Hobbies

Have you ever wished for something and then regretted it when you finally got it? Right now I am experiencing that regret for long-wished for, poorly thought-out things—like a hobby.

Why, you ask would I wish for a hobby and then regret it? Well, for the interest of my reader (you'll notice that's not plural—thanks for reading Mom) I'll explain.

Long, long ago, in a galaxy far far away – okay, when I was in my twenty's, living in Utah (you gotta admit that's practically the same thing) I didn't have a hobby. It's not that I didn't have things to do—I was in college so I was constantly busy playing pool, dating and socializing. Now and again, when I was bored, I would go to class or do homework.

But I didn't have a hobby. A hobby, to me, is something that helps define a person and assists in social interactions.

For the shy and introverted—“Hi my name's Bob, I like to collect stamps.” Or, for the quiet and sophisticated, “Nice to meet you I'm Richard, I collect antiquities.”

You see, a hobby immediately indicates what kind of person you are. But for me, during that sad, hobby-less epic of my life it was always: “Hi. I'm Dave. Nice to meet you. I'm boring.” Of course I never actually said I was boring but it was screamed loud and clear by the fact that I didn't have a hobby.

But, no more! Now, I can proudly proclaim: “Hi, I'm Dave. I'm an idiot.” Of course, I don't really say I'm an idiot but it's screamed loud and clear by the fact that my hobby is boating.

Did you know that the term boat is actually an acronym. B.O.A.T.—Break Out Another Thousand. It's true, I am poor in numerous ways – I no longer have money, or time.

But, foolish as it may seem, I love boating. Spending time on the water with my family, viewing nature's splendor, untangling the ski rope from the propeller in three foot waves, re-machining the prop because I ran it into a rock, fixing the tail lights on the trailer for the thousandth time, getting my toe splinted because I kicked the trailer in frustration when it got stuck in the mud... Ahh, the good times never stop.

So—do I regret it? Only at times. For example, that small period between the time I bought my boat and now.

But, I've got to admit—I'm hooked. The good times far surpass the bad and the bad memories are dulled by the great times I've had together with my wife and kids on the water. So will I stop boating? Never. Just don't ask my wife.