So what do you do now?

[Domeguy]

I'm not sure if this thread goes here or not, but as a prepper you look around and like what you see. Everything you can think of has been done. You have stockpiled, hordes, collected, organized, foraged, etc, and now it would seem its Miller time. You can kick back and relax for a while. So my question to my fellow preppers is this, what do you do for a hobby? And as a hobby, do you do it for fun, relaxation, does it help you to hone your prepping skills? Should a hobby be prepper related? As for me, I like working with wood. Nothing to fancy right now. If the grid went down, with my future solar panels installed, I plan on having enough electricity to keep my shop going. I could make the things I will need in the future, furniture, axe handles, repair broken chairs, ect. But right now, I like making wooden toys. http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/3e5ab944a38387ce4ec2f9f628ba17b2_zpsa14c1ecd.jpg

[mitunnelrat]

Oh man, where do I start...

By no means am I anywhere near any of my prepping goals, but part of my plan is to always have down time.

I hunt, I fish, I camp, I ride my motorcycle... I drink beer, chase women... Watch movies, play video games... Travel, relax at home...

I guess the answer is I just enjoy my life, do all the "normal" things, and work toward my various goals as time and money permit. Some complement prepping. Others don't. But I think its all good

[Sniper-T]

I shoot, fish, garden, work with wood, carve, trap, and I'm slowly buying all the stuff I need to do leather work. When life finally gives me time to relaxt, I have several projects I want to do.

Cool little cars DG. scaled?

[bacpacker]

No where near where I want to be. But we try and take time to enjoy life as we go. I love hiking, camping, fishing, shooting, gardening, just getting out for a road trip. Gotta have down time.

[helomech]

I think my biggest hobbies now are gardening, hunting, reloading, shooting, and flying RC airplanes. BTW I bought another one, and will have it next week.

[Domeguy]

I shoot, fish, garden, work with wood, carve, trap, and I'm slowly buying all the stuff I need to do leather work. When life finally gives me time to relaxt, I have several projects I want to do.

Cool little cars DG. scaled?

Thank you, these 2 are models of a 1929 ford delivery van. I like to take existing scale plans and modify them to fit the needs of what I want to make. These were just to sit and be looked at, but I changed them around, give them a detailed cab, rolling wheels, and chances tbe body panels and added old brass post office box doors and make them into working banks with a locking door to store all your silver, gold, and macaroni necklaces. I'll post a better picture when I get them finished tonight.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

DG, I think those look Frickin cool! You do great work, I know I've seen his stuff in person, but really, nice toys brother! Dems piggy banks right, I see the slots on top or am I mistaken??

[jamesneuen]

Well, my new hobby will be knives and knife sheaths in a week or two when my stuff arrives!!! But currently fixing my guns, teaching the wife to shoot, and fishing are my only hobbies.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Maybe in Alligator Bayou?

[jamesneuen]

huh?

[robsdak]

Maybe in Alligator Bayou?

thinking he means 'your in Florida'? LOL not all places here have Gators. Key West is surrounded by saltwater, not like the rest of the State.


huh?

LOL! 'huh?' Classic response, James. :p

DG, those are neat looking. you do good work, sir.

my hobbies? and in no real order here... woodworking, scroll sawing, gardening, bee keeping, women, wood carving, spoon carving, music (listening to, not making) firearms, air rifles, shooting of previous, hunting, fishing, paracord, 'possibly Kydex sheaths' (waiting to hear back from Dave, my knife guy) computers, the interweb, women ( i go through a alot. sounds bad, just looking for the right ONE!) tools, mechanics, tinkering with things.

***edit*** i forgot... cooking, grilling and smoking meat.

want to hobbies... to build/make quality Turkey Box Calls.

prepping is an ongoing SPORT! you can get better at it, but never really WIN! :D

[jamesneuen]

Yeah worst we have down here is sharks and iguanas

[robsdak]

Yeah worst we have down here is sharks and iguanas

yep, and they both grill up fine!

[Vodin]

Walking with my wife and dogs. Aquaponics, gardening and just enjoying life.

[Domeguy]

Thank you to all who liked the truck banks. They are for a friends kids, and I put their birthdays on the doors as the PO box number.http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/8925aabbbfbe63c795410cd7b4514b05_zps86bb73de.jpght tp://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/f3ebcff268281b0a627fc2963c6eb1e9_zps21c5d279.jpght tp://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/46fb9583f8ad0e7f1ad070097eb398c9_zps3ac86c89.jpght tp://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/61328045708f68bd2db63d650db4f0e6_zps6f701f05.jpg

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

huh?
Well I was figuring with your vast nautical experience you would know where I was talking about. I figured you might have navigated those waters but I guess I be mistaken..........oh well.

