What else turns us on?

[sfaust]

Photography has been a long time staple in my life, dating back as far as high school in the 70's. One of the reasons I like the classic 70's range finders. I'd love to also get the same model Topcon I used in school, and the first 35mm SLR I ever had. My father gave me one as a birthday present. I wish I knew what model it was so I can go search one out.

My other passions: First would be giant scale radio control aerobatic airplanes and turbine jets. I travel a lot during the summer flying these at events, air shows, and just for fun. Photography blends in well with this sport as well, and I have a web site with tons of photos, a few building reviews, etc. www.giantscalerc.com. The turbine jets are capable of 200mph, and use a real scaled down turbine engine that runs on real jet fuel I buy at the airport. The aerobatic airplanes use a 150cc gasoline 2 stroke engine, gas and oil mix, and are about 40lbs with 11-12 foot wing spans.

These are many of the photos that I've taken at the air shows for myself, as well as magazines. There are many more on my web site. (try doing those with a RF 😉

Joe Nall Event - So Carolina

Maine Jet Rally - Sanford ME

Best of the West Jet event
(although shot by a friend, they had some gorgeous jets at that particular event so I included them here)

Since I can't fly in the winter, I took up snowmobiling to pass the winters. Winters used to get me down because all the things I liked stopped in the late fall, and didn't start again until late spring. With snowmobiling, I now look forward to winters, and they are far to short for my liking. On a snowmobile I can get to places you just can't hike to, and it also blends in well with photography. I've gotten some nice winter scenes that I would have otherwise never gotten.

I also like to ride my mountain bike, hang out with the kids, and general family activities.

Attached photo is my last aerobatic airplane with my daughter added for scale.

 

[oftheherd]

I have enjoyed photography for many years. I used to be in to computers more, but that has faded somewhat, only being of interest forensically. Reading has alway been an enjoyable passtime, sci-fi, military action, and detective novels being most enjoyable, but the occasional scientific book on astronomy or anthropology are interesting breaks. Ebay was turning into a hobby for a while, but I think I have most of what I need for a while, since I can't use all of what I have now.

Unfortunately, nine hour work days, and two hours of commuting, cut into my family time, much less time for hobbies, so I don't get to spend much time at anything. Just glad when I can come in here and rub shoulders with those that still get to play.

 

[Pherdinand]

As a quick example, I like jazz/blues/world music concerts. I prefer the small-stage ones, in clubs, pubs, where the atmosphere is very good and informal, one can get close to the stage, the entrance fee is small, the performers are good and i can meet lots of interesting people. And, of course, where they let me enjoy photographing the performers (and not only). Here's an example of a real closeup - made with a Rolleicord on tri-x ...(i had no rangefinder in that time; the speed of my GSN would have been helpgul though i like the motion blur on this one). The TLR was on a small tabletop tripod, put on the edge of the stage. Some more shots are(will be) in a special gallery calledon stage and around it , if anybody cares to take a look 🙂

I also like fishing... i collect(ed) stamps, nowadays i just keep them -somewhere in a dark corner 2000km's away from me...
I particularly enjoy traveling - both walking in big and fascinating cities like amsterdam, paris, utrecht, budapest, antwerpen (always something happening) and others AND mountaineering (not climbing). The latter i miss a bit nowadays - i used to do it alot in the Carpathes, in Transilvania but here in the netherlands, not much chance to do it.

And i like to go to the local "art cinema" i.e. moviehouse and watch the most wicked/weird movies of the least popular directors on earth (kim ki-duk, e.g.). In contrast to the mainstream movies, with these ones I never know what to expect, except that the chance that i will like it is really big 🙂

Physics was a big hobby of mine too - however, since i am working in it, i gradually lose my interest/motivation 🙁

Oh, and i love to just have fun with my friends (beverages included), whatever that would mean 🙂

 

[oftheherd]

sfaust,

Nice photos. I used to enjoy making models when I was a kid. Then for a while in Vietnam, I got interested in control line. Always thought when I grew up I might like to try RC. I still have an RC I bought while in DaNang, just never used it. I also have numerous models and engines from .049 to .60. Someday I will put some of those models together and try flying them. Someday.

 

[rover]

Pherdinand, if you ever get the opportunity try to make the Montreal Jazz Festival. The city becomes a big music hall from noon till midnight.

