The Second Apocalypse

Miscellaneous Chatter => General Misc. => Topic started by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:21:30 pm

Title: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:21:30 pm
Quote from: bbaztek
Over my relatively short stay here, I've come to appreciate how incisive a lot of you guys are, which is why I want to know what else tickles your fancy in the realms of entertainment and hobbies. Do you unwind after a hard jam session in the garage with some rape alien action? Does Drusas "enough-neuroses-to-choke-a-monk" Achiaman motivate you to hit the gym? What makes you guys tick?

I'm pretty nutso about Mad Men (see avatar) and Breaking Bad (see name = Breaking Bad Aztek), which are about as from TSA as you can imagine. Really beautiful, human stories about deeply unhappy men (and women) each desperately trying to capture a glint of happiness in their dead, humdrum worlds. Novels in visual form, I tell you.

I'm also a big David Foster Wallace fanboy. DFW was a very depressed writer who wrote about what it feels like to be human, how we interface with ourselves and reality, and how we deal with Loneliness. He offed himself a couple years back and the literary world is still reeling from the loss of such a brilliant mind. Would have loved to see his thoughts on TSA if it ever entered his awareness.

I also love dance/rap music, working out, cars, Buddhism, honking big subs, and smoking good ganja.

So what's up fellas? What are you into?
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:21:36 pm
Quote from: Madness
Wow.

Lol, Second Apocalypse personals ;).

I've lived an interesting life - most recently, I've tried to enact a cumulative daily regiment I've been fine-tuning for that past decade. I'm a poor student - HBA Psych/Philo. I like to maintain a musical practice. I'm trying to stick on eating healthy (soups, smoothies, & stir-fry) and body weight workouts. I meditate - not for any requisite spiritual dividend, though I welcome it - for the theoretically enhanced neuroplasticity. I maintain some moderate vices, including constant auditory satisfaction (music of any variety, excepting country) and the Lord's Leaf as Disciple says.

When I find the time, I dabble in Rosetta Stone ( French & Gaelic, atm) or try to learn Braille and ASL.

Reading books - SFF & Pop Science - has probably occupied most of my time, especially at the dinner table, since I was seven. I've enjoyed an unhealthy dose of television and movie fiction as well.

Cheers, bbaztek.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:21:42 pm
Quote from: geoint
I don't think any person can list all the things they do to unwind.  But Ill try to list the big ones in my life lol. 

And I am aware that most fantasy fans are more liberal minded.  If any of what I say offends or bothers you, please just stop reading now. SPOILER ALERT:  MOST OF MY HOBBIES ARE NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT!!!

I am relatively new to the Second Amendment but since I came home from Afghanistan, I spend the vast majority of my free time reading up on weapons, issues, laws, licenses, regulations...etc.  I hope to someday soon be able to be part of the movement to get Texas to legalize Open carry (crossing my fingers that 2013 is our year).  I already have a concealed handgun license and I alternate between my Glock 26 and my Ruger LCP.  Shooting those is a HUGE blast. 

I own a Glock 26, Glock 21, Ruger LCP, Smith & Wesson 640, Mossberg 590A1, Mossberg 702 Plinkster, Remington 700 and a Colt LE 6940.  (Both the Glocks are Gen 4's) I LOVE all my guns.  They cost me a fortune but they are my only real vice and I spoil myself with them shamelessly.  I grew up in a pretty moderate home in Los Angeles and while I am stationed here in Fort Hood, I plan to do my best to get guns where it is legal for a responsible and trained individual.  I shoot often.  Not as much as I want cuz Im trying to save ammo in case of some future ammo tax.  Shooting is my biggest hobby right now.  By far. 

Besides firearms, I am a huge dog lover.  My Black Lab is 7 months old and I love her like crazy.  Shes still clumsy and foolish but she always lifts my spirits after my 12 hour shifts.  I dont as much as I used to but I still love working out.  Sadly the Army doesn't foster a "tough soldier" mentality beyond lip service though and its hard to find motivation to kick my butt after a 12 hour shift like I used to.  I usually watch TV if my wife is home and if she isn't I just read gun stuff. 

Unless I have church activities or service to participate in.  I am a Mormon and I love reading about my religion.  And I love reading about other religions.  There is just something fascinating about belief systems and cultures.  I know what I believe and where I stand but I am always eager to hear other people's perspectives and views.  (I'm not the type of Mormon who tries to convert everybody I just like being left to do my own thing.  I married a Baptist lol). 


