Hobbies/Passions Other than Reptiles - Who are you other than a herp lover?

I wanted to create a thread for people to talk about their interests, passions, hobbies, etc. other than reptiles. There is more to all of us than just herps, even if they are, at least in my case, a big part of my life.

Aside from reptiles, I have 3 major passions/hobbies, and one that I dabble in.

My hobbies/passions are:

1. Cars and racing cars

2. Cigars (smoking and aging)

3. Collecting high-end liquor, mostly whiskey and scotch.


I'll address each.

​Cars and Racing

I have loved cars since before I can remember. I have been a Porsche guy since age 3 when our neighbor got a Porsche 911. Cars aren't transportation for me, they are not an a to b thing, they are an experience where the drive is as important as the destination (if I even have one). Katie loses her mind when I talk about over-steer and under-steer and throttle input and tires can only do 100% of anything, etc. I recently bought a new car and I talked about it, a lot. Let me be clear, I love all cars, and I love the differences between them, but I like fast cars and yes, I've been driving stick shift since before I got my license.

In 2008, knowing my kidneys were failing me (for those that do not know, I had a transplant in 2012 and I am doing as well as can be expected - still a work in progress) I bought my dream car, a black on black 2004 911 Turbo with a 6-Speed manual.

I spent 2008-2011 modifying her into MY 911 Turbo. Modifications include:

Suspension and Brakes: Aggressive street suspension, sway bars, pucks vs. rubber bushings for the suspension, 350MM (13.7in) two piece rotors vs. 330mm (13in) rotors, 6-Piston racing calipers up front, and lighter wheels (19 inch versus 18 inch) with larger tires (235 up front and 305 in the rear).

Transmission: Stage 3 clutch, short shift kit, and 1st and 2nd gears from the GT2.

Engine: GT28 Hybrid turbos vs. K16 stock, inlet houses, plenum, boost hoses, etc. all to 3 inch, miltek exhaust, upgraded intercoolers that are 30% more efficient than stock, and diverter valve to aluminum from rubber. I also have a custom tune on the car from one of the top tuners in the world. Custom = tuned on dyno with all upgrades on the car. 1/1 tune.

She now makes 685HP (approximately) and 717 lb/ft of torque (approximately) at the engine. That's 551 Wheel/HP and 592 wheel foot pounds of torque. She was about 3,400 pounds stock, but with wheel, brake, and exhaust upgrades, she's closer to 3,310 now.

She is lovingly referred to as "The Beast".

She runs a sub 10.5 second quarter mile at about 137mph.

And she's daily drivable. Comfortable and capable and I average about 19mpg in normal driving with better than 22mpg on the highway. Not bad for 700hp.

Also, and again, knowing life is short, I joined a race track and bought a race car. She's a Formula Mazda. However, she's not stock either. Her 13b rotary is ported and she now makes about 237hp vs. 185 stock and has 10.5 inch rotors with 4-piston wilwood calipers. She has a stock MK9 gearbox, but I go through it every 8 hours or less. She weighs 1,140 pounds, and 1450 with fluids, and me. At 150mph she generates 1,500 pounds of downforce. I could drive her upside down at that speed.

In corners she pulls about 2.5G and brakes at that too - at 140mph.

Cigars

I have been smoking for too long, but limit myself to 2-3 a week and stop for periods when I don't feel well, etc. It's both a social and enjoyment thing for me. I age and collect cigars and have over 1,200 in my collection currently. I smoke mostly medium to full bodied cigars, but will smoke a full flavored mild-medium cigar. On my birthday, I smoked a 13 year old Fuente Don Carlos Anniversario. Rare and now very old. YUM.


High end alcohol: I collect mostly whiskey and scotch, but also tequila, rum, barrel aged gins, etc. Scotch is my favorite and I specialize in mostly non-peaty (highland, speyside, lowland, etc) scotches with unique casks, ages, and mostly cask-strength. I do not mind peat, but want it balanced, not the only thing I taste. The same for bourbon and american whiskey and rye. I love cask strength and unique casks, ages, etc.

I know I ran on with the cars, so I toned it down for the liquor and cigars.

Let us know what your passions are!



Pictures

The Beast:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/B0FG2Jl.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/hCL8YJH.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/RHkdNq4.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/tpZcE8e.jpg


Formula Mazda

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ggRlFwA.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/jDpbjrM.jpg


Janet - My Daily Driver, a 2015 Audi S4 with 7-Speed DSG

She's named after Janet Guthrie, the first woman to race in the Indy 500 and Daytona 500.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/6ggt5rP.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/n8BTDBN.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/qSN58IN.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/AqvaQGJ.jpg

Birthday Cigar and Humidor

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/BLEjj6I.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/yrohhT5.jpg


​Liquor Closet

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/QHKnCEX.jpg

I play video games. Mostly World of Warcraft now. I collect mounts and transmog. Don't have time anymore for serious raiding. I also love me some Minecraft.

And for 5 months of the year I watch football, the only sport I give AF about anymore.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dakski

I wanted to create a thread for people to talk about their interests, passions, hobbies, etc. other than reptiles. There is more to all of us than just herps, even if they are, at least in my case, a big part of my life.

Aside from reptiles, I have 3 major passions/hobbies, and one that I dabble in.

My hobbies/passions are:

1. Cars and racing cars

2. Cigars (smoking and aging)

3. Collecting high-end liquor, mostly whiskey and scotch.


I'll address each.

