Same, I even met with a few smiths and really enjoyed the process. Ultimately, not enough time/space/money to get into it, so I just do chain mail instead. Makes a good stim.
You could play MTG: Arena for free, but I'd understand if online play wasn't your thing.
You could also have a look at pauper decks, which are focused on being very affordable.
I must also admit that, as a longtime player, I can't wholeheartedly recommend the hobby right now due to how the game is managed and the insane amount of releases they put out.
I gave up on Arena too because a few months without playing results in most your decks being unusable due to updates to the formats and often new mechanics to learn.
Neither can I, and I have 9 Commander decks. Very rarely do I spend more than a few dollars on a single card, and even then it's been maybe $15 at most.
Those cards that are that expensive are good (provided they aren't just special printings of cards that are otherwise less than a dollar), but they're absolutely not necessary in casual formats. Most of the time, there's a <$1 card serves the same purpose. There's even a format called Pauper where only commons are allowed.
Standard is where it gets excessively overpriced, and it's a big reason for its decline in players over the past few years. If you want to play it, play Arena, which is F2P.
I have an aversion to spending more than a few dollars on a single card and rarely buy any singles. I do buy boosters to fill my collection out and just make decks out of whatever I have on hand.
At work a long time ago they played mtg with fake cards, like home printed.
I don't know if they had the same or whatever extra rules surrounded it, but I sure do know that the scarcity thing is just a dark pattern to rob players of their money.
I mean, you don't have to buy those absurdly expensive single cards to have fun. I bought my first cards in 1997 and have been playing on and off since then. I have only ever bought pre made decks or booster packs, not once have I even been tempted to buy some stupidly expensive single card.
You can buy a starter pack that comes with two decks for you and a friend to learn to play with for like £15 - 20.
I won't deny some of the shit it out of control expensive but you don't need any of that trash to both learn to play and have fun with it!
If you don't care about tournaments and want to play with your closer friends then you can all build simpler decks with budget restrictions or you can even prepare a "cube" which is just basically an independant game that uses MtG rulesets. There's tons of cheap cards.
I’m in this same sort of boat. It’s not that I really want to play but I have a friend who wants me to play and I’m happy to go along with it. So like you, I can’t justify the prices for something that I might (and probably) won’t even like.
What I’ve found is what are called “proxys”. Basically you can just print the cards you want for free off the internet. I’m sure there are groups out there that aren’t approving of playing with proxies but if your group falls more on the side of playing and having fun rather than collecting and you’re not trying to pass off proxies as real cards then you should be fine.
It seems to me like a great way to get started and see if it’s something you like without much investment at all
Not everyone needs to do the tournament thing. There is a format called booster draft where knowing how to build a deck matters as much as how well you actually play. But it works like poker in the sense that you buy in with a sealed booster pack and you keep the cards at the end. Depending on the local format, it can be winner takes all.
I met a guy a few years back who was into building and flying small aeroplanes and gliders. My mind was blown - I had no idea hobby aeroplane building was a thing since the wright bros.
Bird watching. I'm going blind in such a way that makes binoculars impossible to use, and am completely deaf in one ear, so I can't even tell which direction the calls are coming from 😅
Hey! I've gone down the rabbit hole with unorthodox methods of birdwatching like using a parabolic microphone (very directional, so you can locate with a mono audio source) and a couple other weird things like that! Would love to chat if I can provide any info to get you into the hobby 😁
The parabolic microphone idea sounds interesting! I use the Merlin bird ID app to identify what I can hear, but it's not directional, obviously. I do have a pretty decent digital camera with 40x optical zoom, but you really need to know where to point it, because the slightest change in angle is a big change at a distance.
I can't use any magnifying lenses because I have blind spots that interfere with it. I can use a digital camera, I actually have a pretty good one with 40x optical zoom. But since you need to really know where you're pointing at for long distances, I mostly just use it for bee spotting!
My dad would build all sorts of shit. Decks. Bars inside those little sheds for some reason (man cave?). I always watched a growing up and I still think it was super cool. But now I live in a 700sq ft apartment. So that’s a big hindrance to doing most things.
I want a bicycle. I have nowhere to store it, and I suspect it would be stolen within a week. Not enough room inside either. Also, I haven't biked in...20 years!
I'd recommend a test ride before you buy one, I tried a couple and found them to be not nearly as useable as a cheap old mountain bike for actually enjoying riding.
A friend used to be a big Brompton fan, but it made sense for her because she lived in central London.
I was thinking of getting one. What made you decide to get a priority folder?
Im looking for one that I can take to work and back, and can easily fold up without too many long term repairs. Ive heard horror stories about fixing some old folding bikes but ive never had one.
The other commenter is totally right about it being “like riding a bike.” My kids started riding and I had a bike but hadn’t ridden in like 15 years probably, so I was a little apprehensive about trying it again. It was no problem at all.
Yeah, and 20in wheels. Even 250w makes a big difference to allow less exhaustion (/longer distance).
I made sure to get a bike with gears so I could actually put the effort+speed in, and got a decent price on it (decently below the $1K ground floor) but unfortunately it is now discontinued so finding something similar may be difficult (also, telescoping handlebar stem).
Unfortunately I still don't ride as much as I should. Mostly there's not much around, but also add things like weather conditions, mosquito/tick fears, limited by how long my cold water lasts, and various other things that I lack (tire patch kit, durable+breathable clothing, storage because common store options use incompatible mounting).
My gf and I share an apartment so small it's a bit of an inside joke in our friend group and we have 3 bicycles inside, we just get everywhere on city bikes and refuse to leave them outside overnight. Honestly, it doesn't take that much space.
Woodworking and just making shit in general. It's the main reason I'm so frustrated about not being able to own a house. I'm constantly thinking about things I'd like to build or learning about methods of doing things I'd like to try and I just can't. Closest I get is fixing shit for my friends sometimes.
Here in portland OR they have places with all the tools for hobby woodworkers. Not sure what it is called, but it's whole purpose is for people who don't have a shop of their own to still be able to do stuff. And it comes with a whole community of people to learn from.
Yeah, those too. Though the one I heard of was more focused on woodwork and powertools than maker spaces usually are. But maker spaces should fit the bill as well.
Every time I see a race on TV, all I think it's about how I could have aced every inch of every course in my 20s. Grew up tearing up dirt roads, and also never had the money to pursue it past pissing off neighbors. Rally cars always looks fun as hell.
I want to get into rock climbing but I feel like I just don't have the build. I'm 6'5 260 lbs with size 16 feet. I climb around stuff at work sometimes and really enjoy that. But the one time I did go to a rock climbing gym my dumb feet were barely able to get purchase on the rocks. I lift weights 2-5 times a week depending on my work schedule but body weight stuff has never really been on the agenda. I still think I'd probably really enjoy it.
Proper shoes for climbing are basically bare feet. You're issue will be your weight, but you'll lose that the second you start climbing. Go to a bouldering gym and give it a go again. It's extremely fun and sans the cost of the shoes cheap to do.
What? I tried climbing in toe shoes, would not recommend. Climbing shoes are designed to allow you to concentrate your weight onto the very tip of the toe. They're basically the opposite of barefoot, closer to ballet shoes.
When I mean toe shoes, I don't mean the ones that look like you got toes. I mean that they're not like running shoes or well any other shoe that has a hard sole. More like you said ballet shoes but more flex and grip.
Hi! Lifelong climber (grew up on doing free climbs) and I have some thoughts.
First off, please go to a climbing gym or two and take a beginners class. I can't account for someone being an asshole but I can tell you that older climbers are definitely excited when someone's interested in their thing, like most usually are. With that said, I want to give you a fair warning. My number one concern for someone of your stature would be foot/ankle injuries and pulley injuries (fingers) with rotator cuff being second.
With that said, I completely think you could do bouldering and frankly the fact that you're already a frequent gym goes/weight lifter means you have a, forgive the pun, a leg up on most who are gonna walk in that gym. Take it easy, don't try and do anything absurd, and have a good time. If you're renting shoes from the gym then keep in mind that climbing shoes are a WHOLE thing and finding a pair that work and don't completely murder your feet is a project in and of itself even with average sized feet, your size 16s might be a bit of a secondary project tbh. But spend some time on a wall and see how you feel about it truly after having someone give you some pointers as it's an activity that is closer to 75% technique and 25% strength so knowing some beta (climber speak for "meta" - knowledge of a route/problem) actually goes a long ways.
Edit: Seriously though, the difference between an everyday rental shoe and a shoe that is higher quality and fitted properly to your foot actual does make a tangible difference in how you "feel" and whether you get positive response from the wall/foot connection. Good traction will ensure you can get grip even on the face.
