new thread
We are such a diverse group. The one, and it seems the only thing we all have in common, is our hair.
I was wondering what kind of hobbies everybody here pursues?
I like sparing with wooden swords, paintball, art, reading and video games.
Longhaired Hobbies
Longhaired Hobbies
Paul
Hey Paul, am a dirt-track car racing fan big time...do the weight training as you know, read a whole lot (believe it or not...I am reading the bible through again, this time with a study aid), also like watching all kinds of weird movies, etc. Also, breed guppies. How's that for a start.
Cheers from your FIR
Max
Hey Max, dirt track racing is defiantly something I could get into. They have it down here but I never seem to hear about a race in time to go. I'm sure the kids would love it too.
Reading the Bible? I understand... I also have read Sun Tzu. Let me know if you find and contradictions! Lol.
Weird movies? Like Quentin Tarantino movies? Love 'em.
Fir,
Paul
Well, me, I love (PC) video games way too much, as well as drawing (doodling), and playing guitar (pretty common I bet) and trumpet. Another thing that comes is bursts is handicrafts. I love to do projects, big or small. Also, paleontology (although it's my program) is essentially a hobby and I love fossil prep/prospecting. It's a pity I don't have more LARP-y friends, or I'd probably be sparring with swords as well! Oh well, I'll just stick to fooling around with my quarterstaff, that is, when it gets warmer.
Interested in the responses,
-Christian Epp
P.S. More will come to me, I'll probably appendix them tomorrow. I'm tired now. lol.
Hi Christian, my favorite pc video game has got to be Sims. How can a non-violent little doll house style game be so addictive?
Also love Lord of the Rings and Age of Empires. Too many others to mention.
On the console side I like Hit Man and Grand Theft Auto. Really calms me down when I've had a bad day.
It's funny, I can't hit a lick on the guitar. And down here, if you have longhair, they always seem to think you should play. That, and of course, smoke pot. Lol.
I also like the quarter staff.
I like to spar with a variety of weapons. If I can figure out a way to duplicate it with wood, then I'll try to make it.
Paleontology? I always dreamed of going on a dig.
Paul
Dunno, those flash games online are like crack too!
Oh my, I loves my strategy games! BTW, Mount&Blade's a really nifty Sims/medieval crossover kind a thing, you may want to check it out.
Never actually played Hitman, but GTA's a classic.
Well, another awesome way you break the mould, eh? ;)
So do you spar for more than just "fun"? Like competitions or somesuch?
It's my dream too. *sigh*
Thanks Paul, you've got some pretty interesting hobbies yourself!
I build small inexpensive boats out of plywood and play around putting knots in bits of string. I've had to learn to have my hair tied up when around power tools and to keep it out of the glues and paints.
AndrewB
Hi AndrewB,
That is a very cool hobby. I have thought about it. I have a pond and I am a carpenter... hmmm.
Let you know if it sinks!
Paul
Hi Paul,
Hey, very cool thread as this one, I imagine, will get quite long.I tend to agree about the diversity of this board and its members as I'll look forward to reading the responses as they trickle in.
As for me my list could be quite long but I'll just focus on my main interests.At the top of my list would include working out at the gym, trail/road biking,recreational shooting,mechanical wristwatch collecting,and tinkering around online.I mention these but there are other things that I do but much less frequently so its hard to consider them truly a hobby.I included a pic from last summer from my gun club at the 100 yard range,shooting lane #5.
Mark
Hey Mark, the one thing I miss about my army days is going to the range. (Well, I miss the crazy beer parties too but... had to give that up) While in there, I got to shoot just about every weapon known. My fav was the 50. cal machine gun with the butterfly trigger. Tracer rounds.
Paul
Hey Paul,
Yes I can only imagine the hardware the military provided you to play with:)Just think the ammo was free too!Well almost as we taxpayers have to pay for it.LOL.I'd like to get a 50 cal Barrett but just a bit too expensive my friend:( Cheers
Mark
I play badminton in two leagues in Oxfordshire and Berkshire as my main hobby. I also play the fiddle and whistles, do Highland and Scottish Country dance and a little salsa when I can fit it in. I'd do more, but unfortunately work gets in the way. Oh, for a lottery win...
