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What are your non-board-game-designing hobbies?

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wineaholic
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Joined: 10/26/2013

(Not to suggest that it is only a hobby for you, by the way. Making board games is a hobby for me.)

Hey there! I haven't been here in a long while. I've only posted once or twice. I was busy getting a college degree. Now that I am graduated, and finally have actual free time, I'm starting up my game projects again. I'm lonely sitting here working on them, so I thought I'd try to start a convo here...

So what do all of you do other than design board games? What are your life goals? Your favorite and least favorite things to do?

larienna
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My problem is that I can do

My problem is that I can do so many thing, which in the end I have so little time allowing me to do only 10% of all I wanted to do. I would need to clone myself to do all I want (Or mind control other people). Here is a list of hobby I am doing, or that I have done in the past.

- Cooking (Mostly Bakery)
- Sewing (Clothes, Curtains and costume)
- Gardening
- Miniature Painting
- Acrylic Painting
- Digital Painting
- Computer Programming (Hobby since not a job)
- Video Game editing (making maps or mods for video games)
- Web Site Design

There is probably much more that could be added. I consider myself to be a jack of all trades. There are probably tons of other stuff I could do if I had the proper tools, material and space (for example: Making Furniture). Without counting the many things I would like to try.

It's just at some point, you try to put your time where it matters. Somebody can do my muffins for me, but no body can do my board games for me. So this is where time should be put because it's irreplacable. And the cost to buy muffins is not that much higher than making them.

RGaffney
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I'm a Christian Missionary

I'm a Christian Missionary with a featured blog. I'm studying ancient Greek at the moment (Hebrew was last year)and experimenting with radical simplicity and sustainable living. I also play a lot of Skyrim.

X3M
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- Eat - Sleep - And in the

- Eat
- Sleep
- And in the weekends I drink

My job keeps me very busy. So when I come home, I rather rest.
The only real hobbies would be playing video games.
Or working on my board game.
And the weird one in this list is calculating all possible outcomes of battle's.

let-off studios
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Other-life Hobbies

Board game design is strictly in the Hobby Zone for me at this point. My intent is to eventually break even in terms of expenses versus income. We'll see if that ever comes to fruition...

I love riding my bicycle, and I commute up to five days a week home from my day job.

Retro and indie game development is a strong interest and influence of mine. I'd been making my own video games in the past using game-making software where I don't need to know a programming language to do it. CT Fusion is an example that I strongly recommend:
http://www.clickteam.com/clickteam-fusion-2-5

We've kept cats at home for ages now. We're currently housing four of them. They're awesome and fun, while still being a considerable amount of work. Who needs kids when you've four perpetual two-year-olds? :)

Gardening is also a sometime hobby of mine. I've also turned into a bit of a casual bird watcher.

I've taken more of an interest in video recording police encounters. If I see them doing a routine traffic stop in our neighbourhood or on my route home from the day job, I'll at the very least consider recording it from a safe distance. I don't have a "smartphone," but I take my video camera nearly everywhere I go. I think it's important to shine a spotlight on those who are doing a good job at that work, as well as expose those who aren't. It's a practice that also dovetails with my personal/political interests and sympathies.

On occasion I take the slingshot and target shoot in the backyard. I'm still terrible at it, but at least it scares the mockingbirds away for a bit.

My girlfriend and I are both accomplished cooks, and I love to eat.

northgun
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I collect coins, enjoy

I collect coins, enjoy photography, build websites/computers,wood working, enjoy playing board games, video games, dog showing, and camping.

My life goals are to finish my doctoral degree by 2016 and become a full time professor by than as well. After that it is to build my wife and I's dream home (not that big of a dream home lol close to 1900 sq ft). After that we hope to do some traveling and be able to do more in our hobbies.

northgun
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How about you wineaholic?

How about you wineaholic?

McTeddy
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Joined: 11/19/2012
When I'm not making video

When I'm not making video games I'm making board games.

