Ask HN: What are your Hobbies?
38 comments
What's your flavour of cars?
Personally I'm into older japanese makes, currently playing with circuit racing in an early model mx5 (miata).. But also a big fan of Australian and American muscle.
I find it really good having a physical/mechanical hobby outside of the on-screen work I do during the day. It's like sorbet for your brain.
Personally I'm into older japanese makes, currently playing with circuit racing in an early model mx5 (miata).. But also a big fan of Australian and American muscle.
I find it really good having a physical/mechanical hobby outside of the on-screen work I do during the day. It's like sorbet for your brain.
What's your flavour of cars?
American muscle-cars from the 60's / 70's mainly. I own a 1968 Camaro that was my first car (a gift from my dad) but it's been parked for a while with a blown engine. Lately I've been thinking a lot about trying to find a cheap 1970's era pickup, maybe a Chevy C-10 or something, to play with. I get tired of newer cars and how complicated it is to work on them. Take my RX-8 for example: you have to jack the car up and crawl underneath just to change spark-plugs. Uuugh. OTOH, take something like a 1975 C-10 and you can almost get inside the engine compartment and stand on the ground with the engine in place. You also don't need a lot of special tools, secret manufacturer codes, etc. to work on something like that.
Honestly, I spend enough time during my day job doing "computer stuff". I'd rather have a car to mess with that's old enough to be pre ECM era. No fuel-injection, just a plain old Holley 650 or something. :-)
American muscle-cars from the 60's / 70's mainly. I own a 1968 Camaro that was my first car (a gift from my dad) but it's been parked for a while with a blown engine. Lately I've been thinking a lot about trying to find a cheap 1970's era pickup, maybe a Chevy C-10 or something, to play with. I get tired of newer cars and how complicated it is to work on them. Take my RX-8 for example: you have to jack the car up and crawl underneath just to change spark-plugs. Uuugh. OTOH, take something like a 1975 C-10 and you can almost get inside the engine compartment and stand on the ground with the engine in place. You also don't need a lot of special tools, secret manufacturer codes, etc. to work on something like that.
Honestly, I spend enough time during my day job doing "computer stuff". I'd rather have a car to mess with that's old enough to be pre ECM era. No fuel-injection, just a plain old Holley 650 or something. :-)
I totally get the idea of avoiding computers in the car side of things. My Dad and I used to work on old Holdens (GM) when I was a kid, and I ended up with carburetted Datsuns for a long time.
I wish we got some of the cool 70's American products down here in Australia, though we get some equally neat imports to make up for it I suppose. But it's certainly a good hobby to have outside of work I reckon.
And haha, yeah the rx-8 probably isn't the best example of a newer car in terms of maintenance or reliability :) But I do love rotors!
I wish we got some of the cool 70's American products down here in Australia, though we get some equally neat imports to make up for it I suppose. But it's certainly a good hobby to have outside of work I reckon.
And haha, yeah the rx-8 probably isn't the best example of a newer car in terms of maintenance or reliability :) But I do love rotors!
Interesting combination. You have hobbies for physical health, creativity, technical knowledge, and mental health. Do you combine them in any specific way when you have time for your hobbies?
Do you combine them in any specific way when you have time for your hobbies?
Not really. Mostly I just have too many interests and not enough time to pursue them all. And I try not to over-think this stuff, but I did make kind of a pointed effort to take up some more artistic / creative things with the interests in drawing and playing keyboard. For most of my life I had no hobbies that really had that artistic aspect to them, so that was something of a conscious decision. That said, I love music and learning to play an instrument was always one of those "I'll get around to it one day" things, and I just finally bit the bullet.
Not really. Mostly I just have too many interests and not enough time to pursue them all. And I try not to over-think this stuff, but I did make kind of a pointed effort to take up some more artistic / creative things with the interests in drawing and playing keyboard. For most of my life I had no hobbies that really had that artistic aspect to them, so that was something of a conscious decision. That said, I love music and learning to play an instrument was always one of those "I'll get around to it one day" things, and I just finally bit the bullet.
Posting in a Raspberry Pi Facebook group. Mostly information on how things work, some Linux education, etc.
