JRammit Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 So we all have one or two things in common here... We love fishing! And store bought equipment just doesn't cut it! But what else do you love to do, live to do, and think about when you're not doing it???..... I believe hobbies are essential to life.. Without them, whats the point of living??? For me....... Its hot coffee in the bitter cold dark of a December morning... Its counting down the seconds til sunrise... Its the sound of whistling wings in the winter air... Its the perked up ears and deadly stare of a labrador retriever ready to do the job she was born to do... Its the rush of adrenaline and the smell of burnt powder......... Thats right... Its duck season!!!!! Here in Texas, when you say you're a hunter, people ask "deer or hogs?"... I get funny looks when i say ducks... Cant help it, i love being on the water! Started this "side obsession" only 4 years ago, only took one trip to know it was for me!... The next year, i got me a dog.. A rescue from the animal shelter (free!)... She was 6 months old, classified as "lab mix", but shes ALL lab as far as i can see!... Beautiful girl! All black... Named her Hemi (shes in one of my lure videos) So then i spent some time on You Tube, ordered videos, books... Even watched alot of Cesar Millan (the dog whisperer) and trained her all on my own.. She trained well! She still listens better than my kids (ha ha)!.... She's not quite perfect, but neither am I... Speaking of kids, they love it too!.. Mainly the oldest, he's ALL about it!!! The youngest is still developing the patients..... We only hunt public land, cause im not gonna shell out a few grand every year for a lease.... We don't do well, but we still love going!.... A few duck dinners a year is sure better than none!........ I can already taste it!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 I am a bug photographer. I will crawl on my belly in the mud or wade up to my knees in a paddy field to get that shot of a butterfly or dragonfly or wasp etc. Indonesia is a great place for this hobby; I have more than 80 species of butterfly recorded and photographed and 40 species of wasp. My particular passion is spiders and there are some real beauties here. I used to have a wasp phobia, but now getting the shot is way more important than running away. I am well and truly over the wasp thing. I have some 8,000 images, 1500 have been added to my website, but you can only view a dozen without signing in. Worth a look at the twelve to see what I am talking about. DAve 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted November 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 I still cant stand wasps!... Not too crazy about bees either Spiders dont bother me cause they dont fly... But if they did, id move to the south pole! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 i didn't see any of them things that screw on the wall. Flies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 Actually, the European wasp that has spread throughout North America is a really nasty, aggressive bug that is responsible for so many people having this phobic affliction. I find most of the wasps in Indonesia far less aggressive, harmless even. There are a couple of species that you must be careful off. Individually, they are not a problem, but, if you accidentally bump the tree holding the nest, you can find yourself in life threatening trouble. I have never seen a big nest, but if I see more than one of these wasps, I am scanning the trees and bushes. Here is a couple of images of the wasp I am talking about, Vesper Analis. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted November 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 That wasp looks more like a bee... An ugly, evil bee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 I used to collect old sports cards. Still have a nice rookie Mays and decent rookies of Koufax and Mantle. Even thought about opening a shop at one time, but glad I didn't because that craze is virtually gone now. Also, sport and muscle cars have always been a passion of mine. Love old Challengers, Vettes, and Trans Ams. Currently have a 2000 Mustang GT that's......ummm......not so street legal. lol Nowadays, I'd have to say my latest hobby is smoking meats. Just got into it this last spring when a buddy of mine built me a 50-gallon drum. Smoke 'em if you got 'em! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 I enjoy a lot of things. Photography, planted aquariums and reef aquariums, wood working, and gardening. I also have selection of plants in the house and have large tank to convert to a dart frog vivarium at some point. These are probably the ones I spend the most time on but have a lot of other interests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted November 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 My 2 older brothers are huge gear heads!.. They've been building race cars since before they were old enough to even drive em.... They both tried to get me into it, i was slightly interested, but just wasnt my thing.... Buying factory made parts and mounting them on factory made engines didnt get my "motor running".... Wasnt until almost 2 years ago i found what REALLY drives me when i stumbled across this site Do love me some 11 hour smoked brisket though!!!!!... Ive done a few, but im no pit master Aquariums, one of the previously mentioned brothers does this too... Looks impressive to me, but i havnt a clue what goes into it???... I think he grows (or makes) his own coral too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Do love me some 11 hour smoked brisket though!!!!!... Ive done a few, but im no pit master See.....I love everything about the south, but the ONE thing you all are missing is a tri-tip. I don't believe it even exists east of California. Not quite the quality of a prime rib, but pretty darn good......and DAMN good when smoked for a few hours! We recently spent some time in Georgia watching my son graduate from basic training, and it's now my retirement goal to open a smokehouse in that area - lol Anyway, here's a link about tri-tips...... http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016919-grilled-or-oven-roasted-santa-maria-tri-tip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted November 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Kinda looks like a baby brisket... Ill have to try and find some, looks like a great alternative!... Briskets are so much work, id only do them for special occasions I remember the first brisket i ever smoked... I was raised on it here in Texas, but never made one myself til i moved to Colorado....... The wifes whole family was coming to our house for Thanksgiving, i mentioned smoking a brisket and found out none of them had ever even tasted one before.... So i had to do it! I had a little side box smoker.. The big 15 lb slab of beef barely fit in the cooking chamber... I timed it just right, lit the fire at midnight, added charcoal and wet mesquite chunks every hour all night, napping a little here and there.... 11 hours later she was done, with an hour to rest before lunch..... Did it turn out good??... Yes, which was the only problem.... It was also my wifes first year to cook the turkey... Who eats turkey when there smoked brisket lying around??? 