Daeladus made the point that there always seems so much of interest to learn beyond any well defined field. A slightly vague question but I'm wondering what other things may get your attention beyond music- here are mine.
History. After my rubbish 'education' I wanted to develop some kind of awareness of world history beginning with the large scale major divisions and civilizations, then in more detail particularly late 20th century history in making sense of the present state of things; I've read a number of different overviews including some African and Asian history.
Cultural theory. The notion of culture and what it is comes up a lot in humanities degrees, and I was particularly interested in the idea of an interconnected network of norms that people use to make sense of the world, this being particularly obvious when visiting other countries. Also the end of the epistemological tradition where the search for certain knowledge as a basis to the world is given up and replaced by a relative culture. I've read several books on postmodernism, and have been appalled by much of it.
Indian philosophy. I did a course in the early 90s and learnt a daily Indian meditation which I still do; I was horrified that my university philosophy department knew almost nothing about it, particularly as it addresses directly some of the issues being talked about exclusively in the Western paradigm. I have a large file of notes that make links between it and a range of other subjects including ethics, democracy, sexuality, religion and race, and which seems to have a life of its own; the interconnections are often really dazzling and I'm slowly writing it up.
Travel. I went travelling with a friend beyond the West in 1994 and have since managed to get to about 75 countries in most regions, largely independently- culture shock can be extreme and if you have the critical separation to deal with it you get a bit addicted. It gives you a wider perspective on things, though some basic questions don't get particularly easier to answer, such as to what extent people are different because of culture or inherent mentality.
The English language. I like to keep vocabulary expander and English idioms files and I'm concerned about self-expression, particularly having a somewhat unusual personality that's sometimes misunderstood. I did some teaching in S.Korea and it was interesting to find some of the language's seemingly obvious features causing great difficulty for speakers of a language without those features.
Astronomy. This always had a link with music even at the society I used to belong to- something to do with the aesthetic nature of celestial images and concepts no doubt. I used to have a telescope and gave a talk once on relativity theory; pictures of Saturn I still find very moving, and still arguably the most beautiful object in the universe. I found the arts even more interesting though and today the only passing astronomical interest I have is in alternative interpretations of data such as by Richard Hoagland.
Film. I like a good film but I'm not sure if such things are made any more. The films that most made me think are The Wicker man (1972) and The Devils (1971).
Quote from: Sean on June 21, 2009, 11:25:13 PM
the only passing astronomical interest I have is in alternative interpretations of data such as by Richard Hoagland.
Oh, my!
My list would mainly be a list of things that I would love to do beyond my current studies and interests.
I have a list that is quite similar to yours Sean. I'd love to learn more and more about the English language and literature in English, which is something that I am currently pursuing through formal and informal study.
Then there is modern languages, which I would love to study but not currently have sufficient time. In the past, I studied French and German, but I am ashamed to say that I do not speak any second-language particularly fluently.
I have an interest in Classical studies, which is nothing beyond the casual at the moment. I would love to learn Ancient Greek and Latin and read the poetry of, for instance, Homer and Virgil in the original rather than in translation.
I'd love to read more widely in history. This is something that I, again, have a casual interest in at the moment due to lack of time.
Quote from: Sean on June 21, 2009, 11:25:13 PM
The English language. I like to keep vocabulary expander and English idioms files
I'm curious about this Sean. What kind of files? Are you keeping a database of some kind? Or a Concordance application perhaps?
QuoteAstronomy. This always had a link with music even at the society I used to belong to- something to do with the aesthetic nature of celestial images and concepts no doubt. I used to have a telescope and gave a talk once on relativity theory; pictures of Saturn I still find very moving, and still arguably the most beautiful object in the universe. I found the arts even more interesting though and today the only passing astronomical interest I have is in alternative interpretations of data such as by Richard Hoagland.
Yes, this would certainly be on my list of subjects I would love to be more knowledgeable about. At the moment, I am only as advanced as watching Sir Patrick Moore on the BBC. ;D Actually, slightly embarrassing admission to make here... I have Patrick Moore's
Teach Yourself Astronomy sitting on a self somewhere in my house. ;D
D.
