I thought it would be fun to see what everyone here does outside of music as a hobby. I don't know if this question has been asked in the past (maybe I even asked it myself)...

Aside from music I also like to draw (my medium is ink and pencil--may get into oil painting).

I also collect antiques, enjoy model railroading, collecting 1:18 scale model cars, collect air pistols and rifles (left the real ones behind--nervous wife I guess--so I now collect fully licensed air replicas)

This may be sad, but two of my favorite shows on TV are on the public channel. I'm hooked on Ross's Joy Of Painting--laugh at the man's afro if you want, but it's amazing to see his creations come to life (he was very talented), and I'm nuts about the Antique Road Show.

Anyone else care to share?

Squeak

Squeak it has changed for me over the years...

during my late teens and twenty's I also liked art,,Drawing skills I must acquired from my mother[she was a good artist]..
Also during my early years from 1960 thru 1976 I raced autos[Drag racing]..I competed on a high level of success...

In mid seventies I raced Motocross[dirt bikes]..

I have always played sports..wrestling, boxing, baseball, softball, football, and my favorite basketball...I played basketball up to last year[league play]..I played with as Uncle Dave says[kids in their 20's]..
I thought about playing in the over 50 league, but it isn't aggressive enough for me...Don't get me wrong there are some 50 year old guys I know that can compete with anyone...but overall there are too many mismatches[I couldn't had a field day]..
My last year of active play , I injured both achille tendons at the same time, and for a week had difficulty walking , let alone playing....I took this as a sign to back off......I do think I will hook up again[maybe there is an over 60 league..

Now my hobby is spectator at my grand kids games..They all excell too....and there are a lot of pretty moms at the games

After graduation, I took a job as an accountant/auditor. HATED IT! I then decided to only do for a living what I would do for fun.

My company does strategic planning, MARCOM plans, video production, publishing, broadcast commercial production, high end graphics (logos, positioning, etc.)SPSS and SASS research, packaging and POS design, music scores, large format photography...teaching at the graduate level...believe it or not, all things I love...things that are related when you consider the gamut of tasks involved in organizational and mass communications.

Now the downside...useless but FUN activities: restoring old Cushman motorscooters and Honda motorcycles...collecting guns and knives
(hundreds..most never used) restoring old cars (my youngest son is a "car guy"), collecting stringed instruments (over 300 to date). Just stopped smoking a pipe...anyone want over three hundred of the stinky things? UGH!

But, Like Fran, the greatest things now are spending time with three fabulous grandchildren and playing (now in my 50th year, with no end in site (I hope). In the fall, a trio consisting of me on keys and guitar, my son on bass and my grandson on drums will take a house gig two afternoons a week.

COOL!...Life is GOOD!


Russ

I keep a marine aquarium with fish and corals - all tank bred and so NOT taken from the ocean.

Carrie

Okay, will give it a go as well.

First of all, music: playing the organ and keyboard. Figures since I'm on SZ. Of course, listening to music is also a must. Can't get enough of the Beatles.

My other love is reading and I have a well-stocked library.I prefer non-fiction but fiction is represented as well.

Well, since I live in Taiwan it kinda makes sense that I am also into Martial Arts. Then again, maybe it doesn't make sense at all as having sense beaten into you makes you senseless, doesn't it?

On the softer side, I just love camping. Nothing beats sleeping underneath the stars. As long as the weather permits, my tent's only used for storing my gear.

I am guilty of being a Scrabble addict but I doubt I'll ever do time for that although it would make doing time a breeze. Not that I'd like to find out, mind you. Crossword puzzles..another addiction. Basically love about every wordgame. And don't count out Trivial Pursuit and other boardgames.

Chinese paper cutting and paper carving. Slow and tedious work but I love it.

Then there's studying languages. I speak nine so am pretty much at home anywhere. I'm working on number ten now: Lao. My wife is Lao and we'll be living in Laos in a couple of years from now. Once I speak Lao, Thai will be a breeze.

Cooking! Anything with lots of spices and herbs. Plus, I love it hot, hot, hot!

Before I forget, I used to sky-dive (I was a Para-Commando in the Armed Forces) but have to miss out on that one in Taiwan. I live in the North while the sky-diving club is in the South-East.

