The Yellow Board

What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Hobbies on 11/14/2022, 5:26 am

Just curious as to what other directors enjoy doing outside of the band hall whenever we have time. For me, I enjoy piddling around in my garage wood shop and making things. That is, whenever I have time, lol.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Nerd on 11/28/2022, 10:25 am, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

I have taken up picking locks. Found out there is a whole community built around "Locksport." My total investment to learn is about $100 and I have spent $15-40 here and there for a new lock, or different pick, etc. Great way to get through staff meetings and you can keep a lock and picks in your pocket for those moments that you would normally scroll on your phone.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by The Commish on 11/17/2022, 1:26 pm, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

I play the Ticket to ide board games with friends. We have multiple versions.
Within the last year or so, I started reading. The fact that I do this over watching TV boggles my mind.
I enjoy taking my dog on walks, which has also recently turned into me running (just a little).
I love to bake (and eat it all)!

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by DFWChicagoC on 11/17/2022, 12:02 pm, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Jeez, what DON'T I do? (Aside from family time)

Building things:
- Home renovation (you name it, I've done it, except flooring)
- Lego
- Plamo (plastic models)
- Computers
Anything having to do with things that go, especially:
- Maintenance
- Detailing
- Driving/riding
Sitting doing "nothing":
- Solo video games
- Movies/TV
Activity-based:
- Exercise
- Rollercoasters
- Skiing (snow)

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by SA MS BD on 11/16/2022, 5:14 pm, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

I 3d print...a lot. I focus on mainly large, impractical things such as life size "Star Wars" droids (B-1 battle droid, pit droid - two of them, BD-1 from the game "Jedi: Fallen order, etc) and other "Star Wars" props (blasters, helmets, Gaffi sticks that would make a Tusken Raider proud, etc). I started this during the 2020 shut down when I was bored not teaching. I also smoke some sort of meat each weekend (brisket, pork shoulder, ribs - both beef and pork, whole chickens, pork belly, etc).

I also play a video game every now and then, irritate the beagle (but he starts it), and generally just try to turn off my "band brain". That last part took the longest to accomplish, but basically if it doesn't get done at school, it doesn't get done. Fretting over whether or not the kids are practicing or if they will retain what they learned today isn't going to do any good. I can't control what others are or are not doing. I only do band stuff at home that I choose to do (entering grades, working on letters, etc. The easy stuff that doesn't take a lot of time and I can do while the 3D printers or smokers are doing their thing). I decided a LONG time ago that I'm not going to be defined by being a band director. It's what I do, not who I am. Once you get that figured out, you will find relaxing after you leave for the day becomes a lot easier.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Home Gym on 11/16/2022, 9:14 am, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

I built a home gym a few years ago. Started with a good quality squat rack that can double for all the big core exercises. Added a treadmill a year or so later and some additional accessories. It's been such a wonderful investment for me because I don't have to leave the house to workout and I can always squeeze in some exercise around the busy schedule of work and family.

I especially love the treadmill because I can jump on it at the end of a long day and do an hour walk while watching TV and it really relaxes the mind and helps me get some light cardio while loosening my body.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Geronimo on 11/15/2022, 10:04 pm, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Jumping out of planes. I absolutely love skydiving and have lost count at how many jumps I've made over the last 30 years. I live 15 minutes from a local skydiving facility and have a side job on some weekends and holidays as an instructor where I do tandem jumps with people jumping for the first time.

I'm also obsessed with running and in June I ran the Mayor's Half Marathon in Anchorage, AK, marking the second time I've completed a half-marathon in all 50 states.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Round on 11/15/2022, 3:47 pm, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Video games and Cooking/Smoking mostly. I play a lot of video games with other band directors and friends from college.

I used to golf quite a bit, but haven't been able to play much recently.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by old man running on 11/15/2022, 3:44 pm, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Besides being a grandfather (highly recommended, by the way!), I took up running when covid hit. I run every other day, and not only has it allowed me to get in better shape, but it clears the mind. Listening to podcasts or pop country or classic jazz during runs is a great way to calm the inner dialogue that weighs me down mentally.

I also enjoy woodturning, cooking, craft beer and a good cigar.

Unsolicited advice...I hope you young directors find a hobby that you can do early in your career to fight off the burnout demons.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Senor Smoke on 11/15/2022, 1:20 pm, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

I enjoy smoking....meats! Brisket, Pork Ribs, Chicken, Turkeys, Sausage and the list goes on. There is nothing like a little Smoke Therapy outside of office hours.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Dinosaur Dennis on 11/15/2022, 9:13 am, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Stain glass and woodworking are now big hobbies at our house. I'm starting a chess set next month turning the pieces on a lathe and then carving the tops by hand. My wife a I are going to make Frank Loyd Wright style stain glass window trim.
We get cardio workouts cycling on our E-assist bicycles & hiking. We have enjoyed RVing for years and take our bikes everywhere. Cycling the rim of the Grand Canyon was fantastic!

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by drumbdummer on 11/15/2022, 10:26 am, in reply to "Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?"

