Hobby changes

So my hobbies are in a bit of a mess right now and I am having a bit of an audit. Between being let down by suppliers or couriers and having to make decisions about my own priorities I need to straighten things out.

Model building has hit a dead stop because my model orders got cancelled. I have also been keeping an eye out for some good Lego models. Indeed, I went into the Lego store in the Bullring in Birmingham and wow! You can spend some serious cash on that. So Lego might be out for a bit while I try and get some interesting Gundam model kits.

My printer is on strike

I work in IT so I immediately assume that all printers are alive and want to kill me. My 3d printer even more so. However its murderous intent might be justified as I have had multiple clogs and issues with the printer for a while now. I think this is down to the bargain basement filament I buy. Currently I have left the 3d printer in parts while I summon the enthusiasm to deal with the latest set of issues.

When I was at the Man Cave Expo last year I spoke with a company that sold 3d printers of all kinds and I asked if upgrading my printer to something like the latest offerings from Elegoo Neptune series. It worked out to be just as expensive either way.

Baking is not diet friendly

So like a lot of people, I need to loose weight. Baking cakes, fudges, sweets and other such things really don’t play well with a calorie controlled diet. It sucks because I enjoy the process of refining the recipes into something I like.

One of the major diet changes I made early in the year was to cut out bread from my diet and while it contributed to great progress I will say that I miss the making of the bread. The smell of fresh bread and hearing the crust crack as it cools is just one of life’s little pleasures.

But until further notice baking is going to be on hold until I have made some serious progress in my weight loss goals.

I treat my garage poorly

Woodworking has been on hold over the winter as I work in a single car garage with no heating. Touching anything metal saps the heat from your hands. With the weather beginning to improve I intend to get back out there and do some work. I want to successfully finish a project this year!

What doesn’t help is that anything I need out of the house is getting dumped into the garage and it’s a right state. A spring clean is in order and then start planning some projects.

How’s that music collection coming along?

It would seem that I can spend money on music faster than I can listen. I don’t know what it is about being in a record store but I rarely leaving empty handed.

I keep a section of my shelves dedicated to albums I have bought and not listened too yet. I have run out of space in said section and I have made a promise to myself that I am not buying more albums until I have emptied that section.

Can I get some more time in the day please?

One of the serious blockers to my hobby enjoyment is time management. Between working full time and trying to keep on top of all these responsibilities I have as an adult (not recommended) I feel like I have little time to dedicate elsewhere.

I am convinced this is a mindset thing but I need to work on getting my schedule in order so I can devote more time to these wonderful hobbies. Roadblocks not withstanding.

I will report back if I figure out how to deal with some of these challenges. If you have any suggestions, do let me know.