For those who like the adrenalin pumping as they push their bodies to the limit many people take up some form of extreme sport.  We know most of them from television and video games, the main ones being skateboarding, skydiving and the nauseating bungee jump!

The fun doesn’t stop there, people can do most extreme sports anywhere but like most sports they have their true home, places which are perfect for that sport.  Like Wembley is to Football and Wimbledon is to Tennis there are places all over the world that are considered the Mecca of extreme sports.

Skateboarding is a common extreme sport you will likely see people in town centres performing tricks and doing jumps but the modern skateboarding scene has descended from the skate parks of California.  The home of world class skaters like Tony Hawk, California has many dedicated skate parks with both street setups as well as vertical sets like half-pipes. 

If California is too warm for your sport of choice then there are always the mountain ranges of Europe of which there are plenty.  Ski slopes are dotted all over Europe with the Alps as well as other European countries in the north like Norway.  Norway is a popular ski and snowboarding area with thousands of people learning the sports as well as seasoned pros cutting their way down the slopes.

For the more death-defying extreme sports nut New Zealand can help out with skydiving and white water rafting available in a picturesque country last seen in the Lord of The Rings films.  For those who are extra daring there is a bungee jump location in Taupo, New Zealand which hangs over a giant gorge to a river below.  It’s this river that you end up dunked in at the bottom of your fall, but don’t worry, you’re flung out of it and will surely dry out with all the bouncing around you’ll be doing!

As you can see from this brief overview that there are plenty of locations dotted all over the globe for extreme sports.  extreme sports magazine websites are your first port of call to find out where’s the best location for your extreme sports holidays.  Once you’ve decided what sport you want to try out and where is best then you should be able to begin making preparations.  So check out an extreme sports magazine today and find your extreme sports haven!

Medical experts watching the Swine Flu tell us that once the flu is detected in an area, the entire community can be QUARANTINED for 6 to 12 weeks, the normal time for the Swine Flu to run its course, IF no further outbreaks are detected.

The “Swine 90 DAY FOOD SUPPLY” unit is compact enough to fit under most large beds, or stow in a large closet. It’s ideal for homes, apartments, businesses, emergency operation centers, etc.

Swine Flu Emergency Readiness Kit

Being prepared for all types of emergencies should be a priority for everyone in the U.S. With more threats than ever before, we know that any number of events can be right around the corner. But lately its completely understandable that many of us probably have our mind on economic worries at the very least. But knowing what we do know about the swine Flu break out, it might be a good time for us to consider investing in our own safety just in case.

As of now there are over 1,000 deaths in the country of Mexico. Granted we are not Mexico, and we do have an outstanding heads up on the current situation, that doesnt mean that we shouldnt take precaution anyways.

But a bigger point can be made – We should be ready for any other crisis that could happen, even if the Swine Flu stays contained.

Swine Flu preparation should be just one state of preparation we should be concerned with. I would say that this Swine Flu problem should be at the least, a wake up call. Preparing for this could end up saving us in the future. If we take action now, and nothing too serious comes of the Swine Flu virus, than we will still be prepared for any future occurences that could happen.

But just because we have caught this virus earlier than Mexico, doesnt mean its going to be O.K. Honestly, we are right nesxt door to the country, and we havnt done a great job of keeping Mexican immigrants out of our country in the past. And it only takes 1 unknowing victim to spread the Swine Flu virus to a large group of unsuspecting colleagues , classmates, or total strangers in a supermarket.

I am definitely not trying to be someone that tries to scare people, but whenever a society takes something like this too lightly , things can spiral out of control in the blink of an eye. It is our responsibility to take stock of situations like these and make honest assesments. 

In the coming weeks we will know for sure if the Swine Flu will become epidemic, pandemic, or nothing more than a slight outbreak. I hope that its the latter. But I really hope that we are all prepared for anything and everything.

For more information on Swine Flu preparedness and emergency Food Supplies follow the link below:

Symptoms of H1N1

Obviously extreme sports get your attention. The have garnered the attention of the U.S. military who has recognized that anyone involved in extreme sports would be good candidates to recruit for their hard to fill special operations positions like the Army Rangers and Navy Seals.

So what is it that makes a sport extreme? Let’s take a look at some of the most popular ones

One of the main factors that make a sport extreme is the element of risk of injury or even death. In nearly every sport that is classified in this way you will usually find speed, heights, danger, and stunts. I believe the thing that causes people to become addicted to participating in these sports is the adrenaline rush associated with them. Adrenaline is much like morphine when released in the brain and I see people who just can’t seem to get enough no matter how many times they are hurt.

