If you like dark, confined spaces but hate nature, perhaps the sport called urban exploration, urbex or UE, might be the activity for you. To participate in urbex, individuals in Dallas, Houston and elsewhere in Texas spend hours examining the normally unseen or off-limits parts of urban landscapes. Urban exploration may also be referred to as "draining" (when exploring drains) "urban spelunking or urban caving," "vadding," "building hacking," "reality hacking" or "roof and tunnel hacking."

Trips into abandoned structures are perhaps the most common example of UE. Abandoned sites are generally entered by locals, and often sport large amounts of graffiti and acts of vandalism. Explorers face various risks in abandoned structures, including collapsing roofs and floors, broken glass, guard dogs, the presence of chemicals and other harmful substances, most notably asbestos and hostile squatters. Some explorers wear respirators to protect their lungs. Some abandonments are heavily guarded with motion sensors and active security. Others are more easily accessible and carry less risk of discovery.

Exploration targets vary from one location to another. Some of the more popular or high-profile abandonments include: amusement parks, grain elevators, missile silos, hospitals, asylums and sanatoriums.

Most, if not all, explorers who are also photographers find the decay of uninhabited spaces beautiful. Abandonments are also popular among history buffs, "urban archaeologists," "ghost hunters" and fans of graffiti art.

Active buildings Another aspect of urban exploration is the practice of exploring active or in-use buildings. This includes exploring secured or "member-only" areas, mechanical rooms, roofs, elevator rooms, abandoned floors and other normally unseen parts of such buildings. The term "infiltration" is often associated with the exploration of active structures.

Catacombs Catacombs, like those found in Paris, Rome and Naples, have been investigated by urban explorers for centuries. The catacombs under Paris, for example, have been considered the "Holy Grail" by some, due to their extensive nature and history.

Sewers and storm drains Exploring storm drains, or draining, is another form of UE. Groups devoted to the task have arisen, such as the Cave Clan in Australia. A small group of explorers enter sewers. Sometimes they are the only connection to caves or other subterranean feature. But be forewarned, sewers are among the most dangerous locations to explore. Draining has a specialized set of rules, foremost among them being "When it rains, no drains."

Transit tunnels Another subset of urban exploration deals with searching active and abandoned subways, underground railway tunnels and bores. Since these tend to be in major cities, there can be stiff penalties if you're caught trespassing, especially after the 9-11 attacks. As a result, this type of exploration is rarely publicized. Although explorers exist worldwide, those who partake in this often reside near New York City, Toronto, London, Sydney and Moscow, as well as some of the other major cities throughout the world.

Utility tunnels Universities and other large institutions often distribute steam for heating buildings from a central heating plant. These steam ducts are generally run through utility tunnels, which are often accessible only for the purposes of maintenance. Many of these steam tunnels, such as those on college campuses, also have a tradition of exploration.

Steam tunnels in general have been getting more secure in recent years, due to their use for carrying network backbones and the perceived risk of their use in terrorist activities, as well as safety and liability issues.

Some steam tunnels have dirt floors, no lighting and can have temperatures upwards of 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 C). Others have concrete floors and bright light, and can be quite nice and with a cool temperature. Most modern steam tunnels have large intake fans to bring in fresh air, and push all of the hot air out the back.

Activities such as urban exploration can be a possible, albeit dangerous way to exercise to maintain good health. If you're a young individual who likes to try unusual sports like urbex to keep healthy, you should take a look at the revolutionary, comprehensive and highly-affordable individual health insurance solutions created by Precedent specifically for you. For more information, visit us at our website, www.precedent.com. We offer a unique and innovative suite of individual health insurance solutions, including highly competitive HSA-qualified plans and an unparalleled real time application and acceptance experience.

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Homecoming Party is another name to express love and care. With this said, you can clearly understand that everything just has to be perfect. There are a lot of ideas that go for the Homecoming Party and while you are planning for it, it is important that you go through the different party formats to gather all the information so you can determine the best party plan for you.

It is understandable that for the Homecoming Party you are not going to settle for low, but it is always better to spend within the limits of your budget or else it is going to take a toll on your budget plan for that month and the coming months. So just know that you can still get the best within your budget and not get stressed with the thought that you have to spend a lot. With most arrangements that you are going to prepare at home, you would be saving a lot of money.

For the Homecoming Party, you can make the Homecoming Banner with the pictures of your love one and family pictures with the names of everyone and their signatures. This banner can be the size of a wall. For the party decorations, you can get colorful balloons and can paint them, can also get party poppers and streamers and hats. For the food, you can list down all the things that everyone really like and make the best recipes that you have. Do organize some games to spice up the environment and everyone will have real time fun. I think with all these arrangements and plans for your Homecoming Party are going to be a hit.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for Homecoming party supplies and fun party games.

She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Themes including Homecoming Party Supplies to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

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