| Diversions are wonderful things that distract the mind | | | | few years. The number of tourists making their way |
| and relax the body. Although initially to be diverted | | | | to Las Vegas, the most important gaming center in |
| from a course might sound like a bad thing, in a day | | | | the world, has doubled since 1990. Not limited to |
| when the work week seems never-ending and | | | | casino gambling, horseracing, dog-racing, bingo and |
| vacations are always out of reach, diversions are a | | | | the lottery, are all popular types of gambling that can |
| Godsend. They can be a way to connect with friends | | | | be read about in this section. |
| and family, discover a heritage (or pass on a passion | | | | In today's frantic, highly-mobile society, the need to |
| to future generations), express a creative side, get | | | | feel connected to something bigger than one's self |
| exercise, relieve stress, and most of all, alleviate | | | | has spawned the genealogy trend. Many people |
| boredom. After all, diversions equal fun. | | | | become interested in this diversion because they |
| Collecting is a popular diversion, and since it depends | | | | wonder about the real meaning of their last name, if |
| on the interests of the individual collector, it can deal | | | | they are related to someone famous, or where their |
| with literally any subject. People have been known to | | | | ancestors came from. Genealogy enthusiasts can |
| collect things from nature, architectural items, art, | | | | create elaborate family trees or design a homepage |
| antiques, books, currency and stamps, household | | | | where they can share their findings with other family |
| items, paper collectibles, products, technology, | | | | members and friends. |
| textiles, themed items, and toys. While some | | | | There are many natural wonders in the great |
| collections have the potential to be infinite, other | | | | outdoors: jagged mountains, sparkling lakes, green |
| collections can be completed, like acquiring every | | | | forests, and sandy beaches. They can be enjoyed in |
| episode from Seinfeld. Collections don't have to be | | | | many ways, including hiking, swimming, skiing, and |
| tangible either: some collectors engage in mileage | | | | biking. In an age of high technology and elevated job |
| collecting, train spotting, or systematically visiting all | | | | stress, the outdoors is a wonderful place to relax, |
| the states in the United States. | | | | unwind, and reflect; a place to become rejuvenated |
| Crafts can also deal with almost any medium. Crafts | | | | and refreshed. |
| include glassware, jewelry, ceramics, weavings, mixed | | | | Participating in sports is a pastime that is centuries |
| media, and homemade clothes. There are crafts for | | | | old. However most of the development in sports |
| children, and craft courses in colleges. At a time when | | | | occurred in the past fifty years. Broadly defined as |
| machines can supply all practically all the physical | | | | an activity that stresses physical skill and strength, |
| needs of a population, crafts become even more | | | | today's sports have evolved to include strict rules |
| important, as a way of sustaining traditions, an outlet | | | | and sophisticated equipment that measures distances, |
| for self-expression, and a means of countering the | | | | scores, and timing. Sports now have media coverage |
| uniformity of mass production. | | | | and loyal fans and spectators. |
| Gambling is a diversion that is known to have existed | | | | Whatever a person's idea of fun is, the answer to |
| during all historical periods to all cultures of the world. | | | | the age-old question "What do you want to do |
| Gambling has become especially popular in the last | | | | tonight?" can be found in Diversions. |