Hobbies, what do you get up to in your spare time? Options

[Mata]

I'm curious about what people do when they've got free time.

I learn Wing Chun kung fu, I go to the gym, I draw my comic strips, browse the internet, play computer games, and I'm currently planning a novel. I'm pretty busy! When I get time I also paint, but that's more of an irregular thing.

How about you? Is there anything you'd like to start doing?

[Kitty]

Look! Its me on Matazone!

I recently started sewing again, and messing around on the guitar.... Its not really something I do too regularly, because I get frustrated at it easily, but its something I do I plan to pick up reading again, I dont think I've finished a book in the past year.... which is kind of sad. Most of my freetime I spend talking to people online....

[Daria]

I am learning Russian. I also like sewing but as with Kitty, I get frustrated too easily- I also don't have my sewing machine with me in London
I also draw cartoons about Monty's Enchanting Eyeball, and odd conversations I have had. And I go to gigs. Lots and lots of gigs.

[Izzy]

GUITAR! That's what 90% of my free time is. The other 10% is probably a mixture between being online and being outside. And I read. Sometimes.

[I_am_the_best]

Ooh, I like talking about this. I do a lot of music. Well actually, I only practise the piano really and occassionally the other instruments if I've got a concert or exam. And all other time is spent procrastinating, probably on the computer. Work doesn't come into the equation.

[Snugglebum the D...]

I read. And read. And then read a bit more. I can just disappear into a different world and absorb myself into a book. I actually feel sad for people who don't read for enjoyment. I read every single day without fail and I certainly can't sleep without a book. (there have been a couple that have kept me rapt all night)

I used to draw. When I was a bit younger and 'emo' it was a fantastic way to lose a few hours. I have several lovely drawings of dragons from when I was off on one. Unfortunately, I have little time for it nowadays. I'll get the old kit out when my son wants a drawing or someone needs a tattoo but it's a talent that I've sadly allowed to go to seed.

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

I used to draw.

I never knew that, you simply MUST show me your etchings!

[Mata]

We've got a lot of musical people. There should be a Matazone band!

I used to read a lot, but these days I don't get as much time and so I spend a lot of time thinking about things I'm writing. Instead, for my fiction intake, I listen to lots of audio books. That way I still get stories, but I get to do other things at the same time too.

[Snugglebum the D...]

I never knew that, you simply MUST show me your etchings!

You seem like the type that is open to my ideas. Now if you could just place your clothes over there...

[froggle-rock]

In my free time I enjoy climbing indoors and outdoors (been showing off my grip muscles to Daria and Wytu today and did my first outdoor 4c on Saturday!);trips to the cinema (Prince Charles & Peckahm are nice an cheap-when I can afford them); live funk (live music just has a way of reaching into you that playing a record just can't seem to do as often. Went over to Lille the other day for a DJ set of hip hop and funk, they played Mace & the Macs Soul Power for me, just totally awesome!); trampolining (four consecutive swivel hips with out much practive so far this year, hopefully I'll surpass my highest of six soon); interweb surfing (well, here I am, aren't I? ) ; slowly getting back into reading -before bed (yes, it was fantasy that bought me back) and leaving notes/ drawings/ lymericks on bikes tied up in public (hit a bit of a creative block at the moment, been tihnking abour making collages from those free papers to ties on). Also, just a little bit, but not really a hobby, of late I've been writing words and, or number on my finger nails with these nifty thin brush, neon nail varnishes I borrowed from a cousin.

I'd like to dine out more often, just restricted by finances now- as in, I'd like to eat more types of foods. I'd also like to attend more art exhibitions. When I am fitter, and hopefully by high summer I'll have the finances I'd like to start learning some parkour, it looks totally fun and would compliment my climbing.


What's this novel you're planning on, Mata?

[LoLo]

I listen to lots of audio books. That way I still get stories, but I get to do other things at the same time too.

That's the only way I've found recently that I have time to get to "read" for pleasure. Most of the actual reading I do is text books.

My hobbies used to be painting, sculpting, drawing, reading, some minor photography, but now my one and only hobby seems to be sleeping, since I rarely have time to do it.

[Kitty]

Instead, for my fiction intake, I listen to lots of audio books. That way I still get stories, but I get to do other things at the same time too.

I have ALWAYS wondered if you ever have times where you just sit down and stop thinking. Ever?? It seems that every time I hear about something you're doing you're also doing something else at the same time.

Procrastinating, thats another hobby of mine. I like to think alot about what I should do/want to do and then think about how I'm procrastinating about it.

[monkey_called_na...]

i mud

yeah im really that much of a geek.

[LoLo]

i mud

yeah im really that much of a geek.

As in driving around in the mud in a 4 wheel drive vehicle?

[Izzy]

We've got a lot of musical people. There should be a Matazone band!

