SENSATIONAL SPEEDWAY : DAY SIXTY NINE WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?

2006 Indianapolis 500
Greatest Spectacle in Racing
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis, Indiana
May 28, 2006
Attendance: 250,000 (estimated)

The pursuit of excellence throughout the competition of a sporting event is approached and prepared differently by each athlete. There is pre-event training and strategy performed, a daily diet followed, and the mental evaluation of the vision ahead. During Memorial Day weekend on the last Sunday in May, teams and drivers bring their high powered ethanol fueled machines to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in hope that all their hard work and dedication prior to the 200 lap race will bring them to drink the bottled milk in Victory Lane at the Indianapolis 500.
    Many have a difficult time to sit and watch an Indy-car race around an oval track lap after lap after lap. I know when I was young I would always try to get up early enough for the Sunday morning 9am(PST) start and watch the famous race at the Brickyard, but would either over sleep or lose patience and never finish the race. Patience is the least of the worries for an Indy car racer as he or she is put through the test of elements. The temperatures rise to over 120F/50C in their fire suit as the racer fights off competitors that are accelerating over 200MPH around them. It takes control, confidence, and consistency throughout the whole race for a racer and its team to successfully complete a race. The pressure in the pits to adapt and make the necessary transformations, tire/oil changes, gear adjustments, and to keep the car moving with power, quickness, and quality performance, is a constant struggle.  I believe the most important element that can best describe the success of an Indy racing team is endurance. The racers have two tubes that are connected to their helmet. 1) Communication line back in the pits with their crew chief
2) Fluid line that re-hydrates the racer preferably Gatorade™ providing the racer the energy to stay cool and keep up their stamina. A definite mind set and intelligence of racing is needed for the racer to compete. The understanding of control and the feel of speed under pressure is a must to master for a racer to be able to even enter into such a high performance vehicle let alone an Indy car. The cockpit is open air as the racer has a low center of gravity with an eye level of the track. I couldn’t imagine what goes on through an Indy racer’s mind accelerating around the infamous track, striving to progress and win the race.
    It was either travel to the south of France and eyewitness the F1 Formula One Monaco Gran Prix, or take the trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. I arrived late Saturday afternoon and took a public bus into the city from the airport where I grabbed some dinner and enjoyed the beautiful historical capitol buildings of downtown Indianapolis under the stars. Once again I was stranded with no bed to lay my head for the night, but that didn’t stop me and my anticipation to get a feel for the excitement in the city famous for its race in May. One thing Indianapolis lacks is late night public transportation so my red backpack and I hit the pavement and walked for 6 miles to the track. Outside of the venue across the street at the local gas station, people were partying and drinking all night as motorcycle clubs arrived to socialize and fill up. I found a soft patch of cool grass where I laid out relaxing and eventually got an on and off snooze until the sunrise. It is always such an interesting sight outside a major sporting event to view the transformation and set up from a complete idle, desolate, and closed down area, into a fast paced, selling-like-crazy, world class venue. From darkness to sunshine beating down throughout the morning madness, I got my shooting hand ready and entered into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where the four turn track was completely empty just waiting for some quality photos. I even was able to stand on the last strip of bricks at the finish line that were part of the original brickyard track. My original bought ticket for $60.00 via Ebay was in the bleachers in turn one and I found it disappointing since I like to be at the center of attention where the most action and focus of the event takes place. The more surrounding people, the better for my soul, since it allows me to get a real feel for the day’s festive energy and enthusiasm. Therefore I purchased a $90.00 ticket directly from the IMS and picked it up the morning of the event. I was extremely surprised that a ticket to such a big event costs so much less compared to other events I have attended (The Masters $800, Winter Olympics Women’s Figure Skating $530, World Series $440). That’s how it should be though so people of all ages, and families with children can enjoy such a great Memorial Day weekend celebration. With my two tickets I was able to leave and be re-admitted as I toured around taking my usual 15+ rolls of film trying to grasp through my camera my unique experience so I can share with others. As the race got closer to start I found my way back into the racetrack and took my seat that was about 15 rows up from the pits and 7 sections from the finish line below the infamous pagoda and in view of the tall endless racer leader board. Before the race some of Indy’s legendary winners were paraded down the track; AJ Foyt, Mario Andretti, Arie Luytendyk, Emerson Fittipaldi, Rick Mears, and Bobby Unser. It’s always great to see champions in person and view the way they present themselves with such pride and confidence. The pre-race ceremony tradition continued as the Purdue University All-American Marching Band played Taps, Florence Henderson sang “God Bless America”, and Jim Nabors (Gomer Pile sang “Back Home Again in Indiana.”) The “Gentleman start your engines” starting command was announced by Mari Hulman George, current chairman of the IMS, and Lance Armstrong in the 2006 Chevrolet pace car led the 33 racers around the track with Sam Horton Jr. as the pole setter with an avg. 228.985 in his qualifying lap.
    The Indianapolis 500 is another event that is a must to see in person to get a real feel of emotions especially the ear popping sounds of the roaring engines as they come down the stretch out of turn four, pass pit row, and through the finish line. Before the race I rented a scanner outside the track that would have permitted me to listen in on all the communication between the racers and their crews, but the scanner didn’t function properly, as I used them as ear protection since it was definitely needed every few minutes as the racers blasted by in front of me. As the race continued and drivers began to fall off due to in the wall crashes or mechanical failures, my supportive attitude began to mount up steam. On my head was a hat that I bought on Ebay that had Andretti printed on it with Mario Andretti’s signature. Little did my luck know what would lie ahead for me as I experienced the most exciting and satisfying sporting event EVER in my life. I was there to see John Elway win his first Super Bowl, in attendance for both Olympics, and witnessed the first World Series between the Yankees and Mets, but there isn’t a more perfect back story that could have been created then the one that was in full effect on May 28, 2006 at the 90th Indy 500.
In the Number 14 car was the son of the Mario Andretti (1969 winner), Michael Andretti who came out of retirement after 2 years in charge of Andretti Green Racing,  to race with his son Marco, age 19 (Kart racer champion) who had never raced 500 miles before. On the 193rd lap of the 200 lap race at the 2.5 mile IMS, Michael Andretti inherited the lead for the first time when his teammates Tony Kanaan and Dario Franchitti both made final pit stops. He led four laps,  but he would only add to the distinction as the driver whose lead more laps at Indy than any non-winner. Then with three laps to go his young son Marco (2nd youngest racer at Indy) passed his father and was trailed by Sam Horton Jr. (pole setter) who survived a disastrous pit penalty. As they came out of turn 4 I spotted the three racers flying down the final stretch. Marco was dead center while Hornish swung low, pulled alongside, and passed him on the inside to take the checkered flag. It would mark the first time in the history of the Indianapolis 500 that the winner actually passed for the lead on the final lap, and the second closest finish at .0635 of a second.
    For the next 30 minutes I stood in complete shock as my eyes and heart couldn’t believe what just happened. My emotions completely drained me as I was filled with excitement for the Andretti Racing Team as they came so close to victory. I eventually made it down near Victory Lane where the Penske Team and Horton entourage were celebrating their well fought win. I gave thumbs up to Bret Musburger that called the race for ABC, and was on his way out of the pagoda. I collect ticket stubs of all the events I go to and always keep my eyes open for new discoveries. In the distance I spotted a ticket on the track near the pace car and got the attention of a security officer requesting her to pick it up for me. This was no ticket stub my friends, but a pit/garage pass that permitted me for the next three hours to hang out with the teams in their different garages taking pictures with the cars that just raced 500 miles. The biggest crowd was outside the Andretti Racing Team garage, where I stood by listening in on interviews with father and son Michael and Marco. There was a true sense of disappointment in the air, but still with high class composure and professionalism, they both answered everyone’s questions thoroughly and elegantly.
    By the end of the day I eye witnessed a gem of Indy racing history, got to see some legendary racers, and left the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with three generations of Andretti (Mario, Michael, Marco) signatures on my sweaty hat. It goes to show you one can be in the right place at the right time seeking with the right will, in places where one can surely observe and encounter what it takes to be a champion- RVB�

