What is/are your hobby/hobbies?
 

I basically listen to music and play video games, watch anime and read books. I'm sure plenty of people here do these things on a daily basis was well, but I'm also sure some have something they're really passionate about, like playing an instrument or doing some sort of sport.

I'm afraid I'm yet to find a hobby that I'm truly passionate about. Sure I enjoy the things I've mentioned above but I wouldn't call myself passionate about them.

You?

I read and waste my time watching television and using the internet.
I'm going to start taking care of plants once the weather allows me to.

Playing videogames and watching TV aren't hobbies. Hobbies are something that builds some kind of skill like writing or drawing, or learning a musical instrument or going hiking or something.

:tsad::tsad::tsad:

TMNT goes without saying, otherwise we wouldn't be posting on this website.

Football is my biggest passion (although I detest it in a sense as well, the corporate aspect, but I won't bore our American friends with that). I've had quite a few people say I could have turned professional, but I concentrated more on my education at school, thanks to my mother's influence. I probably shouldn't have bothered as qualifications have got me nowhere in life.
I watch a lot of football but I prefer playing. I've never experienced such a rush in life as when playing football (other than the glaringly obvious). It's a truly amazing feeling. I'm the only footballer here I think, so nobody will understand, but when you're being watched by a fair number of spectators and you and your team are playing well and dominating the opposition...well it's just a brilliant feeling to know that you're entertaining people. When you take the p!ss out of an opposition player with a piece of skill, or you play a great pass to play a team-mate through on goal... & you hear the reaction from those watching. It's just a major ego boost. I just can't explain how wonderful playing football is, it's sensational. It's one of the few things keeping me from jumping off a tower.

Education is something that's important to me too. I have an inconsistent history with that - as stated I knuckled down as a boy. But when I turned 18 and had some 'problems', I fell away from education for a number of years. I also spent these years completely oblivious to what was happening around me in society. When I hit 23 I started reading more and had home internet access so was naturally able to get back into the swing of things and expand my knowledge level.

As far as entertainment goes, I clearly enjoy things like television, cartoons, anime etc. I also like comic books. But it's not so black and white because these are things which greatly enhance our education too - much of what we watch or read is intended to make us think or provide social commentary or historical context. So even though it's not officially academia, much of it is of great literary and educational value.

I'd like to get back into using weights and getting more cardio (other than football). Partly to be in better shape externally, but more for the series of health benefits. There's a paucity of gyms in my area but I have dumb-bells and an exercise bike ready to be constructed so there's no excuse, really.

I'm on record as liking all of the above. I'm not really telling anyone anything they didn't already know. Something I like that I may not have mentioned, something more obscure? Well, I have a dormant interest in ice hockey. I know nothing about the NHL, you could count the number of players I know on the fingers of one hand. However, just from seeing highlights of the sport it looks absolutely fantastic - like five a side football on ice. I'd love to get into it properly. I'm just not sure I have enough time for another major interest. I also really like basketball.

In terms of the future, I really want to learn some foreign languages. I used to speak French pretty well in my school years but I've forgotten most of it now. I'd like to perhaps learn Spanish and German. I have the utmost respect for polyglots.

Drawing is what I do best.

A hobby is essentially a past time. And whilst watching TV doesn't require you anything more than just sitting in front of a screen, playing video games actually forces you to do something and improve your skills at them.

Davetello: I'm interested in linguistics as well. I guess that could count as a hobby of mine as well, since I always try to learn a few new words a day by watching videos, listening to music, etc.

Yes, in a sense gaming is a more interesting hobby than television as it's more active and requires a greater attention span. Television is often passive. You have to concentrate fully on games.

Yeah, I thought you'd refer to that paragraph. Your English is excellent considering it's not your first language - it's actually better than that of many native English speakers. That's extremely impressive, and what makes it even more impressive is that you're a Latin European so it's much more difficult for someone like you to learn English than for say a German or Dutchman of comparable talent. I've told you all of this before, though.

You forgot to add growing algae.

I like to read, watch movies, play video games, collect star wars stuff and sleep.

I think CyberCubed only considers things worthy of putting in your CV, basically stuff you do to develop useful skills, as hobbies. So he's not really wrong, I suppose. I mean, everyone watches or has watched tv. But not many play, let's say, Golf or Tennis.

I had no choice when it came to learning English, though. So that one does not count as a hobby I've had in the past.

I threw it away and bought a ficus.
I don't know what to do most of the time. Causing me to be bored and depressed.
Help me, snake-senpai.

I spend a lot of my free time bored or just randomly browsing the net as well. This has turned into a vicious cycle of apathy. Been slowly improving myself lately, though.

Yeah. I think I'm going to start reading again tomorrow.
I can also start sketching again. Even though I suck at it.

A hobby is something that improves a skill. Playing sports is a hobby, writing or drawing is a hobby, learning a music instrument or a foreign language is a hobby, even doing weight-training or exercising is a hobby.

