An entire post about finding a hobby November 10, 2008
Posted by brandy in 1/2 funny 1/2 serious 100% important, find the dorkiest sentence in this, hello universe? I love you, help, it seemed like a good idea at the time..., it's ironic because I'm Canadian, politics, question of the day, self improvement, sports, testing egans brain, the Blitz, the one that nobody reads because of the title, when i ask you to do things for me, you're skimming this one.trackback
So…. I need a hobby.
You see, for the last year and a half the Presidential election was my hobby. I spent quality time with Joe and Chris and Chucky T. Wolf and Anderson and Donna. Keith and Rachel. There was poll watching and primary concerns, then later scandals and smears to disprove and then an electoral map to study with the intense gaze of a jewelers eye. There may have even been a time when I created my own electoral map.
Let’s just take a minute to bow to that kind of *dorkiness, shall we?
Okay, moving on.
But now, it’s over. And although you all might try to come back at me with ‘there’s still weeks of the Bush term!” you and I both know that isn’t the same as standing on your couch cheering on a cold winter night while watching what goes down in Iowa. You know it. I know it. And Keith knows it too.
Which, leaves me with this gaping hole in my heart hobby schedule. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve taken steps back into society, I’ve contacted friends, I’ve started showering again. I’m sleeping better and dreaming less about Joe Biden (this is both a blessing and a curse, is there anyone cuter than Joe?). But I’ve learned that people no longer are interested when I repeat just exactly what Chuck Todd said this morning, and no one wants to talk about how the polls went down or just how mind boggling it is when you realize that Obama STILL would have won the election if he didn’t get a single vote from anyone under 30 years old.
People are tired. And truthfully? I am too. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure I will be placing bets on who gets top level positions in Obama’s government but for now I need to find something else to focus all my free time on. This is where you come in.
Keep in mind, I’m around people a lot, so I want a hobby that doesn’t focus on people (I’m not sure I could have made that sound any more anti-social if I had tried). I mean, I don’t suddenly want to join a thumb wrestling club or pillow fight organization or a debate group. I need something that I can do by myself, preferably something that encourages me to yell.
Football has been mentioned as a possible way to fill the void in my soul and so I spent the better part of my day watching the Steelers/Colts game. I cheered for the Steelers (mostly, I cheered for that dreamy Jeff Reed) but have been informed by one highly devout Colts fan that I’ve picked the wrong team.
So I ask you internets, what is your hobby, or what do you think my new one should be? And if it IS football, what team should I be cheering for?
*I love that wordpress suggests ‘quirkiness’ when I type ‘dorkiness’. Finally, someone who understands me.
I’ll be reading the comments to see if anything comes up for me too
Ok, not really because I am still obsessed with all things Obama and his change.gov site and Politico44 keep me happy.
But, I do love football. Not just when my son plays which may seem like my only blog topic for the next week or so, but also the NFL. Steelers Colts was a good game too. Who to root for? Well heck if I know since I live in San Diego and therefore have a local team to feel ashamed about (oh, and still watch religiously!) You gotta just pick one and stick with it. Fantasy football is also fun to play but its too late in the season to do it.
Personally I am going to read the pile of magazines on my floor and the pile of books gathering dust on my night stand. ThenI’ll be looking for something new.
Oooo, I got this because I juggle obsessions… er I mean hobbies. I usually find one new musical artist a week to completely discover, I write fiction, I submit articles to a million magazines, and I knit. I should pause to note that I knit crappily but I like buying yarn, needles and things, so maybe shopping is really my hobby. Also love football, so to answer that question I say Weeeee Redskins.
Despite the fact that I spend hours and hours alone I don’t actually have many hobbies per se. I try to knit, I read, I write and I watch a lot of TV shows.
As for soccer, you have to be a Manchester United Fan and don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.
I have a million hobbies that change quite often- which can get quite expensive.
I had a sailing hobby in highschool that almost resulted in my parents buying a boat- before I met a guy and gave it away.
I played piano for 15 years then quit. We had two pianos.
