It's over.
At least for most Americans, the day of stuffing morsel after morsel into your over salivated mouths is finished. But not for the Wunderlich family. Eating Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow at our father's, and then on to Sushi Saturdays, a custom every time I come home from school.
Regardless, take this time of plenty to really step back and just recognize that this is how good life can be. I love every single person that's been put into my life, and am thankful for everything I've been able to do and will do in the future. I hope everyone can find a small amount, or a large amount of joy in today and the days to come, as life is just that, a joyous event. Celebrate, and smile. You're alive, well and living better than kings did in eras before us. Despite the negative things happening in this world, there are still pockets of truly good times and people. I choose to think they are not just small pockets either, but spread across this earth like seeds in a field. You just have to know where to look, and how to look.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody, I hope you've enjoyed today as much as I have.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Don Shula is somewhere in Miami looking for champagne
It's Sunday night and once again, the Miami Dolphins perfect 1972 season is safe. Matt Cassell looked great today, but I thought the Dolphins hung in and the offense looked great. The defense... well, I guess that WAS Randy Moss out there.
The Titans are 10-1 now, Brett Favre looked great today, and the Lions after jumping out to a 17-0 lead on the Bucs, proceeded to hand it right back. Nice!
After watching a solid block of football this weekend, college and professional, I have come to the determination that there is not a bigger bunch of egos than there are in professional basketball and football. Giant, hulking freakish athletes are heavily tattooed all over their glistening biceps with words of... whatever. After a play of stuffing the running back in the backfield for a loss, a defensive tackle will run out from the pile before high fiving his teammates and do some sort of dance in the open field so the whole stadium knows he was the one that made the play. Yea, I'm down with athletes getting psyched up and being intense, but the level of posturing that's done in these leagues is beyond that of Project Runway. Signature sack dances? Please. It's all about the team baby, I'd much rather a guy get back and get rowdy with his teammates after a great play than go and waltz all over the field like a male peacock prancing around in search of a mate. And seriously, the tattoo thing, what's the point? Can anyone explain why exactly one gets a tattoo? There really is no justifiable reason. Commemoration. Right. How about you commemorate them by honoring their lives through your actions? It serves as a reminder of something. Sure. Cause post it notes aren't hood.
This is a crazy world we live in ladies and gentlemen. Appreciate each breath you take, and don't ever complain. Seriously. It could always be worse.
The Titans are 10-1 now, Brett Favre looked great today, and the Lions after jumping out to a 17-0 lead on the Bucs, proceeded to hand it right back. Nice!
After watching a solid block of football this weekend, college and professional, I have come to the determination that there is not a bigger bunch of egos than there are in professional basketball and football. Giant, hulking freakish athletes are heavily tattooed all over their glistening biceps with words of... whatever. After a play of stuffing the running back in the backfield for a loss, a defensive tackle will run out from the pile before high fiving his teammates and do some sort of dance in the open field so the whole stadium knows he was the one that made the play. Yea, I'm down with athletes getting psyched up and being intense, but the level of posturing that's done in these leagues is beyond that of Project Runway. Signature sack dances? Please. It's all about the team baby, I'd much rather a guy get back and get rowdy with his teammates after a great play than go and waltz all over the field like a male peacock prancing around in search of a mate. And seriously, the tattoo thing, what's the point? Can anyone explain why exactly one gets a tattoo? There really is no justifiable reason. Commemoration. Right. How about you commemorate them by honoring their lives through your actions? It serves as a reminder of something. Sure. Cause post it notes aren't hood.
This is a crazy world we live in ladies and gentlemen. Appreciate each breath you take, and don't ever complain. Seriously. It could always be worse.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Nevermind
Slaughter in the 2nd half. Oh well. It was nice for half a game, but you can't expect too much. Hopefully next year looks a little better than this year for Michigan. Hope you're happy Papa.
In other realms of college football, UNC blew it, WF is blowing it, and the ACC continues to baffle me. Maybe some more later, if not, back with follow ups and NFL tomorrow.
In other realms of college football, UNC blew it, WF is blowing it, and the ACC continues to baffle me. Maybe some more later, if not, back with follow ups and NFL tomorrow.
Halftime
It's halftime of Mich-OSU, 14-7 Buckeyes right now. This is definitely why they play the games. You never know what's the outcome of a game until it's played. So it stands true today. Michigan's offense (or at least Sheridan) looks sickly. They did manage to find some semblance of a running game at the end of the quarter and aside from two plays on defense, the Wolverines are giving Pryor hell. Let's see what the second half brings.