Okay, am coming to the end. There's still running and swimming. Can't stand heated and indoors swimming pools so usually swim in mountain rivers and swim holes. There's a nice pool with a waterfall not too far from where I live. It's usually deserted which I like about it. Great power massages that waterfall gives!

Uh...my wife's also my hobby. And 8 months from now I'll have another hobby...our first child!

ps. Squeak, although not a painter, I loved his show as well.

Captain Russ, do you own any Kinmen (offshore island of Taiwan)knives? They're made from artillery shells.

Taike


------------------
Khoi huk ngam sud tee huk kon diow.

Carrie...forgot to mention a 10,000 gal. Koi pond (started with a small portable one for my grandson). UV filters, two regular filters, waterfalls and about 40 Koi.

Taike...not familiar with that brand of knife, but impressed with the quality of knives and other products made in Taiwan, including one of my favorite "Rides"...a 150 CC Kymco motorscooter. Had it 3 years...no maintenance and retails about $1000.00 less than Honda, Suzuki, etc. They're the world's third largest two wheeled motor vehicle manufacturer...far superior to almost everything else. They make small engines for Honda. Will cruise at 60. I keep it in our downtown warehouse for trips to lunch, the bank, suppliers, etc.


russ

Captain Russ,

You can see here how Kinmen knives are made: http://www.aronsonsjournal.com/Taiwan2003/15.html
http://www.taiwanho.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=kinmen_meastrowu
http://edu.ocac.gov.tw/local/tour_kinmen/e/3-4-1.htm

I have a SYM 150cc. Not that fast but then again, I hate going fast. Great bike for camping trips and it does great on mountain roads. Paid a US$1300(2001)and never had a problem.

Taike, the Kymco 150 is $3200.00 here (plus accessories..I have a windshield and carrier box-about $400.00) and worth every penny. they are about twice as expensicve as the cheap imports from China.


Russ

Photography

Web Design / Graphics Design

Oil Painting

------------------
Al Giordano
www.al-giordano.com

Tyros 2, Yamaha P-250, Korg Triton Extreme 76, Roland VK8-M, DW Collectors Series Drums

Trips in our 35 foot new motorhome and cruises on Princess ships are my OTHER hobbies

Taike, What do you do in your sparetime
Bebop

Hehe...create more spare time for my hobbies!

Well, playing my boards, listening to music, reading, cooking, studying Lao and crossword puzzles I do every day. Also being with my darling.

The other hobbies I do whenever I get the urge which is quite often.

My motto is: Don't pigeonhole time, just use it.
I notice that many people spend more time planning then actually doing what they've planned, if it even comes to them doing it.

I agree just make sure to use your all time to do what you like doing.

I work programming video games during the day ( see http://www.fullspectrumwarrior.com for the Sony PS2 )
I maintain http://www.synthzone.com EVERY night ( for so many years now )
I play in a rock cover band on weekends ( http://www.redrhythm.com )
I love to go out to listen to live music ( rock and jazz ). I saw The Tubes just the other night who were just awesome.
I play video games on my Xbox and Sony PSP.
I even like to shoot handguns at a local range.
I love getting out into the wilderness and just got back from a cruise to Alaska with my wife Kerry. It was an absolute blast. I just wish that we had more than just a few hours in Victoria BC or I would have tried to catch up with shboom.
I just love life I guess ....

Both of us have something in common, Nigel. We both don't have time to be bored.
Like good ol' Martha said: It's a good thing.

Al, DW's are GREAT drums!

Russ

Obviously, music is the biggest passion, both playing and listening ... and listening to a wide variety ... from country (some) to classical, and most types in between ... love Jazz, but, no offense to anyone, NO rap or hip-hop, please ...

I used to LOVE running ... ran the NY Marathon 3 times ... I could eat and drink anything and everything when I was running 60 miles a week ... then injuries came and the running stopped, but not the eating and drinking ... that didn't work out too well ... a lot heavier now ...

I played competitive softball until about 7 years ago ...

I enjoy gardening, and have a very small fish pond ...

We spend a good amount of time with the grandkids (and kids ) ... in fact the oldest grand daughter (8 yrs) has a dance recital tonight ...

I enjoy rooting for the NY Yankees and NY Giants (football), and am currently rooting for Italia in the WC ...

I enjoy 'dabbling' in art and think I will join my wife in art class when I retire ...