​Cars and Racing

I have loved cars since before I can remember. I have been a Porsche guy since age 3 when our neighbor got a Porsche 911. Cars aren't transportation for me, they are not an a to b thing, they are an experience where the drive is as important as the destination (if I even have one). Katie loses her mind when I talk about over-steer and under-steer and throttle input and tires can only do 100% of anything, etc. I recently bought a new car and I talked about it, a lot. Let me be clear, I love all cars, and I love the differences between them, but I like fast cars and yes, I've been driving stick shift since before I got my license.

In 2008, knowing my kidneys were failing me (for those that do not know, I had a transplant in 2012 and I am doing as well as can be expected - still a work in progress) I bought my dream car, a black on black 2004 911 Turbo with a 6-Speed manual.

I spent 2008-2011 modifying her into MY 911 Turbo. Modifications include:

Suspension and Brakes: Aggressive street suspension, sway bars, pucks vs. rubber bushings for the suspension, 350MM (13.7in) two piece rotors vs. 330mm (13in) rotors, 6-Piston racing calipers up front, and lighter wheels (19 inch versus 18 inch) with larger tires (235 up front and 305 in the rear).

Transmission: Stage 3 clutch, short shift kit, and 1st and 2nd gears from the GT2.

Engine: GT28 Hybrid turbos vs. K16 stock, inlet houses, plenum, boost hoses, etc. all to 3 inch, miltek exhaust, upgraded intercoolers that are 30% more efficient than stock, and diverter valve to aluminum from rubber. I also have a custom tune on the car from one of the top tuners in the world. Custom = tuned on dyno with all upgrades on the car. 1/1 tune.

She now makes 685HP (approximately) and 717 lb/ft of torque (approximately) at the engine. That's 551 Wheel/HP and 592 wheel foot pounds of torque. She was about 3,400 pounds stock, but with wheel, brake, and exhaust upgrades, she's closer to 3,310 now.

She is lovingly referred to as "The Beast".

She runs a sub 10.5 second quarter mile at about 137mph.

And she's daily drivable. Comfortable and capable and I average about 19mpg in normal driving with better than 22mpg on the highway. Not bad for 700hp.

Also, and again, knowing life is short, I joined a race track and bought a race car. She's a Formula Mazda. However, she's not stock either. Her 13b rotary is ported and she now makes about 237hp vs. 185 stock and has 10.5 inch rotors with 4-piston wilwood calipers. She has a stock MK9 gearbox, but I go through it every 8 hours or less. She weighs 1,140 pounds, and 1450 with fluids, and me. At 150mph she generates 1,500 pounds of downforce. I could drive her upside down at that speed.

In corners she pulls about 2.5G and brakes at that too - at 140mph.

Cigars

I have been smoking for too long, but limit myself to 2-3 a week and stop for periods when I don't feel well, etc. It's both a social and enjoyment thing for me. I age and collect cigars and have over 1,200 in my collection currently. I smoke mostly medium to full bodied cigars, but will smoke a full flavored mild-medium cigar. On my birthday, I smoked a 13 year old Fuente Don Carlos Anniversario. Rare and now very old. YUM.


High end alcohol: I collect mostly whiskey and scotch, but also tequila, rum, barrel aged gins, etc. Scotch is my favorite and I specialize in mostly non-peaty (highland, speyside, lowland, etc) scotches with unique casks, ages, and mostly cask-strength. I do not mind peat, but want it balanced, not the only thing I taste. The same for bourbon and american whiskey and rye. I love cask strength and unique casks, ages, etc.

I know I ran on with the cars, so I toned it down for the liquor and cigars.

Let us know what your passions are!



Pictures

The Beast:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/B0FG2Jl.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/hCL8YJH.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/RHkdNq4.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/tpZcE8e.jpg


Formula Mazda

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ggRlFwA.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/jDpbjrM.jpg


Janet - My Daily Driver, a 2015 Audi S4 with 7-Speed DSG

She's named after Janet Guthrie, the first woman to race in the Indy 500 and Daytona 500.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/6ggt5rP.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/n8BTDBN.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/qSN58IN.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/AqvaQGJ.jpg

Birthday Cigar and Humidor

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/BLEjj6I.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/yrohhT5.jpg


​Liquor Closet

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/QHKnCEX.jpg

---

I think we've actually discussed this before Dave, but you and I have very similar tastes. Porsche 911 being my favorite car of all time.
In 2010 I had a black on red 2005 Targa 4S, and in 2012 I picked up a shiny new Audi S4 as well (black on black). Loved those cars.

I lost all of that in 2014 (along with a $25k cigar collection). I got my life back since then in a better shape than I ever could have dreamed, but part of keeping it that way includes staying away from the fancy scotches lol (was a peaty man myself).



Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I used to be pretty heavy into cigars, and even more so into pipes. I was buying and jarring bulk tobacco for aging and the whole nine yards. I still have a few jars floating around and a couple of sealed tins. In fact, the last time I was involved in a forum, it was a pipe smoking forum. I still enjoy almost all things nicotine related though, from snus to vaping, with the occasional pipe or cigar thrown in there, although I really need to drop the cigarettes.

These days, I have been trying to get out and do a little skateboarding with my kids (I'm 36). I read pretty heavily, but generally more of the non-fiction, research type reading, although there is some fiction I enjoy. Jim Butcher comes to mind as a great fiction author. I love hiking, but I rarely get to go anymore, Arkansas weather doesn't support it the way many of my previous locations did. I play some video games, but not much, mostly Diablo 3. Looking forward to Borderlands 3 though...

Oh, and naps.

