Learning something new... But what?

[Dannyalcatraz]

*facepalm*

I can't believe I forgot to mention cooking!

I mean, I must have a dozen+ cooking threads on this site already.

On Thanksgiving, nothing quite beats bringing a homemade cheesecake to the table

Well, except bringing the perfect bird, you mean. . Mine is so good, at one point, I was averaging cooking one per month. I've only done a few this year, but you KNOW I have to do one pretty soon...

 

[SnowleopardVK]

Cooking is another one of those things I already do. I've got no family, so I cook for myself almost every meal. I've already picked up how to make most of the things I really like though, and the rest doesn't excite me that much.

And I work in the kitchen at a Thai restaurant. What I already do at work isn't really something I want to spend loads of time on at home.

If you like real world adventure of a milder type than Vadding you might take up Geocaching. It's fun and sometimes even challenging, depending on your target.

I've tried Geocaching on three different occasions. It never worked out well unfortunately.

And I checked out the ads at my local library before I came home today. Unfortunately they were all for religious gatherings (none of which matched my own beliefs), or were programs for kids 12 or younger.

(Eee hee hee, there's a "learn guitar online" ad at the bottom of this page.)

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Cooking is another one of those things I already do. I've got no family, so I cook for myself almost every meal. I've already picked up how to make most of the things I really like though, and the rest doesn't excite me that much.

Have you developed any recipes of your own? If not, now would be a good time to experiment in the kitchen!

And I work in the kitchen at a Thai restaurant. What I already do at work isn't really something I want to spend loads of time on at home.

You could do what I and others do- share some of your favorite recipes in this forum!

 

[SnowleopardVK]

Have you developed any recipes of your own? If not, now would be a good time to experiment in the kitchen!

I've tried. It wasn't terrible, but I didn't particularly enjoy the process. Not my thing I guess.

You could do what I and others do- share some of your favorite recipes in this forum!

I can't share stuff from work (not allowed). Maybe I'll post some of the other stuff sometime.

 

[tuxgeo]

If guitars are a little bit too pricey for your wallet, maybe you could try to learn to play an ukulele instead? Those are considerably smaller than guitars; they are more easily portable and fit into a dorm room well; and they can cost less than guitars.

You can get a new Epiphone Les Paul Acoustic/Electric ukulele at [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Epiphone-EULPHSNH1-Acoustic-Electric-Heritage/dp/B0053CUHMG/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1321189694&sr=1-2"]Amazon[/ame] for $99. (The one listed there is an Alto, or "concert," sized ukulele, about 24 inches long, with laminated maple top. Beginners beware: that model doesn't have perfect intonation up the neck, and could stand to have a luthier do a setup service on it.)
You don't get the trapezoidal Gibson fret markers on that one; but Gibson does own Epiphone, so it's a genuine Les Paul.

Search Amazon or eBay for Fender ukulele: they have three different grades of the larger Tenor size, about 27 inches long, from $149 (laminated top) to $300 (solid mahogany top); but Fender also has an acoustic (only) Alto for $100.

Dozens of brands are available; tiny shops such as Mya-Moe have waiting lists, and have only made maybe 500-600 instruments ever; but Kamaka in Honolulu has been at it for nearly 100 years. Martins are the gold standard of production ukuleles, and used ones are still out there. Martin did quit making ukuleles for a while; but they have started again at a factory in Mexico (I think).

There is also a 100-year history of used instruments that frequently become available.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Martins are the gold standard of production ukuleles,

For the most part, Martins are the gold standard of production stringed instruments that aren't in the violin family.

 

[SnowleopardVK]

A friend offered to sell me his ukelele a while back. I wasn't really interested. It just didn't feel like it would be the same as what I wanted.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Also in the community-minded theme, if you are a religious person, your local temple probably has a variety of programs...and a need for all kinds of volunteers to man them.

 

[SnowleopardVK]

Also in the community-minded theme, if you are a religious person, your local temple probably has a variety of programs...and a need for all kinds of volunteers to man them.

I'm not really a group religion type of person. I don't disbelieve in spirituality, but for me my craft is a personal thing that I don't want others involved in much.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I'm not really a group religion type of person. I don't disbelieve in spirituality, but for me my craft is a personal thing that I don't want others involved in much.

I was thinking along the lines of singles/social groups, charitable organizations, scouting, meals in wheels, USO donation collections/packaging, food pantry/clothing donation drives...

Usually, a lot of those are attached to religious organizations.

It's not for everyone, but the times I've been involved in such things were personally rewarding. I met some really cool people and had a good time.