GRACIOUSLY THANKFUL: DAY SIXTY EIGHT WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?

What thoughts come to mind when you think of Thanksgiving? How about when you think of thankful giving? Different I hope. One is an American holiday with dead meat, corn, and celebrating the introduction to the ongoing exploitation of the Native American population, and the other is positive intended action that should be graciously appreciated and spark an inspiration to do the same. Exactly what this project was founded on. As I put in the research, effort, dedication, commitment, and create a positive intended journey, I hope to inspire others to search/give in a similar but unique personal way. So many of us stride through life without taking the time to understand we are not alone, life does not evolve just around YOU, and YOU are entitled to NADA, you don't deserve anything unless you earn it. Earning is not that difficult. It involves a foundational self-respect and for YOU and others, and a dedicated drive to love with LOVE. How do you perceive LOVE? How you do LOVE? What are you in LOVE with? What brings out the LOVE in YOU? Take some alone time once in awhile and lovingly ponder on the greatness of your LIFE, your gifts, the Earth's gifts, the amounts of abundance that is provided to ALL, the opportunities that the world has to offer, and all the wonderful possibilities we can choose. If you find yourself struggling in your ponderance or shun the opportunity, then feel how that reality feels? Enjoying the deprivation of appreciation? What are you grateful for? Do you think you can celebrate your potential all by yourself? What do you seek in others? How do you overcome elements in your life that you don't approve? Do you share appreciation? Do you live with a positive outlook? Do you tell others you are a realist when an optimist shares?I just believe life is so grand if you can walk tall with the confidence knowing you have the power to conquer anything that stands in your way by reaching out and facing life HEAD ON. Enable & Develop Your Way of Living where you are filled with the motivation to feel good about yourself and be grateful of all that you LOVE and PURSUE- rvb

