Coins Of The Biblical Realm

In the famous challenge to his kingship, Jesus Christ has given to us this now memorable Biblical statement:

“Render unto Caesar, the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. . . ”

We know that he was referring to the coin of the then Roman realm under which the Jews were obligated to pay tribute.

But have we actually seen images or replicas of the coins then in use? Christ mentioned Caesar because we now know that the image of Caesar was in one of those coins.

And as ardent practitioners of Christianity, we have learned of the other coins mentioned in Holy Scriptures. We have read about the stater, the denarius, the shekel or half-shekel, and even of the drachma. And yes, the poignant widow's mite.

Now, we can actually assign images to these terms that we so often encounter in our readings of Holy Scripture.

Here’s the place. Images come from the same site.

Monopoly Has No Monopoly

Indeed, the game of Monopoly has no monopoly in the issuance of high denomination currency.

Think 100,000 dollars, US dollars that is, as one denomination.

The US as late as January 9, 1935 printed and issued such a denomination as a gold certificate. Okay, so it was not really intended for general circulation.

But what about 10,000 US dollars in gold certificate issued as late as 1934?

And there’s more: in 500, 1,000, and 5,000 denominations.

Read more and learn which ones are still in circulation. Or learn how they looked and why they were issued.

Songs Tag

Got tagged in a musical way over at Tubby’s Comments. And am honestly quite clueless about this business of tagging, so am taking the safe route and just playing it by ear by copying the format.And since I am essentially like a one-horse-buggy town, selections will come from a few very dated sources.

But here goes anyway:


Are you a man or a woman?
A Man And A Train – Marty Robbins
Travelling Man – Ricky Nelson
Honky Tonk Man – Jimmy Orion Ellis

Describe yourself:
A Big Hunk Of Love – Elvis Presley
All Shook Up – Elvis Presley
Baby I Don’t Care – Elvis Presley

What do people think when they are around you?
Devil In Disguise – Elvis Presley
Doin’ The Best I Can – Elvis Presley
Playing For Keeps – Elvis Presley

How are you feeling?
Moody Blue – Elvis Presley
A Little Bit Of Green – Elvis Presley
Almost Persuaded – Marty Robbins

How can you describe your last sentimental relationship?
A Little Spot From Heaven – Marty Robbins
Always On My Mind – Elvis Presley
How’s The World Treating You - Elvis Presley

Describe your new relationship with your partner or suitor(s)
Any Place Is Paradise – Elvis Presley
As Long As I Have You – Elvis Presley
Loving You – Elvis Presley

Where would you like to be right now?
North To Alaska – Johnny Horton
The Battle Of New Orleans – Johnny Horton
The Mansion You Stole – Johnny Horton

How are you with regards to love?
Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley
Lover Doll – Elvis Presley
Lover’s Rock – Johnny Horton

How is your life?
Ain’t Life A Crying Shame – Marty Robbins
Anyway You Want Me – Elvis Presley
Baby, Let’s Play House – Elvis Presley

What would you choose if you had only one wish?
A White Sport Coat and A Pink Carnation – Marty Robbins

Write a quote or a famous sentence:
How Great Thou Art – Elvis Presley

Now let’s rap it up...
Be-Bop-A-Lula – Gene Vincent
Trouble – Elvis Presley
Hula Love – Buddy Knox

Another Old Elvis Treat

Through the courtesy of YouTube, here's a special treat for Elvis fans:

Blog As Personal Journal

Earliest Journal(cover page):
We know that weblogs, or more popularly, blogs, are a product of the present century. Spread out and popularized through the medium of the Internet.

But just as surely, we know that personal journals have been with us for a long, long time. So long, perhaps, that remaining documents attesting to this have become ageless, timeless, and never the mind.

The biggest change over time, of course, has been that while personal journals were simply that, personal, the present ones, the blogs, are as public as public can get. Everybody with an Internet connection has access to them, whether the creators are so inclined or not.

So, bloggers, out there if you still want to maintain a modicum of privacy in your very personal and intimate scribbling then at the very least, place your blogsite behind some kind of intranet wall so that only those you have chosen can access them. And/or add some log-in protection via user name and password.