Hi Viking, impressive!
Indeed!
Paul
My hobbies: Railroads, model railroads (N-scale), WWII history, photography, travels, reading, movies (mainly sci-fi and fantasy).
--
A Linux Longhair
Hey Linux Longhair, model railroads is something I always wanted to do but it's pretty expensive. Maybe after I get all these kids out of the house! lol
I like history but I'm more into the ancient world.
My favorite sci-fi movie - Aliens. Favorite fantasy - Lord of the Rings.
Paul
Like you, I'm into my sci-fi and fantasy, especially when it comes to books, but I'm struggling to find good books these days. They all seem to be a rehash of someone else's story from the last 20 years with very little character development and despite them getting into impossible situations, something miraculous always seems to happen and they escape without injury. Maybe I'm becoming too jaded.
I'm a musician - primarily a pianist, but I get by on rhythm guitar, bass, and percussion as well. I've made albums (under another name) that are available on all the online music websites (including Amazon, B&N and iTunes). I do not have a band; the music was made by overlaying the parts with multi-track recording. I also love reading - mostly nonfiction, history and biography. I'm a bicyclist and own two vintage Schwinn Speedsters (a '64 and a '72). I have also been a record collector most of my life and have lately gotten into collecting 16 RPM Seeburg Music Library records. I'm an animal lover and have dedicated a lot of time and money to saving stray cats and finding homes for them. Even if every pet owner spayed and neutered their pets, there would still be millions of feral cats on the streets living short, miserable lives. Adopt an animal, do not let them roam the streets, and spay/neuter!
Hi Stormy, I love music, I really do. But I haven't a musical bone in my body. It'd be great to hear some of your music dude!
I read history too, a lot.
One of the perks of Remodeling (my present occupation) is the customers often give you stuff. I was just given three bikes and almost had my hands on a old Schwinn. Almost, they said they just couldn't give it away since it worth about 1500 dollars!
Cats are great. I like dogs but cats, well, you have to make friends with a cat, they don't like you just because. About two years age I lost a little furry friend of mine. I had him about 14 years, the last two years we had to give him shots of insulin each day. He finally passed away from leukemia. The next week we found 3 kittens and adopted them.
Paul
Bless you for adopting the kittens, Paul. Animals know when a special person is loving and taking care of them and they show their gratitude in thousands of ways. I too know the heartbreak of losing a cat to feline leukemia. We adopted a stray (over 20 years ago now) who tested positive for FELV. We kept him isolated in a separate room of our house for over a year, until finally he lost the battle.
i'm so glad you do this! if i had more space, i would gladly take in more. i currently have two rescued furry roomates, and i can't imaine my life without them. they don't bring in much cash to pay their rent, but they're awfully cute and love to snuggle. :)
(pigeon is the black one, and walrus is the grey bengal mix)
I'm interested in philosophy, conciousness (awareness), the environment, culture, history, sociology, music, art and attempting to understand..hmmmm I may as well have just said I'm interested in everything xD
Hi Cillian,
Of your list I'd have to say my favorite is sociology.
There's just never enough time for everything, is there?
Paul
my long-haired beau joe is a runner. he's currently training to qualify for the 2012 olympics. he also plays guitar here and there (not as much time with the running). other than that, he likes to build legos and clean.
Hey nic, that's pretty damn impressive! I be watching for him in 2012.
I buy my sons legos ever year for Christmas. Nothing wrong with demonstration of how to build with 'em. lol
Paul
I'm obsessed with progressive rock music and jazz. I play bass in a local band. I love writing! Short stories, lyrics, poetry, novellas, you name it. Starting to get into photography. Pretty good in the kitchen as well.
I also have a fondness for writing. I like bizarre stories.
I think I have about 6 or 7 stories started but I never have the time. Most of these came to me in dreams so you can imagine.
My friends say I have a very visual style. I draw and used to paint, so I sure this has an influence on my writing.
Thanks for sharing,
Paul
Hi Paul,
My first love is electronics - the type you solder :-)
I mainly work with audio-related stuff like designing and building analog modular synthesizers, power amplifiers, pre-amplifiers and EQs.