Oh and I saw the OP Mentioned Breaking Bad and Mad Men.  Im a diehard fan of both, though Breaking Bad is my favorite by far.  I absolutely love Walt and I support him no matter what cuz he makes that show great.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:21:47 pm
Quote from: coobek
Hmm

I am trained Economist and like reading up on Economic Theory and History of Economic Thought and everything about the crisis and how the world is fucked up right now from this perspective. Don't get me started on banksters.

I love soccer and am Wisla Krakow fan, although they play crap recently. I played in amateur league till my son was born and now practice every week.

I am THE cook in our house and without doubt I really CAN cook from wide spectrum of cusines although I prefer Italian, French and Indian.

I enjoy a good beer much too often.

I trained fencing as a young-pro for 5 years.

I played RPG and Warhammer tabletop games in highschool with a lot of success. Now I am left with being a fan of family tabletop games.

I love fishing and sailing if time allows. In summer I got my sailing license so when I'll have 200hrs on my back I'll be able to roam the high seas alone. Watch out.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:21:53 pm
Quote from: bbaztek
I'm enjoying reading your responses way more than I thought I would. What a diverse range of fans Bakker has. keep 'em coming
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:21:58 pm
Quote from: Ajokli
Growing up in Florida has left me with a severe love for American football, particularly the collegate level.

When it comes to literary leanings, anything by Peter Watts, Herbert, Cormac McCarthy, and Phillip K. Dick put a smile on my face

Hobbies include moaning about the state of PC gaming, working out, and studying anything under the sun about the War Between the States or 19th Century USA in general.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:22:03 pm
Quote from: geoint
Quote from: Ajokli
Growing up in Florida has left me with a severe love for American football, particularly the collegate level.

When it comes to literary leanings, anything by Peter Watts, Herbert, Cormac McCarthy, and Phillip K. Dick put a smile on my face

Hobbies include moaning about the state of PC gaming, working out, and studying anything under the sun about the War Between the States or 19th Century USA in general.
Somehow my entire NCO chain up to First Sergeant are all Gators fans so I am forced to hear about them at least everyday lol. 

Personally I hate professional sports.  I'd like to put a bullet in the head of every human being who has EVER complained about anything while earning millions of dollars while I went to war and earned less than $25k last year.  *If there are any athletes who have NEVER complained I guess I would only shoot them in the knee.  :P

I also like reading about the Civil War.  Given the current state of things, its a shame it didn't end differently.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:22:09 pm
Quote from: Auriga
Apart from reading about alien rape and pendulous phalluses to unwind, let's see what I'm into...

I've always liked the books of Cormac McCarthy, not only because of their gloomy insights on human nature, but also because the text is so gorgeous. I like Nietzsche for the same reason, since he's both a philosopher and is actually fun to read. Philip K. Dick is also great. I'm rather new to the genre of fantasy literature - I had read the "A Song of Ice and Fire" books and the LOTR trilogy before stumbling upon TSA, but that's pretty much it. I'm also a big fan of Breaking Bad, like the OP. Definitely my favorite TV show out there, and I don't watch much TV at all (just Breaking Bad and Dexter at the moment). 

Other than that, I'm into movies, working out, music (any genre except what's on the radio), psychology books, using hallucinogenics, and sleeping.

I also seem to have an extreme, almost "asperger-lite", focus on whatever subject I'm into at the moment. When I was into Terence McKenna's books, I tried to learn everything there is to know about his stoned ape theories. Same when I was playing the guitar - I was one of the worst perfectionists out there. Now that I'm into Bakker and TSA, I know a whole lot of useless trivia about Eärwa and the Bakker-verse in general. No idea where this tendency of mine comes from.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:22:14 pm
Quote from: Garet Jax
The list of things I am not into is much much shorter...

-Spray tanning
-Douche-baggery
-Country music
-Waiting for food
-Being colorblind
-Sobriety
-The concrete jungle
-Loud people
-Crowds of people
-Tall people
-....people
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:22:19 pm
Quote from: Ajokli
Quote from: Auriga
I also seem to have an extreme, almost "asperger-lite", focus on whatever subject I'm into at the moment.

Same. It's extremely frustrating.


Funny stuff, Garet. I qualify for a number of those myself
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:22:23 pm
Quote from: Wilshire
Quote from: Garet Jax
The list of things I am not into is much much shorter...

