Auditioning Hobbies

10-29-07 Auditioning Hobbies

It has been suggested to me that it’s time for me to change my hobby. Yes, I know I suck as a record collector and music fan. I shame all of the decent folks who have chosen this august pass-time.

We have teased (my GF & I) about becoming birdwatchers for some time now. I greatly enjoyed the recent book called “To See Every Bird On Earth” (or thereabouts) – I was surprised at the amount of ‘exclusive’ language that birders used. But how would we be accepted into the local birding community? (If such a thing exists in urban Los Angeles). Are birdwatchers as jealous as record collectors? “I saw it first!” “No, you can’t see my notebook!” etc. “That’s not a _____________ . It’s a __________ .”

We have a Flickr (photo sharing) site where we post our vacation photos and I sometimes upload some of my record collector arcane. Believe it or not, our photographs of flowers receive a lot of attention – it’s as though the Flickr botanists have found us. Should we specialize in digital botany photography? Should I go out and buy an Art Wolfe lens? For me, it’s a great compliment when someone posts a question to us via Flickr like “What special lens and settings do you use?” – when, in fact, we just point the camera and press the button. No idea or theory regarding light or camera settings – just see something nice looking and “CLICK!”. So, before I even get started down a hobby in botanical photography – will I be laughed out of the Bottanical Gardens just for not knowing or caring what the heck camera settings I will be using?

I’ve blown through a few other hobbies already – from the early 80’s until the late 90’s, I collected videotapes – mostly of music. I have 22,000+ music videos. So, not really interested in collecting more videos – no matter what format they are on.

I’d love to list travel as a hobby – when it’s likely more accurate to call it my “interest” – if I had the time and money, I’d travel for 6-9 months out of the year! But, can’t quite do that – would my job understand? How quickly would the cash run out? Certainly before my interest would run out. Japan, here we come! (Well, one day…)

Maybe I should just stick with being a goofy record collector. Yes, I already have way too many – but, but, but…it’s what I know, what I like, what I remember…it never just seems like a simple nostalgia – music collecting. I have always regarded my interest in music as a supplement to my intellect.

So, what’s your suggestion for us, as a “new hobby”? We’re not planning on having any kids; we may eventually get another cat. What adult hobby do you recommend for me & my significant other? Please keep in mind where we live – so “Swamp Buggy Racing” isn’t really a viable option. And I am trying to cut down on sugar – so I think I’ll give a miss to studying to become a pastry chef.