# Short term hobby recomendations **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 11, 2016, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677 "2016-09-11T17:36:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2016, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/21 "2016-09-12T20:48:58Z")
Archery ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2016, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/22 "2016-09-12T22:10:42Z")
Canning. You likely won’t want to buy a pressure canner, but Boiling Water Bath canning would require very little in terms of equipment. You can make jams and pickles and salsas (be sure to use recipes tested to be safe for BWB canning). Then come the holidays you will have a nice stash of jars of homemade goodies to give as gifts. Another thought is candlemaking. Again, not a lot of equipment is needed, and you end up with stuff that makes nice gifts. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2016, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/23 "2016-09-12T23:04:48Z")
Research an aspect of history that you’d always been curious about. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/24 "2016-09-13T02:22:15Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I do event production professionally, if you’re willing to come on board to get the sponsors then I’ll do it! > > A bread bag isn’t big enough, & you need something more durable for when you step on an underwater rock so the bag doesn’t rip. BTW, packing tape, not duct tape; & it would hardly be my first time with packing tape & newspaper bags. Lots of years as a cyclist who \*hates/I] squishy socks. If I do, I have to forewarn you, I have exactly zero experience looking for sponsors let alone convincing them to give me/us/you money. I’ll take your word for it on the bag and tape. I’ve only ever broken an arm as a youth and bread bag and duct tape was sufficient for showers and swimming. I’m really sort of starting to lean towards the toys suggestions for you. Do they still make Erector Sets? You could build some kind of futuristic industrio-goth like candle holders for the candles \*\*Anny \*\*suggested ---
**Author:** ![ticker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/25 "2016-09-13T04:07:58Z")
Use the downtime to become proficient at video editing. That way when you are back to fully active you can start your own youtube channel documenting your exploits. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/26 "2016-09-13T15:01:38Z")
How about painting miniature figures? There are lots of them out there, fantasy, sci-fi, historical, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg (which is good as you would be stuck hopping in circles…) [Link](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Painted+miniature+figures&t=ffsb&iax=1&ia=images) for some examples. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/27 "2016-09-13T15:06:03Z")
Gotta about a thousand to splurg with? Astronomy is great hobby. ---
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/28 "2016-09-13T16:50:36Z")
Greetings, boot brother. I broke my foot a month ago and have been in a cam boot. I play the guitar, so I’ve been doing more of that. As far as new hobbies, I’m trying to learn to cook. I’ve signed up for Blue Apron. I know it’s a little expensive compared to buying everything yourself at the grocery store, but I’m viewing it as food + cooking lessons. Also, I recommend finding a thick-soled shoe for your other foot. The boot is pretty tall, and it makes walking much easier. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/29 "2016-09-13T17:08:42Z")
A hobby for **Spiderman**? Um, web architecture? Spinning? Creating and storing pre-digested meals? Spending more time with Aunt May? ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/30 "2016-09-13T18:54:55Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > Locksport, a.k.a. Lock picking. Totally legal in most places in the as long as you follow the rules of the sport (e.g. never pick a lock that you don’t own). > > The gear is quite cheap as far as hobbies go, and it’s a pretty cool James Bond talent. Check out some videos from a fellow named bosnianbill to learn technique. My new skill for the year! Thank you! ---
**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:** [September 13, 2016, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/31 "2016-09-13T18:59:36Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Astronomy is great hobby. Pisces, right? ---
**Author:** ![edwards\_beard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@edwards\_beard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwards_beard)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/32 "2016-09-13T19:59:34Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I am (was?) an athlete but am currently laid up with a bad wheel. I’m in a walking boot for at least the next month & then one to two months after that to complete recovery & PT. I can’t run, ride, climb, or fly these days, which is everything I love to do & means I now have time on my hands. > > Obviously something like dancing or bowling are right out with a bum ankle. Realistically I _might_ just _start_ to become proficient with an instrument by the time I put it down so that seems like a total waste to me. > > I’m looking for recommendations for a short-term hobby that can be reasonably proficient at but intend to put down once I can back to what I love. Looking for suggestions on what I can do but doesn’t have a long ramp up time to be decent at. Hopefully no criminals read this…I wouldn’t go spreading the word too much that you’re out of commission for a while. