Ogre₦ation

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/innovation/11/19/sensors.aging/index.html?hpt=C1

Yesterday, I read an article on CNN.com called “Big Brother beats the nursing home.” This was an interesting looking article so I read it through and I was right. Scientists have created a series of sensors or cameras that the elderly can put in their homes so they can stay independent as long as possible. The sensors are placed all over the house so no matter where the person is, they are always picked up by a sensor. This way, whoever is monitoring knows when the person gets into the tub, is putting together a jigsaw puzzle in the den, or even opening the fridge. I thought this was a really interesting story and a good example of how an interesting headline can pull in a reader like me.

Broadcast First Draft

The Oakland Raiders? Playoffs? Seriously?

Many people and football fans would have sworn pigs would fly before the Raiders made the playoffs again. However, through the first half of the season, the Oakland Raiders are an impressive 4-4, 2^nd in the AFC West. The Raiders are getting ready for the biggest regular season game they have played since 2002, against the Kansas City Chiefs, this Sunday.

A big reason why Oakland has begun to turn it around this season is due to the improvement of the offense. Remarkably, Oakland has the 2^nd ranked running attack in the league, is 4^th in the league in points scored, and 8^th in yards gained on offense.

Head Coach, Tom Cable, had this to say:

“It’s exciting, that’s the term I used. It’s an exciting time for the organization, the community, the fans, but you’ve got to keep in perspective, it’s about our team continuing to get better, and that’s what we’ve been able to do lately, and as long as we stick to that we’ll be fine,”

The Raiders’ success through the rest of the season is in the balance this Sunday when they take on the Chiefs, who are currently on top in the AFC West.

“They’re having a heck of a year. They’re finding ways to win games, and they don’t turn it over. They do a good job of taking it away. They’re playing really good football right now so as we continue to improve it should be a heck of a game,”

This weekend’s matchup is a statement game for both teams who have been in the dumps of the NFL in recent years. The winner will have a hold on the division and playoff hopes with Kansas City looking to improve to 6-2 and Oakland striving to become 5-4 overall and 3-0 in divisional play.

http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=5767507

I was just browsing ESPN.com today and I saw the article title, “Nuns sell rare Honus Wagner baseball card for 262K.” I thought this was very interesting and humorous in a way, because you don’t really see things like this very often. The nuns decided to put it up for sale after inheriting it from the brother of a deceased nun. The baseball card was produced between 1909 and 1911 and there are only 60 known to still exist. I just thought it was interesting that this story was a headline on ESPN.com. The story is more about the value and age of the card, not necessarily sports.

I don’t think this is real news and definitely should not have earned a spot as a headline for ESPN. Things like this happen all the time and most people do not even know who Honus Wagner is. I know I don’t. Maybe if it was a Babe Ruth or Reggie Jackson card, this would be some form of news, but Honus Wagner? Who?

Many people and football fans would have sworn pigs would fly before the Raiders had another winning season. However, through the first half of the season, the Oakland Raiders are an impressive 4-4 (.500), 2^nd in the AFC West, and are getting ready for potentially the most important regular season game they have played since 2002, against the 1^st place Kansas City Chiefs, this Sunday.

A significant factor in Oakland’s turnaround is the improvement of the offense. In the 2009-10 season, the Raiders were near the bottom of almost every statistical category offensively. Remarkably, Oakland has the 2^nd ranked running attack in the league, is 4^th in the league in points scored, and 8^th in yards gained on offense.

While the running game has been a bright spot over the past few years, both ranks in points scored and yards forced are completely lop-sided from last season.

Head Coach, Tom Cable, is proud of his team and ready to keep improving throughout the season.

“It’s exciting, that’s the term I used. It’s an exciting time for the organization, the community, the fans, but you’ve got to keep in perspective, it’s about our team continuing to get better, and that’s what we’ve been able to do lately, and as long as we stick to that we’ll be fine,” Cable said.

The Raiders’ success through the rest of the season is in the balance this Sunday when they take on the Chiefs, who are currently on top in the AFC West.

“They’re having a heck of a year. They’re finding ways to win games, and they don’t turn it over. They do a good job of taking it away. They’re playing really good football right now so as we continue to improve it should be a heck of a game,” explained Cable when asked about this weekends matchup.