Thats great advice thanks! Im heavily considering getting into it. Like I said I have to climb random shit at work sometimes (power plant) and its always fun/exciting. I've only been to one climbing gym once though and it was for a party type thing. I didn't do well haha.
You’ll learn footwork over time. I would absolutely recommend going back a few more times and maybe sign up for a beginners class. I started climbing a few years ago and it has been the best decision I’ve made in a while
The shoes may be the only issue, as few brands even make climbing shoes in those sizes. But I see people of all shapes and sizes at the gym and at the crag, and everyone is there to have fun. It`s a very low-judgment sport, some just like climbing easy stuff, and others like pushing their limits.
I have the imaginations, but I have some total mental block on "role playing". And I have kids, so no ability to be part of a regular group for anything.
When I was young I always wanted to skateboard. I was kind of scene adjacent being into punk and metal in the 90s/00s, but none of my close friends skated and the kids I knew that did seemed kind of gate keepy. I bought a decent board and a vhs (pre youtube) on how to do some tricks. I was even saving up and making plans to build some backyard ramps or half pipe since we didn't have a skate park near by. Despite this I could never figure out an olly which seemed to be the entry level trick and since my friends didn't skate I was only ever practicing on my own and never got direct feedback on what I was doing wrong. Now I'm in my 40s and even if wanted to pick it up, I'd break something for sure.
I too skated for years but was just an A to B skater because I could never figure out how to olly. Watched tons of videos, had friends try to teach me, but could never get up even a one inch ledge. But it was my preferred method of transport to get around town prior to getting a driver's license. You could go into a store without locking up a bike, or some mean shop owner telling you no roller blades inside, you could take the bus or train easily, or hop in a friends or parents car easily. Though the train was the most common way I would lose my board by getting off my stop in a hurry. Eventually I fully switched to longboard, but even now in my forties I can't do it. My child got one for Christmas and I felt like a fish out of water immediately and knew that one small mistake would put me out of work. I do miss it though and I look back on those days fondly.
I love plants but I dont have the time to micromanage. Ive set up automatic systems in the past, and found that the plants that want to live will live. And just propagate those to hell. I have loquat trees that love neglect. I have grapes that are WAY overgrown that need trimming each year and produce way too much. Ive tried other things but one hot 110F+ (43-44C) day and most plants die. And we get months of that kind of weather.
I agree it's really frustrating at times. And the more you micromanage the more it seems to fuck something else up. I started during the pandemic with a little balcony and a ton of containers, filling gallon jugs of water in the sink or tub, filling the watering can, and then watering. It took tons of time, but I had tons of time. I've since moved into a place with a yard and now have a 4x8x4 in ground raised bed, but I'm also now in a place where it will get to 110 F so I put up a shade and the bed is around trees. I'm curious to see what survives once summer hits hard soon. Also in the side yard there's no hose bib, so I had to buy a 100 foot house and run it from the front yard. It's a total pain.
All this to say I have six pots of potatoes, for tomatoes plants in pots, squash, strawberry, basil, thyme and cilantro in the raised bed. It's totally a huge pain in the ass. It's taken me years to learn what to do and what to avoid, and inevitably something gets fucked by bugs or whatever, but it truly is rewarding to have a meal with a bunch of ingredients you grew yourself. The amount of money I've put into it would buy bushels of what I've grown at the store even at current prices, but it brings me joy to go out everyday and look at progress, try different things, and learn from mistakes. I'll be doing it for the rest of my life I'm certain. Planting all natives may be easier for you. I hope you don't give up and end up enjoying one day!
I mean, that is gardening though. I can't baby things (well, except the jaboticaba I'm trying to bonsai), I just plant things and figure out what works. Winners stay and eventually you get a garden.
Okra and watermelon love the heat here, and the trees do fine. Most food plants I grow in winter though. Well from October through April.
Coding. I just can't stick with it and can't find anything I'd like to make that interests me. any cod3 class I take I can follow chapter 1 and then I fall off a cliff. It feels like I'm wasting time if i try. I guess in my head I feel like I really want to know it, but when I'm doing it I'd rather be doing other things. Its more so I need to have the understanding because I don't like using things I don't fully understand. It just is such a time consuming thing.
It's funny, I noped out of coding immediately after trying it when I was 14 for basically the opposite reason. It delighted my logical math brain and I wanted to know everything, and I realized I'd be really really good at it.
And just as quickly I realized that if I went down that path, it would consume my life. I would get a job coding, all my hobbies would be coding, and I would spend all day every day in front of a screen. That wasn't a life I wanted, even if I would've been happy day to day.
I even avoid getting into the weeds on any technical computer stuff, because I know it'll be a slippery slope.
Honestly, I find it to be miserable at first too, which really sucks. I've stopped and started exercising multiple times in my life and it's always difficult for me to get back into for this reason. However, I've found that if I comfortably push through I get to a point where I'm struggling less and it becomes more satisfying. That's when I start enjoying it because I can start setting specific goals and working towards them.
The secret to it is to learn which kind of misery to keep pushing through and which kind of misery is an emergency stop. You gotta get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Then... It kind of becomes more comfortable.
Coding. I love gaming and I love mods for games, but even my best efforts don't get me very far. I can't fully grasp how it works, what it means, or how to ask for what I need to know. It's not for lack of trying or exposure, I've been bullshitting my way through linux for about 16 years now and only recently learned how to use systemctl without without copy paste.
You want literally anything physical I'm your guy. This week I'm researching how to reflow the APU on a ps4 motherboard and it just makes total sense to me, but I'm struggling just to make the json files in a mod for vintage story. Totally lost when it comes to the C#.
CodeAcademy is pretty good for a free self-teaching tool, you should definitely take their course! The good news is that the stuff you learn in C# can easily translate to other languages like Java or Python. C# also has a lot of nifty synthetic sugar, it's a fun language
It was an interesting thing and I imagine it works great for those it works for, but I couldn't get into code academy or that gamified coding one. They move to slow for me and with all the plates I juggle it was hard to fmgive it the time it demanded without losing info in between.
I'm somewhat similar. I don't think it's impossible* for me, but it's easy to run into issues and lose motivation or simply lack viable ideas for learning projects. Currently stalled due to multiple system-related issues**, and chilling effect of AI (copilot).
I have a YLoD PS3 I've fixed a few times before many years ago, though it likely was a capacitor issue that was only fixed accidentally. Don't feel like spending money on caps/cooling stuff etc, not set up for soldering. I have another PS3 that currently works, not bothering to set up for firmware stuff for that either (slow internet, no easy way to monitor progress).
* I completed a sweeper clone months ago (in the one somewhat-niche language that I actually like) and that actually went great but I haven't been able to share it. So haven't done anything since then
** I probably need to use a different distro but not convinced by any, and probably need a better GPU to sidestep legacy driver issue (which could help w/updating my current setup) but everything seems like a side-grade or overpriced or both
I've wanted to get into making stained glass art for about a decade now. I've spent countless hours watching instructional videos and researching, I just can't justify dropping a thousand dollars on just beginning a hobby, not to mention the space & clean air requirements
In my city there's a glasswork studio that does classes and has studio space. I have made a stained glass snowflakes and leaves. It was fun. So look to see if they're are studios
If I could somehow just do this instead of work everyday, I'd be so happy. I love keeping old cars working. There is so much waste and the older cars had such style and artistry. New cars are too similar, too utilitarian/aerodynamic in design. Paint is too plain, muted, and lacks vibrant colors.
Gaming. While I loved the arcade as a kid, I just cant seem to get into any modern game. Seemed like the more advanced they got the less I was interested. The last game I tried was RDR2 and gave up on the second mission. Just bored to tears.
Arcade titles tend to have simpler stories and more immediate juicier primary gameplay loops. A very arcade-y game I like is Unrailed!. It's always hilarious with a group of friends. You might also check out Vampire Survivors, it's kind of a reverse bullet hell.
Sounds like you need games that focus more on the gameplay loop and less on the presentation/story. Like someone else said, indies are kings in this regard.
Unfortunately I'd have a hard time recommending anything because they can be so wildly different in style.
It's the go here do this, then go here and do that, Go over there and shoot them, over and over, that I find boring. The story I am sure is fantastic, the gameplay is what I dislike.
That's fair. In my perspective, the "go here, do this, shoot that" is a symptom of needing to fill out the gameplay loop without investing heavily into world building or genuine reason, because that's all being spent on the main story beats. But in some games, that's all there is to do.