Otherwise, I spend my free time learning random new skills, enrolled in random college classes and watching documentaries.

The more that I know the more pools of info I can pull from when making a game. Many of my design theories stem from a songwriting course, while many of my mechanic were based on historical events.

larienna
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Quote:On occasion I take the

Quote:
On occasion I take the slingshot and target shoot in the backyard. I'm still terrible at it, but at least it scares the mockingbirds away for a bit.

It reminds me that one of my friend managed to make a sligshot out of an bycicle air tube. It was pretty efficient and small to carry (no stick).

Oh by the way, I am playing video games to. Unfortunately, my girlfiend made me discover Skyrim which ate a slice of my life. I have not finished my first game yet. (I crafted too much)

Arvin
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Hellow there..

I've been here for quite sometime now, my hobbies include computer games (duh) boardgame design, some small graphic art (pixel art?) computer game design, I'm currently studying college. (Multimedia arts, *cough* don't laugh) wannabe game designer and all, mostly I'm trying to make my game for my family only but after some time here I've realized the potential of my hobby (hopefully). Mostly I'm just here because I get to design a game with my friend. creating games (you know making rules, creating prototype components and the like) It's what dragged me to this site. I Just recently upload the latest pics of my game what do you think?

  • http://www.bgdf.com/node/14601
  • Time flies so fast.. hmm :) been here for 5 years 1 day haha!

    Look at my "Artwork"

  • http://www.bgdf.com/image/submarine-interior-finalpng
  • Ecarots
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    Joined: 08/23/2013
    Hobby

    When my life gives me time my hobbies are
    Model Railroading
    Grilling

    SO I figure I get to spend about 2% max on any hobby.

    Word Nerd
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    Life is too short

    I'm in a transitional phase at the moment, so I've got plenty of time on my hands to return to my favorite activities or try something new, in addition to working on my game design projects. Lately, these pastimes include:

    >Writing an activity book for language students; in November, I plan to write a novel
    >Reading anything still printed on paper
    >Long-distance running (e.g. 10km or more)
    >Hiking, camping, fishing
    >Gardening and landscaping
    >Playing Frisbee
    >NEW! Karaoke

    I like to repeat this quotation from George Bernard Shaw as a rubric for enjoying a long life:

    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."

    So, my life's goal is not so much to "live long and prosper" as it is to "play and live long".

    There aren't many unpleasant things I must do at this stage in my life, and even when I appear inactive, I'm probably meditating on something or quietly observing, so I'm seldom bored.

    Edit: I forgot to mention that I also make and sell family heirloom recipe pickled walnuts--the "King of Pickles" (so-named because the Latin name for the genus--Juglans--remembers Jupiter, the king of the gods). The process is synched with nature, of course, with the harvest beginning in late June and product ready for consumption by Thanksgiving (Canada). I sell 300mL jars of 12-year-olds for $20; message me if you want to place an order.

    wineaholic
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    Joined: 10/26/2013
    I just want to say a lot of

    I just want to say a lot of you sound like me. That is, having multiple interests and not enough time to spend working on them.

    northgun, thank you for asking!
    My other hobbies include:
    -Learning Russian (and after that it will be German...and then french). I'm actually thinking about starting a blog about it, and possibly teaching languages for a living, at least for a while.
    -Reading.
    -Sewing (still learning). I hope to make some costumes, or maybe a corset or two.
    -Cooking (occasionally)
    -Working on my dream business idea. It's a restaurant/bar I'd like to make happen someday. I plan on writing an actual business plan up.
    -Learn to play the Mandolin (future plan)

    I really like working with my hands as well, so I'd be really interested in making anything--whether out of wood or anything else. I haven't come across any need for it yet, though I have considered learning how to make armor out of leather and chain mail just because.

    Other things on my plate:
    -Working on Grad school applications for Philosophy, as I recently graduated and would like to go on if possible.
    -Saving up money to travel to Russia and study the language and experience the culture.
    -Find a job for the interim and pay things off

    There might be things I'm forgetting. Basically, I'm unemployed right now yet I keep myself very, very busy. I do not feel like I am unemployed.

