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Filling your time before you die.

chamberlainchamberlain Registered User regular
edited June 2010 in Debate and/or Discourse
Inspired by the disc golf thread, I would like to talk about how we fill our time when we are not surfing for porn, working, surfing for porn at work, posting here, or drinking until we fall unconcious. I would hope that everyone has something outside of a glowing screen that they do for fun, and if not, maybe this thread will give you a few ideas.

As for me, I give you stunt kites!
stylus.jpg

Stunt kits (or power kites) come in all shapes and sizes, the main difference between them and boring single line kites is that you have control over what they are doing. The kit above is a dual line parafoil, one of my two kites. It's a bit on the small side at a wing span of only six feet, but that is more than enough to knock you on your ass if you have a good windy day. The main advantage of a parafoil over other stunt kites is that there are no spars to break. The whole thing squishes down to the size of a lunch box and is very easy to get going on your own. It never leave my trunk.
techno.jpg

This is a more traditional dual line kite. They are usually a little faster than parafoils, but don't have the same pull.
vented_rev1.jpg

Now this is where it's at. Revolutions, and other quad line kite, offer more control than any other kite. They can stop in mid air, spin, move horizontally, and all sorts of other stuff that I am not good enough to pull off. They are a bit on the expensive side: my Prisim Stylus was around $100, not including line. My Rev 2 (not the one pictured) was around $300 when I bought it many, many years ago. They have not gotten any cheaper since.

I really want one of these, but convicing the wife to let me spend that much on a kite is going to be tough:
blast.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4IVAzM0mlo

There is actually a kite festival in Milwaukee this weekend which draws a pretty big croud every year, so this hobby is not limited to warm weather climates. Some day I will move on to these:
ht_kiteboarding_060328_ssh.jpg

Kite boarding with quad line parafoils big enough to take your airborne!

Or maybe not.

So, that's my wierd hobby. What do you have?

chamberlain on
«13

Posts

  • DrakeDrake Edgelord Trash Below the ecliptic plane.Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I like to put together and paint models. Haven't had a lot of time to do it since becoming a parent. Which has been pretty awesome, so I don't mind that at all.

    I play a mean '91 G&L L-2000 fretless bass (I have a few other basses, some quite nice but the G&L is the one). Been playing a lot of harmonica lately too. Been playing a lot country/rock/punk stuff lately and really loving it.

    Drake on
  • Protein ShakesProtein Shakes __BANNED USERS regular
    edited May 2010
    So, that's my wierd hobby. What do you have?

    I post on Internet forums about my lifestyle choices and try to convince people that I am right and everyone else is wrong.

    Protein Shakes on
  • chamberlainchamberlain Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    So, that's my wierd hobby. What do you have?

    I post on Internet forums about my lifestyle choices and try to convince people that I am right and everyone else is wrong.

    Come on, we all do that, I'm talking about non internet tough guy antics.

    :P

    chamberlain on
  • Aroused BullAroused Bull Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I used to stargaze, but I no longer have a telescope. I started learning to play the piano, but I no longer have access to one. Uh. I used to do a couple of martial arts but since I've moved the quality of the clubs in my area has been lower and the price higher, so I don't train as much as I used to. I painted models back in the day, but it was too expensive a hobby so I ended up getting rid of them all. I used to play D&D but I moved away from my group so I don't do that any more, either.

    Since I moved my life has been pretty drab.

    Aroused Bull on
  • Evil_ReaverEvil_Reaver Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I play roller hockey. Been playing for 16 years-ish. I also coach my rink's club teams, specifically the high school and middle school teams. I also play indoor soccer with my wife. She played varsity all four years of high school and all four years of college... and I have no soccer experience outside of playing indoor soccer. It's fun, though. Uh... I run 5ks when I can. I have no interest in super long distance running, so 5 and 10ks are about the furthest I'm willing to race.

    Video games are kind of obvious, but I don't play as much these days on account of law school and being married.