 

[jdos2]

Amateur Radio (I'm KC4FOX)
Specific radio programs (APHC, for one, TAL, for another)
Macintaa
Spending time with those I love (and then annoying them by taking their pictures)

 

[Pherdinand]

thanks, rover; i'll try🙂
Until then, i am glad I enjoyed once the North Sea Jazz (in the Hague, Holland) which is supposed to be, after the Montreal one, the second biggest jazz festival worldwide. Dunno if it's true but i had a truly amazing 3 days! Wasn't cheap, though.

 

[Pherdinand]

"Spending time with those I love (and then annoying them by taking their pictures)" JD 😀😀😀

 

[sfaust]

sfaust,

Nice photos. I used to enjoy making models ........ Someday I will put some of those models together and try flying them. Someday.

You should. Its a very enjoyable way to pass a nice warm sunday afternoon. Either that, or crusing around with a camera taking photos...

Although, I've yet to crash a camera....😀

 

[Honu-Hugger]

As with Frank, motorcycling is my #2 which I often combine with photography while I'm out. My main bike is a 1997 BMW R1100 GS which I use mostly for extended trips (along with a few "Iron Butt" endurance rides), outfitted with a 12 gallon fuel tank and aluminum luggage it is way more functional than it is beautiful. I start early and ride late so I usually cover a lot of ground in a day.

Travel and SCUBA are my other passions, which again I combine with photography. I am particularly interested in sea turtles and dolphins. There are many other distractions and diversions in my life, but these are the main ones and they all seem to coincide with photography.

I use to be an avid hunter and horseman, but strayed away from both of those interests. I took a complete 180 in regards to killing animals, I just can no longer be involved in it. And the time I use to spend on horseback is now spent on motorcycles.

D2

 

[Rob]

Well, I have been thru about every hobby there is:
Motorcycle touring, photography, bicycling, Ham radio,
Running, fishing, racquetball, golf, table tennis, woodworking,
camera dealing, camping, sailboating, motorboating, Kayaking,playing guitar, restoring old tube guitar amps, antique radio collecting, hiking, home theatre/music,Tennis,camera collecting....
All of these things I did to excess and have gotten pretty much burned out on them.
The exceptions today are boating/fishing, mountain biking,photography and golf occasionally. I still look
for good deals on cameras at flea mkts,yard sales, etc.

 

[taffer]

I'm another one of those ones who spent almost all day out between work and classes so lately one of my most desired occupations is sleeping 🙄

I've had (and have) a lot of hobbies, reading, walking, photography AND cameras 🙂, music (both listening and 'dis-composing', hehe), a bit of slot racing as well, some model making, wargames miniature painting and of course role playing (I'm a Stormbringer/Elric master weannabe myself), computers and computer games (Thief mainly), mythology / anthropology, Middle Ages history, etc.

But so far, I think the one that sets me a bit apart from my friends is a sort of interest about... the unknown. Not that I take it too seriously, but I find it entertaining...

Here I attach you an image from the book I'm currently reading. It's a free recreation of the 'Espanto de Rubiaco', a sort of hideous phantom-like creature that some people were unfortunate enough to meet in the dark cold night of Vegas de Coria, a small village in Extremadura, Spain.

You know, the truth is out there, but sometimes you don't really want to find it ! 😱

 

[Pherdinand]

Hmm...extremadura...
That is a region originating some very good wines, if i'm correct 🙂 Which reminds me of my other "hobby", wine drinking/tasting/talking 😀
No, i'm not a collector. Although i always have lots of bottles "on stock", they are affordable ones - and i never can keep them for too long.

 

[taffer]

Hmm...extremadura...
That is a region originating some very good wines, if i'm correct 🙂 Which reminds me of my other "hobby", wine drinking/tasting/talking 😀
No, i'm not a collector. Although i always have lots of bottles "on stock", they are affordable ones - and i never can keep them for too long.

Oh that makes me think I forgot it !!

I also love cooking / eating / drinking 😀

Pherdinand, then you should try to find some Rioja and Ribera del Duero wines, with a bit of 'Jamón Serrano' and some 'Manchego' cheese... hmmm 🙂

If you like to have some 'stock' bottles, keep your eye open for 'El Coto' or 'Coto de Imaz'. They are both delicious wines and shouldn't be too expensive...

 

[GermanB]

Ohh wine!!!