Quote from: Daedalus on June 22, 2009, 02:58:08 AM
I have Patrick Moore's Teach Yourself Astronomy sitting on a self somewhere in my house. ;D
I would like to have the time to go through all the
Teach Yourself books :D
I would like to learn some woodworking skills; I'd like to be able to make a cabinet. This probably translates to "I'd like to make a cabinet." I like to know how to do things, but once I learn the basics, I often don't refine them. (This is why I can play one song -- not the same one, mind you -- on different instruments. Learn one, move on! :D)
I would also like to learn better how to draw, and eventually, how to paint. I've taken one drawing class and would like to take more.
But woodworking and drawing will likely wait until retirement. For now, I'm in grad school studying something very practical (since my employer is paying for my studies!). I read astronomy websites regularly, go bird-watching and bike-riding (will take a 185-mile bike ride later this year), read books by the pool (current book is "The Lovely Bones"), and do the Mom thing (sometimes to the kid's dismay!). I'm also redecorating -- painting, wallpapering, moving furniture around, that sort of thing.
I don't have the money to travel now (college funding for the kid comes first), but will in a few years, so will indulge in that once more.
"The world is so full of a number of things,
I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings."
For years I've been a reader on IIWW (in English). I've about 50 books on the subject, but I've read more than a hundred. I avoid strictly military subjects, and concentrate on intelligence, espionage, diplomacy, cryptology, the shoa, persecutions etc. Here in Buenos Aires is very difficult to find this kind of material. There are some titles in Spanish, but they are horrible English translations, and are pure crap.
Quote from: Sean on June 21, 2009, 11:25:13 PM
. . . The films that most made me think . . . .
Is
that what makes "a good film"?
Fantastic fiction, non-classical music, Eastern philosophy...
1. Digging up bamboo (by its long, wicked, underground running roots) from my yard and garden, which it clearly wants to turn into a bamboo forest. I think of this as a cosmic struggle between Good and Evil, wherein Good, through monumental efforts, is able to stave of Evil and hold it at bay, but never eradicate it. . . .the story continues. . . Note to self: Must remember to post in "Satan Is"
2. Winemaking. I started in Saudi Arabia, of necessity, and continued back in the US by choice. Mixed results--a spectacular pear wine one year, some very interesting banana wine, a tolerable apple wine ("Eve's Choice") and a popular blueberry wine ("Blue State", named in honor of my state's voting preference in the past presidential election). Not so successful--fig wine and crabapple wine. Currently waiting for my first batch of strawberry wine to clear. I also make Cherry Hooch from my grandmother's recipe.
3. Collecting first editions, preferably signed by the author, of fiction, poetry, and literary biography and autobiography. My preferred hunting grounds: thrift shops and church rummage sales. Luckiest find to date: autographed copy of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's autobiography, Living to Tell the Tale. Downside: I'm out of shelf space in the house, and now need either to get a bigger house ;D or to get rid of some books :'(.
I want to do everything on your list secondwind... well, apart from digging up bamboo!
Winemaking in England may present certain challenges due to the climate. I had an Uncle Peter who used to make wine and share with the rest of his unfortunate family. Absolute gut rot, it was. My parents used it for medicinal purposes, I seem to remember. ;D God bless my Uncle Peter, who passed away some time ago now. His wine was about the standard for home-made wine made in the English climate, I would imagine. ;D
Book collecting though, oh yes. :P (I'm not sure if this smiley represents cheekiness or excitement but I am trying to indicate the latter). I wish that I had more money and some good bookshops nearby. I already pretty much have my own library at my house but they are mostly just ordinary books with no special value, apart from one or two. I would love to start a real collection.
D.
Quote from: Daedalus on June 22, 2009, 02:58:08 AM
I'm curious about this Sean. What kind of files? Are you keeping a database of some kind? Or a Concordance application perhaps?
I'm still curious about your methods Sean.
I particularly enjoy collecting interesting metaphorical and non-literal phrases. I also collect 'new' words (new for me anyway), which is also intensely nerdy. ;D Both of these collected mostly in notebooks with pencil. I'm just wondering if you have a more interesting system?
