# I need something to occupy my time **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 25, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-something-to-occupy-my-time/454230 "2008-06-25T21:20:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2008, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-something-to-occupy-my-time/454230/21 "2008-06-27T16:57:59Z")
You can learn [ASP.NET](http://ASP.NET) programming pretty easily and for free by using [Visual Studio.Net Express](http://www.microsoft.com/express/) from Microsoft. Now, I can’t say you’ll actually learn C# or VB “easily” by using Visual Studio - you’ll get your results by the drag-and-drop method. But it’s a good starting point if you drag-and-drop something, change it, and look at the underlying code. Once you want to make your pages do more complicated things, you’ve got a base on which to build and can go forth on the Internet and read about how to make new things work. I think it’s a fun and easy way to learn a programming language for someone that has time to kill. Learn it slowly as you go along. You can also pick up SQL 2005 Express while you’re at that [VS.NET](http://VS.NET) site. ---
**Author:** ![RedRosesForMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2008, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-something-to-occupy-my-time/454230/22 "2008-06-27T18:21:46Z")
How about picking up a new language? You could try the library or bookstore to get a beginner’s book and maybe some audio tapes, then once you’ve got a good idea of the basics like pronunciation, hello how are you kinda stuff, you could take a class at your local college or community center? That’s a good way to meet people, a great skill for your personal and professional life, and I am personally fascinated by other languages. ---
**Author:** ![Kuboydal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@Kuboydal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuboydal)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2008, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-something-to-occupy-my-time/454230/23 "2008-06-27T18:38:54Z")
If you live in ATL you have three growing seasons at your disposal. Go get some seeds and start growing things. Better yet, sneak some cuttings out of the Botanical Gardens… ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-something-to-occupy-my-time/454230/24 "2008-06-28T01:38:41Z")
\>Learn how to play the ocarina. They are a vastly under-appreciated instrument. Or the double bell euphonium. I heard a rendition by that instrument of Auld Lang Syne that was heavenly. And they are quite the thing to see - no ocarina is going to turn heads the way this thing will. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2008, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-something-to-occupy-my-time/454230/25 "2008-06-28T02:02:14Z")
Cooking! I’ve learned so much in the past few years. Eating and cooking are my favorite things to do. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-something-to-occupy-my-time/454230.md?page=1)