OK. Hobbies/interests outside of Tanning: Warning - verbose.
Working out at the gym (mostly group exercise). I have been doing Zumba, Interval, Piloxing (Pilates and kick boxing combination), and Step. I used to TEACH most of these classes (not Zumba or Yoga) but now I am 57 years old... so I thought I should leave the teaching of class to the younger crowd... but they do keep asking me to teach class again. Teaching class is time intensive to prepare - and I am a bit busy trying to finish my MPH by December.
Photography - I have been taking pictures since I was 8 years old. Mostly nature and architecture (I do not like taking pictures of people generally, except to document family and events). My photographic art is always nature and architecture. I specialize in sunrises, sunsets, beaches, and ocean. Parks, flowers, and animals are also interesting topics.
Grad School - I am finishing my Masters of Public Health (MPH). Hoping to change careers from the computer geek I was from 1973 - last August.
Member of the Board of Trustees - Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF)
www.primaryimmune.org . This is a volunteer job, and definitely Public Health. I am a rare disease patient who genetically makes no antibodies, and almost died at age 33 until they finally diagnosed me after 33 years of almost continuous sickness. I counsel newly diagnosed patients, teach medical specialists about our genetic illness, and do my best to make decisions that will keep the National Foundation viable for another generation or 6.
Talking - I have been told, "You are the chattiest guy we know", by the members of the women's only gym I used to own and my previous aerobic class students, and current co-participants since I stopped teaching class.
Random acts of kindness - I like to be helpful to people in need for whom I have no obligation. It's nice to give back to society. My life depends on my monthly infusions of Gamaglobulin, a pooled human antibody product that is made from 1,000's of peoples donated blood plasma. Strangers I will never know give me this life. If you have ever donated blood plasma, your immune cells are most likely running through my veins and keeping me alive. Thanks!!! You'd be proud of what I do with the health and energy you give me.
Social Justice - I am cursed with the need to speak up for those that are in need and have no voice. I do this beyond reason, and am willing to risk everything on my crusades. In this way, I have changed blood product safety for the world and have been the invited keynote speaker for the Blood Plasma Industry (PPTA). These are all volunteer activities to date. I would like to get paid for it in the future with my MPH and hopeful career change.
Writing - I like to write and am good at it, but it takes me forever to compose a piece I am happy with.
Mentoring - I have been pretty lucky in life and have been given a will to succeed beyond what I was born with. Many people have mentored me and I like to give back. I have trained some great exercise instructors, computer techs, and other people driven to achieve social justice for the world - all the things that I was mentored in and with which I was able to make a difference in the world.
Reading - I love to read, mostly fiction. I read all the Harry potter books in one year. I love science fiction. The best science fiction is science fact of the future. I also read all 3 50 shades books last year. Trashy romance novels are also FUN to read. I will have more time to read once I FINALLY finish my MPH. Too much required non fiction reading keeps me away from FUN reading lately.
Gardening - Another GREAT way to feel nature in your soul while getting great SUN. I am hoping to have a full vegetable garden next year, after finishing my MPH.
Bicycle riding - I love to go out and ride my bike in nature. Quiet alone time in nature is almost as good as meditation for delving into the inner self. One must first know themselves, before they can know others and change the world.
Reiki - I am a Reiki channel - Level 2. It is an ancient (Buddhist origin) "alternative" healing art that attunes one to the universal energy life force by which all living things are connected.
Sailing specifically and Boating in general - I LOVE to SAIL. It's a sport. It's also the perfect combination of SUN Tanning, Communing with nature, peaceful and quiet, and feeling the "force". I can anticipate the wind changes before they happen, when I am properly at peace and in tune with the natural forces of earth, wind, air, and water. (I believe that is a Tai Chi reference.
Talking to the animals - Yes. I do talk to the animals. No, I am not Dr. Doo Little. While the animals do not generally talk to me, they DO communicate with me. They feel me from a block away and come to me. Really. IT IS SO COOL!!! I live in an area called Bucks County (named for the deer - bucks) that populate this area. When I go into a local park (there are MANY) - the deer quiet look at me and bow slightly with their head in my direction. I bow back. They taught me this. It seems to be a universal deer greeting. They will let me get very close without running. I try to communicate non verbally with them and give them their space. They actually do seem to get it. Or maybe it's ME that gets it, in their minds.
Walking my own path - I just try to follow my heart and do whatever is presented to me to be my next project. It's worked out pretty well so far. I highly recommend this path in life. It's not exactly a "plan", but it can be one heck of a ride. What's my next project after I earn my MPH? I don't know, but it will probably be interesting and rewarding and unexpected. It keeps life pretty darn interesting.
Final thought - If you have enough time to do everything you want to do, you do not want to do enough.