I've been doing Aikido for the last 11 years, more than a hobby it is one of the most important activities in my life and since the master I practice with is french I like a lot wine and cheess, chablis, chardonnay and beaujulais are my favorite ones ahhh... 🙂

Barret

 

[Oldprof]

I love good wines too, but I try to find ones that are moderately or inexpensively priced. Here in the States we can get excellent Chilean wines at very reasonable prices. I particularly like the Gato Negro and Frontera cabernet sauvignons and merlots.

 

[Pherdinand]

Oldprof - i also can't afford the expensive ones.
🙂 it seems the black cat found her way everywhere in the world. Here in Holland one also can find it. And its white counterpart, gato blanco, as well 🙂
Also, here're some good argentinian wines too (undurraga & norton) and even some californian ones (like woodbridge, a pretty good wine at ~8 euro / bottle)

Still, the best wine I ever had was a dry red blend called "Bull's blood in Eger", in a dark mushy stinky wine cellar in Eger, Hungary. (Probably i am biased, heheh.) And you don't want to know how cheap it was...

Taffer: thanks, i'll check them🙂 The "rioja" wines i know; you can find some in wine shops here in holland. Some.

 

[GermanB]

I love good wines too, but I try to find ones that are moderately or inexpensively priced. Here in the States we can get excellent Chilean wines at very reasonable prices. I particularly like the Gato Negro and Frontera cabernet sauvignons and merlots.

Oldprof, you may try Santa Rita Reservado if another good chilean wine.

Barret

 

[Pherdinand]

By the way, wine 🙂 (yes that's me)

 

[lars]

I also used to be into motorcycles, and I still have my last one, an '86 VFR Interceptor (needs carbs!!). I think if I get back into bikes, I'll get an BMW simply because it will be so much easier to do valve adjustments on a boxer engine! Although I also love the sport twins that Honda and Suzuki are making. But I'm in my mid 40's now so perhaps more upright riding position precludes sport bikes in my future.

What got me out of bikes (and an ongoing fear of speeding tickets) is my first convertible Jeep 4x4. I've always owned 4x4s but for some reason, my '91 YJ was the first one where I really got involved in modifying it. My entry into the world of auto mechanics stemmed from a botched water pump repair by a franchised repair shop. It stranded me on my way to work and I decided that I could do just as bad a job as they could, so from then on, I've learned to fix everything myself. That happened with my '88 Cherokee. A year or so later, I sold it and bought the YJ. Convertible driving was so much fun that I parked my bike and it has been sitting ever since.

I learned a lot mucking around with my Jeep and now the only original drivetrain part is the automatic transmission (although it now has a shift kit and heavy duty clutches and a deep pan). It now rides on locker-equipped Scout axles, has a '95 YJ motor, and uses a CJ7's transfer case with custom 4:1 reduction gears.

Here's a shot of my Jeep on the Rubicon trail in California:

Best of all, building up my Jeep taught me a lot about auto mechanics and that has helped immeasurably in my next hobby.

The double whammy of the closing of many local trails and the birth of our first child has resulted in very little opportunities to go fourwheeling. My friend and I still maintain the largest 4x4 site in Canada but my personal involvement in fourwheeling has necessarily dropped in order that I spend more time with my wife and child.

So we recently bought a '92 Eurovan Westfalia (a VW van camper with a pop-top). It needed some fixing up but thanks to the skills I picked up working on my Jeep, I've been able to bring it up to 100% (just need to resolve the AC problem) without spending much money at all. Building up my Jeep exposed me to the possibilities of swapping in parts from other vehicles, and the confidence to fabricate and weld stuff that didn't exist.

Photography has always figured into motorcycles, fourwheeling and camping. It has also been something I look forward to whenever we travel. My wife and I love travelling and hope to do more adventurous trips when our boy becomes old enough.

And finally, I read a lot (no particular genre, although I have been reading a fair bit of historical fiction and non-fiction lately, mostly relating to sea voyages in the 1700's-1800's). I also love foreign films and have seen far too many Japanese yakuza films (big fan of Beat Takeshi).

But still, what occupies most of my hobby time these days is photography. It's easy to spend quality time with my family AND indulge in photography (unlike fourwheeling which my wife doesn't always enjoy, since some of the trails are either dangerous, or boring to someone who doesn't appreciate the technical challenges, and unlike working on my Jeep, which is something I can only do in the garage). My wife loves going for walks while I find them incredibly boring, but if I bring my camera along, it's almost like she's going for a walk while I'm going for a hunt. It makes it interesting (and therefore bearable) for me. ;-)

Larry