Kansas City has won the past 7 straight games in Oakland. This weekend’s matchup is a statement game for both teams who have been in the dumps of the NFL in recent years. The winner will have a dominant hold on the division and playoff hopes with Kansas City looking to improve to 6-2 and Oakland striving to become 5-4 overall and 3-0 in divisional play.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81bb1fd0/article/conference-call-with-all-officials-will-address-recent-mistakes?module=HP_headlines

The NFL has scheduled a conference call for all officiating groups after a few shoddy calls officiating calls last week. The league is unhappy with how certain plays were called and would like to have a “pep talk” with all league officials before this weekend’s games. The two most controversial calls of the week involved the final moments of the Pittsburgh vs. Miami game, and also a catch made by Visanthe Shiancoe of the Minnesota Vikings that was ruled incomplete. I haven’t followed this situation very closely, but I was aware of it before I really researched what had happened that was causing such controversy. I have seen both plays that were called incorrectly and they are pretty blatant, so hopefully the league gets them right from now on.

This is news to your average football fan, especially if you follow the NFL closely or are either a Pittsburgh Steelers or Minnesota Vikings fan. Both calls were big because they cost both teams a victory. This was a good article that really helped explain what was going on and what the league was trying to do to fix it. I personally would have tried to get a quote or statement from Commissioner Goodell on the subject if he was available to talk.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81b54c29/article/raiders-gradkowski-still-cant-practice-mcfadden-questionable?module=HP_headlines

For the second consecutive week, it looks like RB Darren McFadden will be out for Sunday’s matchup with the 49ers. Unfortunately for the Raiders, Bruce Gradkowski will most likely also be on the sideline on Sunday. This is bad news for fellow Raiders fans because over the 1st quarter of the season, “Run DMC” and “Bruce Almighty” were two of very few bright spots on offense. While it may take a long series with few big plays, Bruce knows how to drive the field and give his team an opportunity to score. That’s where McFadden comes in. He’s been the big play threat that the Raiders have been missing for years and he is finally living up to his potential.

While most might not find this to be news, it is important information to Raider fans like myself. With Gradkowski out, that means Jason Campbell will get the start. Campbell is a game managing quarterback. A game managing quarterback isn’t very useful when your team needs to come from behind every game. That’s why Gradkowski has been a savior for Raider Nation this season, because he plays with a fired up intensity that is contagious on offense, making everyone else play with that little extra inspiration. As for the article itself, it was written very well as usual for NFL.com. I would have tried to add some quotes from McFadden or Gradkowski for the article.

Former governor, Terry Branstad, answered questions from potential voters on Tuesday here at Morningside College. Much of the focus of his speech revolved around education including financial aid, preschool programs and the recognition of teachers.

Branstad also covered topics including same sex marriage, abortion, and his stance on health care. However, due to the location of a college campus and with multiple teachers and students in the audience, the overpowering subject was education.

“You don’t start a new program on entitlement you cannot afford,” stated Branstad when asked about his stance on preschool. The former governor had recently been said to “hate preschool.”

“Ummmm I thought that he, hmm hold on lemme think about this…umm..I think he..I don’t know I don’t really care so it was hard for me to pay attention, but if I cared…I don’t know,” said fellow student Lesley Mathers. I had a similar impression of Branstad’s speech myself.

Branstad has previously been in office as governor of Iowa and was active for four terms. In his time as governor, Branstad increased the number and amount of tuition grants in Iowa as well as lowered the state’s unemployment rate from approximately 8% to approximately 2%.

When asked what influenced his decision to return to politics and run for governor, Branstad claimed he made the decision because he “loves Iowa.”

Alex Watters gave a speech to this year’s freshmen class about the importance of happiness in life and his life story. Watters came to Eppley Auditorium to talk to the freshmen class about the importance of finding happiness and coping with setbacks in life.

In attendance was the entire freshmen class along with a number of other students, faculty, and Sioux City residents. “I thought he was pretty good. He was pretty funny which made him much easier to listen to,” said Morningside freshmen, Jeremy Gardner.

The main focus of Watters’ presentation was about an accident in his past, leaving him paralyzed from about chest level down, and how he has coped with his life changing dramatically by learning to find happiness. “I feel that the presentation went well. I didn’t feel as if I choked, or stumbled through any of my points–so that’s a plus! But other than that I guess I feel that I’m the wrong person to ask about my presentation. I can feel that my presentation was amazing, but if the audience can’t relate, or if I wasn’t able to accurately deliver my message to the freshman class, then I would feel disappointed,” Watters’ said.

Luckily for Alex, he has nothing to feel disappointed about. The buzz around campus following Watters’ speech was nothing but positive.  “It was a motivational speech that inspired me to look on the optimistic side of life,” said fellow student Amber Winther.

Alex’s speech included an in-depth description of his accident, gritty details and all. Watters was injured on the night of September 11, 2004, while night swimming with friends. He dove head first into Lake Okoboji unaware of the depth of that area of the lake. It turned out to be a mere 18-inches deep, snapping his neck on impact. Watters was flown by helicopter back to Sioux City for treatment, and later decided to rehab at a specialty hospital in Denver, Colorado. At the time of his accident, Alex was only 18-years-old.

