Show us your "other" passion.

[Gohard]

Everyone has got a hobby or passion.
Mine is MOTORCYCLES. The older the better.
In the process of rebuilding a BMW that has been around Australia 3 times. So I got told. The logbook has got service stamps as proof and dates. Currently the motor has done 175k. And still going strong.
This will be my 17th bike I own and no 14 for a full restoration.

[kkokkolis]

One of my uncles had such a bike. I like the sound of its boxer motor. When I was young there were many around, some with sidecars, some left behind by the Nazis, already 30 years old then.

None of my hobbies remains a passion for long, it starts as a passion and becomes a passtime with time. My only passion is my wife. But I have been busy with some hobbies. The ones who lasted longer are geology (with my gems and minerals collection), astronomy (with my various telescopes and optics), birding and terrestrial observation (with my binoculars), history and military history/technology (with my toy soldiers), music (with my classical and rock collection of LPs, then CDs, now MP3s), science, nature and cosmos (with my collection of books and documentaries), SAKs and multitools (this isn't the "other" passion ofcourse) and some more.
I need to get good pics of my soldiers sometime. For the moment that's what I have handy.

[Gohard]

youre a busy man KK
Great collection you got.

[kkokkolis]

I forgot that I was a fanatic tobacco user.

[ColoSwiss]

My other major hobby is travel (even more expensive than SAKs).  Been averaging about two trip a year since I retired.

Sea otters on Prince William Sound, Alaska.

North coast of Oahu, Hawaii.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Japan

Mt Cook National Park, New Zealand.

[Alan K.]

Here's a few that aren't in drawers. I couldn't get all of them in the picture.

[Alan K.]

I also used to have an extensive collection of Ronson table lighters but I only have a few of them left.

[Mr. Whippy]

Everyone has got a hobby or passion.
Mine is MOTORCYCLES. The older the better.
In the process of rebuilding a BMW that has been around Australia 3 times. So I got told. The logbook has got service stamps as proof and dates. Currently the motor has done 175k. And still going strong.
This will be my 17th bike I own and no 14 for a full restoration.

That's a beauty.  I rode a 1999 R1100S for a few years (38K miles).  I'm more of a rider than restorer, though.  I started worrying about driveshaft problems and sold it before a problem arose.  Really like the boxer motor though.  Super easy to work on.

As an aside, I moved to Ducatis which I love.  They are just fantastic machines to ride.  They are not designed for high mileage and I finally had to send both of mine to the recycler (04 MTS 1100DS and 00 996).  The cost to repair just didn't justify the repair.  Now, I'm riding a Triumph Tiger 800.  It's nice and it's reliable, but not nearly as responsive as the Ducatis. 

[Mr. Whippy]

One of my uncles had such a bike. I like the sound of its boxer motor. When I was young there were many around, some with sidecars, some left behind by the Nazis, already 30 years old then.

None of my hobbies remains a passion for long, it starts as a passion and becomes a passtime with time. My only passion is my wife. But I have been busy with some hobbies. The ones who lasted longer are geology (with my gems and minerals collection), astronomy (with my various telescopes and optics), birding and terrestrial observation (with my binoculars), history and military history/technology (with my toy soldiers), music (with my classical and rock collection of LPs, then CDs, now MP3s), science, nature and cosmos (with my collection of books and documentaries), SAKs and multitools (this isn't the "other" passion ofcourse) and some more.
I need to get good pics of my soldiers sometime. For the moment that's what I have handy.

Hijack!

An Astronomy expert in the house!

KK, my wife (and I) are interested in getting a reasonable set up for astronomy.  We've been looking at an 8 inch Dobsonian scope (Orion Skyquest XT8 possibly with Intelliscope).  What's your take on good intro to astronomy?

[kirk13]

Here's a few that aren't in drawers. I couldn't get all of them in the picture.

Are those in O  gauge Alan?

[gustophersmob]

My longest standing hobby of over 20 years is music.  I play acoustic guitar, electric bass, ukulele, mandolin and harmonica.  Primarily guitar and bass, though.  These are my babies.

[kkokkolis]

One of my uncles had such a bike. I like the sound of its boxer motor. When I was young there were many around, some with sidecars, some left behind by the Nazis, already 30 years old then.