D.
Daedalus QuoteI would love to learn Ancient Greek and Latin and read the poetry of, for instance, Homer and Virgil in the original rather than in translation.
Wow! Would be very enriching, but almost as useless as learning classical Sanskrit.
I'd love to read more widely in history. This is something that I, again, have a casual interest in at the moment due to lack of time.
QuoteI'm curious about this Sean. What kind of files? Are you keeping a database of some kind? Or a Concordance application perhaps?
I'll post you links to those files here in the morning when back at my computer.
Patrick Moore, yes, great guy.
Quote from: Daedalus on June 22, 2009, 10:14:40 AM
:P (I'm not sure if this smiley represents cheekiness or excitement but I am trying to indicate the latter)
That's an "emoticon" I haven't figured out yet, either (and doesn't the neologism "emoticon" suggest that
figuring it out is unnecessary?)
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on June 22, 2009, 10:33:34 AM
That's an "emoticon" I haven't figured out yet, either (and doesn't the neologism "emoticon" suggest that figuring it out is unnecessary?)
Cheekiness, of course.
Nice post
Owlice, paints a pleasant picture.
DFO, remarkable collection you have. I did a war studies module at university and went with that dept to Berlin in 1995 to see the broken wall and a few manic germans going on about European integration.
Karl,
QuoteIs that what makes "a good film"?-
I believe it is, regardless of it special effects etc content.
secondwind, interesting but my concern for wine goes little further than the alcohol content and how fast it's going to do its stuff for me.
DaedalusQuoteI particularly enjoy collecting interesting metaphorical and non-literal phrases. I also collect 'new' words (new for me anyway), which is also intensely nerdy. Both of these collected mostly in notebooks with pencil. I'm just wondering if you have a more interesting system?
Well we have something in common there. I just add to my lists as I come across notable but not cliched phrases, or words that are useful but not too obsure- show you soon. I've kept these lists since 1986 indeed.
QuoteDigging up bamboo (by its long, wicked, underground running roots) from my yard and garden, which it clearly wants to turn into a bamboo forest. I think of this as a cosmic struggle between Good and Evil, wherein Good, through monumental efforts, is able to stave of Evil and hold it at bay, but never eradicate it. . . .the story continues. . . Note to self: Must remember to post in "Satan Is"
I laughed when I read this since I have been doing battle with Johnson Grass all summer - actually since the end of last summer. Digging up the roots, technically rhizomes (yes I've read up on Johnson Grass) - is a weekly task, but, although I hate to make these kinds of pronouncements in fear of jinxing the outcome, I may have turned the corner, since it seems to be coming back less and less each week. But it is back breaking work, in very hot weather we are currently having now.
But more on the actual topic of this thread, I keep wanting to learn Portuguese (Brazilian), and plan to begin (again :() soon.
I also like to cook and have been trying to expand my repertoire, adding a dish now and then. Recent additions have been Lamb Curry, I think I've mastered traditional chili, and am about to embark on the Great Chicken Enchiladiad.
Quote from: Sean on June 22, 2009, 10:27:14 AM
Daedalus
Wow! Would be very enriching, but almost as useless as learning classical Sanskrit.
I don't see it that way. I'm fascinated by etymology (I should have listed that in my original post) and I think that learning these languages would provide endless insight into the English language.
Quote
I'll post you links to those files here in the morning when back at my computer.
Looking forward to it.
D.
Quote from: Daedalus on June 22, 2009, 11:43:44 AM
I'm fascinated by etymology
D.
I am, too, but at the very casual level. I think the fascination was the only good thing to come out of reading
The Da Vinci Code: how a single word could bring in front of you the history of a whole society, or societies.
That, and I began reading fiction after a hiatus of about 5 years.
Quote from: owlice on June 22, 2009, 03:22:50 AM
I would like to learn some woodworking skills; I'd like to be able to make a cabinet.
But woodworking and drawing will likely wait until retirement..................
Hi
Owlice - I've been an amateur woodworker for quite a while and have a nice basement shop (unfortunately I've not done much in months, although I do have a list of potential projects - hmmm!).