If I were to list my current hobbies, it would be fashion and makeup. Also pretty into vaping (quit cigarettes almost 4 years ago) and have a pretty extensive vape collection. I enjoy building coils and find it to be relaxing for me

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MasonC2K

I play video games. Mostly World of Warcraft now. I collect mounts and transmog. Don't have time anymore for serious raiding. I also love me some Minecraft.

And for 5 months of the year I watch football, the only sport I give AF about anymore.

---

I don't have the patience for WOW or Minecraft etc. I like games where you can play a level and call it a day. I do enjoy iRacing, a car racing simulator, in VR though. I have a full pedal and wheel setup for it. It's fun.

Who do your root for in Football?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Avsha531

I think we've actually discussed this before Dave, but you and I have very similar tastes. Porsche 911 being my favorite car of all time.
In 2010 I had a black on red 2005 Targa 4S, and in 2012 I picked up a shiny new Audi S4 as well (black on black). Loved those cars.

I lost all of that in 2014 (along with a $25k cigar collection). I got my life back since then in a better shape than I ever could have dreamed, but part of keeping it that way includes staying away from the fancy scotches lol (was a peaty man myself).



Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

---

Avsha531,

It sounds like you've got your stuff together now. That's what matters. Everything else is material. I know it's easy to say, but the truth is, I lost pretty much everything when I got divorced. I would do it again. You can always make money again, or not, but you cannot get back unhappy times.

My life is so much better now with Katie and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat to be where I am today. Much of what I have I acquired before the divorce, but kept through it (the cars, the cigars, the booze, and my pets).

Again, I've been on both sides and I would take happiness and fewer material things over unhappiness and material things. I am lucky that I got to keep a few things, but sell the house, etc. I would live in a shack with Katie if we were happy and the pets were happy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

Who do your root for in Football?

---

I am a GA boy. Atlanta Falcons fan since 1991. Don't have a college team but generally pull for SEC teams.

i have several -- great thread!

1. animal Reiki/meditation
2. firearms/shooting
3. gardening (not great at this, always working to be better)
4. outdoors (hiking, camping, off-roading and fishing)
5. aromatherapy and herbs

i was hardcore into cat rescue for a few years but burned out due to health issues...before that i was on the board of a pit bull advocacy non-profit

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SilentHill

i have several -- great thread!

1. animal Reiki/meditation
2. firearms/shooting
3. gardening (not great at this, always working to be better)
4. outdoors (hiking, camping, off-roading and fishing)
5. aromatherapy and herbs

i was hardcore into cat rescue for a few years but burned out due to health issues...before that i was on the board of a pit bull advocacy non-profit

---

What do you like to shoot? I like indoor pistol and anything from plinking with a .22 to a .45.

My sister does pit bull rescue.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

3. Collecting high-end liquor, mostly whiskey and scotch.

​Liquor Closet

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/QHKnCEX.jpg

---

My daughter went to a destination wedding in Scotland and picked me up a bottle of Scotch / Balblair 99 1st Release. It was delicious. I regret not stockpiling a couple bottles because they were only for sale at the airports and now it is gone. The second release is good but the first had a much nicer, almost chocolate finish. If you haven't tried Balblair, I would highly recommend you do.

I raise rabbits, goats, and keep poultry in the back yard. We have nut and fruit trees. Most years I've gardened, but due to this location - intense summer heat, and very little rain, I've had hard time keeping the plants healthy. Started with kratky style hydroponics this Spring, and that has been going very well, so far. Got started several years ago with fish when I was looking into aquaponics, but mechanical complexity was a turn-off. I like fish themselves more and more, however, esp. in association with planted tanks.

Took the class, and passed for CCW this past year. Something I'd wanted to do for a long time.

I also like textiles, historic clothing/construction, art quilting (by hand), indigo dye vats, spinning and historic knitting. The men's gansey sweater construction interests me the most. Nordic colorwork is also rewarding to knit. Back when I lived in the mid-west, I raised Shetland sheep. I've also raised silkworms.

For work I spend most of my day behind a computer, so I try to make it a point that my hobbies aren't related to electronics such as cell phones, computers, gaming or tv's. In no particular order my hobbies are.

1. Hunting/fishing - it's really relaxing knowing the only thing you have to worry about is what is going on right there at that moment. Deer, turkey, squirrel, sharks, mahi mahi, white marlin, bass, catfish, perch.

2. Tinkering/repairs - it satisfying knowing something that was once broken is now useable. Most of my cars are old so they need constant work. I'm not afraid to change a transmission or an axle.

3. fabrication/modifications - I really enjoy building a tool that is needed for task. Cutting, welding, drilling, bending metal.

4. offroading - mostly driving over big rocks. I'm not to fond of mud.

5. Shooting trap/archery/pistols/rifles

6. Gardening - eating food that you harvested yourself

7. Animals - building trust with an animal and training them is rewarding. Watching their mannerisms and how they act.

8. Time with my wife - trying new things like tourist traps, and restaurants.

9. Cooking - I enjoy it when I'm allowed to.....or called in to taste or repair a dish that "is missing something"

Video games, makeup, fashion, cake decorating

1) guns
2) reloading ammo
3) dart frogs
4) hunting
5) boating/fishing
6) minimalist camping
7) PC gaming
8) turning wrenches on anything with a motor
9) other stuff....


Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk

1. Crochet. I love the freedom and ease of learning to make whatever you want, how you want and the ability to go back and fix your mistakes. I know my stitches are nowhere as good as the experts, but I still get a lot of pride being able to say to myself, wow I made that?