If you have a URL, then as its name suggests your blog can be uniformly located by anybody with an Internet connection. And even if you do not advertise your blog, those diligent search engines will do their best to point a finger toward your direction.

So now, blogs are great and fashionable, and commonplace; and millions have joined in to try their own.

But what about those who shun the Internet, but have always kept their own personal journals? Or those who do want to keep personal journals but do not want to plaster them where the entire world can read them?

I am sure you are still out there, thriving in private and with no vain desire to share your innermost thoughts with the world, nor any fearless desire to make known what and how you are doing.

Well, then, kindred souls, feel not being alone and left out. Count me as one among you, still a fervent disciple of personal journals that are still personal and private.

Some time ago when I recollected on this practice and made an inventory, I discovered some very interesting and nostalgic insights. Insights that I would like to share, though still behind a hazy veil of anonymity and blurry words.
Current Journal:

Scrounging through old files from the old homeland, I was able to salvage among other miscellany the cover page of a very early journal book in the early 70’s, the earliest I can find.
Samples of Earlier Journals:


That and succeeding journals show certain common threads. They were all written using words block-printed, rather than in the typical cursive fashion. They were written on a daily basis, using some determinable format. But on papers or books that varied in size, thickness, and ruling. Using either fountain pen, or ballpoint pens, but never pencil. And typically, I noticed on media that were not purposely intended to be used as personal journal, but rather as schedulers, school notebooks, and even hardbound ledgers. Lately, though I have been looking around for journal books intended primarily for the purpose.

The subject matters? As diverse as the faces in a UN general assembly meeting. But definitely topics/concerns, which at the time of writing were floating and craving for attention in my mind. Just like what a personal journal should contain.

So to this day, daily I continue to trudge along, lending and committing words to paper, in the same self-same tedious manner of manually printing out words.

To all of us out there, carry on and more power!

An Unusual Philately Find

Seven presidents of the Republic of the Philippines on one sheet of postage stamps.

Presidents commencing from the 2nd Republic up to the 5th, but minus the incumbent’s father, Diosdado Macapagal, and deposed Joseph Estrada. And of course, minus the incumbent, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Would be interesting to find out who else the entire sheet featured.

The Filipino Heritage site had this to say:

Since then, the country has issued thousands of stamps (2,500 different ones from 1946 to 1996), including regular issues promoting heroes, presidents, and other prominent Filipinos; commemoratives marking significant historical milestones, and colorful special issues displaying the country's flora (especially orchids and medicinal plants) and fauna. Major landmarks and scenic spots are on stamps too, as are native costumes, folk dances, and festivals. Some 20 issues honor schools and universities. Reproductions of paintings have appeared. A scenic and cultural tour of the Philippines can be made through its stamps.

But no mention of the featured stamps.

Here’s an interesting comment:

I have been reading with interest your items concerning postage stamps that seemed to represent waivers to the rule that people have to be dead for ten years before their likenesses are allowed on stamps (Presidents excepted). However, I must clear up a misconception here: the "ten years" rule was not adopted by the CSAC (Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee) until some time in the late 1960s. Until then, there were no limitations concerning a person's appearance on a postage stamp (so long as that person was deceased). During the 1950s and early 1960s, the U.S. issued many memorial stamps to those who had recently died; besides Disney and Hammarskjold, these included Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay (1957), Ernst Reuter, mayor of (West) Berlin (1959), former Senators Robert Taft and Walter George (1960), Secretary of State John Foster Dulles (1960), Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn (1962), Eleanor Roosevelt (1963), and in 1965, Winston Churchill and Adlai Stevenson.

Interesting info. Not only that Magsaysay was featured on a US stamp, but learning about the ten-year rule on deaths.

Comic Books Collecting

What better time to delve on this long-forgotten activity than these days, when our typical movie fare now comes replete with comic book super heroes portrayed on the big wide screen, on multi-million dollar budgets and stultifying special effects. Quite a far and distant cry from the 50-75 cents that we used to shell out for our favorite comic books, those gritty artwork and catchy dialogues incased in balloons were more than sufficient to transport us to the fabled land of fantasy and youthful escapism. Of course, that was then to be expected and tolerated because after all we were kids and did not know any better.