Actually, I started a thread on the Old Forum HERE (http://www.good-music-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,5483.0.html), and posted a number of my projects; I'm basically a cabinet (CD/DVD storage largely) and book shelve builder - love to work w/ hardwoods (cherry, oak, & mahogany, as the projects show) - take a look, if interested - :)
My other interests are reflected mainly in some of the threads I've started or contribute to in the Diner: Wine, Reading, Movies, Eating, Travel, & Computers/Electronics - ;D
Mine:
Computer Programming- which will be my main career and source of income. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get into video game programming one day. The only problem is that I'd be too tempted to get into related stuff needed to create games- art, physics, story writing, making the music for the game, etc. which would consume my entire life!
Languages- for now, Spanish and Japanese. Eventually, I'd like to learn as many as I possibly can. I don't think there is a language (widely spoken) that I wouldn't like to learn.
Philosophy- I'm trying to start with this... i'm reading a little bit of Plato each day. I'll be progressing with this very, very, slowly, since I consider this only a side interest and not the most valuable.
And then there's music, which is the biggest of all...... but this thread isn't supposed to be about that.
Y que tal anda tu español? Mucho mejor que mi inglés, espero.
No lo habla mucho aparte de hablar con mi amigo de Columbia a veces.... de donde eres tu?
(actually, i'd like to know if you would use tu or Ud. in this situation!) :o
(and please excuse the lack of accent marks, since I need to learn again how to type them). ;D
I'm from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Three Little things:
1) You used correctly "tu" and no "Ud", because you said "de donde eres". To use UD you should have said "de donde ES" (usted).
2) No "habla" but "hablo". EL habla. YO hablo.
3) You'd repeat "habla". You can change the second time for "aparte de conversar" or if you like it more "platicar"
Always at your service.
Quote from: DFO on June 22, 2009, 03:43:12 PM
2) No "habla" but "hablo". EL habla. YO hablo.
arrrghh silly mistake. Meant to say "hablo."
Quote from: DFO on June 22, 2009, 03:43:12 PM
3) You'd repeat "habla". You can change the second time for "aparte de conversar" or if you like it more "platicar"
Good tip- it'd make my speech more colorful and natural-sounding, I guess.
Quote from: DFO on June 22, 2009, 03:43:12 PM
Always at your service.
Yes, sir! 8)
Daedalus
Lexicon http://www.box.net/shared/bzx93tvyne
English phrases http://www.box.net/shared/jx7rjxnpb7
Quote from: owlice on June 22, 2009, 03:22:50 AM
...bird-watching...
I'm also interested in that, if only going merely as far as watching birds fly by the balcony.
There's a related scene from
Beetlejuice I find particularly hilarious; the Manhattan businessman -
Birds of America right beside him - tries to relax doing some bird-watching in the country; the first thing he sees through his binoculars is a crow pecking flesh off a dead animal. Typical Tim Burton! ;D
Quote from: owlice on June 22, 2009, 03:22:50 AM
...and bike-riding (will take a 185-mile bike ride later this year)
Impressive! Any details on the itinerary?
Quote from: Sean on June 23, 2009, 12:08:28 AM
Daedalus
Lexicon http://www.box.net/shared/bzx93tvyne
English phrases http://www.box.net/shared/jx7rjxnpb7
Interesting Sean. Just looking through the files now.
Thanks for uploading.
D.
Quote from: SonicMan on June 22, 2009, 12:18:53 PM
Hi Owlice - I've been an amateur woodworker for quite a while and have a nice basement shop (unfortunately I've not done much in months, although I do have a list of potential projects - hmmm!).
Actually, I started a thread on the Old Forum HERE (http://www.good-music-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,5483.0.html), and posted a number of my projects; I'm basically a cabinet (CD/DVD storage largely) and book shelve builder - love to work w/ hardwoods (cherry, oak, & mahogany, as the projects show) - take a look, if interested - :)
SonicMan, I remember that thread and your beautiful work! It made me wish you lived right down the street so I could get woodworking lessons from you!! :)
I have a cousin (who I am certain I would not recognize if I passed him on the street) who is a cabinetmaker, so I was told when I was a girl, and that always intrigued me. I think it'd be fun to learn how to make something functional and beautiful out of wood.