Perhaps you are looking for a game where either:
the game is very focused on a single narrative, and never lets you waste your time
the game has very little structure and asks you to create your own fun out of a big world
I used to be really into traditional archery. Throught my teens, Emphasis on the "really", Pretty sure I spent more time on the range than i did at home. I trained myself to shoot accurately no matter which hand i used. I traveled to attend and perform at archery shows hosted by castles
But it's difficult to find space to do it in a city.
I rent a garage "apartment" so I'm too poor to justify the expense of "real" astrophotography (I just have a "cheap" smart telescope) and I don't have the space or stability of living location to start buying equipment for the other hobbies.
I really want to do archery. It's not expensive to buy a starter recurve bow kit, but I'm worried I would buy it and never use it because of my procrastinating nature.
I also really want to join a martial arts studio, I found a place that looks like it teaches some interesting styles, but my fear of being the new guy makes it hard to put myself out there. One day though, one day I will do these things.
I kinda have this place picked out that teaches a bunch of different styles. I'm mostly interested in their blended class. Actually talking in this thread got me thinking about it again so I'm gonna go soon. First class is free so nothing to lose.
arts that come out of jujitsu like judo and akido have falls and that is an incredibly practical thing to learn. hopkido does it to but its very limited roll. jujitsu itself had the most with forward falls (which fyi is scary) and turn arounds.
3D printing. No dedicated space in my house for such a thing, plus there's no way my kids would leave it alone or not constantly ask for more 3D dragons.
Machining. I have way too many hobbies already, no money and no space. But goddamn does creating things with my own hands scratch that ADHD itch for me.
Gem cutting. Once you have a good machine it doesn't cost a lot of money for raw gem quality rough.
I want to cut synthetics since I don't like the idea of a hobbyist screwing around with non-renewable gems... Also synthetics are flawless and can have cool color shifting patterns like ametrine (amethyst/citrine) or even watermelon colored corundums.
I just want to make shiny jems to look at :( I want to cut giant Portuguese cut cubic zirconia and square cut color shifters :(
It's like $2000-5000 for a decent lapidary setup... And that's not counting abrasive wheels.
I often make the same argument against myself for limited resources but ultimately, if the resource is affordable, then it probably isn't rare on the scale that hobbyists would affect it. But then there's helium, which is somehow not anywhere near abundant enough for the low price they charge to fill a balloon. While hobbyists still wouldn't affect the supply that much, I don't like supporting balloons anymore. Weird hill to die on for 95% of people or greater.
Yeah I know and for certain gems like garnet or corundum we're literally never running out. It's things like tanzanite (my fave!) or emerald that are far more worrisome. With industrialized mining we can yank it all out of the ground way faster than we can find new deposits.
Tanzanite might only have the weird and oddly specific conditions necessary for it to form in this one rift in Tanzania.
Does it have a practical use? If yes, I agree with your reservations. If no, then someone is going to buy it to either look at or sell to someone else to look at. May as well buy it direct and preserve it respectfully. But I understand and I do appreciate the group-benefit mentality
I guess it's an emotional reservation. It would be a bit like feeling guilty for eating passenger pigeons and contributing to their extinction, especially if you hunted them and left some to rot because it was so cheap and easy to get more. Once they're extinct you can't help but look back and wince or blame yourself for being part of the problem.
On the other hand, a skilled lapidary can cut a tanzanite with way more care and attention than some commercial gem cutters that are concerned with stone weight and production volume. A lot of big gems end up as windowed trash, where the center of the gem can be seen through like a glass window. No sparkle or reflections because the gem cutter preserved gem weight to charge more at the cost of beauty, and also making the gem lose even more mass later on if it needs to be recut to have proper angles.
If I screw a natural stone up I would feel horrible though. Synthetics are like "who cares you can buy them by the pound"
I would like to get a motorcycle or a vespa to wander around, but the little savings i have are for everyday needs and university linked expenses. I would also like to get some old weapons and go shooting sometimes, but they are as expensive as bikes. If i had some spare i would upgrade my gaming pc but i have not turned it on in months so i cant say its somethinng i would absolutely do if i had the possibility.
FWIW apparently for polo it's the people that own the horses that need to be wealthy, because horses, and you have to have a lot of horses. The riders are usually doing it for fun and/or because they're good enough to get asked back.
This is going off the Jon Huertas episode of Once We Were Spacemen podcast so you know, grain of salt.
yeah I only thought of it because of one of the bs supplement with john walsh who is like. ooh after excersising my polo ponies Im in pain. my thought is. real great opening for making me think about you being like me. your polo ponies.
embedded programming, i love everything about it except cluttering my desk with electronics, breadboards and also wiring stuff to my desktop is annoying, or using UART to debug a microcontroller is annoying
love it, feel like life is too short and I can't enjoy this one to the extent I want to
I would love to geht into photography more and even develop my own films, but I don't have the space and I also don't have the money for a good camera.
Surfing and Taekwondo. I enjoy activities that are competitive and challenges your discipline. I'm incredibly burnt out during university, so not a lot of energy left after classes have pushed me to my limit this year. Took several advanced art/design classes in the fall, a winter class, a woodworking class and biology in the spring.
I have the time and money, but no energy to do anything. My body and mind wants to rest. And I need to prioritize my career plan in welding and uni first, before I can have fun.
22 years ago I went to Madagascar as part of an organised group. We were scuba diving off the reefs in the south, cataloguing and counting fish and coral species.
I racked up over a 100 hours underwater in 2 months. I loved it. I was going to get my PADI training, then spend the rest of my live living in the tropics taking tourists our on boats.
I got back to Scotland and I haven't even snorkelled since, let alone scuba'd.
I got PADI certified when I was younger. No ocean near me so I had to fly, stay in a resort and pay a dive operator to take me out. It was very cool but too expensive for the short amount of time in the water (length depends on depth). It seemed to be popular with the middle age crowd that liked to vacation in warm places, dive during the day then party at night
i dont know how to get started with musicmaking in such way i can also get better. Also i have imagination for it only in dreams or when i'm trying to sleep. when i open the program i dont get any ideas.
Sunvox takes a lot of time in comparison to other DAWs.
This kills the initiative.
If you want to write music, I would suggest forgetting about DAWs all together for a start. Get an instrument instead. Piece of paper and a pencil.
Only open your computer when you have something that you want to put in it. If you start with the DAW you'll be twitching knobs all day without getting anything done.
i can't play any instrument at all and dont have extra money to throw on something that i'll drop soon anyway. with sunvox i can at least sidestep it since all you need is ear for notes and rythm.
My main problem is that i just dont get ideas about what to do. I already have tons of samples and instruments as files, so at least i dont have to create those from 0.
Ok, so Sunvox is also an instrument, and can be used for jamming. Sometimes the simplest sounds can inspire you to make more.
It is a lot like trying to write the first words on an empty page. However once you get started, one sentence leads to the next.
I like to draft a track by using a basic sound. Build up more stuff around it and eventually remove the draft.
Like, the important part isn't the sound design, it's the structure and progress of the music, and just getting started on something that is more than a one pattern loop.
Fishing. I live just miles from world class surf fishing. And even if you don’t want to make that short trip there are tons of amazing fishing opportunities just outside my front door.
The learning curve is just too steep. I know I’d enjoy it if I got good at it but the learning curve is just too steep and I can’t make it to that point where I have that positive feedback loop and get addicted to just the hope of catching something.
Fishing doesn't have a learning curve. It's not learn as you go. Nobody in my family fishes but I've gone and sorry of slowly figured it out. I'm not super into it, my kids are more curious than anything so I've sort of just based what I've done off a few movies lol. Were just doing it in rivers and ponds though, nothing crazy. Catch and release while camping.
Have wondered about that too. Caught crabs a few times which I think is a lot easier. Even got a spider crab with just a bit of twine and a hook.
But I don't really know where are good or bad places to go to spread out across wider areas. Swimming out to place nets could be an interesting thing to try, at that point you are getting to some pretty expensive and bulky equipment though.
Would be more interested in doing it to get food rather than as a sport. Most information, especially in the UK, treats it entirely as a sport.
Ham Radio. The equipment is expensive and it takes time to learn. Then there's the license -- my body rejects taking exams after six years of college 😅
3D printing. Part of the issue is my main filament-based project needs to be ABS so I don't have much interest in a starter printer. I also have enough finicky devices that I really don't want to figure out another. So I landed on the prusa mk3 when that was still the current model and havent committed the money to it. It's not like I'm starved for solutions given that I can make widgets from wood or aluminum. I even ramped up my steel fab capability with a nice welder that cost half a prusa. So buying a printer has been on a perpetual backburner.
Plus I know solidworks well and the work flows in every other cad infuriates me.
