The Growing Popularity of Extreme Sports Essay -- Extreme Sports

Extreme Sports Over the past ten years I have noticed that my local snowboarding park has become more crowded every season, especially with younger kids. This has not only been the case for snowboarding, but for all extreme sports. I’ve noticed this trend at my local skateboarding park also. More so, there has been a noticeable increase of extreme sports being broadcast on television today than ever before. These changes caused me to ask the question: why have extreme sports become so popular to youngsters? It could be the appeal people have toward the imminent possibility that someone might get seriously hurt, but I doubt it. I think the media, especially television, has definitely increased extreme sports popularity. In this essay I will explain how the media, and other dominant resources have sparked and created the presence and increased popularity of extreme sports. When extreme sports were first invented they were not meant to be a product of media culture. For example â€Å"Sherman Poppen was looking for an activity that would keep his young daughters occupied so his pregnant wife could get some me-time when he nailed two wooden skis together and called it a Snurfer. This was the snowboard born thirty-seven years ago.† (McCallum p.3) However, when extreme sports made it to television, they were became a huge product of the media culture and were not spread by word of mouth anymore. Media coverage of extreme sports has shown people what these new sports are all about. In 1995 ESPN started an extreme sports contest called the Extreme games; know now as simply â€Å"X Games†. This event is so popular that they broke the televised event into two annual shows: the â€Å"Winter X Games† and the â€Å"Summer X Games† to make it possible for s... ...me products are reaching an all time high on the popularity scale. We can thank television and other media types for this trend. When we look at this increase we can’t leave out the support that local skate parks and resorts have made to support this uproar of extreme sport popularity. For example, the resort Keystone as added as of last year a super terrain park that extends all the way down the mountain. Two years ago, they had nothing. This is because Breckenridge, with one of the most well know terrain parks in the nation, has attracted more people in the past than Keystone. With this in mind, the up rise in extreme sports has not only changed the major business persona of attack, but has greatly influenced the activities performed by youngsters of today. Ten years ago, who would have thought a seven year old boy would pick up a skateboard instead of a baseball.

Essay --

Introduction It all starts when I was watching the ad on TV for the car I always dreamed of, a BMW 528 x drive. The offer was so attractive given that the monthly payments shown were actually within my budget. Though the ad mentioned leasing not selling, therefor I need to know: what is car leasing? How the process works? How it is different than buying? Should I lease or buy my next car? How should I prepare for the lease? What is the deal I am looking for? How to negotiate a good deal? What are the after deal obligations? What are my lease end term options? And what happen if I decided to end the contract before the end of the lease term? As in any other negotiation, I should take enough time to prepare properly before making any decisions that I might regret in the future. What is car leasing? Leasing is paying for the use of a car over a specified period of time, in other words it is a term of financing a car. In leasing a car, it is important to note that the total price of the car is important (even if I am only responsible for part of it) and it can be negotiated with the dealership; the owner of the car is the leasing company not the dealership, the dealership acts as an agent for the leasing company and when the deal is generated I will be dealing directly with the leasing company; I agree to make regular monthly payments for the specified period, maintain the car, pay the car insurance, local taxes and tags fees, and I am expected to stick with the mileage indicated to the end of the lease term. I will be hold accountable for any damages or extra mileage above the specified limits. Also, in a lease the monthly payments are upfront, not like when you buy the car where you pay at the end of the month. This means that i... ...the above and make sure that I will be having a good deal. I will be reminded a month a head of the lease term on the date of returning the car and if I am exploring other options I need to decide within that period. It is not a coincidence to note that â€Å"forced arbitration clauses are included in nearly all car sale contracts and leases. Franchise laws in all 50 states give automobile dealers a special monopoly over new car sales, allowing them power to decide what they want to include in their sale/lease contracts. Consequently, consumers purchasing or leasing a new vehicle are a captive audience with no choice but to enter into the sales/lease contract put before them parties when they cannot be resolved on their own to Arbitration†.( retrieved from http://www.fairarbitrationnow.org) (Please see exhibit 3: Sample of Vehicle Purchase/Finance Arbitration Agreement)

