run

Doing my run today and noticed I am wearing Puma shoes, Nike shorts, Under Armor shirt, and an Adidas track jacket.  For Pete's sake Ryan pick a brand.  

I used to be awesome at running distance in High School, I made varsity my freshman year and kept at it until I graduated, but I haven't run anything like that since then...so like 6 years ago.  So 3 times a week, I run a 2 mile route, for the last 4 weeks.  So far so good, my time has steadily decreased every day, and judging from my cross-country days I should ideally get somewhere around 13:00 minutes.

This past year in Jerash Jordan, posing on the Roman colonade.

Good luck, Ryan.  Thanks, Ryan.  I'll be alright.

chaaaaaaaange?

Things really haven't slowed down throughout the Middle East and North Africa; Egyptians are still protesting for better pay/benefits with their jobs, Libya is nearing civil war and presenting precarious questions for the West, Yemen and Bahrain are experiencing harsh, violent crackdowns on their protests...and with all of this the Arab League is showing the world that it is still not capable of leading/coordinating efforts of stability in the region.

I was suspicious that the Egyptian events would be contagious, and I think it is for the best that they have inspired other nations to demand reform.  As we have talked about in class, many of these administrations are outdated, oppressive, and undemocratic.  Our government is far from perfect, but it cannot be denied that it holds many ideals desired by these nation's populaces.

3/2

I think Libya might be on the verge of civil war.  I was hoping the protesters would have been able to force al-Qadhafi out by now, but now it looks like a back and forth conflict.  The longer the conflict goes on, the more angry and entrenched both sides become, and even if eventually al-Qadhafi leaves, the deaths and violence won't likely be forgotten overnight.  I hope it doesn't continue in this direction, because events like this in the past have led to certain countries backing particular sides, which has usually devastated the country in question, and caused the damaging of relations between nations trying to 'patch things up'.  Sigh.

This is a strange case in the wake of these Arab revolts and protests, but the whole world is watching, and nearly all of the world's governments are invested in the outcomes, whether financially, politically, or diplomatically.  Sigh.

I should be working on my Master's paper, but I'm not even interested in it anymore.  I'll get it done.  

I ran 2 miles Monday in 14 min 28 sec.  I haven't ran distance since high school, so not bad for only day two on the 2 mile.  My goal is to get it down to like 13 min by mid April.  I'll make it happen.

Why is it when you are in a relationship that you suddenly find yourself opportune with potential dates and hook-ups...girls that you used to be interested in feel now feel it is appropriate to show interest and it hurts...in my pants.