LIVE MUSIC: DAY SIXTY SEVEN WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?

There are some things in the world that leave a long lasting impression on the soul that are carried through a lifetime; enjoyed, celebrated, and appreciated. It is how the soul faces these emotions and reaps the beauty of their creations. It takes amazing dedication, sacrifice, and focus to master an instrument. It could be a scalpel, a crane, a banjo, harmonica, even our voice is an instrument. What has been your effort and adventure with understanding and playing an instrument? Do you have the confidence to share your progress with others or do you just keep it to yourself? What is your commitment level? How does your effort make you feel? There is something about the sounds and sight of someone swiftly swaying sweetly with the music that comes from their instrument. Throughout my life I have had the beautiful opportunity to have my curious ears and open mind be surrounded  with a wide variety of eclectic music ranging from the Beatles to the Beastie Boys, MJ & Bob, Creendence Clearwater Revival& Christopher Cross, Led Zepplin & Lionel Richie, James Taylor, Janis Joplin & Jimi, Mozart & ...much much more. My first concert was with my mama at the Universal Amphitheatre to see James Taylor strum his guitar and share his stories through Streamroller, Sweet Baby James & Carolina on my Mind. He has touched me ever since I discovered his gentle touching tune Fire & Rain (my favorite NOW) in the movie Running on Empty with the late River Phoenix. Then there is Ben E King's Stand by Me played at the end credits of my favorite movie with the same name. These are unforgettable instilled songs that are a part of me and drives my love for music and sharing. I love to get close and personal with musicians that know how to open up, tour, and stand up in front of strangers and play/sing away. What is your favorite LIVE ACT?  Would love to see the Stones, U2, AC/DC, Elton, I missed MJ,Whitney, the Doors, the Dead, and Queen but still have the opportunity to seek out future legends. I loved seeing Willie at Billy Bobs in Fort Worth and teaming up with Wynton Marsalis at the Hollywood Bowl. Natalie Cole is always a delight to see as my mama grew up with her here in Los Angeles. At live venues is a place to appreciate the feeling, be free, and truly let go of everything outside the moment while focusing with a gracious sense of discovery. I saw Dylan and Joe Cocker in New Orleans, Billy Idol in Vegas, and Dervish in Holland & Ireland. MSG awaits my presence for a live event as does Wembley Stadium, who knows where I will lead my musical mind next. It takes true talent, courage, and love to perform beautifully LIVE...Look up, stand tall, sing to the last row, utilize the stage, smile and have fun. Let Loose and Be in the Moment. Feel the Flow and Get in the Groove. Tap In & Touch your Talent. I would so love to hear your voice and feel your riffs. Where and who will be your next concert? Seek out local intimate venues. Get an up close view of hands traveling down necks of guitars and searching fingers up and down & around piano keys. What about music makes you smile and inspired? Bring more musical goodness into YOU and share your discoveries with others. RockOn- RVB

GET IN THE KITCHEN: DAY SIXTY SIX WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?