-Tall people
-....people



Ouch, don't go to a Bakker signing event then Dusk. He's 6'5'' at least. Im 6' and he towers over me at least.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:22:28 pm
Quote from: Meyna
These days I'm into:

  • Reading - Big surprise, right? I always come back to fantasy and historical fiction, but I try to branch out between series.
  • Sports - I like watching baseball, basketball, and soccer with friends, as well as poring over sports statistics. I played basketball and baseball in school, and soccer to a lesser extent, and I still enjoy playing them today.
  • Hiking / exploring the natural world.
  • Nature / wildlife photography - best paired with the preceding list item.
  • Simple outings - good food and good drink, etc. Barbecue, sushi, and noodles. Rangpur and tonic, Tempranillo, and Guinness. Not necessarily together.
  • Video games - I used to play a lot, but now I mainly play the classic adventure and RPG franchises: Final Fantasy, Mario, Zelda Elder Scrolls, and Pokemon. Occasionally, World of Warcraft. Mario Kart is always a multiplayer favorite.
The problem always is finding others who are interested in these things and with whom I mesh well. Mainly the second part.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:22:35 pm
Quote from: Centurion
-Reading: My college reading schedule was so intense that I've barely had time to read any new fantasy or sci-fi over the last few years, but I try to keep up with authors I know I like.
-Illustration: There was a time when I almost went to art school.
-Writing: I've been writing short stories and little one-offs for over ten years.  I'm not published, but I just finished my first novel so hopefully that will change.
-Tabletop Gaming: I used to play the old Games Workshop standbys, but they've finally priced themselves out of the market (and done a lot of other stuff to piss me off).  Now I focus on historical war gaming (Napoleon, 30 Years War, WWII, etc.). 
-History: I have my B.A. in this discipline.  I'm thinking about laminating it and making a placemat.
-RPGs (also the tabletop kind): I play a little ADnD, and a friend of mine is putting together an L5R campaign that should be fun.
-Video Games: I don't really play video games anymore, but I couldn't even begin to tell you how much time I sunk into Final Fantasy 7 and Morrowind.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:22:48 pm
Quote from: Ajokli
Quote from: Centurion
I couldn't even begin to tell you how much time I sunk into Final Fantasy 7 and Morrowind.

Boots of Blinding Speed cuts down on the time spent. Eh? EH?
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:23:04 pm
Quote from: Centurion
Quote from: Ajokli
Boots of Blinding Speed cuts down on the time spent. Eh? EH?

Lol.  I actually used Boots of the Apostle most of the time just because the only magic I ever leveled was Enchanting, and the Levitate spell came in handy--especially when you had deal with the %^$ing Telvanni.  Loved those boots.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:23:08 pm
Quote from: Meyna
Yes, I spent an awful lot of time on Morrowind over the years. I probably spent even more time than that on modding Morrowind. Skyrim is pretty neat, too!
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:23:13 pm
Quote from: Centurion
My roommates bought me Skyrim for Christmas, but I've barely had any time to play.  I've had the game for over a month now and I'm still level 12, but I can totally see it becoming a humongous time killer.  Should probably just bite the bullet and buy a bag of twizzlers, a box of root beer, and spend a good solid 20+ hours exploring...
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:23:17 pm
Quote from: Jorge
Science, philosophy, running, film.

Also a dorky little game called Magic: The Gathering... I play competitively, although I have yet to break through to the ProTour. Yes, there is a ProTour.

Let me tell you, every time I guess what my opponent is holding in hand from their expression and previous plays I feel like a goddamn Dunyain.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:23:25 pm
Quote from: Meyna
Ah, now running is something that I forgot to include in my list, as I have stopped that activity for the winter. Short sprints and 5K are my preferred distances, but I have never seriously trained or looked at form or anything.