Also, high efficiency speakers, collecting antique light bulbs,
roller coasters and amusement parks.
On the computer side, I have written a comprehensive 3D rendering (raytracing) application in C.
http://www.analogcreations.com
http://www.analogcreations.com
- Oren
"My favorite programming language is solder"
I had to laugh when I saw your tagline.
On my second Navy deployment the shop I worked in held two test benches, one for the high-power transmit side of the E-2's radar system, and one for aircraft power generators, both of them older technology and definitely from the brute force side of electronics.
Across the passageway outside was a shop full of computerized, automated test systems. Partway thru the deployment they repainted the door of their shop, and added a slogan "Welcome to the Wonderful World of ATE" (automatic test equipment)
My boss responded by stenciling "Death Before Digital" across the top of our door.
Hey Oren,
Electronics, like music, is something I never had a talent for, but I sure enjoy them!
3D rendering on the other hand, something I could get into.
Paul
Private Pilot, learning to Sail, Gardening, Travel, Woodworking, Photography, Model Railroad (N)....oh let's face it, I just like playing with my toys ! (Gosh ! Did I mention that I love being retired??? Yeah!)
Hi White Tail, that's a nice list.
Man, I have to build a room for some model trains. Some day.
I'd like to have a room full of those. Creating the little towns, hills, mountains, tunnels and stuff is something I know I could just get lost in.
Been sailing once, loved it.
Paul
Neat thread.
I like to collect LP records, CDs, and Cassettes. I absolutely HATE this generation, downloading mp3s like nothing, like no tomorrow. I get more satisfaction by owning a physical copy of an album from a band I truly support and follow.
I love to play billiards pool.
Studying language (French, Norwegian)
and reading philosophy, one of my favorites:
I agree with you physical is best and you know you down something than out of the ether!
Cheers,
John.B
...thus spake Zarathustra!
See you in Khyberspace!
Yadgar
Hi Hegg,
"The herd is threatened by the emergence of individuality, and tries to suppress its development by condemning and punishing all signs of independence in thought and behavior."
I don't think it's a direct quote from Nietzsche but something someone said in a book about his work. I just like it and thought I'd share it with you.
Seems to apply to us, no?
Paul
I feel the exact same way. Although sometimes it is damn near impossible to find CDs from bands like Graveland. I remember how happy I was when I found a copy of The Lord Weird Slough Feg's debut album. So rewarding when finally getting that hard to find copy. I still can't seem to find a copy of Manilla Road's The Deluge.
I write, and I write a lot.
That isn't, however, conducive to finishing anything. xD I have tons of unfinished work on my comp, like, 300 files of bits and pieces of stories and poems.
I also draw a bit, but most of my skill has gotten rusty from disuse. I used to be a fairly fair hand at it. ;-;
I also read, play video games (mostly older ones, because they seem to have better storylines), listen to a variety of music, and spaz to my room to said music. : D
Yes Glasseyes, I know exactly where you're coming from. I've started several stories but can't ever find the time to finish them.
Drawing, that was me in school. I was that kid that had scribbles over every notebook. Took commercial art in collage, dropped out, I couldn't see drawing refrigerators the rest of my life. lol. I'd rather draw Conan, mighty broadsword in action and, of course, nude women.
I like old rock, heavy metal and alternative. I firmly believe spazing out to some good music is a form of meditation.
Paul
Just a few as there are so many.
1. Repair and restoration of early clocks.
2. Cylinder and early disc phonographs.
3. Composing music. (Guess that is a hobby.......nobody ever told me to do it.)
4. Tinkering with Rare Earth Magnets, salts of the rare metals and a suspended rod and bob in a (futile) attempt at Perpetual Motion. If it were not for friction, it would most probably work until worn-out which would most likely take centuries.
5. Carnivorous Plants. (Time to be dividing them now in readyness for the growing season.)
High!
Oh, then you must be familiar with Hammond clocks!
See you in Khyberspace!
Yadgar
Well, I know what they are but I am only into restoration of wind-up clocks weather their movements are Brass, Wood, Spring-driven or weight-driven. Never did bother to learn about fixing electrics. The EARLY Hammonds of the 20's and 30's could be rather nice as their cases were at that time looking as a wind-up and influenced by the "Art Deco" period.