Watters included in his speech his gratitude towards his family and friends for all of their help during his time in rehab. “My parents’ ability to be with me through rehab helped give me great support and reassurance that I was going to be okay. As for the recovery process, they were always right there next to me supporting my dreams and any ambitions that I took on. They have never tried to hold me back and have always urged me to never let my disability hold me back, and for that I’m grateful.” Watters said

After his rehab process, Alex returned to Morningside College dedicated to continue his education. Along the way, he developed countless relationships. One relationship in particular, with Dr. Leslie Werden of the Writing and Rhetoric Department, is still very strong. When asked about her first impression of Alex, Dr. Werden had this to say, “Well, I had seen him on campus and obviously he was the only student in a wheelchair tooling around campus and I was always curious about what had happened to him. My first impression of him when he got into a public speaking course was, ‘Wow this is a really confident guy in a wheelchair.’”

Dr. Werden was initially responsible for setting up the presentation in Eppley with Watters, who was more than happy to tell his story. “I am grateful for an opportunity to be able to educate individuals about my situation and paralysis in general,” said Watters.

Alex recently graduated from Morningside College and is currently attending Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

On the eve of September 23, 2010, Alex Watters gave a speech to this year’s freshmen class about the importance of happiness in life. Watters’ lecture was held in Eppley Auditorium.

The main focus of Watters’ presentation was about an accident in his past, leaving him paralyzed from about chest level down, and how he has coped with his life changing dramatically by learning the importance of finding happiness.

“I feel that the presentation went well. I didn’t feel as if I choked, or stumbled through any of my points, so that’s a plus! But other than that, I guess I feel that I’m the wrong person to ask about my presentation. I can feel that my presentation was amazing, but if the audience can’t relate, or if I wasn’t able to accurately deliver my message to the freshman class, then I would feel disappointed,” Watters’ stated during an interview.

Luckily for Alex, he has nothing to feel disappointed about. The buzz around campus following Watters’ speech was, from what I experienced, nothing but positive.  “It was a motivational speech that inspired me to look on the optimistic side of life,” said fellow student Amber Winther.

Alex’s speech included an in-depth description of his accident, gritty details and all. Watters was injured on the night of September 11, 2004, while night swimming with friends. He dove head first into Lake Okoboji unaware of the depth of that area of the lake. It turned out to be a mere 18-inches deep, snapping his neck on impact. Watters was flown by helicopter back to Sioux City for treatment, and later decided to rehab at a specialty hospital in Denver, Colorado. At the time of his accident, Alex was only 18-years-old.

Watters included in his speech his gratitude towards his family and friends for all of their help during his time in rehab. “My parents’ ability to be with me through rehab helped give me great support and reassurance that I was going to be okay. As for the recovery process, they were always right there next to me supporting my dreams and any ambitions that I took on. They have never tried to hold me back and always urged me to never let my disability hold me back, and for that I’m grateful.” Watters said.

After his rehab process, Alex returned to Morningside College dedicated to continue his education. Along the way, he developed countless relationships. One relationship in particular, with Dr. Leslie Werden of the Writing and Rhetoric Department, is still very strong.

When asked about her first impression of Alex, Dr. Werden had this to say, “Well, I had seen him on campus and obviously he was the only student in a wheelchair tooling around campus and I was always curious about what had happened to him. My first impression of him when he got into a public speaking course was, “Wow this is a really confident guy in a wheelchair.”

Dr. Werden was initially responsible for setting up the presentation in Eppley with Watters, who was more than happy to tell his story. “I am grateful for an opportunity to be able to educate individuals about my situation and paralysis in general,” said Watters.

Alex recently graduated from Morningside College and is currently attending Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=5653186

I watch a lot of ESPN and I must say there has been a LOT of coverage of Randy Moss being traded from the New England Patriots to the Minnesota Vikings yesterday. I love football, and I love the NFL, but it seems like we haven’t seen coverage as in-depth as this since…Brett Favre. It just so happens the two have united in Minnesota, causing a media splash. My point is, it drives me crazy when a big name athlete gets traded or signs with a different team. This is not news, because trades and transactions happen on a daily basis in the NFL. The same thing happened with LeBron James when he decided to sign with the Miami Heat this summer. The coverage on LeBron was absolutely ridiculous. He couldn’t go to the bathroom without an ESPN viewer having to hear about it. Would someone PLEASE wake me up when all of this Randy Moss news has blown over? Thank you.