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/33 "2016-09-13T20:14:11Z")
Duolingo has a lot of excellent language courses. They won’t make you fluent, but each course approximately equivalent to two semesters at the college level. It takes me two or three months to finish each course. For academic subjects other than foreign languages, I like edX, a platform of online courses offered by a consortium of several top universities from around the world. You have to pay if you want a verified certificate of completion, but you can audit most of their courses for free. Coursera is a similar platform, but I tend not to enjoy their courses as much. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/34 "2016-09-13T20:52:07Z")
Close up magic. Just classic stuff with ever present props. There are plenty of tricks you can get pretty good at with a few hours of practice. I can do a couple of card tricks with an unprepared deck and they never fail to provide amusement whenever I stumble across a pack of cards while with people who haven’t seen the tricks. [http://mashable.com/2014/11/05/magic-tricks-90-seconds/#hLCphrz6igqp](http://mashable.com/2014/11/05/magic-tricks-90-seconds/#hLCphrz6igqp) ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/35 "2016-09-13T21:10:49Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Gotta about a thousand to splurg with? > > Astronomy is great hobby. You can get a pair of giant binoculars for much less, and you’ll see some amazing stuff. I have [this pair](https://www.amazon.com/BARSKA-X-Trail-Binocular-Braced--Adapter/dp/B000BYBD3I/ref=sr_1_52?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1473800871&sr=1-52&keywords=barska+binoculars). They’re heavy so you’ll need a sturdy tripod, but they’re much easier to set up and aim than a telescope- and you can see galaxies, nebulae, star clusters etc. I’ve seen an awful lot of M objects with mine. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/36 "2016-09-13T21:15:38Z")
Too late to edit: [Here are some books](https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=binocular+astronomy&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Abinocular+astronomy) on binocular astronomy. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2016, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/37 "2016-09-14T12:33:47Z")
> [@ticker](#): > > Use the downtime to become proficient at video editing. That way when you are back to fully active you can start your own youtube channel documenting your exploits. I already do that though I did just get some new software I want to play with, to see if it has any features that I don’t already have. (The old Movie Maker 6 has a Star Wars crawl that I’ve used.) > [@Trom](#): > > Also, I recommend finding a thick-soled shoe for your other foot. The boot is pretty tall, and it makes walking much easier. I just ordered an [Evenup](http://evenupcorp.com/evenup-shoe-balancer-single-unit) (½ price on Amazon) > [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > A hobby for **Spiderman**? Um, web architecture? **Spinning?** Creating and storing pre-digested meals? Spending more time with Aunt May? Did you read the OP? I’m not allowed to cycle, outdoors or spin class. :mad: 😛 > [@edwards\_beard](#): > > Hopefully no criminals read this…I wouldn’t go spreading the word too much that you’re out of commission for a while. 😕 I’m actually at home _more_ now…& there’s no injury to my trigger finger. > [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > Close up magic. Just classic stuff with ever present props. There are plenty of tricks you can get pretty good at with a few hours of practice. I can do a couple of card tricks with an unprepared deck and they never fail to provide amusement whenever I stumble across a pack of cards while with people who haven’t seen the tricks. > > [http://mashable.com/2014/11/05/magic-tricks-90-seconds/#hLCphrz6igqp](http://mashable.com/2014/11/05/magic-tricks-90-seconds/#hLCphrz6igqp) This one I really like. Keep 'em coming. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2016, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/38 "2016-09-14T13:29:02Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > > [@edwards\_beard](#): > > > > Hopefully no criminals read this…I wouldn’t go spreading the word too much that you’re out of commission for a while. > > … 😕 I’m actually at home _more_ now…& there’s no injury to my trigger finger. … I too was confused until I realized he meant that the supervillains plaguing Metropolis (or NYC, or Gotham City, or whatever it’s called this year) would have a field day while **Spiderman** is unavailable to do his Spidey-thing. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2016, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/39 "2016-09-14T13:37:35Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Did you read the OP? I’m not allowed to cycle, outdoors or spin class. :mad: > > 😛 Spindle, not bike. There’s always jigsaw puzzles. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677/40 "2016-09-14T14:15:22Z")
Go drive around for Uber, make some cash, meet some interesting people and have some nice chats. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-term-hobby-recomendations/765677.md?page=3)