    Evil_Reaver on
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  • TofystedethTofystedeth Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Video games are definitely one of my larger fun activities. That and watching movies and finding good TV shows.

    I love to play piano, but my enjoyment of it is tempered by the fact that I also kind of suck. Probably the most fun is singing. Many of the best times in my life were when I was on choir tour. To me there's something really amazing about getting a bunch of people together and making something really beautiful.

    After that I'd say reading and hanging out with friends just chatting.

    Tofystedeth on
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  • Protein ShakesProtein Shakes __BANNED USERS regular
    edited May 2010
    Reading books and working out. I also like biking.

    Protein Shakes on
  • Evil_ReaverEvil_Reaver Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Reading books and working out. I also like biking.

    I know on a fundamental level that biking is good exercise, but for whatever reason, I can't get my brain around the idea of cycling for exercise. Maybe it's because I'm a runner and I hate cyclists. It just seems like it'd be too easy to coast and not actually accomplish anything.

    Evil_Reaver on
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  • MagicPrimeMagicPrime FiresideWizard Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I collect spores, molds, and fungus.

    MagicPrime on
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  • chamberlainchamberlain Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    MagicPrime wrote: »
    I collect spores, molds, and fungus.

    On purpose?

    chamberlain on
  • MoSiAcMoSiAc Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I travel every chance I get. I usually goto the same places because I like to travel to see friends. I've made over five trips to Japan for both business and pleasure, and my first trip to England will happen in August. I'd like to see Africa and Thailand and the rest of Europe before I get too old to travel any further, so I say do it now, and be poor when you're older cause I probably won't wanna move later in life.

    I'd really like to try out those kites, they look way better than my batman one from wal-mart.

    MoSiAc on
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  • WassermeloneWassermelone Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I do this for a living, but its also my hobby: Art!

    Heres an in progress thing I did recently:
    teaknightcolor2.jpg

    Other than that, I do a lot of the usual media stuff: movies/games/books.

    Wassermelone on
  • LineNoizLineNoiz Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I used to play paintball a lot. But then I turned 30 and my spine turned 60 and I can't really do that any more. Now I mostly just make beer, make things to make beer, and drink beer. Usually all at the same time.

    LineNoiz on
  • LieberkuhnLieberkuhn __BANNED USERS regular
    edited May 2010
    I like to art.

    Art doesn't like me though.

    Lieberkuhn on
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  • DrakeDrake Edgelord Trash Below the ecliptic plane.Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    LineNoiz wrote: »
    I used to play paintball a lot. But then I turned 30 and my spine turned 60 and I can't really do that any more. Now I mostly just make beer, make things to make beer, and drink beer. Usually all at the same time.

    You are a hero.

    Drake on
  • msh1283msh1283 Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Reading books and working out. I also like biking.

    I know on a fundamental level that biking is good exercise, but for whatever reason, I can't get my brain around the idea of cycling for exercise. Maybe it's because I'm a runner and I hate cyclists. It just seems like it'd be too easy to coast and not actually accomplish anything.

    I'm a competitive bike racer. Used to do a lot of medium distance foot racing before. My definition of fitness has completely changed since I started racing bikes. Sure, you can coast and not accomplish anything, which is why you see plenty of fat people on your multi-use paths who are always going to be fat.

    Lots of racers use a device that measures that amount of energy produced when training. You can use this to get a pretty accurate idea of how many calories you've burned in a workout.

    Running 10 minute miles for an hour is about 900 calories.

    In my last 45 minute race, I burned 1260, and that was for a 12th place finish, in the easiest category. Guys in the highest domestic category race 15-30 minutes longer and average 4-5 mph faster over that time.

    Not to make a blanket statement, but aside from the really competitive runners, most bike racers work a lot harder than runners.

    msh1283 on
  • Protein ShakesProtein Shakes __BANNED USERS regular
    edited May 2010
    Reading books and working out. I also like biking.

    I know on a fundamental level that biking is good exercise, but for whatever reason, I can't get my brain around the idea of cycling for exercise. Maybe it's because I'm a runner and I hate cyclists. It just seems like it'd be too easy to coast and not actually accomplish anything.