[robsdak]

Well I was figuring with your vast nautical experience you would know where I was talking about. I figured you might have navigated those waters but I guess I be mistaken..........oh well.

ok, i am not aware of an Alligator Bayou down that far South. i am familiar with the one in Panama City, Florida, well St. Andrews Bay. fished there several times.

[jamesneuen]

mostly south America for me

[Willie51]

ok, i am not aware of an Alligator Bayou down that far South. i am familiar with the one in Panama City, Florida, well St. Andrews Bay. fished there several times.

Yep, we got plenty of gators here. We used to live on Deer Point Lake in Panama City and I would walk out with my coffee in the morning and see 3 or 4 around my dock and as large a 12 ft or so. Or go out and night and shine my spot light and see the eyes light up!

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Oh and beautiful work Domeguy!

[Katrina]

Well I knit, crochet, cook and when my knee FINALLY is 100% will go back to dancing

[realist]

DG those trucks are fricking awesome. Where did you get the PO doors?

What would I do? Travel around anD watch my daughter play college softball. Hunt and fish with the kids. Travel and gardening with the wife. Go back to school and get my masters.

[robsdak]

Well I knit, crochet, cook and when my knee FINALLY is 100% will go back to dancing

explain 'dancing' please. LMAO! sorry, i couldn't help myself. i tried, just couldn't do it. :)

[Domeguy]

DG those trucks are fricking awesome. Where did you get the PO doors?

What would I do? Travel around anD watch my daughter play college softball. Hunt and fish with the kids. Travel and gardening with the wife. Go back to school and get my masters.

Ebay my friend, ebay...the land where everything is for sale. When I bought them, they were selling for around $12-$15 each.

[robsdak]

here is a little of what i do...

start with this. i split this with the axe.

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/robsdak/wood%20carving/100_0479_zpsh41s76d9.jpg (http://s366.photobucket.com/user/robsdak/media/wood%20carving/100_0479_zpsh41s76d9.jpg.html)

mill it out to these... off to my buddies place to use the jointer to square up one side and then to the table saw to cut into slabs.

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/robsdak/wood%20carving/100_0476_zpsmnjgk3b3.jpg (http://s366.photobucket.com/user/robsdak/media/wood%20carving/100_0476_zpsmnjgk3b3.jpg.html)

cut these... yes, i cheated a little. i used the band saw to get the rough shape.

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/robsdak/wood%20carving/100_0474_zpsgyxn4odw.jpg (http://s366.photobucket.com/user/robsdak/media/wood%20carving/100_0474_zpsgyxn4odw.jpg.html)

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/robsdak/wood%20carving/100_0475_zpsxka1mv77.jpg (http://s366.photobucket.com/user/robsdak/media/wood%20carving/100_0475_zpsxka1mv77.jpg.html)

[robsdak]

and start carving these...

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/robsdak/wood%20carving/100_0473_zps8s4ghapk.jpg (http://s366.photobucket.com/user/robsdak/media/wood%20carving/100_0473_zps8s4ghapk.jpg.html)

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/robsdak/wood%20carving/100_0472_zpssokxx2a8.jpg (http://s366.photobucket.com/user/robsdak/media/wood%20carving/100_0472_zpssokxx2a8.jpg.html)


i started these last night/this morning. had to finish a place in the garage to do it. still working on it. :) there is a lot of carving left to do. the wood is River Birch. i prefer to carve 'seasoned' wood, some do it with green wood. i am learning/teaching myself a new skill or hobby.
still trying to work out the bugs. i can see it, just need too teach the fingers what i am wanting them to do.

[Domeguy]

Those are so great spoon carvings, and I dint consider using a bandsaw cheating, just as you used an axe to split the wood. It's just another tool used to save a little time. I am new to carving, and have yet to finish my first piece. It's just a small castle ruin from my imagination.

[robsdak]

some purists consider it a cheat. a tool is a tool, makes life easier. i am very new to carving. liking it so far. the 1st spoon is going to cast like $350 and change. LOL i will post more pictures as i get them finished.

[robsdak]

DG here is the spoon closer to being, well finished? be kind, it's the first one. it's pretty good, i think. need to get the technique for the hook blade. if i like this, i might just get a set of custom carving knives. i thought this route would be cheaper. FlexCut makes a good knife for the money.