Do you have the capability to prepare and make the food that you enjoy the most? When you were little was there anyone that showed you the art of cooking? Did you have the desire to learn? What kind of progress did you make through the years? What is your relationship with food? I strongly believe we should ALL at least have the ability to create our favorite meal, be able to present/share with someone else, and truly be proud of our own unique cuisine. There is something so connecting in having the skills to make food for someone. What is your relationship with your kitchen? Every kitchen is filled with a wide variety of different elements. There is the space and the appliances, what is in refriegerator and who is holding space and creating in the kitchen. I love a wide open Light filled kitchen where I can roam, toss, chop, spread my elbows, and have access to all the wonderful special tools, utensils, bowls, mixers, blenders surrounded by sweet, spicy freshness where I can experiment, taste test, and get lost with my taste budding creativity of presenting an unforgettable item. My philiosophy of cooking is "Every bite is A New Bite; Sweet&Spicy" Some of my dishes have 15+ items all intermixed/smashed/collated, but will bring you a joy from the moment it hits your lips, making its way down the chute, and settling in your belly. My specialty is Mexican (tostadas, enchilladas, burritos, guacamole), Argentinian BBQ (asado & choripan), Sunday Brunch Scramble with Mint Fruit Salad and a wide variety of rice & grain dishes that will leave you asking for more. Since I am a dedicated vegan (Greens & Grains all Day Long) and cherish the beauty of SELF from the inside out, I do my best to reach out to quality fresh organic source foods that are grown with heart and good for mine and those I feed. Please don't fear your kitchen, throw away your mircowave, canned/boxed/frozen processed foods and seek out some simple tasty recipes and have a go at COOKING. Yes cooking people, what one does to eat. Have fun learning new things about you, your taste buds, and what yumminess is out there for you and your company. There is so much to discover in the kitchen. Cooking can be a science, a hobby, a delicious love, or a beautiful opportunity to share/celebrate. Have a picnic, cuddle on the couch, fancy it up by candle light, or provide service in bed with proper style & kick. Whatever brings you joy with food, be creative, and be memorable. Find your speciality and DIG IN. Bon Appetito- RVB

DIAL IN TODAY: DAY SIXTY FIVE WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?

Do you recall life without a cell phone and the convenience of changing plans the last minute, calling to be late, or even making a phone call while driving? We are constantly adapting to changes, living in a society that constantly focuses on what others think, how to stay in fashion, on top of the norm, or even ahead of the game. There is way too much emphasis on being better than your competitor/neighbor/family member. Planning and preparing to be one step ahead of another person's move or decision. A successful business person might applaud/praise this way of acting and taking initiative, but I believe many of us get completely caught up in living in the wind, not thinking before talking/acting, and really deprive one another of true genuine living. I completely understand that there are moments in life where we have to jump at opportunities; meet me at the train station in 30 minutes and follow me to a new city where I will dedicate myself for the next three years and WILL establish you as a true professional of your trade. I don't encourage waiting around for your life to pass you by and let others dictate your path. I am all about proactive bonding and stepping up to the plate to face all that is in front of you. Just do your best to be TRUE to YOURSELF, and not lose sight of what you believe in, what grounds you, and how you want to be your own leader. Allow yourself to understand all that is within you, avoid consistent routine, develop new gifts, sculpt the ones you have, and let go of the things you KNOW don't work for you. I think many of us out there get drawn into circumstance that take us away of where we truly should be going. Sometimes don't give in to what ever one else is doing and establish your true ONE identity of living on your own terms, at your own unique pace, and realizing all that YOU are capable of doing for YOU in YOUR life. Be Your Own Cause Root of How You Live. There are too many times in life where we find our selves TOO dependent on the actions of others. I know in my life my current career path and living environment all truly out of my hands (MY CHOICE) and that WILL END...When, How, Where.....today I do not know, I should but I do not choose to face it as of NOW...Making the commitment to restrict, be aware, and make the best choices takes courage and dedication. It might even bring you out of your box, but life's challenges are presented to us sometimes in that manner. These are the times we have to STAND UP or even LAY DOWN, and LET GO, BE FREE, and truly DIAL IN to the power of being the TRUE YOU. We have to stop avoiding our true potential, going with the flowing norm, being shallow,and really hone in on our loving craft of celebrating the beauty of SELF. Put down the phone, open up your heart, listen from within, and make the desiring call counting on YOU to make the connection focusing on answering in the moment truthfully NOW.  rvb

RECONNECTION: DAY SIXTY FOUR WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?

