Creating Relevance to Accelerate Algebra Instruction

I have been trying to get my 9th graders to use the Singapore math 8-step process using unit bars to approach word problems. Every so often I feel the need to start with an image from the real world instead of the cut and dry word problem. The keynote presentation is linked below:
http://www.box.com/s/bca82131ea358bdc8083

Finding Intriguing Data for Students

Borrowing a teaching technique that I have learned from Dan Meyer; I will be taking the graphs from this article to create an introductory problem for my students to wrestle with. Relevant systems of linear equations are much more engaging than textbook word problems.

http://public.iwork.com/document/?a=p1090410687&d=Comcast_Vs_Netflix_47_hulu.key

http://flowingdata.com/2012/02/09/why-i-want-to-quit-cable/