So that time of the semester has come around again, the part where the homework barometer has dropped and I find myself with too much free time. Last time this happened a blog was born and my narcissism and keeness for blogging expanded (yes, I realise it's been a while... but I'm baaack!), however now I find myself needing another challenge (that's not TOO challenging) that can fill my day and add to my long (very short) list of skills and abilities. Also, I only have a few more weeks in Mexico, and since things are substantially cheaper in Mexico, meaning that the price barrier seldom exists as it does in Australia, so why not do the things I always wanted to do! So I brainstormed a list of possible hobbies to try and tried to decide which one (or many) I could contemplate taking up.
Photography:
While point and shoot seems to be so last week and semi professional photography (read: an SLR camera) is in, maybe it is time for me to jump on the bandwagon. Although the initial investment would be quite substantial, it would have no ongoing costs and I could look super cool and hipster with my camera hanging around my neck. Of course, an SLR is a very expensive fashion statement, I would then have to actually take some photos to put on my flickr site or on Facey. Blades of grass, the light streaming from behind a tree, an insect, dust covered antique record players and children and old people seem to be the main subjects of such artistry, and a bit of a youtube tutorial on exposure, ISO and zooming would make me an official photographer. Unfortunately however, my track record with cameras is so attrocious that I don't think I could afford to keep replacing $1000 cameras regularly and I do my cute little point and shoot models. Also, I'm just not hip enough. So it seems that photography (beyond my disposable non artistic shots) is not for me.
Yoga.
So this is something I did for the first time a few months ago and I really liked it. So I kept trying a few times, and I REALLY enjoyed it. Although the prospect of waking up early/with a hangover and dragging my ass down for a few salutes to the sun is enough to make me want to cuddle up with my pillow, the fact is that during and afterwards I NEVER regret it. Also, there are a wide enough variety of classes often enough that there is no fixed, hard schedule with it, so if I've only had 3 hours of sleep I can hit that snooze button and just go to the afternoon class instead. So I have my mat, my membership and it looks like yoga is a hobby that I have already embraced.
Cooking.
As most people who have known me for a week or more know, I rarely cook. The entire process irritates and irks me, from the cutting, the cooking and ESPECIALLY the washing up, if I am hungry or hankering for some food, I just do not have the patience to cook. And with food being so cheap in Mexico (or a packet of chips/skittles an arms reach away), economically it is not essential that I cook. While some food preparation is necessary within my own home, such as making tea, making vegemite and butter toast and throwing a few things into the blender, there is a taco stand 3 blocks away or a corner store selling chips right next door. Despite my laziness however, I can actually cook, in fact I can cook reasonably well if I put my mind to it and have any such desire to do so. But the big clincher is that we have no microwave or gas in our apartment, so cooking is out of the question regardless.
Making jewellery.
After finding myself with an excess of macrame thread after doing hair wraps, a quick youtube tutorial showed me the way and taught me to make bracelets. And let me say now this is an addictive and potentially dangerous hobby. Sitting at the table, threading and knotting away to create such bracelets, I find myself shunning food, friends and any normal social behaviour, all whilst telling myself 'JUST ONE MORE ROW!!' While I already feel like I have thrown myself into this hobby headfirst, I feel as if it may just be a passing phase as it is not a hobby that is healthily sustainable for normal people. For my sanity, it is probably best that I don't pursue this one too enthusiastically, it should just peter out shortly... just one more row for now!
Being a clown.
After coming to Mexico, my previously blase attitute towards clowns became a great love for them and inspired me to become a clown myself. Of course being a clown is no easy step, clowns are in fact performers, and very well rounded performers at that. Not only would I need to practice and work on the theatrical aspects of clowning and creating the entire clown personality, but I would need to build up my technical skills such as balloon shape making, juggling and numerous other things. Then of course is the costume and make up which is a creative challenge in itself. Although it is a hard job, it is a rewarding and well rounded hobby encompassing so many elements that it would always keep me on my toes. Also, being a clown is my dream, so I have to work towards that however I can.
Playing the guitar.
This has been an on and off (more off than on) hobby since I was 14 and first wanted to play the guitar. Of course impatience, a lack of willpower and a slightly (very) ADD personality has ensured that I can barely play the basic chords. I am now, however having a resurgence of motivation and as soon as I get my (not mine) guitar back from Veracruz I would love to start playing it again. How long it will last? I have no idea (a month!), but even though I keep quitting and picking it back up there is always something that sticks, and so hopefully if I continue at it (on and off) for the next 40 years, I may come close to playing a song. Also, it's really therapeutic (just like bracelet making).
