Other interests

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Bobby... I would gladly let you tickle my ivories anyday.

 

Your classically trained hands have not gone unnoticed

 

 

BN

[buckguy]

1.) Travel: I usually take one big overseas trip a year, plus some short trips or extra days tacked onto business trips. I've been to different parts of Asia, S America, Eurpoe, and the Middle East, plus one trip to Africa. In the US, I've made it to every state but Alaska (which is on the list).

 

2.) I collect glass---art pieces and good craft peices. They're starting to get too expensive, though.

 

3.) Reading--biographies (show biz, politics), fiction (I've been reading Stewart O'Nan's past few novels), mysteries (current fave is George Pelacanos), Buddhism, and architectural history

 

4.) My latest musical thing has been jazz---I've started to get more into vocalists (Ella Fitzgerald, the latest Flora Purim) and contemporary fusion (e.g., Matt Jorgensen), but am still building my collection of classic sax and trumpet players.

[eastbayguy]

>EBG, the picture I posted is a Rodgers 950 (which is what I

>have). But mine is a little different because it has a

>combination of both light and dark oak. That really gives it a

>unique look.

 

Those Rodgers instruments are really great. The church I used to attend back in Kansas got a great deal trading in a Conn hybrid on a spectacular four manual Rodgers. Got to play it a couple of times and was very impressed. (I do not play well, nor have much of a repetoire, but I do enjoy the chance to be at the console.)

 

>But I'm the one that is jealous of your Wurlitzer! I was

>trained in classical organ but would really like to take

>lessons for theater organ playing. There is an excellent

>teacher in Salt Lake and I plan to contact him in the next few

>months after things settle down with my job.

 

The Wurli needs to be someplace, anyplace other than a building on the old family farm. The old gal has been sitting there in storage for darn near 20 years. (Better there that where it was headed--a city dump.) I've come close to finding it a home twice. Hope you get your theatre organ studies going. One of these days, I plan on buying a piano, taking some lessons, improving my skills so I can take up organ more seriously. At this point, I'd much rather have a piano around the house than an organ. (Got the perfect spot for one.) If/when I ever add an organ to the house, if I'm still living here, the instrument will have to be electronic. Without a basement,

 

>You might be interested in the following newspaper article

>about a Wurlitzer organ in a theater about 15 miles from my

>house. Believe it or not, there are 3 working Wurlitzers in

>theaters in the Salt Lake City area.

 

Oh that's great! Most of the electronic versions of theatre organs were pretty good but there is something about the air moving through those old mechanical tremulants that really just sounded great. Plus, the hissing and clattering of the swell shutters somehow adds to the theatre organ experience overall. Once you get started with your theatre organ work, sounds like you'll have some good places to practice.

 

--EBG

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

The Basis Of Culture

 

It is interesting in looking at the various contributions (particularly those that are not flippant or about sex), how many dealt with this answer in a philosophical bent and how many dealt with what we generally call or consider our hobbies. I think the question might be better put to what use do we occupy our leisure time and which of these activities have given us, most consistently and vicariously, pleasure.

 

In my case, one of these would be reading. A good book has always been a way to open my imagination and to teach me both about the things I think I know (and to teach how much I really, in fact, do not) and to open my mind to new possibilities.

 

Because I have an artisitic bent, the appreciation, creation and enjoyment of art, particularly photography, dramatic writing, and visual representations generally, including film, are another, for some of the same reasons as texts, but sometimes with more emotional impact.

 

Beyond those consistent interests, a number of things have interested me, often very keenly, and while some remain an interest, I may not pursue them with the vigor that I did previously or I may now invest a newer interest with that intensity. These include the collection and discovery of music (especially covers, such as Frazier Chorus Anarchy in the UK or Claudia Bracken's version of Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now; far too many bottles of red wine - likely more if I were inclined to spend the money such a habit would genuinely require; cooking, which I enjoy, but I do not spend the time and energy on it I did say five years ago, although my friends insist I still spend too much; and other things, esoteric and trite, from collecting underwear (even if I do not wear it) and swim suits (which I have more than I need) to trivia games and board games....

