I scuba dive, though rarely now. If I get in 3-4 dive weekends a year, It’s a good year. It’s a great hobby, though, and the people you meet are active, energetic, and fun.
I spend a lot of time involved with the Boy Scouts. I’ve been more active outdoors, and been more involved with the local community because of it. This summer I’ll get to go backpacking 3 times, and I almost went white-water rafting, but had to pass this year because of other commitments. I’m glad my son got interested in Scouting - I’ve gotten as much or more out of it than he has!
I have a group of friends with wide interests, and I learn from them. One is a former Navy aviator, and some of the stories are great. Another is an official with the local probate court, and the stories can break your heart.
I’m thinking about trying something aviation-related, but I have to watch that I don’t blow the budget. Maybe radio-controlled airplanes, maybe try an introductory lesson in a powered parachute or paraglider. We’ll see…
My advice - take up a new hobby, and volunteer. Volunteering will enrich your life and be more rewarding than you’d ever think possible. Ask at your local scout council office, church, hospital, Red Cross, school, etc. what you can do there to help. The hobby will help get you up and out of the house, challenge you to learn something new, and let you meet people.
You could join the Civil Air Patrol. The CAP performs search and rescue activities for missing aircraft, disaster relief, emergency services, manages a cadet program, and other functions as assigned. You can read The CAP Story in .pdf format here.
Think about it: It’s aviation-related, you can work with young people like in scouting (some cadet squadrons are also Boy Scout posts), help your community, and maybe even save a life.
Maybe it’s just me, but everytime I see the original post, I imagine it being read aloud by Neil from The Young Ones.
My suggestions? Um … grab a group of friends, get dressed up (cool suits for the guys, 1920s gear for the women, or rabbit ears, etc) and go out (casino, club, promenade). There’s nothing more exciting than knowing you’re the centre of attention.
We have a pretty stable life, something I’m very thankful for, but it isn’t “exciting” under the definition of some. I have to try and remember to not compare my life with the life of those on TV or in magazines or even here!
That being said, here’s my ideas for fun:
[ul]
[li] Go to the library. Warren Buffet couldn’t afford to keep me in books, so the library it is.[/li][li] Run. I run in the warm (and warmish) months here and love it. Love how it makes me feel, love what it does to my body, love stopping at the end of a long run ;).[/li][li] Plant something. I love to garden and work in my yard. I just finished moving and cutting down a fence (converted a 6’ stockade fence into a 38" picket fence) and now I get to plant all the plants I grew from seed![/li][li] Go boating. I’m reading up on kayaking and hope to be able to buy a boat next year. (As an aside - Ralf, I called Raupp Campfitters and just so happens, they were having Paddle Days the next day where I could try out a bunch of kayaks and stuff. Very cool! Thanks for giving me their name!)[/li][li] Take up a craft/art. Learn to weld, throw pottery, paint, hammer silver, make wooden bowls, embroider, quilt. Whatever. Do something creative with your hands.[/li][li] Like others have said, volunteer. Something I need to do myself.[/li][li] Become a Big Brother. Lots of kids need a mentor.[/li][/ul]
Here’s an idea. Write down all the things, and I do mean ALL, you’re interested in. Don’t go into great detail, just write them down. Got them? Okay, pick one and pursue it more avidly. Get involved in a local club that deals with your interest, read books on it, take a class on it.
The most exciting thing I do in my life right now is mountain biking. Nothing gives a bigger adrenaline rush than rushing down a hillside at 40 mph, with only knobby tires and reflexes (and some pretty nifty safety equipment) to keep you from getting hurt. Unfortunately, I’m still not that good at it, and have racked up numerous scars, ripped clothing, dented helmets and one separated shoulder so far. But it’s still a good time.
Other than that, there’s a lot of things that keep my interest that are FUN, but not necessarily heart-pounding, pulse-thumping eyes-wide OHMYGOD exciting… working out, running, playing golf, indoor rock climbing, role-playing…
Oh, and I forgot - am trying skydiving for the first time this summer. For one as acrophobic as I, should be an interesting experience.
You know, the first time I read this thread title I thought it said “What do you do for excrement in your life?”
The answer to which seemed obvious.
For my excitement I go hashing. Running through woods, creeks, tunnels, up mountains, across busy interstates, hoping to find the beer at the end of the trail: what more could anyone want?
