Hobbies of Interaction

Even if I could have delved more deeply into them, 2010 has been the year of the hobbies for me. In January or so, I picked up a Roomba at DI which provided me with a couple months' entertainment encompassing electronics, custom Linux kernel building, programming, TCP/IP and wireless networking, serial communications... oh, and vacuuming. I never finished my projects with the Roomba, but it's been great.

Next up was the telescope. Also found at DI, I purchased a $2,000 telescope for $35, needing only an eyepiece set and the hand controller unit, I was introducing Natalie to M13 in no time. This also allowed to practice electronics and serial communication, along with optics.

When I quit a job in the summer, I was a little bit forced to take up auto repair, something I enjoy except when my inability to accomplish my end goals hinders me or my family. But that gave me a chance to practice more electronics, diagnostics, more serial communications, and hone mechanic aptitude.

During this period, I also got to learn and practice programming, doing some freelance work online. It was enough to help me decide that I'd like to investigate it academically a little more.

Here at the end of the year, I got it in my head that I wanted to learn morse code. This launched me into exploring radio communications, especially HF and long-range. Last week, I attended a class to get my technician operator's license and passed the test, so I've taken a step into this hobby, too. This hobby also includes all previously mentioned specialties (except optics, though don't necessarily rule that out). It's currently the hobby about which I awake from dreaming. I'm fascinated at every turn, and while I don't yet have my own equipment, I'm learning a lot just by listening to others' receivers. Just a few days ago, I was listening along with someone else to a receiver in Cleveland to a signal sent by a high altitude balloon over Georgia. This introduced me to RTTY and digital transmissions, launching me into further fury.

So I've explored many of my interests this year. I've always been one to do that. But this time, pretty much all of these are things around which entire online communities thrive. Each has active participants who remain persistently excited about their interests. Such is the case with many hobbies, but I just think it's strange that I would choose these interests to explore, the ones where improvement requires interaction. I would describe myself as introspective, sometimes even neurotic. I don't fully enjoy conversing with others, especially if I don't know them. When I write in online forums, I seem to attract unpleasant responses, or at least less-than-friendly. It's not easy for me to instigate that comradery that seems to soak the special interests.

At any rate, it's been a very enlightening year. I look forward to the continuation of exploration. Merry Christmas, everyone! May Harry Potter bring you the very best this year.