Wrong! Because even today as adults, we still engage in those self-same forms of escapism including those newly created and woven into our malleable or growth-resistant psyche, much more pronouncedly than before and definitely on much greater scales and expenditures. Superman Returns! Batman Begins! Spiderman I and II, and III? Catwoman! Elektra! Daredevil! Of course, the X-Men I, II, III! And who knows what else Hollywood has tucked on its cuffs ready to spring a surprise, especially that midsummer is now with us. – All grand and no-expense spared productions! Each next one bigger and better than the previous one.

All for kids? I don’t think so. Then how come middle-aged adults are the ones critiquing and reviewing these movies? And grand old men deciding on which super heroes to bring to larger than life and whose deep pockets are invariably commandeered for their productions.

Let’s admit it. It is indeed for the kids, and just as importantly, for all the kids that are in all of us adults – from 18 to 90 years, who still cannot wean or break away from the idyllic times of our youth – a youth of careless irresponsibility, of almost non-existent worldly cares, and of a world where everything, absolutely everything, is possible.

Thus, by extension, comic books collecting, should also be out there – relevant and apropos. Enjoying good and satisfying patronage. For kids of all ages.

We seem to believe that Marvel Comics has the lock on most of the popular super heroes familiar to most of us – like Spiderman, Captain America with his corps of Avengers, Sub-mariner, Hawkeye, and Daredevil.



And the less known, but more artful ones, such a Dreadstar, Black Dragon, etc.

But guess what, here is the lineup for DC World’s Finest Comics – Superman and Batman, the Green Lantern and his Justice League members such as The Flash, Aquaman, Hawkman, and Shrinking Violet.

Do you remember Mighty Mouse? Or the appropriately miniscule Atom? BulletMan? Or the elastic PlasticMan?

And for Batman specially, from just mere comic book on newsprint, we now have him, redubbed as the Dark Knight, in aptly collectible book form with magnificent artwork and stunning colors.

So what are you waiting for? Start or revive that dusty off-to-a-corner collection of comic books. Strike while that hot Superman Returns movie is still sizzling.

Better still, retrogress even further, dig out those pencils and crayons from storage, or purloin some from your toddlers if you have any, and start that super heroes drawing/coloring book.

Currencies of the European Union

Euros:

As of this writing there are 25 member states in the European Union (EU) and here is a chronology of when each became a member:

1958: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands

1973: Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom

1981: Greece

1986: Portugal, Spain

1995: Austria, Finland, Sweden

2004: The Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia

Possible member candidates:
Croatia, Macedonia, and Turkey

Other Potential Member states:
The remaining states in the Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, including Kosovo)

Those who failed to join or left:
Norway, Greenland, Morocco, and Switzerland.

Other Future Prospects:
Armenia, Cape Verde, Georgia, Iceland, Moldova , and Ukraine

And include the European Microstates:
Liechtenstein, Monaco, and Vatican City

And More:
Macaronesia Region composed of Cape Verde(named above), Azores and Madeira, and Spanish Canary Islands; then, Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands, Iceland, and San Marino.

However, there are only 12 member countries using the EU currency, the euro:
Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.(Coins and notes were released only on 1 January 2002.)

But the following non-members also use the euro currency: Andorra, the Holy See, Monaco and San Marino.

A little background on currency value:

Once upon a time not so long ago in a land not so far away, the Swiss franc was the strongest currency in the world. Outside of gold, it was the premier currency in which to seek a safe haven from periodic world monetary turmoil. It still is, but with a much reduced appeal with the advent of the euro.