We have also started studying the Italian language ...

busy, but GOOD busy ...

t.

1. Working out - have a full gym, Trotter treadmill and dry sauna in my basement

2. Cooking / Grilling - I do all the courses for my wife, who usually gets home at 6 pm. This usually is done after my workout and while sipping on some dry red pinot

3. Golf - love the beauty and nature of different courses

4. Music - have no keyboard right now - waiting for the new Roland

5. Business owner - enjoy working for myself in outside sales

zuki

Well, I'm an old ex-jock, having played basketball, as Fran did, until a relatively short time ago. I played at Oklahoma State U., but stayed injured most of the time.
My oldest son played at Creighton and then turned pro and enjoyed a good career, mostly in Europe. My youngest is a senior in high school next year and is pretty good as well. I plan to NOT play music as much and attend all his games that I possibly can this year.
In the 70's I got into Fastpitch softball, and was on several state championship teams in Arkansas. It was semi-pro level, as we did get paid for the games. Too bad that Fastpitch has just about disappeared except for girls' college fp.
Since the late 60's, though, most of my athletic focus turned to golf. I still play most days, and I can thank my music career for giving me time during the day to play.
Current handicap is 3.
I also enjoy fishing, mostly for bass.
I spent a few years handicapping race horses, and did very well at that, but decided it took too much time away from home. Now I play Blackjack some at the casinos, but on a small level, and love to bet at the golf course.
Photography is another love, but now it's almost entirely digital.
I can't list music as a hobby since it has been my profession for 30 years, but I'm hoping by the end of the year that it is more of a hobby and less a job.
Like Uncle Dave, I now have a "day job" for the first time in years.
DonM

My hobbies would include cycling and sailing. I sailed boats for 20 years around Florida, the Bahamas, and in the USVI and BVI when I lived in St. Thomas. The last boat I had was a Catalina 27 which I sold in the mid 90's and bought an Ocean City Condo. I started getting interested in Real Estate as something to do when I didn't want to play anymore. My real estate is doing well and I still love to play.

I started cycling in 1990 and did 4 CAM Tours (Cycle Across Maryland) in the 90's as well as several century rides. My work schedule and family obligations slowed me down in the last several years, but I'm back in the saddle again and feeling great. I'm 56 and this is something I can do for many years to come.

Music would figure in as well, but it's been my profession for many years so it hardly counts as a hobby.

------------------
Songman55
Joe Ayala

Converted buses are a hobby of mine. My band travels on a tour bus that we have converted into an entertainer coach. It is fully self contained. We just spent the week on it at the beach for the 4th of July.

Another hobby is Koi, I have a 6,000 gallon pond with a 4 ft high waterfall and connected by a 30 ft creek. It is powered by a 90 gallon per minute Artesian Performance Pro pump, an Aqua Ultraviolet low pressure bead filter and a 120 watt Aqua Ultraviolet UV filter. This was another do it yourself project.

Captain Russ your pond sounds really great I would love to see pics of it if you can post them.

I also enjoy playing racquetball but haven't taken time to play much in the last year.

Richard

Jogging first thing in the morning.
Hiking with field guides to identify birds, trees, insects and wild flowers.
Bicycling - not for speed but for leisure
Yard work - mowing and trimming
Bible study - well more of a life-style than a hobby.


Peace
Bob
<><

Richard, I'll try to take photos of the pond and our old Cushman scooter we have been restoring for almost a year and send them to Nigel to post, if he will.

Sounds like your pond is a really neat one!

Russ

Do that Russ and I'll make them available for you to post them in a posting.


[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 07-06-2006).]

Thanks, Nigel. Should have asked for the favor first, but you were so kind to post photos of my old Guild, I thought you wouldn't mind. Cushman will not be done for several weeks. May also include photo(s) of several of my old guitars we talked about.


Thanks, and, as always, the best to you and Kerry.


"Technologically impaired" Russ

I love getting out on an open road with alot of curves in it. The wind in my face and the sound of my bike. Its almost therapeutic.

[img]http://image1.frappr.com/pix1/i/20060408/2/6/5/2656a6aa56d21d846bd9145bdf32a3112[/img]


Regards,

Dennis L. Almond
aka...TwoNuts


[This message has been edited by TwoNuts (edited 07-08-2006).]