Frozen_Feet
2012-02-03, 02:57 AM
So, I've found that almost no matter what your hobbies are, some uninitiated idiot will call them childish and/or a waste of time. Obviously the frequency in which this happens increases the more niche your chosen pasttime is, since less people actually know a damn thing about it.
I'll start with roleplaying games, since that's kinda what these boards are about:
How to write a Curriculum Vitae; as both a player and a GM, I've written hundreds of descriptions of different people and what they can and can't do. This skill has found use when writing job applications - it's easier to write down your own "character sheet" when you've had the practice, and I've learned a good bit about formatting my CV as well. I actually got complimented this morning for having the best-made CV of the applicants for the job. :smallcool:
Technical drawing and spatial thinking; from before I ever considered a technical vocation, I've been drawing and reading maps and visualizing and describing 3d environments based on 2d illustrations. This has been immense help later when learning to draw and read blueprints.
Next, Karate:
How to dance; my sensei often remarked how karate is like dance, or how dance-like fluidity is good for your movements. After observing modern dances, I've noticed that many of the movements are indeed similar. So, karate has improved my sense of rhythm, taught me what to do on the dance floor, lowering my treshold of actually stepping on it, and I've had surprisingly many favorable (or at least amused) comments from both sexes. (Wasn't really surprised when I learned certain forms of karate have been taught as a dance on Okinawa.)
Scouts, I don't know where to even start with, since at least here it's very different from expectations of people (which are based on Wolf Cubs from Donald Duck...). But anyways I've learned:
How to start a fire with car battery and steel wool.
How to play cards; this has been surprising to many, since they think scouts are some bastion of goody goodness where nothing even slightly questionable isn't allowed, when in reality, were just a bunch of normal youths, and do many of the same things in our camps as other young people.
How to act in business meetings & other business skills; having been part of our troop leadership from 15, and having taken part in dozens of troop leadership conferences, I've learned about conference protocol, accounting, budgeting, union and enterprise laws, and general organization for enterprises and trusts. This is the part of scouts I like the least, but I can't deny it's useful for my career life as an adult.
I'll start with roleplaying games, since that's kinda what these boards are about:
How to write a Curriculum Vitae; as both a player and a GM, I've written hundreds of descriptions of different people and what they can and can't do. This skill has found use when writing job applications - it's easier to write down your own "character sheet" when you've had the practice, and I've learned a good bit about formatting my CV as well. I actually got complimented this morning for having the best-made CV of the applicants for the job. :smallcool:
Technical drawing and spatial thinking; from before I ever considered a technical vocation, I've been drawing and reading maps and visualizing and describing 3d environments based on 2d illustrations. This has been immense help later when learning to draw and read blueprints.
Next, Karate:
How to dance; my sensei often remarked how karate is like dance, or how dance-like fluidity is good for your movements. After observing modern dances, I've noticed that many of the movements are indeed similar. So, karate has improved my sense of rhythm, taught me what to do on the dance floor, lowering my treshold of actually stepping on it, and I've had surprisingly many favorable (or at least amused) comments from both sexes. (Wasn't really surprised when I learned certain forms of karate have been taught as a dance on Okinawa.)
Scouts, I don't know where to even start with, since at least here it's very different from expectations of people (which are based on Wolf Cubs from Donald Duck...). But anyways I've learned:
How to start a fire with car battery and steel wool.
How to play cards; this has been surprising to many, since they think scouts are some bastion of goody goodness where nothing even slightly questionable isn't allowed, when in reality, were just a bunch of normal youths, and do many of the same things in our camps as other young people.
How to act in business meetings & other business skills; having been part of our troop leadership from 15, and having taken part in dozens of troop leadership conferences, I've learned about conference protocol, accounting, budgeting, union and enterprise laws, and general organization for enterprises and trusts. This is the part of scouts I like the least, but I can't deny it's useful for my career life as an adult.