2. Binge reading manga. Too many to count, preferably slice of life or some not over the top shounen genre. Attack on Titans, One Punch Man, My cat is my roommate, Zombieland Saga, Black Clover, Usagi Drop (anime only), My Love Story, Goblin Slayer, Tokyo Ghoul, etc.

3. Anime. I like the manga plots better but sometimes the anime outshines the manga, like Wolf's Rain and Assassin Classroom (probably misspelled).

4. Gaming. Used to play world of Warcraft since the Vanilla days. Stopped at Legion, and never went back. Dabbles in mobile gaming when I have time.

5. Reading, mostly nonfunctional books and bios.

6. Shopping. Looking for a sale and looking for what you need feels therapuetic.

7. Going out with family and friends. I go to public events with my nieces and nephews or I tutor them.

8. Going out with my dogs, usually to the dog park, dog friendly places or pet friendly expos.

First I like to say awesome car collection. Thats impressive. As far as myself, I live and breathe fishing. Mainly saltwater, but on occasions I get the itch to do some freshwater. I am fortunate where I live that just under an hour away is the Gulf of Mexico or about 90 mins away is the Atlantic ocean. Both offer completely different fishing styles. The only thing better than fishing on the weekend is fishing during the week :D. Wish my wife could fish with me more, but how our jobs are set up, she works most weekends. Until recently, I was into saltwater aquariums. I had two (one a fish only, the other a reef) going for over 18 years. I got into propagating corals for a time and did enjoy it. Two thing about saltwater tanks.....Expensive and labor intensive. Always had a snake so I made a deal with the wife. She has been wanting a "zen" room so gave up the aquarium room and sold everything. In return I could make the office (where the one snake was already) into a office/reptile room. 1 1/2 years later, she has her zen room and I am well on my way with my room. We have a lot of state parks near by which we enjoy hiking in with our dogs. I am a huge fan of college football (in particular the Gators). I get season tickets and look forward all year to tailgating for those 7 homes and some years try to go to one a road game too. Well probably bored you enough but in a nut shell......Thats me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

What do you like to shoot? I like indoor pistol and anything from plinking with a .22 to a .45.

My sister does pit bull rescue.

---

i have a .40 XD and SS .22 for range shooting. i also like shooting trap and getting to an outdoor range occasionally to shoot my AR. so pretty much anything and everything.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cheesenugget

1. Crochet. I love the freedom and ease of learning to make whatever you want, how you want and the ability to go back and fix your mistakes. I know my stitches are nowhere as good as the experts, but I still get a lot of pride being able to say to myself, wow I made that?

2. Binge reading manga. Too many to count, preferably slice of life or some not over the top shounen genre. Attack on Titans, One Punch Man, My cat is my roommate, Zombieland Saga, Black Clover, Usagi Drop (anime only), My Love Story, Goblin Slayer, Tokyo Ghoul, etc.

3. Anime. I like the manga plots better but sometimes the anime outshines the manga, like Wolf's Rain and Assassin Classroom (probably misspelled).

4. Gaming. Used to play world of Warcraft since the Vanilla days. Stopped at Legion, and never went back. Dabbles in mobile gaming when I have time.

5. Reading, mostly nonfunctional books and bios.

6. Shopping. Looking for a sale and looking for what you need feels therapuetic.

7. Going out with family and friends. I go to public events with my nieces and nephews or I tutor them.

8. Going out with my dogs, usually to the dog park, dog friendly places or pet friendly expos.

---

what is the diff between manga and anime?

i also forgot to mention we really love taking our dog out to the dog park or restaurants as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SilentHill

what is the diff between manga and anime?

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Anime is animated, cartoons. Manga is in graphic novel form.

1. Cars and driving. My other half and I accumulated some cool cars and motorcycles. I was fortunate to be able to keep them all when he passed. I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500, a 1980 Corvette and a 2003 ZO6 Corvette (all originally his), plus my 2007 Chrysler Crossfire (daily driver) and 2010 Dodge Challenger. We each had a Harley, 1995 Softail Custom for him and 1999 Heritage Springer for me. I don’t know near as much about the mechanics and nuances between models like he did, but love to drive and look. The journey is every bit as important as the destination. We’ve ridden from Virginia to Montana twice, Virginia to Arizona & Utah once, and all up and down the east coast to the gulf coast a few times. Then we repeated some of those trips in one of the cars. I will always come home, but if money were no object I would point the front wheels west and roam.

2. Reading. Mostly fiction: fantasy, paranormal, historical romance, mystery, espionage, psychological thrillers, classics, and literary fiction. I also dabble in nonfiction, some history, science and biography. Basically Amazon can’t figure out what to suggest, so each day I get an assortment of suggestions with any mix of the above. This is my biggest pass time and very relaxing at the end of the day.

3. Quilting, mostly machine quilting but want to try my hand at full-on hand quilting. Mostly I’ve made lap quilts or baby quilts, though nothing in the last year. Time just hasn’t been on my side.

4. Almost forgot the biggest one other than snakes! I collect antique and art glass, mostly Fenton art glass and carnival glass. I like the shiny things.

Most weekends find me at local cruise ins where I meet up with other car folks to look at cars and chew the fat. :P

I guess I'm pretty boring and pretty much a solitary individual I stay at home a lot with my 4 dogs and two snakes.
I have been on Unemployment for a while and that's about to run out and I think I'm going to start driving for Uber. The thought of going back to work in an office full of all the drama it comes with it's just not something I can stomach doing anymore

Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk

At this point I have way too many time consuming hobbies. I would like to cut back a bit, but where. I did cut back on one as it was getting too costly and time consuming for the gains. But here’s my list, with pictures if I have any.

