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