What format do you play in Magic, Jorge? I only ever did pre-release tournaments around 2008-2010. I first played casually during the Urza period. Now THAT was a good block!
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:23:30 pm
Quote from: Curethan
+1 MTG player.
First played during The Dark and Fallen Empires.
Only played sporadically online since Kamigawa though.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:23:35 pm
Quote from: Centurion
I used to play MTG too, but never competitively.  I think I still have my red/black goblin deck from Lorwyn somewhere in my closet, but the Eldrazi pretty much killed my interest.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:23:39 pm
Quote from: bbaztek
It saddens me deeply that no one here likes to fire up fat doobies. You haven't  read bakker until you've read him a blunt to the head deep
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:23:44 pm
Quote from: Wilshire
I've been a competitive swimmer since I was a young lad, which makes it about 17 years, and its all about to end in a month or so when I graduate from college.
College, chemical engineering (if you can consider it an interest I suppose, more like a means to a job)
Bit of reading. Just read through Dune (Up to Chapterhouse). Currently working on Perdido Street Station by China Mieville, though that is taking a rather long time but I quite like it so far. Recently got into Joe Abercrombie, he writes some rather entertaining stuff.
Video games. Though not a ton since I've been rather busy with school and swimming(what a fucking time sink that is, you wouldnt believe...). Currently only playing Aion, a free MMORPG. Though when I get the time and money I'll shell out a few bucks for a used copy of an interesting RPG for a console (Xbox360 now since my ps3 that i got broke due to a shitty firmware update that Sony refused to refund me for so I swore off them for the current gen).
Anime. Don't know why but I've always found it entertaining. I've watched all the DBZ stuff which is pretty standard, though I have to confess I thought it was just mediocre as far as things go. Too much filler maybe? Yu Yu Hakosho is probably my all time favorite, but sadly very short (113ish episodes I think). Stopped watching Bleach (subbed) after around 310 and havent started watching the new story line.Currently only watch Naruto (subbed again) on any kind of regular basis, but since I've now caught up and they only come out with 1 a week its getting painful. Honorable mentions: Deathnote, Ruroni Kenshin, Zoids (Chaotic Century and New Century Zero), Gundam Wing.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:23:49 pm
Quote from: Ajokli
I'm more of a Android:Netrunner man, myself.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:23:57 pm
Quote from: Curethan
Quote from: bbaztek
It saddens me deeply that no one here likes to fire up fat doobies. You haven't  read bakker until you've read him a blunt to the head deep

Dude.  This forum positively reeks of incense.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:24:14 pm
Quote from: Wilshire
Incense. Wow. Now that is a misleading name
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:24:20 pm
Quote from: Ajokli
I'm not joking when I say this...I've smoked but never inhaled.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:24:25 pm
Quote from: bbaztek
Quote from: Ajokli
I'm not joking when I say this...I've smoked but never inhaled.

do  you go on dates for the food
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:24:30 pm
Quote from: Meyna
Quote from: bbaztek
Quote from: Ajokli
I'm not joking when I say this...I've smoked but never inhaled.

do  you go on dates for the food

As a New Yorker, the reason for any outing is the food. That glorious, overpriced food :lol:
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:24:35 pm
Quote from: Auriga
Quote from: bbaztek
You haven't  read bakker until you've read him a blunt to the head deep

I've never really read books while smoking up. Can't focus on the text and keep up my attention.

(I have a bad experience with this, from high school. There was a math test, which I'd studied for pretty hard, but I had smoked skunk right before going to school and taking the test. None of the teachers really noticed that I was high as a kite, since it was a huge class. For the next hour, I just sat there and stared with blank eyes at the algebra test, my head somewhere in the hazy clouds. Result - 0 out of 100 answers right.)
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:24:41 pm
Quote from: Madness
That's quite the experience, Auriga.

bbaztek, discretion & balance in all things ;). Though, I'd hate for you to think you are alone.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: What Came Before on May 14, 2013, 10:24:46 pm
Quote from: Jorge
I smoke, but not routinely.

Also, nothing wrong with Netrunner. That game is glorious. And also the brainchild of real-life Dunyain Richard Garfield.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Garet Jax on October 24, 2013, 10:23:40 pm
Quote from: bbaztek
It saddens me deeply that no one here likes to fire up fat doobies. You haven't  read bakker until you've read him a blunt to the head deep

I agree that it makes the story more intense when I read it after some hot sauce, but I tend to forget everything after doing so.  I always mark the page that I started on after enjoying a little Lettuce of the Lord so I can go back and start over with a clear head... but that's just me.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Royce on October 24, 2013, 11:17:54 pm
Quote
I agree that it makes the story more intense when I read it after some hot sauce, but I tend to forget everything after doing so.  I always mark the page that I started on after enjoying a little Lettuce of the Lord so I can go back and start over with a clear head... but that's just me.

Lol. This sounds very familiar ;D
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Francis Buck on October 25, 2013, 05:52:56 pm
I wish I was able to smoke pot and read Bakker, but alas, I can no longer comfortably partake. It started to give me very bad anxiety/paranoia as I aged (starting around twenty-ish), so I just quit it for the most part. The only time I can smoke and enjoy it is if I take a Xanax or Lorazepam or something, as that completely knocks out any of the issues. It's rare that I do even that though. I will also, on a rare occasion, take a small hit if I've had some drinks, but even that can be risky and I have to be in right mood/situation.