    I wish I could just choose a few things to do and do them well, but I'm so fascinated by so many things...

    Zodiak Team
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    Joined: 09/09/2012
    I love gaming. I participate

    I love gaming. I participate in videogame competitions in the city and when I have the time I post videos of my gameplay with added commentary.

    northgun
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    Joined: 05/21/2014
    It is quite amazing how much

    It is quite amazing how much we have in common wineaholic: both in grad school, lots of hobbies/little time, we both truly enjoy learning quite a bit, and the job category has been rough for both of us. I am working (just retail), but I did go through a six month unemployment period a couple years back which prompted me to go back to school.

    How hard of a language is Russian to learn? How long have you been learning it? Foreign language has never been a strength of mine, I took quite a bit of Spanish and can only say a few words.

    What kind of books do you enjoy reading? I generally stick to non-fiction. Lately its been economics books for me. I'm currently reading the book Black Swan Theory.

    My wife actually does a ton of sewing, she makes stuffed animals. Shes completely self taught and even gets commissioned on occasion to make them. What do you like to sew?

    mindspike
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    I pickle things: eggs,

    I pickle things: eggs, carrots, cucumbers.....
    I also enjoy wine and visiting local vineyards.
    At the moment I'm funding an RPG book on Kickstarter. Does that count as a board game? RPGs are a probably the hobby I spend the most time on.
    I also podcast and blog about pop culture and random geekery.

    wineaholic
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    northgun wrote:It is quite

    northgun wrote:
    It is quite amazing how much we have in common wineaholic: both in grad school, lots of hobbies/little time, we both truly enjoy learning quite a bit, and the job category has been rough for both of us. I am working (just retail), but I did go through a six month unemployment period a couple years back which prompted me to go back to school.

    How hard of a language is Russian to learn? How long have you been learning it? Foreign language has never been a strength of mine, I took quite a bit of Spanish and can only say a few words.

    What kind of books do you enjoy reading? I generally stick to non-fiction. Lately its been economics books for me. I'm currently reading the book Black Swan Theory.

    My wife actually does a ton of sewing, she makes stuffed animals. Shes completely self taught and even gets commissioned on occasion to make them. What do you like to sew?

    Yes, it's always nice meeting others as driven as myself. :) What are you going to grad school for?

    Well I actually have a lot of experience trying to learn languages, though I haven't reached any sort of fluency in any of them yet. Russian is not that difficult of a language, especially in comparison to Japanese (which I tried out for a while). I think there is this barrier we put up between us and learning a new language, and it says "this is too difficult" or "I can't learn this." You really just need to break down that barrier and LET yourself learn it. Everyone can learn a new language, you really just have to approach it the right way, and be very self motivated, and have a genuine desire to learn the language. An interest in the country/culture/history/literature helps as well.
    It is taking me a while to answer your question, sorry. I've been studying Russian since January, though I completely stopped for more than two months while I focused on my last semester of college. Now that I'm graduated I'll be studying every day. So really I've only been studying it a few months. I think I've learned quite a bit for such a small amount of time.

    If you were to learn a language, what language would you choose?

    I usually read literature or philosophy, but sometimes fantasy. Economics sounds interesting! What sparked your interest in economics?

    Well I would like to sew costumes. When I started learning I actually went right into making a corset because I was into it at the time. So my only completed project as of yet is a small corset. My next project will be a Fallout vault dweller's suit, which I've been wanting to make since Fallout 3 came out.

    John Szalay
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    Geocaching, hiking, camping,

    Geocaching, hiking, camping, sleeping, role-playing games (Pathfinder or TSR Marvel Super Heroes), designing RPGs, visiting Japan, studying Japanese history (especially WW2 and the vehicles and weapons used by Japan).