Clemson is in a dogfight at UVA. Go Cavs.
WVA is looking feisty against Louisville. What happened to the Big East this year?
Purdue is annihilating Indiana.
Go Blue!
Clemson is in a dogfight at UVA. Go Cavs.
WVA is looking feisty against Louisville. What happened to the Big East this year?
Purdue is annihilating Indiana.
Go Blue!
Also
I forgot to add, this is the first Michigan-Ohio State game in my life that my grandmother's husband, my Papa, Bryce Keough won't be on this earth to watch and take in his Buckeyes and listen to my dad and I give him hell about how the Maize and Blue will once again be the victors in this storied rivalry. He was the team captain of the 1955 National Champion Buckeye wrestling team, and was one of the most genuine and kind spirited individuals I've ever come across on this planet. Born and raised on a farm, he was the classic Ohio farm boy to the T. He lost half of his ring finger while working on his family farm, but for his entire life, nobody could ever give him a handshake as firm as his own. He is one of my heroes in life, and I know he's looking down at the Horseshoe today clad in Scarlet and Grey and in full throat. The man sat in the student section every time the game was in Columbus, and never hesitated to call my dad and I in pregame, midgame, and postgame, regardless of the score and outcome. One of my last memories of him was talking to him last football season, where he asked me, "I'm rooting for South Carolina now, when are you gonna start rootin' for the Buckeyes?" My answer? "Never." No blood connection or bribe could ever make me root for that team. Regardless, my Papa was one of my favorite people I've ever known, always smiling, always bringing a warmth and joy to whoever he came in contact, even dancing with the wedding crasher at my dad's wedding and not caring. Whenever this game happens, I'll always remember my Papa cutting firewood for us in 18 degrees of Michigan winter, making homemade peanut brittle for his grandkids, and crushing my hand every time we shook hands with the line, "Gettin' a grip now aren't ya boy?" Every day I see something that reminds me of him and I can't wait till we can jaw at each other again.
Back with a vengance
It's been a long time coming, but I have returned.
It's November 22nd, and at this time of year in college football, seasons are wrapping up and crucial games hold conference and national championship implications. Funny thing is, while that's true this year, the traditional games aren't where you should be looking for those story lines.
Who would've thought BYU-Utah would be such a big game? What about being able to disregard Michigan-Ohio State as any big deal this season? (Unless of course, you're pulling for either team, then it's always a large occasion.) There's some unusual teams in some unusual places this year, but such is the changing landscape of college football. I chalk it all up to that offensive system I love to watch but hate to accept, the spread. Bring back the power I!
Anyways, I went to Gainesville last weekend to watch my Gamecocks take on the Mighty Florida Gators in the Swamp. Luckily, I had friends to keep my entertained throughout the weekend, otherwise, I probably would have left the game at halftime and drove strait back, 6 hours and all from that game. What an absolute failure. That's about all I want to say on that game, because there's really not much else to say. So for the UF-USC game I have one word to sum up everything that occurred on the field and the consensus feeling around Columbia: Failure.
Now, The Head Ball Coach, being that prodigious offensive mind that he is (was?), has chosen Chris Smelley to start against Clemson this coming weekend in Clemson. Frankly, this leaves me baffled. What does Chris Smelley do in practice to earn this right, or what does Stephen Garcia NOT do in practice to give the game away? Chris Smelley gift wrapped the Florida game for the Gators, turning the ball over twice in two throws in the first quarter, and taking any air out of USC that they may have had. Not that I thought we had a real shot at winning, but at least we had a chance at COMPETING. Chris Smelley looks absolutely lost on every play that's not a wide receiver screen, middle screen or halfback draw. His pitifully weak arm and dreadful decision making just make me wonder what exactly happens in and out of practice that allows Smelley to keep a hold on this job. Garcia may be a bit of a vagrant and lack experience, but let him learn! Anything right now is better than Smelley chucking it up to the other team. Also, as I've said all season, our offensive line is the worst in the nation. I'm glad people understand that now. I hope they all fail out of school, none of them take that seriously anyways.
More later, it's 12pm, and time to veg and watch Michigan shock the world.
It's November 22nd, and at this time of year in college football, seasons are wrapping up and crucial games hold conference and national championship implications. Funny thing is, while that's true this year, the traditional games aren't where you should be looking for those story lines.
