Fighting in Pro Hockey: Not so black & white

Fighting in Pro Hockey

There is a place for fighting in hockey - Bobby Orr

Rating - **** 

          In professional hockey, players are expected to participate in fights throughout their careers because its "part of the game".  The object of fighting in pro hockey isn't to just beat someones face in, they do it to let off a bit of steam during the game and keep things exciting.  Although it can be pretty brutal at times, players are expected to act like gentleman and respect each other. 

          In this article, Bobby Orr talks quite a bit about his own experiences in Junior hockey and the NHL.  He strongly believes that fighting should not be removed from hockey as long as it is done properly.  A major issue that has come up in recent years is the freedom that referee's possess to make calls using their own judgement, it has become a very by-the-book sport.  Another very problematic issue has arose in recent years is going after the "untouchables", the very skilled players in the league that have almost always been left alone because they're the ones that keep things moving on the ice.  Bobby speaks very fondly of pro hockey back in the day because of the code that all players used to abide by.  The goons go after the goons and you let the all-stars do what their best at.  This has changed quite dramatically with the turn of the century as all players, regardless of skill level, are now seen as fair game and numerous serious injuries have been a result of this.  The main point of this article is that fighting is vital in hockey because that's what the fans want to see, give the fans what they want and that's how you make your money.

          This article really effected me because it's an issue that hits home.  Although I don't play contact hockey, it's going to have a presence in all  levels.  It is extremely important that everyone is taking the right precautions on the ice and you aren't just going out their to kill someone.  The refs will do their job to call the game as fairly as they can, so just play smart hockey.  I have learned quite a bit from Booby's excerpt, mainly how much the game has changed over the year's but I'm not sure if it really is for the better.  This article has inspired me to possibly get into reffing to get a sense of what it's like to be the one with the whistle.  As far as changing my behaviour, I think that I will just be more aware of my surroundings on the ice and treat all of the other players with the respect I want.

By: Spencer Wayland

Citation: 

Orr, B. (n.d.). There is a place for fighting in hockey: Bobby OrrAdd to .... The Globe and Mail. Retrieved December 16, 2013, from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/there-is-a-place-for-fighting-in-hockey-bobby-orr/article14850429/?page=all

Paige Claassen Ascends India's Hardest Route

By Chris Parker 

 Rating ****

1. In this magazine he writes about how Paige Classen while on her philanthropic Lead Now tour climbs India's hardest route called Ganesh. If found this to be an interesting article because I have never heard of this climb and she had done it in 1:30, 6 to 7:30 am. If you ever want to check it out there is a YouTube video in the post. http://www.rockandice.com/lates-news/paige-claassen-sends-indias-hardest-route-ganesh-5-14

Wildfire Safety Precautions

Smoke Signals: Wildfire Safety Precautions for a Fiery Year

By: Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin

Rating: ****

Forest fires are one of the biggest cause of destroying our beautiful nature. There are many things we should consider to prevent from our skies darkening with forest fire and protect animals and plants.

First thing to Consider!:

It is crucial to be always careful when you're preparing your food outdoors. Though campfires are delightful and mesmerizing, it can be a great cause to a forest fire. Checking with your local land management agencies about fire restrictions is very important.

Preparation is Important!:

Before settling in outdoors, make sure you seek out your exiting paths, the more the better. Those routes will save your life. Sometimes land management agencies may put closures in effect to prevent the fire from spreading, so be aware of this fact.

Recognizing and Mitigating Possible Wildfire Risks!:

• If you see a column of smoke from a distance, move well away from the area to give the fire a wide berth (a mile or more) in case the wind shifts and the fire moves toward you.

• Fire moves faster uphill, so move downhill.

• If you see or smell smoke during the day or see a red/orange glow at night, a fire is nearby.

• If you hear crackling or see sparks, the wildfire could be less than one mile away.

Responding to Immediate Wildfire Risks!:

• If a wildfire is close by and moving your way, find a place to make a stand.
• You cannot outrun a wildfire.
• Fire moves faster uphill, so move downhill when identifying a place to make a stand.
• The greatest risk of injury or death is from superheated air that can sear your lungs.
• Find an area away from fire fuels, if possible, such as a meadow, gravel or sand bar, or swampy/wet area.
• Lie down and try to find a pocket of cool air to breathe; wrapping a wet cloth (cotton or wool) around your head can help.
• If a body of water is nearby, get into the water and sit or tread water, keeping your head near the water surface.
• Protect your feet, lungs, and eyes.
• Remove synthetic clothing if possible, which melts at lower temperatures than wool (wool is best at resisting heat and flame).
• Resist the urge to run. Heat rises and running may cause you to breathe superheated air.
• The leading edge of a fire/wall of flames will likely pass by in about 30-60 seconds.