    Mr.S
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    Joined: 01/05/2014
    hobbies

    I go through a lot of different hobbies. Designing board games was my hobby over the winter when I had more time. Now-a-days I am quite busy with gardening and cycling. I did my first double-century (320km) a few weeks ago. In the summertime, gardening / cycling / work take up nearly all my time.

    Looks like a few fellow cyclists on this site. Anyone on Strava?

    EthosGames
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    One of the things that drew

    One of the things that drew me to table top game design was that I found it incorporated many of my other interests.

    I studied as a mechanical engineer but am actually working as a Christian Missionary (fist bump RGaffney). I enjoy graphic design, storytelling, and writing as well as designing and building mechanical/electrical contraptions. I am interested in understanding human nature and the nature of the universe. I love reading, especially anything Tolkin-ish. I have spent too much money on creating RC flying machines but still enjoy it none the less. I also enjoy designing and, on rarer occasions, crafting knives and tobacco pipes.

    northgun
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    wineaholic wrote:Yes, it's

    wineaholic wrote:
    Yes, it's always nice meeting others as driven as myself. :) What are you going to grad school for?

    If you were to learn a language, what language would you choose?

    I usually read literature or philosophy, but sometimes fantasy. Economics sounds interesting! What sparked your interest in economics?

    Well I would like to sew costumes. When I started learning I actually went right into making a corset because I was into it at the time. So my only completed project as of yet is a small corset. My next project will be a Fallout vault dweller's suit, which I've been wanting to make since Fallout 3 came out.

    I'm currently studying business administrations. I'll be finishing my MBA in July and I got my Master's in Economics last year. My Doctoral studies will also be on business administrations and economics.

    As far as a language I'd like to learn, I probably should learn how to read Latin which would be very advantageous in studying historical economic thought. As far as learning one to speak and read I'd probably choose Japanese because of how frequently we would like to visit that country someday.

    What made you decide to study the Russian language? Are you trying to learn to write and speak Russian as well? I think it is to be expected that some of your hobbies go on the way side when studying for college takes over. College can be quite time consuming.

    Are you going to continue on in school?

    Economics has always been an interest of mine, I'm not entirely sure what originally sparked it. I've always wanted to understand more of what is going on around me. It seems the more I learn about economics the more I get interested as well.

    Is the literature and philosophy you read more classical or modern?

    Corsets seem like quite the project to take on for your first sewing project. Thats quite impressive that you were able to do that right off.The Fallout 3 costume you want to make would be really cool too.

    wineaholic
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    northgun wrote: I'm currently

    northgun wrote:

    I'm currently studying business administrations. I'll be finishing my MBA in July and I got my Master's in Economics last year. My Doctoral studies will also be on business administrations and economics.

    As far as a language I'd like to learn, I probably should learn how to read Latin which would be very advantageous in studying historical economic thought. As far as learning one to speak and read I'd probably choose Japanese because of how frequently we would like to visit that country someday.

    What made you decide to study the Russian language? Are you trying to learn to write and speak Russian as well? I think it is to be expected that some of your hobbies go on the way side when studying for college takes over. College can be quite time consuming.

    Are you going to continue on in school?

    Economics has always been an interest of mine, I'm not entirely sure what originally sparked it. I've always wanted to understand more of what is going on around me. It seems the more I learn about economics the more I get interested as well.

    Is the literature and philosophy you read more classical or modern?

    Corsets seem like quite the project to take on for your first sewing project. Thats quite impressive that you were able to do that right off.The Fallout 3 costume you want to make would be really cool too.

    That's great that your interested in the history of economics, too. What do you plan on doing with your doctorate? Sounds like quite a but of time in school for two masters and then a doctorate. Lifetime studentship :) but that's cool. I've always planned on being a lifetime student myself.

    Have you been to Japan before? I've always wanted to see Japan, and many other countries. I'd pretty much travel anywhere.