1- the one I’ve cut back on, long range
Shooting. A few buddies and I started stretching the distances quite a bit, so I put together a 284win on a Savage 10 action with a 32” pack or barrel. I’ve put about 1000 rounds down range with it at 1000 yards, keeping a majority of shots well within 1/2gallon milk jugs. And a few times have rung steel at 1740 yards with it. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5da8e45e10.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ebb095d8be.jpg

2- fly fishing and fly tying

3 - building and shooting wooden bow. (And kilt wearing)https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...beb7fc6322.jpg this was my hunting get up this last fall. The bow is a 68# at 27” walnut heartwood English longbow.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...eca2f13dfa.jpg and a 70# at 29” black locust recurve. BTW, I hand sewed and tanned everything but the kilt in the full getup picture. In addition to making the bow, arrows and quiver.

4 - I do some trapping and hide tanning come winter time, mostly for beaver, muskrat, and try for otter.

5- I’ve recently gotten into PCP air rifles and currently have a hatsan flash in 22. Lots of fun, quiet and more accurate than the average 22lr rifle. But still knocks a squirrel flat with minimal damage to about 70 yards

6- I’ve been training Brazilian JiuJitsu 3 days per week for going on 2 years now. Hoping to see the blue belt about the time the 2 year mark rolls around, currently a 3 stripe white belt https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...79fd06fa9a.jpg

7- to supplement the BJJ and shooting. Heavy draw read bows. I spend about 4 hours per week in the gym doing lots of body weight manipulation type excerciees and compound power lifting lifts. So far I’m up about 20# over my beginning mass. And still creeping up in weight as I change to more complex excercises, have started eating better and taking amino acid supplements.

8- Anime, I have a few anime series I like to keep up with, especially Fairy Tail at the moment.

I know there are still more things, but I can’t quite recollect what they would be at the moment

Kyle


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Currently I don’t really have any time for anything other than school [emoji23] I’m working on finishing up my graduate degree in biology. My research is focused on zooplankton population dynamics in response to biotic and abiotic factors. I’m primarily concerned about biotic (predation) within the system I’m working with. I’m going to be running bioenergetic modeling for multiple species to determine lake wide biomass consumption spatially (vertical) and temporally. Along with bioenergetic modeling I will be incorporating niche overlap models to determine the impact of nonnative salmonids on native populations. My thesis is coming along nicely and field season starts up again pretty soon. Right now I’m getting ready for a conference, yippee haha


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I do a lot of art in my free time! I do digital pieces, as well as acrylic painting. I've done many commissions for people over the years and I'm constantly working to get better and better! I enjoy drawing and painting animals the most, as I'm a HUGE animal nerd. I'd love to combine my love of reptiles and my art and start a series of snake appreciation pieces, and maybe start doing pet portraits for people (I've done dogs/cats, but I'd love to paint peoples' reptiles!)

I also play many, many hours of video games! By far my favorite game right now is Red Dead Redemption II, which I played through, went back and played the first one, and now I re-downloaded and I'm playing through the second again... lol. I really appreciate a good story-driven game, and Bioshock, RDR, Assassin's Creed (Ezio series), and the Outlast trilogy are among my favorite titles!

And of course, I really enjoy the outdoors, whether it's physical activity (disc golf, tennis, hiking, cycling, swimming, etc), or just getting a breath of fresh air away from the noise. My husband and I go hunting often, especially hogs and dove, even though I've proven to myself that I don't have the mental constitution for killing things. My favorite part of hunting is the field dressing, and if we ever moved out to the country, I would love to start my own deer processing and taxidermy shop! My husband and I are also really big into dirt bikes; we try to go to as many motocross and flat track events as we can, and enjoy going out to recreation parks to kick up some dirt!

Hobbies... let's see.....

Gardening: I not only grow a full veggie garden each year, but I also grow orchids and carnivorous plants. I used to have a basement greenhouse full of them, but life happened and I lost it all. Still grown US native carnivores like sarrecenia and flytraps outside and have a few less fussy orchids hanging around the house.


Fishing: I fish for everything from perch to salmon to pike and have caught nearly everything that lives in NY waters over the years. Only things still on my to do list are muskie, sturgeon, and bowfin.

Wine and mead making: I have always liked wine and mead, and recently have gotten deep into the method and science of making my own, especially mead, since good mead is hard to come by commercially. Since last October I've made 12 different kinds of mead and 3 kinds of wine, and all have been better than the last. May even make a business out of it, since everyone who has had it keeps asking for more. Lol

Video games: I like action and rpgs, elder scrolls and fallout are my jam, and am currently playing red dead redemption 2.

There are so many people with such cool hobbies and interesting lives on here! I am pretty boring lol. I have two younger kids (ages 2 and 4), so most of my free time when not working is taken up by parenting. We try to go to some fun places on the weekends (museums, aquarium, the zoo) and spend a lot of time outside when it's summer. Otherwise I enjoy reading (mainly fiction and sci-fi/fantasy), binge watching various shows on Netflix, and coloring.

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Originally Posted by Dianne

1. Cars and driving. My other half and I accumulated some cool cars and motorcycles. I was fortunate to be able to keep them all when he passed. I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500, a 1980 Corvette and a 2003 ZO6 Corvette (all originally his), plus my 2007 Chrysler Crossfire (daily driver) and 2010 Dodge Challenger. We each had a Harley, 1995 Softail Custom for him and 1999 Heritage Springer for me. I don’t know near as much about the mechanics and nuances between models like he did, but love to drive and look. The journey is every bit as important as the destination. We’ve ridden from Virginia to Montana twice, Virginia to Arizona & Utah once, and all up and down the east coast to the gulf coast a few times. Then we repeated some of those trips in one of the cars. I will always come home, but if money were no object I would point the front wheels west and roam.