[Guest Smoothee]

I have a green thumb and I like to make things grow!

[+ friendofsheila]

Besides volunteering and raising money for gay-community non-profits...

 

I've done and moved on from a number of hobbies, including plants, rubber stamps, sewing, embroidery, collecting glitzy cat's-eye glasses frames from the 60's (that one barely got going and has slowed to near-death). Most usually peter out when I have to a) find space to do them, b) find someplace to store the objects or when c) there's no one to gift the silly things to.

 

The most abiding ones have been:

--collecting motion picture music. I have 100's of LP's and almost as many CD's by now. I even got to meet a number of well-known composers, attend recording sessions and look at actual scores when I lived in LA.

 

--collecting male-model calendars, and re-using them when the calendar comes valid again. I'm currently re-using calendars originally printed for 1983 and 1994. The guys on them still look good! If I don't like them anymore, I try to sell them to raise money for my volunteer organizations.

[Vincent_Michael]

What are my hobbies? I love so much about life that I don’t know were I could begin in the right manner. So let me just throw it all out there.

 

I love reading! Reading is such a huge past time for me…very soothing to me.

 

Hiking and being out in nature, No five star hotel for me! Let me lose and let me Ride that horse and go swimming in the lake. I find being out were there are no lights and complete silence is so relaxing!

 

I don’t know if reflection of the soul is a hobby but if it is then that is something I do allot of…As many of you know I am always thinking about something and can’t turn this brain off for a second.

 

As for my other hobbies there pretty simple and not complicated like me!

[noviceny]

>I don’t know if reflection of the soul is a hobby but if it is then that is something I do allot of…As many of you know I am always thinking about something and can’t turn this brain off for a second.<

 

Excellent...Socrates has said, "The unreflected life is not worth living." Reflections on your soul, its properties and acts is a most valuable discourse to have with yourself. Could think of very few other ways in which your time is better spent.

[HotdadENYC]

Novice, its quite apparent that the classical philosophers, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, had much to say about self-examination.

 

In current times, Christian writers such as Ladislos Boros and Pierre Teihlard de Chardin have also exhorted us to examine our lives. Boros wrote that "an unexamined life is not worth living."

However, all of those writers, classical or modern, appeal to our private self.

 

Notwithstanding that good advice, I believe that more modern writers might be of better interest to you, and CERTAINLY to Michael Vincent.

 

Both Virginia Woolf and Paul Robinson wrote some excellent essays about punctuation. They're worth reading.

 

 

Regards,

hd NYC

[Boston Guy]

Without realizing it, when I started this thread a few days ago, I was inadvertently creating yet another sign of HB's legacy: a sign of the enormous diversity we bring to this place.

 

Work aside, we are cooks and entertainers, travelers, geologists, thinkers and philosophers. We spend time outdoors, walking our dogs, hiking and enjoying our green thumbs. We read, take photos and collect all manner of things, including a wide variety of refrigerator magnets. And among us are evidently half of the living organists in the world: who would ever have thought that there would be so many organists here?? All these organists and no golfers or tennis players? Hmmm.... :-)

 

Our diversity is our strength and a sign of the breadth of HB's vision: so many different people have been able to come here over the last few years, from different places and different backgrounds, and benefit from this community.

 

BG

[happyguy2]

Dear BG

 

In the tribute I logged in other threads to Daddy, Foxy and the Family, I referred to this very thread. Thank you so much for starting it. I participated in it with great joy.

 

This is my one hundredth post. And I can't think of a better way to use it than to thank you for the post which, I believe, is the most fitting tribute possible to Hooboy..... it is a kind of living "Irish Wake" if you know what I mean.