The first of the extreme sports was probably skateboarding. Introduced in the 1960′s as a way to stay in shape when the surf wasn’t up, skateboarding became a sport of its own and soon competitions were formed with riders jumping over cars and doing tricks in half pipes where they would be floating thirty feet or more above the bottom of the platform. There has been a lot of negative press directed at skateboarders but lately skateboarding is gaining mainstream recognition and is being appreciated worldwide.

Snowboarding is another extreme sport with its own radical characters and is essentially skateboarding on snow. Snowboarders perform many tricks that are the same or similar to those in skateboarding and like skateboarding, the sport has caught on internationally. Today, on any ski slope in America, you will find snowboarders.

Sport climbing is a variation of rock climbing that has become very popular over the years and is enjoyed by those who care more about displaying and testing their strength and athletic ability than adventure.

Skydiving is an extreme sport that is much less competitive but highly dangerous. It is the initial jump that is the biggest thrill with skydiving. There are more competitions being formed now in skydiving with groups forming shapes and creating chains for records before opening their shoots.

The attraction to watching sports where the outcome is unpredictable is growing larger, especially with younger children. No doubt as more people begin to participate in these sports they will seem less and less extreme.

Do you hear bumps in the night? Does your hair stand on end when you walk into a room? Maybe you feel as if someone is watching you or perhaps you think you see someone out the corner of your eye, but when you turn to look no one is there? What you may be encountering in those unsettling moments is a ghost. So before you go running out of your house screaming, let’s take a moment to talk about ghostly encounters and those that investigate this phenomena.

A ghost is believed to be the spirit or soul of a person who has remained on Earth after death. When a ghost has taken up residence in a location, it is referred to as a haunting. There are two different ways in which a ghost inhabits a location. The most common type of haunting is a residual haunting. A residual haunting is typified by ghostly energy that is static or goes through a number of movements over and over again. It can be likened to watching a movie clip that repeats itself or a record album that has a skip in it, causing the needle to jump back to an earlier point on the album and begin again.

The second classification of haunting is the classic haunting. In a classic haunting the ghost displays intelligence and interacts with the people in the environment. It is not uncommon during a classic haunting for items to be moved around, for lights or electrical appliances to turn on and off, to hear voices our sounds out of nowhere or to be touched, tickled, stroked or even shoved. These ghosts often reflect the personality of an individual, even after their death. With this type of haunting, the aroma of flowers, perfume, cigarette smoke or other scents that are associated with the individual are often detected.

So whether you think you are being haunted by a ghost and want to have a group of trained professionals to come to your home or are interested in investigating all that goes bump in the night, but don’t know where to begin, here’s some information that can help you get started.

It is held that ghosts are electro-magnetic in origin and they create these fields when trying to manifest into this dimension. The energy that is given off by a ghost causes disruptions in the locations magnetic field, thus making it detectable by specialized equipment and psychics alike.

Because the presence of a ghost can be detected by specific types of equipment, a ghost hunter can become well equipped with a number of affordable pieces of equipment, many of which you may already own. From basic to advanced, there are many different types of equipment you can use to detect an otherworldly presence. For someone thinking about participating in an investigation, this doesn’t mean you have to own every piece of equipment in order to perform a reliable investigation. It does mean that you should at least possess a basic set of tools to use.

Basic Equipment

35mm or Digital Camera For a beginner, having a camera is probably the easiest and least expensive way to begin. Pictures, whether digital or recorded on film can capture paranormal activity, activity that is often invisible to the naked eye. This is especially true in the case of documenting the presence of orbs and ectoplasm.

Notebook & Pen or Pencil Simple as this may be, it is always a good idea to have something to record any notes, findings or experiences you may have during an investigation.

Flashlight Many times an investigation will take you to a dark or foreboding location such as a cemetery, old warehouse, abandoned building or other place that is dark or without electricity. In these instances you will need to have a portable light source.

Extra Batteries Depending on the paranormal activity of a location, batteries oftentimes will mysteriously and unexpectedly lose their charge leaving you in the dark. Regardless of the type of equipment you use, make sure you bring extra batteries along to replenish depleted ones.

Intermediate Equipment

EMF Detector The Electromagnetic Field Detector is probably one of the most important pieces of equipment to own if you are serious about doing an investigation. In addition to detecting the energy fields of ghosts, it is a key tool to use when taking baseline readings of a site. A baseline reading is a preliminary evaluation of a location, where investigators identify any existing or man made electromagnetic fields such as those created by power lines or electrical appliances.

Digital Video Camera Video cameras can be a useful investigation tool. Unlike still cameras, a video camera will document any activity in its entirety including the length of time the phenomena occurs, the surrounding conditions, as well as the phenomena itself. A tripod to rest the video camera on is also helpful, especially if it is going to be left in a stationary position to record the activity in a specific location.