    I became interested in Russia when I took a Russian Literature class in my second year of college. I fell in love with the literature, especially Dostoevsky, Chekhov, and Gogol. It was a few years later when I finally decided to commit myself to learning Russian. I can't really give an explanation as to what sparked it, I just sort of fell in love with it. I read a short book on the history of the country as well, and I've always been fascinated by the soviet union era, ever since high school after reading Animal Farm. I just find it a fascinating and unique country. I find the language beautiful and totally underrated. So I guess it just...happened. I plan on becoming fluent all around, in reading, speaking, and writing.

    Yes, I was planning on applying to grad school in Philosophy, but I'm not so sure now. I might try something else. Perhaps linguistics or languages. I find language fascinating and wonderful. I haven't quite decided yet.

    Your interest in economics sounds similar to my interest in Russia. Something just clicks I guess.

    I explored the whole spectrum of Philosophy in college. I find almost all of it interesting to some degree, though lately I've been most interested in critical theory which is mid 1900's. I loved studying 19th century Philosophy too, with Marx, Nietzsche, Hegel, etc. Adorno is the next philosopher on my list of philosophers to explore.

    Yes the corset is a complicated garment, and really not a beginner item. I am impatient though, so I just went with it and did my best. It obviously isn't a quality corset and it doesn't function properly, but it looks nice. I was surprised at how well I was able to do on my first try. I guess I sort of cheated though with mock ups and trials, so it isn't technically the first, just the first fully completed. I also read up a ton on corset making online and joined a facebook group which helped as well.

    northgun
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    I am really hoping to be able

    I am really hoping to be able to teach full time once I get my doctorate. One of the local universities in my area is trying to get me setup as an adjunct teacher in economics starting in the fall. Hopefully that pans out. The experience would be a great start and put me on the right track. Being that many universities require you to get published and continue to do so I plan on writing a book on inflation.
    Yeah I guess you could call me a lifetime student of sorts lol, I'm just finishing up my seventh year in school now and have two years left. I probably will continue to take some classes even after I graduate with my doctorate, but I don't see myself going full time again.
    I've never been to Japan, but I would really love to go. There is just so much to love about that country. I can't wait until I can finally make it there.
    Do you plan on visiting Russia? If so, anywhere specific in Russia?
    What made you change your mind about applying to grad school in philosophy? Its sounds like you are really passionate about the subject area. The fact that you enjoy reading about the subject (including source material) would be really beneficial to you in grad school. That interest would help you excel.
    Do you do any writings about philosophy? Do you take notes for reference later? I've always thought I should take notes on what I read or at least highlight important passages, but have yet to do it. Do you have any interest in teaching?
    Your first stab at anything shouldn't b expected to turn out amazing by any means. Thats a great way to start. Sometimes starting with the harder items is the best way to go if that what really motivates you. When do you think you will take on your next project?

    wineaholic
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    That’s a good goal. I hope

    That’s a good goal. I hope you get the adjunct job, that would be a great experience! Russia has had a great deal of inflation problems, especially after the fall of the soviet union. It might be worth checking out for your book, if you haven’t already of course. I wish I had the patience to write a book. Good luck with that as well.

    I am also a lifetime student type, for sure. I did think about going on to grad school in philosophy. I do love it. I've only written officially for my classes, though I do sometimes write something down when I’m feeling inspired. I think there are several reasons I have changed my mind (for now): Burnt out, fear of rejection, fear of the competitive environment, fear of failing, fear of not enjoying it, etc. It’s an extremely competitive field. There’s also the fear of being jobless. So just tonight I've decided I might actually look into going back to school for a double major in Linguistics and Russian. I would love to teach languages, or to be a translator, or really anything to do with languages. It’s an option, and I’d plan on going to grad school in linguistics then as well.

    I always underline or write notes in my books when I’m reading philosophy. Towards the end of my degree I’d also started writing up notes while I read in a word document as well. I have a memory problem, so it helps me retain the information. The underlining helps when I need to go back and find an important passage.

    I do have interest in teaching. I just don’t know quite what I’d want to teach. I’d love teaching philosophy, but it’s so difficult to get that kind of job. I’d also love teaching languages. I’d even enjoy teaching English literature classes, probably.

