As I was stepping into the tub last night, I realized, in one of those, "Duh - why didn't I think of this sooner?" moments, that I need a hobby. (And then I fell into the same trap as the rest of the people who have ever read books dealing with the improvement of the human condition: I took my personal revelation and flung it out onto the broader landscape of humanity, deciding once and for all that ALL women over thirty who don't yet have kids need a hobby. But that's another post).
The problem is, though - what to do? What sort of hobby can one pick up at this point in life? It seems a bit late for gymnastics, I'll admit; and I don't think that collecting blue bottles to display on the window sill is going to stretch my mental muscles in the way that I need. I considered knitting, briefly, but (as my sister will tell you) my history with handmade crafts is a brief and tortured one, and I'm not the best candidate for activities involving fine motor skills and long sharp needles.
So I'm thinking of learning to play the piano. It's absurd, I'll admit, but with those new keyboards that come with headphones, the chances of someone getting hurt are minimal; I appreciate that in a hobby. There's not much musical talent in my bloodline (we've long joked that a recording of some other family singing "Happy Birthday" would greatly improve our annual parties) but what we lack in skill we make up for in enthusiasm. I've danced to enough Janet Jackson songs to know I'm a part of the Rhythm Nation (I'd learn drums if we weren't in a 950 square foot condo...) and at the very least I can learn the chords (notes? how does piano music work?) to "Happy Birthday" to drown out our voices at my nephew's birthday party next month...
So that's my plan...for today anyway. Tomorrow I may decide to become a travel agent.
If you could try anything, what would your new hobby be?
8 comments:
Still no belly dancing for you?
My problem is there are a lot of things I'd like to do/learn, but I never seem to have time. I love beading, but I've had this unfinished necklace and pair of earrings sitting around for probably two or three months now. I'd like to learn kickboxing, but I seem to lack time, money, and athleticism.
By the way, my Bally's is offering belly dancing classes. I'm actually somewhat tempted.
The piano! Whoo!
I'm all stocked up on hobbies - I particularily like baking. But I've always wanted to bellydance, just like Stacy!
I totally want to learn how to play the piano, too! I am all about finding hobbies. Unfortunately, I usually abandon them after about a month.
Those keyboards and headphones rock. Liam has one and he'd be happy to teach you the finer points of just jamming to whatever makes you happy. His 6 yr old approach is just start trying things. Who cares who's listening. And if you DO care who's listening, Sony makes some relatively cheap over-the-ear headphones that keep it all very private. Go for it.
My personal hobby (when I have the time and a little liquid cash) will be learning to throw pottery. I want to work the pottery wheel. Been a dream of mine since I was wee.
On my next trip to Boston, I expect you to accompany me while I sing 'It Is Well'. Get on that.
Piano playing is a great hobby; I recommend it very much. I have played piano since I was seven and I warn you it does take a lot of work to get to a point where you can really enjoy it, and play the songs you want to play, but it is so worth it that I don't understand how anyone survives without being able to play an instrument! The best thing about it is that you can always improve, no matter how old you are, and there is always something to challenge you further.
Anyway (getting that pro-piano rant over), I suppose the hobby I would most like to take up at the moment would be learning another language. I know some French, and obviously I speak English adequately, but I'd love to learn something else. Maybe Russian? German?
I really want to rock climb. In order to do this I would have to be more athlectic, less scared of heights, & not have trouble with the one time I tried it "Ok, now walk off the cliff". I said "But...but, I've been told my whole life that is not a good idea". So not in this lifetime, but if I was a completely different person, I would like to rockclimb.
Piano playing is a great hobby! I started lessons when I was 21. Once I got over waiting with the 9 year olds in the waiting room before my lesson, I really enjoyed it. Besides, some of those kids really gave good tips! (Christmas songs are a good way to start) Good luck!
The hobby I took up in my late twenties was writing.
I also retook up my hobby of dance classes, after a 6-year hiatus. I now take a weekly dance class, switching off between whether I want to go to ballet or jazz that week.
I want to take Chinese lessons, though. It would be very cool to speak to my in-laws in their native language.
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