 

 

Now, you you far more subtle, but I suspect that Daddy, Foxy and the moderators will not take offense at any lack of sensitivity, because that is the last thing I would want to do at this time..... As you noted, I am one of the many (surprising!) organists on this board.

Again, forgive me if I offend anyone, but does it really surprise any of you that "lovers of the organ" would be part of this site?

 

(Hoo, forgive me if I have offended your memory or anyone else)

hg

[TwinkEscort]

The Simpsons. The Simpsons. The Simpsons.

[jeddinger]

1. Spending LOTS of time with my Boxer, Jake. Unconditional love. Probably too much time really, but hey, since I have no family, no boyfriend and no friends...what do you expect?

2. I'm a private pilot, only fly for the, fun, freedom and solitude it provides. Also a great way to keep your mind sharp.

3. I've always been a sort of White House history buff. I've started collecting rare and limited edition books, prints,and historical artifacts related to the White House and learning everything I can.

4. Eating at least once in every PF Changs and staying at least one night in every Ritz-Carlton is another odd hobby/goal of mine. I'm addicted to both. I have a long way to go to obtain either goal, but it sure is fun trying.

:7

[Guest rohale]

I apologise for bringing this out of the cobwebs. The topic is definitetly something that caught my attentions and the different posts.

 

I travel a lot for both and professional and personal. One of the things I'm involved in is photography. Whether I'm visiting a place for the first time or the thousandth time. I try to capture the atmosphere as best as I can. Not always with the best success, but with the best of intention. I have lots of fun with digital cameras.

 

I've been playing football ( soccer ) for the past 23 years. I'm very much a huge football fan, epecially the English Premier Division and the Italian divisions as well. I'm still very much a Man Utd fan and always will be. When I was a kid, with my pocket money in hand, I would go down to the cash and carry store and buy football cards. Back then the Mersey teams were popular and Liverpool very dominated Division League 1. Within the same context, I'm also a cricket fan as well. I just wish that England would have a stronger team than what they have nowadays. Cricket is very much a summer and winter sport. In the summer time, whenever I go on holidays, being at the Old Trafford or the Lords and watching a one day international is always fun. I miss Richie Benno, he was from Australia and he was the voice of cricket for the BBC 20 years ago.

 

Surfing is something that I love with all my heart. I've been surfing for the past 15 years now. I'm very lucky to live near the water. I try to surf at least one day a week, weather permitting. Whenever I'm trying to catch a wave, I get that adrenaline rush in my system. It gives me that extra surge of energy. Or when I'm sitting on my long board and talking to my buddies and having a great time relaxing. Sometimes when I surf on my own around sunset, I paddle out there in the water. Sometimes I realise how far I'am away from land and at the same time looking as the sun sets over the horizon. It's very surreal and breathtaking. I never ever get tired of it. Surfing is in my blood and I'm very passionate about it. I'm really proud of surfing.

 

Music is very much part of my life. When I was a child, I studied classical piano. I've been playing piano for the past 26 years of my life. I learnt to play the drums when I was 11 yrs old. I've written quite number of classical compositions as well as pop ballads. It's a lot of hard work, but the results are worth it. Every once in a while I play with with a jazz band in the Big Apple, whenever time permits. Over the last three months or so, I've been taking Bagpipe lessons. I've also been taking lessons on the Uileann Pipes. I'm having the time of my life learning these two instruments.

 

I'm also very much into cars. I love reading Car & Track as well as Motor Trend and seeing what's hot on the market. The aspect that I'm really proud of the most when it comes to automobiles is repairing them. On the odd occassion torquing up the engine. I learn't to repair cars when I was in my early teens. I get the odd cut and bruise, but it's worth it when I see the end result.

 

It was a really nice to respond to.

 

Rohale

[+ honcho]

I suppose working out would be considered sex-related if one does it primarily to attract a better class of guys? I also swim to stay heart-healthy.

 

My primary hobby (and consider it my reward in life) is making music; I play oboe in both a concert band and an orchestra.

