I need a hobby

[cjsmith]

...like tennis, or philately... ok, no really. I'm doing way too much reading of books that don't interest me. Time for something new: something that can be done in small chunks of time and with little prep (or the prep can be left lying around the house ready to go), something that is okay to interrupt, something that does not involve standing up.

Some possible new hobbies for the CJ:
- beading*
- yoga (the seated poses)
- yet another new language to learn a little

Some past hobbies the CJ could revive:
- flying**
- sewing*
- photography
- baking**
- Japanese language study

* needs planning to pass the "can you fill just fifteen minutes with it" test
** fails the "can you fill just fifteen minutes with it" test

Comments

[firecat]

Selfishly, I approve of the beading and Japanese language study. I also second and third the knitting/crocheting suggestion. Once you get the hang of knitting or crocheting it passes the 15 minute test and it can also be either mindless stuff to do when you're feeling mindless, or complex stuff to do when you're feeling alert. (The same project usually can't be both, though.)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Selfishly? Is there value in having me do a thing you are also doing? I suppose it gives us something fun to talk about. :-)

I'm taking a guess at the expense associated with beading. More than crosswords, less than (say) skiing? (I don't know how much is required in the way of tools, little boxes, expensive parts that get used up in projects...)

[firecat]

Or do together, yeah.

The expense of beading is variable depending on what kinds of beading you do and the quality of the materials you use and what tools you use. You can do it for not very much at all if you use inexpensive components, which are widely available, or if you take apart thrift store jewelry for your components. Also if you do kinds of work that take a long time, such as bead weaving with seed beads, you can minimize your expense compared to just stringing one necklace after another. (You can combine beading and string knotting - macrame - to make bracelets; that also gives you a lot of hobby time for your buck.)

There can be a lot of pressure to use expensive components if you read beading magazines. I know you can resist that pressure though. The other pressure, which is a bit harder to resist, unless you like making a game out of resisting it, comes from going into bead shops and seeing lots of pretty stuff that costs pretty pennies. :)

The only tools you really NEED are a pair of small narrow-end pliers and a pair of scissors. And little boxes are helpful, but you can re-use glass jars and things for the purpose.

[firecat]

PS: The OH jokes, "Tell her I suggested World of Warcraft."