I sang and my parents payed for voice lessons.
I knit- yarn is expensive ( I still knit though!)
So my advice- choose a cheap hobby. Like writing. Or watching Tv. Or running. Or studying a language.
My not so expensive hobbies of late are blogging, sewing (I inherited some material), writing & reading.
start reading the twilight series (if you haven’t already). you’ll then be so consumed that you’ll have no time for ANYTHING else, even, like, you know, being a person.
Hmmm… This is a serious situation. But i am not sure i’ll be able to help. I resort to the quieter hobbies like reading, lounging around in coffee shops pretending to be an intellectual with a big fat book in my hand, blog hopping and hitting refresh several times on my facebook page. So…
“Obama STILL would have won the election if he didn’t get a single vote from someone under 30 years old.’ SHAZAM!
well, if its football than you should be cheering for the eagles (they need your help). what about knitting or sewing. photography seems to be a good one as well. running works, check out the nike+ shoes pretty cool stuff.
anywho, what was the 20?s answer?
Scrapbooking? It can be done whilst with people or on your own with music/tv on in the background. So relaxing! And something to show for it.
And yes. Total geek
I spent all day yesterday pleading with people on twitter to give me an idea about hobbies. My requirement is that I need something that keeps me busy without producing any crafty junk. No one came up with anything good so today ill be hanging out on your comment boards
I’m so glad I am not the only one who immediately went to “knitting!” because I felt like an immense dork. Apparently I’m in good company
I just started to knit again…my roomie in Milan is reteaching me and I suck. But it is nice to sit, drink tea, not talk, and play with yarn. I do, however, intensely miss football. I suggest College Basketball next season as well. March Madness. There is nothing bettter.
I too need a hobby. So if you find a good one, let me in on it
I have a few too many hobbies. I play kickball. I ride horses. I sew. I read. I hike. I play Zelda on Wii. I spend way to much time on blogging. etc. etc.
I have interests- but not hobbies: books, music, calligraphy, journaling, making cards, collaging, obsessing over Jane Austen & baking. This suits my need to flit from one thing to another, and sadly explains why I rarely rise above mediocrity.
I am obsessed with Zumba. It’s Latin dance inspired aerobics. You learn basic Latin dances like salsa, merengue, samba, etc. and get a work out, but it feels more like your warming up for the weekend. They have classes all over the world now, so I’m sure there are some in your area!
I also run, I’m a member of a young professionals group that does a lot of volunteer work, and due to my love of reading, I have started my own monthy book club with a group of girls. We talk about the book for a bit, then drink and talk about shoes and boys!
As for football…I’m a lost cause.
Reading? Its what I do to take my mind off of things, to pass the time, to unwind. I love it and there is nothing better than curling up under a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book at the end of the day.
Other fun hobbies I do writing, scrapbooking (digital).I am a fan of Ohio State football. Good luck with finding your new hobby!
Dude, I know EXACTLY what you mean. I still refresh huffington post approximately 92874 billion times a day and insatiably talk about Obama to people who just don’t care anymore.
I’m weening off by becoming obsessed with other things. Right now I’m re-reading the Outlander series, which always seems to do the trick.
My roommates and I are taking up knitting this winter. As for football, the southern girl in me will point you to SEC College Football, particularly Alabama
. But I live in MN, so I have to tell you to cheer for the Gophers also! Other hobbies… I’m getting back into yoga this winter… that’s always good!
I’ve been reading everyone’s comments closely because I need a hobby too! Well, I do have photography (I almost hate to call it ‘photography’ because it is so NOT that serious), but I need something a little cheaper maybe….
Got a digital camera? That’s a good hobby.
I’ve very into photography….and that keeps me busy.
Ummm I hate to state the obviuos here, but well… what about Hockey?
If you decide to take up football then you should be rooting for the JETS!! (tied for first place in the AFC East- woo hoo) Whatever you decide DO NOT become a Patriots fan!! It is a sure road to hell (which is paved with Yankees, Patriots, Islanders and Lakers fans).