On topic, I have a lot of hobbies actually, but my biggest interest by far is writing. It's basically my passion in life, the thing I have to do, and it's my singular goal above everything else (beyond things like family and friends). I started in fifth grade, was doing it before I even totally grasped what exactly I was doing (early on I spent a lot of time outlining and worldbulding, as opposed to writing prose, which I think contributed to my current state; I think I'm pretty skilled at developing plots and characters, and just storytelling in general, but I struggle with prose -- or at least I feel like I do). I'm focusing on being an author right now, but my dream is to also write for video games, television, and movies (I'd also like to direct the latter two).

I sometimes make short movies with a friend of mine who's a film major, often just lame experimental stuff. We've been talking and planning to make something more serious for a while, but it's very slow going. We used to do it a lot more back in high school, but life and other responsibilities cut into it -- and it's just hard logistically. Getting two actors and a camera together on the right day, in the right spot, while having a good amount of time to actually accomplish anything, is surprisingly (and frustratingly) difficult.

Obviously I read all the time, watch a lot of movies and television (TV for me is mainly high-end dramas -- of which only Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire really remain -- and science/history documentaries, plus some comedies like Adult Swim stuff). I'm very much into science and history in general, particularly anything medieval or earlier. That partially pertains to my writing though as well, since most of what I do is fantasy, usually taking place in a pseudo-Classical or medieval setting, and I generally like to create extremely exotic cultures and societies that are usually an amalgamation of many, many different real world inspirations, but in the end turn out as somethign totally different from anything that exists on earth (that's the intent, anyway).

I play a bit of electric guitar. I'm self taught and I play by ear (can't read or write music for shit). I actually got away from it for a good year, probably more, and just over the last two months I've been gradually forcing myself to get back into it. I'm not very good, it's just a fun pastime, and my dad's a great drummer so we sometimes jam out (along with a few of my other musically inclined friends).

I sometimes draw, of course (used to do it a lot more when I was younger), and I also play video games a decent amount, though I go in intervals of not playing much at all or playing a shitload.

So yeah, that's basically it. Obviously my interests are creatively focused, I've been that way since I was little. I'm not really into sports at all, nor anything athletic aside from jogging to stay in shape and on the rare occasion lifting weights. I used to take kung-fu (southern style) and tai-chi, but not for many years, although I am interested in getting back into some kind of self-defense, possibly Brazilian jiu-jitsu or krav maga.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Meyna on October 25, 2013, 11:05:22 pm
I'm a few months into one of my periodical phases where I let hobbies and intellectual stimuli pass me by, so now I generally come home and do "nothing". Darn my long commute and low pay. And excuses.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Madness on October 26, 2013, 02:30:55 pm
Deep breaths, Meyna. If you can affect change, you can always only do it now ;). Things past are past.

Thanks, FB. Good post.

I feel very much the same about writing and creative outlets - I am, however, bent on doing something with this world so I work to bend my crafts towards that.

Also, I'm giving serious thought about building this remote monastery and hiding out there for a couple decades, if necessary, while I train myself in the ways of a Dunyain - you know, should the worst happen and all that ;). Then return to dominate, I mean, better engage the world and some such...
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Royce on October 28, 2013, 06:41:48 pm
I have a daughter(16 months old), so she obviously takes up a lot of my time. My wife has three horses,which I love hanging out with:).
I like to meditate out in the woods when it is dark,and I do some writing as well. Try to keep myself in shape by bicycling and jogging.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Elser on December 30, 2013, 04:21:11 am


I like reading almost anything, mainly science, business, history & military strategy but also a lot of literature (especially 19th century and early 20th) and a ton of SF&F. TSA has gotten me moré interested in philosophy, Heidegger specifically.

For excercise I do martial arts (american kempo & kick boxing), gymnastics, horse riding and swimming, some moré consistently than others.

I used to binge quality televisión on weekends Breaking Bad, House of Cards, Rome, Boardwalk Empire; almost anything sci fi related (battlestar galactica, fringe, revolution, dollhouse).

When I find time PC RPGs are a rare pleasure; The old ones like baldur's gate trilogy, morrowind & fallout 1 & 2, newer ones like new vegas, dragon age origins and skyrim. I'm excited for the new wave of kickstarter projects like tides of Numenera and Pillars of eternity.

I have a lot less time to indulge my many hobbies besides reading and excercise since we launched a biotech start up in june of this year; and we work weekends.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Meyna on December 30, 2013, 11:59:56 am
we launched a biotech start up in june of this year

Congrats and welcome!
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Madness on December 30, 2013, 01:02:22 pm
Welcome to the Second Apocalypse, Elser.

I second Meyna congratulations. Assuming you aren't working on the White Plague or something ;)?