(sorry if this seems like rambling, just been that kind of evening)

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/robsdak/wood%20carving/100_0490_zpsxdwt4aco.jpg (http://s366.photobucket.com/user/robsdak/media/wood%20carving/100_0490_zpsxdwt4aco.jpg.html)

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/robsdak/wood%20carving/100_0488_zps8abi1rmc.jpg (http://s366.photobucket.com/user/robsdak/media/wood%20carving/100_0488_zps8abi1rmc.jpg.html)

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/robsdak/wood%20carving/100_0487_zps8nmvy7gd.jpg (http://s366.photobucket.com/user/robsdak/media/wood%20carving/100_0487_zps8nmvy7gd.jpg.html)

[bacpacker]

Looks good Rob

[jamesneuen]

that looks amazing rob.

[Domeguy]

I'm impressed, it look fantastic....now whip out that knife and make a fork and knife, then you are on your way to a place setting. If you are really good, maybe you could make a SPORK

[Vodin]

Awesome craftsmanship Domeguy!

[piranha2]

Domeguy, those are great. Wanna sell a couple?

[robsdak]

I'm impressed, it look fantastic....now whip out that knife and make a fork and knife, then you are on your way to a place setting. If you are really good, maybe you could make a SPORK

LOL you now, i thought the very same thing. make a set, knife, fork and spoon. a spork? yes, can't you tell? i am working on being that good. :)

[Domeguy]

Domeguy, those are great. Wanna sell a couple?

PM sent

[Domeguy]

I have finished my project and am shipping these to CA in the morning. They are for a mobile photography company, and they wanted me to duplicate their company truck. They are all built from scratch with no plans. Robsdak, you are now my hero of the clean shop. I picture you in your tidy whities, with your cape flowing in the wind as you fly through your shop cleaning everything as you go. I will now try to live by your mantra..."a place for everything, and everything in its place". I started cleaning today, and I should be done by next summer

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/a78bd7daac333e0f46c790e4e2ee455c_zpsf8ad202f.jpght tp://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/a5c7f82546f97b6091840d286ff25039_zpsd731d0b2.jpght tp://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/be88d787485fe069da377eb71e194723_zpse919ec2b.jpg

[robsdak]

those are sweet looking! LOL! 'your hero' no cape, no tidy whities... i do it all NEKKID!!!!! :p

[jamesneuen]

The sad part is that you imagine him in his underwear.......... Those do look amazing though!

[Willie51]

Awesome job Domeguy! How long did it take you to build the two?

[Domeguy]

NO NO NO NO NO. I was not picturing him in his underware...it is his Super Hero costume...Captain Clean. Super heroes don't work in their underware...for instance take Batmam & Robin!http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/4eeb5d6954944f4161f3cd8a1268e6d5_zpswbjco1nt.jpg

OK...maybe a bad example!

[jamesneuen]

or the ambiguously gay duo?

[Domeguy]

Awesome job Domeguy! How long did it take you to build the two?

Thank you. I'm not sure, but it would guess 20-30 hours in each.

[Stormfeather]

Well, for taking a break after all is said and done, I know this may sound a bit weird, but I "wargame". I take a drive around my area, and I play mental wargames. If a group of people came down this particular road at this particular point, how could they be stopped? How can I set up an ambush at this location and it be concealable? Wheres the closest water point from this such and such location? If this particular route is blocked or not accessible, what are my options? I literally will pull off of the side of the road, and walk up and down the road and look at options, look at avenues of approach, enfilades, defilades, routes of egress and ingress.
I know I know... sounds very weird...but for me, its a mental exercise in relaxation. This allows me to sit back and relax due to knowing I have everything covered, or have at least considered the possibilities.
Other forms of relaxation include reading books on historys greatest battles, feeding my cichlid and getting him up to sushi size someday, that and my children, watching them grow and learn continually amazes me and keeps me entertained for hours on end.

[bacpacker]

I like the mental game thought Stormy. Sounds like something I should be looking in to.

[Vodin]

When I think of those types of situations Stormfeather, I am only thinking how to evade, avoid and depart that situation. Granted Me, Myself and I are an awesome 3 some. But sometimes we get in each others way so it is best to fall back and reassess. :)

[Socalman]

In no way do I feel that my preps are complete. We all have our own situations for which we need to prep. While we are probably far more prepared than the average American, I am not satisfied. I will be retiring in just a few months and will have more time on my hands. My current work day is to leave home at 0530 and return sometime between 1630 and 1900, usually closer to 1800 hours. This does not leave much time but that will change.

I plan to expand my gardening and storage. For years we have frozen veggies from the garden but we all know how long that will keep is the electricity goes south. Last fall began to learn to do our own canning, though on a very small scale. That will expand greatly this year.