    I don't bike for exercise. I workout for exercise. I use biking mostly for transportation and also to see nice scenery when the weather is nice.

    Protein Shakes on
  • Evil_ReaverEvil_Reaver Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    msh1283 wrote: »
    Reading books and working out. I also like biking.

    I know on a fundamental level that biking is good exercise, but for whatever reason, I can't get my brain around the idea of cycling for exercise. Maybe it's because I'm a runner and I hate cyclists. It just seems like it'd be too easy to coast and not actually accomplish anything.

    I'm a competitive bike racer. Used to do a lot of medium distance foot racing before. My definition of fitness has completely changed since I started racing bikes. Sure, you can coast and not accomplish anything, which is why you see plenty of fat people on your multi-use paths who are always going to be fat.

    Lots of racers use a device that measures that amount of energy produced when training. You can use this to get a pretty accurate idea of how many calories you've burned in a workout.

    Running 10 minute miles for an hour is about 900 calories.

    In my last 45 minute race, I burned 1260, and that was for a 12th place finish, in the easiest category. Guys in the highest domestic category race 15-30 minutes longer and average 4-5 mph faster over that time.

    Not to make a blanket statement, but aside from the really competitive runners, most bike racers work a lot harder than runners.

    Oh for sure, I know cycling is tough and is good exercise if you do it correctly. It's one of those stupid mentality things that I know is wrong on an intellectual level but my brain just won't accept that cycling is a legitimate form of exercise. Probably because of all those fat people who coast around and don't accomplish anything.

    Evil_Reaver on
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  • MagicPrimeMagicPrime FiresideWizard Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    MagicPrime wrote: »
    I collect spores, molds, and fungus.

    On purpose?

    egon.jpg

    MagicPrime on
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    Critical Failures - Havenhold CampaignAugust St. Cloud (Human Ranger)
  • TofystedethTofystedeth Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    What did you do MagicPrime? That is not a jpg.

    Tofystedeth on
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  • gunwarriorgunwarrior Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I'm a guitarist (taking some theory classes at my CC right now), I write occasionally, and I'm trying to become a better artist but I've always been horrible at it. Kite boarding looks like it would be tons of fun, I've got to try that someday.

    That art is looking pretty good Wassermelone, your style seems a bit familiar too.

    gunwarrior on
  • nstfnstf __BANNED USERS regular
    edited May 2010
    I maturbate :winky:

    nstf on
  • sidhaethesidhaethe Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I sing. I've been part of a couple of excellent women's choruses and the local chapter of Sweet Adelaides and it's been incredibly rewarding and challenging. (not to mention great for making a few friends and travelling)

    I no longer really have the time to put into women's or mixed choruses due to a soul-sucking commute, but it's something I hope to get back into sometime.

    sidhaethe on
  • Cameron_TalleyCameron_Talley Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Model Railroading, the world's greatest Hobby.

    Cameron_Talley on
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  • GodfatherGodfather Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I would like to make an honest-to-God attempt at parkour.

    Been wanting to try it for years, but since I grew up in Texas where there's practically no scene or the environment to practice it in, it was pretty much killed in its prime.

    Then I started studying in Toronto in '08, and i'll be making a huge 6-month push to get in shape for Krav Maga instructor training. I'm an ectomorph build with a good sense of balance and rhythm, plus I do life drawing at this walk-in open gym which is filled with nothing but parkour/freeruners/gymnast who do nothing but train.

    There's a lot of activities I have on my bucket list, but stuff like this you can only do when you're young and have the proper resources. I'd like to experience that sense of freedom at least once before I get too old for it, and even though i'm 21 I still have quite a bit of time where my body can keep up with something so physically demanding.

    It's a colossal commitment to be able to do even the most basic kind of stuff, requiring hundreds of hours of practice in a safe gym environment, but it would be well worth it.

    Godfather on
  • DrakeDrake Edgelord Trash Below the ecliptic plane.Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Model Railroading, the world's greatest Hobby.