    It definitely did motivate me. I need to be interested in what I’m doing in order to be motivated enough to do it, so choosing to make a corset over say, a skirt, really helped me stay interested in the project. I haven’t decided when I’m going to start my vault suit yet. I had started initial plans maybe a year ago, but school got in the way again, as always. Now I have tons of time, but not enough money for materials, and my head is just spinning with my other plans right now. Hopefully within the year I’ll start it.

    Experimental Designs
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    Board game design is not

    Board game design is not really a hobby but something I recently got into to get a few ideas out of my head to make room for more ideas. I want to move on to making my own webcomic or graphic novel sometime in the near future. At a glance I am a strange mixture of redneck and sophistication. My hobbies include the following:
    -Writing
    -Reading
    -Drawing
    -Mudding (I used to anyways until I sold my blazer to get something easier on gas)
    -Shooting guns (not so much anymore, price of ammo is outrageous!)
    -Making homemade wine (grape)
    -Hunting (when the season rolls around)
    -Video game modding (mainly for my own amusement)
    -Playing tabletop games
    -Playing ARMA II

    And once in a while I delve into the dangerous world of politics and spiritualism.

    Lucia_Flores
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    Apart from board games, that is...

    Reading - Mostly fiction. Recently read Nineteen Eighty Four, War and Peace, In Search of Lost Time, Dune and Lolita.

    Family time - It could include reading together (out-loud story telling time in the evenings), board games (Monopoly, The Game of Life, Cluedo), card games (Rummy, Bluff, Twenty Nine).

    Fishing - Not that we get a chance to do it often. Only on camping trips, which is about as frequent as once a year.

    Computer games - Both online and offline. Both single player and multiplayer. Even kids games like these - http://www.neopets.com/ - wherein you get to keep and rear virtual pets in a virtual world. Very fascinating.

    Long distance runs - That is me alone. Nobody else in the family is interested in this one apart from me.

    Listening to music - Anything except hard rock and hard metal, which gets on my nerves.

    Cooking - It's like a therapy at home. Everyone cooks together. Even the kids help.

    Darwins_Dog
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    Does grad school count as a

    Does grad school count as a hobby? I seem to do a lot of that, lol.

    I enjoy scuba diving, playing board games (of course), playing PC games, and painting miniatures. I'm currently working on my set for Descent. I am also a contributor to a science blog called Feed the Data Monster. After grad school I plan to... not be in school anymore? I want to go into some sort of education, but not necessarily in the classroom.

    Orangebeard
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    Other Hobbies

    I have very little spare time now, but when I have a few moments...

    -baking (cakes)
    -brewing beer (ales)
    -painting miniatures (shadows of brimstone)
    -guitar (acoustic)
    -video games (pvz garden warfare or skyrim)
    -and the never ending hobby that is home ownership and lawn maintenance

    MarkJindra
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    Hmmm... Hobbies ...

    I am learning app development for iPad/iPhone and I do some graphic design.

    Soulfinger
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    Most of my time is spent

    Most of my time is spent taking care of my kids, one of whom is medically fragile. This makes video games and reading the most accessible hobbies for me, and I've had to scale back my previous favorite hobby of rampant alcoholism. I try to fit in converting and painting hobby game miniatures and sometimes make it out to game. I miss being in a band and quite a few other things from back when I was a more interesting person. Right now, my biggest planned undertaking is to start reading the Pseudepigrapha and Apocrypha. Mostly, my work is my hobby, as I really enjoy writing.

    adversitygames
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    My other hobbies and goals

    Play roleplaying games (currently D&D5)
    Play board games (I suspect this goes without saying!)
    Play video games
    Work on video game mods
    Work on house rules for board games/RPGs
    Customise and paint miniatures
    Train Muay Thai and swordfighting (when I'm not recovering from injury like I am now)
    Study mathematics
    Work on my philosophical ideas
    I do a bit of creative writing occasionally

    Current life goal: Publish some board games!

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