as bad as it sounds, I still am fortunate enough to have a high-quality of life, and extended years since my diagnosis (1/03).

So my meds are still effective, the cancer cells haven't mutated and built up a resistance to my treatment. I'm technically in remission, but there are likely still cancer cells in the blood, just not observable. Basically, the cancer would come back in full force if I stop taking my meds. There are some other drugs in the testing stage that seem to be even more effective than Gleevec. My oncologist says that I'm in a good place even if a worst case scenario comes up.

What is bone marrow biopsy? Does the biopsy hurt?
It's a process for extracting a sample of bone chip and marrow from the center of the hip bone (those two protrusions in the small of your back). The samples are sent to the lab for testing. I basically lie on my stomach and the doc uses a needle to 'extract' the specimen. They anesthesize the area but unfortunately you can't anesthesize the bone. So it does hurt a little, kind of like boring a searing-hot needle through my brain by way of my eyeball. No, it just hurts for a while. I'm fully awake but I have some sleepy drugs to take the edge off. I also have my ritual of always wearing my Adidas sweatpants and Crocs, and listening to my iPod (Vivaldi or Bocelli). Plus the nurses will hold my hand or rub my head, no really, they do, it's like their maternal instincts kick in when they see a full grown man crying in pain :) My owie is still tender for about 2-3 weeks afterward.

The best news is that there are new 'normal' blood tests (from your arm) that seem to be as effective as a biopsy. So my doc says this may be the last biopsy I'll ever need. The future routine tests will just be from my arm. Yahoo.

Sidenote: my favorite nurse Alicia wasn't there for my procedure. We're always yakking and making each other laugh. I called a couple weeks later and she said she was out the past few months going through chemo, breast cancer. Just got back on the job. Stay strong girl!

Living life one day at a time,

Roman

(pic: street luge. not me, but how life seems at times)

"ROMAN'S STORY"

This just came out, part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's 2006 nationwide marketing campaign. Pictures and interview were from the SF Nike Marathon Party last October (though they edited an earlier bio of mine to use for the text). There I met Nancy Klein, the Sr. VP of Marketing Communications out of NY who was so kind and gracious to Gilly and I. Love to TNT and LLS.

I think a print campaign is to follow. Pretty cool.

Click Here for the jump

SNOW TRIP

Gilly's first trip to the snow. Another milestone and memory. Record snowfall. A friend's cabin there has snow packed above his 15 foot high deck. Can't see out of some of his second floor windows because of the snow pack blocking the view. Only the third floor has all the windows clear. Yikes.

Of course the snow and cold didn't faze G. She just wanted to keep on playing, throwing snowballs, building snow castles, making snow angels, catching snow flakes on her tongue. We might as well have been at the beach playing in the sand as far as she was concerned.

You know when Gilly goes off to college/Stanford in 13 years, it means I only have 13 more Winters to play in the snow with her as a child. Think about that for a moment. Just 13. Next year that number goes down to just 12. Then only 11.

And I only have 13 more Springs to fly a kite with her, throw rocks into the ocean, eat ice cream at the downtown cafe, ride our bikes in the park, hold hands dropping her off at school. I know that may sound weird, but I think that way most of the time. It keeps me focused on what's most important, where and how to use my most precious resources in life-my time and energy. You know-do what you love with the people you love. Life is short. Life is precious. No regrets. Live and love in real time. They grow so fast.

Maybe worn 'cliches.'

But not to me.

OON, Happy Spring Break. I hope everyone gets lots of sunshine and has a chance to get outside and breathe in life. Get re-energized and refreshed. And stay safe.

And Happy Easter. I overhead Gilly singing softly, "at the Cross, at the Cross, where I first saw the light, and the 'birds' of my heart rolled away." It's an old hymn I used to sing as a child. It's the first time I heard her sing it, she must have learned it at school. I listened quietly. She then asked me to sing the last part for her. A precious moment not soon forgotten.

He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed.

(pic: Soda Springs Snow Park outside of Tahoe)

ISLAND PARADISE

One of the magazines I subscribe to has the "Private Island Business" as some of the coolest employment going. So I added 'Own an Island' on my Life "To Do" List. You know, for a quick little getaway. Maybe Fiji, Thailand, So. America, Carribean, Greece? Like Tom Hanks in Castaway, except with food, supplies, lucidness and a lifeline to the modern world. (I always wondered what was in that last Fed Ex package. Maybe a satellite phone?)

Check out this way cool site, where people really buy and rent their own private islands.

Of course the allure of an island is to get away, stranded in paradise, with time and space far from the stress and hurriedness of life. There's a great deal of romantic adventure involved. Lots of privacy, great views, sand, sun. I like the fact the as far out as it may seem, REALLY owning (or at least renting) my own private island is within the reach and scope of possibility within my lifetime. Anyone care to join me?

HOME THEATER

Snapshots of movies I've watched recently, when I have some spare time, thank you Netflix:

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
I was really looking forward to this since I missed it at the theater. Of course I like most Japanese themed movies. Classic love story-girl loves guy, guy loves girl, guy can't have girl, girl can't have guy. Do they end up together? Watch the movie :) Wonderfully sumptuous visuals and cinematography, beautiful locales. I can see how it won Oscars for cinematography and costume design. Some of the recognizable scenes were shot at local Bay Area Japanese Gardens but you would swear you were in 1930's Japan. Ahh, the magic of movies.

KING KONG
Watched the big screen version in the summer with my brother. King Kong deserves the best actor Oscar, (half)-seriously. I thought I was watching a 'real' 30-foot giant gorilla. Peter Jackson is brilliant. The computer graphics work for Gollum (Lord of the Rings) was first-rate, King Kong is stellar. Another 'love story' but stay for the T-Rex fight and Empire State Building Battle. A great summer popcorn movie now at my fingertips. Yes. Haven't even gone through the special features yet, love the 'behind-the-scenes' and 'making of' stuff. I should have been a director.

ROLL BOUNCE
If you lived your teenage years in the late 70's (like me), WATCH this movie. Surprisingly sweet, hilarious and nostalgic flick on the passages of youth. Reminds me of all the times me and the boys would cruise our Vallejo neighborhood during the summer on our bikes (ten speeds, not Harleys :), exploring, goofing off, just being kids, not a care in the world. The old school music takes me back to an innocent, memorable time. Makes you want to groove and put on those funky rollerskates that you know you owned but won't admit, and take one last skate around the rink. Retro is in. Time to get out my old Member's Only jacket and Angel Flight suit.

(pic: hehe, I couldn't resist :)

In the queue: John Legend Live at the House of Blues, Chris Rock: Never Scared, 24: Season 4.

CAPTURING MT. DIABLO

Great photo essay in the Contra Costa Times, a pictorial of Mt. Diablo in Danville. It's a hot spot for cyclists. In the times I've been there to ride, I never tire of the view from the top. It's a grueling, steady pace to the summit (some picnic-ers called me crazy and courageous) but the view of the emerald and caramel foothills and the sweeping valley below makes the effort easily forgotten. Breathtaking, a favorite spot for artists. On a clear day you can see the Golden Gate Bridge and the other mountain summits in Marin and the South Bay.

After I soak in the beautiful views and take a slow, deep breathe, I always love the next part, the fun part, my favorite part, what I always remember-the fast ride d-o-w-n.

Click Here to view photos

(pic: 'Western Slope, Mt. Diablo', by O. Quigley, Oil on linen)