Quote from: Wanderer on June 23, 2009, 12:16:16 AM
I'm also interested in that, if only going merely as far as watching birds fly by the balcony.
There's a related scene from Beetlejuice I find particularly hilarious; the Manhattan businessman - Birds of America right beside him - tries to relax doing some bird-watching in the country; the first thing he sees through his binoculars is a crow pecking flesh off a dead animal. Typical Tim Burton! ;D
Impressive! Any details on the itinerary?
Bike riding is a good way to bird-watch, which is just one of its attractions for me. I prefer to bike on trails rather than on the road, so the itinerary of the upcoming trip is the C&O Canal towpath from Cumberland, MD, to Georgetown in DC. A friend is going to drop me in Cumberland and will meet me at the end a few days later with my car. It'll be a leisure ride, no more than 50 miles/day, as I'll be stopping to .... watch birds! And anything else interesting that I see, of course.
A lot of people camp along the way, but I'm way too lazy for that and will be staying in bike-friendly B&Bs instead. A lot of people also do the ride in two days (and some in one); definitely not me! I'm way too slow on a bike to do so.
I was riding a rail-trail in Maryland a couple or three years ago which was vaguely uphill when traveling northbound; it's just over 13 miles one way. I was nearing the northern trailhead when I was passed by a little old lady wearing a flowered dress and straw hat... on a one-speed. (Thank goodness she wasn't
walking past me!!)
Heh; years ago I was in Switzerland and had taken a funicular up into the mountains so that I could hike the "easy" trail down. (I had asked for advice at the Interlaken visitor's center, and was given a very nice, easy hiking suggestion by the young man there; he told me the route was "only" a six-hour hike. That was the easiest suggestion he had for me -- six hours!! I did not take his suggested route.)
My "easy" trail down didn't quite work out as I'd hoped, as I missed some signage along the way and ended up in places for which I was not adequately shod nor otherwise prepared. There were rather steep sections of whatever deertrail I was stumbling along; these trails were used by much more ...ah... mature women who lived in the villages I was passing as shortcuts, and they'd come walking UP the mountain through the woods on these narrow trails at a good clip, yakking away with their friends and carrying groceries. *I* was panting going *downhill* and wasn't carrying anything that couldn't fit in a pocket, and here they were, older, laden with groceries, and not the least bit winded from walking *up* the mountain... I'd have been embarrassed had I had the energy to be! :D
Chess, crosswords, sudoku, walking the dogs, linesman at son's soccer games ;D
About chess:
When I have too much time to devote to composing, I'll worry about other pursuits 8)
Alternatively, given my current av, I suppose I ought to say: bowling.
;D
I know someone who knows someone who used to collect stamp hinges. This makes one part of me want to put my head in a bucket, while the other part of me wants to rejoice in the sheer quiddity of such an idiosyncratic choice. One day, I may take it up myself just to see how it feels.
Research interests: Roman Catholic Cardinals throughout History, British 20th Century Naval and Military History, the German Army in World War One and Two, Japanese Naval History, Byzantine History, US Senators from 1861, American Civil War, Roman Imperial History.
Other interests: watching Cricket and Golf, Politics(British, American, Soviet Russia, China, France), Hill Walking, Films, late Victorian and Edwardian 'popular' fiction, Travel, Socializing with friends, Cats.
What I like to read: History (focused on US 1750-1826, Ancient Rome, and WWI, but other eras as well), old-fashioned mysteries (Sherlock Holmes, Nero Wolfe, Poirot), Shakespeare, Plato, Hemingway, Robert B. Parker, Vonnegut, classic & pulp sci-fi/fantasy (R.E. Howard, E.R. Burroughs, Cliff Simak, A.C. Clarke, E.E. "Doc" Smith), cheesy old super-hero comic books, The Atlantic, Slate, The Washington Post.