Germany is Switzerland's major trading partner, and consequently maintained a narrow fluctuating trading band with the German mark, also a relatively strong paper with the Weimar experience still fresh in the minds of many Germans. With the mark being amalgamated into the euro and its sovereign monetary policy now determined by the ECB, the Swiss franc's value is now reflective of the far more socialist monetary policies of the other members in the ECB. It's a sorta mini-wealth transfer within Europe. If Britain has ever done anything right for its people it is to have refrained from joining the giant wealth transfer scheme inherent in the ECB. Norway and France are a couple of others getting cold feet about this whole regional government

So now, here is the US dollar conversion of the three-named currencies, except that the Deutsche mark is now obsolete because Germany now uses the euro:

One Euro = 1.25140 US$
One Swiss Franc = 0.800839 US$
One Deutsche Mark (obsolete) = 0.639789 US$

In effect, the 12 member states, including the 4 little states mentioned above, in adopting the euro have effectively demonetized their own unique currencies and made them obsolete. And thus put them squarely on the lap of the eager numismatists. These frozen-in-time gems will now command a lot of interest and value to those eager to memorialize them.

Given these developments, I was then quite exhilarated when I came in possession of a collection that was recently discarded by a homeowner who had to sell his house and move elsewhere. Heartened by receipt of a box-full, bigger than your typical shoebox, of coins from all over the world, but dominated by those coming from member states of the EU.

Here are some of the obsolete coins which have been replaced by the euro. The latter (pictured above) might disappoint coin enthusiasts, given the rather unimpressive quality and look of the coins and the metals used. Especially when compared with the older discarded coins of the member states.
Germany:

Netherlands:

Italy:

France:

Ireland:

Austria:

The Lowly Philippine Half Centavo

The current day Philippine peso definitely cannot get one a bagful of pan de sal, the islands’ bread staple. Imagine what a half centavo could purchase!

Next to nothing. Plus, there is no issue of half centavo on the current set of coins.

However, once upon a time, half centavos were in circulation and did have real purchasing value. During the American occupation of the islands, half centavos were struck for two years – 1903 and 1904. They were quite small in size, especially compared with the rather hefty centavo coins, which as kids we used to call “isa ka daku”, literally meaning, a big one. Of the two years of mint, 1903 is considered easier to find. My tough luck, since my hoard is of the 1903 variety.

Originally colored red or maybe red brown, their small size worked against them. They easily got misplaced. Though struck only for two years, there should be out there tucked snugly in some collectors’ albums or montage, sufficient quantities that could translate to some windfall. The humid tropics are known to be harsh to metals, but basic care to keep them well preserved should not be very difficult.

Based on condition, a half centavo could command as much as US$2,000 – if you can find one. Based on current foreign exchange rates, that would be 100,000 pesos!

Here’s a current offering on EBay.

Maybe it's time again to rummage through Lolo’s or Lola’s old aparador of trinkets and odds-and-ends.

A little added trivia. In 1913, the local Bureau of Health issued the Culion Leper Colony half centavo. To those unfamiliar, Culion island, part of Palawan, was (is?) a leper colony ran by the bureau, where lepers could be isolated and treated. An uncle doctor was assigned there when I was a kid and thus, I spent part of my youth in the island among the lepers as a chaperone of my grandmother.

Learning Is Never Dull

In this fabled land of milk and honey, of roads made of gold, of a veritable cornucopia of abundance and opulence, savvy entrepreneurs relentlessly devise ways and means to cater to the insatiable drives of the citizenry desirous of claiming a yearned-for piece of the above, i.e., in pursuit of their American “dreams”. And the menu of choices are just as varied as the cosmopolitan ethnicities of the population, and the diversity of moral, political, social, etc. orientation and persuasion of the populace.

In highlighting one such endeavor, The Learning Annex, we get to see the dizzying diversity of options available and open to those seeking to pursue their own individual goals.

And from its descriptive name, the Learning Annex, is one such enterprise catering to providing and equipping those interested with skills and attitudes custom designed for their specific requirements.

Here’s the company overview from its website:

The Learning Annex is the premier producer of seminars, lectures, classes and workshops throughout the United States and Canada. We provide our students with the tools they need to change careers, make more money, improve their relationships, empower their lives and support personal and spiritual growth. We offer over 8000 events a year!

Our monthly magazine reaches over 2.5 million people. It is distributed through the mail, in street kiosks and retail outlets. Learning Annex students enjoy unprecedented access—at modest prices—to best-selling authors, show-business luminaries and high profile, powerful industry leaders who share their expertise in formats ranging from 3-hour classes to weekend events.