Many public libraries these days have 3D printers, and some of them are pretty nice. You could always check out your local ones to see if they have one you can use for your project ideas to avoid the investment.
I'd like to try guitar and possibly piano but I know I'd just drop them after a little while. Expense of buying gear, too, with not much space to store stuff like that.
I bouth a cheap guitar for 10€ at a fleamarket. Doesn't look good but it works. I you just want to try around and maybe learn a bit with the help of YouTube that's an option.
Same, but for me the issue is my fingers. They just suck as far as accuracy goes. I type for a living and miss the intended key regularly. My fingers are also short and stubby. Never going to be good at eithe piano or guitar with these fingers and a aversion to practicing anything.
Knitting. I've always loved wool sweaters, and would love to be able to knit my own patterned cowichan sweater for example. But it seems quite intimidating and difficult, and honestly a touch embarrassing since I'm a big bearded dude, although that last one is all in my head
My wife is a knitter and has been for decades. She literally has a closet full of sweaters that she and her mother knitted over the years. At one point she got a bit burned out, but still wanted to knit, but not commit to something complex like a sweater. A friend of her's, whom my wife actually taught to knit, told her to knit socks.
Socks knit up quickly, so they are satisfying to make and they are easy, especially compared to something like a sweater.
I'm a bearded guy too and love to cook. So knitting isn't a stretch, my wife loves to do it and it is very relaxing after a long day.
I'm a big bearded dude who plays in punk bands, I learned how to knit from my mom when I was a kid and picked it back up in my mid twenties. I'm in my late thirties now and every winter I start knitting, like clockwork. Last year I got crazy into gloves and socks, this year I made slippers and gloves and a big old colorwork lusekofte sweater. I was even going to knitting nights at my local yarn stores and taking my knitting to movie nights with my buddies and stuff.
I highly recommend you do it and live your warmest life.
Homies are dying off and it seems like a way to help them and the world at large, even just a little bit.
The bar for entry, however - having a property with a large open space + learning how to do it safely + general time & material resources + not having enough generational wealth to retire early and comfortably to do these things I'd like - means that it's unlikely to ever happen. The thought of it is nice, though.
You don't need that much space, I knew a guy with about 2mx2m space in his garden for the hive and that was it. It's not like raising animals they just fly where ever
Wing foiling - it's when you use a foil board with a giant handheld kite:
The feeling is incredible and even better than e-foiling (battery powered foil) when you lock in. However it's still expensive where decent entry set is 2k usd at least and that will take you several tough sessions just to get up. After that the prices just sky rocket and some high end wings (the parts that are underwater and lift the board) can cost thousands of dollars and you probably want multiple for various conditions.
The main issue is really the perfect condition chasing. Ideally you want strong 5-10 knot wind at least with nice weather out which surprisingly is hard to get unless you live in places that have these perfect conditions. I highly recommend Hua Hin in Thailand if anyone wants to give this a shot!
Worked at a finance firm for a bit. One guy raced Porsches. A weekend could cost $30,000. Another guy raced the cheaper, entry-level, which is Miatas at "only" $5,000/race weekend.
Oof. I think if it were really my passion I would find ways to afford it, but I don't think I'm so dedicated that only the real thing will suffice. Racing games are enough for now.
So many... Been on long term sick leave for close to 20 years, got major executive dysfunction with what's in my language called "handlingsförlamning" (action paralysis) where most things, even things I want to do, makes the gears in my brain just completely seize so it's impossible to do most things.
I want to play music, draw, paint, be creative in so many ways but that part of me just doesn't work. I want to get out and explore the world, no matter how locally but I'm stuck in my apartment 95% of the time. I want to read, take classes in things I'm interested in, bike, learn to dance, do pottery, etc.
Basically the only things I can do are play games, listen to music, watch movies and series and cook food, which I love doing all of and am happy I'm able to do. So I can't say I don't have stuff I enjoy, just dream of so much more.
Dancing. I just dont think I can bare the monumental task that is stepping into a realm where im bad and its so far out of my comfort zone and there are high social consequences for failure. Normally im decently confident but yeah that I just cant imagine.
Electronics and home automation - I used to do Arduino/ESP projects, but the room I have for doing this kind of stuff is so hopelessly cluttered with crap now, creating usable space to work in is a daunting project of its own.
Waiting until I get more free money in the future that isn't going towards bills and such, but I wanna get some VR body trackers specifically so I can get a 3D model and try and see how I like it. Specifically waste up. I have wanted to try with a 2D model as well, but I haven't done enough research nor had the motivation to try it.
Blacksmithing. Just don’t really have the room in the backyard.
Not one day goes by where i think about just going to a smith and begging him to teach me his craft
If you think about it a closet is really just a burned down yard anyway
Start small with silver smithing!
Same, I even met with a few smiths and really enjoyed the process. Ultimately, not enough time/space/money to get into it, so I just do chain mail instead. Makes a good stim.
I wish I had the time to get involved with the hobbies I already have
I don't think I've had a decent chunk of a few hours of time with the energy to actually be creative in like a year now....
I hope I'm on the other side of this soon, life is supposed to be for living
Magic the Gathering. Seems fun but I can't justify new video game prices for individual cards
You could play MTG: Arena for free, but I'd understand if online play wasn't your thing.
You could also have a look at pauper decks, which are focused on being very affordable.
I must also admit that, as a longtime player, I can't wholeheartedly recommend the hobby right now due to how the game is managed and the insane amount of releases they put out.
I can't keep up at all either. I still watch content about it but I haven't bought cards in a while. The release pace is insane.
I gave up on Arena too because a few months without playing results in most your decks being unusable due to updates to the formats and often new mechanics to learn.
Neither can I, and I have 9 Commander decks. Very rarely do I spend more than a few dollars on a single card, and even then it's been maybe $15 at most.
Those cards that are that expensive are good (provided they aren't just special printings of cards that are otherwise less than a dollar), but they're absolutely not necessary in casual formats. Most of the time, there's a <$1 card serves the same purpose. There's even a format called Pauper where only commons are allowed.
Standard is where it gets excessively overpriced, and it's a big reason for its decline in players over the past few years. If you want to play it, play Arena, which is F2P.
I have an aversion to spending more than a few dollars on a single card and rarely buy any singles. I do buy boosters to fill my collection out and just make decks out of whatever I have on hand.
At work a long time ago they played mtg with fake cards, like home printed.
I don't know if they had the same or whatever extra rules surrounded it, but I sure do know that the scarcity thing is just a dark pattern to rob players of their money.
I mean, you don't have to buy those absurdly expensive single cards to have fun. I bought my first cards in 1997 and have been playing on and off since then. I have only ever bought pre made decks or booster packs, not once have I even been tempted to buy some stupidly expensive single card.
You can buy a starter pack that comes with two decks for you and a friend to learn to play with for like £15 - 20.
I won't deny some of the shit it out of control expensive but you don't need any of that trash to both learn to play and have fun with it!
The joke about drugs being cheaper isn't a joke. The joke is the pain your wallet feels
I joking tell parents to get their kids into Warhammer 40K, Magic the Gathering or PC gaming, that way they wont be able to afford drugs.
If you don't care about tournaments and want to play with your closer friends then you can all build simpler decks with budget restrictions or you can even prepare a "cube" which is just basically an independant game that uses MtG rulesets. There's tons of cheap cards.
I’m in this same sort of boat. It’s not that I really want to play but I have a friend who wants me to play and I’m happy to go along with it. So like you, I can’t justify the prices for something that I might (and probably) won’t even like.
What I’ve found is what are called “proxys”. Basically you can just print the cards you want for free off the internet. I’m sure there are groups out there that aren’t approving of playing with proxies but if your group falls more on the side of playing and having fun rather than collecting and you’re not trying to pass off proxies as real cards then you should be fine.
It seems to me like a great way to get started and see if it’s something you like without much investment at all
Yeah. I limit myself to sealed tournaments, Jumpstart, and a casual commander deck.
Proxies my friend.
Not everyone needs to do the tournament thing. There is a format called booster draft where knowing how to build a deck matters as much as how well you actually play. But it works like poker in the sense that you buy in with a sealed booster pack and you keep the cards at the end. Depending on the local format, it can be winner takes all.
MTG is a complete meme game. There is so much OP stuff it doesnt matter about certain cards becaus you can just play a different format.
I've always been really interested in aeroplanes. If it wasn't €100 for 20 minutes, I'm sure I'd have taken a few flying lessons by now.
Same. Although MSFS 2024 has been a buggy mess for a couple years, it does scratch that itch for me pretty well.
