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Post by ozark on Mar 1, 2009 10:48:07 GMT -5
The person without a interesting hobby is a sad case. I think we need something to be excited about. Something that occupies our mind and our hands. Something that rewards us with a feeling of accomplishments and is mentally and physically benefitual to our health. It can be any one of a thousand and can can change from week to week. I think this forum is great because we all have our hobbies and can share them with others who understand. Lately, I have been on a knife sharpening binge but for many years it has been something with me. The couch potato who depends on the TV to provide their needs are living a sad existance IMO. For those who have mates or children without hobbies it might be wise to attempt leading them into something for their own happiness. A question: Is there a member of this forum without a hobby who beleives themselves happy? Ozark
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Post by fowlplay on Mar 1, 2009 11:37:31 GMT -5
Good post. Everybody IMO needs a hobby to occupy there mind. Life to me would be a little shorted without our hobbies. My hobbies has ranged from racing cars, mud hopping trucks, to building houses. One hobby that has never changed is my love for guns and hunting. I would have a emptied void in my life if I could not hunt. My two favorite type of hunting is deer and waterfowl hunting. People often ask which one I liked the best. My answer is always "both."  Steve |
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Post by ozark on Mar 1, 2009 11:53:18 GMT -5
Could it be truthfully said that a well adjusted human being keeps an abiding interest in some project. I may be mal adjusted but I am not happy unless I am engaged in some project that brings a reward.
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Post by ET on Mar 1, 2009 11:53:29 GMT -5
It is a good post and my answer is I’m very hobby healthy but with commitments and needed home renovations nipping at my butt when I want to spend time with my hobbies can be frustrating.  I have it in the back of my mind that when my time comes for closure it won’t be in a chair watching the boob tube. Ed |
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Post by 12ptdroptine on Mar 1, 2009 12:39:59 GMT -5
My hobby is "tinkering" I used to race Radio controlled Car's with my son for many years till he grew up and out of them..And they were very expensive. I have several thousand dollars worth of it sitting around collecting dust. I used to hunt some before my son was born.. But when he was a baby my life changed direction's to the biker thing.. Sold all of my gun's and the thing's that accompanied it. Then in 86 I stopped all of that and bought a boat..then another, then had to make it faster...then another and even faster yet..fun for the whole family... Then my son grew up...and it just wasn't as fun when he didn't go anymore....so it was sold... Then one day my son came home with a bow for me..Said that he had always done the thing's with me that I wanted..And now I was going to do this with him... Well that was a little over ten years ago. Now we hunt together..It kills me when we hunt different properties sometime's...It just isn't the same when we don't walk in together and then back out... But because of him I am deep in to hunting equipment and goodie's now.. I find myself buying Item's knowing he will need someday. I buy gun's that can be passed down.. I buy them get them shooting good..then move on to the next one.. They live a guarded life in the cabinet...lol But I have my Savage that I want to get shooting 2' groups @250 and make it my go to gun..for anything from gopher's to deer. Then I have to help my son get his there...As I said tinkering. I great this great feeling by saying "I done it myself" My son's friends think I am some kind of great shot... I think it is just by paying attention to detail. And good equipment. experiment with loads to find what works best for each gun..as I said...tinkering..lol Drop
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Post by kevinbrian on Mar 1, 2009 13:01:50 GMT -5
Very good post Ozark! It's strange that I happened upon this post this morning because I have been struggling mightily with this very issue. At one point, months ago, I was shooting daily and coming home and tweaking this and that and shooting some more that evening, if work allowed. Momma's condition worsened and I began feeling guilty, thinking that I could do more for her, and also perform better at work...be more dedicated. All I thought about was different powders, bullets, etc. The UPS or Fed Ex truck was visiting me daily..almost daily. So I went overboard.....sold all of my ML's and even my 742 Remington. Felt an odd sense of relief..... I'm now engaged in a hobby that doen't provide near as much tinkering...and it's taking it's toll on me.LOL
To bed an action, work up loads, now that's satisfying to me. And also, to share thiose reults on a forum like this and hear good stuff said about it....feels real good. But I'm real OVERSENSITIVE and don't react maturely to criticism...good or bad. So I sull up....take my toys and go play elsewhere. I lived a fools life (drunk and drugged) for so long, I never grew up emotionally...and it certainly shows. I went back through my old posts from the old board and read them all, start to finish. And though I learned ALOT about myself, I've been too embarrased to post much on the new board.