Gall! Wow. I cannot believe this hasn't clicked before...

Bakker stole the goddamn Womb-Plague from Herbert's The White Plague. Lol, that sneaky derivative fuck :o!

I know he's mentioned Herbert's book on ZTS before. This means I should probably pay closer attention when I read the Destination: Void quartet again.

Cheers, Elser.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Wilshire on January 02, 2014, 03:09:14 am
I have a lot less time to indulge my many hobbies besides reading and excercise since we launched a biotech start up in june of this year; and we work weekends.

What's it called, what do you make/do, and where at? If you don't mind my asking. Hope you get it off the ground.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: tekne on January 08, 2014, 01:48:07 pm
very interesting and in ways  inspiring thread! keep 'em coming ...
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Srancy on January 13, 2014, 12:38:13 am
While waiting for the next installment, it's been nothing but 19th century memoirs
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Madness on January 13, 2014, 10:51:51 am
Lol - will/do you switch centuries every waiting period?
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Alia on January 18, 2014, 04:31:43 pm
I work a lot. Two jobs, one outside, one at home. But I love both, so that's not a very big problem. Although they take a lot of time and my weekdays are long. So at weekends I try not to work at all.
I read. Used to read much more, when I was at high school, before I started my first job and then the second. Mostly s-f and fantasy. And medical blogs.
I also grow plants on my window-sill and balcony. Not the one you might start thinking of, mind you. Just flowers, like hippeastrum, Christmas cactus or geraniums. And I've always been a great fan of botany, so I recognize most of plants I see outside, know their Latin names etc.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Madness on January 18, 2014, 06:18:16 pm
Been there, Alia. Working is rough.

I envy your botany know-how. It is something I will learn in the future.

You have much power with this knowledge.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Alia on January 19, 2014, 12:36:45 pm
Well, I love both my jobs (I used to have a third one, which I did only for the money, but the company laid me off, for which I am grateful), so it's not that rough. Only time-consuming.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Madness on January 19, 2014, 03:11:30 pm
Time-consuming. I have greater contributions to make to human society than grilling steaks and chicken breasts ;).

But I'm glad that you enjoy yours.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Wilshire on January 22, 2014, 01:55:49 pm
But them breakfast sandwiches is so delicious! (jarring syntax, it pains me not to correct it)

Really though they are good, though I imagine someone else other than yourself would be better suited for that line of work.
Do you feel intellectually alone at work Madness?
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Madness on January 22, 2014, 07:04:11 pm
I've worked at many different restaurants, cooked a variety of styles, and under some fantastic cooks/chefs (relative to the places I've lived).

I'm semi-addicted to the rush of being involved/leading a functional service (breakfast, lunch, or dinner). I could care less for being personally creative in a culinary way - though I love helping someone else manifest their vision - but considering before I started in the industry almost ten years ago, I couldn't microwave a can of beans, the requisite knowledge has been satisfying.

But it's strictly a waste of my time.

And unfortunately, bar certain situations with academics, people of Bakker fandom, and, most of all, books, I feel intellectually alone in life, let alone work. Thankfully, I grew up with a group of friends who gave me a cutting wit so I can hold my own with the worst of the worst of kitchen humour.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Meyna on April 27, 2014, 03:06:10 pm
My latest venture in World of Warcraft: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOCm_KYo1qs
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Wilshire on May 02, 2014, 01:47:28 am
My latest venture in World of Warcraft: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOCm_KYo1qs

Pretty cool stuff Meyna. I don't know enough about WoW to know if this is impressive or not, but I liked the video :P (music was especially entertaining :) )

edit:
seriously, not sure why, but I listened to it twice because of the music.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Kellais on May 03, 2014, 12:42:50 pm
Ok, let's do this  ;D

Well, obviously, i'm a fantasy reader...besides Bakker, i love Erikson and Michelle West is also very good. There are a lot of entertaining fantasy books out there (and even more crap  ;) ) but nothing comes close to the top 3 i mentioned (ok, i love Tolkien's world and his myth, the Silmarillion. But it's not really a classical novel).
I never found anything in Sci Fi that kept my interest, so i guess i am a pure fantasy type of reader.

Another hobby of mine is pen&paper roleplaying games (short RPG). I love the creativity of it. Telling stories together with friends, acting through fantastical alter-egos etc ... it's just amazing. Closely connected to that, i love to worldbuild. Right now, i am building a setting for rpg and writing with a good friend of mine. This time, we want to do a more mythic, kind of iron-age setting instead of the classical fake-medieval western europe setting. And we are on good path, i'd say.

