Member hobbies

[Draconator]

On 8/3/2025 at 3:41 AM, Bills4everNY said:

Excellent video.  He's very skilled.  I never tried to do anything like that, even when I was younger.  I am happy just cruising. If you get more of his videos, I'd love to see them. Thanks for posting. 

This one is the opening credits of a video he was in. The full video was on Vimeo, but was taken down. 

 

[Draconator]

This one is a montage from the Walnut Creek, CA skatepark. When I first moved in with his mom and him, he was 7 and the only skatepark around was in San Ramon, about 20 minutes away. There was a town board meeting about starting the discussion of a new Walnut Creek skatepark. Clint at 9 yrs old got up in front of the town board, and said Walnut Creek has a lot of money. They can build a skatepark. 3 years later the skatepark opens. The 2004 Parks and Recreation booklet for Walnut Creek features Clint at 12 yrs old on the cover at the then new skatepark. 

 

 

[DrW]

Birdwatching

 

As you can see from my life list of a bit more than 500, I do not take it very seriously (there are more than 10000 bird species). Unfortunately, my most interesting sighting I cannot even "count". 25 years ago, at the north end of Lake Conesus, I saw a Brewster's warbler, lovely little bird. However, Brewster's warblers are not a species per se; they are hybrids of blue-winged and golden-winged warblers.

 

 

Model Railroads

 

It started quite innocently when our son was born, but then Papa took over. We model our local railroad, the Santa Fe, during the transition period (late 1940s/early 1950s, when the railroads would run steam and diesel). Soon, I had to get a model of every locomotive the Santa Fe was running during that time. In many cases, mass-produced "plastic" models are available. If not, the only alternative is brass. Brass models of the last 30+ years are gorgeous and run very well. However, they are hand-made in very small amounts (I have locos of which only 10-50 models exist), which of course drives up the price. Under these circumstances, my wife will easily forgive me paying $600 for some birding binoculars.

 

 

[Sojourner]

21 hours ago, DrW said:

Birdwatching

 

As you can see from my life list of a bit more than 500, I do not take it very seriously (there are more than 10000 bird species). Unfortunately, my most interesting sighting I cannot even "count". 25 years ago, at the north end of Lake Conesus, I saw a Brewster's warbler, lovely little bird. However, Brewster's warblers are not a species per se; they are hybrids of blue-winged and golden-winged warblers.

 

 

Model Railroads

 

It started quite innocently when our son was born, but then Papa took over. We model our local railroad, the Santa Fe, during the transition period (late 1940s/early 1950s, when the railroads would run steam and diesel). Soon, I had to get a model of every locomotive the Santa Fe was running during that time. In many cases, mass-produced "plastic" models are available. If not, the only alternative is brass. Brass models of the last 30+ years are gorgeous and run very well. However, they are hand-made in very small amounts (I have locos of which only 10-50 models exist), which of course drives up the price. Under these circumstances, my wife will easily forgive me paying $600 for some birding binoculars.

 

 

My grandfather collected model trains from when he was stationed in Germany during WW2. 
 

Marklin’s were his go to. Had 100+ and quite a few Krauss’s. 
 

Hope the collection serves you well and lots of enjoyment!

[muppy]

I am a collector of a few special things. Vintage Glassware of all colors shapes and sizes. Vases bottles candlestick holders etc etc etc

 

Cookbooks.   shelves full. Tons of Great ones.

 

Leather handbags 

 

Most of my buying is done but I do enjoy what I have collected

 

I don't know if chatting here is a hobby but it is a daily pleasure of mine. Hobby maybe.

[BillsPride12]

2 hours ago, muppy said:

I am a collector of a few special things. Vintage Glassware of all colors shapes and sizes. Vases bottles candlestick holders etc etc etc

 

Cookbooks.   shelves full. Tons of Great ones.

 

Leather handbags 

 

Most of my buying is done but I do enjoy what I have collected

 

I don't know if chatting here is a hobby but it is a daily pleasure of mine. Hobby maybe.

I wouldn't consider this place being a hobby of mine but a guilty pleasure 100% 

[Augie]

 

In my free time, I like to read doom and gloom reports about how terrible the Buffalo Bills are. 

[Draconator]

40 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

In my free time, I like to read doom and gloom reports about how terrible the Buffalo Bills are. 

You've come to the right place! 

[NCDAWG]

THIS. I find myself drawn the SS that is the Dolpigs

[BritBill]

Watching soccer. I have a season ticket for my club. Will try to go and watch England whenever I can but not close to the levels I did in the the 00's. Not played for about a decade now. Too fat.

 

Collect sports stickers. Mainly soccer but do the Panini NFL every year.

 

Watching cricket but international games are starting to get very pricey which limits me until my 14 year old can pay for himself! So mainly on TV the last few years. 

 

Being sarcastic on internet message boards.

Edited August 12 by BritBill

[Low Positive]

Going to indulge in one of mine tonight. Just bought night session tickets for the Cincinnati Open. Wanted to go today to see Alcaraz and Coco, but it's 90F and humid and I'm not about to spend a day in the sun. 

 

Just as an aside, what's really cool about the Cincinnati Open (1000 level for both the men and women) is that they have free parking. You can pay for closer parking but I'll take the steps and save the money while my body allows. They also sell souvenir cups with free ice refills for $5.  So I get to see world-class tennis (Zverev vs Brandon Nakashima is one I'll see) for $50 all in. 

[Augie]

1 hour ago, Low Positive said:

Going to indulge in one of mine tonight. Just bought night session tickets for the Cincinnati Open. Wanted to go today to see Alcaraz and Coco, but it's 90F and humid and I'm not about to spend a day in the sun. 

