Non-Robotic Related Hobbies

[Chris is me]

I need more / new non-robotic hobbies, but in the past my main time sink outside of robotics was college radio. I've been a DJ, a music director, and Program Director of 91.5 FM WRPI in Troy, NY. As a mechanical engineer, the mostly-electrical environment of radio is still a little alien to me, but it's certainly broadened my base a bit and I've learned a lot about music, communication, and leadership through my involvement with WRPI.

I think this semester I'm going to help with tech stuff for my school's theater group. It's low commitment and interesting enough that it should keep me busy on top of a full course load.

[jwallace15]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

I need more / new non-robotic hobbies, but in the past my main time sink outside of robotics was college radio.

Can I suggest models? Building or collecting (or both) models can be a great hobby. I collect model trains. It's more expensive than building models (because trains are premade and actually function). I've tried building model airplanes and cars before, but I don't like waiting for glue to dry

Most hobby shops carry models. Why don't you give that a try?

[Koko Ed]

I am trying to produce a webcomic.
I also collect Poison Dart Frogs.

[JesseK]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I am trying to produce a webcomic.
I also collect Poison Dart Frogs.

o.O Don't mess with Ed...


I work, and ...

• I poke around with my 3DR Quad Rotor. Right now one of the motors has a bent shaft, so I'm waiting for robotics to start at the school so I can press in a new shaft. I'm also working to make their Planning Software more ... user friendly...
• I'm also doing Tough Mudder in less than 2 weeks.
• I got married 2 weeks after champs this year, so there's that to take lots of time. Recently, we've become addicts of Battlestar Galactica
• I also have a furry dog who turns on his demand-for-attention cuteness like a faucet. He likes to train for Tough Mudder with me.
• I'm also poking around UDK/CryEngine to figure out if a game concept I've thought of is even fun. If it doesn't work out, maybe I'll write the story into a book. This one's more of a 'when I get to it' hobby though, since no game engine seems to do what I want out of the box.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by JesseK

o.O Don't mess with Ed...


I work, and ...

• I poke around with my 3DR Quad Rotor. Right now one of the motors has a bent shaft, so I'm waiting for robotics to start at the school so I can press in a new shaft. I'm also working to make their Planning Software more ... user friendly...
• I'm also doing Tough Mudder in less than 2 weeks.
• I got married 2 weeks after champs this year, so there's that to take lots of time. Recently, we've become addicts of Battlestar Galactica
• I also have a furry dog who turns on his demand-for-attention cuteness like a faucet. He likes to train for Tough Mudder with me.
• I'm also poking around UDK/CryEngine to figure out if a game concept I've thought of is even fun. If it doesn't work out, maybe I'll write the story into a book. This one's more of a 'when I get to it' hobby though, since no game engine seems to do what I want out of the box.

The frogs aren't poisonous in captivity ( I found one had escaped and was hopping around the kitchen floor when I was getting ready to leave. I scooped him up with my bare hands and put him back in the tank. I quick wash of the hands and I was out the door with nary a cough).

[jwallace15]

I must say, I've heard of collecting animals such as snakes and lizards. But Poison Dart Frogs? How exotic! I love that!

[Allison K]

I love backpacking and general outdoor adventure activities including snowboarding, SCUBA diving, and caving. As part of that I also volunteer as an advisor for Venturing, which is a co-ed division of boy scouts, through which I've gotten to lead youth on numerous exciting trips. I also enjoy business and have started one company and have ideas and plans to start at least two more. Also, I read, which I know is cliche and generic but applicable none the less.

[billbo911]

I have WAY TOO MANY hobbies, according to my wonderful wife!
So, I now try to combine them so that the total count "appears" to be a bit less.

As an example, two of my hobbies are Backpacking and Landscape Photography.
These two lend them selves perfectly to being combined.

Quite often, my goal is to tell a story with the pictures, or transport the viewer to where they may never get a chance to go.

Here are a couple shots that exemplify my efforts.


This is a panorama of 1000 Island Lake with Banner Pk in the back ground. his was taken during a trip along a segment of the John Muir Trail.


Sunset from our campsite that evening.


Jake, taking it all in.

These are the gentlemen I got to share this recent adventure with. Taken at 11,100ft on top of Donahue Pass between Yosemite NP and the Inyo National Forest.


L to R:
Me. My good friend Michael Junker. My son, Jordan Kendall, he is the one to blame for my addiction to robotics. Jake Wolart, Eagle Scout and former student, now fellow mentor on 2073 EagleForce.

[Botwoon]

Originally Posted by JesseK

o.O Don't mess with Ed...


I work, and ...[list][*]I poke around with my 3DR Quad Rotor. Right now one of the motors has a bent shaft, so I'm waiting for robotics to start at the school so I can press in a new shaft. I'm also working to make their Planning Software more ... user friendly...

Awesome, I've got a quad myself. I built the frame myself, basing it somewhat off the original arducopter frames. I even managed to sneak the arms in with the robot frame when we sent it to be anodized this year.

If all goes well and I get the O.K. to do so, I should have a nice aerial surprise at champs next year.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by jwallace15

This particular kit is a 4-way stop sign.

Looks more like a traffic light to me...

Goodness, where to start?

Ham Radio (N2IRZ)
Electronics
Metalworking (Lathe, Milling machine, etc)
Woodworking
Gardening
Cars
Computers & software
CNC machining
Reading (Science Fiction)
Writing (about all the above - and getting paid for it!)
Home repairs (OK, that's not a hobby...)

There's a lot more, but those are the basics

[jwallace15]

Changed it to stoplight thanks for noticing or I would have never saw that!!!

[roboX]

Art.

Anything Art.

And building.

Anything building.

[Photo Storm]

Crew (Rowing a rowing shell takes up the same amount of time as FRC but lasts longer)
Fishing
Kayaking (Not like crew)
Photography
Biking
Anything outside
Hanging out with non-robotics friends
Flying RC planes and helicopters

[D_Price]

Well out of build season I usually work way too much but in my down time I have a hobby for gun collecting, clay shooting, and small target shooting. Other than that I its robotics full tilt even after build/comp season ends; since planning is year round. Its in our blood!

[rose2dawn]

Life outside of robotics is really busy for me. I am in Girl Scouts and the school's Show Choir. I also like to watch assorted nerd shows/movies (Doctor Who, Torchwood,Star Trek, Supernatural, Harry Potter). I also pin on Pinterest, A LOT. Most of my time is taken up by reading, learning random things like other languages and cooking.