As hinted at above, writing is another creative outlet for me. Lately i had not the time to write  :( but i really want to get back to it. I want to write my own TSA  ;D

This was all very much head/brain heavy stuff i do in my freetime...but, as i really live "mens sana in corpore sano", i also have more physical hobbies...i do like sports. For my fitness and general health i do fitness/muscle workouts (jogging, biking and working out with my own bodyweight) and for sports-fun i want to get back into Tennis (which i played a lot as a teenager and in my early 20is).

For just freetime enjoyment/entertainmen without any real "work", i love to watch tv series (we live in a golden age of tv series right now...a lot of good stuff!). Some favourites: Spartacus, Vikings, Game of Thrones, Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis, the new Battlestar Galactica, Sherlock, Fringe, Elementary, Arrow, Big Bang Theory ...

I guess that's it  ;D
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Meyna on May 03, 2014, 07:18:25 pm
My latest venture in World of Warcraft: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOCm_KYo1qs

Pretty cool stuff Meyna. I don't know enough about WoW to know if this is impressive or not, but I liked the video :P (music was especially entertaining :) )

edit:
seriously, not sure why, but I listened to it twice because of the music.

After an expansion or two, encounters that were originally designed for groups of 25-40 become possible to "solo". There is a meta game that has arisen that revolves around pushing soloing as far as it can go (the best soloers are actually having success with current-expansion, 10-player content). The encounter that I did is currently a rite of passage for soloers, where next expansion it will become trivial and certain harder encounters will become the benchmark. It's not too difficult right now, but definitely takes some preparation.

In the end, most of the allure comes from juxtaposing soloing an encounter with the memory of requiring a large group to complete it just a few years ago. For example, here is the world-first victory of the encounter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSeVCw3hVgQ

Thanks for the compliment!
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: sciborg2 on May 03, 2014, 08:35:10 pm
I spend my days contemplating how I will amass enough magical energy to arrive at Copenhagen without my enemies becoming aware, ideally giving me enough time to free the Mermaid trapped in Carbonite.

"...The image to be held before one is that every act by every person has an effect on all, changing the delicate balance that keeps the universe in motion. Therefore, it was considered necessary by the alchemists to so conduct their work and their lives, which were really the same thing, as if the salvation of the world depended upon it.”

 -June Singer, Androgyny
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: mrganondorf on May 06, 2014, 12:12:30 am
Sorry, it's taken me too long to contribute!

Meep:
- philosophy adjunct--had to teach too many courses to pay the bills--now burned out
- working on fulfilling my new dream of becoming a nurse!!!
- love american football!!!
- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
- crazy about chuck palahniuk (praise the early chuck!)
- crazy about bakker, tolkien, jonathan strange, gormenghast, abercrombie, harry potter, pg wodehouse, vonnegut, flannery, gaiman, GEORGE SAUNDERS, charles yu, shalom auslander, christopher moore…idk
- really love junk food: give me sugar or grease/cheese/meat/fried stuff
- i like pearl jam
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Wilshire on May 06, 2014, 12:49:27 pm
Did not like Gormenghast.

Thanks for the life story synopsis MG :P.  I think we'd get along pretty well if ever I run into you on the street.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: mrganondorf on May 06, 2014, 02:23:12 pm
Maybe some day there'll be a Bakker convention and everyone on TSA can drink until we all see the No-God!

I can understand not liking Gormenghast.  Some glaciers move faster.  Do you like audiobooks?  Simon Preeble reads Gormenghast and is wonderful if you're every inclined to try it again. 

It is very sad that Mervyn Peake died with so much of Gormenghast unwritten.  The world is poorer for it.  If I get to heaven, I want to read the rest. 
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Wilshire on May 06, 2014, 03:58:57 pm
I can understand not liking Gormenghast.  Some glaciers move faster. 
So very, very true.

Do you like audiobooks?  Simon Preeble reads Gormenghast and is wonderful if you're every inclined to try it again. 

This is how I started. I listened to several hours of it and just couldn't find anything interesting about it. I know its supposed to be a good book, but I just didn't like what I was hearing.
I refuse to bash the merits of a book that I have not finished, so I'll not say if the book itself was good/bad. I simply didn't want to invest the time into trying to figure it out one way or the other.

It is very sad that Mervyn Peake died with so much of Gormenghast unwritten.  The world is poorer for it.  If I get to heaven, I want to read the rest. 