What I like to do: Play with my kids, listen to music (all kinds, mostly classical, blues, rock, pre-1970s country), cook, crossword puzzles (nice big Sunday-sized ones), PC role-playing (Elder Scrolls) and turn-based strategy (Civilization) games, watch The Daily Show & Colbert Report, Philadelphia Eagles NFL football, tinker with iTunes & various other gadgets, goof off on a certain classical music forum.
Quote from: Elgarian on June 23, 2009, 06:57:50 AM
I know someone who knows someone who used to collect stamp hinges. This makes one part of me want to put my head in a bucket, while the other part of me wants to rejoice in the sheer quiddity of such an idiosyncratic choice. One day, I may take it up myself just to see how it feels.
OK, I'll bite -- what's a stamp hinge?
Quote from: jwinter on June 23, 2009, 11:33:22 AM
OK, I'll bite -- what's a stamp hinge?
It's so nice to be humoured ...
People who collect stamps often stick them into albums, yes? And so they need something to stick them in with, right? Hence the humble stamp hinge, which is basically no more than a small gummed rectangular piece of paper folded in two - though the gum must be such that the hinge can be easily removed, and doesn't damage the stamp. See here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamp_hinge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamp_hinge)
Now I assume that there is a great stamp hinge industry out there, supplying the needs of stamp collectors everywhere with various patent designs? At any rate, this guy, I gather, collected them. Which raises the even more interesting question: if a stamp hinge collector puts his hinges in an album,
what does he stick them in with? And if the answer is what I think it may be, are there people out there collecting
stamp hinge hinges?
I collect the sticky stuff from the stamp hinge. 8)
Quote from: MN Dave on June 23, 2009, 12:15:11 PM
I collect the sticky stuff from the stamp hinge. 8)
Do you keep your samples in an album? And if so, what do you stick them in with? (For I am a keen student of such matters, as you know.)
Quote from: Elgarian on June 23, 2009, 06:57:50 AM
I know someone who knows someone who used to collect stamp hinges.
(http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/231/clipboard01r.png)
Quote from: Lethe on June 23, 2009, 12:57:56 PM
(http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/231/clipboard01r.png)
Is that me or him?
[When I saw this, I spluttered my coffee all over the desk....]
Quote from: Elgarian on June 23, 2009, 01:09:50 PM
Is that me or him?
[When I saw this, I spluttered my coffee all over the desk....]
Perhaps him, upon realising the extent of his wasted life $:) I recall a similar case in which a man was eventually given an ultimatum by his wife: "it's the barbed wire or me".
Quote from: Lethe on June 23, 2009, 01:14:00 PM
Perhaps him
He's got 'stamp hinge collector' written all over him hasn't he?
Of course the worry from where I sit, is that if stamp hinge collectors are sad, where does that leave students of stamp hinge collection like me? You see my problem? My very existence is parasitic upon these poor souls.
Music and Books have been the two constants in my life.
However, over the last 20 years I've embraced, then discarded many interests – most lasting approximately 2-4 years each – including golf, rat fancying, indoor soccer, wine making/drinking, snooker, Eastern mysticism, vegetarianism, opera...
~ Currently my focus is on music, literature, art, poetry and politics from the Romantic era. I'm reading some of the classics and trying to absorb the culture and history from the era – and loving it.
~ Attending symphony concerts.
~ Fine dining and writing restaurant reviews online.
~ Bush walks and nature/birdlife appreciation.
~ Travel – I've done very little international travel in the past 20 years and I'm excited to explore some new countries. Vancouver BC in two weeks! I've been enjoying creating our itinerary for our stay – cross referencing sights and activities and deciding the things that will suit us best and give us a wonderful, unique experience.
~ Developing some new, meaningful friendships :)
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on June 23, 2009, 04:45:41 PM
~ Developing some new, meaningful friendships :)
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on June 23, 2009, 04:45:41 PM
~ Developing some new, meaningful friendships :)
that's so great, SW! :) On that note, I'll express minor frustration of having
still not met anyone in Newfoundland yet! It'll come...