Madness and Insanity in Shakespeares Hamlet - Both a Sane and Insane Hamlet :: GCSE Coursework Shakespeare Hamlet

Sane or Insane Hamlet: Support for both Positions Shakespeare's tragic hero, Hamlet, and his sanity can arguably be discussed. Many portions of the play supports his loss of control in his actions, while other parts uphold his ability of dramatic art. The issue can be discussed both ways and altogether provide significant support to either theory. There are indications from Hamlet throughout the play of his mind's well being. Hamlet's antic disposition may have caused him in certain times that he is in a roleplay. Hamlet has mood swings as his mood changes abruptly throughout the play. Hamlet appears to act mad when he hears of his father's murder. At the time he speaks wild and whirling words:Why, right; you are I' the right; And so, without more circumstance at all, I hold it fit that we shake hands and part... [Act I, scene V, lines 127-134]. It seems as if there are two Hamlets in the play, one that is sensitive and an ideal prince, and the insane barbaric Hamlet who from an outburst of passion and rage slays Polonius with no feeling of remorse, Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell! / I took thee for thy better. Take thy fortune;/ Thou find'st to be too busy is some danger.- [Act III. scene IV, lines 31-33] and then talks about lugging his guts into another room. After Hamlet kills Polonius he will not tell anyone where the body is. Instead he assumes his ironic matter which others take it as madness. Not where he eats, but where he is eaten. / A certain convocation of political w orms a e'en at him. [Act IV, scene III, lines 20-21] If your messenger find him not there, seek him I' th' other place yourself. But, indeed, if you find him not within this month, you shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby. [Act IV, scene iii, lines 33-36]. Hamlet's behavior throughout the play, especially towards Ophelia is inconsistent. He jumps into Ophelia's grave, and fights with Laertes in her grave. He professes I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers/Could not, with all their quantity of love,/ Make up my sum [Act V, scene I, lines 250-253], during the fight with Laertes in Ophelia's grave, but he tells her that he never loved her, when she returns his letters and gifts, while she was still alive. Hamlet subtly hints his awareness of his dissolving sanity as he tells Laertes that he killed Polonius in a fit of madness [Act V, scene II, lines 236-250]

Pharmacology Case Essay

The research is about the herb, Salvia divinorum wherein there are debates whether it should be made illegal or not, and its possible use as a tool for pharmacological research. Salvia divinorum (SD) is known for its hallucinogenic effects, but unlike other abused substances, SD has lower potential for abuse. The research was conducted through the internet, wherein respondents fill out survey questionnaire forms. The qualitative information gathered from this research would then be used as a basis whether the substance should be controlled or not, and if so, how it would be controlled.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The content of the research is sufficient, wherein it has detailed information of what Salvia dinorum is and what are its specific effects to the people. It also gave a detailed explanation on how it affects the people’s brain and why it is different from other hallucinogenic substances. It also showed the statistical results of the survey conducted, wherein the respondents gave their sides regarding the comparisons of SD to other commonly abused substances (Baggott & Erowid, 2004).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The research material given is really useful in a sense that it could be used as a tool for pharmacological purposes. It could also be a basis for deciding on whether the substance should be made legal or be controlled for public consumption. Since it promotes altered perception of reality as a hallucinogenic compound, it is possible that it could result to uncontrolled actions which could harm the user or other people. As the research presented, the substance is not as addictive as that of other abused substances. Through more research, further understanding of the matter could be established.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The primary limitation of the research is that it was conducted through the internet, and the responses of the respondents could not be qualitatively taken into consideration, since they could just generate an imaginary response. The research is limited to the respondents who have access to the internet, and those who weren’t able to check the material online will not be able to answer. Another limitation is that the respondents were mostly males, so we don’t really know much about the side of the females. If it was to be under random sampling, then the males and females should be properly represented, unless only the males are using SD.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The credibility of the author is quite convincing, since he’s a student of Neuroscience PhD program and already has authored several scientific articles and book chapters. Looking at his achievement, we are safe to assume that he is credible enough to give information about Salvia divinorum and the issues related to it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The intended audiences of the research are those who are in the pharmacology field, as well as the people who are using Salvia divinorum. They are the ones who are directly involved with the substance that is why it is necessary for them to be informed of things concerning Salvia divinorum. For the pharmacologists, they could use SD as a tool to develop new drugs and learn more about the human brain and how it works. For the users, they have to understand that as a hallucinogen, SD still pose some threats in their lives as well as the people around them. They have to be responsible enough to know when and where to use it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The significant features of this research are that there is not much information yet available when it comes to utilizing Salvia divinorum for medical purposes. This means that this is a pioneering research aiming to establish an understanding about this mind-boggling herb.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In our society, it is common knowledge that many substances are being abused because of their mind-altering hallucinogenic effects. A candidate for this is the Salvia divinorum, though researches show that it is not that addictive comparing to other substances. It has other uses, one of which is for medical purposes. We could harness this potential instead of treating it as something destructive. It is high time to use it to our advantage, and not our destruction. Reference: Baggott, M., & Erowid, E. F. (2004). A Survey of Salvia divinorum Users.  Ã‚   Retrieved February 24, 2008, from http://www.erowid.org/plants/salvia/salvia_survey1.shtml   