Reading (mostly SF)
I've been teaching myself reverse-engineering of DOS games, and I've had one project in particular going on for a couple years, with numerous branchings, experiments, side-investigations, etc.
Learning languages, on and off. German, Japanese, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and Arabic, in rough order of how much time/work I've put into each.
Collecting (computer and video) games. I only play a couple hours a week these days, but I can still rarely resist if something interesting-looking comes up for a nice price on GoG, or somewhere. Or a sudden yen for a childhood console game.
I suppose I've made a hobby or a game of coming up with novel ways of making my son laugh, and to (mildly) embarrass his mother.
Reading (mostly SF)
I've been teaching myself reverse-engineering of DOS games, and I've had one project in particular going on for a couple years, with numerous branchings, experiments, side-investigations, etc.
Learning languages, on and off. German, Japanese, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and Arabic, in rough order of how much time/work I've put into each.
Collecting (computer and video) games. I only play a couple hours a week these days, but I can still rarely resist if something interesting-looking comes up for a nice price on GoG, or somewhere. Or a sudden yen for a childhood console game.
I suppose I've made a hobby or a game of coming up with novel ways of making my son laugh, and to (mildly) embarrass his mother.
Gaming. It’s by far my largest expenditure of time and discretionary income. Despite that I still have quite a backlog. I’m working my way through the original The Witcher right now.
Music, photography, video games, coffee, hiking.
I spend ludicrous amounts of time reading wikipedia (technology, psychology, philosophy, science, design).
I wish there were more single player video games that I found interesting. The only stuff I can enjoy are competitive multiplayer games. Antichamber and Soma are the only two single player games that come to mind that were incredibly good experiences.
I think and read about software/computers about 12 hours a day too if that counts.
I spend ludicrous amounts of time reading wikipedia (technology, psychology, philosophy, science, design).
I wish there were more single player video games that I found interesting. The only stuff I can enjoy are competitive multiplayer games. Antichamber and Soma are the only two single player games that come to mind that were incredibly good experiences.
I think and read about software/computers about 12 hours a day too if that counts.
I've toyed with reading "A Wikipedia article a day" with the intent of broadening my knowledge. I'm just clicking articles (reading through the US Presidents right now) and gathering articles for later.
Do you use any tools to streamline reading Wikipedia or are you just using the site and following interesting links?
Thanks!
Do you use any tools to streamline reading Wikipedia or are you just using the site and following interesting links?
Thanks!
No tools, generally just starts off as a tangent on a particular topic and spirals out from there.
I always have a tab-backlog of wikipedia and HN articles.
I always have a tab-backlog of wikipedia and HN articles.
Cycling, mountain-biking, XC mostly. I just love being out in nature on a beautiful trail.
But if hobbies includes academic interests, then computer science, mathematics, (programming is a given in this community I suppose), rationality and many other fields of science. Also, competitive programming is something i do occasionally, the short feedback cycle gives makes it quite addictive.
But if hobbies includes academic interests, then computer science, mathematics, (programming is a given in this community I suppose), rationality and many other fields of science. Also, competitive programming is something i do occasionally, the short feedback cycle gives makes it quite addictive.
* Gardening (vegetables especially, with a slight eye on moving towards self-sufficiency over time -- although ideally we need a little more land)
* Cycling
* Brewing
The combination of parenthood and my current job seems to have cut into hobby programming a lot, but haven't given up completely.
* Cycling
* Brewing
The combination of parenthood and my current job seems to have cut into hobby programming a lot, but haven't given up completely.
Photography and weightlifting. Back in the old days of film with two camera bodies, a motor drive, tripod and five lenses, I could combine the two. Now that I have a more sensitive digital camera with one zoom lens, I have to go to the gym.
-Coming up with date ideas
-Coming up with small talk on dating apps
-Going on first dates
-Wishing there was an app for arranged marriage...
-Coming up with small talk on dating apps
-Going on first dates
-Wishing there was an app for arranged marriage...