    That is quite the hobby. I used to have a Lionel train set, a reproduction of an old steamer, that I had a blast with when I was a kid. I've been thinking about checking out one of the rail sims on Steam to see if I can recapture a bit of the old glory. Do you have any experience with either of them (Railworks and/or the Railz sims)? I think it would be a really fun thing to get into with my three year old son, but I can't spend a grand or two and a room in the house for an actual model railroad.

    Drake on
  • Cameron_TalleyCameron_Talley Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Drake wrote: »
    Model Railroading, the world's greatest Hobby.

    That is quite the hobby. I used to have a Lionel train set, a reproduction of an old steamer, that I had a blast with when I was a kid. I've been thinking about checking out one of the rail sims on Steam to see if I can recapture a bit of the old glory. Do you have any experience with either of them (Railworks and/or the Railz sims)? I think it would be a really fun thing to get into with my three year old son, but I can't spend a grand or two and a room in the house for an actual model railroad.

    Unfortunately I have never played them, having a Mac and not really doing any computer-based gaming since the 90s. But you don't have to spend a grand...Maybe pick up a train set for about $200 and just set it up when it's time to "play with the trains?"

    I've been keeping a blog of my layout-building progress if you want to read it. http://talleys-trains.blogspot.com/

    Like most of my hobbies (which also include VWs, Lego, and photography) it comes and goes in phases through the year. Righ now I'm at a standstill because I need to invest about $70 in switches, and just can't spare the money at the moment.

    Cameron_Talley on
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  • DedianDedian Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I like putting seeds for edible plants (veggies, herbs, etc) in pots or in the ground and give them water and let the sun do its job. We just moved, so I'm missing the 30'x40' garden we had at our last place, but a bigger farmer's market and some pots on the patio should keep me entertained. I also like making things. I built this beast this past winter while unemployed. Past projects include a mandolin from a kit, all sorts of computers, and yummy asian food.

    Dedian on
  • DrakeDrake Edgelord Trash Below the ecliptic plane.Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    It's tempting, but I know how I am. A $200 dollar investment would balloon crazily, as I needed more Rolling Stock! More Rail and Switches! More buildings and scenery! More little people! HAHAHA!

    Seriously, I built all kinds of terrain and painted two armies for WH40K, which I've played maybe four or five times on the table top. I don't regret doing that, but it's not something I can really justify these days.

    Drake on
  • WilDPanthA05WilDPanthA05 Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I like to do some wacky and ridiculous stuff ... case in point, this is what I'm doing in September:

    warrior-dash.jpg

    What is that you may ask? A 3.2 mile obstacle course run!

    I've never done it, but it looks amazing. 13 different obstacles, all day rock concert, and beeeeeeer! I'm excited for leaping over the pit of fire and traversing the slate rock wall.

    I will attempt to not die (since I'm a fucking warrior and all), but you never know.

    WilDPanthA05 on
  • OrganichuOrganichu poops peesRegistered User, Moderator mod
    edited May 2010
    guns

    jiu jitsu

    blowjobs

    Organichu on
  • Cameron_TalleyCameron_Talley Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I like to do some wacky and ridiculous stuff ... case in point, this is what I'm doing in September:

    warrior-dash.jpg

    What is that you may ask? A 3.2 mile obstacle course run!

    I've never done it, but it looks amazing. 13 different obstacles, all day rock concert, and beeeeeeer! I'm excited for leaping over the pit of fire and traversing the slate rock wall.

    I will attempt to not die (since I'm a fucking warrior and all), but you never know.

    I have a friend that's done that. He sent me a picture. Every inch of him was covered in mud.

    He did have a huge grin on his face, though.

    Cameron_Talley on
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  • 3lwap03lwap0 Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I like to do some wacky and ridiculous stuff ... case in point, this is what I'm doing in September:

    warrior-dash.jpg

    What is that you may ask? A 3.2 mile obstacle course run!

