# Have 3 or 4 days time and want a new skill **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 11, 2010, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116 "2010-05-11T23:40:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/21 "2010-05-12T12:52:58Z")
I think this is a great question, and I’m going to be thinking about it all day long. I want to say something like juggling, because it’s an easily-mastered skill, where you’ll definitely figure out 3 balls, and might be able to move onto something like 4-5 by the end of it. But I’m not going to say juggling. I’m going to say: Rubik’s Cube! People who can whip through a Rubik’s Cube in under a minute amaze the shit out of me. Also, I think that with something like the Rubik’s Cube, you might be able to be doing something else with your time during that period. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/22 "2010-05-12T12:58:56Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > It is also a great way to meet a future spouse. Or at least it was for me 😉 > [juggling] Exactly what sort of balls were you juggling? ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/23 "2010-05-12T13:10:24Z")
Photography. $800 can get you a pretty decent digital SLR camera. The internet is loaded with free tutorials and helpful forums; you can learn the basics with a few days study and practice. And when this opportunity next arises: Photoshop! Good luck, and keep us posted. mmm ---
**Author:** ![skearton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@skearton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skearton)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/24 "2010-05-12T13:10:53Z")
I vote computer troubleshooting and repair, or sight reading sheet music, and learning on the piano, or keyboard. Or you could also do something thoughtful for loved ones, that you don’t get to see or talk to regularly. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/25 "2010-05-12T13:48:12Z")
> [@HawksPath](#): > > I want to learn something that is to some extent useful. To me useful is a broad definition from something that entertains others, to something that will improve my life, to something that can make me money, or something that will help me take over the world. Knife throwing. Accomplishes all those things. A small investment in some good throwing knives and a thick tree are all you really need. Start a few feet away, then gradually take a step or two back as you get more comfortable with the throwing motion and accuracy. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/26 "2010-05-12T14:08:49Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > First aid / CPR / first responder training or their wilderness equivalents > _snip_ > Swimming? I vote for these, if you don’t already know them. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/27 "2010-05-12T14:24:55Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > Exactly what sort of balls were you juggling? Technically we were attending an acrobatics workshop, but it was at a juggling convention. ---
**Author:** ![Greenback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/2bfe46/32.png) [@Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/28 "2010-05-12T15:30:51Z")
[Weiqi](http://senseis.xmp.net/) It’s a board game that you can pick up fast, yet spend the rest of your life honing it. It is a great exercise in strategic thinking. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/29 "2010-05-12T15:58:55Z")
Take up a programming language, like Java. A decent beginner’s guide will only run you about 30 bucks, and the Netbeans IDE (programming/design interface) is a free download. Having a programming language in your repertoire _never_ hurts, and it can be an extremely rewarding hobby. Python or Ruby on Rails are also good choices. ```auto public class signature { public static void main( String[] args ) { mySig( ); } private static void mySig( ) { System.out.println( " - Agent Foxtrot" ); } } ``` ---
**Author:** ![arseNal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@arseNal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arseNal)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/30 "2010-05-12T16:05:50Z")
Another vote for cooking, that’s definitely something you will have cause to use in the future and can continue to work on later even when you don’t have as much free time. Take some 3 or 4 day course, I think you can find something in your budget. Or maybe some wine appreciation course. I say this as a programmer – while I agree you can pick up some basics in 3 or 4 days, unless you have some reason to use it in the future, it’ll eventually fade and become obsolete anyway. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/31 "2010-05-12T16:17:28Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > Technically we were attending an acrobatics workshop, but it was at a juggling convention. Any idea _why_ they always have the acrobatics workshops tied so closely to the damn juggling? I know I, and plenty of others, would love to get into acrobatics, but we don’t want to hang out anywhere near the jugglers.☹ Sorry, needed to vent. ---
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/32 "2010-05-12T16:18:01Z")