A few years ago, back in 2013, I was traveling in China and joined a tour group for a few days to go see the high elevation mountains in Yunnan. There was an interesting couple on the group who told their story of their arraigned marriage. Up to that point I thought the whole idea was bad and antiquated. They talked about how they enjoyed both approaching the idea of marriage as a journey and learning experience, something that I feel has been lost for many western couples.
I thought there was something beautiful about how two people, who barely know each other, but have been selected by their parents and match maker both agree to make the best of it together. They explained that of course they have differences, but by both putting in effort have made a happy relationship. They seemed very sweet together and had a nice positive energy.
I thought there was something beautiful about how two people, who barely know each other, but have been selected by their parents and match maker both agree to make the best of it together. They explained that of course they have differences, but by both putting in effort have made a happy relationship. They seemed very sweet together and had a nice positive energy.
Weightlifting, Dancing, Learning to DJ, Writing, Improv, Cooking,(Story|Poetry) Slams, Meditation, Video Game Modding, Wood work, Mixology, Programming, Pro Wrestling, Travel, Learning, etc.
@soulnothing: WL total?
[deleted]
Whitewater kayaking, climbing and walking in the countryside. Playing guitar and reading. Used to enjoy mountain biking but almost given up since having children.
Stock market trading and fishing - not sure why, but I feel they are related somehow. Also I read a lot - few hours a day, mainly fiction.
DIY Electronics, mostly in shortwave radio listening (amps, antennas, and the like). And video games (perhaps too much even).
* Learning Finnish.
* Taking pictures.
* Spending time learning about hardware, via ESP8266 chips.
* Auditing software for security problems.
* Reading. Constantly.
* Indoor rock-climbing & general gym-going.
* Taking pictures.
* Spending time learning about hardware, via ESP8266 chips.
* Auditing software for security problems.
* Reading. Constantly.
* Indoor rock-climbing & general gym-going.
Guitar, singing, reading (science fiction + interesting non-fiction), running. The amount of time and effort it takes to become reasonably good enough to sound "talented" at the first two items alone is long enough to take a decade or so, maybe half that if you are good at practicing.
- Programming, obv.
- Coding electronic music / sound design
- Songwriting
- Singing
- Pen-and-paper RPGs (mainly D&D, as a player & DM)
- Cooking, baking in particular
- Reading, mainly weird fiction & philosophy
- Rambling (hiking to Americans, but generally involves more pubs)
- Real ale / craft beer
- Trying to read the entire internet
Something I just realised: I am an utterly stereotypical, central-casting nerd :/
- Coding electronic music / sound design
- Songwriting
- Singing
- Pen-and-paper RPGs (mainly D&D, as a player & DM)
- Cooking, baking in particular
- Reading, mainly weird fiction & philosophy
- Rambling (hiking to Americans, but generally involves more pubs)
- Real ale / craft beer
- Trying to read the entire internet
Something I just realised: I am an utterly stereotypical, central-casting nerd :/
- Hacking in general: tinkering with things and modifying them to better suit my needs from software to electronics to woodwork to sewing and more.
- Rockclimbing = purposeful exercise with some problem solving for my busy mind
- Movies
- Lot of science/space documentaries and talks on YT
- Rockclimbing = purposeful exercise with some problem solving for my busy mind
- Movies
- Lot of science/space documentaries and talks on YT
Meetup philosophy groups;
gym yoga class;
read;
travel, history, science (space, biology, tec history) documentaries;
politics stuff;
Twit, hacker news, coursera;
Machine learning tutorials;
Motocross, Street bike riding, Desert Racing, Riding in Baja, throwing a wrench on my bike/truck/RV.
Looking at starting a company motorcycle related...hope it doesn't kill my hobbies :-/
Looking at starting a company motorcycle related...hope it doesn't kill my hobbies :-/
The ones that seem to take up most time and effort are:
Historical fencing (inc. teaching, wrote a book as well), target shooting, living history.
These require some reading of sources, language study, and so on.
Historical fencing (inc. teaching, wrote a book as well), target shooting, living history.
These require some reading of sources, language study, and so on.