None of my hobbies remains a passion for long, it starts as a passion and becomes a passtime with time. My only passion is my wife. But I have been busy with some hobbies. The ones who lasted longer are geology (with my gems and minerals collection), astronomy (with my various telescopes and optics), birding and terrestrial observation (with my binoculars), history and military history/technology (with my toy soldiers), music (with my classical and rock collection of LPs, then CDs, now MP3s), science, nature and cosmos (with my collection of books and documentaries), SAKs and multitools (this isn't the "other" passion ofcourse) and some more.
I need to get good pics of my soldiers sometime. For the moment that's what I have handy.

Hijack!

An Astronomy expert in the house!

KK, my wife (and I) are interested in getting a reasonable set up for astronomy.  We've been looking at an 8 inch Dobsonian scope (Orion Skyquest XT8 possibly with Intelliscope).  What's your take on good intro to astronomy?

The 8" Newtonian is the best way to be introduced to astronomy and Intelliscope will help you, but try to find the easiest targets by starhopping too.
The f/6 means that you won't need very expensive eyepieces. The best combination is a 6mm for planets (200x) and small galaxies and nebulas, a 12mm for all around deepsky and a 24mm-32mm for searching and very wide objects (like open star clusters. SWA (66-76 degrees) with good eye relief would be good options. TV Delos and Pentax XW are the best, Baader Morpheus the new players (I don't own one but they say they are equals to the former, wider and cheaper), Baader Hyperions the cheap but nice way to go. Add Pocket Sky Atlas and a red light or SkySafari to help you learn the sky. If you havw binoculars try them also, especially on Sagittarius and up to Aquila and Cygnus. Whatever you want, don't be afraid to ask.

[Chako]

My longest running hobby is photography. With that said, I have my hands in all sorts of things, that you could say there isn't enough time in a day to do what I like, and I shouldn't be bored once I retire. 

[gustophersmob]

My longest running hobby is photography. With that said, I have my hands in all sorts of things, that you could say there isn't enough time in a day to do what I like, and I shouldn't be bored once I retire. 

As long as you're hobbies aren't expensive enough to keep you from retiring! 

I'm trying to buy all my toys in advance! 

[magentus]

My longest running hobby is photography. With that said, I have my hands in all sorts of things, that you could say there isn't enough time in a day to do what I like, and I shouldn't be bored once I retire. 

I still think you should get at least one suit of armour Chako - you won't regret it.

[Gohard]

My longest running hobby is photography. With that said, I have my hands in all sorts of things, that you could say there isn't enough time in a day to do what I like, and I shouldn't be bored once I retire. 

I still think you should get at least one suit of armour Chako - you won't regret it.

Haha. He might have one on order!

[Gohard]

My longest standing hobby of over 20 years is music.  I play acoustic guitar, electric bass, ukulele, mandolin and harmonica.  Primarily guitar and bass, though.  These are my babies.

Now who's the drummer in the house?

Nice guitars. Started to play guitar years ago but never succeeded. Know most of the notes but the fingers didn't play along.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Two of my passions are in my avatar- four wheeling and dogs.  My other serious passion is kayaking.  I suppose my passion really is the outdoors, and all of those things just allow me to experience it in different ways.



This was me going down some rapids in Nova Scotia a few years ago.  I'm not much of a whitewater guy (although I am planning to become one!) but if you encounter rapids when going somewhere, enjoy them! 

Def

[Gohard]

Dogs are GREAT.
(Love all animals)
Due to the type of work I do, it would be selfish to get a dog and not take proper care of it. Only at home few days every 2nd week.

We do have a Beagle. What a smart dog. But that is the kids little love affair. Would like to get a Alsatian one day.

[Alan K.]

Here's a few that aren't in drawers. I couldn't get all of them in the picture.

Are those in O  gauge Alan?

No, they are HO gauge. I don't have a layout like you built last year Chako.  I don't have that kind of room. I just like the trains and mostly I like the engines.

[Kampfer]

Guns girls gadgets.

[ColoSwiss]

Here's a few that aren't in drawers. I couldn't get all of them in the picture.

Are those in O  gauge Alan?

No, they are HO gauge. I don't have a layout like you built last year Chako.  I don't have that kind of room. I just like the trains and mostly I like the engines.

Nice!      

So many neat hobbies. So little time and money!   

[Chako]

Nice train display!

Here is mine...HO scale.


and the N scale diorama I made a few years back.