Same, my coping mechanism is a small dji and working on getting drone certs. Charging a small battery is a lot cheaper than aviation fuel
I met a guy a few years back who was into building and flying small aeroplanes and gliders. My mind was blown - I had no idea hobby aeroplane building was a thing since the wright bros.
I fly a paramotor (powered paraglider) and it's the cheapest form of powered flight.
Costs about as much as a motorcycle to buy and run.
Bird watching. I'm going blind in such a way that makes binoculars impossible to use, and am completely deaf in one ear, so I can't even tell which direction the calls are coming from 😅
Hey! I've gone down the rabbit hole with unorthodox methods of birdwatching like using a parabolic microphone (very directional, so you can locate with a mono audio source) and a couple other weird things like that! Would love to chat if I can provide any info to get you into the hobby 😁
The parabolic microphone idea sounds interesting! I use the Merlin bird ID app to identify what I can hear, but it's not directional, obviously. I do have a pretty decent digital camera with 40x optical zoom, but you really need to know where to point it, because the slightest change in angle is a big change at a distance.
User name checks out.
Could you still use a camera, scope, or monocular?
I'd get into building vehicles, bikes, etc. but lack the funds, time, and space.
I can't use any magnifying lenses because I have blind spots that interfere with it. I can use a digital camera, I actually have a pretty good one with 40x optical zoom. But since you need to really know where you're pointing at for long distances, I mostly just use it for bee spotting!
Woodworking/carpentry has always fascinated me.
My dad would build all sorts of shit. Decks. Bars inside those little sheds for some reason (man cave?). I always watched a growing up and I still think it was super cool. But now I live in a 700sq ft apartment. So that’s a big hindrance to doing most things.
Where ever you are at if in the US, there is likely a makers space nearby. They provide the space, tools and classes, generally for a reasonable fee.
And awesome people as well!
I want a bicycle. I have nowhere to store it, and I suspect it would be stolen within a week. Not enough room inside either. Also, I haven't biked in...20 years!
It's (a lot) like riding a bike, it'd come right back!
You should considere a folding bike! I have a Priority Folder and I love it.
That would probably work. The local shops cannot seem to keep folding bikes in stock here.
I'd recommend a test ride before you buy one, I tried a couple and found them to be not nearly as useable as a cheap old mountain bike for actually enjoying riding.
A friend used to be a big Brompton fan, but it made sense for her because she lived in central London.
I would have to test no matter what. I'm on the tall side.
I've got 1 folding bike (so far) and a couple folding ebikes: Would recommended.
I want to pick up a Takachia trifold too, but money is tight.
I was thinking of getting one. What made you decide to get a priority folder?
Im looking for one that I can take to work and back, and can easily fold up without too many long term repairs. Ive heard horror stories about fixing some old folding bikes but ive never had one.
The other commenter is totally right about it being “like riding a bike.” My kids started riding and I had a bike but hadn’t ridden in like 15 years probably, so I was a little apprehensive about trying it again. It was no problem at all.
A hinged vertical bike hanger can save a lot of room, particularly if you mount it in a corner.
the last bicycle i bought i got to ride exactly once before it was stolen.
If ebikes you're something youd consider l, they make some that fold.
Yeah, and 20in wheels. Even 250w makes a big difference to allow less exhaustion (/longer distance).
I made sure to get a bike with gears so I could actually put the effort+speed in, and got a decent price on it (decently below the $1K ground floor) but unfortunately it is now discontinued so finding something similar may be difficult (also, telescoping handlebar stem).
Unfortunately I still don't ride as much as I should. Mostly there's not much around, but also add things like weather conditions, mosquito/tick fears, limited by how long my cold water lasts, and various other things that I lack (tire patch kit, durable+breathable clothing, storage because common store options use incompatible mounting).
My gf and I share an apartment so small it's a bit of an inside joke in our friend group and we have 3 bicycles inside, we just get everywhere on city bikes and refuse to leave them outside overnight. Honestly, it doesn't take that much space.
As someone with ADHD: All of them.
Relatable
I feel you. Same my mentally deranged sibling
Falconry. I mean, it looks bad ass but then you have to acquire maintain an avian predator that is expensive and likely hates you.
Dude, yes. This has been a secret wish of mine ever since I found out it existed, but I would have no idea where to start. It would be so cool though.
Woodworking and just making shit in general. It's the main reason I'm so frustrated about not being able to own a house. I'm constantly thinking about things I'd like to build or learning about methods of doing things I'd like to try and I just can't. Closest I get is fixing shit for my friends sometimes.
Here in portland OR they have places with all the tools for hobby woodworkers. Not sure what it is called, but it's whole purpose is for people who don't have a shop of their own to still be able to do stuff. And it comes with a whole community of people to learn from.
I think some are called “maker space” and I think it’s like a membership you pay and you gain access to a full shop of tools.
Yeah, those too. Though the one I heard of was more focused on woodwork and powertools than maker spaces usually are. But maker spaces should fit the bill as well.
Rally car racing. (or any motorsport that isn't F1 or boats/planes, really) But I'm too broke for that.
Every time I see a race on TV, all I think it's about how I could have aced every inch of every course in my 20s. Grew up tearing up dirt roads, and also never had the money to pursue it past pissing off neighbors. Rally cars always looks fun as hell.
I want to get into rock climbing but I feel like I just don't have the build. I'm 6'5 260 lbs with size 16 feet. I climb around stuff at work sometimes and really enjoy that. But the one time I did go to a rock climbing gym my dumb feet were barely able to get purchase on the rocks. I lift weights 2-5 times a week depending on my work schedule but body weight stuff has never really been on the agenda. I still think I'd probably really enjoy it.
That's something you could train. Gotta develop those mountain goat feet
Maybe if I did it barefoot.
Proper shoes for climbing are basically bare feet. You're issue will be your weight, but you'll lose that the second you start climbing. Go to a bouldering gym and give it a go again. It's extremely fun and sans the cost of the shoes cheap to do.
What? I tried climbing in toe shoes, would not recommend. Climbing shoes are designed to allow you to concentrate your weight onto the very tip of the toe. They're basically the opposite of barefoot, closer to ballet shoes.
When I mean toe shoes, I don't mean the ones that look like you got toes. I mean that they're not like running shoes or well any other shoe that has a hard sole. More like you said ballet shoes but more flex and grip.
Hi! Lifelong climber (grew up on doing free climbs) and I have some thoughts.
First off, please go to a climbing gym or two and take a beginners class. I can't account for someone being an asshole but I can tell you that older climbers are definitely excited when someone's interested in their thing, like most usually are. With that said, I want to give you a fair warning. My number one concern for someone of your stature would be foot/ankle injuries and pulley injuries (fingers) with rotator cuff being second.
With that said, I completely think you could do bouldering and frankly the fact that you're already a frequent gym goes/weight lifter means you have a, forgive the pun, a leg up on most who are gonna walk in that gym. Take it easy, don't try and do anything absurd, and have a good time. If you're renting shoes from the gym then keep in mind that climbing shoes are a WHOLE thing and finding a pair that work and don't completely murder your feet is a project in and of itself even with average sized feet, your size 16s might be a bit of a secondary project tbh. But spend some time on a wall and see how you feel about it truly after having someone give you some pointers as it's an activity that is closer to 75% technique and 25% strength so knowing some beta (climber speak for "meta" - knowledge of a route/problem) actually goes a long ways.
Edit: Seriously though, the difference between an everyday rental shoe and a shoe that is higher quality and fitted properly to your foot actual does make a tangible difference in how you "feel" and whether you get positive response from the wall/foot connection. Good traction will ensure you can get grip even on the face.
Thats great advice thanks! Im heavily considering getting into it. Like I said I have to climb random shit at work sometimes (power plant) and its always fun/exciting. I've only been to one climbing gym once though and it was for a party type thing. I didn't do well haha.
You’ll learn footwork over time. I would absolutely recommend going back a few more times and maybe sign up for a beginners class. I started climbing a few years ago and it has been the best decision I’ve made in a while
I'm heavily considering it
yeah rock climbing is really hard for big guys but its still enjoyable. You wont be doing crazy walls but you can have fun at any level
The shoes may be the only issue, as few brands even make climbing shoes in those sizes. But I see people of all shapes and sizes at the gym and at the crag, and everyone is there to have fun. It`s a very low-judgment sport, some just like climbing easy stuff, and others like pushing their limits.
D&D. I've tried a few times, but I have no imagination so I can never really get into it.
Let me tell you, you dont need imagination. But a fun group is everything
I have the imaginations, but I have some total mental block on "role playing". And I have kids, so no ability to be part of a regular group for anything.
I'm now of the age where building a miniature railroad city seems interesting, but I don't have anywhere near the space.