 

I also have a hobby of being a recording engineer; I record other folk's concerts on location and make custom CD's of them. I've also done some commercial CD prep work, including a couple of massive editing jobs for a music professor at one of the California State Universities.

[ErikMcAlister]

Parachuting/sky diving

[Steven_Draker]

I don't know why I missed this interesting thread ...

My hobby is travelling as is my life. I enjoy travelling and discovering new places and cultures. Other interests include playing sports, working out every day, driving sports cars (and avoiding a speeding ticket), playing with my Mac and scuba diving in tropical waters. I look forward to trying some extreme sports as sky-diving and bungee jumping.

All of the above are just examples of my interests, otherwise I live a pretty normal and simple life.

 

Steven Draker ~

[luczen]

My main hobby became my work.

I have a medical profession ; and as a young docter I went to a congress in Kyoto; I have always been interrested in asian arts and antiques; instead of going to the seminars I went to antique dealers in Shinmonzen street and bought some antiques.

Some years later I started with my friend an antique business in oriental art which we still run together and which has become much more important than my mecical profession.

Besides that , I love gardening and visiting gardens everywhere

And going to the opera , everywhere in the world

[Boston Guy]

There are a fair number of new people hanging around M4M. I thought I'd resurrect this old thread, partly so they might see some of what the other folks here do outside of Hooville and partly in the hope that they would contribute to it, too.

 

BG

[+ ArVaGuy]

I was on business travel when this thread was started; it’s good that you resurrected it.

 

My primary hobby is cooking and collecting cook books. Due to my travel schedule I don’t' cook as often as I like but it’s the best therapy for unwinding.

 

A few years ago I inherited my mother's collection of nearly 500 cook books many of them going back decades. One of the great discoveries I made in that collection is a first edition "Amy Vanderbilt's Complete Cook Book" it’s illustrated by Andy Warhol. The illustrations are simple freehand drawings of cooking utensils, food items, and place settings.

 

A second hobby is anything related to the history of the Roman Empire. I was a history major and this was my favorite area of study. Other favorite areas were the Great War of 1914-1918 and the rise of the two party system in the US in the 19th century.

 

Rounding out these areas would be mystery novels. Specifically the works of Steven Saylor, who writes a series of mysteries based in ancient Rome. Talk about lucking out when I discovered this author. Also, any books by Carl Hiaasen who writes about the bizarre things that happen in southern Florida.

[buckyball]

Tennis, tennis, tennis. I would play all day if I could. I once flew out to Australia and followed Steffi Graf around until the end of the Aussie Open.

 

Writing. I am trying to finish writing about my mothers experiences in world war 2 when she was a little girl. Her memories are so vivid that I wanted to capture these stories for my self and for the rest of my family.

 

Charity work. My friends and I do a lot of work with a local emergency shelter for abused and abandoned kids.

[Guest ncm2169]

Great idea to bring back this thread, BG. I, like others, missed it the first time around.

 

I can't help but observe, however, that, after 69 responses on the original topic of "wood-working", there is not one that picks up on the irony of mentioning "wood-working" on a site devoted to escorts and clients and male sex. }(

[Boston Guy]

LOL... You know, to tell the truth, I'm so used to thinking of things like sawdust when I think of woodworking that I never, ever thought of the double entendre. Thanks for a good laugh!

 

BG

[VaHawk]

Yeah I'm SURE those were the reasons that you resurrected this tired old thread. Did the pulpit burn up in some senseless act of vandalism??

[+ Charlie]

Its interesting that you resurrected this thread, because when I re-read what I said a little more than a year ago, I realized that I never mentioned what has become my overriding passion in the interim: tennis. I had never picked up a racquet before last April, and now I play almost every day, to the neglect of most other activity--it has even replaced sex as a hobby. Unfortunately, at the moment I am out of action (both tennis and sex) because of a bad back, so if you resurrect the thread a year from now, I may have taken up crocheting.