And of course the greatest hobby doesn’t begin again until April… Baseball!
ooo tough one! cos i usually count Blogging as a hobby/passion. haha and shopping, thats something i usually do in my spare time. it just sounds horrible when you list it as a hobby!
and yah, can we talk about my huge crush on Rachel Maddow? my bro knows her but i feel like a lame duck asking him to get a signed headshot of herself!!
Oh hobbies! I remember hobbies, I used to have them before school, blogging and a LDR. Now blogging is pretty much my only “hobby,” but I enjoy baking too–not too expensive and keeps you busy for however long you want and you have something to show for it.
I’m already planning my hobbies for when I become a normal person. These include: taking dance lessons with The Boy (his idea!), running, taking classes in various subjects (French, web design, graphic design, culinary arts, writing) at a community college. Possibly joining or starting a book club, finding another adult gymnastics class, becoming a pen pal (I really, really, really want to be a pen pal. With real paper. And stamps. And someone who writes back.)
As for yelling at the TV activities? I find that I start yelling at the television when watching the following: The 700 Club, Wife Swap, Fox News.
My friend and I were just discussing how we don’t really have any hobbies. I have things I enjoy but nothing I’m completely dedicated to. With that said, I do enjoy experimenting with new recipes, reading, learning new languages, taking art classes, college basketball (the season starts soon!), and blogging, if you can count that.
Reading, baking, cooking, sewing, scrapbooking – all pretty time consuming & good hobbies to have. Agree w/the Twilight thought – if you haven’t read this series – you must. Being that you love HP I think you will like this series. Also – at over 400 pages a book it should take up quite a lot of your time.
How about yoga? I actually just blogged about yoga yesterday. I was really apprehensive when I first started because it didn’t seem like the type of thing I’d enjoy, but I was in for a big surprise. It’s actually my very favorite hobby (9 years and counting!). If you have any questions about it, let me know!
-Jacqueline
Knitting Dorks Unite!
I think you should root for whoever the cutest guy at the bar is cheering for…
You could always pick up drinking as a hobby.
and of course, you should be cheering for the Broncos.
Not the Steelers.
Steelers? Oh Brandylicious…wrong team for sure. Cheer for the Colts. Football can be made social though if you decide you want to enjoy your hobby with others. You can even combine travel with football and socializing….fly out here this coming Sunday and watch the game with my friends and I. Two hobbies in one plus some socializing!
My boyfriend is going through the same thing since all he read was political blogs for like, the last 8 years! Now with Obama elected, he doesn’t know what to do!
I cook and bake a lot for hobbies. In fact, just made delicious Snickers cookies for my boss’ birthday. And I also play sports, like we’re on a dodgeball team (which is hilarious).
the key here, i think, is that you’re looking for a hobby where you can yell, yes?
im not a big fan of football, but i AM a huge hockey fan. and i mean, what better place for you to get down with that, than where you are?!
other hobbies that you could partake in that might require yelling…
drinking games whilst watching the hills, mastering karaoke at a local haunt, taking a cooking class (and then trying it out in your own kitchen- i always yell *usually obscenities* while im cooking), and catching up on all of the chris farley snl skits.
I only enjoy Notre Dame football. Well, I haven’t been enjoying their three year losing streak, but it’s in my blood. I can’t help it. I don’t enjoy any pro football. I think getting paid to play takes the fun out of it. HOWEVER, I think I’m going to become a Chicago Blackhawks fan. I loved going to hockey games in college and I’ve heard that Blackhawks games are very similar… so I guess my new hobby is hockey. You’re from Canada… don’t you automatically love hockey?
one word honey…
colouring>/del> ringette…i bet you’d kickass and it would be a great way to work out frustrations
damn it…that totally did not work…i am so in computer hell this month…i HATE november lol
seiously…whoever said scrapbooking sounds like they know you pretty well…and now i’m off to fix my own effing blog screw-ups…
cheers…
WHen you settle on a hobby, do let me know. I, too, am in desperate need of one.