Do you drink? Home brewing. If you live in a larger city, there should be a home brewing supply store where you can get supplies. You won’t be able to finish the whole process, as it takes at least a few weeks for a beer to ferment, but you could easily get 5-10 gallons of beer fermenting in a couple days. After fermentation is finished in a few weeks, you’ll need to bottle your beer. A week or so after bottling the beer will be ready to drink. I suggest [The New Complete Joy of Home Brewing](http://www.amazon.com/New-Complete-Joy-Home-Brewing/dp/0380763664) by Charlie Papazian as an introductory book. You will need to buy some equipment, but the cost is well under your $800 limit (think $100-$150 range). After fixed costs, you’ll be able to brew beer for ~$0.80/bottle or less. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/33 "2010-05-12T16:25:29Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > About the only thing I could think of was maybe an 8-24 hour certification class for PADI, scuba diving, or first aid. I got my PADI Open Water certification in 3 days. And it’s good fun while you’re doing it (particularly if you are able to travel somewhere nice on your $800). ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/34 "2010-05-12T16:26:30Z")
I am surprised to see so many suggestions of juggling. I came here to mention a variation, [contact juggling](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuNlDpbRdm4). In three or four days of regular practice you can have down the basics, which is enough to show off in front of your friends. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/35 "2010-05-12T16:37:34Z")
[Flintknapping?](http://www.onagocag.com/knapping.html) then pretty much anywhere you go you can make a knife to cut your steak and don’t have to worry about TSA confiscating it, last I knew a flap of skin, a deer horn of 3 inches long and a small rock were not considered deadly weapons =) And if the ruler of the universe gets frisky and teleports you back to the stone age, you will fit right in! ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/36 "2010-05-12T17:10:50Z")
> [@SandyHook](#): > > Three or four days is plenty of time to learn to juggle three balls [QUOTE=HawksPath] … **in Jr High a friend and I took up juggling during the summer. I can still do 3 well but the 4 to 5 ball in a circle is now lost to my hands**. [/QUOTE] > [@OpalCat](#): > > I came in to suggest juggling. It’s an incredible meditation as well as a good fitness exercise. > [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](#): > > Thirding juggling. > [@OpalCat](#): > > [juggling] > [@OpalCat](#): > > Oh, and IMO the best book for learning to juggle is _Juggling for the Complete Klutz_. > [@Munch](#): > > I want to say something like juggling, because it’s an easily-mastered skill, where you’ll definitely figure out 3 balls, and might be able to move onto something like 4-5 by the end of it. > [@flight](#): > > I am surprised to see so many suggestions of juggling. I came here to mention a variation, [contact juggling](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuNlDpbRdm4). In three or four days of regular practice you can have down the basics, which is enough to show off in front of your friends. Maybe you can spend the time teaching reading comprehension to fellow dopers! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/37 "2010-05-12T17:30:49Z")
Perhaps you don’t understand much about juggling, but there is far more to it than throwing 3 balls around in a cascade pattern. 3 or 4 days could be spent learning, say, [Mills’ Mess](http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-juggle-mills-mess-step-step-200604/) or any number of other patterns. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/38 "2010-05-12T18:00:14Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > Maybe you can spend the time teaching reading comprehension to fellow dopers! 😃 You could enroll with him! > [@Munch](#): > > I want to say something like juggling > \ > \*\*But I’m not going to say juggling. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Rex\_Goliath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bcef8e/32.png) [@Rex\_Goliath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rex_Goliath)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/39 "2010-05-12T18:07:11Z")
You can learn how to solve a rubik’s cube in a few hours, if you’re patient and a quick learner. ---
**Author:** ![deball](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@deball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deball)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116/40 "2010-05-12T19:11:57Z")
MIG welding. Or, flux core welding. Welding is one of the greatest and most useful skills I have ever learned. It’s not hard, or even praticularily expensive. You could get into it for under $800 easily and have gear that will last for years. Others: Fly fishing/fly tying Metal detecting (relic hunting): Learn your machine, map out some accessible sites and go digging. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-3-or-4-days-time-and-want-a-new-skill/539116.md?page=3)