Tape Recorder with an External Microphone There is no better way to capture EVP’s (electronic voice phenomena) than through the use of a tape recorder. Whether using a traditional tape recorder with high quality tapes or a digital recorder, an external microphone should always be used. A detached mic will eliminate the sounds of internal gears and turning wheels that can contaminate your recording.

Advanced Equipment

Motion Detectors Motion detectors can be used to sense the movement of unseen forces. Many need to be plugged in to an outlet, but battery operated ones are also available. Before you go out and buy one, decide which type will best support you investigatory needs.

Thermal Scanner A thermal scanner or non-contact thermometer can be used to detect rapid temperature changes. A change of ten degrees or more from the ambient temperature (the temperature of the surrounding area) can indicate an ethereal presence.

Psychics As An Investigative Tool

In addition to tools such as cameras, meters and gauges that are used by ghost hunters, many groups also utilize the services of trained psychics as a means of gathering information about a site. This is the role I play when working with ghost hunting groups.

Finding a true psychic to work with can be a real asset to the quality of your investigation. They can play an invaluable role in supporting the efforts of any paranormal investigation. Like a good piece of equipment, a psychic can help to detect anomalies as well as provide additional insights into the nature of activity encountered.

If your group decides to include the use of a psychic as part of the investigation team, there are a few items that should be considered. To maximize the objectivity of the investigation, it is critical that the psychic go into a location “cold”. This means that they do not know the details of the location or of any activity that may have been encountered by other members or the property owner. Telling the psychic the history of a property can cause the individual to become “contaminated”, which can make it difficult for them to differentiate what they perceive from what they have been told.

Conducting An Investigation

With at least a basic kit of equipment in hand, you are now ready to explore the world of paranormal phenomena. Before you begin, there are a few ground rules to consider. First, never go on an investigation alone, in addition to personal safety, you never know what may happen. Next, consider the fact that ghost hunting groups are often judged by their behavior and professionalism so always try to be respectful of the people, places and situations you may encounter.

To do an investigation, the first step is to select a location. Locations can include cemeteries, old buildings, historic sites, private homes and businesses. Always get permission to be on a site. This will keep you from getting in trouble for trespassing. Before you begin a formal investigation it is a good idea to do some research on the site. Talk to the owner, check out old newspapers, or contact the local historic society to see if anything happened there in the past. It is also a good idea to evaluate the terrain for potential hazards or/or to identify places where you can setup stationary video cameras, motion detectors or tape recorders.

Most investigations occur after dark, between the hours of 9pm and 6am. These hours are considered the “psychic hours” and are believed to be the best time to record paranormal activity.

When you get to the selected location, walk around to get a feel for it. Next, set up any stationary equipment and take baseline readings of the site. Then let the investigation begin. Take pictures, shoot video, record for EVP and take meter readings. Take them everywhere and anywhere, especially if you feel something or get a reading on another piece of equipment. When you are done walking around a site, turn your stationary equipment on and let it run while you and your group are out of the area.

When you have finished collecting your data, it is time for analysis. Here each picture, video and tape is reviewed for evidence of a haunting. This is probably the most important part of any investigation. As you review your materials, be skeptical. Look for earthly causes of any phenomena. Was someone smoking in the area? Was the room or location dusty? Where there reflective surfaces that could be the cause of the anomaly in your image? It is important to make sure your evidence will stand up to scrutiny by eliminating any other explanations. This will give your data more credibility.

As you pore over your data, what you will find is that not every location you go to will have ghostly activity. You may discover that many of the things you initially detected during your investigation actually have real world explanations as opposed to supernatural ones. What keeps many ghost hunters going is that one-in-five chance that this investigation will be the “real” thing.

When your analysis is done, presenting your finding to the home or property owner or sharing your results with others is often done. Many groups also post the results of their investigations on their group’s website, thus share the outcome of their investigation with the rest of the world.

If you are interested in ghost hunting or think your have a ghost hanging around in your local, there is a plethora of information available on the worldwide web. Here you can find articles about ghost hunting in general, stories of other people’s ghostly encounters, places that sell ghost hunting equipment and even sites hosted by ghost hunting groups in your geographic area.

So if you think you are hearing bumps in the night, don’t be afraid it just might be a ghost!

© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer (www.soulhealer.com) 2006. All rights reserved.

evp recording equipment

United Nations, February 2009 – A growing number of environmentally conscious travellers worldwide have been seeking out destinations with rich fauna, flora and cultural heritage. A new programme established by IFAD is helping indigenous peoples in Bolivia preserve their culture while bringing much needed developmental income to the local communities.

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