Sailboat racing since 10 years old. I'm 69 and had probably my best season last summer.

Water skiing, three event competition, slalom, tricking and jumping. I competed from 1984-1991 and won two overall (combined score of all 3 events) at Missouri state championships. Resumed competition in 2021, skied at Missouri State Championships, Regional Championships and Nationals in 2021 and 2022. Only Missouri State Championships in 2023.

Serious road cyclist since 1975, although I slacked off a bit in 2023. Did some sprint triathalons.

I've ice skated 75-80 days every winter 2014-2022. Took it easy this year.

Motorcycling and working on them. Working on my 1962 GMC K1000 Suburban. Worked a lot in the GMC this fall, rode motorcycles a lot since I got a 1972 Norton Commando. Part why cycling and skating slacked off.

Smithing and loading.

quote:

Originally posted by mojojojo:
Oh, I also collect Civil War weapons. Mainly Confederate but I have a smattering of other revolvers, sabers, swords, etc.

Cool!

I have an old Union sword that I found many years ago.

Out of curiosity, what item would you consider to be your favorite (or at least hardest to find)?

Aside from the gun stuff, of late I have been getting into the world of modifying watches, so far sticking to Seiko movements. It’s kind of like “building” an AR, in that it’s swapping out parts not really making anything from scratch. However, I have moved from just using modern made dials and made some using vintage dials, which has added another layer of fun, finding the parts on eBay…

It’s been a steep learning curve, but I like being able to make watches that are “just right” design-wise!

These are done up using modern cases and dials:




These are using a vintage dials:





Bill R

For me its motorcycling. And researching and visiting historic sites, towns and pioneer cemeteries here in the Yoop. Bonus: My Harley Pan America takes me to those places.

quote:

Originally posted by pbslinger:
Sailboat racing since 10 years old. I'm 69 and had probably my best season last summer.

Water skiing, three event competition, slalom, tricking and jumping. I competed from 1984-1991 and won two overall (combined score of all 3 events) at Missouri state championships. Resumed competition in 2021, skied at Missouri State Championships, Regional Championships and Nationals in 2021 and 2022. Only Missouri State Championships in 2023.

Serious road cyclist since 1975, although I slacked off a bit in 2023. Did some sprint triathalons.

I've ice skated 75-80 days every winter 2014-2022. Took it easy this year.

Motorcycling and working on them. Working on my 1962 GMC K1000 Suburban. Worked a lot in the GMC this fall, rode motorcycles a lot since I got a 1972 Norton Commando. Part why cycling and skating slacked off.

Smithing and loading.

We share some interests. I grew up with sailing, water skiing, and ice skating as well. Are you in Missouri? Where do you sail? As to water skiing, you must be in some kind of shape. I haven't done it since my twenties (I'm seventy), and I remember being very sore the day after. Of course, that was a one-day binge at a friend's place at Lake of the Ozarks; I'm sure it's different if you're doing it regularly.

Got some Brit bikes including '74 Commando. I like to work on them, too, which is a good thing, because of course, they need it.

I've been interested in black and white film photography for over 40 years - my interest started my first year in high school (1981) when I took a photography class. I mainly shoot with a Nikon F2 or F3, and sometimes a 4x5 camera, but I'd really like to get an older Leica M2 to see if they're as good as everyone says they are.

I'm also interested in old computers from the 70's and 80's. In fact, one of my goals for many years has been to write a video game for the Atari 2600 console. After several failed attempts, I finally finished one this past summer. It was really challenging, but I had so much fun working on it.

Waterfowl hunting and collecting calls and decoys. I’ve got rid of a lot of my calls and decoys over the years, was never into the seriously expensive stuff but things that caught my eye. Used to go to the World Duck Calling championships every year to catch up with call makers I’d met over the years and friends I’d made over the years. Now I mostly look for cool stuff for our duck club and enjoy watching the younger guys have the passion for it that I did for 50 plus years. I’m still out the about every day of the season but somebody has to stoke the fire, keep the coffee pot going and bar and beer fridge stocked!!

Since I retired I rebuilt my woodshop. I have turned about 200 projects that I've sold or given as gifts! Pens, bowls, trays, dishes etc.

I’ll always have my mainstays like photography, amateur astronomy, hiking, camping, birding, hunting, and fishing, however, I haven’t been hard into any lately.

Overlanding is a newer interest, and I can do all of my other interests during those trips out on the trails. My Subaru Forester Wilderness is stock at this time, but I see skid plates, a minor lift, and a little taller tire in my future…I just have to get the wife to see that, too.

I’m also into hifi music and equipment. My preferred genre is classical, but I listen to pretty much anything well-recorded.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ftttu,

MY biggest passion and hobby is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I've been practicing for 14 years and I also get to teach it. I love it!

quote:

Originally posted by TomV:
I think that is one thing missing from my life is having "that" passion.

I have things I like, but never really a super passion for anything is particular.

That sounds pretty much like my life. I filled my time with 70 hour weeks and working on friends projects. I don't even remember the last time I went to the range or did something I enjoyed.

I have been collecting glass utility insulators. Admired them up on poles as a kid and once I retired, started the collection. Over 500 pieces and oodles of $$ spent.

The two dearest ones in my collection came off a pole the Electric company was repairing at the end of my driveway. 20 years I would look up and see them. I asked the Foreman if I could have them. I could see his heart sinking as he thought about it and then graciously gave them to me. Turns out, he was also a collector and certainly he wanted them.

I have many from the 1800's, all are a piece of history that need preserving.

^^^

Cool!

I almost got one of the insulators in slag. The color swirl was different than all of the other green and blue ones.

They were proud of that one.

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
Cool!

I have an old Union sword that I found many years ago.

Out of curiosity, what item would you consider to be your favorite (or at least hardest to find)?

I have a few items that, while not rare per se, are less frequently encountered such as an 1863 Richmond rifle, a Kerr revolver, and a P53 Enfield with hand engraved serial number that is one of 4 rifles known to remain from the maker E.P. Bond in London.

But my favorite item is the personal sword of Confederate Captain John H. Stegin, founder of the German Volunteers of Savannah, Georgia who were mustered into Confederate service as company I of Olmstead's 1st Georgia infantry regiment and assigned as part of the defense of Fort Pulaski east of Savannah. During the Union attack on the fort Captain Stegin was wounded and captured. He was imprisoned at Fort Columbus on Governor's island in New York harbor until his exchange on November 10, 1862. The sword is pictured in Relics of the Coastal Empire: The Civil War Years on page 74, and in Civil War Relics from Georgia on page 14.



Post some pics of your Union sword. I'd love to see it!

Here's a pic of my Japanese WW2 takeback sword captured in the south pacific by my friends dad.

That's a bayonet

I thought it would be kinda cool to have since I can trace my descendants to Fort Sumter as well as the founding of the colony of Georgia.

I honestly don't know much about it. I got it for $100 when I bought a box of WWII stuff for $800.





I also have a bayonet from the Franco-Prussian War.

That appears to be a sword from before the Civil War. I'll try to do some research on it in my books to see what else I can find about it. You'll notice the attachment points on the scabbard; they are designed so that the sword/scabbard can be worn with a sling or strap over the shoulder vs on a belt around the waist. A common way they were worn in the 1830s-50s.

Cool!

I had no idea. I can take additional pics if that would help.

Thanks for looking in to it for me.

stylophiles I had no idea that was possible! I love the mix of classic and modern dials and cases.