2. Reading. Mostly fiction: fantasy, paranormal, historical romance, mystery, espionage, psychological thrillers, classics, and literary fiction. I also dabble in nonfiction, some history, science and biography. Basically Amazon can’t figure out what to suggest, so each day I get an assortment of suggestions with any mix of the above. This is my biggest pass time and very relaxing at the end of the day.

3. Quilting, mostly machine quilting but want to try my hand at full-on hand quilting. Mostly I’ve made lap quilts or baby quilts, though nothing in the last year. Time just hasn’t been on my side.

4. Almost forgot the biggest one other than snakes! I collect antique and art glass, mostly Fenton art glass and carnival glass. I like the shiny things.

Most weekends find me at local cruise ins where I meet up with other car folks to look at cars and chew the fat. :P

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Very cool hobbies!

Might be getting into Bikes too. Katie's father rides! We will see.

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Originally Posted by Jellybeans

I guess I'm pretty boring and pretty much a solitary individual I stay at home a lot with my 4 dogs and two snakes.
I have been on Unemployment for a while and that's about to run out and I think I'm going to start driving for Uber. The thought of going back to work in an office full of all the drama it comes with it's just not something I can stomach doing anymore

Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk

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Hang in there. Your attitude is great! That's key.

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Originally Posted by Alter-Echo

Hobbies... let's see.....

Gardening: I not only grow a full veggie garden each year, but I also grow orchids and carnivorous plants. I used to have a basement greenhouse full of them, but life happened and I lost it all. Still grown US native carnivores like sarrecenia and flytraps outside and have a few less fussy orchids hanging around the house.


Fishing: I fish for everything from perch to salmon to pike and have caught nearly everything that lives in NY waters over the years. Only things still on my to do list are muskie, sturgeon, and bowfin.

Wine and mead making: I have always liked wine and mead, and recently have gotten deep into the method and science of making my own, especially mead, since good mead is hard to come by commercially. Since last October I've made 12 different kinds of mead and 3 kinds of wine, and all have been better than the last. May even make a business out of it, since everyone who has had it keeps asking for more. Lol

Video games: I like action and rpgs, elder scrolls and fallout are my jam, and am currently playing red dead redemption 2.

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Awesome on making wine and mead. I age beer and cigars, but whiskey is already aged when you get and tastes the same forever.

This thread is so cool!!

I'm into outdoors stuff, writing, art, and gardening. But art and writing are my first loves. I've done illustrations for a couple books, mostly sasquatch-oriented, and the publisher I worked with on a few projects was awesome enough to put out one of my novellas.

Although he's not exactly what I'd call a hobby, we're also raising a sport/working line German shepherd. By we, I mostly mean me :D If I wasn't in the middle of nowhere, I'd really like to join a dog club and see if I couldn't put a couple titles on him. That's just always seemed like fun to me.

hmmm lemme see. imma try to make this as quick as possibly...

Sports - esp pro football. i've been a traveling 12 the last few years, attending away games for my Seahawks. used to play pub league soccer.
Sneakers - can get expensive very quickly. i think me and Phil got a thread on some of our shoes and snakes lol.
live music, live bootlegs and vinyl records - not so much these days, but i used to go to shows, mostly indie stuff, like every other night. i have TB's of live music recordings.
Watches - nothing expensive, expensive really. just Swatches, Casio's/G-Shock's and Seiko's or whatever catches my eye. i have duplicates and almost have all the deadstock/outta production Seiko SNA 300's and SNA 700's collection. i started b/c my dad had one and it was lost when he passed. it took me like 3years to find a duplicate of that watch and i just continued.
thriftstore knick knacks - whatever i think is cute and/or seasonal. they get putaway and then back to Goodwill when i get too much clutter.
and lastly - politics or LGTBQ and immigrant rights. these are my human rights and issues important to me and my community, so i follow alot of it and show up to fight for it.

well damn that's a long post and i hate long posts lol.

BUMP

Also - I can now add riding a motorcycle to my list of hobbies! Yes, I got my license and got a bike. Yes, is Katie cool with it and actually encouraged me to do it.

Nice to see some shooters on the forum. I spent a few years as a licensed firearms dealer with an inventory of a few thousand firearms and many millions of rounds of ammunition (it was both a retail and wholesale operation with two storefronts and a big warehouse). I miss the business. Now I just own maybe 6 long guns and my three favorite handguns, and I unfortunately shoot next to never.

I'm now a full-time musician/private music teacher, but I guess that counts as a hobby too.

Also enjoy camping, hiking and canoeing, smoking cheap tobacco in expensive pipes and finance.

Interesting thread! Very diverse interests!

1. Toys! I work for LEGO as a concept designer here in Denmark and have spent the last decade as a toy designer/inventor both in US and UK.