High School Graduation Essay

Throughout life people go through so many hardships. Whether it be good or bad there is always something that comes out of the situation. One of the most exciting but yet scariest events would be graduation. So it was the day before graduation and we were having our graduation practice. Standing outside in the line alphabetical order me and classmates talked and waited for practice to start. The sun was beating down, the smell of fresh cut grass filled out our nose. We were all just ready to get it over with. Sitting talking with my classmates discussing our future plans. Debating whether or not we will miss high school, but knowing we will definitely miss each other. So finally it came to practice walking across the stage, so the assistant principle called my name and shook my hand and handed me my mini diploma. Then it finally hit me like a speeding express train, I was about to graduate. May 18th 2012, finally it was here the day of my commencement. I can almost remember that day like it was yesterday, I awoke like on any other school day. That day was crazy, I was running errands and preparing for my graduation and after party. So the time had come for me to put on my blue and gold cap and gown with my gold cords which I had worked so hard for. I had so much sense of pride at the moment all I needed was my diploma in my hand. So the final moment had come and it was time to walk the field. The music stared and we proceeded to walk down the field to our seats. Glancing out at the packed stands I could see my family and friends. While waiting for my name to be called, I reminisced on all the good times I’ve had in high school and all the friendships I’ve made. Finally my row was directed to get up and proceed to the stage and my heart was racing. Thinking it was finally over, no more high school. I hear my name called and I hear all of my family and friends screaming and clapping for me and it made everything I had done to achieve the diploma my principle handed me after shaking my hand. As I was walking back to my seat with my diploma I was envisioning that I had just closed one chapter to my life and I was excited to embark or my next journey. Graduation is an exciting time in a person’s life, especially a high school graduation. When I think of family and friends gathering together to celebrate a joyous occasion, I feel I accomplished my strongest goal. It never occurred to me that graduation would be the end of my youth and the start of adulthood. Graduating from high school was an influential event that gave me a new outlook on life.