Since we grow up in a world that requires or at least requests us, or I guess we choose, to GO GO GO, and GO some more. Living and running, running and Living all over the place by a certain time, for an allotted time, making time, fitting someone in, got2go got2go, see you later, not today but MAYBE, who created a rain check and what bank can I cash it in since I have won the lottery with all of them, call you laters that never arrive or goodbyes that last forever known when shared that it will be the last time, but too scared and full of fear to explain why. Ever encountered these feelings or have received these types of remarks from others that you believe in? We are so obligated around the time of the day; time management, last minute, half past this and that, see you there if I can get out of this on time, or lets meet half way and chat for awhile while my child sleeps for his daily afternoon mid-week time out nap. Now with cell phones filled with calendars, appointment books, different formatted clocks, alarms, and voicemails, we are constantly reminded and pressed for time throughout the heartbeat of the day. Yes even our heartbeat is affected due to how we deal with the progress of time. Ever spend a recent day with no determined sense of urgency, without a phone, and just have a peaceful, breathtaking chill day where you focus on feeling, receiving, and rejoicing all that surrounds just YOU? A day of reconnection, a day of exploration, a day of celebration seeking elements of your life where you feel whole or want to create wholeness, and a day that you are given/provide the energy to stride tall with pride on a wide boulevard or pass by a unique side street cafe? A huge part of this project has been breaking down the barriers of my past, reaching out, and bringing myself closer to both sides of my family. I have a huge road ahead that I am embracing fully, and so far have so so so enjoyed creating/having a meal with cousins, and sharing openly with them. It has been wonderfully fulfilling and so look forward to discovering more about my family. Both of my parents have huge loving hearts and like to believe that my Buchanan/Van de Kamp family are welcoming and accepting too. I just thrive to bring family back into my life. Due to the physical/emotional distance that has been forced into our family structure, it has been an ongoing battle finally resulting in JUST giving in selfishly to do my own thing on my own separate path, BUT NO MORE, NO WAY..there is too much love to share, much more to receive, and life is so much more grand/precious when involving/surrounding oneself with others that are willing to open up. I have a family that is very diverse, filled with great knowledge/intelligence, and all pursue aspects of living that inspire me to connect, reach out, and enjoy. I have cousins in great relationships, with beautiful babies, kind young adults, and live life to the fullest all over the United States of America. Can't wait to continue my quest of entering their households,creating delicious cuisine,celebrating our common bonds, and keeping in touch from now until the end of time. Life is all about Love. Family should Share Love. Keep Loving Your Family. Thanks to My Family- RVB

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A CHAMPION: DAY SIXTY THREE WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?

The world of sports is an unbelievable creation that takes its spectators along a roller coaster of excitement and even times of disappointment. Many of us throughout our lives have had the unforgettable memory of experiencing up close and personal a championship event in a roaring stadium, on the radio, or at home in front of the television. Where ever it may have been created, living the actual result of a championship is like nothing else you will ever be part of again. It could be last second heroics or a slaughtering defeat, but during that pinnacle ending season or even career moment, one should and must ask, “What does it take to be a champion?”

In my life so far I have seen with my own two eyes over 50+ sports championships. From the World Series to the World Cup, to both Olympics and even the Stanley Cup Finals, I can say I was there to witness the crowning of true champions. I believe what people don’t realize is there are enormous amounts of dedicated time and gruesome effort endured to reach that championship moment. There is consistent practicing and unbearable training put forth in order to successfully have that day spent in glory or defeat.

-Attitude: How does a champion act and think?

-Schedule: What are the daily activities of a champion?

-Progress: How does a champion improve their skills?

-Intention: What force and desire does a champion possess?

-Adversity: How does a champion deal with the battles of becoming a champion?

It’s not just in athletics one can achieve the champion status, but its all about understanding what it takes to be a champion and the steps that are necessary to be called a champion. One must first have the dedication, devotion, and desire to take the hunger from within and strive onward with strong support towards common goals and consistent actions. The constant days of battling with the pressures, preparation, and priorities of focusing what it takes to be champion is a challenging task. How does natural talent come into play? It’s a positive building block, but that is only one of many that are needed to reach the top. Not all champions are winners. Someone is a champion if they can pick up the pieces of losing and work even harder to make it back on the pedestal. There are individual champions and ones that build with a team. Every champion has a support entourage that surrounds them and is much of the champions’ success then the athletes out there on the battle field. No on can be a champion alone! We have family, friends, teammates, coaches and fans that have a committed part of what is takes to be a champion. At that crucial moment, that last second, luck and fear can and does exist, but it’s the deliverable execution of a champion that got them there at that exact space in time for the chance of taking that desired champion status. I am always amazed at championship events analyzing why people lose. It can be lack of adaptation, coaching, and of course performance results. Most of the time there is always a precise moment, unless the outcome is decided in the last second, that an individual or team decides in their heart that the existence of winning is impossible. Its always a disappointing moment to view since it took so much sweat and practice time to get to the championship, but people give in and concede. It’s part of the game. In some sports losing champions are given the opportunity to return next season and fight again for the championship, but then there are others who will never make it to that pinnacle moment in their careers ever again.

True champions take their experiences and emotions and share it with the world since there is so much to give back and educate others what it takes to be a champion. Now it is my time to share what I have learned on the road of championship sports and creatively develop the Champions’ Road. It will be an opportunity for everyone with the curiosity and desire to understand the beauty of championship play. From January to December, the Champions’ Road will be open for people of all ages and cultures to join in on the victorious aspects and personal test of triumphant champions. Come out and join me on the road. If it happens to be the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” at the Kentucky Derby, or the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” at the Indy 500, you will encounter what it takes to be a champio...on the Champions’ Road.