Three years ago, I prayed and asked God to show me who I REALLY am. He showed me...it wasn't pretty....but I'm fixable.
I digressed from the original topic, but I needed to unload that. Feel much better now. Y'all have an awesome day. Kevin
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Post by dougedwards on Mar 1, 2009 13:44:23 GMT -5
Thanks Kevin for revealing yourself. The hardest thing for any of us to do is to take off our masks to show who we actually are. Sometimes that gets rather ugly but ugly can never be adjusted if we continue to deny that it is there. You are to be commended.
I think that men by their very nature, require mental stimulation or they may find something rather destructive on which to focus. Good clean hobbies are healthy for us but sometimes these hobbies take the form of addictions and can become overwhelming. Good balance is the key.
One indicator that things are getting out of whack is our reaction of anger when someone or something seems to come between us and our hobby. The people that we love should always take the place of higher priority than our hobbies. I am very guilty of misplaced priorities and ask forgiveness every day for my self centered behavior. Establishing proper boundaries is the key to healthy living. We can have our hobbies and do justice to all around us if we strive to keep things in perspective.
Doug
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Post by ozark on Mar 1, 2009 18:03:49 GMT -5
I suppose keeping our hobbies under control for the sake of others is a good thing. However, I cannot accept feeling guilty for getting involved and interested. I am not going to let my hobbies deny my family what my obligations are to them. At the same time I feel that having me happy and interested in liviing makes me better company to them. I want them to get into a hobbie of their own and enjoy life to its fullest. My wife painted in oils until she had a stroke and got knocked out for awhile. She is reluctant to get back involved because she says it requires concentration without interuptions. I tell her to set aside a number of hours (or time) she wants seclusion and give it to herself. We only pass this way once and the work world takes much of that life. What is left can be managed to give us and our famlies a whole bunch of pleasure. It doesn't really matter if you are creative or drawing cartoons, making up funny jokes or writing a book. Get engaged in living and give yourself a life with interests. Many if you can. Ozark
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Post by kevinbrian on Mar 1, 2009 18:21:36 GMT -5
I suppose keeping our hobbies under control for the sake of others is a good thing. However, I cannot accept feeling guilty for getting involved and interested. I am not going to let my hobbies deny my family what my obligations are to them. At the same time I feel that having me happy and interested in liviing makes me better company to them. I want them to get into a hobbie of their own and enjoy life to its fullest. My wife painted in oils until she had a stroke and got knocked out for awhile. She is reluctant to get back involved because she says it requires concentration without interuptions. I tell her to set aside a number of hours (or time) she wants seclusion and give it to herself. We only pass this way once and the work world takes much of that life. What is left can be managed to give us and our famlies a whole bunch of pleasure. It doesn't really matter if you are creative or drawing cartoons, making up funny jokes or writing a book. Get engaged in living and give yourself a life with interests. Many if you can. Ozark I have to admit, my Savage ML addiction gave me a whole lot of pleasure. And will again soon I hope. I see nothing at all wrong with good hobbies. I'm just learning to prioritize my life rightly. |
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Post by ozark on Mar 1, 2009 21:09:28 GMT -5
Unfortunately, there are some who are without interesting hobbies who fails to understand the true value that comes with the package. Many of these people will call our efforts a waste of time, a waste of money and in several ways attempt to lay a guilt trip on us for being selfish. If your priroities are correct you feel a responsibility for taking care of your obligations to your family, community and country. Because of this, you may at times feel guilty for making certain purchases or time spent self serving. I am not advocating going overboard and depriving others of your duty to them. I do believe that you, as an individual, needs to have personal rewards and enjoy the feelings of accomplishing something.