Our courses range in diversity from powerful lectures by such speakers as Donald Trump, Larry King, Jerry Lewis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Henry Kissinger, Tony Robbins, Deepak Chopra, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Barbara Bush, P. Diddy, Sylvia Browne, James Van Praagh and Robert Kiyosaki to our “How To” seminars ranging from writing a business plan, investing in Real Estate, and succeeding in the music business to social activities like our Whitewater Rafting trip and Wine Tastings.

Over our 25-year history, The Learning Annex has become so recognizable in contemporary culture that we have been featured in hit shows such as Sex and The City, Six Feet Under, The Simpsons, Will and Grace, Dharma and Greg, to name a few. Additionally, Mad TV, Saturday Night Live and Jay Leno have incorporated The Learning Annex into their parodies.

The Learning Annex continues to enlighten millions of students seeking a casual and practical learning environment. Within the last year we have expanded our reach with our online audio and video classes and a new book series available in stores nationwide. In 2004 we successfully launched The Learning Annex Real Estate Wealth Expo where twenty one thousand students came to the Jacob Javits Center in NYC to learn from Donald Trump, Rich Dad Poor Dad Robert Kiyosaki, Suze Orman, Rudy Giuliani and 72 other Real Estate and Wealth Experts. In 2005 we expanded our Real Estate Wealth Expo to 3 cities, Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. Over 46,000 people attended in Los Angeles. In 2006 Learning Annex will launch a national tour in 7 cities. For more information visit www.RealEstateWealthExpo.com.

The Learning Annex is committed to impacting and improving the quality of people’s lives through powerful, practical, and insightful classes, workshops, seminars and expos

Aside from having all relevant information neatly provided in its website, it also publishes in different localities (the one featured above is for the San Francisco area) regularly a glossy-covered magazine made available in many locations, usually outside well-patronized stores, for free.

Consider the myriad of course choices available at any given time, from the mainstream to the very pioneering or exotic. Like how exotic can it get when one of the courses offered is about getting started in porn films lectured by an experienced and well-known porn artist. With appropriate demos, I suppose.

Here’s a random sampling of the courses offered in the magazine, whose cover is featured above.

They can be as mainstream as learning the new-fangled technologies required in the corporate world and in one’s own business: (CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE)





















Or as ancient as lessons on how to get rich:




















Or learning to dance or play an instrument:

















Or the old game of SEX and its many allures:




















Or going beyond into more uninhibited behavior:

US$1,322,500 For Your Old Nickel Or Half-Dime

In the wonderful world of numismatics, the incredible values for collecting do not stop with the acquisition of the precious object desired. Aside from the joys and excitement of possessing a rare and history-filled little piece of metal, there is the added boon that someday it could translate into a financial windfall for the hoarder.

Here’s a typical example as reflected by this little bit of news from the world of coin collecting.

A 1792 half dime, believed to be one of the first coins minted by the United States, was sold at auction for more than $1.3 million Thursday night at the Central States Numismatic Society convention, officials said.

The bidding began at $750,000 and advanced to $1.15 million. With a 15 percent buyer's premium added on, the coin sold for $1,322,500.

Two worn 1792 half dimes, or "disme" as it was originally spelled, also were sold at the convention for $14,950 and $69,000, respectively.

When I first read this, careening thoughts raced in my mind, faster than the feet that would carry me to my little stash, consisting of about a dozen folders all filled with various mounted coins from various countries.



Eureka! I have a similar coin – A half-dime dated 1868. Struck and minted 76 years later than the one that sold.

So how much is it worth? Anywhere near $1.3 million? $14K? or $69K?

Can’t tell. Coin collecting unfortunately is not that simple to learn and discern. A professional appraiser will have to be consulted.

Now for those of you out there. Not to despair. Some generous and affluent gentleman is giving away priceless gems of – guess what – old pennies. You know, those little insignificant copper pennies that you like to toss aside or just throw away to the garbage can, sidewalk, or wherever place you find yourself when that loose change is handed over to you.