Who would've thought BYU-Utah would be such a big game? What about being able to disregard Michigan-Ohio State as any big deal this season? (Unless of course, you're pulling for either team, then it's always a large occasion.) There's some unusual teams in some unusual places this year, but such is the changing landscape of college football. I chalk it all up to that offensive system I love to watch but hate to accept, the spread. Bring back the power I!
Anyways, I went to Gainesville last weekend to watch my Gamecocks take on the Mighty Florida Gators in the Swamp. Luckily, I had friends to keep my entertained throughout the weekend, otherwise, I probably would have left the game at halftime and drove strait back, 6 hours and all from that game. What an absolute failure. That's about all I want to say on that game, because there's really not much else to say. So for the UF-USC game I have one word to sum up everything that occurred on the field and the consensus feeling around Columbia: Failure.
Now, The Head Ball Coach, being that prodigious offensive mind that he is (was?), has chosen Chris Smelley to start against Clemson this coming weekend in Clemson. Frankly, this leaves me baffled. What does Chris Smelley do in practice to earn this right, or what does Stephen Garcia NOT do in practice to give the game away? Chris Smelley gift wrapped the Florida game for the Gators, turning the ball over twice in two throws in the first quarter, and taking any air out of USC that they may have had. Not that I thought we had a real shot at winning, but at least we had a chance at COMPETING. Chris Smelley looks absolutely lost on every play that's not a wide receiver screen, middle screen or halfback draw. His pitifully weak arm and dreadful decision making just make me wonder what exactly happens in and out of practice that allows Smelley to keep a hold on this job. Garcia may be a bit of a vagrant and lack experience, but let him learn! Anything right now is better than Smelley chucking it up to the other team. Also, as I've said all season, our offensive line is the worst in the nation. I'm glad people understand that now. I hope they all fail out of school, none of them take that seriously anyways.
More later, it's 12pm, and time to veg and watch Michigan shock the world.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
J325 Assignment II- Dr. Moore's class
Michael Wunderlich
Dr. Moore
Journalism 325
11/07/08
News Story #2-Campus Health & Flu Season
As November settles in and the weather becomes ever cooler in the city of Columbia, students aren’t only focused on breaking out the thermal socks, sweatpants and scarves.
Along with the cooler weather comes the susceptibility among students to contract contagious illnesses, or to put it bluntly, flu season has unofficially arrived.
The month of November sees Columbia average temperature lows around 43 degrees Fahrenheit, continuing a descent into colder weather that lasts through February, providing ample opportunity for the common cold to become more than a nuisance to USC students.
With so many of Carolina students living on campus, the close quarters living conditions come into a closer focus as the temperatures drop.
“I’ve heard a lot of people getting strep throat,” said Chris Clarke, a second year Mechanical Engineering major living in Bates West. “Sometimes I’ll get a cold but it usually goes away on its own. Last year I got a sinus infection.”
Despite the rise of these common maladies, Lauren Vincent, the Public Relations and Quality Improvement Coordinator for Student Health Services on campus reports that at least 75% of students opt not to get the flu shot that’s offered at the Thomson Student Health Center.
“25.8% of USC students reported getting vaccinated last year,” said Vincent. The shot itself costs 15 dollars for students and 20 dollars for faculty, staff, and their spouses.
The three main viruses the shot protects against for the 2008-2009 flu season are A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1), A/Brisbane/10/2007(H3N2), and B/Florida/4/2006, all three of which are influenza virus strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season.
Vincent also noted that flu season really doesn’t get into full swing until the beginning of the new calendar year.
“The peak of flu season is actually in January,” said Vincent.
The large percentage of students who don’t receive the on campus flu shot from the Student Health Center may not necessarily be a telling statistic overall though, as a number of students opt to receive vaccinations from their local physicians.
“A family friend owns her own medical supply business, she used to be a nurse and we all get free flu shots every Thanksgiving,” Clarke continued. “It’s an awesome deal.”
Still, others are taking their own preventative measures to combat the spread of diseases this fall and into the winter months literally into their own hands.
“Getting my flu shot yea, but making sure to wash my hands, a lot,” said sophomore Natalie Rosenblum.
Vincent advocated the same course of action for students, advising, “Obviously the flu shot is the most effective… but good hygiene and washing your hands are important as well.”
Vincent also stressed that college students bet mindful of their surroundings, noting that contagious diseases don’t immediately die.
“A virus can last two to eight hours,” she continued. “Hand sanitation is a big factor.”