 

Just as an aside, what's really cool about the Cincinnati Open (1000 level for both the men and women) is that they have free parking. You can pay for closer parking but I'll take the steps and save the money while my body allows. They also sell souvenir cups with free ice refills for $5.  So I get to see world-class tennis (Zverev vs Brandon Nakashima is one I'll see) for $50 all in. 

 

I’ve been watching and the rain just started. Jess Pegula was scheduled to play tonight, but I’m not sure if things will go as planned. My college buddy who is now a tennis pro goes every year. I’m glad they were able to keep the tournament in town. 

 

As a tennis player myself I’ve attended a bunch of tournaments big and small (but never a major) and the most fun I’ve ever had watching tennis live was team tennis years ago. I’m not even sure if that still exists, but it was a blast! There’s music and noise and beer….and more beer! It’s a great time in a great environment. Everyone there shares a love of the game. 

 

.

Edited August 12 by Augie

[BillsBruce]

On 8/1/2025 at 1:08 PM, Draconator said:

Me too. My main bass is a Hohner B2B Steinberger copy. Also have a Yamaha RBX 4 strings, and a Fender Jazz 5 string. What type of bass(es) do you have?

I got the GAS real bad. Gear Acquisition Syndrome is real.  Back in the day 30-40 years ago, I had my Rickenbacker 4001 and that was it. Now it's several Jazzes, couple Precisions (LOVE the Tony Franklin Signature Model), a Danelectro, RIckenbacker 4003 and some others.  Not to forget the Steinberger Spirit 4-string.  Looks like you dig your Hohner!

[Draconator]

10 minutes ago, BillsBruce said:

I got the GAS real bad. Gear Acquisition Syndrome is real.  Back in the day 30-40 years ago, I had my Rickenbacker 4001 and that was it. Now it's several Jazzes, couple Precisions (LOVE the Tony Franklin Signature Model), a Danelectro, RIckenbacker 4003 and some others.  Not to forget the Steinberger Spirit 4-string.  Looks like you dig your Hohner!

I could be like you and just buy about 10 basses, and then I would be divorced! 

I'd like a real Steinberger, a Ricky 4001, A Yamaha BB3000 (I had one back in the 90s, and I traded that bass away, and to this day it's the biggest regret I have in my life), a Lake Placid Fender Jazz, a Dingwall John Taylor Signature, Geddy Lee Mexican Fender Jazz Signature, and a Status Graphite King bass. (I have expensive tastes). 

[Augie]

51 minutes ago, BillsBruce said:

I got the GAS real bad. Gear Acquisition Syndrome is real.  Back in the day 30-40 years ago, I had my Rickenbacker 4001 and that was it. Now it's several Jazzes, couple Precisions (LOVE the Tony Franklin Signature Model), a Danelectro, RIckenbacker 4003 and some others.  Not to forget the Steinberger Spirit 4-string.  Looks like you dig your Hohner!

 

I’ve got a buddy with literally dozens of guitars hanging in his music room in the basement. He just can’t help himself. He’s got all the speakers and mixing gear as well. He has all his musician buddies come over to jam, but for some reason he is always the loudest (when his daughter is at the board).

 

When they first bought that house his wife wasn’t in town yet and he went out to buy a toilet paper holder. He bought a grand piano for the living room instead. They are still married. 

[DrDawkinstein]

Currently in the phase where our 6yr old and her activities are our main hobbies.

 

So with that said, if anyone wants to swap Pokemon Go Friend codes, hit me up! 😆

[Augie]

28 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Currently in the phase where our 6yr old and her activities are our main hobbies.

 

So with that said, if anyone wants to swap Pokemon Go Friend codes, hit me up! 😆

 

Get used to it! It will be the best hobby you ever have, and you’ll miss it when it’s gone. 

 

Grandkids are a lot easier, though. 

[DrDawkinstein]

17 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

Get used to it! It will be the best hobby you ever have, and you’ll miss it when it’s gone. 

 

Grandkids are a lot easier, though. 

 

Oh yeah, man. No complaints here. So much fun.

[Logic]

I'm late to this thread, but:

- Music. I love listening to and discovering new music, I love playing guitar and singing, and I LOVE seeing live music.

- Grateful Dead. I have ready every biography, listened to every podcast, been to dozens of shows...I genuinely think I could teach a doctorate level course on Deadology at this point. Currently in the midst of a (so far) five year long project of listening to every and taking notes about every GD show chronologically starting in 1972. I just reached 1978. Long way to go.

 

- Professional wrestling. Really? Yes, really. I was a big WWF fan as a kid, then drifted away from it for most of my adulthood. NJPW brought me to AEW, and AEW brought me back into the fold. I also enjoy watching 80s/90s era WWF, WCW, and NWA wrestling.

 

- Spirituality/philosophy. Buddhism, Vedanta, Taoism. Alan Watts, Ram Dass, Thich Nhat Hanh, etc, etc.

- Movies. I love going to my local 100 year old historic movie house, the Hollywood Theatre, or watching movies at home with a bowl of popcorn. Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Dukes of Hazzard, A Marriage Story, Jurassic Park, Jaws are some favorites, just to list a few.

 

- Swimming and Snorkeling. Tropical waters, rivers, oceans, I don't care, I'll take it all. I can swim for miles and not get bored or tired. Love swimming, and love snorkeling even more.

[Wacka]

Go geocaching.   With health the last few years, I was limited to get-togethers but am going out more.  Can do it basically anywhere in the world. I think the only places that may not have one are N. Korea and  Turkmenistan.