There's a reason people who do nothing but watch TV or play videogames all day are looked down upon by society even though we know that's nonsense. That's where phrases like, "Too much TV will rot your brain" or "Videogames are for kids, you're too old to play games" came from.

I mean I play videogames every single day of my life pretty much, and not once did anyone ever think it was a "hobby." You're always looked down upon if you do nothing but play games and watch TV, probably because its not intellectual and doesn't improve a skill. I don't agree with that of course but that's how it is.

He's completely right to make that distinction, it is very important to do so. However, he's technically wrong, because the thread asks for 'hobbies' and the definition of a hobby is something which brings pleasure or relaxation. Therefore, it doesn't have to be something which advances skills in a field. But overall he's correct that some things are just for pleasure whereas others are for pleasure and improvement. As I say above, though, where do you draw the line? If I play tennis I might become a better tennis player. But if I watch "The Wire" I might learn more about society. It depends.

Add me to that list. The internet is both the best and worst invention of recent times.

"A hobby is something that improves a skill"

No it isn't. A hobby is defined as something which brings pleasure or relaxation. It doesn't have to be a process of self-improvement. You're right with most of your posts though. But if I were to play devil's advocate for a moment, I could ask why becoming better at tennis by playing tennis is considered 'self-improvement' but becoming better at games by playing games is not? You're inferring that it's because tennis has more social and monetary value, which is true, but that just means it's a construct. Improving gaming skills is just as difficult as improving tennis skills - the difference is that society respects the latter and not the former.

Fair enough. They're still pastimes or time killers, but not really hobbies, then, I guess. What about reading novels? Do you consider that a hobby?

I used to go to the gym and will try to go back soon. I guess that counts as a hobby too.

Definitions are fluid, so it's fine by me if people have slightly different definitions of what truly constitutes a hobby.

Pleasure and improvement? Well video games can improve your reflexes and even your intelligence according to some studies, if I'm not mistaken.

Fair point. But I'd say his definition of a hobby is problematic and too rigid.

As for the second paragraph - I cover that in my most recent response above. I am in complete agreement. I mean even just posting here - it might seem of lesser consequence but we are able to have deep and engaging conversations. We're all adding to the melting pot with our differing experiences and perspectives. It's a plexus of ideologies. So, in a sense, talking to people on forums can sometimes be more transcendent or rewarding than sitting watching television or reading an agenda-riddled book told from a singular perspective.

It might be a tad too rigid, but since it's more specific it might help people looking for a hobby to actually know what a "true" hobby is, I suppose. That way, they'll try to learn to play the guitar or sign up for some dance classes instead of just turning on the TV and watch it all day long.

I love to draw, read Marvel and TMNT comics, playing video games, collecting TMNT action figures! :ksad:

My mom won't let me have action figures.
:tsad:

Valid point.

Btw, I agree with you about the internet being kind of a both a blessing and a curse. You can do so much with it in only a few clicks... and yet you'd just rather browse websites randomly and watch funny videos on youtube... or porn :lol:

Yes. Used to talk a lot with people about how the internet is like having all of the libraries of the world in your own home. How it presents limitless possibilities. How anyone can become an expert in anything with some selective reading, commitment and time. Yet most people browse the same 6 or 7 sites religiously and ignore everything else.

We're pretty spoiled nowadays. Back in the 90s we actually had to leave the house to look for information and entertainment. It made us value it much more instead of taking it all for granted as we do nowadays.

My favorite hobby is growing my veggie garden and my fruit trees. Every year I plant tomatoes, peppers, some sort of lettuce, various herbs, squash, cucumbers, and one or two weird veggies.

I also have olive trees, key limes, a blood orange, and fig trees.

Nothing like putting some work into a garden and getting a delicious reward :)

I also raise African cichlids and have raised Betta fish in the past.

I concur. We're so saturated with information now that we don't learn anything to a deep or substantial level. We don't have a meaningful understanding of anything because we're too busy superficially learning about everything.

That sounds very interesting and rewarding, actually.

^From wikipedia

When you're at a job and your boss asks you, "What are your hobbies?" and you say you watch TV or play videogames, you'll be looked down upon as if there's something wrong with you.

When people ask about hobbies they mean something of skill. Going fishing, gardening, hiking, taking karate classes, writing/drawing, learning a musical instrument, playing sports, weight training, painting, etc. are all hobbies.

You don't want to tell your boss you do nothing but watch TV and play videogames, you'll look like some kind of idiot. Even worse if you say you still watch cartoons.

That's education that you're describing, which could, also, fall into the category of a hobby. A hobby is, just, stuff you do regularly, for leisure.

I collect posters and, recently, toys...my favorite thing to do is creating display cases or storage containers for my collectables because it allows me to listen to new music.

I don't think it's even really a matter of having skills or not. If you happen to say that at a job interview they won't hire you due to your apparent lack of social skills, which are crucial in a working environment.

