OT - Horology / Did you pick up a new interest or hobby during the lockdowns?
Yes, I know. Get your giggles out.
As we all know, the pandemic and resultant lockdowns have significantly disrupted the ability to do a number of the things we loved to do and were used to doing. At the same time, this has resulted in a rare opportunity to start something new and different. For me, the last six months has seen a growing obsession with vintage watch and close, and their repair and restoration. Initially, this was supposed to be a post asking whether there were other MGoReaders who shared that interest and would be willing to share some of their experiences, suggestions for someone new to the craft, etc. But then I thought that this particular interest is ridiculously niche, and it might be more of an interesting discussion to see whether anyone else has taken up a new interest that they wouldn't have but for the lockdowns, and if so, what and why.
Yeah, I definitely have to fill the gap with something pretty soon. Thinking of getting into biking so I can reduce the joint impact (my ankles and achilles are the main aches I've been carrying from not taking any time off, will let that ease up for a week or so). It's definitely so much harder to start from scratch so will try to avoid a total lapse.
Got a Peloton in Dec of 2019. Started riding 4x a week. In the best cardio shape of my adult life. Got COVID 11 days ago. Finally starting to feel better now. Fairly convinced I had a mild case due to the above. Stay in shape - get your vax. Live your life. Chuckie's advice for 2021.
I re-started an old hobby. Making bonsai trees. Fun and creative.
Cooking and Mixology. I have gotten a LOT better at mixing and making cocktails and have even made a few clarified milk punches(which are a pain in the ass to make, but fucking delicious if you do them right).
With cooking have just tried a lot more recipes of greater variety than I have before(YouTube is a godsend) and have discovered both things I am good at as well as my limitations. I cannot fry food for shit, but now no longer see the need for storebought clam chowder or restaurant biscuits and gravy or crawfish etouffee. My wife hates it, because I am getting to the point where whenever she wants to go to a restaurant, I'm just like, "But I can do better at home." I have been assured that is not the point.
Beyond that the dog now won't leave me alone if I even look at my shoes in a way that makes it seem like I'm about to put them on and gets very crabby if more than a day goes by without being perambulated for at least 3.5 miles and I think my kids think I'm their uber driver.
It's been an interesting experience for me. First, I have probably put more hours into work in the last twelve months than during any other year of my career.
Beyond that, I used to cycle 2-3 times per week but in summer 2020, I was going 6-7 times per week. Not a new hobby, but for me it was an escape from indoors, a mental and physical diversion from the WFH crush, and a hint of a normal routine. I logged more than twice the mileage of any other year.
My 11 year old daughter and I learned how to bake from scratch. Pies, cakes, cupcakes, whatever. I found baking pies to be a lot of work, fun and rewarding. I never thought I would like baking, but it was something I now enjoy.
Now that I'm fully vaccinated, I'm heading back to the gym. It has been 13 months. I've gained 10 to 15 pounds of lockdown weight, so my new hobby will be fitness.
April 30th, 2021 at 11:30 AM ^
Also heading to the gym next week for the first time in 13 months. Very excited about it.
I didn’t really pick up a new hobby, but I did start playing guitar again after about a 5 year hiatus for no real reason. I even got back into buying and selling gear which was cool too.
I took up swimming when the A2 Y reopened in October. You had to sign up for a lane, so the time slots became very precious. Rarely more than a few men in the large locker room and a lane to yourself for an hour seemed very safe. I'm now up to 3/4 to a mile about 5 times a week and am probably as fit as I've been in 20 years. Crazy thing is that I belonged to a swim club over the summers for over 35 years and never once swam over a third of a mile now and then (wife was the swimmer).
I've been taking my daughter to do the same thing, and back when it was adults only, we would share a lane. How many times she lapped me? No clue.
My 11 year old daughter and I learned how to bake from scratch. Pies, cakes, cupcakes, whatever. I found baking pies to be a lot of work, fun and rewarding. I never thought I would like baking, but it was something I now enjoy.
Got back on the board; have been skateboarding almost every day since the snow has been off the ground in NYC, and while the snow was on the ground I picked up Nordic/XC skiing and took my hand at biathlon training. Skiing and shooting definitely a fun time.
April 29th, 2021 at 11:52 PM ^
Started playing the WhatIfSports Gridiron Dynasty College Football simulation game.
It’s a lot of fun, you start in D3, and work your way up to better jobs as you go. Includes Recruiting, Roster Management, Game Planning, etc.
I’ve worked my way up to Texas A&M, and applied for the Michigan job after the last season (but didn’t get it). Has been a good way to pass the time during the pandemic, and I’ll keep playing it.