Staying Safe Behind or Far From a Fire!:

• Try to avoid hiking through recently burned areas. If you must travel through such areas, be careful as debris can still be very hot, dead trees can fall, or fallen logs can split and emit sparks or embers.
• Report fires as soon as possible.
• You may encounter thick smoke from fires burning tens or even hundreds of miles away.
• This smoke will likely descend from the upper atmosphere rather than from the nearby ground surface.
• It may “pool” in the bottoms of valleys at night.
• There is not much you can do to escape it except wait for the wind to blow it out.
• This smoke can exacerbate respiratory conditions (asthma) due to the particulates and physical activity may increase the detrimental health effects.
• Visibility is the simplest gauge of significance. If visibility is less than three miles, everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion; at three to nine miles children, the elderly and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion; if visibility is 10 miles or more, restrictions in activity are not necessary.

When You Return Home:

• Be sure to thank any firefighters you see!

This has affected me greatly because now I am aware of what to do and what to watch out for during a wildfire and to prevent wildfire. It made me think about how hard it would be for the all the animals and even the people without this knowledge to get out of forest fire, and that we should be always aware of this so that we can help them out if possible. But you're safety is always first. I learned how to prevent forest fire, how to react when it happened, and how to be in safety. It will change my behaviour because without this knowledge, I'd probably wander and just say to myself, 'what should I do?' if I was in a forest fire without this knowledge but now, I can help myself and possibly others too.

Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin (2012, July 19). National Geographic. Retrieved from http://adventureblog.nationalgeographic.com/2012/07/19/nols-smoke-signals-safety-precautions-for-a-fiery-year/

Cooking Outdoors

The Report

People enjoy camping and having fun outdoors with families and peers. But if you are not aware of few facts, it may cause serious problems and could take away all the fun during your trips. This report contains how to build fire and eat safely.

Danger of Eating Outdoors

Cooking outdoors may seem simple as it sounds, but if you don't follow the safety procedures, it could lead to a nightmare. First of all, we all know that we cannot eat rotten food. But without fridge, what would you do? We need to somehow preserve food in order to prevent food-born bacteria from multiplying. When you are having a barbeque outside, make sure you keep the surface clean and keep all the raw meat away from each other to avoid cross-contamination. Proper temperature when grilling the meat is also crucial. Surprising or not, the utensils are one of the biggest cause of cross-contamination. By using multiple utensils, it keeps the germ away from separate food. Separating raw food and cooked food is very important especially during summer with lots of sunlight. Not only the raw meat products, but also egg-based products such as home made dressings can be hazardous. 

How to Build a Campfire for Cooking:

- Prepare the fire pit by placing rocks around the pit in a reasonable size
- Fill the fire area with crumpled paper or tinder and lay the kindling on top of the paper
- Set a bucket of water near the fire pit to prepare for an accident
- Build fire and when the kindle catches on fire, place coals in the pit
- You're all set to cook with the fire

There are many good recipes that are suitable for cooking outside (food that does not rot too fast, energy-filling food with lots of nutrition, etc.)

Title: Campfire Cooking by eartheasy

Rating: **

This ensured me the dangers of preserving food and cooking in a wrong manner outdoors. It made me think about how I should take it into a factor on what I eat, where I eat, and how to preserve and prepare the food when you're out camping. I learned that I must separate the food when you're having a barbeque to avoid cross-contamination. It will affect my behaviour somewhat because I always thought that eating delicious food is all we need when we're out camping, but it made me consider about health issues and safety concerns.

eartheasy (n.d.). eartheasy. Retreived from http://eartheasy.com/play_campfire_cooking.htm#b

“Solo climber reaches new heights”