I LOVE working on my lathe! I just don't have time to do it much. I do a lot of pens as gifts, seam rippers for a local quilt shop, and batons for friends.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Done it all on 11/14/2022, 7:40 pm, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Competitive archery, shooting competitions, woodworking, welding, forging, and my favorite GRANDKIDS

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Arnold "J" Cobbs on 11/14/2022, 7:20 pm, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Woodworking.
I was lucky enough to have many woodworking machines passed down to me.
It is hard to think about a parent, student, or administrator that is giving you grief when there is a blade spinning at 22,000 RPM an inch from your fingers. It clears the mind.
However, it is maddening when something doesn't fit together just right.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by theo vaughn on 11/14/2022, 1:28 pm, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Aviation. If I would have experienced this earlier in life I would have hands down been doing this instead.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Curious on 11/15/2022, 1:06 pm, in reply to "Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?"

It's good to know I'm not the only one who has that about this. Just the thought of being alone 25,000 feet above everything else seems pleasant at the moment.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Kramer on 11/14/2022, 2:25 pm, in reply to "Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Me too! Although I'm not a public school band director anymore, I do direct the pep band at the University up the road. But I got my PPL last summer in July. I wish I'd done it years earlier. My plan is to get Instrument rated, commercial rated, then CFI. Move my classroom from the band hall to the cockpit when I retire from TRS.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by FutureStudent on 11/15/2022, 3:44 pm, in reply to "Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?"

I've always wanted to get my PPL and Instrument Rated. If you don't mind me asking, about how much did it cost total, and when did you do most of your hours?

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Kramer on 11/21/2022, 8:50 pm, in reply to "Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?"

$12,500…. A number I have yet to tell my wife. LOL….. I started on Oct 6 of 2020, and I took my check ride on July 21, 2021. That dollar amount includes some extra things that I bought that I could have gone without. I treated myself to a Bose A20 headset right before my check ride which I already had a Kore aviation set that would have been ok.

I did this my last year teaching. Most of my flights were on the weekends when weather would cooperate. I flew out of Easterwood (Texas A&M University) at Brazos Valley Flight Services. I was able to fly some Cessna 150s, but mostly 172 models. Cost depends on the plane, and what avionics are in it. Most of my flying was on steam gauges cause those planes were cheaper than the G1000.

Costs are not getting any cheaper. The average student takes between 60-75 hours to get their PPL. I did mine in 52 (the minimum is 40).

I am now part of the flying club in an airport close to Easterwood that we have a PA-28 with a 180 in it. Very comparable to a Cessna 172, but low wing.

I get to fly enough to stay current for passengers, but changing careers (while making my life way better) cost a little disposable income to be able to get my instrument rating. I’ll get there, but it will take time. I’d be happy to share more. Drop your email and I’ll be happy to chat. We could even go fly if you’re close enough.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by theo vaughn on 11/29/2022, 7:18 am, in reply to "Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Hey there I'm right here in your neighborhood hit me up if you'd like to go flying. I'm also at KCFD. What a coincidence.

tenordrum4life@mac.com

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by theo vaughn on 11/15/2022, 8:18 am, in reply to "Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Great choice. I've been contemplating this exact same thing. I'm going to try and talk with district to see if this could be a class added to the current career and technology route. I'm still going to get my instrument rating regardless but if this is a green light I'll go full throttle and head it up to CFI as well.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Hobbies on 11/14/2022, 12:46 pm, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Taking photos around town. Going to breweries. Cooking (after marching band season mainly). Walking around parks. Watching sports. Crushing high scores on arcade basketball games.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by ob1knabe on 11/14/2022, 12:18 pm, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Video games and riding my Harley!

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by BorderBD on 11/14/2022, 12:08 pm, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Fiber artist.
Crochet, machine knitting, hand embroidery, cross stitch, sewing.

And, yes, I keep part of my yarn stash in my office. And that's ok.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by DesertJazz on 11/14/2022, 11:48 am, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Photography, and related to that flying my drone.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Me on 11/14/2022, 11:30 am, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

I played Warhammer until my kids got here, and now I don't have time for it. Maybe when they're a bit older I can do it again.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Me too on 11/14/2022, 1:03 pm, in reply to "Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Another fellow warhammer player. No kids, so plenty of time to play still!

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Me on 11/14/2022, 2:30 pm, in reply to "Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?"

It's a shame the Dawn of War franchise died so thoroughly. That at least could tide me over till I get in a real game or two.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by My hobby on 11/14/2022, 10:48 am, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Stamp collecting since childhood. I never knew at the time I was studying history and art. This is why I never had a problem with the subject of history (or music history) at every level from elementary through graduate school.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Flutist on 11/14/2022, 10:45 am, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Not really outside of music, but close enough...

I started teaching myself instrument repair. I've always been interested in it but haven't ever had the money to invest in the tools. Now graduated, ive started collecting a couple tools here and there.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Floottchr on 11/14/2022, 10:41 am, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Gardening

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Hiram Percy Maxim on 11/14/2022, 9:36 am, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

amateur radio AKA HAM radio. This is the king of hobbies. Find your local club and check it out.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Warhawk on 11/14/2022, 12:18 pm, in reply to "Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?"

My dad's a HAM in more ways than one. W5ETL is his call sign.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Jon V on 11/14/2022, 9:32 am, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

I picked up a cheap mandolin on a whim back in February and started teaching myself, and now I go to a local bluegrass jam in Boerne a couple of times a month. A few other beginners in that group and I have formed a little combo, and we've been working up some music and are getting ready to do our first show.

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by D Brown on 11/14/2022, 8:24 am, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Board games - I have about 400 games and expansions

I also workout when marching band doesn't interfere

Re: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Posted by Jeremy on 11/14/2022, 7:39 am, in reply to "What are your hobbies outside of music?"

Building scale models
Growing grapes and making wine
Reading Texas history books

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