Microsoft Excel

Today, we are working on Microsoft Excel. I havent used Excel in a very long time, so i am hoping to gain a lot from it. Since i havent worked out in a few weeks, i have seen a significant difference in my heart rate from being unable to exercise the way i would like due to an injury.

Pens Round 2

The Pens finally know who we compete against for the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Since the Flyers beat the Canadiens the other day, we play against the New York Rangers starting tomorrow night at the Mellon Arena. Luckily, i managed to score some tickets for the, once again, sold out game Sunday for Game 2 of the Second round. Lets Go PENS!!!

Vehicle GPS

Global Positioning Systems are great to have. You never know when you might need directions somewhere. With a GPS you can get anywhere imaginable in the shortest amount of time. Construction, do not worry. Most GPS units can recalculate your route immediately!

Mellon Arena TV

There is a huge TV screen right outside Mellon Arena for those who do not have tickets to share the excitement of playoff hockey. I think this is a great idea for a tailgate-like experience to help feel the energy created by the great fans of Pittsburgh. The only downside is getting cold and wet, but that just adds to the true fanhood and more refreshments. Let's Go Pens!

PSP

Playstation has a small portable gaming device called PSP. I believe it is called Playstation Portable, but not too sure. These are nice to own. With PSP, one can watch movies, play music, video games, and have access the the Internet. The graphics are very clear and not too much glare is created. PSP is an innovative piece of technology to own. So, GO BUY ONE. I do not have one either, it is cool.

video conferencing

Video Conferencing is a unique resource when you are far away from home. I have been overseas for long durations and used these conferences to communicate with loved ones back home. The military runs stations throughout various bases to use them at no fee. Of course one can email and phone home, but video conferencing enables interaction to see the faces of loved ones.

Playstation 3

I am not an advid video gamer by any means. If i am oing to play a video game, it is going to be something involved with sports. The game I play the most on PS 3 is NHL 08 right now. Last night, after the Penguins horrible loss to the Islanders, I stayed up till 1am playing NHL 08 with my buddies. The graphics on PS 3 are unbelieveable and I only have a 720p television. I have it connected through HDMI cables which helps. There are times, I just look forward to playing video games but sometimes I do not even want to think about playing any video games.

Blackboard

Blackboard has many uses in today's education. There is so much information available to both students and educators. Class syllabi, grades, schedules, links, group discussions and studyguides can all be accessed through the internet at any given time. Blackboard is very useful for those who are going to miss classes due to sports, appointments, or illnesses. The only thing i do not like about blackboard is you need to log in with your username and password EVERY time you want to log in. I wish there was a shortcute or another way to save your info.

AIM

I am a huge fan of AOL's Instant Messenger. Being in the military, i can always communicate with all the friends i have acquired on deployments, TDYs, and training. Being a student, it helps if another classmate is online, we can tell each other details about homework and tests coming up. Being a son and brother, it can help keep families together. Being a sexy stud, it can help guys without game whne talking to the ladies they meet at a social gathering or at the gym. AIM is very innovative and at the same time, it can help one with their typing speed.

March Madness

I love this time of year! I am quite the gambler, all without money of course! There is so much excitement generated with the NCAA's March Madness. I try to get on as many brackets as I can. This year, I am only doing two brackets and one Numbers. The one bracket is all done online which is very nice and easy to do with today's technology. If I am interested enough, I can look at any given time to see where I stand in the league. The numbers poll is also nice with today's technology. I can check all the scores from all the different games all at once throughout the entire tournament. I better win on at least one of mine. If I win on all of them, I am going to quit school and go to Disneyland!

iPods

iPods are incredible! So much can be downloaded, "shared", and enjoyed. Today, thousands and thousands of people own them. They are carried on walks to work, in the car, at work, in the gym, and within their homes. So many accessories are sold for iPods from speakers, cases, headphones, car accessibility, and home theater systems. Although, i think i am one of the very few who does not possess an iPod or any other Mp3 player. I do, however, havc iTunes on my laptop though, haha.

Internet

The internet is a tool used virtually by everyone. It can be easily accessible from almost anywhere, the cost has gone down tremendously, and there has been more methods of receiving access to the internet. One can check scores, weather, movie times, communicate, research, check for sales, everything and anything can be found on the internet. For companies and businesses, it is a great source to let your information be viewed and accessed on a 24-7 schedule. Imagine living without the internet. We have all done it at somepoint, but there is so much to gain from the technology one has to the internet.

Thumb Drives

Thumb drives are the best ting when one is always traveling or are not always around their own personal computer. I have two different ones i use all the time. They are very convenient and easy to carry around. They can be either placed in one's pocket, in a backpack, around the neck or wrist, and it can even be attached to aa set of keys. There is a variety of storage available and with the more storage, the greater the price. Everyone who works on the computer and travels should have their own Jump Drive or Thumb Drive.

digital cameras

I need to get myself a new digital camera over break. I have had a few different ones, but i always seem to lose them or break them. The good news is, each time i purchase a new one, they keep getting better and better. There are so many new advancements in the technology of cameras anymore. There will not be an end to this either. I am looking for the most compact camera with the least amount of buttons. I am sure i will have brand new one in time for the St Patrick's Day parade!