I am all about football so I’m the wrong one to ask – and being a 49′er fan definitely makes me certifiable so…let’s move on shall we? I love scrapbooking which you can do alone (yay!) or with others…I will think about some others…
Someone mentioned Fantasy Football and I’ve got to say, I agree. It fills up my Thursdays (starting last week – when Thursday games began), Sundays and Mondays. And a bit of time in between as I stress over who to start and who to bench. It’s too late this year, but keep it on the list for next year!
I’m a Colts fan. Mostly because Dallas Clark (tight end) is from Iowa. AND, his high school is kind of near mine. He’s a legend in NW Iowa. He actually played 8 man football (which is unheard of unless you’re from podunk Iowa) and was a walk on at University of Iowa. Pretty cool football story! (Could I have said ‘Iowa’ more than I did?)
Ha. But, the Steelers would be my third favorite team. I root for them often. Big Ben and I went to college together! Whoop!
Otherwise, I think you should learn a language. It is fun, challenging and has professional perks. (ESL teacher on the side?)
(Sidenote about Iowa — I met Joe Biden AND Obama at our fair two years ago. Joe Biden looked a lot younger and a bit more plastic back then. Haha.)
First off, you should ABSOLUTELY be rooting for the Steelers!!! GO STEELERS!!
Sorry, had to get that out of my system. I haven’t had time to watch Football this season and it makes my heart sad.
That being said, I highly recommend knitting. It is an excellent winter hobby, you get results you can *wear* (or, even better, *gift*!), and a big pile of wool will keep your lap warm on chilly winter evenings. Once you get good enough, you can work the simpler stitches without looking, then you can knit AND watch football!
As for yelling? Well, when you look down and realized that you dropped a stitch 10 rows back? Yelling and cursing generally ensue…
Philately? Let spellchecker have at that… there we go. If I had more time, I’d scrapbook. Unfortunately, my hobby is trying to keep up with two dirty boys. Three, if you count Hunky, in a VERY different definition of dirty.
quirkiness = dorkiness. love it.
uhm, you need football. sports of any sort really.
the canucks are my hobby. i will talk about them until my friends want to beat me into the ground. and when that happens? i turn on the team1040 where they talk about the canucks all god damn day. the on-air staff are my best friends. and a few times a week, i can stand on my couch and yell at the tv. and a few times a year? i do that from GM place. it’s an ideal hobby, really.
I would suggest watching more television…more girly television at that….I am obsessed with my DVR and watch Desperate Housewives, Gossip Girl, Priveleged, and John and Kate Plus 8…so many good shows!
Also, like some others said, definitely cooking/baking!
Hmmm…scrapbooking, reading, and painting are all great options. I’ve actually just started a kickboxing class one night a week (soon to be 2 nights a week) and it’s a lot of fun, plus you get to hit and kick things. Although it’s not alone, but you can yell. Some people in my class grunt/yell when they hit/kick. I try to avoid making guttoral noises though.
Mine is photography. However, I’ve been making money and booking weddings and family shoots this past summer… so it has become less a hobby and more, “What I Do”. Now that winter is here and I’ve stopped booking sessions until spring… I can go back to photography being my actual hobby. Umm, I’ve also been sucked into the damn, tweenie cult that is Twilight.
Good luck to you and you hobby endeavors.
I say, try painting, or take up a ZUMBA class because they are so fun!
I think it’s time to write a book!
Sounds like you need a Wii. You can play all sorts of anti-social games and get “social” if you want by connecting to people via the internet. You can even scream at the TV depending on the game you’re playing.
Sounds like you need a Wii. You can play all sorts of anti-social games and get “social” if you want by connecting to people via the internet. You can even scream at the TV depending on the game you’re playing.
Another vote here for knitting! I took it up about 2 months ago and it is very satisfying to finish my first scarf. The random holes are PART of the design. Not mistakes…
Also, I have a Wii and a PS3 (and an addicted gamer fiance). Since getting the PS3 we have practically abandoned the Wii.
