What's one unexpected hobby you picked up recently?

Rock climbing. Community is super cool and supportive of each other and it's a lot of fun and great exercise.

Going to the gym.

My daughter decided she wanted to take swimming lessons as a young adult. She could swim but barely.

She took lessons at the Y and then decided to join it so she could use the pool.

We got a family membership. So now I've been several times to use the gym. I've just used the cardio machines like the treadmill. I may try the weights.

Writing.

I’ve taken up swimming again. It’s great for both my physical and mental health.

Amateur photography. I very much used to be one of those "enjoying the moment, no mobile phone in sight" people, not as in annoying everyone else about it, I just didn't record anything myself, and now I really do enjoy taking my time to fiddle with my camera settings to take a good picture, and am considering buying a proper high quality camera. I still don't do selfies though, wouldn't want to ruin a beautiful landscape or a good event with my ugly mug.

And much like you and volleyball, it definitely changed how I go about going to a beach. I look like a massive tourist every single time, but still I'll take several photos just for the fun of it and to practice, even if it's a place I've been to a million times.

Call of Duty. I'm from Southern California and always used to spend my time doing active things. I moved to New Jersey where outdoorsy things aren't as good. So when I want to chill and can't do what I used to do, I've started playing Call of Duty. It's like a sport but I can play inside, without arranging with other people, regardless of the time of day or weather

Piano. My grandma gave me her old keyboard. I practice every day for about an hour. It’s fun.

Methamphetamine

I've often been told that I'm the person you want in a crisis – calm, practical, and solution-oriented. No panic, just straight to ironing out the snags. I believe it's the blend of experiences over the years, from being someone who backpacked across various countries, learning to adapt to different cultures and environments, to working in high-stress corporate scenes, that has taught me the art of staying cool under fire. On the flip side, my penchant for analysis can make me overly critical of myself and others. Always a work in progress, though!

Padel x)

Bouldering at an indoor gym! Never thought I'd be the type to enjoy that, as heights were always a bit of a worry for me. But after a friend dragged me along, the challenge of solving those climbing "puzzles" and the rush of making it to the top just got me hooked. Plus, the community vibe is surprisingly welcoming; everyone's always cheering each other on and sharing tips. It's become a fantastic way to unwind after work, and the physical benefits have been a bonus.

Urban gardening! Started off with just a couple of pots on my balcony because I wanted some fresh herbs and it just sort of... grew on me, pun intended. Now I've got a mini oasis out there with tomatoes, peppers, and even a small lemon tree. It's oddly satisfying to nurture something and watch it thrive, plus there's nothing like the taste of veggies you've grown yourself. Plus, in a strange way, it's been a conversation starter with neighbours, and we've started sharing tips and sometimes even the harvest. It's turned into a little green community right in the concrete jungle.

well latest hobby that om pushing about 1.5 years on;

b a l i s o n g and knives in general

Not hella recently, but crazy it wasn't a part of my life before covid. Disc Golf. I played/play ultimate seriously and have been for 10+ years, and always dismissed disc golf, fearing it would screw up my form and my friends would make fun of me. Lo and behold the lock down happened, and I was invited to play a round with a friend that had played before, couldn't play ultimate. Roughly 4 years later now and most of the time I go to league I'm in top 3, even when I'm off, and do well in the local pro scene. I still play ultimate but I have such a drive to play disc golf because I can still feel my progress, whereas ultimate I feel like all I can work on is just being more fit. Never thought I'd be into a solo sport like this. It's been fun.

reading books in person again

Music deep diving. It started back last year with dead kennedys. Then i started on korn. Then tool. And so many other bands. Some were torture (deftones, clutch) others glorious (MCR, tool)

Running

Kayaking. More fun than i expected.