Tonight, I’m going to try something new with my blog. Instead of the usual rants, whines, shouts and moans, I’m going to try to use it as a means to introduce something into my life. One of my main regrets about 2005 was that I felt I didn’t learn enough. I didn’t feel that at any point in the year I had really pushed myself or extended my boundaries in any meaningful direction. Well, enough’s enough – this year I want to try something new. I want a new hobby.
That’s where you come in – I want any readers I might have to suggest hobbies or pastimes from their own experiences and I will pick one to try out. One simple requirement: that it be something you have enjoyed, and that it be something that won’t cost me the earth to try out (okay, two simple requirements, but hey it’s my blog and I’ll miscount if I want to). Sorry if that pisses off any international playboys or dotcom millionaires that might check this blog out, but I’m a boy on a budget and I got me a wedding to pay for later in the year, so I can’t suddenly splash out on a jetski, a fighter jet or an account at a high-price casino.
So what do you do to enjoy your free time? What would you pass on to me as an enjoyable hobby? I’m open to any suggestions: I promise that whatever I pick, I’ll give it a try. If you’re feeling generous, then pass this request on to anyone you think might be interested. Carry it in your own blogs. Devote some keystrokes to finding me a new hobby and expanding my horizons. Show me the wider world that’s out there, and prove to me it’s filled with kind people willing to help!
Oh, and try to make whatever you suggest legal. Okay, so it was three requirements in total at the end of the day. Don’t suggest that I take up maths class.
February 1st, 2006 at 5:23 am
In my free time when I’m not blogging or web surfing or playing in some band and the weather is nice, I’m usually walking out in nature where it’s free and there’s lots to shoot…with my digital camera. Really got into digital photography this past year and, more importantly, it gave me an excuse to start hiking and hitting the beaches and trails I abandoned in my late 20s as an office drone.
Other fun activities might be some kind of inexpensive class or seminar…I’m in the middle of a 10-week online sf writing course that’s pretty cool(which my company paid for). There are tons of writing and art courses out there for people of all levels, through schools or even libraries. I imagine Scotland wouldn’t be all that different in that regard.
I believe you’re a fellow Mac user, so I can’t recommend any online games. :) People in my office are always raving about Battlefield or Halo or City of Heroes or Warcraft. That stuff appeals to a wide range of personalities and genders, more and more. I might not be able to join in on my Mac, so I settle for my PS2 from time to time. I buy maybe 3-5 games a year, beat them, and return to other pursuits.
Do you dance? I don’t dance, but if I had a fiancée and a wedding on the horizon dancing classes might be something I’d consider.
That’s all I can think of right now. I guess I’ll be checking this post for ideas myself. :)
February 1st, 2006 at 8:57 pm
I’ve dabbled in several hobbies or activites over the years, but here are the ones that I have enjoyed the most, that cost the least, and stuck with me the best (or rather, that *I* stuck with the best):
Singing in a choir. For me this was always free, and I found it to be highly therapuetic when I was stressed.
Ballroom dancing. I think everyone should take at least a few lessons, just to see if they like it or not. You really never know until you try. It just doesn’t do it for some people, and some people take one lesson and love it. Me, I love it. My husband knows the best date he can take me on is one that involves dancing!
Hiking (preferably in association with a hiking group, so you have company and peer pressure!). The only problems with this are, it’s MUCH easier if you live in a scenic and hilly/mountainous place, and depending on how gear-less you are, it could become expensive to get yourself properly outfitted.
February 2nd, 2006 at 2:45 pm
Brew your own beer. It’s legal (in the States), not terribly expensive, and if you like cooking or science then it’s a natural.
February 4th, 2006 at 4:03 am
You could always sign autographs now that MisterSnitch has made you world famous. That should kill some time.
February 5th, 2006 at 7:23 am
Wow, some good stuff here to think about! :-) After some consideration, I’m going to give a try to a few and see where they take me. Walking is one: I live in Scotland, which isn’t short of scenic places to go see, so it’s time I started to do some more of that. Maybe not full-on hiking right away, but I’ll start with some long walks and see where I go from there.
For learning, I want to start getting into using structural markup a lot more, using CSS to put together site designs. I know I’m late in getting into this and I feel foolish for having left it so long to start working on it, but I plan to make a start anyway. I’m hoping the old cliche of “better late than never” is good for at least one more use here.
I’ll keep playing my PSP and PS2, but am fast coming to the conclusion that when it comes to modern games I’m pretty useless (unless they’re puzzle games – I seem able to handle those). Singing is pretty much a lost cause I’m afraid, I just can’t do it. The other options provided: the beer, the writing course, the dancing, they’re all there to be tried this year. And of course you know where you can read about my endeavours! ;-)
Thanks to everyone who put in a suggestion for me to try. If you think of any more, don’t hesitate to get them to me.
February 5th, 2006 at 7:24 am
As for the Mister Snitch thing, I’m still in complete “blimey” mode for that one, MCF. I never even thought this place would be in anyone’s considerations…yup, “blimey” just about covers it! :-)