  By: Tim Neville    Rating:***

       The sport of outdoor rock climbing is often thought to be one of quick moves and adrenaline spikes. A sport for the focused and determined athletes who, during their climbs, have but one goal; to reach the top. Enter Alex Honnold, the record shattering solo climber and subject of my chosen article.  The 28 year old solo climber from Sacramento embarked on a mission last year. Planning to climb the three biggest rock faces in California, one after the other. The best part? He planned on doing the whole thing alone, and, for the most part, without the life-saving protection of rope and harnesses, a method known as solo climbing.  El Capitan, Mount Watkins and the Half dome (all located in Yosemite national park) were the three rock faces on which he set his sights. In preparation, the rock climber arrived in the park a month before the planned date to climb the three rock faces and practised constantly, working and fine-tuning his skills. At the beginning of June he began the journey and successfully climbed each of the three giants, but not without facing challenges along the way. Forgetting to bring along his hand chalk while climbing the moist, slippery rocks of El Capitan and being covered in a tidal wave of silverfish insects 2,000 feet up in the air, Alex had to rely on focus, staying calm and, at times, the help of others (half way up El Capitan he borrowed some chalk from fellow climbers) to safely complete his climbs. At the end of the incredible climbing mission he had climbed over 7,000 vertical feet of rock. Now seen as one of the best, and surely most well-known, climbers in the States Alex Honnold has reached the top, in every sense of the word, but I’m sure he’ll want to keep on climbing.

   

              I found this article to be very interesting. It provided me with some information about a sport I know very little about and gave what I found to be a good amount of detail about Alex Honnold’s climbs. Highlighting some of the trials he faced along the way, the article showed me how much focus goes into the sport of rock climbing, and how much mental preparation it requires. Personally, I found the article to be well written, but would’ve enjoyed if there had been a bit more information about the climbers past and how he got to be as good as he is. Hearing about his preparation tactics and facing the challenges he was met with are an inspiring reminder to be ready for anything when doing an outdoor activity. After reading the article I would love to try this activity. Outdoor rock climbing sounds like a challenging but fun sport I want to experience and a great chance to get outside and try something new!

author: Tim Neville  accessed: Dec.12th 2013  website: The New York Times 

URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/16/sports/rock-climber-alex-honnold-tackles-yosemites-biggest-rock-faces.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0

Outdoor Activities in Vancouver

Article Assignment:

Top 10 Outdoor Activities in Vancouver

Karl Woll

***1/2

            This article is pretty self-explanatory when it comes to its summary; it’s the author’s 10 favorite outdoor activities to do in Vancouver. The activities vary from kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, camping and scuba diving. It goes into detail about the best places in Vancouver to do these things so it’s very helpful for tourists and gives you a better sense on what it will be like. It summarizes each activity in a short and sweet paragraph, telling you about the location, the time of the year you should go and addresses other frequently asked questions. The reason I chose the article is because I have always wanted to live in Vancouver so learning about the outdoor activities you can do there really interested me.

            Overall, the article was fairly informative, however, I felt as though it could have gone more in-depth in it’s explanation of each activity and key locations around the city. It did a good job of providing basic information on each activity and ranking them, but it was still lacking substance overall. The article was very bare and to the point, which made it short and sweet but if you were looking for lots of information I wouldn’t recommend using it as a reputable source. It definitely made me want to move to Vancouver even more, the amount of activities that are available there is crazy. I love the variety of things to do there and it seems like a very exciting life to lead.

Website:

http://www.tourismvancouver.com/do/locals-insight/10-favorite-outdoor-activities/

The Nature Cure

“The Nature Cure: The Surprising Health benefits of the Great Outdoors”

By Florence Williams

Rating: 3 Stars

Everyday we are affected by the environment in which we surround ourselves, either in a positive or a negative way. What we don’t realize is to what extent and how, that is why for my first article I choose to analyze the Outside Magazine article “The Nature Cure: The Surprising Health Benefits of the Great Outdoors” by Florence Williams. It introduced new ideas and methods of therapy being explored to reduce modern day problems, studied particularly in Japan. In this article, specialists suggest that due to modern day advances people have become “more aggressive, more narcissistic, more distracted, more depressed and less cognitively nimble”. The remedy they suggest is quite simple in fact, nature. Throughout their many studies, they have proven that being in the outdoors decreases stress level, blood pressure, and heart rate and relieves mental illness such as anxiety and depression. Not only does nature better over-all health but also it improves cognition, moods and boosts empathy. These results have been extracted from numerous studies and based on these results many countries are now investing in Forest Therapy, connecting the forestry and medical fields. For example, in Japan today 2.5 million to 5 million people visit their forest therapy trails each year. These forest trails focus on letting “nature enter your body through all five senses”, allowing complete relaxation and rejuvenation. Florence Williams also compares the difference between Western and Japanese approach while researching the effect nature has on people. While the Japanese embrace the outdoors as part of their culture and understand humans inherent draw to nature, Westerns researchers understand our pull away from it, demonstrating the contrast in cultures and societies.