For hobbies I enjoy aviation but can not afford to fly often. I will spend more time at the local gun range, about 25 minutes away. I will have more time to spend on reloading. It will be nice to spend some time doing some ocean fishing mid-week without the large crowds.

[Katrina]

Robs, I was a professional dancer,legitimate theater, like Broadway, regional theater, for about 19-20 years. I danced for exercise after I "retired" but when I had my knee replaced, it's been difficult getting a lot of exercise like I'm used to to keep in shape.

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Robs, I was a professional dancer,legitimate theater, like Broadway, regional theater, for about 19-20 years. I danced for exercise after I "retired" but when I had my knee replaced, it's been difficult getting a lot of exercise like I'm used to In order to keep in shape.

[robsdak]

Robs, I was a professional dancer,legitimate theater, like Broadway, regional theater, for about 19-20 years. I danced for exercise after I "retired" but when I had my knee replaced, it's been difficult getting a lot of exercise like I'm used to to keep in shape.

- - - Updated - - -

Robs, I was a professional dancer,legitimate theater, like Broadway, regional theater, for about 19-20 years. I danced for exercise after I "retired" but when I had my knee replaced, it's been difficult getting a lot of exercise like I'm used to In order to keep in shape.

damn, and i was hoping for a 'starving' college aged girl looking for support. :p all kidding aside, that's cool. we have a diverse little group going here.

[Grumpy Old Man]

Tie flies, build rods, sharpen knives,axes, etc, garden, collect info, fish, hunt mushrooms, and make herbal tinctures and infused oil.

I am looking at building my own pirogue right now.

Prepping is like ammo: when you think you have enough, buy more!

[Domeguy]

Any chance of letting us see some of the flies you have done? I have always been fascinated by that art. Maybe you could do a posting on how they are done?

[jamesneuen]

I've got a fly tying kit here but I can just never get enough time or patience to do one. then it ends up looking like it came from a different planet or is a fly mated with a unicorn.

[Sniper-T]

Doesn't so much matter what they look like... do they work?

[jamesneuen]

dunno, can't fly fish from shore down here. too many damn trees.

[Sniper-T]

two words... Saw and Chain! Not necessarily in that order!

[jamesneuen]

Illegal down here. the mangrove trees are the only reason there is an island here.

[Sniper-T]

how about a cordless drill a wide spade bit and a bottle of acid? Ssshhhh!

[Grumpy Old Man]

Any chance of letting us see some of the flies you have done? I have always been fascinated by that art. Maybe you could do a posting on how they are done?

I can post pics, but telling how to tie could take 5 threads.

[Domeguy]

Well, for taking a break after all is said and done, I know this may sound a bit weird, but I "wargame". I take a drive around my area, and I play mental wargames. If a group of people came down this particular road at this particular point, how could they be stopped? How can I set up an ambush at this location and it be concealable? Wheres the closest water point from this such and such location? If this particular route is blocked or not accessible, what are my options? I literally will pull off of the side of the road, and walk up and down the road and look at options, look at avenues of approach, enfilades, defilades, routes of egress and ingress.
I know I know... sounds very weird...but for me, its a mental exercise in relaxation. This allows me to sit back and relax due to knowing I have everything covered, or have at least considered the possibilities.
Other forms of relaxation include reading books on historys greatest battles, feeding my cichlid and getting him up to sushi size someday, that and my children, watching them grow and learn continually amazes me and keeps me entertained for hours on end.

Stormfeather, I don't think it sounds weird at all. It think it's the perfect way to practice what we all are working towards. This is something I plan to start doing when I go out. Thanks for the great idea!

[Domeguy]

I can post pics, but telling how to tie could take 5 threads.

I've got the time if you do. Lol. Maybe you could give us the abbreviated version.

[Stormfeather]

As Izzy could probably tell you all as well, "wargaming" for me came about after a pretty rough engagement that we definitely was not on the winning end of. So after that, I made it a point to start looking at every possibility I could as I drove down the road, or was getting ready to breach a door, or went out on patrol. Its merely an extension of a survival skill that I now have turned into a mental exercise. Also, it doesnt have to be prepper related, go out and people watch and wargame them as well. If the light turns red.... will that person walk across? Will that lady stop and look at the baby in the baby carriage? You will be surprised at the amount of human patterns that repeat themselves in totally random people. This also... can be used to a tactical advantage. (see... my mindset!)

[Sniper-T]

Stormy... how about starting a thread on this...

[Stormfeather]

give me some time to work it up and I will start one for you guys!