Past pursuits:
- Hockey card collecting
- Comic book collecting
- Biketrials
- Bodybuilding
- Math for fun (seriously)
- Running
Currently (besides music)
- Biking
- Anime
- Cooking
- Hiking
- other things...
Lethe, that's a great picture.
~~~
Several people have mentioned games, which I also like. I'm fortunate to have friends who will get together for "games night." I like Scrabble and SET and Skip-Bo (which no one will play with me anymore :( ) and ... well, a lot of games. Games in general.
Some have mentioned puzzles, too, which I also like. I do at least one sudoku every day. I used to do crossword puzzles a lot and will still do them on occasion, but I'm more into logic puzzles these days.
Learning languages and reading about them. Spanish, of course, English, German... I've recently started learning French. I'm also member of a couple of language forums I visit every day.
Travel. I love to travel and meet new people, feel the hospitality, see other cultures, etc.
Tennis. I'm learning it right now and it seems to be the only sport that's ever gotten my attention.
An ability I'd love to develop is cooking. I'll have my mother teach me on vacation hehe.
Quote from: DFO on June 22, 2009, 04:04:45 AM
Here in Buenos Aires is very difficult to find this kind of material. There are some titles in Spanish, but they are horrible English translations, and are pure crap.
Comparto tu angustia. Imaginate lo difícil que es encontrar libros que valgan la pena en Bolivia... La verdad es que acá leer es un hábito carísimo, porque la biblioteca pública da lástima. Fui solamente una vez, y no me dieron ganas de volver.
Quote from: owlice on June 23, 2009, 04:22:02 AM
SonicMan, I remember that thread and your beautiful work! It made me wish you lived right down the street so I could get woodworking lessons from you!! :)
I have a cousin (who I am certain I would not recognize if I passed him on the street) who is a cabinetmaker, so I was told when I was a girl, and that always intrigued me. I think it'd be fun to learn how to make something functional and beautiful out of wood.
Bike riding is a good way to bird-watch, which is just one of its attractions for me. I prefer to bike on trails rather than on the road, so the itinerary of the upcoming trip is the C&O Canal towpath from Cumberland, MD, to Georgetown in DC. A friend is going to drop me in Cumberland and will meet me at the end a few days later with my car. It'll be a leisure ride, no more than 50 miles/day, as I'll be stopping to .... watch birds! And anything else interesting that I see, of course.
A lot of people camp along the way, but I'm way too lazy for that and will be staying in bike-friendly B&Bs instead. A lot of people also do the ride in two days (and some in one); definitely not me! I'm way too slow on a bike to do so.
I was riding a rail-trail in Maryland a couple or three years ago which was vaguely uphill when traveling northbound; it's just over 13 miles one way. I was nearing the northern trailhead when I was passed by a little old lady wearing a flowered dress and straw hat... on a one-speed. (Thank goodness she wasn't walking past me!!)
Heh; years ago I was in Switzerland and had taken a funicular up into the mountains so that I could hike the "easy" trail down. (I had asked for advice at the Interlaken visitor's center, and was given a very nice, easy hiking suggestion by the young man there; he told me the route was "only" a six-hour hike. That was the easiest suggestion he had for me -- six hours!! I did not take his suggested route.)
My "easy" trail down didn't quite work out as I'd hoped, as I missed some signage along the way and ended up in places for which I was not adequately shod nor otherwise prepared. There were rather steep sections of whatever deertrail I was stumbling along; these trails were used by much more ...ah... mature women who lived in the villages I was passing as shortcuts, and they'd come walking UP the mountain through the woods on these narrow trails at a good clip, yakking away with their friends and carrying groceries. *I* was panting going *downhill* and wasn't carrying anything that couldn't fit in a pocket, and here they were, older, laden with groceries, and not the least bit winded from walking *up* the mountain... I'd have been embarrassed had I had the energy to be! :D
Sounds like a plan! 8)
Make sure to take lots of pictures.
As for the indefatigable rural women, it's also a characteristic of the Greek countryside (my grandmother used to be one). They cover huge distances - sometimes on forbidding mountain paths - to wherever the fields or livestock are and - if it need be - return back laden with all kinds of stuff - sometimes even wood. This used to be a rather common sight when I was a child. Nowadays they're more likely to be carrying groceries, but the hardiness is still there.