N scale is pretty small though there's not as much available as HO scale.
Make it really mini.
Flying. AVGAS100 is fucking expensive.
I've got quite a few hours logged, tho
Can I talk to you my lord and god... Skydiving?
Nothing you do in the air will ever be cheap, but jumping out of planes is a lot cheaper than flying them.
When I was young I always wanted to skateboard. I was kind of scene adjacent being into punk and metal in the 90s/00s, but none of my close friends skated and the kids I knew that did seemed kind of gate keepy. I bought a decent board and a vhs (pre youtube) on how to do some tricks. I was even saving up and making plans to build some backyard ramps or half pipe since we didn't have a skate park near by. Despite this I could never figure out an olly which seemed to be the entry level trick and since my friends didn't skate I was only ever practicing on my own and never got direct feedback on what I was doing wrong. Now I'm in my 40s and even if wanted to pick it up, I'd break something for sure.
As a 50 year old skater with a broken wrist, you will for sure break something.
Still skate a few times a week, though far more mellow than in my teens and twenties. Mostly just carving the park or some mini ramp.
I always wanted to get into wake boarding, but there was never a boat around etc.
Now with my knee injuries it's too late to learn something new.
However, I'm pretty sure I could handle surfing.
The electric one wheel boards are a lot of fun, and are easier than a skateboard, but pad up and helmet for sure.
I too skated for years but was just an A to B skater because I could never figure out how to olly. Watched tons of videos, had friends try to teach me, but could never get up even a one inch ledge. But it was my preferred method of transport to get around town prior to getting a driver's license. You could go into a store without locking up a bike, or some mean shop owner telling you no roller blades inside, you could take the bus or train easily, or hop in a friends or parents car easily. Though the train was the most common way I would lose my board by getting off my stop in a hurry. Eventually I fully switched to longboard, but even now in my forties I can't do it. My child got one for Christmas and I felt like a fish out of water immediately and knew that one small mistake would put me out of work. I do miss it though and I look back on those days fondly.
Gardening.
I love plants but I dont have the time to micromanage. Ive set up automatic systems in the past, and found that the plants that want to live will live. And just propagate those to hell. I have loquat trees that love neglect. I have grapes that are WAY overgrown that need trimming each year and produce way too much. Ive tried other things but one hot 110F+ (43-44C) day and most plants die. And we get months of that kind of weather.
I agree it's really frustrating at times. And the more you micromanage the more it seems to fuck something else up. I started during the pandemic with a little balcony and a ton of containers, filling gallon jugs of water in the sink or tub, filling the watering can, and then watering. It took tons of time, but I had tons of time. I've since moved into a place with a yard and now have a 4x8x4 in ground raised bed, but I'm also now in a place where it will get to 110 F so I put up a shade and the bed is around trees. I'm curious to see what survives once summer hits hard soon. Also in the side yard there's no hose bib, so I had to buy a 100 foot house and run it from the front yard. It's a total pain.
All this to say I have six pots of potatoes, for tomatoes plants in pots, squash, strawberry, basil, thyme and cilantro in the raised bed. It's totally a huge pain in the ass. It's taken me years to learn what to do and what to avoid, and inevitably something gets fucked by bugs or whatever, but it truly is rewarding to have a meal with a bunch of ingredients you grew yourself. The amount of money I've put into it would buy bushels of what I've grown at the store even at current prices, but it brings me joy to go out everyday and look at progress, try different things, and learn from mistakes. I'll be doing it for the rest of my life I'm certain. Planting all natives may be easier for you. I hope you don't give up and end up enjoying one day!
I mean, that is gardening though. I can't baby things (well, except the jaboticaba I'm trying to bonsai), I just plant things and figure out what works. Winners stay and eventually you get a garden.
Okra and watermelon love the heat here, and the trees do fine. Most food plants I grow in winter though. Well from October through April.
Motorsport, specifically drifting.
Mucking around in digital audio workstations.
Motorsport CAN be done relatively cheaply... drifing is not one of the cheaper options unfortunately.
Theres a hillclimb circuit near me and I've contemplated buying a cheap hatchback just to have something to take out, abuse and upgrade as I can.
Yeah, me too (with learning how to drift). Looks so much fun to do. That, and learning how to drive a motorcycle too.
Coding. I just can't stick with it and can't find anything I'd like to make that interests me. any cod3 class I take I can follow chapter 1 and then I fall off a cliff. It feels like I'm wasting time if i try. I guess in my head I feel like I really want to know it, but when I'm doing it I'd rather be doing other things. Its more so I need to have the understanding because I don't like using things I don't fully understand. It just is such a time consuming thing.
It's funny, I noped out of coding immediately after trying it when I was 14 for basically the opposite reason. It delighted my logical math brain and I wanted to know everything, and I realized I'd be really really good at it.
And just as quickly I realized that if I went down that path, it would consume my life. I would get a job coding, all my hobbies would be coding, and I would spend all day every day in front of a screen. That wasn't a life I wanted, even if I would've been happy day to day.
I even avoid getting into the weeds on any technical computer stuff, because I know it'll be a slippery slope.
Exercise. Even a little bit makes me miserable. And I'm not even physically disabled.
Honestly, I find it to be miserable at first too, which really sucks. I've stopped and started exercising multiple times in my life and it's always difficult for me to get back into for this reason. However, I've found that if I comfortably push through I get to a point where I'm struggling less and it becomes more satisfying. That's when I start enjoying it because I can start setting specific goals and working towards them.
The secret to it is to learn which kind of misery to keep pushing through and which kind of misery is an emergency stop. You gotta get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Then... It kind of becomes more comfortable.
Flying
Yeah, those flight hours are expensive (especially these days).
Coding. I love gaming and I love mods for games, but even my best efforts don't get me very far. I can't fully grasp how it works, what it means, or how to ask for what I need to know. It's not for lack of trying or exposure, I've been bullshitting my way through linux for about 16 years now and only recently learned how to use systemctl without without copy paste.
You want literally anything physical I'm your guy. This week I'm researching how to reflow the APU on a ps4 motherboard and it just makes total sense to me, but I'm struggling just to make the json files in a mod for vintage story. Totally lost when it comes to the C#.
CodeAcademy is pretty good for a free self-teaching tool, you should definitely take their course! The good news is that the stuff you learn in C# can easily translate to other languages like Java or Python. C# also has a lot of nifty synthetic sugar, it's a fun language
It was an interesting thing and I imagine it works great for those it works for, but I couldn't get into code academy or that gamified coding one. They move to slow for me and with all the plates I juggle it was hard to fmgive it the time it demanded without losing info in between.
I'm somewhat similar. I don't think it's impossible* for me, but it's easy to run into issues and lose motivation or simply lack viable ideas for learning projects. Currently stalled due to multiple system-related issues**, and chilling effect of AI (copilot).
I have a YLoD PS3 I've fixed a few times before many years ago, though it likely was a capacitor issue that was only fixed accidentally. Don't feel like spending money on caps/cooling stuff etc, not set up for soldering. I have another PS3 that currently works, not bothering to set up for firmware stuff for that either (slow internet, no easy way to monitor progress).
* I completed a sweeper clone months ago (in the one somewhat-niche language that I actually like) and that actually went great but I haven't been able to share it. So haven't done anything since then
** I probably need to use a different distro but not convinced by any, and probably need a better GPU to sidestep legacy driver issue (which could help w/updating my current setup) but everything seems like a side-grade or overpriced or both
I've wanted to get into making stained glass art for about a decade now. I've spent countless hours watching instructional videos and researching, I just can't justify dropping a thousand dollars on just beginning a hobby, not to mention the space & clean air requirements
In my city there's a glasswork studio that does classes and has studio space. I have made a stained glass snowflakes and leaves. It was fun. So look to see if they're are studios
Glassblowing
It's too damn hot.
Fixing old cars, but I can't justify the cost or the storage requirements.
If I could somehow just do this instead of work everyday, I'd be so happy. I love keeping old cars working. There is so much waste and the older cars had such style and artistry. New cars are too similar, too utilitarian/aerodynamic in design. Paint is too plain, muted, and lacks vibrant colors.
The storage requirements are the real killer, cars become 3 times larger the moment you start dissasembly.
Gaming. While I loved the arcade as a kid, I just cant seem to get into any modern game. Seemed like the more advanced they got the less I was interested. The last game I tried was RDR2 and gave up on the second mission. Just bored to tears.
I can only really stick at sim racing these days.
No story, no fetch quests, no save scumming or p2w bullshit.
Well open world sims might not be for you.