How America Has Changed Forever Essay

Americans to this day will never act or feel the same way as they once used to. What we did then and how we did it, we can no longer do now. It has been over twelve years since the United States went through one of the most horrific, terrifying tragedies in all of United States history. As we all know today, on September 11, 2001, Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four passenger airliners so they could be flown into buildings in suicide attacks. Two of those planes were intentionally crashed into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City. For this reason, there has been an enormous amount of changes in the United States. The three major areas that have changed are the airport security, the government, and the psychological impact. Before the attacks on the World Trade Center, airports security was fairly simple. For instance, passengers only had to show your ID and passengers were allowed to bring sharp objects on board such as: penknives, box cutters, and sharp scissors. Passengers were also allowed to walk through security with their shoes on, a belt on, or even a drink in their hand. Whereas now, we have adopted a new form of security called the Transportation Security Administration. Security now stops you at every checkpoint and you have to show your ID. Also, you cannot carry sharp objects onto the plane. You now have to take off your shoes and belt, and have them ran through a metal detector. Another key point is that passengers are not allowed to have liquids above 3. 4 ounces when going through the checkpoints. Special items such as laptops must be pulled out of the luggage. One of the most noticeable changes is the need to arrive at the airport early. The United Airlines website, for example, suggested airport arrival times include this recommendation for Los Angeles International: â€Å"Customers with checked baggage should arrive 2 hours before flight departure. † Due to the excessive wait at security, an early arrival is necessary. The airport security was not the only factor the United States enhanced, but the government as well also made changes. Due to the attacks, for this reason, the United States adopted the Patriot Act. The purpose of this act is to: deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, enhance law enforcement investigatory tools, and for other purposes. There were also more than one hundred and thirty pieces of legislation introduced that related to the attacks during the first year. Such as: the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, the Enhanced Border Security, and Visa Entry Reform Act. To be sure to stop another tragedy happening, the government created agencies after the attacks that include the Department of Homeland Security, which consolidated other agencies, including the U. S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. The last significant change that the United States has faced since the attack is the psychological impact on how we Americans view immigrants. To put it another way, some Americans responded with fear, anger, as well as a growing intolerance for immigrants, especially against those who are or appeared to be from the Middle East. For this reason, many Muslims and Asians in the United States reported that they were the victims of harassment and hate crimes days after the attacks. In fact, some Muslims were shot and killed only because of their race. Not only were people shot, people were also targeting institutions that related with the Islamic faith. Mosques were attacked as well as other religious buildings, including a Hindu temple in St. Louis, Missouri. Anger and fear are not the only psychological consequences that we Americans have faced, but also posttraumatic stress disorder. According to figures from three New York City 9/11 health programs, at least 10,000 police officers, firefighters and civilians directly exposed to the World Trade Center attacks have been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. Twelve years later, we Americans are still impacted from this tragedy. We will always be emotionally distraught, nor we will ever get back the loved ones that have passed away in the tragic incidents. On the positive note, the government passed many regulations to make sure that there will never be a 9/11 repeat.

What Is Idiom?