    I've never done it, but it looks amazing. 13 different obstacles, all day rock concert, and beeeeeeer! I'm excited for leaping over the pit of fire and traversing the slate rock wall.

    I will attempt to not die (since I'm a fucking warrior and all), but you never know.


    I'll be running that same race, but in the Mid-Atlantic area in October. I just started training for it, and I hurt everywhere.

    My hobbies are fairly nerdy, but I paint and play toy soldier games, like Flames of War, or Warhammer 40k. A friend of mine recently got into Muy Thai, and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, and after some classes, I may take that up if my body co-operates with me. So far, it hasn't.

    3lwap0 on
  • RaburoRaburo Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I fill my time the following ways,

    1

    Raburo on
  • WilDPanthA05WilDPanthA05 Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    3lwap0 wrote: »
    I like to do some wacky and ridiculous stuff ... case in point, this is what I'm doing in September:

    warrior-dash.jpg

    What is that you may ask? A 3.2 mile obstacle course run!

    I've never done it, but it looks amazing. 13 different obstacles, all day rock concert, and beeeeeeer! I'm excited for leaping over the pit of fire and traversing the slate rock wall.

    I will attempt to not die (since I'm a fucking warrior and all), but you never know.


    I'll be running that same race, but in the Mid-Atlantic area in October. I just started training for it, and I hurt everywhere.

    My hobbies are fairly nerdy, but I paint and play toy soldier games, like Flames of War, or Warhammer 40k. A friend of mine recently got into Muy Thai, and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, and after some classes, I may take that up if my body co-operates with me. So far, it hasn't.

    What kind of training are you doing that's screwing your body up so bad?

    WilDPanthA05 on
  • firewaterwordfirewaterword Satchitananda Pais Vasco to San FranciscoRegistered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Flying (and jumping out of) planes.

    Done a few tandems and one solo-freefall. Want to get licensed but lots of dollars.

    Same goes for a pilot's license. About 9k I don't feel comfortable dropping right now. Maybe soon though.

    firewaterword on
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  • LawndartLawndart Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Let's see.

    Video games. Duh.

    I attempt to work out with fair to middling results.

    I read a lot, usually a 50/50 mix of non-fiction and fiction.

    I tutor 1st and 2nd graders.

    I hang out with my wife and watch lots of TV and movies, both of which vary rather drastically in quality.

    Woo. Feel the excitement, kids.

    Lawndart on
  • 3lwap03lwap0 Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    3lwap0 wrote: »
    I like to do some wacky and ridiculous stuff ... case in point, this is what I'm doing in September:

    warrior-dash.jpg

    What is that you may ask? A 3.2 mile obstacle course run!

    I've never done it, but it looks amazing. 13 different obstacles, all day rock concert, and beeeeeeer! I'm excited for leaping over the pit of fire and traversing the slate rock wall.

    I will attempt to not die (since I'm a fucking warrior and all), but you never know.


    I'll be running that same race, but in the Mid-Atlantic area in October. I just started training for it, and I hurt everywhere.

    My hobbies are fairly nerdy, but I paint and play toy soldier games, like Flames of War, or Warhammer 40k. A friend of mine recently got into Muy Thai, and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, and after some classes, I may take that up if my body co-operates with me. So far, it hasn't.

    What kind of training are you doing that's screwing your body up so bad?

    Since it's not a typical running 5k, I'm incorporating a lot of resistance training right into my cardio, to simulate working the obstacles. So I'll run up and down 4 flights of steps, hit some light weight/high rep stations, more steps, weight, steps, etc., and cap it with some running. I'll swap that out with just straight circuit training, using crossfit-esque exercises on other day of the week.

    3lwap0 on
  • SliderSlider Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I lift weights/exercise and am learning to play the guitar, but my main hobby is helping other people, including family and friends.

    Slider on
  • nstfnstf __BANNED USERS regular
    edited May 2010
    Model Railroading, the world's greatest Hobby.

    No, that would be warhammer, which is also the worlds biggest VISA friend.

    nstf on
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