Posting in the NZ thread made me think of my hobbies and I wanted to know yours. Throughout our lives we all have certain hobbies from time to time. Some become life long passions, and wind up being your life's work if your lucky. When I was really young I'd always loved to write stories; and now do that everyday. I've had other hobbies through the years too though. Everything from stamp and coin collecting to fantasy sports and wine collecting.
One of the hobbies that I enjoy the most is traveling now with family and friends. We try and plan at least 2 or 3 major trips each year now. I also have a fairly strong fossil collection. Most of my focus is on the Paleo and Meso eras. I've invested now over six figures into it and am starting to run out of room.
I've also been fly fishing for years now, but decided to tie my own flies about a year ago.
Also about a year ago, Geddy and I were talking about what I planned to do when my son went off to college. He told me he really struggled when Jules went off to school. I hadn't really even considered that. It's usually the mother who is expected to have empty nest syndrome; but I don't think people realize just how much fathers are effected when their sons grow up and begin life after high school. Having spoken to other friends of mine, they've either all already experienced it, or are going through it at the same time as I am. I have to admit it has really been a struggle for me this year. It's rather bittersweet knowing my son is about to begin his journey as an adult now. He'll always be my son and I know we'll continue to remain close; but I'm not fooling myself to think that things won't forever be different. So this past year I made a commitment to myself to focus on some more of my own hobbies. Actually I like the word Disciplines even more.
So, I took an empty storage room in our basement and made it into a man-shop. (I already have a man-cave). I just outfitted it with a kick ass sound system, and have a new computer installed down there. I also have several work benches, and have created a very nice fly-tying workshop there. Outside of that room I have now three drum kits set up. One a gift from NP I never touch; but I can go now to the basement and play around until my hearts content.
I've also now started to collect Scotch and Bourbon. I have a small wine tasting room that I'm converting to a Whisky room. My wife is now claiming I'm taking over the whole basement.
There are a couple more that I'd really like to jump into this year. Painting, and working with clay. And I'd also like to learn to play the Scottish fiddle. I'm also trying to put together a Strat-O-Matic Baseball league too.
I thought about car collecting, but I don't have the dollars or the space. We have room for about six cars in our garage/barn now; but it's full of mowers, the snow plow, junk, two other cars, and assorted lawn and pool stuff. I mentioned buying an old Nova and restoring it last fall, and my wife threatened to kill me in my sleep. Besides, my idea of restoring it would be-buy the parts and hire a mechanic. Not good.
None of these things will make my son leaving home any less painful; but hopefully can help fill my down time now. I mean I went from helping to coach his baseball team for several years up until a year ago, to him leaving home this coming fall. Big transition.
So what are your hobbies/disciplines DTF? Enlighten us all and share.