Arcade titles tend to have simpler stories and more immediate juicier primary gameplay loops. A very arcade-y game I like is Unrailed!. It's always hilarious with a group of friends. You might also check out Vampire Survivors, it's kind of a reverse bullet hell.
Sounds like you need games that focus more on the gameplay loop and less on the presentation/story. Like someone else said, indies are kings in this regard.
Unfortunately I'd have a hard time recommending anything because they can be so wildly different in style.
It's the go here do this, then go here and do that, Go over there and shoot them, over and over, that I find boring. The story I am sure is fantastic, the gameplay is what I dislike.
That's fair. In my perspective, the "go here, do this, shoot that" is a symptom of needing to fill out the gameplay loop without investing heavily into world building or genuine reason, because that's all being spent on the main story beats. But in some games, that's all there is to do.
Perhaps you are looking for a game where either:
I feel that. It feels like many modern games put in features instead of pkay testing.
The modern indie retro game scene is absolutely great, right now, though.
I recommend starting with "Donut DoDo" or "Rogue Legacy 2" and then look for related titles, if you enjoy either.
Edit: Or "Horizon Chase Turbo". It's a great refinement on classic arcade racers.
I used to be really into traditional archery. Throught my teens, Emphasis on the "really", Pretty sure I spent more time on the range than i did at home. I trained myself to shoot accurately no matter which hand i used. I traveled to attend and perform at archery shows hosted by castles
But it's difficult to find space to do it in a city.
Filming and starring in porn and not just collecting it.
thats easy. all you need is a smartphone and a consenting partner or object.
Woodworking, gem faceting, "real" astrophotography.
I rent a garage "apartment" so I'm too poor to justify the expense of "real" astrophotography (I just have a "cheap" smart telescope) and I don't have the space or stability of living location to start buying equipment for the other hobbies.
Film photography. Far too expensive
Nazi hunting.
I really want to do archery. It's not expensive to buy a starter recurve bow kit, but I'm worried I would buy it and never use it because of my procrastinating nature.
I also really want to join a martial arts studio, I found a place that looks like it teaches some interesting styles, but my fear of being the new guy makes it hard to put myself out there. One day though, one day I will do these things.
I've taught Jiujitsu for 20 years. I love it when new people show up and legitimately want to learn.
Any place that's even halfway decent would have the same opinion.
Go check it out. Karate, Judo, Jiujitsu, doesn't matter. Just stay away from woowoo places that pretend it's magic, like Akido.
I kinda have this place picked out that teaches a bunch of different styles. I'm mostly interested in their blended class. Actually talking in this thread got me thinking about it again so I'm gonna go soon. First class is free so nothing to lose.
arts that come out of jujitsu like judo and akido have falls and that is an incredibly practical thing to learn. hopkido does it to but its very limited roll. jujitsu itself had the most with forward falls (which fyi is scary) and turn arounds.
3D printing. No dedicated space in my house for such a thing, plus there's no way my kids would leave it alone or not constantly ask for more 3D dragons.
Pegging
Tents are quite cheap these days.
(Or just install Feeld for the other kind)
Swimming in gold like Scrooge McDuck.
Oh, man. Why not? It's great. Everyone should try it.
((Hopefully obvious) sarcasm, here.)
Macro digital and large format film photography. The reason, money 🙁
Do you do digital photography with smaller sensors?
digital camera sensors are much smaller than large format film which is like the size of a post card.
Yeah, but there are still a variety of sensor sizes. I use an APS-C because I don't want to lug around a larger sensor camera body.
Machining. I have way too many hobbies already, no money and no space. But goddamn does creating things with my own hands scratch that ADHD itch for me.
singing, my voice sucks.
That didn't stop Lewis Armstrong.
And he was constantly high as well
Gem cutting. Once you have a good machine it doesn't cost a lot of money for raw gem quality rough.
I want to cut synthetics since I don't like the idea of a hobbyist screwing around with non-renewable gems... Also synthetics are flawless and can have cool color shifting patterns like ametrine (amethyst/citrine) or even watermelon colored corundums.
I just want to make shiny jems to look at :( I want to cut giant Portuguese cut cubic zirconia and square cut color shifters :(
It's like $2000-5000 for a decent lapidary setup... And that's not counting abrasive wheels.
I often make the same argument against myself for limited resources but ultimately, if the resource is affordable, then it probably isn't rare on the scale that hobbyists would affect it. But then there's helium, which is somehow not anywhere near abundant enough for the low price they charge to fill a balloon. While hobbyists still wouldn't affect the supply that much, I don't like supporting balloons anymore. Weird hill to die on for 95% of people or greater.
Yeah I know and for certain gems like garnet or corundum we're literally never running out. It's things like tanzanite (my fave!) or emerald that are far more worrisome. With industrialized mining we can yank it all out of the ground way faster than we can find new deposits.
Tanzanite might only have the weird and oddly specific conditions necessary for it to form in this one rift in Tanzania.
Does it have a practical use? If yes, I agree with your reservations. If no, then someone is going to buy it to either look at or sell to someone else to look at. May as well buy it direct and preserve it respectfully. But I understand and I do appreciate the group-benefit mentality
I guess it's an emotional reservation. It would be a bit like feeling guilty for eating passenger pigeons and contributing to their extinction, especially if you hunted them and left some to rot because it was so cheap and easy to get more. Once they're extinct you can't help but look back and wince or blame yourself for being part of the problem.
On the other hand, a skilled lapidary can cut a tanzanite with way more care and attention than some commercial gem cutters that are concerned with stone weight and production volume. A lot of big gems end up as windowed trash, where the center of the gem can be seen through like a glass window. No sparkle or reflections because the gem cutter preserved gem weight to charge more at the cost of beauty, and also making the gem lose even more mass later on if it needs to be recut to have proper angles.
If I screw a natural stone up I would feel horrible though. Synthetics are like "who cares you can buy them by the pound"
I would like to get a motorcycle or a vespa to wander around, but the little savings i have are for everyday needs and university linked expenses. I would also like to get some old weapons and go shooting sometimes, but they are as expensive as bikes. If i had some spare i would upgrade my gaming pc but i have not turned it on in months so i cant say its somethinng i would absolutely do if i had the possibility.
yacht racing. polo. anything else that to do I would need to be wealthy. not that I want to do them I just want the cash.
FWIW apparently for polo it's the people that own the horses that need to be wealthy, because horses, and you have to have a lot of horses. The riders are usually doing it for fun and/or because they're good enough to get asked back.
This is going off the Jon Huertas episode of Once We Were Spacemen podcast so you know, grain of salt.
yeah I only thought of it because of one of the bs supplement with john walsh who is like. ooh after excersising my polo ponies Im in pain. my thought is. real great opening for making me think about you being like me. your polo ponies.
embedded programming, i love everything about it except cluttering my desk with electronics, breadboards and also wiring stuff to my desktop is annoying, or using UART to debug a microcontroller is annoying
love it, feel like life is too short and I can't enjoy this one to the extent I want to
Just go work for some weird robotics startup or thelike. I have fond memories of my office desk slowly turning into a full blown electronics lab
I would love to geht into photography more and even develop my own films, but I don't have the space and I also don't have the money for a good camera.
Also sewing, same reason.
Surfing and Taekwondo. I enjoy activities that are competitive and challenges your discipline. I'm incredibly burnt out during university, so not a lot of energy left after classes have pushed me to my limit this year. Took several advanced art/design classes in the fall, a winter class, a woodworking class and biology in the spring.
I have the time and money, but no energy to do anything. My body and mind wants to rest. And I need to prioritize my career plan in welding and uni first, before I can have fun.
Diving, partly because of money, but I'm also not sure about the medical requirements.
Also flying, same reasons but money is a bigger factor there.
22 years ago I went to Madagascar as part of an organised group. We were scuba diving off the reefs in the south, cataloguing and counting fish and coral species.
I racked up over a 100 hours underwater in 2 months. I loved it. I was going to get my PADI training, then spend the rest of my live living in the tropics taking tourists our on boats.
I got back to Scotland and I haven't even snorkelled since, let alone scuba'd.
I got PADI certified when I was younger. No ocean near me so I had to fly, stay in a resort and pay a dive operator to take me out. It was very cool but too expensive for the short amount of time in the water (length depends on depth). It seemed to be popular with the middle age crowd that liked to vacation in warm places, dive during the day then party at night
music making with sunvox
i dont know how to get started with musicmaking in such way i can also get better. Also i have imagination for it only in dreams or when i'm trying to sleep. when i open the program i dont get any ideas.
Sunvox takes a lot of time in comparison to other DAWs. This kills the initiative.
If you want to write music, I would suggest forgetting about DAWs all together for a start. Get an instrument instead. Piece of paper and a pencil.