2. If fitness counts as a hobby, I cycle and swim a lot. At least four times a week.

3. Cars. Specifically Minis. I currently have a 40 year old vintage Mini that breaks down fairly often.

4. Guitars. I’m very bad!

5. I keep dart frogs, an oscar, giant African land snails, cherry shrimp, and a cat.

Hobbies include:

• I'm a Dad. (my number one passion)
• Building and flying battery and nitro powered RC airplanes and Helicopters. My daughters like to join me sometimes and even have a plane of there own to fly.
• 3D Printing. I have a Prusa MK3 printer and am slowly learning a 3D CAD program called Fusion360 which is a very robust program with a free license for hobbyists and small business. Mostly I download others work and tweak it to what I need right now. Have printed a few RC planes that I have purchased the files for with mixed results. Problems were most likely on my end not the files.
• Girl Scouts. I am a leader for my oldest daughters troop (yes I am a Male girl scout leader). I was very nervous to take it on at first but I have been doing it as the leader for 3 years and I was a co-leader for 2 before that. The girls keep asking me to come back the next year as leader so I'm doing something right. I figure as long as my daughter wants me around I will take what I can. She's creeping up on being a teenager soon.... :O . I also have a great support team of parents that make it so much easier to accomplish everything. The girls like camping and hiking and outdoor stuff. We are working on building Bat houses at the moment.
• Projects. I'm not a big fan of tv so I keep myself busy with projects, from building planes to snake enclosures to designing and building a custom loft bed for my daughter in the garage without her knowing. I include researching things like reptiles as part of my projects.
• Science. I'm a big fan of all things science. And a huge fan of NASA and SpaceX. I got the chance to go to Kennedy Space Center about 18 months ago and i was overwhelmed by the Saturn V they have on display. It was a very emotional experience to finally be standing there. Nothing prepared me for it. If I watch TV (without the wife as she doesn't have my passion for this) its only History or Science related.
• I have a motorcycle and my older daughter loves going for rides. My younger is still afraid of it so I am not pushing her, when she is ready she will be ready. I put a truck with a backrest and arm rests on for my piece of mind while she is on it. My Wife loves to go for rides but that doesn't happen much as we can't leave the kids home alone quite yet.

I failed to mention chess in my previous post

My main hobby would be fishing. I have been fishing for as long as I can. Remember. I spent a good part of my adult life fly fishing for trout gravitating to tying my own flies and using split bamboo fly rods. 5 years ago after spending many years vacationing in SWFL we moved to the gulf coast and I have dove into salt water fishing. I spend almost every weekend on the water. It is an entire new world with so many new things to learn.

I also enjoy a fine cigar and craft beers.

Ooopps Forgot to mention camping. We go at least one weekend a month from april to october and 1 week during the summer. Usually to state or federal parks/campgrounds as they are fairly cheap and more woodsy.

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Originally Posted by dakski

BUMP

Also - I can now add riding a motorcycle to my list of hobbies! Yes, I got my license and got a bike. Yes, is Katie cool with it and actually encouraged me to do it.

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Welcome to a whole different community. One thing you will notice is that riders and drivers are two different creatures. You pull over in your car and half the world will pass you by. Pull over on a bike and I can just about guarantee the next rider you see is going to stop and make sure your alright.

There is nothing on earth quite like riding a motorcycle, short of hang gliding, it's about as close as we humans can get to flying. Has someone given you a gremlin bell yet?

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Originally Posted by fadingdaylight

Welcome to a whole different community. One thing you will notice is that riders and drivers are two different creatures. You pull over in your car and half the world will pass you by. Pull over on a bike and I can just about guarantee the next rider you see is going to stop and make sure your alright.

There is nothing on earth quite like riding a motorcycle, short of hang gliding, it's about as close as we humans can get to flying. Has someone given you a gremlin bell yet?

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Thank you. I am very excited. I went out of my way to take a top notch intro course and plan to further with work with the top instructor there.

I pick my bike up this week, weather permitting.

I just googled "gremlin bell." No, I haven't gotten one yet.

Thank you again and I'll keep everyone in the loop.

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Originally Posted by dakski

Thank you. I am very excited. I went out of my way to take a top notch intro course and plan to further with work with the top instructor there.

I pick my bike up this week, weather permitting.

I just googled "gremlin bell." No, I haven't gotten one yet.

Thank you again and I'll keep everyone in the loop.

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What kind of bike are you getting?

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Originally Posted by fadingdaylight

What kind of bike are you getting?

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2016 Triumph Street Twin.

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Originally Posted by dakski

2016 Triumph Street Twin.

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That's what I'm talking about, I have always wanted a Bonneville, love the classic styling. Congrats! And feel free to PM me, I will send you a bell.

Cars, I have a 74 datsun rebodied to look like a 62 ferrari with a small block chevy in it. I think ive posted it on here before. I like tech, phones, computers, programming type of stuff. Wood working, metal working, home remodeling might count as i bought a fixer upper lol. Also slowly working on building a cnc mill that can cut 4x8 sheets of wood/plastic. hopefully use that to combine a few of my hobbies and make racks and caging lol.

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Originally Posted by dakski

2016 Triumph Street Twin.

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Very cool! The Triumphs are classics. :D There is nothing else that compares to riding in my book. I hope to do a bit more this year. I’ll be doing Rolling Thunder in May, an event that is close to my heart. I’ve only missed it once or twice in the last 23 years. I am also planning a trip with my best friend and his son to ride Tail of the Dragon in NC....hoping for June but his son’s schedule will determine the date.

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Originally Posted by Dianne

Very cool! The Triumphs are classics. :D There is nothing else that compares to riding in my book. I hope to do a bit more this year. I’ll be doing Rolling Thunder in May, an event that is close to my heart. I’ve only missed it once or twice in the last 23 years. I am also planning a trip with my best friend and his son to ride Tail of the Dragon in NC....hoping for June but his son’s schedule will determine the date.

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Awesome! I want to drive the "Tail" one day too. Not sure if on bike or in my Porsche yet, but we will see.

