81 replies to this topic

[C.Mugnier]

I am currently an Expert in Conventional Bullseye Pistol competition, working on a Master's classification. (I'm about 1/3 the way to a consistent 95%+ with my scores.) With one hand in your pocket, you stand on your hind legs and fire at 25 yds and 50 yds with .22LR and .45 ACP pistols. 270 rounds per match takes about 5 hours' of shooting. It's not violent, it's just punching holes in paper from afar.

Photography is OK, but being a practicing Forensic Photogrammetrist as well as a Cartographer/Geodesist - it's too much like real work. However, I do make exceptions for grandkids and good-looking women.

[ELeFevre]

I guess I'll add to this thread as well...

My primary hobbie since childhood has been playing a musical instrument. I started with the violin when I was 7 years old and have since picked up the guitar, accordian and bass. At this point I consider myself a solid amateur at all the above Beyond music I'm an avid hiker of the desert SW (primarly Utah and Western Co). When you grow up in rural Utah...getting outside with nothing more than a couple gallons of water and a light lunch is the best thing going...! I also like to read and drink coffee....some of favorite authors include Mark Twain, Edward Abbey, Herman Melville, Carson McCullers.

[mike]

Well, i knew this hobby would be getting more serious for me. I just picked up a new lens: Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS



takes very high quality pictures... i like it alot!

[Hans van der Maarel]

Mike,

That's the problem with photography, once you're hooked, you keep spending. I'm on the lookout for a laptop/camera bag for my upcoming trips in September and October, the spare battery and remotes that I ordered should be coming in today and I'm also looking for some filters...

But that looks like a very nice lens, I've heard a lot of good stories about it. I hope you enjoy it.

[Rick Dey]

Hmmm...I guess there's no need to bring my little Olympus with me to NACIS since you'll all have your high end cameras with you.

[frax]

I haven't said anything here, so I guess it is my turn. Currently I kind of feel that I don't have much time for anything else than work though (but I love work!).

Non-map hobbies:
* Photography, but nothing too fancy, don't have any big equipment or anything
* Outdoors - hiking, camping, kayaking (are not doing enough of any of these...)
* Some nerdy stuff... some programming and web stuff
* Comics (and a lot of other reading)
* Playing games - I play a few games online at ItsYourTurn.com and YourTurnMyTurn.com, like go-moku, backgammon, chess variants and others. We always played games when I grew up, like card games, board games, later role-playing games and computer games. I haven't played RPGs since high-school, and I try to stay away from getting to into computer games today, since I know they can easily eat up all your (non-existant) time...
* Music - I used to play the bass in a band, but nowadays I am mostly listening to music...

Currently I also spending some free time trying to suck up more on learning Illustrator.

[melon_mapper]

My outside hobbies include spending time with my family, watching football and NASCAR racing and Teaching and practicing martial arts. I currently run a martial arts program for my local park and rec department. We have ggrown to over 50 students in 2.5 years.

[MapMedia]

All right - good topic - nice to learn about each other albiet remotely.

My passions include wilderness camping, wildlife conservation, tennis, and writing.
I seem to dabble in abour 10 other hobbies sporatically, which I am not advanced in, but they give me pleasure.

When I am doing any of my other hobbies, my mind eventually turns to geography, so I am greatful to be able to do this to support myself and my family.

Since I am moving to Italy next week, I might find another hobby there as well (maybe art history!)

Chris

[frax]

to add to my post, if anyone wants to play a game of go-moku, backgammon, anti-chess, streetsoccer or other game on-line with me, just send me a private message. Those site I use are free and you can trust them, and you can make a move when it suits you (you don't play online).

[anatolij]

mountain bike, (military) aviation, visiting airshows and on PC it's 3D graphics, Flight Simulator's scenery developement, webdesign, writing articles about some russian airborn weapons. Because of 3D and FS I'm interested in cartography (aerial imagery and DEM)

[gregsd]

I guess most of my spare time is split between walking the dog and cycling! Here's a picture of the dog, Dewey, a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier...



and me on my bike...



Greg

[Hans van der Maarel]

Since I am moving to Italy next week, I might find another hobby there as well (maybe art history!)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Big step! Good luck with that. Whereabouts in Italy will you be?

[MapMedia]

My wife is from there, so we are moving there to be closer to her large family - central east on the Adriatic Sea (La Marche region)!

Attached Files

•  italy_directions_marche.gif   67.36K   116 downloads

[mike]

It's Friday. I thought I'd update my hobbies thread.

I got a new Canon 40D last fall. I love it. The controls are much more intuitive than my Rebel XT. Also, there are more features to use that help improve shooting in full manual mode. The lens I picked up last July. It's very sharp and has very faithful color reproduction and great saturation.

Also, I've started to take up hiking! I've always liked it, but I went out and got some hiking shoes, a camelbak (for water), and bought a book on Southern California trails. Wow, i didn't realize SoCal had so many. It's been fun getting out to hike AND take pictures.


40D and 70-200 2.8L IS


Santa Rosa Plateau vernal pools (Murrieta, CA)


Strange building at the peak of Morton Ridge Trail (Mentone, CA)


happy Friday!

[Hans van der Maarel]

Mike,

Yowza! That's a pretty nice set. Congratulations! I'm still using my 350D, but have been picking up some new lenses over the last year. Absolute winner is the Canon 70-300 IS USM. Not a white L model like yours, but very good quality compared to my previous lens in that range.

 vancouver_bw_06.jpg   112.1K   50 downloads

Funny enough I've been craving wider and wider shots, but also would like to get IS in the range below 70mm. Oh well, have some saving to do