Only open your computer when you have something that you want to put in it. If you start with the DAW you'll be twitching knobs all day without getting anything done.
i can't play any instrument at all and dont have extra money to throw on something that i'll drop soon anyway. with sunvox i can at least sidestep it since all you need is ear for notes and rythm. My main problem is that i just dont get ideas about what to do. I already have tons of samples and instruments as files, so at least i dont have to create those from 0.
Ok, so Sunvox is also an instrument, and can be used for jamming. Sometimes the simplest sounds can inspire you to make more.
It is a lot like trying to write the first words on an empty page. However once you get started, one sentence leads to the next.
I like to draft a track by using a basic sound. Build up more stuff around it and eventually remove the draft. Like, the important part isn't the sound design, it's the structure and progress of the music, and just getting started on something that is more than a one pattern loop.
Fishing. I live just miles from world class surf fishing. And even if you don’t want to make that short trip there are tons of amazing fishing opportunities just outside my front door.
The learning curve is just too steep. I know I’d enjoy it if I got good at it but the learning curve is just too steep and I can’t make it to that point where I have that positive feedback loop and get addicted to just the hope of catching something.
Fishing doesn't have a learning curve. It's not learn as you go. Nobody in my family fishes but I've gone and sorry of slowly figured it out. I'm not super into it, my kids are more curious than anything so I've sort of just based what I've done off a few movies lol. Were just doing it in rivers and ponds though, nothing crazy. Catch and release while camping.
Have wondered about that too. Caught crabs a few times which I think is a lot easier. Even got a spider crab with just a bit of twine and a hook.
But I don't really know where are good or bad places to go to spread out across wider areas. Swimming out to place nets could be an interesting thing to try, at that point you are getting to some pretty expensive and bulky equipment though.
Would be more interested in doing it to get food rather than as a sport. Most information, especially in the UK, treats it entirely as a sport.
Grab a cheap rod from a store or on Craigslist and some tackle you’re good to go.
Fishing (at least for me) isn’t about catching anything necessarily. We bring beers and just hang out.
I have the gear; I don’t have the patience. Too many variables and not enough ’successes’ to get me hooked (no pun intended).
I have LGB trains from my youth.
I always dreamed of setting up a garden railway. When I bought my house, I expected to do it.
We've been here 29 years. No railway. No time.
If I can ever retire...
Ham Radio. The equipment is expensive and it takes time to learn. Then there's the license -- my body rejects taking exams after six years of college 😅
Parachuting bc I might die
HEMA. The gear is expensive and the nearest club is over an hour away
Cross country horse eventing. She’s too old, and I can’t afford the expenses.
3D printing. Part of the issue is my main filament-based project needs to be ABS so I don't have much interest in a starter printer. I also have enough finicky devices that I really don't want to figure out another. So I landed on the prusa mk3 when that was still the current model and havent committed the money to it. It's not like I'm starved for solutions given that I can make widgets from wood or aluminum. I even ramped up my steel fab capability with a nice welder that cost half a prusa. So buying a printer has been on a perpetual backburner.
Plus I know solidworks well and the work flows in every other cad infuriates me.
Many public libraries these days have 3D printers, and some of them are pretty nice. You could always check out your local ones to see if they have one you can use for your project ideas to avoid the investment.
I'd like to try guitar and possibly piano but I know I'd just drop them after a little while. Expense of buying gear, too, with not much space to store stuff like that.
I bouth a cheap guitar for 10€ at a fleamarket. Doesn't look good but it works. I you just want to try around and maybe learn a bit with the help of YouTube that's an option.
Same, but for me the issue is my fingers. They just suck as far as accuracy goes. I type for a living and miss the intended key regularly. My fingers are also short and stubby. Never going to be good at eithe piano or guitar with these fingers and a aversion to practicing anything.
You never know! Elton John famously has stubby little fingers.
Now, practice? Yeah, I get bit with the demotivation bug constantly.
Oh, it's not even a lack of motivation. It's like a full on aversion to practice. ADHD is likely the cause. Or it's just a quirk.
Knitting. I've always loved wool sweaters, and would love to be able to knit my own patterned cowichan sweater for example. But it seems quite intimidating and difficult, and honestly a touch embarrassing since I'm a big bearded dude, although that last one is all in my head
My wife is a knitter and has been for decades. She literally has a closet full of sweaters that she and her mother knitted over the years. At one point she got a bit burned out, but still wanted to knit, but not commit to something complex like a sweater. A friend of her's, whom my wife actually taught to knit, told her to knit socks.
Socks knit up quickly, so they are satisfying to make and they are easy, especially compared to something like a sweater.
I'm a bearded guy too and love to cook. So knitting isn't a stretch, my wife loves to do it and it is very relaxing after a long day.
I'm a big bearded dude who plays in punk bands, I learned how to knit from my mom when I was a kid and picked it back up in my mid twenties. I'm in my late thirties now and every winter I start knitting, like clockwork. Last year I got crazy into gloves and socks, this year I made slippers and gloves and a big old colorwork lusekofte sweater. I was even going to knitting nights at my local yarn stores and taking my knitting to movie nights with my buddies and stuff.
I highly recommend you do it and live your warmest life.
Beekeeping! 🐝
Homies are dying off and it seems like a way to help them and the world at large, even just a little bit.
The bar for entry, however - having a property with a large open space + learning how to do it safely + general time & material resources + not having enough generational wealth to retire early and comfortably to do these things I'd like - means that it's unlikely to ever happen. The thought of it is nice, though.
But beekeping is for honey bees, they're not in danger.
A lot of wild bees are in danger, though, but they're usually not domesticated.
You don't need that much space, I knew a guy with about 2mx2m space in his garden for the hive and that was it. It's not like raising animals they just fly where ever
Wing foiling - it's when you use a foil board with a giant handheld kite:
The feeling is incredible and even better than e-foiling (battery powered foil) when you lock in. However it's still expensive where decent entry set is 2k usd at least and that will take you several tough sessions just to get up. After that the prices just sky rocket and some high end wings (the parts that are underwater and lift the board) can cost thousands of dollars and you probably want multiple for various conditions.
The main issue is really the perfect condition chasing. Ideally you want strong 5-10 knot wind at least with nice weather out which surprisingly is hard to get unless you live in places that have these perfect conditions. I highly recommend Hua Hin in Thailand if anyone wants to give this a shot!
Racing cars. Travel photography. Hobbyist megayachting.
I've always wanted to drive rally cars or something, but it's all very much out of reach for me.
Worked at a finance firm for a bit. One guy raced Porsches. A weekend could cost $30,000. Another guy raced the cheaper, entry-level, which is Miatas at "only" $5,000/race weekend.
Oof. I think if it were really my passion I would find ways to afford it, but I don't think I'm so dedicated that only the real thing will suffice. Racing games are enough for now.
Playing in a garage rock band
I love watching those who build and paint miniature models on YouTube. That plus a 3D printer looks like you can make ANY diarama from ANY souls game.
But I know my patience level. If I try it, I will give up within 2 days...
My favourite model I saw was Giant Dad vs Let Me Solo Her looks so cool..
You might enjoy this one woman who turns foods into frogies and paints and 3d prints them
So many... Been on long term sick leave for close to 20 years, got major executive dysfunction with what's in my language called "handlingsförlamning" (action paralysis) where most things, even things I want to do, makes the gears in my brain just completely seize so it's impossible to do most things.
I want to play music, draw, paint, be creative in so many ways but that part of me just doesn't work. I want to get out and explore the world, no matter how locally but I'm stuck in my apartment 95% of the time. I want to read, take classes in things I'm interested in, bike, learn to dance, do pottery, etc.
Basically the only things I can do are play games, listen to music, watch movies and series and cook food, which I love doing all of and am happy I'm able to do. So I can't say I don't have stuff I enjoy, just dream of so much more.
Dancing. I just dont think I can bare the monumental task that is stepping into a realm where im bad and its so far out of my comfort zone and there are high social consequences for failure. Normally im decently confident but yeah that I just cant imagine.
What kind of dancing?
Electronics and home automation - I used to do Arduino/ESP projects, but the room I have for doing this kind of stuff is so hopelessly cluttered with crap now, creating usable space to work in is a daunting project of its own.
Waiting until I get more free money in the future that isn't going towards bills and such, but I wanna get some VR body trackers specifically so I can get a 3D model and try and see how I like it. Specifically waste up. I have wanted to try with a 2D model as well, but I haven't done enough research nor had the motivation to try it.
Well I recently bought a cheap-mountain bike and got a hammock from my brother.... It has rained for a week and a half.