Literature & Poetry --- I've been an avid reader since childhood
History, Philosophy --- incl. History and Philosophy of Science & Religion
Geography, esp. Cartography --- I can spend hours studying a map or Google Earth :)
Languages --- I speak fluently English and French, not so fluently Spanish and Italian and I can find my way reading Portuguese, German and Dutch
Travelling --- my ideal sabbatical year would consist of a nautical travel around the world on a yacht packed full with good books and music 8)
Quote from: Florestan on June 24, 2009, 02:01:49 AM
Geography, esp. Cartography --- I can spend hours studying a map or Google Earth :)
I love Google Earth. I wouldn't describe what I do as Geography or Cartography though. More like just flying about looking at places. :D
QuoteTravelling --- my ideal sabbatical year would consist of a nautical travel around the world on a yacht packed full with good books and music 8)
Now that sounds perfect. Can I come too? 8)
D.
Quote from: Daedalus on June 24, 2009, 04:23:42 AM
Now that sounds perfect. Can I come too? 8)
D.
Sure. Everyone interested is invited, folks! 0:)
Quote from: Florestan on June 24, 2009, 02:01:49 AM
Travelling --- my ideal sabbatical year would consist of a nautical travel around the world on a yacht packed full with good books and music and my wife 8)
Added to keep you accountable! $:) ;)
Or is it
that kind of vacation? ;D
Quote from: Florestan on June 24, 2009, 02:01:49 AM
Languages --- I speak fluently English and French, not so fluently Spanish and Italian and I can find my way reading Portuguese, German and Dutch
Romanian? ???
Quote from: Joe_Campbell on June 24, 2009, 05:02:46 AM
Added to keep you accountable! $:) ;)
Good God, she's gonna kill me if she ever reads that... ;D
Quote from: Joe_Campbell on June 24, 2009, 05:02:46 AMOr is it that kind of vacation? ;D
Not at all, just a well spotted lapsus. :D
Quote from: MN Dave on June 24, 2009, 05:03:09 AM
Romanian? ???
Hey, that's native and it doesn't count. Are you going to boast of speaking fluently English? ;D :D
Quote from: Florestan on June 24, 2009, 05:07:01 AM
Hey, that's native and it doesn't count. Are you going to boast of speaking fluently English? ;D :D
That's my native language and no I won't boast about speaking it fluently. ;D
Quote from: Florestan on June 24, 2009, 05:07:01 AM
Hey, that's native and it doesn't count. Are you going to boast of speaking fluently English? ;D :D
And not everyone knows you as well as I do, so they may be interested. :)
Quote from: MN Dave on June 24, 2009, 05:10:10 AM
That's my native language and no I won't boast about speaking it fluently. ;D
See? Me neither about speaking Romanian, although I'm very proud of my reading and writing it very fluently. ;D
Quote from: MN Dave on June 24, 2009, 05:10:10 AM
That's my native language and no I won't boast about speaking it fluently. ;D
You speak Minnesotan? :)
Native speakers of English, and those who speak English fluently, may not be two perfectly congruent sets $:) 0:) 8)
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on June 24, 2009, 05:46:43 AM
Native speakers of English, and those who speak English fluently, may not be two perfectly congruent sets $:) 0:) 8)
Indeed.
I also collect signed pictures of famous violinists and pianists.
Anybody else?
Quote from: DFO on June 24, 2009, 07:18:48 AM
I also collect signed pictures of famous violinists and pianists.
Anybody else?
DFO - well, I guess that a few more interests could be added for me (or us w/ the spouse) - we've been collecting art for about 40 yrs; nothing 'super' expensive, but a lot of 'original' prints (i.e. etchings, lithographs, stencil, mixed, etc.) which are 'limited edition' and signed. Also, collect other types of art work, such as glass, wood, sculptures, etc.
Travelling has always been an interest, although we are doing more 'local' car trips now - most recently have gotten into taking horse riding lessons and also finding trail hikes, either locally or in the mountains. :D