A buddy of mine just retired, and now he has all the time in the world to pursue his hobby, which in his case is stand up comedy. He is pretty good – I have seen him on stage, but it’s not what I have in mind when I think of a hobby.
Hobbies are things like playing computer games.
Or shooting at targets.
About a week ago I was at a cabin with a couple of buddies, where we enjoyed fishing and communing with nature. We also shot guns. One of us was pretty good, and shoots for relaxation and stress reduction. Shooting is his hobby. One of us was not very good and missed a lot. I do not like hobbies where people laugh at you.
Golfing is another hobby that I find difficult to enjoy, mostly because my score is too high. I am not sure what my handicap is or if I even have one, but if I do none of the clubhouses are listing it on any charts – mostly likely out of a sense of pity.
This weekend I saw a hobby that is probably at the top of my list of hobbies to avoid: flying hot air balloons.
Sure, it is beautiful to watch the graceful craft lift gently and soar away on the breeze. But for those who are really into ballooning, life is hard.
For one thing, they have to get up at the crack of dawn. There is no sleeping in.
They can’t just “go ballooning” on a whim. They need to ensure the equipment is ready. They need people to help them get off the ground, and people to help them once they land.
Then there is the whole fear of heights thing.
The point is that it is important to pick the right hobby. When you do, just make sure it fits your lifestyle.
In fact, I think I may have found mine.
