People, I need a hobby. The answer to "what do you do?" should NEVER be "umm... well, work, and pub, and loitering on the internet." For instance, my boyfriend; DJs & is a record collector (he's a proper turntable DJ, not an ipod dj) Cooks Gardening Makes Model Planes And all the clean living that comes with the DJing. Me? I loiter here. A friend of mine has just started knitting; she's currently making "Mr Stegs" the stegasaurus. She says she's making accessories, and toyrs for friends and charity shops. It sounds interesting, but I don't think it's very me. Other friends of mine are employed in jobs they love, so they actually go into work and happily do overtime. Me, I'm in a rut already. I used to do lots of art and writing, but I haven't been feeling it recently. I went to the british library and got overexcited at the old books, because of stress I haven't been enjoying my degree, so that was the first time in a long time I've felt like that. But I can't have that as my thing. I'm thinking clay, but I haven't found anywhere that sells any - will try early learning centre (kids stuff) later this week when I get the chance, but I want something else to occupy me. I considered the dolls house thing, because I adore minature things, but it's expensive, and I have no space. I've tried sports, but quit hockey after two years, and haven't managed to go to the jujitsu training sessions because my narcolepsy essentially means I have chronic fatigue. So, what do you all do?
Oh, and I considered making wood things, which would be really cool, but that's really really messy. Plus I don't know where to start. Plus I injure myself a lot anyway, so it's just asking for trouble.
You need to narrow it down a bit more Something outdoor and interactive? Something intelectual? Something creative or something escapist? One good idea is to look at the kind of people interested in any given area and judge the hobby on the participants
Where do you live? I checked your public profile, but nothing. If you live in America, I would suggest fishing.
But seriously, folks. My wife lives for building dollhouse furniture. She loves it. Great creative outlet. http://www.inpayne.com/dollhouse/dollhousefrontpage.html
I guess it really depends on the individual. I personally prefer hobbies that I can enjoy with other folks. Just sitting around in my home by myself gets really boring...
Basically - not something sporty, as currently my health is completely shot not something too expensive, or too messy (acrylics make SO much mess) Something creative, because I want to basically keep my mind active rather than loitering, like i said. Something that I can share with other people, but isn't a scene full of ultra-obsessed-must-know-all-the-jargon people. Forbin - That's why I mentioned the Dolls house thing; I LOVE dolls houses, and when the b/f started making model-kit military planes, it made me think of you and Mary! But atm, it's just not something that would work. Oh, and I can't sew, and can't find sewing machine for under £10 (I hear they exist though). Oh, and I live in England, in the city. So basically, it's dark, rainy, and few open spaces.
I can't find anywhere that sells clay!!! All I can find is childs airdry stuff, that I don't know if it'll be any good, or those weird multicoloured strips, that are completely not what I'm looking for! Forbin (again!) - That link for room boxes just gave me angry flashbacks; when we were making shoebox dollsrooms when I was younger, I was really innovative and made a welcome mat with pinking shears, as well as putting on wall paper. And that goddamn chloe asked if she could copy, so I said yes. Then the teacher went round the room, saw her one first, labelled her a genius, praised her for like 10 minutes, then about 9 people later, came to see mine, and gave me a dirty look because she thought I was a copycat. So much anger. YES I may have been three years old BUT THATS NOT THE POINT. (I hold grudges. I think it's the catholic in me.)
I dunno if Freecycling exists where you live, but you might look in to it. I see posts of people asking for/giving away working sewing machines all the time.
Setting hobos on fire? But London has all them cameras. So you should probably take up disguise as well. Seriously, though, my brother loves community theater. And I've done Toastmasters in the past. That's public speaking and self-improvement, but my old club met in a bar, so it can't be all bad. I know you said nothing sporty, but I must also recommend hashing. Google it and you should be able to find a group nearby. Basically you meet at a pub and have two "hares" that get bags of flour. And after a head start the "hounds" try to catch (or at least track) the hares. At least once along the way there will be copious amounts of cheap beer cached and you can't continue the pursuit until you've drank it all. The trail will end at another pub or in someone's backyard with a keg and a grill, or even under a bridge somewhere--with a keg--and you'll drink and sing songs. I mention it because it is a great deal of fun, and because you're following a trail together, you don't have to be in top shape. You can just listen for the cries of the fast runners who find the trail for you.
I did that my first tour of Seoul, Korea. On my very first hash event some dude got hit by a bus and sufferd severe brain injury. At the end of the run, they were giving out the "dumb shit" award and some smart-ass yelled "give it posthumously to the bus dude!" But alas, he survived, and in month or so he showed up ready to hash again, shaved/stitched/scarred up head and all!
Haven't done it for a while, but I enjoy picture knitting and Aran. Also lace knitting, although that's complicated, and not for beginners. Tapestry and embroidery are fun, and don't take up a lot of space. Tapestry is probably better for beginners, the stitches are more basic and the results are seen faster, which is more heartening when you don't have much experience. Kneading bread is a great way of getting rid of one's frustrations, and the results are delicious. Daughter makes cards - birthdays, anniversarys, whatever. I don't have the artistic talent, but if you have, she finds it deeply satisfying. And people are always impressed by the results.
Do actually use Freecycle. I signed up for it, but besides deleting the daily emails don't really do anything with it.
Origami is inexpensive - all you need is paper (your regular computer printer paper is usually the best for most models), and maybe also scissors, a ruler, a pencil, and paper cutter. There are lots of instructions on the Internet - just do a Google search for "origami diagrams". Libraries also often have origami books. You don't need to take expensive lessons - you can be entirely self-taught, you can put down a project and come back to it later if you need a break so there's no worry about making the time, and people will think you are some kind of savant.
AHAHAHAHHAHAHA Sorry, that's not going to happen. I've cooked for him three times, and so far: 1) Cried (him. Turns out we have very different thoughts on scrambled eggs.) 2) found glass in it 3) found a plaster in it. I'm not allowed to cook for him anymore. I think I left-out cooking and painting in his hobbies; he's a really good cook, so I buy the food, and he feeds me. I like the system
Aikido Yoshinkan Pretty good wiki article I trained in this for many years and have instructor credentials. If yoga and the kama sutra isn't your bag, give this a whirl!!