Text Messaging

Have you ever left your house without your cell phone? I think in our generation cell phones are imperative. I practically feel naked without it. You can do so much with cell phones; call/text/pics/videos/email/internet/calculators/memos/MP3 downloads and etc. Personally, all I use is the camera, phone, and texting. The majority of my phone's use is TEXTING. I feel it is an easy, quick, and efficient way to communicate. It is not as personable, but it is a lot easier to talk to new prospects of the people you get numbers from during a night out around town!

Blu-Ray DVDs

Technology technology technology, there is always something new. I think Blu-Ray Disks are pretty nifty. I do not have the urge to fork the extra money out for one yet, but i am sure i will farther down the road. I am just happy with the plain old DVDs. Besides, the price will be diminshing very soon for both the Blu-Ray Players and their DVDs. Look at what happened with 8-Tracks, Cassette Players, and VCR/VHS.

Home Theater

Along with my new tv, I also purchased a home theater system. I have never had one before, personally, so I figured it would be great to go with the new tv. The tv and home theater are both Samsung. I was able to receive fuel perks too with BestBuy gift cards! There is so much more sound that is produced from the home theater system. I just wish more sounds would come from the rear speakers. I realize that not much sound comes from them, only on given circumstances. I will be keeping all of my new TECHNOLOGY for a long time and I am sure i will enjoy it for as long as i have it.

HD TV

I think television has come a very long way. I remember my parents only having one black and white bubbled tv when i was growing up. Having more than one tv set in a household was a sign of being well-off. Now, 2008, there are multiple tv sets in households. I recently purchased a new flatscreen and i love it. The HD is amazing and i know i am going to be spoiled after awhile. The picture is so clear and enjoyable to view, especially sports, GO PENS!

Nap?

I am in the need of a nap. Yesterday was brutal. First, there was classes...YAWN!!! Then there was unpacking all sorts of things for my new place at the Ivy. I decided to go to the gym as usual. I wanted to run on the treadmill, but the crappy treadmills were all full. So, i then went on the track upstairs, packed, and ran for 40 minutes. I just got a new pair of Mizuno running shoes, so I was quite enthused. My friend wanted to do an Aerobic Abs class after running so I was game to work more on my abdominal muscles. Boy was that a mistake after running 40 minutes on the track. In the end, i was totally exhausted, but very happy with the end results and the beautiful girls in the class as well. After my shower and dinner, the FAT TUESDAY celebration begun at Ginger Hill. That is all I am going to say about that!

Envelope Notebook, APPLE

I know if I was to send an Apple Notebook to someone in an envelope, i woul at least like there to be a little bit more padding. In the commercial, there was no padding at all. I do not even think there was padding inside the envelope at all. I do not think I would ever buy the new Apple Notebook. The way I treat my laptop, the Apple would not survive. I take my laptop everywhere with me and it never skips a beat!

another post for the week

Today, i am going to be active in the gym. I am a transfer student here at SRU and i enjoy the ARC. However, there are some things i really do not care for at the SRU ARC facility. I do not like the fact that they close at 11pm, yet, the friggin' locker rooms close at 1030pm. If they are going to advertise the ARC being open till 11pm, they need to have their facilities open till 11pm. I understand the pool area being closed earlier because of the cleaning and so forth. Anyways, not to run on and on, i am going to end this blog for now.

1/29/08 Post

Today in class, we learned some of the uses of technology in Physical Education classes. I think it is very useful especially with younger children. It is also useful for those who are new to a different sport they have never experienced. For those who are wanting to increase their performance or style could enhance their skills and form by watching themselves through technology. There should never be a reason to take technology for granted.

Coolest Technology

There is an abundance of "Cool Tecnology". The coolest technology i have ever seen or experienced other than just cell phones and the internet. Being in the military for a while, you see so many advances in technology. Aircraft alone can make one astonished. There are so many manuevers, stunts, navigation systems, weapons systems, and speed involved in the military. Other than the aircraft, there is a weapons system called the CROWS system that is pretty cool. This system is mounted on vehicle so heavy weapons gunners can maintain inside the armored vehicle at all times and control the weapon with a joystick and a computer screen. There is just some of the "Cool Technology" i have experienced in my time.

About Me

My name is Mark Wilson. I am a transfer student at Slippery Rock University in the Health and Physical education Department. I have always been interested in being a Physical Education Instructor/Coach because I always enjoy being physically active and working with others. I grew up about 15 minutes north of Pittsburgh and graduated from North Allegheny School District. I ran track, cross-country, and participated in rock climbing. After I had graduated, I coached rock climbing for NA for two years. I have been in the Air Force for over 7 years and I am just trying to finish my Bachelor's Degree so i can get into my Physical Education Career.