                  While reading this article, I was able to reflect on my own personal experiences in nature. I found that being outdoors does have an effect on me and I find that I am more relaxed and self-aware when I am in a nature filled environment. I learned that not only does being outside improve our mental health but it also affects our physical health as well. Knowing this, I feel I will make more time to be in nature and that if I do need to rejuvenate getting outdoors is always a great way to do so. This article was really interesting to read and learn about the information they have gathered and how they apply to everyone everywhere. I feel this article was well written; however, it is lengthy. It explored new possibilities and inspires readers to incorporate more nature into their lives.

"Take Two Hours of Pine Forest and Call Me in the Morning." Outside Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. <http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/wellness/Take-Two-Hours-of-Pine-Forest-and-Call-Me-in-the-Morning.html>.

Dogsledding

Author: Kathleen Seiler Neary

Rating: ****

Throughout history dogsledding has been used as an effective mode of transportation, whether it be a search and rescue, an arctic expedition or simply to carry goods.  However in modern day it can be done recreationally, there are even dogsledding races! The race events vary from endurance to sprints to weight pulls.  Some rules for endurance races are that a musher must enter 12-16 dogs, and at the end there must be at least six dogs when crossing the finish line. During these races the team might run 5 to 12 miles per hour, for 6 to 8 hours straight! Sled dogs are usually a mix between Eskimo dogs and Alaskan Huskies, and are bred for leadership qualities, mental stamina, strength and speed. The last quality is largely valued, as well as intelligence, because they can create excellent lead dogs, who run in the front of the pack. Next, after the lead dogs, are the swing dogs that turn the pack, the rest are team dogs, and then at the very end are wheel dogs with the brut strength. When race day comes, the dogsledding team eats up to 2,000 pounds of food! Equipment for this sport includes: appropriate clothing for the musher, a sled, collars, harnesses, rigging (a series of lines) and fabric booties to protect the dogs feet from the elements, in one race a dog sledding team may go through 2,000 booties!  Although there are ropes connecting the dogs, they do not respond to the reins, they respond to vocal commands given by the musher. For instance, “hike” means to go, “easy” to slow down,  “straight on” to continue straight and “whoa” to stop.  Bred from a young age and conditioned in to strong sled dogs, when they reach the age of retirement they are often adopted in to loving homes, as they are gentle animals and are wonderful companions.  Overall this article has encouraged me to try dogsledding, as it has long been a dream of mine. Additionally, it gave me insight in to the extensive training, physical and mental, that the dogs complete in order to work well as a team, musher included.  One thing I did not realize prior to reading this article was that the dogs also require equipment to protect them from the harsh terrain. This sport takes time, stamina and technique to master, while also fostering companionships with your dogs. Dogsledding appears to be a completely unique escapade that I would love to one-day experience.    

Seiler Neary , Kathleen. "How Sled Dogs Work." HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. <http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/snow-sports/sled-dog.htm>.

Cops in the Chilean Backcountry

By Drew Tabke

Rating - ****

Chilean police (Carabineros) are ticketing backcountry skiers/snowboarders for even checking the scenery outside of resort limits.In this article he talks about how the carabineros have been increasing patrols in the backcountry area around resorts.

Overall I liked the article and the story within it and I would recommend it to people who like backcountry skiing/snowboarding. So if you wanted to check it out this is the link.
http://www.powdermag.com/stories/cops-in-the-chilean-backcountry/

outdoor ed paragraph 1

The first paragraph I read was about how looking for clues on ice fishing can increase your chance of profit on fish. The article talks about how a guy used different strategy’s and techniques to find walleye fish. Saying that fishing actually can require some thinking and planning like when he uses the bait he can check the behaviour of the fish by testing there reaction towards it. For example if they come at it and tug a splash around a lot he knows there in a bad mood and probably not thinking about food. But if they’re coming in quiet and slow it means there in a hunting sort of mood. This doesn’t really affect me in anyway because I’m not very interested in the sport or going out in the cold sitting still waiting/hoping for a fish to appear. It makes me think that fishing isn’t as easy as a sport of what I thought it would be and actually takes some planning and thinking to be successful. I learned that by mapping the fish’s behaviour you can actually find a more successful area to catch fish. It’s the same with bait you can find good bait by studying their behaviour different types of fish like different bait. This will not change my behaviour because I don’t plan on ice fishing any time soon maybe on the Christmas break with my uncle but that’s the only time I ever see that happening.