Jeff Reed is a total slut! You can do much better. =)
You could start trying to figure out who can beat Obama in 2012- there’s a 4 year hobby in the making. I about choked when i saw that headline in the paper last week…he’s not yet even in office and some are looking to beat him already…egads!
latchhook rugs for your sanity!
Well, I think it’s pretty obvious what my hobby is.
I think your new hobby should be visiting your readers. Sayyyy, they pretty up DisneyLand real nice for the holidays… just ’sayin…
New hobbies, huh?
I’m a big fan of running and have been enjoying spinning lately, too. Also, indoor rock climbing is a lot of fun.
Like you, I’m looking for a new hobby and am thinking of knitting. Although, there’s not much yelling there. Maybe kickboxing?
If you do watch football, um, cheer for the Patriots, of course
Hmm, well I think I just decided running is my new hobby. But I’ve also been baking a lot (because I love it! While I hate to cook!) and I’m also going to try knitting which, come to think of it, makes me sound like some sort of not so desperate housewife. I just want cute scarves, dammit!
(I love football, too, and due to my proximity to Seattle, I’m pretty sure I’m required to cheer for the Seahawks, upon pain of being stoned by rain or something.)
I knit. I know it’s a grandma hobby but….I enjoy it. It’s relaxing and I like that I’m actually producing something. If you want to try it let me know!
My hobby is writing. (Non-bloggy writing.) And I started a new novel today. Whooo!
First, being a dork IS a hobby, and one you can apply to anything (might I add). So you are ahead of the game there.
As for my hobbies: running, cycling, school, volunteering, photography, reading (non-school or non-political material), and just as it’s started to get cooler, making chili (have lots of GF recipes if you’re interested). Hobbies I’d like to have if I weren’t in school or didn’t have to work: knitting or crocheting (I’m determined to be patient enough one day), more photography, more cooking, and swimming.
You should most definitely cheer for the PHILADELPHIA EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hobby? Hmmm. Blogging is good. Where would the rest of us be without stories of Potter-ignorants? Personally, I like silversmithing. You get to hammer metal until it does what you want (since I can’t do that to the people in my life), you can then solder metal, too (read between the lines – play with fire…in the house). Then you slap a pretty bead here and there, call it jewelry, and sell it for an exorbitant amount (women can be SO gullible…). see http://www.studio206.etsy.com for examples.
I wish I had an athletic hobby. I need one of those.
I tend to do crafty/arty things like sew or draw or make jewelry. Sometimes I bake. I used to write (bad) poetry. I wish I sang as a hobby.
I think a novel is a great idea – as previously suggested by Mel Heth. You’re a natural, Miss Brandy.
I can give you hobbies that I wish I would make time for…
Read more, learn how to mend my own clothing/sew, bake, go back to the gym…
I agree with the others who suggested writing a book! The new hobby I’m trying to pick up is jewelry making…
blogging is totally my hobby!
as for other hobbies, cleveland sports and dining out!
um. read?
ooh. or drink wine. then you can get drunk and yell!
I’ll vote for scrapbooking also. I do it when I have time, they even have groups that get together to do it (though it’s mostly older women scrapbooking their kids and grandchildren – it’s still fun!)
I vote reading books from the library. Become an expert for free! Or even just less bored. Either way it’s all good stuff = )
GOOOOOOOOOOOOO INDY!
I have decided.
2007 AFC Championship Game: Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots – otherwise known as the best game in the history of football.
Mine’s photography… been playing with video a lot as well…
actually I’ve made photography into my profession and film making is taking the same direction… so does it count???
uhhhhh…
Marshaling at the Rat Races????
This is all I can suggest: http://www.xkcd.com/500/
This is sad but…
My hobby is blogging. I don’t have time for any other hobbies, lol
I must admit that life isn’t quite the same now that I don’t have an urgent need to point out to every American that Sarah Palin is a moron and that John McCain just might drop dead.
Hobbies… well, back to running, photography and wine for me…
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