Hey Justin, that's a cool and rather exotic list!
I have to admit, I never heard of rare earth magnets. Sounds very interesting, might have to google that one! lol
Carnivorous Plants! Just so damn awesome. Read some about them but I never tried to grow one. I got sorta a black thumb, I could kill a cactus.
Paul
Very cool thread Paul.
I enjoy weight lifting, collecting/listening to cds. Mainly black & power metal, epicness, coffee connoisseur(ing), collecting swords/blades, videogames, hiking and fishing.
Thanks for sharing yours.
-Phil
Thanks, I was hoping everybody would like it.
I like metal but I guess I'm living in the past, Megadeth, Metallica, Iron Maiden, etc.
I used to love hiking, I stayed in the woods growing up.
Swords! I'll never own enough of 'em.
Paul
Nothing wrong with that Paul, the classics are always a good listen, especially if your talkin the first few Maiden records. I try to spin Ride the Lightening every so often too becasue that was the first metal record I ever owned.
I just had minor knee surgery (torn meniscus) so I'm looking forward to putting back to good use with some hiking as the weather's starting to get nicer...hopefully it will be ready for action soon.
Nice! YES you can never have enough swords haha (same goes with guitars).
-Phil
Reading military history, mainly Civil War and WWII. Hiking in
the woods. Watching documentaries and listening to all types
(well almost all types) of music. Oh and playing with my hair!
Hi MG, I love history, especially ancient history.
Of course you like playing with your hair. We all play with our hair... uh, don't we?
Paul
I like studying different languages, mainly Romance languages (Latin, Spanish, Romanian, Italian, French, Portuguese, Galician, Catalan....), Germanic (English, Swedish, little German) and Fino-Ugrian languages (Estonian, Hungarian). My native language is Finnish.
Wow! I never had a knack for languages! I thought I was doing good knowing a few German and Spanish words.
Nos vemos MikeS,
Paul
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I do lots of projects with white LEDs. Here are images of some home made LED lighting fixtures that I have created.
Scott
Hi Scott, good to hear from you again my friend.
They're very very cool. I'd certainly like to know more about them.
Do they have function or purely aesthetic?
Paul
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They go far beyond aesthetic. These provide usable light while using my computer. They are the wave of the future. LEDs will eventually replace even flourescent lights in most applications. They will eventually be used in car headlights.
Here are some additional images to show just how bright they are. This array of 45 LEDs at full brightness uses only 200 milliamps at 12 volts. This one can light a good portion of a back yard or a night time picnic.
Scott
LEDs are fun - I'll have to find more time to play with them myself now that one can get white LEDs (and every color of the rainbow) by the fistful for cheap.
About 25 years ago I used to hang 100s of colored LEDs from the ceiling of my bedroom to make 3D star-scapes. Back then, the only color choices were red, green and amber.
I have a few early LEDs (ca late 1960s) that are probably 40 years old now. I've uploaded a picture of them lit up.
- Oren
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Those 40 year old LEDs are antiques, and likely collectible. Check out the LED museum.
http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/
The starscapes were usually done with 3mm LEDs. I have seen them before and that is what I recall.
I have a stockpile of all colours of LEDs. I have made 2 rainbow lights. They don't photograph well, or I would include a photo. The camera does not render the colours at the short end of the specrtum well at all.
Here are some images of my white LEDs. The 3 jars were sorted by brightness. There are over 1000 of them here. They vary from 3 milliwatts to a bit over 5 milliwatts, with 13 ma applied. Voltages vary from 2.9 to 3.5 depending on manufacturer. I get 5mm white LEDs from China for 10 to 15 cents each in lots of 100 pieces.
The big LED in my hand is a special 5 chip LED which is super bright. An array of 20 of these will light a back yard reasonably well. These cost me 50 cents each in lots of 50 pieces. Their beam is quite diffuse at 40 degrees.
Thanks for adding me as a friend on MySpace. Keep in touch.
Scott
http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/
I've got a lot of hobies
Scouting, I've been a member there since I was 8 years old and currently I'm a leader of the boys from 8-11 years old.