Another reason why I stopped. Didn't want another Dune situation. One can only take so much disappointment.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Madness on May 08, 2014, 07:24:29 pm
Lol - you worry much about Bakker, don't you, Wilshire ;)?
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Wilshire on May 13, 2014, 10:23:05 pm
Lol - you worry much about Bakker, don't you, Wilshire ;)?

Can't help it. The body is such a weak vessel for the mind.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Kellais on May 14, 2014, 01:01:59 pm
Isn't this more like : Bad luck that your body is home to such a weak mind?!  :o ;) ;D
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Madness on May 15, 2014, 01:34:23 pm
Lol - you worry much about Bakker, don't you, Wilshire ;)?

Can't help it. The body is such a weak vessel for the mind.

Isn't this more like : Bad luck that your body is home to such a weak mind?!  :o ;) ;D

Lols all round.
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: SilentRoamer on May 20, 2014, 02:57:25 pm
(Opens Nutshell)

Well I am in my mid 20's. Two kids to keep me busy. Work in a senior position in an IT company. Involved in a lot of things with my work but generally Project Management on corporate scale project, design through to implementation, nice job to be doing at my age and decent money.

Hobbies:

Gaming:
Meyna gratz on the solo. I used to play WoW before I had my kids but mainly played 2s, 3s and 5s arena. I was actually ranked in a couple of seasons. Stopped playing hardcore after defeating LK Heroic difficulty as Druid raid healer/leader when ICC was current content. Got the "Of the Alliance" title for killing over 100,000 horde bastards. Now I generally play a few RPG's/racing games/fps on PS3 and anything PS1 emulated on my Kindle Fire HD.

Reading: Fairly obvious one this. I have read hundreds of Sci Fi and Fantasy novels, generally I find an author I like and just read everything. SF and Fantasy for me. Read about 2-3 books a month on a bad month and have been doing that since about 11 years old.

TV: Enjoying Game of Thrones and recently The Walking Dead. Enjoy most stuff Sci-Fi/Fantasy as long as its well made. Also a big fan of homemade British dramas. Most things on TV are American but every now and again we get an absolutely brilliant British Drama - I don't know why but British Dramas are the best on TV - maybe just because they resonate with me because I am English.

Films: Big film buff here. Watch most things as soon as they are available and try to watch a broad range.

Pretty athletic guy, play football twice a week and cycle an average of 6 miles a day with 20 miles on weekends.

So that's me in a nutshell.

(Closes Nutshell)
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: Meyna on May 21, 2014, 12:18:49 pm
Meyna gratz on the solo. I used to play WoW before I had my kids but mainly played 2s, 3s and 5s arena. I was actually ranked in a couple of seasons. Stopped playing hardcore after defeating LK Heroic difficulty as Druid raid healer/leader when ICC was current content. Got the "Of the Alliance" title for killing over 100,000 horde bastards.

Thank you!! I've been playing on the same toaster of a computer since Vanilla, so I could never keep up with PvP (not that I'd be proficient otherwise). Congrats on 100k HKs! I think I had around 25k on my old main on a PvP server before I switched to PvE. Now I only do battlegrounds when I need to farm the various currencies. Luckily, Alliance winning AV is still always a sure bet!
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: mrganondorf on May 24, 2014, 04:44:51 pm
@SilentRoamer - Hello!  Welcome!  I haven't seen many British dramas, but I fell head of heels for Luther.  As an English Footballer, do you have any advice for an American who would like to follow football?  I think I would love to watch, but I don't know where to start, what teams are what or anything!
Title: Re: What else are you into?
Post by: geoint on July 06, 2014, 06:41:15 am
I've worked at many different restaurants, cooked a variety of styles, and under some fantastic cooks/chefs (relative to the places I've lived).

I'm semi-addicted to the rush of being involved/leading a functional service (breakfast, lunch, or dinner). I could care less for being personally creative in a culinary way - though I love helping someone else manifest their vision - but considering before I started in the industry almost ten years ago, I couldn't microwave a can of beans, the requisite knowledge has been satisfying.

But it's strictly a waste of my time.

And unfortunately, bar certain situations with academics, people of Bakker fandom, and, most of all, books, I feel intellectually alone in life, let alone work. Thankfully, I grew up with a group of friends who gave me a cutting wit so I can hold my own with the worst of the worst of kitchen humour.

You're not alone buddy.  Ive been stuck working with idiots my entire time in the Army.  I mean that too. Anybody with half a brain gets out and does contracting after their contract is up.  Only idiots stay in because either they can't make their own decisions or they chose a stupid job to do in the military and they realized there is no civilian equivalent.