What is idiom? According to Oxford Dictionary idiom can be defined as â€Å"group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words†. In another word, the meaning of idioms cannot be figured out from its shown words. Each language has its own idioms that used in every day speeches and conversations. Al-Shawi & Mahadi describe idioms as â€Å"idiomatic expressions are colorful, dramatic, lively, closer to the way people really feel and near to the local culture†. Although idioms give color to conversations, they consider a serious problem to students in translation. Translation defined as â€Å"the process of translating words or text from one language into another† (en.oxforddictionaries.com, n.d). Many Saudi students encounter difficulty while translating idioms from Arabic into English language. These difficulties occur because of different reasons. The aim of this study is to identify the difficulties that faced by students and to know the reasons for these problems. Also, this study provides strategies that may help students in translating idioms from Arabic into English.Statement of the ProblemMany Saudi junior level students at Yanbu University College face problem in translating idioms from Arabic into English language. These problems occur because of various reasons. The differences between source language and target language, the lack of knowledge of the TL, the absence of equivalents of the idiom in the TL, and the lack of knowledge of translation strategies. This problem affects students' efficiency in translation. Purpose of the StudyThe purpose of this study is to identify the difficulties that faced by Saudi students in translating idiom from Arabic into English language, to find the reasons behind these difficulties and to suggest some strategies that may help students to avoid these problems in translating. Research QuestionThis research answers the following questions: What are the difficulties faced by Saudi junior level students in translating idioms from Arabic into English? Why are students making these kinds of problems? MethodologyThe participants of this study will be Applied Linguistics junior year students from Yanbu University College. Participants will be given a translation test that includes ten Arabic idioms and they will be asked to translate them into English language. Then researcher will take the responses and analyze them individually. Then the research will present the responses in a table. Literature ReviewThis chapter presents a definition of the key concepts. Also, the chapter presents the previous studies.Definition of Key ConceptsIdiom. An expression with a meaning that you cannot guess from the meaning of the separate words. Translation. The process of translating words or text from one language into anotherPrevious Studies The first study was conducted by Alrishan and Samdi (2015), about the difficulties that face EFL Jordanian University students in translating English idioms into Arabic language. The research was a qualitative research. The researchers used a translation test to collect the data. The participants of the study were 90 M.A translation students at Yarmouk University and the University of Jordan. The participants had given a translation test that included 16 idioms from different semantic categories. They were asked to translate them into Arabic language. The results showed that the students have a problem in translating idioms from English into the Arabic language where students could not find the correct equivalent in Arabic, also students were unfamiliar with translating idioms. Second study was written by Al Mubarak (2017). It was about the barriers that faced by students while translating idiom from Arabic into English language. The participants of the study were 40 B.A students in Al Imam Al Mahdi University in Sudan. The participants' first language is Arabic and they are an advanced level in English language. The study was qualitative and quantitative research. The tools that used in the study were a translation test that included 12 Arabic proverbs and an interview. The findings showed that most students faced trouble in translating idioms and that based on some reasons, such as the differences between Arabic and English system and students do not know how to use literal translation approach. Third study was done by Mezmar (2010), about the problems of idioms in translation. This study was conducted at Mentouri University, Constantine. The participants of the study were 21 first year Master degree students at Mentouri University. The participants' mother tongue language is Arabic and they are an advanced level in English. This study was quantitative study and the tool that used in the study was a test included twelve idioms in English and ten in Arabic language. The researcher chose the idioms depending on the four categories of idioms, transparent, semi-transparent, opaque and semi-opaque. The participants of the study were asked to translate the idioms into Arabic and English language. The results showed that the students did well in translating transparent and semi-transparent idioms. However, they faced trouble in translating opaque and semi-opaque idioms.The differences between this study and the studies above. Fist, all the studies above have been done outside Saudi Arabia, in Jourdan, Sudan, and Constantine. However, this study conducted in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Secondly, two of the previous studies involved participants from Master degree where this study involved participants from Bachelor degree. The participants of the studies above were an advanced level in English, but in this study, they were in an intermediate level. The similarities between this study and the previous studies that all of them investigated the problem faced by students in translating idiom, either in Arabic, English or both. Also, the tool used to collect data was a translation test and the participants were asked to translate them. ReferencesAl Mubarak, A. A. (2017). The Challenges of Translating Idioms from Arabic into English a Closer look at Al Imam AL Mahdi University–Sudan.  International Journal of Comparative Literature and Translation Studies,  5(1), 53-64.Retrieved from http://www.journals.aiac.org.au/index.php/IJCLTS/article/view/3167/2625Alrishan, A., ; Smadi, O. (2015).Difficulties EFL Jordanian University Students Encounter in Translating English Idioms into Arabic.  Journal of Education and Practice,  6(10), 124-133. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1081685.pdf Al-Shawi, M. A. ; Mahdi, T.S. (2012).Strategies for translating idioms from Arabic into English and vice versa.Journal of American Arabic Academy for Sciences and Technology, 3(6), 139-147. Retrieved from HYPERLINK â€Å"LING324_Assignment_3-172.docx† http://www.amarabacmagazin.com/fileadmin/images/pdfs/AMARABAC_3-6_139-147.pdf Idiom. (n.d).In Oxford Dictionary. Retrieved from https://en.oxforddictio naries.com/ definition/idiom Translating. (n.d). In Oxford Dictionary.Retrieved from https://en.oxforddictionaries .com/definition/translation Meryem, M. (2010). Problem of Idioms in Translation. Case Study: First Year Master. Retrieved from https://goo.gl/PyRcDp