I read a lot, though not as much as I did before starting college, hunt occasionally, crochet, ski (although I sadly only get to go once a year, despite living in a major ski state :P ), watch auto racing (which I would probably call one of my true passions), and mostly... Sleep. That's become my main hobby as of late. I'm currently taking guitar and voice lessons, although I need to get a whole lot better about actually practicing. I used to draw, mess with ceramics, write, and scrapbook, although I haven't done any of these things in a few years. I'd like to pick them all back up at some point, but I suppose it'll depend on whether or not I find the opportunity to do so.

I used to be really big into super heroes until a couple of months ago, and even started collecting and reading comic books about a year ago. I've recently distanced myself from both, for personal reasons. I really hope I'm at a place where I can get back into both at some point in the future, but time will tell.

I'd love to have an indoor herb garden and learn to cook well. I'm hoping to get an apartment next summer with a roommate who at least won't mind me making the kitchen a mess. Of course, that entails finding the motivation to do anything at all, which will be a struggle if I remain as apathetic about things as I am now.

Making music/art, organizing things, & generic stuff like playing video games, watching anime, etc.

I have/had several hobbies that I've enjoyed over the years, including reading, writing, ceramics, making dream-catchers, beadwork, collecting comics, drawing (or trying to) painting, playing video games, and more recently, collecting TMNT toys. Some I'm still avidly into, others, not so much. At one time, I also raised fish, mostly bettas and livebearers like guppies, mollies, and swordtails. I'm thinking of getting back into the drawing and dream-catchers, and maybe finishing the ceramic duck figure that my hubby's been wanting me to paint for him. It was sent down by his mom after his dad died- his father was into collecting ducks, due to their last name. (Yes, that's why the Duckie in my username! Marvel having a character named Howard had NOTHING to do with it- honest....)

My hobby is pretty much my job at this point. I love working on projects, whatever they are, then standing back and looking at what I've accomplished. I've recently started doing some smaller, more detailed wood working for fun on the side. I build walls and ceilings, gut bathrooms and install kitchens on the daily, but I've never done smaller detail work, so it feels sorta refreshing. I'm weird with that kind of stuff, though. I've done tiling work for fun.

I obviously also collect video games and stuff related to video games. Not to an unhealthy degree, but enough to enjoy it. Going on day long excursions to out of the way places with my fiance to find weird places and (hopefully) old games is a lot of fun. Games is probably my main hobby, though. Unfortunately, it's a lot harder to find time for that these days.

I write fanfic occasionally, poetry if the mood strikes me, and I used to chat and RP online a lot (people all disappeared...). I also draw. My husband and I maintain a little comic-blog, Sitting In A Tree, which is mostly for updating my family on what's going on in our lives since I moved overseas... though lately, we've been a little lax about producing anything regularly... I think I got a bit burnt out with the drawing (and also, busy writing).

Collecting action figures, Dungeons and Dragons, playing Video Games, taking photos, I draw a lot, I'm into BJDs. I used to do martial arts, but work has gotten in the way. But, it is some interesting I want to get back into when I get a job that don't have weekend shifts.

That's sad! :ksad: :shredder:

If you're old enough, get a part-time job so that you can pay for them.

Hmm...

Off season but I spend some other seasons taking care of two of my grandmother's old rose bushes (transplanted before their home was sold years ago) and one I'd planted in memorial to someone. Not sure if that's hobby, something taken as a duty, or both.

TMNT, MMO games a little, particularly one on a small, tight-knit private server where I'm also a GM/Creative Dev. Sometimes I get inspired with Photoshop... don't really have the drawing/illustrative skills I wish I had, but I do ok tinkering around sometimes with photo manipulation of my WoW characters and such and what ever else I've attempted to do, whether it succeeded or failed. Now and then I come up with something new for CafePress/Zazzle. Get inspired in crafty ways now and then, particularly enjoy using leather. Made painted leather ornaments for family members. Occasionally I get inspired to write a little, currently it's largely an incomplete backstory for a couple of my game characters that gets added to once in a while. (The nearest I do to "fanfiction," though I don't quite see that as qualifying since the characters are mine.) Daydreaming, that's technically a hobby? lol

I did in the pass play a lot of video games but now I just play one old game game currently. I still pick grapefruits in November but I don't have plans on growing a garden. The reward was a few small tomatoes or jalapeno peppers. I could just go to the grocery store and it would be cheaper. I taught myself how to type on a computer keyboard and it saved me tons of time when I had to type papers out. My words per minute are about 35 to 45 so nothing to brag about, its better than looking at the keyboard and using my pointer fingers. Studied basic numismatics and filled out most of the coin books I had since childhood. I had a few hobbies that didn't pan out at all (archery, automotives, and minimalist living). As for TMNT, I watched the 87 series as a child and now watching the 03 and 2012 cartoons.