Watches and watchmaking
Hiphop/R&B music
Baseball/Basketball statistics
Beer
Reading about Philosophy and Religion
Weightlifting
Hiphop/R&B music
Baseball/Basketball statistics
Beer
Reading about Philosophy and Religion
Weightlifting
Can you give some more details on your watchmaking hobby? What's a good way to get started?
I wish I could, but I am practically brand new to it. The interest in watchmaking is coming second to an interest in watch collecting.
The advice I got was to get Watchmaking by George Daniels and read that to get a strong overview.
It's unfortunately currently sitting on my bookshelf, I am forcing myself to complete the GMAT before I dive into it.
The advice I got was to get Watchmaking by George Daniels and read that to get a strong overview.
It's unfortunately currently sitting on my bookshelf, I am forcing myself to complete the GMAT before I dive into it.
I am very interested in watch making and saved these two [0][1] items to come back to when I have time. I would love to see what resources you have to share if any at all!
[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14610110
[1] http://watchesbysjx.com/2017/05/portrait-masahiro-kikuno-jap...
[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14610110
[1] http://watchesbysjx.com/2017/05/portrait-masahiro-kikuno-jap...
At maker faire SF there was a $10-$15 kids plastic watching making kit some association was selling. Search for Horology, AWCI (http://www.awci.com/). I have been obsessed with lego-based pendulum clocks for a while as well as how cuckoo clocks work.
This is the kit I saw btw (not sure about this particular seller): https://www.happypuzzle.co.uk/products/the-amazing-clock-kit...
I will pick one up for my kid when she grows up :)
This is the kit I saw btw (not sure about this particular seller): https://www.happypuzzle.co.uk/products/the-amazing-clock-kit...
I will pick one up for my kid when she grows up :)
Killer Queen, the world's only 10 player 5 vs 5 arcade game! I travel the United States and play this stupid bee game.
Collecting and writing code for Apple II computers.
More recently: 3D printing, and I'm just starting my first robotics project.
More recently: 3D printing, and I'm just starting my first robotics project.
Woodworking, electronics, 3D printing
- Programming
- Programming Hackathons / Conferences
- Music (Alternative / Indie)
- TV Shows and Anime (I waste too much time on them)
- Yoga
- Cooking
- Learning other languages
- Non-Fiction Books
- Programming Hackathons / Conferences
- Music (Alternative / Indie)
- TV Shows and Anime (I waste too much time on them)
- Yoga
- Cooking
- Learning other languages
- Non-Fiction Books
Music and concerts
Maintaining my aging (13 y/o) German car
Watching basketball / F1
Weightlifting
Reading psychology books
Trying to get into guitar
Maintaining my aging (13 y/o) German car
Watching basketball / F1
Weightlifting
Reading psychology books
Trying to get into guitar
When you say:
>trying to get into the guitar
just curious, have you been able to play your first song? How long have you been at it?
>trying to get into the guitar
just curious, have you been able to play your first song? How long have you been at it?
Reading, gaming, performance art, comedy, seeing movies.
Family, Flying and Fixing things around the house
and gardening
and gardening
Flying, Hiking, Yoga, Reading, Gardening
Acting. It's my retirement plan.
theology, monofin swimming in open water, board gaming, reading sf books
my daughter and wife
lighting for bands
Beer Brewing
Rock Climbing
Radio
Rock Climbing
Radio
sleeping.
* Skyrim modding
* Cyclocross
* Music production
* Player Unknown's Battlegrounds
* Developing a drag & drop CMS
* Smoking Weed
* Boxing
* Texas Hold'em
* CrunchyRoll (anime)
* Aggressive Inline Rollerblading
* Mobile app development using React Native
* .NET Core
Bicycle riding: Road, MTB and BMX
Powerlifting
Trail running
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu / submission wrestling
Tinkering with old cars.
Hobby electronics / hanging out at the hackerspace messing with random projects. I started an effort to build a Z80 based 8-bit "retrocomputer" a while back.
Lately I've been picking at learning to play keyboard / piano.
I've also been dabbling in trying to learn to draw.
I also like to read a lot, both fiction and non-fiction.
And last but not least, going to heavy-metal concerts.