Outside the Nasdaq offices in New York City, Travers dispersed the first of three coins — all pennies — at a food vending stand just this week: a 1914-D Lincoln cent valued at $300.

On Tuesday Travers will spend two more pennies — a 1908-S Indian Head cent and a 1909-S VDB Lincoln Head cent valued respectively at $200 and $1,000 apiece.

So how do you know if you've got the lucky penny worth $1,000? Travers says, "On the front of the coin is the year 1909, and under the year is the mint mark "S," meaning it was minted in San Francisco. On the reverse of the coin are the designer's initials — V.D.B. (Victor David Brenner)."

The Real Senior Elvis Singing Are You Lonesome Tonight

Indeed, a rather "senior" Elvis, not in age just looks, sings the favorite standard:

Numismatics – Coin Collecting

Let’s start with coin collecting, though the study of numismatics includes the collection of coins, currency, tokens, medals and other similar items.

Coin/Currency collecting does not have to be something that one day one wakes up to this great idea, drops all other avocations, and concentrates on coin collecting. It could be something incorporated in one’s typical and normal daily living of life.

After all, money is ubiquitous in our daily life. We can’t possibly survive in a social setting without money for any length of time.

Thus, for example, we wake up and attend to our usual chores. We work. We get home to relax. Turns on TV and watches the news. One stubborn piece of news that has been at front and center has been the case of the missing teen, Natalee Holloway. Vacationing in the country of Aruba, she disappeared one night and hasn’t been found all this time, all of almost 6 months, I think.

But anyway, how much does one know about Aruba, other than that it is situated down there, in Central or South America in one of a score of island nations dotting the Caribbean? It is essentially a tourist destination, with hotels and casinos and nice beaches.

But do you know what money or currency it uses?

Knowing its currency, one can know some things about the country, too.

Here’s a picture of some of its currency notes: (Click On Image To Enlarge)



Its currency is called the Aruban florin, which is equal to 100 of its cents. But within Aruba, one can also carry US Dollars, Netherlands Guilders, or Antillean Florins, which are easily exchanged or accepted. Mentioning those foreign currencies gives one some clues with regard to its history or maybe peoples.

All notes are issued by Centrale Bank Van Aruba.

The picture also tells us that there are outmoded and redeemable notes outstanding. They may be good collectible items, before they are eventually demonetized and thus taken out of the public’s reach.

First, The List

Let’s start with a list. How appropriate. A hobby on lists. Anyway, a list of the more common and popular hobbies and pastimes that regular people can and do engage in.

The list below is collated from WiKiPedia:

Animal-related
• Fancy (animal breeding) - Keeping pet or show animals
• Animal rescue (injured or orphaned wild or domestic animals)
• Beekeeping
• Dog breeding
• Herpetoculture
• Horses

Aquariums
• self-Maintaining Home Aquarium

Arts and Crafts
• Blacksmithing
• Crochet
• Dollhouses
• Doll making
• Drawing
• Embroidery
• Enamels
• Knifemaking
• Knitting
• Miniature figures
• Origami
• Painting
o Figure painting (hobby)
o Tole painting
o Watercolor
• Pottery
• Quilting
• Scrapbooking
• Sculpture
• Sewing
• Stained glass
• Stamping
• Warm glass
• Weaving
• Wood carving
• Woodworking

Collecting
• Antiques
• Artwork
• Ashtrays
• Autographs
• Beer Cans
• Books
• Bottles
• Calendars
• Candlesticks
• conifer cones
• Bottle caps
• Christmas accessories
• Cigarette cards
• Classic videogames
• Clocks
• Coasters
• Coins
• Collecting fossils
• Comic books
• Currency
• Dice
• Dumpster diving
• Enamels
• Found objects
• Hats
• Keychains
• Lighters
• Lunchboxes
• Microchips
• Miniature models
• Patches
• Phillumenism, i.e. collecting matchbooks and matchboxes
• Photographs
• Poker Chips
• Postcards
• Posters
• Quotes
• Records
• Collecting Rocks and Minerals
• Scale models
• Scissors
• Shopping lists
• Shot glasses
• Souvenirs
• Spoons
• Stamps
• Swords
• Teddy bears
• Thimbles
• Trading cards such as baseball cards
• Wine labels
• Yardsticks