While there are those students that actually do receive the flu vaccination on campus as well as those who travel home to their local doctors, Vincent reports that one out of three college students still believe the flu can be contracted by receiving a flu shot.
Vincent suggested those who feared contracting the flu from the flu shot to try using an alternate medical treatment called the FluMist, a nasal mist that is administered through the nose where the virus usually enters the body.
FluMist is actually a weakened live virus vaccine, having been made from a live virus designed so as not to cause the flu and has been recommended for people from ages elementary school age to age 49.
Aside from benefiting student’s own personal health, Vincent reasoned that getting either the FluMist or a shot would be beneficial to a student’s family.
“Students may want to protect their family from diseases they bring home from school during winter break,” she said.
Students can track flu season on CDC.gov/flu and send confirmed cases of the flu to the Department of Health and Environmental Control for evaluation.
Above all measures taken by students this flu season, Vincent remains vigilant about one point to increase student health, emphasizing to students, “Wash your hands!”
Blog link:
http://michaelwunderlich.blogspot.com/
Dr. Moore
Journalism 325
11/07/08
News Story #2-Campus Health & Flu Season
As November settles in and the weather becomes ever cooler in the city of Columbia, students aren’t only focused on breaking out the thermal socks, sweatpants and scarves.
Along with the cooler weather comes the susceptibility among students to contract contagious illnesses, or to put it bluntly, flu season has unofficially arrived.
The month of November sees Columbia average temperature lows around 43 degrees Fahrenheit, continuing a descent into colder weather that lasts through February, providing ample opportunity for the common cold to become more than a nuisance to USC students.
With so many of Carolina students living on campus, the close quarters living conditions come into a closer focus as the temperatures drop.
“I’ve heard a lot of people getting strep throat,” said Chris Clarke, a second year Mechanical Engineering major living in Bates West. “Sometimes I’ll get a cold but it usually goes away on its own. Last year I got a sinus infection.”
Despite the rise of these common maladies, Lauren Vincent, the Public Relations and Quality Improvement Coordinator for Student Health Services on campus reports that at least 75% of students opt not to get the flu shot that’s offered at the Thomson Student Health Center.
“25.8% of USC students reported getting vaccinated last year,” said Vincent. The shot itself costs 15 dollars for students and 20 dollars for faculty, staff, and their spouses.
The three main viruses the shot protects against for the 2008-2009 flu season are A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1), A/Brisbane/10/2007(H3N2), and B/Florida/4/2006, all three of which are influenza virus strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season.
Vincent also noted that flu season really doesn’t get into full swing until the beginning of the new calendar year.
“The peak of flu season is actually in January,” said Vincent.
The large percentage of students who don’t receive the on campus flu shot from the Student Health Center may not necessarily be a telling statistic overall though, as a number of students opt to receive vaccinations from their local physicians.
“A family friend owns her own medical supply business, she used to be a nurse and we all get free flu shots every Thanksgiving,” Clarke continued. “It’s an awesome deal.”
Still, others are taking their own preventative measures to combat the spread of diseases this fall and into the winter months literally into their own hands.
“Getting my flu shot yea, but making sure to wash my hands, a lot,” said sophomore Natalie Rosenblum.
Vincent advocated the same course of action for students, advising, “Obviously the flu shot is the most effective… but good hygiene and washing your hands are important as well.”
Vincent also stressed that college students bet mindful of their surroundings, noting that contagious diseases don’t immediately die.
“A virus can last two to eight hours,” she continued. “Hand sanitation is a big factor.”
While there are those students that actually do receive the flu vaccination on campus as well as those who travel home to their local doctors, Vincent reports that one out of three college students still believe the flu can be contracted by receiving a flu shot.
Vincent suggested those who feared contracting the flu from the flu shot to try using an alternate medical treatment called the FluMist, a nasal mist that is administered through the nose where the virus usually enters the body.
FluMist is actually a weakened live virus vaccine, having been made from a live virus designed so as not to cause the flu and has been recommended for people from ages elementary school age to age 49.
Aside from benefiting student’s own personal health, Vincent reasoned that getting either the FluMist or a shot would be beneficial to a student’s family.
“Students may want to protect their family from diseases they bring home from school during winter break,” she said.
Students can track flu season on CDC.gov/flu and send confirmed cases of the flu to the Department of Health and Environmental Control for evaluation.
Above all measures taken by students this flu season, Vincent remains vigilant about one point to increase student health, emphasizing to students, “Wash your hands!”
Blog link:
http://michaelwunderlich.blogspot.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)