Over the years I have been awarded many shooting trophies, Horseshoe tournament trophies, Billiard trophies, golf trophies and a few others. I needed these events to feel that I was worthy of the great family and successes I have had in the work world. I met marriage and raising a family with confidence that I could win. I had confidence that I would be fine as a worker whereever I worked. In my mind you are your best friend, your most important partner, the person you will have to live with all your days. Don't sell yourself short and deny feeding that little fellow that dwells inside of you. Keep that little guy happy and all those around you will envy you because you will be living in happiness. No guilt trip accepted here. Ozark
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Post by petev on Mar 1, 2009 22:42:53 GMT -5
My post on this subject will be a little different. I agree with everyone on this thread about enjoying hobbies. But, my father mingled with people, and only occasionally took on a project. My brother is the same way. But they were/are hard-driving professional people that would only use a "hobby" such as golf, as a means to relax, than to really pursue it to get good at it. So, in my family we seem to have two different types of people that may or may not relate to hobbies. In the last year or two I've gotten a huge laugh out of the fact that my brother's two very young children have seemed to inherit a strong interest in fishing, presumably from their mother's side of the family. My brother is not at all against it, but on trips to visit her family in Chicago, he more or less goes along on some of the fishing and ice fishing trips. A few weeks ago I coaxed some of the details of the latest ice fishing trip out of him, and he couldn't even remember what kind of fish they had caught, except for the crappies! He didn't know what size auger they used, which I asked because he said they had a hard time fitting some of the fish through the holes. I applaud Paul's open-mindedness, where he doesn't try to influence his children's interest, but it is funny to see that after a half century of my being the only hunter-fisherman in the family, now the shoe is a little bit on the other foot.
Well, to answer the question, I know I would be lost without hobbies, and the quest to follow up on inquisitive thoughts about trying this or that, but there are that other kind that work in cubicles, drive a little fuel efficient car from home to office and back, and go to polite parties now and then, but heck, it ain't me!
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Post by Richard on Mar 2, 2009 17:47:57 GMT -5
Well, Richard's hobby is "tinkering!" With anything and everything. You have heard of the term: "Jack of all trades and master of none?" I kind of think that I am more well rounded. Not that I am the supreme expert on everything, just that I have a well rounded knowledge of a lot of mechanical things. If there is something that is not broke, but I think I can make it better? Thats what I attempt to do. Of course, it has to be in the mechanical field. When I first started playing with bow and arrows at about 11 or 12, I got my own fletching jig and feather burner (which I still have) and made my own arrows. It was that feeling of accomplishment! Anyone (who could afford it) could buy their arrows and kill game, but to build your own and do the same was an accomplishment. (no, I never got into being a bower). The same thing when I got my first centerfire gun. Along came a press and Herter's dies to make my own ammunition. Again, that feeling of accomplishment. Fixed and painted my fits car. Built my own engines, rebuilt transmissions. Became the general contractor on my second house........did mason work, plumbing, electrical, trim work landscaping, you name it. Worked in air conditioning repair as a teenager. And eventually got into machine work and gun work. Along the way, built and raced a drag car, owned and rode horses, raised some chickens and played with bees. Restored a dozen corvette's. Anytime a friend or neighbor has a problem, I'm right there to help or fix. My wife and I are also obsessed with our two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Those dogs have us wrapped right around their little furry paws  Oh yes, bench rest shooting became a passion around 92'; along with hunting across this great nation. The hunting has taken a back seat to shooting more recently. So, I guess you might say Richard's hobbies are a lot of things. All of which I get enjoyment doing. More recently this SAVAGE thing has gotten to be a passion and this board a hobby. I enjoy contributing what I can. Richard |
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Post by edge on Mar 2, 2009 18:45:38 GMT -5
It is interesting how folks decide what is important at a particular time. Hobbies are good, but in there own place. After reading the reply by petev, I remembered having my own machine shop. Work hours were longer than now, but doing what you enjoy for a living is like having a hobby! I think of hobbies as a productive way to free your mind from the stresses of the everyday. If you have a job/business that you truly enjoy doing, first you will probably be good at it, and secondly it won't feel like work. Here is an example: About 25 years ago I had a sales rep that brought me a job. I had to make a test aluminum die for a woman's compact that would leave the impression for Chanel. While I forget the exact dimensions, the sketch of the die was about a 1 1/2 inch radius with an incused 5/8 circle and interlocking C's at the top of the radius. I had an early CNC lathe and mill at the time so I machined the ball and milled the circle and interlocking C's into the dome. I polished it and it came out great...I thought! It turned out that the salesman had it exactly backward! The shape that the customer needed was the reverse of what I had made, and the only way to make it would be to use an EDM machine...something that I did not own. Undeterred, I re-made my part, but this time out of steel. I then made a holder for a block of aluminum which I heated to near its melting point and I put everything in a press and forced the steel deeply into the aluminum block. After polishing the aluminum with the now protruding circular ring and interlocking C's the customer was happy. I lost a lot of money on that job, but even after 25 years I am proud to have found a way to solve a problem Work is a 4 letter work, but a job can be fun edge. |
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Post by ozark on Mar 2, 2009 19:33:12 GMT -5
Work can be fun and extrememly rewarding. Solving a problem is always rewarding. I have during my life come up with a few solutions that pleased me in hobbies and in the work world. Often hobbies are work. Design and build the ultimate treestand or develop the ultimate trigger can be work. Anyone who feels this is inappropriate move it. I will not be offended. T
wo General officers were arguing about sex. One said it was work and the other claimed it was just pleasure. They agreed to call a Sergeant in and accept his answer. He was asked the question and immediately said it certainly was not work. One General was displeased at his quick answer and ask how he could be so quick to answer and do so with such certainty. Sir, I know it isn't work because if it was work you Generals would have us enlisted men doing it for you.
