Run4Pi

Saturday!

2010-02-06T17:33:00.000-08:00

How is everyone? I am doing quite well. This morning I ran six or seven miles. The air was crisp and refreshing, but the wind was vicious. Afterwards, I went to Kroger and purchased several boxes of cereal. If you love cold cereal, I would recommend Bear Naked Granola or Nature's Path. Bear Naked has introduced two new flavors, Maple Pecan and Peak Flax Oats and Honey with Wild Blueberries. I have not had the opportunity to try the later; however, the Maple Pecan Granola is delicious. Cascadian Farms is another great brand, and their prices are reasonable.

I have also been using Hammer Whey Protein supplements after training. In my opinion, Hammer offers the most efficient, high-quality nutritional products on the market. Other products like Nitro-Tech have been less than satisfactory. Vanilla and Chocolate Whey are both great flavors and can be mixed in your favorite cold beverage. I like organic almond milk or Silk.

I am going to ride 20 miles with my brother tomorrow morning. It is going to be around thirty degrees with 5-6 mph gusts. We will have to dress appropriately. I can't wait for Spring!

Politics as Ususal

2010-01-30T08:07:00.000-08:00

Should suspected terrorists be prosecuted in our federal court system or in a military tribunal? If they are not citizens of the United States, should they be afforded constitutional rights?

I do not see any benefit in prosecuting these individuals in our federal court system. Allowing these individuals to be prosecuted as criminals could provide the terrorist base a national stage to promote their radical agenda. In addition, it will cost nearly 1 billion dollars to do so. The money required to provide the necessary security may be overwhelming. Moreover, holding a trial in the United States (New York City, in particular) could potentially create economic and social instability? Those communities surrounding the courthouse would likely experience years of turmoil.

But would a military tribunal be any more productive? Would it be possible to create a separate judicial system designed specifically for these individuals? I read an article yesterday that suggested holding the trial in a undisclosed location or at a facility similar to those at Guantanamo Bay. However, a federal judge would preside over the trial. This seems like a reasonable compromise.

Did anyone watch the meeting yesterday between President Obama and the Republican Representatives from the House?

It was absolutely amazing! This is precisely what the American people need: a publicized, open dialogue between both sides of the aisle.

Cooperation is essential. The Republicans cannot wave the white flag, hoping the other side fails. In addition, Democrats cannot (or should not) force legislation through Congress that does not represent the preferences of the American people. We are a diverse population. Neither the Democrats, nor the Republicans, fully represent our values.

However, some of the questions were politically motivated. That is, they were not questions but a rhetorical strategy designed to undermine the President's message rather than attempt to provide a viable solution. There were several questions President Obama could not answer due to how they were phrased. These questions limit progress, and present a barrier to collective action.

Those who hold a public office should make a genuine effort to represent their constituency despite their political affiliation. For example, if I were a Democratic Representative, should I represent only those in my district who are Democrats? What about those individuals who have no political affiliation? I believe each representative has a responsibility to represent each individual in their district, despite their political ideology. We are all Americans and share at least one common goal (to see America reach its full potential).

While this form of political discourse is a step in the right direction, we are far from a perfect system. Both sides must make a sincere effort to cooperate, and we must be able to hold these individuals accountable. In addition, these debates should be occurring in Congress, as well. The president does not write legislation. That is the responsibility of the House and the Senate. By televising these encounters, we ensure Republicans continue to offer a variety of solutions to our current predicament and represent the preferences of those on the right. Furthermore, this provides a check on the current Administration and the Democratic super majority in our legislature.

Ready to Run

2010-01-29T17:06:00.000-08:00

The heavens part in the wake of Apollo's blazing chariot, and the moon drifts in a sea of despair. Her pale, weary eyes rest upon the western skies, as she slowly sinks into the Great Abyss. But fear not, for the sun has set sail; a raging inferno on the horizon. And here I stand at world's end, waiting...ready to run.

-DWR

I can't wait to run tomorrow morning! My brother and I are going to do an easy five or six miles before he has to go to work. Hopefully, the rain will hold off until we can finish our run. I came home this weekend to see my parents. We are going to hang out tomorrow. I am looking forward to watching the Pro Bowl on Sunday. It should be a great game.

Riding through the Trees

2010-01-24T17:37:00.000-08:00

Tree Fractalization

Noble guardians of the forest, their limbs, reaching towards the heavens, bleached golden by sunlight; their roots anchored by waves of sand, entombed in eternal darkness.

Bittersweet irony cloaked in a sylvan shroud. Beneath the arcane exterior of these slumbering giants, exists an efficient machine in perpetual motion. So complex, and yet, so simple. A vast network of cells, each its own thriving metropolis, operating solely by the laws of nature.

Blueprints for perfection, designed by God Almighty. An expression of His divine will. Unrivaled in beauty. So natural, so organic. A microcosm, a world in and of itself.

And who shall question His mandate but humanity, a festering disease?

Our ignorance is blinding! Are we as naive as the lamb, desperately seeking its mother's shadow, fearful of the raging wolf? For who provides warmth during the bitter cold and shelter from the torrential rain? Who cleanses the air of our impurities and asks for nothing in return? It is not a question of power or authority, but of necessity. For millennia, we have relied upon these ancient relics; and yet, we maintain this false sense of entitlement, emboldened by our arrogance.

