Hobbies... Other than obsessing over everything related to Joe :) (Page 1 of 5)

Hey Jane, here are a few pictures: bookcases, shed, chair, chicken coop and ipad stand

http://www.flickr.com/photos/anitrasdance/

You shouldn't be so worried about projects being daunting. I always approach things this way: I'm just as smart as the people who do it for a living. It may take me longer to finish because I am learning while doing, but the sense of accomplishment when it is all done is worth it.

And what is a "climbing park"? I used to love climbing trees as a kid. I was always the smallest so I could get the highest. I used to love being at the top and just swinging with the breezes.

I love most forms of 'art', works of art. I found i was able to draw from an early age.  I love artists like, Damien Hurst, but i can appreciate the classics as well.

Photography would be another, and that would  come under the heading of 'art', as well. I took an interest in that later on in life.

Music - of course, drumming, and my eclectic record collection, i would also put that under the heading of 'art'. 

This next one isn't really a hobby, more of a passion - My football team - Manchester United.

"And what is a "climbing park"? I used to love climbing trees as a kid. I was always the smallest so I could get the highest. I used to love being at the top and just swinging with the breezes."

In England they are called High Ropes Courses, in Germany 'Kletterparks'. Tree based platforms interconnected with bridges, obstacles, nets and ladders all with a self belay security system to get around. Normally a rope ladder or net to get up and zip lines to get down.

My one in Germany has 5 stations dotted around the forest. Longest zip is about 115m, highest point 11m. The trek around is about 1km. Takes about 2 hours to complete for the average person. There is a lot of them around now. When I built it in 2004 there were only about 2 or 3 like it in the whole of Germany. Now there's over 300!

nmagcorn, your post cracked me up a bit.  I've got a couple of lifelong friends who tackle all sorts of home improvement projects, too.  She's the handywoman, though.  And that iPad stand is cool.  You could market those.

My hobby is collecting hobbies.  I dabble in a lot of things.  A buddy of mine once said I had "interests a mile wide".  To which I responded, "Yeah, too bad they are only a foot deep in a lot of places."  If I had to list principal pastimes, music (blues in particular, but not exclusively), trying to play decent blues harmonica, reading (avidly), mountain biking (though mostly trail riding in the flat midwest), and hiking.

I've always wished I had an artistic bent, but I can barely draw a straight line with a ruler.  And painting is out of the question, other than walls and such with a big wide brush, or a roller. 

As far as I'm concerned, there is no other form of camping, except in the wilderness.  On the other hand, I've some friends who recently took it up again.  They actually bring an air conditioner for their tent.  Not the "roughing it" types.  I told them they are a few short strides away from buying a freakin' Winnebago.

Sadly, I dig canoeing, but can't find time to get away and do it much, these days.  When I was younger, used to hike and backpack all over the place, too.  It's hell growing older and having grown up responsibilities, sometimes. 

A few of my favorite things besides music:

Reading
Gardening
Riding my turquoise beach bike
Watching Sports

Books - I read more in the summer on the beach under my umbrella with 100% UVA protection and lathered in sunblock. It is so relaxing to watch the waves and the seagulls and the people that congregate on the beach. 

One of my recent books - THE AMATEUR ~  Barack Obama in the White House - extremely interesting read
Funny what Shred said about politics (not to be discussed here of course), I've never been more interested, watched both conventions... Gotta' quote John Lennon - JUST GIVE ME THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!! That would MAKE MY DAY

Gardening - Love flowers, plants, trees etc. etc.  My first college degree was in Horticulture.  My first job with this degree was to work for an interior plantscaping company.  My dream job at that company was to be the designer who picked all the plants according to light meter readings and designed the space. When a newer employee came in and got that position, because she was sleeping with boss, I left and started my own business.  I made more money from 2 accounts working 7 hours a week than I did from working 40 hours a week with the old job. I paid my own way for night school with some college loans and got a business degree and shifted gears... That first job out of college was my most valuable life lesson!

Bicycling - Love my new beach bike that my hubby gave me for Christmas and he tuned into getting me the color I would have picked without me telling him. (its the little things My bike gave me so much freedom as a kid, I rode everywhere, I never lost that fun feeling even when I got a car and I love the wind in my face while working my thighs!

Sports - I love watching all kinds of sporting events, especially baseball, basketball & football and the NHL playoffs.  I have a flexible work schedule whereby I plan work around game times, so I can watch and work from my desk and computer.

P.S. Natasha!!  Wow, love all the stuff you've made and I like your shed, I want a fancy version of that.  I want a little house in the backyard with window boxes (like a doll house the size of a big shed) that would be utilized as a potting shed, etc..  I want to paint it the colors you see of the homes in Bermuda and decorate it for Christmas with lights. (keep the lights up all year and light it up for parties)  I want to be able to see it from my kitchen.  I wouldn't mind having a green house either...

As my screenname says...Poker is my secondary pursuit outside of music (I wont limit that to JB, since there arent enough shows to fill the concert year!).

After that probably cooking, and am researching a vertical hydroponic garden. There is a local  VH farm that is producing some great vegetables with over 7000 plants on a 1/4 acre.