I've actually had something like on that on my mind for a while now. An online band type of thing where a few people record some stuff, someone makes some lyrics, and the we just mix it all together. It'd be something really cool to do.

[elphaba2]

I climb too, frog! Do you happen to know what a 4c is in US terms (because I am scratching my head)?

I also cook (makin the illest chocolate chip cookies as well as assorted, mostly indian-flavored veg items) and sing. I play the viola poorly and send letters to people I don't know (many thanks to Feral Polyglot (I think it was him) for making Postcardx known to me.) I read like a fiend and learn about public transit systems compulsively. Knitting, writing and sculpturing make the list as well--I basically can't sit still and get really bored watching TV. Is anyone else the same way?

[Witless]

I read a fair bit, rarely at home though. I spend vast quantities of time on public transport, so have about 3+ reading hours every day on london's transport. I get lost a lot in books to like miss snugglebum.

I sadly also make facial expressions when I read, I can't help it. If something is suprising I look suprised etc..

I draw a fudge load too. It helps that I used to be a graphic designer and helps even more that I am currently studying animation. I pretty much HAVE to sketch all the time for projects. Plus unlike some poor souls I seem able to still enjoy sketching even though I also do it for work type stuff.

Also into photography a lot, and am slowly building a lovely lens set for my canon 400d slr camera which I am proud of. I pretty much photograph whatever and whoever I am can without being arrested for it (sometimes I consider taking pictures of things I would be arrested for... )

Also make short films.. though not so much in my free time anymore. Most of the time it's for actual uni/old job. But once I free up some time I will get back on that again.

And finally I play computer games... noticeably world of warcraft with Cath sometimes.

[monkey_called_na...]

i mud

yeah im really that much of a geek.

As in driving around in the mud in a 4 wheel drive vehicle?

as in playing text based multi player games.

[MisterJ]

I LOVE music! I listen to good music as much as I can. And do to how my room is setup, I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to enjoying bedroom stereos or boom boxes (I listen to music on the surround speakers now).
I also like movies, but I don't get around to watching that many.

I really like books too, although quite often, I haven't too much time to spare for them!

Bokuwa nihongo benko o shimasu (i think that's how it goes): I learn Japanese. And I spend some time messing with languages and working on Langhadêjé, my conlang.

I've also recently got back into the drums, and have been playing alot. I've been getting pretty good at them too.

That's most of my hobbies/free time things.

[Tarantio]

Well, I do most of my hobbies part-time, since many of them are very involving, and mostly because I have so many. Since I was old enough to stand on my own two feet, my hobbies have included:

Model railways, Airfix kits, reading, drawing, painting, football, exploring, writing (lots), hillwalking, collecting, miniature modelling/painting, wargaming, tabletop RPGing, boardgaming, computers/computer games, listening to music, playing the ocarina (though this is now dead and buried), design, ultimate, a bit of acting, singing (mostly at karaoke), building stuff (absolutely anything, really, from houses to circuit boards), mathematics (sad, but I have more maths awards than any other type), casual history, dancing, orienteering and occasionally socialising.

How I find time to do anything really escapes me.

Snugs, I agree totally about the reading, and drawing is always good for emptying your mind of whatever else is going on at the time. I reccomend, as I always do, anything by Neil Gaiman. I'll have you all converted at some point. Start with Stardust, Neverwhere or American Gods. Hell, start anywhere, just read the bastage.

[elphaba2]

Now I am trying to learn guitar properly. I can play two songs (and neither of them are by Green Day)! Yay new hobby!

[Pixelgoth]

WHAT spare time. I live, breath and eat university at the moment....it's all good though

When I do have some spare time my favourite thing to do is go shopping. It's a total female cliche but I LOVE shopping

I also like going out with my mates, flirting, drinking (not getting stupid drunk), smoking and dancing.

I love to read a good trashy novel as well as something a little bit more hi brow every now and then.

Obviously I LOVE visiting museums, art galleries and heritage attractions (doing an MA in Arts & Museum Management that's why) and reading about them too - not really a spare time thing tho as it's what I'm supposed to be doing

[Izzy]

Now I am trying to learn guitar properly. I can play two songs (and neither of them are by Green Day)! Yay new hobby!

I can change that, I hope!

Here's a really good tab for Good Riddance. It's the first song I ever learnt.

http://www.fretplay.com/tabs/g/green_day/g...dance-tab.shtml

[elphaba2]

Aw, thanks. Now I kind of feel obligated to learn it, even though I don't like Green Day very much at all. It's also embarassing to consider the fact that I might not even be able to play it (the two songs I learned are three/four chords each--Rebellion by the Arcade Fire and In The Aeroplane Over the Sea.) Maybe I will try.

(Chah, I sound like the indie scum.)

[Daria]

Learning Bloc Party would make you Indie Scum.

Learning Arcade Fire makes you awesome.