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Post by edge on Mar 2, 2009 19:43:28 GMT -5
Gov. William J. LePetomaine "Work, Work, Work" ;D
edge.
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Post by petev on Mar 2, 2009 22:48:05 GMT -5
I like some of the ideas in these posts. A friend of mine used to say he tried to make his avocation his vocation. I felt that way during 20 years of treework. For now work and hobbies are mostly separate, but it is always in the back of my mind to bring them together down the road.
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Post by Buckrub on Mar 3, 2009 9:40:25 GMT -5
Not enough! Used to play a lot of softball in the summer. Too old now, too slow. Fish almost every Saturday or Sun afternoon that it's not deer season. Hunt deer dang near every day of a ~ 50 day season. Prepare for fishing or hunting almost non stop. This is almost as much fun as fishing and hunting, to me. This means designing new tree stands to build, finding spots to erect them, searching for good price on new gun, shopping (gulp) for fishing tackle or boat or trailer accouterments. I worked with a friend last Thurs night till 11:00 PM on my boat trailer putting on new sideboards, spot welding them, installing a different trailer/transom motor saver, etc. Since I couldn't fish on Thursday night, this was as enjoyable as fishing! Deer camp work.....ten of us own an old house and we're constantly working on fixing up this or that, or building something new.....this is a lot of fun to me, but very hard sometimes. Chasing the baby's mama around the house! Surfing the 'net, especially places like here! Hobbies I WISH I had learned well and know NOTHING about involve things done with my hands.....car repair, carpentry, electricity, plumbing.......I have a leaky faucet I've torn apart 4 times and can't figure out how to fix, it's uniquely put together! I wish I could weld....there's so many things I need welded in a year's time. No time to learn, no money to buy the equipment. I hope to do this after I retire, though. I used to hear the term "insurance poor" meaning a fellow was insurance poor if he had TOO much insurance. I never did understand the term, but I guess I'm hobby poor. I won't go into it, but I've personally seen in my family what happens when a man has no hobbies at all....not pretty. The comment about work being fun is spot on, though. We used to say when playing softball that the MOST fun out of a weekend tournament was when we got the most serious, and worked the hardest at it. Lollygagging around and putting forth half effort never was much fun. I think that's true in most things. If the results are good, you can usually grin at the methods to get there........ |
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Post by ozark on Mar 3, 2009 10:41:29 GMT -5
Here is a project for you tinkerers:
Make a screw starter, shotgun bead installer out of cheap needlenosed pliers.
1. Close plier jaws and grind the nose off to leave a blunt nose about 3/8 Inch dia.
2. Clamp closed nose in vice and drill a small hole about 1/8" deep at end and dress nose of pliers.
You will now have a handy tool to start small screws or install shotgun beads using a cushion without marring the finish. Drilled holes should be smaller than screwhead. Several sizes can be easily make. A few days ago I picked up one of these I had made fifty years ago and I still felt a sense of pleasure at having come up with that idea.
Discover a need, find a solution and the reward is automatic. Ozark
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Oh yes, bench rest shooting became a passion around 92'; along with hunting across this great nation. The hunting has taken a back seat to shooting more recently.