Karting, Every months I go to a karting track with some friend to improve my times.
Listening music and going to gigs and festivals
Running, just started, one of my goals is to do a marathon.
Ice skating, I've been skating since I was 7 years old currently only recretion no competion.
Nintendo, I own a lot of their systems
Watching dvd's (all original copies nothing downloaded) and building my entertainment system it keeps getting better and better. I've got dolby surround and a nice screen, next thing to improve is buying a beamer.
Computers, I spend a lot of time on the computer, I build my own pc and I like to play around with the settings. My new adventure I'm working on is linux.
Hey Vincent, another good list of activities showing a strong variety.
I was in the scouts. I liked it but we had such an awful scout leader. He was one of the fathers and I don't think he really wanted to do it. We went to the movies, once. Went camping, once. I learned more from the scout handbook than I did him.
I think scouting is an absolutely wonderful hobby and it's great that you do this. There is no telling how many kids you've help keep from getting involved in drugs, or gangs.
And you're a longhair! A credit to us all.
Good job man,
Paul
High!
Raytracing rules... with PoV-Ray (www.povray.org), which I use since 1995/96, more recently, inspired by my loved one who is an avid Blenderer, also with Blender (www.blender.org), which I started to learn!
See you in Khyberspace!
Cool! I wish I could do that!
Paul
Here's another... LEGO Duplo (tm) bricks!
Some of my interests are hiking, herpetology (primarily snakes) and photography. These are easy to combine as in, hike to snake den, search for a nice 'n fat rattlesnake, photograph said rattlesnake, hike back to car. Also dabble with a few musical intruments and my bike (the kind with pedals) but there is just not enough time for everything.
LongManeDude, awesome name!
Snakes are some seriously misunderstood creatures, but I sure you know that.
Sounds exciting.
Paul
Thanks Paul - I've been using LongManeDude for close to ten years now - long name and long mane:) The snakin' is exciting and also very interesting. Our "lowly" snakes have far more interesting life histories than most people would believe.
My late dad was into herpetology big time!
We had a room full of frogs, toads, lizards, turtles, a caimon and others.
Reptiles have been a regular part of my life as a kid.
- Oren
Running, lifting, playing guitar are my basic hobbies. I also have been playing a lot of video games since getting my PS3.
Cool Garth, how far do you run now?
Paul
I try to get in around 40 miles a week. I up it closer to 50 if I have a marathon coming up soon.
...a shot of the southern lunar cratered highlands, through my 4.5" Newtonian reflector! Astronomy goes well together with raytracing, when it comes to simulations of the Solar System or "space art" scenes...
...playing electronic organs and synthesizers!
Here two compositions of mine:
http://home.arcor.de/yadgar/music/Transrapid.mp3
...inspired by the late Michael Garrison, perhaps known to some of you!
http://home.arcor.de/yadgar/music/Rotheriade.mp3
...the latter made as a homage to German guitarist and electronica pioneer Michael Rother!
Finally Afghanistan... which ever since has been a sad story, even back in the 80s, when I was initially fascinated by the country!
http://home.arcor.de/yadgar/
I read a lot, mostly detective stories and science fiction. I like listening to music, mostly rock. I'm also a radio ham (last time we had a roll call I think there were 9 of us on MLHH, including myself and Bill).
All the above are a bit sedentary. I also like to ride a bicycle, which I'm told is only 'moderate' exercise. I don't really do anything more energetic, although I probably should.
I used to sing in a rock band at one time also, but never made any money doing that. My wife's friends have a karaoke video game, but score more than I do even though their singing voices aren't much to write home about. Apparently being a good singer doesn't get you many points!
My only hobby, as such, is reading. I'm a pretty avid reader. It's something I make time for.
One thing I have a lot of interest in is finish carpentry and cabinet making. I'd like to learn more about it, acquire some good tools, and really devote some time to building my skills. Unfortunately, for the time being I have neither the money nor the time for that.
So I read books about woodworking, haha.
Chris
My Hobbies are Genealogy, Music, Book Collecting, and Outdoors Long Distance Bicyling.
Duncan