Ultimately, I think I want a Street Triple R Low Ride height (Triumph as well), as I love the low weight and power to weight, linear and torquey motor, etc. Also, they offer a low ride height version and I am 5'4" on a good day with a 27" inseam!

HOWEVER, I NEED TO WALK BEFORE I RUN! I know that. I've been reading this, as well as other books on Motorcycling and controlling a bike. Not sure how soon that will happen, and I imagine the Street Twin will be great for now, if not forever. I really like the classic look and it's got a good amount of go.

https://smile.amazon.com/Proficient-...s%2C134&sr=8-1

I read about high performance and track day manual before getting my Porsche and my Formula car. I also, if I didn't already mention, take a 2 day, 16 hour, safety/beginner rider course.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

Awesome! I want to drive the "Tail" one day too. Not sure if on bike or in my Porsche yet, but we will see.

Ultimately, I think I want a Street Triple R Low Ride height (Triumph as well), as I love the low weight and power to weight, linear and torquey motor, etc. Also, they offer a low ride height version and I am 5'4" on a good day with a 27" inseam!

HOWEVER, I NEED TO WALK BEFORE I RUN! I know that. I've been reading this, as well as other books on Motorcycling and controlling a bike. Not sure how soon that will happen, and I imagine the Street Twin will be great for now, if not forever. I really like the classic look and it's got a good amount of go.

https://smile.amazon.com/Proficient-...s%2C134&sr=8-1

I read about high performance and track day manual before getting my Porsche and my Formula car. I also, if I didn't already mention, take a 2 day, 16 hour, safety/beginner rider course.

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I’ve been all over Virginia and the Carolinas on the bikes with my other half, but we never rode Tail of the Dragon, though he was on it once in his 80 Corvette. There are plenty of little squiggly roads I have ridden in both the Blue Ridge and the Rocky Mountains around Glacier National Park. This will be a fun trip.

I’ve never taken the motorcycle course, just taught to ride by my other half. I’ve been riding for over twenty years now, all over the country in all kinds of conditions. You are right in concentrating on bikes that fit your frame. Too many folks pick out bikes that are too tall to firmly plant their feet at a stop. When you are in less than ideal conditions, especially with uneven pavement or ground that may require unplanned stops or slow walking, you will appreciate good foot placement.

The Triumph are popular bikes, and as I mentioned earlier, real classics. The power to safely get out if the way is important, and most bikes have that in spades these days. I started out with a Honda Rebel, moved to a 883 Hugger Sportster (Harley), then a 1999 Heritage Softail, and ultimately ended up with my 1999 Heritage Springer. The biggest thing is to feel comfortable on the bike. In all honesty, I am more comfortable on the larger bikes than I was on the Sportster because the seat height overall fit me better.

The book you picked up looks like it will have some good tips. Might have to pick that up myself.

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Originally Posted by Dianne

I’ve been all over Virginia and the Carolinas on the bikes with my other half, but we never rode Tail of the Dragon, though he was on it once in his 80 Corvette. There are plenty of little squiggly roads I have ridden in both the Blue Ridge and the Rocky Mountains around Glacier National Park. This will be a fun trip.

I’ve never taken the motorcycle course, just taught to ride by my other half. I’ve been riding for over twenty years now, all over the country in all kinds of conditions. You are right in concentrating on bikes that fit your frame. Too many folks pick out bikes that are too tall to firmly plant their feet at a stop. When you are in less than ideal conditions, especially with uneven pavement or ground that may require unplanned stops or slow walking, you will appreciate good foot placement.

The Triumph are popular bikes, and as I mentioned earlier, real classics. The power to safely get out if the way is important, and most bikes have that in spades these days. I started out with a Honda Rebel, moved to a 883 Hugger Sportster (Harley), then a 1999 Heritage Softail, and ultimately ended up with my 1999 Heritage Springer. The biggest thing is to feel comfortable on the bike. In all honesty, I am more comfortable on the larger bikes than I was on the Sportster because the seat height overall fit me better.

The book you picked up looks like it will have some good tips. Might have to pick that up myself.

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

If you are gonna run the Dragon, make sure you have some ground clearance on what you are riding. The place is littered with Harley parts from guys that tried to lean further than their bikes could go.

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https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...28764small.jpg

My hobby other than snakes is computers and electronics. I have a i7 4930k with 16gb ram, 6 hard drives. 3 SSD, 3 platter drives. 1x256GB, 1x512GB, and 1x1TB, for the ssd, and a 10,000 rpm 600gb Velociraptor, a 3tb WD Blue, and a 1TB. I also have the Oculus Rift <SP>. I have 2 3d printers as well. one CR-10Mini, and a CR-10S. Then I have a 4k tv 55", and a 42" 1080p tv. I used to be into car stereos as well, but I started going deaf so I gave that up. I also did Remote Control cars and drones. I still I still fly the drones, but I don't race the cars anymore. I'm groing through a phase in my life where my hobbies are changing. I stayed away from keeping reptiles for a while because my home life wasn't very stable. Now that things are more stable I am getting back into it.

"I collect spores, molds, and fungus." ;)

I spend most of my free time listening to music and watching movies. Music-wise, I'm really digging Church of the Cosmic Skull these days. Someone said, "They put the ABBA in Black Sabbath" which I thought was perfect. I lovely describe them as Fleetwood Doom. Check out their song "Cold Sweat." Movie-wise, I've been watching Hereditary and The Witch quite a bit lately and I'm looking forward to Ari Aster's Midsommar and Robert Eggers' The Lighthouse.

As a Star Wars fan since 1977, I'm really excited to see Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, too!