If we could stop momentarily, and listen...listen to the leaves whispering in the wind.

-DWR

How is everyone today? I thought I would begin my post with some food-for-thought. I was hoping to ride this morning; however, the weather prevented me from doing so. Therefore, I decided to ride my trainer for sixty-five minutes. When you sit in one place for an hour, your mind tends to wander. While spinning, my eyes caught sight of a tree that towers over my truck. Until today, I have regarded this tree as an annoyance. My truck cannot avoid its falling limbs or its sticky sap. But I was fortunate to view this dilemma from a new perspective. Who was here first? Me or the tree? While I may consider the tree an inconvenience, it was God who planted the seed. Therefore, the tree is an extension of God's Grace and His Love. It is not my place to question its existence. I should respect it, for it is one of God's magnificent creatures.

Hanging with my Parents!

2010-01-23T17:48:00.001-08:00

The Iron Gym Xtreme

By the way, that is me in the picture above ;)

I had an extremely productive day. As I mentioned earlier, I had a refreshing 6 mile run this morning. Afterwards, I cleaned my apartment and went to Earthfare. My parents came to visit me today as well. We had a great time. I am fortunate to have the two most amazing parents in the world! My Dad and I fixed my moped/scooter, and then we all went to Academy Sports. My Mom bought me an Iron Gym Xtreme Pull-Up Bar and a leather jump rump. I am looking forward to trying them both out tomorrow. The Pull-Up Bar has numerous functions. It is a neat device, and I believe it will be an excellent addition to my daily routine.

I plan on going for a twenty-five mile ride tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, it may be raining. Therefore, I may have to ride the trainer... :( How disappointing! Afterwards, I am going to outline the next section for my political science class, work some math problems, and get ready for some football. Oh yeah!

What is Time?

2010-01-23T06:47:00.000-08:00

Cesium Clock

How does it Work?

Good Morning! How is every one doing today? I am doing well. This morning I ran 6 miles. It was absolutely beautiful outside. The air was refreshing and there was a slight breeze. While I was running, I revisited a lecture from last semester.

Consider the following dillema: Assume you are confined to a two-dimensional space. A line in the Cartesian plane would produce two "sides" or subsets of points. What if you were on one side of the line? How could you possibly get to the other side? If you are confined to a two-dimensional space, it would be impossible; the line extends indefinitely in both directions. However, if you were in a three-dimensional space, you could simply step over the line. Similarly, if you were inside a circle in a two-dimensional space, you would be trapped. But again, if you were permitted to go into the third-dimension, you could step over the boundary. So consider the following situation: If you are inside of a three-dimensional figure, say a cube or a rectangular room, how could you escape? There are no doors, no windows. Could you simply go into the fourth-dimension? What exactly is the fourth-dimension? Some suspect that time is the fourth dimension. If this is the case, you could simply travel into the past or into the future to a moment in which the room did not exist. Isn't this odd? I thought it was quite interesting and thought-provoking.

What exactly is time? It seems like a simple concept, but it is quite difficult to define. You cannot touch it or see it. It is intangible. Is is even there? Or have we given meaning to something we don't completely understand. Time can be measured, but what exactly are we measuring? What is one second? I would say one-sixtieth of a minute. But what exactly is a minute? It seems quite circular, don't you agree? According to the International System of Units , a second has been defined to be the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the Cesium 133 atom (Wikipedia). Perhaps, time is an attempt by man to give meaning to something which we don't fully understand. Often, when I feel that I understand something as simple as time, God intervenes. It is quite humbling. Maybe we are not meant to comprehend such an abstract concept. Or perhaps, I am overanalyzing. ;)

Tomorrow, I think I may explore the addition and subtraction of fractions. Why is it that you must find a common denominator. This concept seems incredibly simple, as well. But try to explain to a third or fourth grader why 1/2 + 1/2 does not equal 2/4 = 1/2. The addition and subtraction of fractions is yet another elusive concept.

What's Up!

2010-01-22T18:32:00.000-08:00

I guess this is my first post!

I am looking forward to my morning run tomorrow. I plan on breaking in my Mizunos with a 5-6 mile run. Thus far, I am pleased with their performance. They fit like a glove ,and I am pleased with the support they provide. I do miss my old Asics, but in my opinion they were too heavy. I would often drag my feet after six or seven miles. Afterwards, I am going to chow down on Nature's Path Peanut Butter Granola, which is undoubtedly the greatest cereal in the entire world. Has anybody been keeping up with the recent election in Massachusetts? It is great to see more Americans participating in the political process. We have no right to complain if we do not vote. Out of curiosity, do you think this election represents a shift in the balance of power, and how should the Democrats/ Republicans respond. I think the voice of the people has been heard; however, let us not be to hasty to judge. Before we ask Scott Brown to run for President of the United States of America, we should allow him to prove his worth. In the past, quick judgement has been foolish. His message seems clear and well-founded, but as we all know, political rhetoric can be misleading.