I am also into archery...


Love history...thus why I collect swords and helmets.




I also like doing robotics. Here is a photo of my First Robotic days (the blue dude). I still coach the school's VEX Robotics team .


Although I haven't touched leather in a while, I do plan on getting back into it.


As mentioned before, I do like photography.


I also enjoy collecting Canadian First Day Covers.


I also love to motorcycle. Here is my 2009 V-Star Classic.


And into a lot of other hobbies and stuff.

[Gohard]

And not enough hours in one day. A pity that we HAVE TO SLEEP.

[gustophersmob]

My longest standing hobby of over 20 years is music.  I play acoustic guitar, electric bass, ukulele, mandolin and harmonica.  Primarily guitar and bass, though.  These are my babies.

Now who's the drummer in the house?

Nice guitars. Started to play guitar years ago but never succeeded. Know most of the notes but the fingers didn't play along.

No drummer yet, though I have 2 toddlers, so who knows what they'll get into!

It took me a long time to get to a point where I'd even consider myself "decent." For me, the hardest part was strumming.  Doing anything beyond simple up-down-up strums took a lot of practice. Bass has always been a little more natural for me, and in group settings, that's what I prefer to play. Not nearly as much fun by yourself though, so that's how I ended up getting into guitar.

[Kev D]

Mine used to be motorbikes to. My last one is the GSX1400 in the photo. She was a great bike (and still is now as a garage ornament).  Nowadays I just watch motorbike racing.

The day that photo was taken in 2006 was the day I got knocked off it by a young lad in his mums car in a hurry to go to watch football. While I was fine at the time it turned out I cracked 3 vertebrae. One of the cracks slowly propagated over time until in June 2012 the vertebra split, moved out of position and crushed my spinal cord between it and the next one, dropping me like a stone.  It was a strange sensation, one minute I was walking across my living room at home, then splat I was on the floor. No warning, and more than a tad worrying.

They had the technology, they rebuilt me (not quite 6 million dollar man) 
Luckily for me it didn't sever the spinal cord, but the damage is permanent so I can no longer ride motorbikes due to now having what I refer to as wazzy legs. 

On the upside, I can still walk with the aid of a walking stick. My job paid me all the time I was off sick recovering which I will always be grateful for, it means I still have a house, etc. I can still be an electrical engineer, albeit not as active on plant as I used to be.

And I get all the good parking spots now 

I try to get to as many motorbike races as possible as there's nothing like being there. Failing that I watch as much as I can on TV.

I'd love a get a trike or something, but I dare'nt risk it. If young lad in mums car happens again, it'll finish off what's there and I'll end up on permanent wheels, and I quite like being able to walk hobble about 

[Gohard]

Sorry to hear about your mishap. My mate had exactly the same bike without the panniers. Great bike.

[Gohard]

My longest standing hobby of over 20 years is music.  I play acoustic guitar, electric bass, ukulele, mandolin and harmonica.  Primarily guitar and bass, though.  These are my babies.

Now who's the drummer in the house?

Nice guitars. Started to play guitar years ago but never succeeded. Know most of the notes but the fingers didn't play along.

No drummer yet, though I have 2 toddlers, so who knows what they'll get into!

It took me a long time to get to a point where I'd even consider myself "decent." For me, the hardest part was strumming.  Doing anything beyond simple up-down-up strums took a lot of practice. Bass has always been a little more natural for me, and in group settings, that's what I prefer to play. Not nearly as much fun by yourself though, so that's how I ended up getting into guitar.

Will get back into it one day. I do play the harmonica when I'm on the spirits

[Chako]

Ouch. I have already had my one accident on a motorbike, which totaled my beloved Triumph America, and caused me to miss 6 weeks of work due to 4 broken ribs. The guy in the inside lane never saw me when he wanted my space due to an ambulance coming towards us in the opposite lane. 

[DaveK]

Ah man - where do you start?

Sailing, my guitars, Quake Live, "vaping" TV / advocacy channel, cameras (mostly for video but for stills to a lesser extent), walking, cycling.....

I suppose I can't say I'm truly passionate about any of the above (except whilst I'm actually doing them). I actually think I have too many hobbies now to actually enjoy any of them properly - I need to maybe trim a few. There isn't enough time to do them all properly I think.

Except drinking beer. I'm pretty passionate about that.