9 years later and she still hasnt forgiven me for that one..... Oops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 LOL! I've ruined more than my share of meat learning this smoking curve. I plan on smoking a turkey for Thanksgiving next week. Smoked a trial turkey a couple weeks ago and it was the best bird I've ever eaten. Made a couple mistakes along the way, but hopefully will work out the kinks this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted November 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 LOL! I've ruined more than my share of meat learning this smoking curve. I plan on smoking a turkey for Thanksgiving next week. Smoked a trial turkey a couple weeks ago and it was the best bird I've ever eaten. Made a couple mistakes along the way, but hopefully will work out the kinks this time. Oooh!... I did that a few years ago, but only a breast not the whole turkey.... I cheated, i injected it... But it was amazing!!! Also i made up a little brine and put it in a squirt bottle, just to keep the bird moist til there was enough fat in the pan to baste with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawkman Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Golfing! Mark Twain said that golf was a good walk spoiled. I have to disagree since I never walk the course. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Golfing! Mark Twain said that golf was a good walk spoiled. I have to disagree since I never walk the course. Not sure about the good walk, but it's certainly a waste of good squirrel hunting woods. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawkman Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Not sure about the good walk, but it's certainly a waste of good squirrel hunting woods. Ben Still plenty of trees and squirrels! I should keep a slingshot in my bag. As much time as I spend in the woods looking for my ball, I could do some hunting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted November 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 I look at golf like playing pool outdoors on a HUGE table... Im much better at pool, but golf is fun too My younger brother was actually on the golf team in high school, and my mom lived on hole 14 of the golf course in Runaway Bay (on Lake Bridgeport)... We use to jump on and play 14-18 all the time... I was no good, but i did see him ace a par 3 hole once Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 That reminds me, I play a very decent game of pool. I played for the pub team and won a pub comp while I was in China. I don't play when I am in Bandung, though it is a very popular 'sport' and a very high standard can be found in some of the halls. Many of the players are professional. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted November 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 I was pretty good too, back when i had my own table I had just turned 21 and i wrecked my truck (no alcohol involved)... Bought another truck, and then the ins co cut me a check for $3,000 over what i paid...... I was a single man in a 3 bedroom mobile home that i had taken over the mortgage from my parents when they bought a new house What would a 21 yr old bachelor with his own house spend an extra 3 grand on???.... Yup, 4x8 Olhausen 3/4" 2 pc slate table, cherry wood, ball in claw legs, leather pockets and electric blue simonis cloth felt...... All graphite "house sticks" and a 19 oz McDermott cue in blue birds eye maple for me I took out the kitchen wall and reinforced my floor with 7/8" tounge n groove wafer board to accommodate... I even took a felt sample to a carpet store to be matched.. It was the ultimate bachelor pad (much alcohol involved)!!! I still have the cue... But the table was passed from friend to friend after i moved away.. Ended up under the care of an acquaintance who just sold it last year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted November 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 (edited) I have a lot of friends who ride motorcycles... They've been beggin me for years to buy one... Ive told em many times, but they still dont get it.. I drive a truck for a living, last place i wanna spend my days off is back on the road! I would however like to get into boating... Cruise around the lake the same way you cruise the streets on your bike... Maybe ill fish a little, or maybe ill pull the kids around on a tube... Either way, when im on the water, im happy! Almost had me a boat... But then this house thing was dropped on me... Its a good problem, if all goes well we close by Dec 15th... Everyone is excited! I forgot about guns... My family loves guns! Even the wife!... I dont take them shooting as often as i should, maybe i should plan a trip to the "range" (abandoned field) soon Also, i think making/editing videos has just become a new hobby of mine... I do them all on my phone, but would like a go-pro some day Just put this together the other day.... In my younger years, freestyle BMX was a BIG "hobby" of mine (more of a lifestyle)... A while back i ran over my kids old bike, the wife thinks i did it on purpose so i could buy him a freestyle bike.... I can't comment on that... But i do like watching him ride it! Ethans new ramp: Edited November 18, 2015 by JRammit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted November 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 As for pool tournaments, i usually dont play well when money is on the line.... Ive had friends bet on me in bars, i warned them but they didnt believe me.... Ive won more beers than i could count, but never any money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Man you guys are talented! Golf? LOVE it.......but completely suck at it. Pool? LOVE it......but completely suck at it. Guns? LOVE them......but I'm a horrible shot. I could go on. lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted November 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 I keep score in golf by how many balls i lose... I once made it 18 holes with a dozen balls.... That was a good day! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 Never played Golf, never was any good at pool, I have 2 tables in my basement, one of them has a ping pong top on it. I like ping pong and Foosball. Hard to find someone to play with that is a challenge. dirk bike riding is my passion. I have a 2000 Suzuki RM250 I use to play the piano a lot. I bought a computer 25 years ago so I could transpose and print music that I played, but don't play anymore. I quit hunting and fishing when I became self employed. No desire to start again. when I get in the woods or on the water, I think about what I need to be doing at the shop, I can't relax.My wife likes to hunt and fish. I guess making fishing lures is my hobby now, that is all we do any more. We went to Bass Pro in Springfield Missouri this summer and my wife went through just about all of the fishing lures to see how good or bad the quality was. I didn't think I would ever get her out of there. That is what she does here is QC everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted November 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 Youre thinking about work while youre fishing, im thinking about fishing while im at work..... One of us has it backwards 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
