posted January 18, 2024 02:13 AM            

As I got older, I was also into skeet shooting and archery. (I was extremely tempted to take part in both Ren Faires and Cowboy Action Shoots, but decided it was too expensive, especially as I take LARPing seriously, and would often include long trips.) But I dropped skeet shooting about 2008, and archery shortly before (or at) the start of Covid. (I've tried an axe throwing club that just opened a year or so ago, and it's much harder than I thought, which has made me interested in taking that up as a new hobby, but money is an issue now.)

Ah, LARP (Live Action Role Playing)...also from my youth, I played some RPGs, primarily D&D (2nd to 3rd edition), Shadowrun, and LARPed to Vampire: the Masquerade. These also built mental skills (such as quick math in my head) and got me interested in academic subjects in the real world that I'd otherwise have mostly ignored. That's an expensive hobby as well, even back in the day, but at least back then everyone could get a book or supplement and share with the rest of the group. It's been a good 15 years or so since I last played such a game (though I turned down an opportunity to join another D&D campaign a few years ago).

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I've long haunted libraries since I was 5. Only recently have I become disillusioned with them (and miss the libraries I used to go to). I used to be an official library volunteer (which opened up real jobs for me that kept me off the streets), and even after I participated in a lot of library events with a lot of donations of money, books, and materials.

I used to do a lot of camping (and hiking), and part of me wants to do that again, even go to Mount Shasta again, daring to walk the wilder parts.

If I were wealthy, I'd be a world traveler, and I'd be more interested in the wild places and trails (and even visiting Antarctica) than most standard tourist sites.

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One of my nicknames has been Uno, because I played that game a lot. I could play it while carrying on a deep conversation about something and still remember to say "uno" at the right time and win. It feels weird to call it a passion, and I hadn't thought of it as a hobby until now. (I very rarely play anymore.)

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I've recently taken up stargazing again with a telescope (which I dabbled in when I was younger), but conditions are such that it's discouraging to do now...and kind of off putting to see so many satellites in the sky now, not sure why. (I have thoughts on it, but really not sure.)

I'm working on a writing project now that I've revised several times over the years, polished yet again, researched many subjects for it, and lots of extra notes to keep in mind for possible future ones (in a way, I already have first drafts for sequels). I'm worried about my posting it, which I intend to do for free despite all the work I've put into it, and someone stealing the rights to my own work, and worse, taking out everything that I thought was special about it. The entitlement of corporations, combined with their cowardice in being original (without a cover of it being a "reboot" when it is no such thing, just a simple formulaic story, usually a lazy one, with a paint job of a once popular franchise) is mind boggling.

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I did some volunteer work with the needy and homeless for awhile. I don't mean to include that, but something it led up to.

While searching grounds for needles from the jerks that used and tossed them anywhere, I came to a stream that I suppose is public land (and where many who stayed at the shelter went to do drugs). In the heatwave, I saw many tadpoles in quickly drying sections, cut off from the stream (also drying up).

For some reason I took out water and fish flakes for them, also scooped water from the creek (figuring it had algae and stuff) and kept it so they had a relatively safe space to turn into frogs. I was rather compulsive about this, and it pleased me to do so, and I'm not sure why.

I have no illusions about the viciousness of nature, and the fact that if I hadn't, the tadpoles would've turned on and eaten each other (and might anyway once they start to metamorphize into frogs, at which point they need meat). So I didn't see myself as doing anything good (though if there were less bugs as a result, so much the better), it was just a strange compulsion of mine, and I don't know why. I'm not only perplexed by humanity, but even by myself.

posted January 18, 2024 02:43 AM            

I would also be able to lose myself in books again. I'm doing better than I was, but I used to be able to read for hours. Less distractions, I guess.

I would like to be able to travel more, as well. I'd love to be taking photographs. I've never wanted to live out of a suitcase, but I've wanted to see a lot more than I have, including of this country, and my home (England, and the rest of the UK). I've followed Karen for a long time, and she's starting a regular photography practice/hobby again: http://chookooloonks.substack.com/p/slow-practice

Dancing. I used to love dancing.

I hate being stuck in the kitchen, but I would like to be able to cook well. Just when I'm in the mood, making it for people I like and/or love.