Computer-related
• 3D computer graphics design
• Animation design
• Computer games
• Computer programming
o Open source and the free software movement
• Operating systems, e.g. GNU/Linux
• Photoshopping
• Retrocomputing

Cooking
Any food/drink you feel like making

DIY (Do It Yourself)
• Home Repairs

Electronics
• Amateur radio and CB radio
• DIY audio
• Designing and building electronic circuits
• Hardware hacking
• Robots
• TV and FM DXing

Film-making
• Animation

Games
• Board games
o Backgammon
o Checkers
o Chess
o Chinese Checkers
o Go
o Monopoly
o Pente
o Rummikub
o Tournament Scrabble
o Stratego
• Card games
o Bridge
o Poker
o Backgammon
o Gin rummy
• Dominoes
• Role-playing games
• Wargaming, sometimes with miniatures

Internet-based hobbies
• 43things.com
• Blogging
• BookCrossing
• Currency bill tracking
• Geocaching a modern day form of treasure hunting
• Google Whacking
• GPS drawing
• Newsgroups
• Wikipedia

Literature
• Constructed languages (conlanging)
• Learning foreign languages
• Reading
• Writing

Model (scale model) building
• Live steam models
• Matchstick models
• Military models
• Model aircraft—civil and military
• Model cars, including radio-controlled cars
• Model commercial vehicles
• Model engineering
• Model houses
• Model figures—historical and military
• Model military vehicles—including armored vehicles
• Model nations
• Model railways/railroads
o Backyard railroads
• Model rockets
• Model ships—civil and military

Motor vehicles
• Antique cars
• Car washing
• Kit cars
• Motorcycles
• Off-roading
• Trucks

Music
• Musical composition and MIDI composition
• Singing and playing musical instruments

Observation
• Amateur astronomy
• Geyser gazing
• Metrophilia
• Transport spotting
o Aircraft spotting
o Bus spotting
o Train spotting

Outdoor nature activities
• Backpacking
• Birdfeeding, birding, and birdwatching
• Butterfly watching
• Camping
• Caving
• Canoeing and kayaking
• Gardening, including forest gardening, organic gardening, wildlife
• Geocaching
• Kite flying
• Mountain climbing
• Rafting
• Rock climbing
• Rockhounding (rock and mineral hunting/collecting)
• Skiing
• Stone skipping
• SCUBA diving
• Walking

Performing arts
• Amateur theater
• Dancing
• Magic tricks
• Singing

Photography
• Darkroom work, i.e developing films and enlarging photos in black-and-white or color
• Kite aerial photography

Puzzles
• Crossword puzzles
• Jigsaw puzzle
• Word seek puzzles

Research-related
• Genealogy
• Hagiography

Restoration (refurbishing)
• antique machinery
• Early computers
• Houses
• Sailboats, early motorized boats

Sports or other physical activities
• Archery
• Baseball, softball, and rounders
• Basketball
• Bowling
• Cycling
• Dance
• Fantasy sports
• Freshwater and saltwater fishing, including fly fishing
• Football
• Football (soccer)
• Gliding
• Golf
• Hunting
• Martial Arts
• Racquetball
• Sailing
• Shooting rifles, pistols, and shotguns
• Table tennis where the level of play isn’t really hindered by advanced age
• Tennis
• Ultimate
• Volleyball

Toys of some sophistication
• LEGO, including Brikwars, and Lego Mindstorms
• Radio control toys

And scanning through this huge list, I can pick out some that I already am engaged in. To name them: Coin Collecting or Numismatics, Tennis, Charcoal Pencil Drawing, Collecting Old Music (50's and 60's), etc. I also build my own PCs. As a matter of fact, I am using a self-built PC right now, and surrounded by two more that I also built.

Hey, this is going to be fun. For me, at least.

Introduction

Hello, Fellow Traveler.

Welcome. And let us see what hobbies and pastimes we can think of.