Away From SQL
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It's Friday and time for another poll. Despite trying to stick with technology and SQL Server in the editorials, I like to remember that we are all human and have other interests. At least I hope you do.
Last week's poll on movies generated a lot of interesting responses and I've added a few to the "to rent" list around here, so I thought I would jump in there with another outside of SQL Server one. So for this week:
What's your hobby outside of SQL Server?
Andy and I talk quite a bit, both about the site as well as other things and one of the others is a hobby that we share. We both really enjoy making things out of wood. We've been busy in our careers and getting life going, so for most of our lives we've been limited to fixing things around the house, but this year we were both getting successful enough in terms of finances and time, so we spent a little money on ourselves.
Both of us spent some money on tools, and started to take a few minutes here and there to actually build something with our hands. I've made a few things for the kids, but mostly I've enjoyed putting a piece of wood on my lathe shown somewhere in this editorial and just cutting it down. I've made a few pens as well, which have gone over really well with friends and relative.
So let us know what you like to do to get away from work, unwind, and just let your mind go.
Steve Jones
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Films, and history of Science.
I love films. Old films, new films, American films, foreign films, you name it. Most recent favorite: Crash. Nothing more recent, because although I'll watch anything, I'm not easy to please. Others that come to mind: Edward Scissorhands, The Russians Are Coming, 2001, The Fugitive, Indiana Jones 1 & 3, Raising Arizona, Wild at Heart, Vampire's Kiss, Family Man, Boomtown (tv), CSI (tv), and on and on.
On breaks and before going to sleep I read a lot of science and history of science. Recently re-read Galileo's Dialog on the Two World Systems. Incredible book. Popular science writing from a master of anything he touched, apparently. Highly readable: Simon Singh's Big Bang, for the full story. Also Longitude, Galileo's Daughter, Parallax, It Must Be Beautiful, and so on.
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After a week stuck at a desk i like nothing more than hitting the trails (sometimes face first) on my mountain bike and sucking in some fresh air, also tinkering with my Triumph Spitfire MKIV...it will be running again one day!
Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional -
Scuba diving.
Why miss out on the other 7 tenths of the planet and the animals and plants that live there?
Floating along weightless with a camera 15m down in a current with a coral wall on one side dropping off into darkness, and nothing but the blue on the other side is one of the best experiences in the world.
Add in the diving cameraderie, the opportunity to further your qualifications and achievements, the risk element, and endless scope for spending loadsa money on gadgets and equipment. What more could you want?
David
If it ain't broke, don't fix it...
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Climbing, films, the odd trip to the mountains but mostly the ultimate in artistic creation; cooking.
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I would like to think my interests and hobbies are varied in nature, so long as it keeps my interest I love doing most things, I do tend to spend a lot of time at the gym, I find it helps get rid of the stresses of everyday life, I also enjoy the outdoors, you cannot beat driving upto the lake district (UK) and walking/climbing in the hills, Given the opportunity espcially in summer I love going out on the Mountain bike or road bike. I took part in an annual event this year which was riding from Manchester to Blackpool, a little over 60 miles but one of the most enjoyable things I have done for a while. My group of friends are looking for a new challenge for next year so anybody in the UK who can suggest something please let me know.
Then of course there is the usual socialising which I am sure we all do.
In a nutshell anything that relieves work stresses and keeps me happy.
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It has to be cricket - playing it, watching it, talking about it - absolutely anything and everything to do with the sport! This might be a little obscure to our US readers but I would thoroughly recommend trying to have a look at this wonderful game of ours (we own it - not Australia as they like to think they do!) - get yourself a DVD of the recent Eng vs Aus test this summer - absolutely essential viewing!
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Simon, on Jan 8th there will be a fairly good sized group (hopefully) going out for a 58Km ride, mainly off road, around the Mendip Hills starting from Cheddar, should be good fun.
We're also hoping that the Cheddar Everest Challange will be on again this year, you have 36 hours to climb (on bike) the equivalent height of Everest, 1000ft of climbing per circuit. Fortunately you can do it as a team in relay! Not sure where you're based but PM me if you fancy venturing further a field.
Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional -
I write SQL books for somebody I know. 🙂 Also, do technical writing projects for my previous employer (working on their new user manual now) and other consulting projects (developing customized Access app for a customer for Securities/Stock Market).
After my 40 hr week job is done and all my technical projects, I BOAT with my husband and two dogs. That is my favorite get away!
All the best,
DaleAuthor: An Introduction to SQL Server 2005 Management Studio
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Enjoy as much as I can a day with my wife.
Also, I play my 1986 Fender Precision Bass at home or with friends. I don't play very well but I'm learning quickly, I guess.
Listen music it’s a good way to relax, works very well for me.
Best Regards.
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I don't know if this qualifies as something i do to get "away from it all" but I like politics and history. I like to research history and politics, and then argue politics with anyone who's willing to put up a fight (I am not going to say what side of the spectrum I am on so as to avoid a flame war). I also like doing programming at home (this is my major hobby) and web site creation (mostly for myself, though I am running behind since I still havent recreated my website after my server back in michigan died). So that's about it. And also the reason I will probably suffer from heart desease by the time I am 30. By the way, cool thing to ask for a poll Steve! The answers here are pretty nifty and diverse!
Thanks,
Aleksei
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Fencing! Fast-paced, exhilarating martial art, the only one where you can go full-speed, full-out, full-contact - great for competitive urges, and as close to real duelling as you want to imagine.
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Camping, fishing, boating in the warmer weather.
Reading in the winter.
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I play various instruments, but when I've got some time I love to noodle on the guitar... Or even better write some music.
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Hmmm, hobbies... I hope to have time for one of those again soon!
When I am not at work, trying to finish my degree, and planning Cub Scout meetings I like to take the family to hockey games. We mostly go to minor league games in Knoxville, about a two-hour drive from where we live. I also started a related project, a hockey game/league simulator but it hasn't gotten very far off the ground yet. When I graduate I plan to get into something more physical. I am thinking about mountain biking since we live in a wide open space surrounded by forest but none of it very flat. It would be nice to go out early in the morning and take 20-30 minute ride before getting ready for work. It's good for the body and I liked bike riding when I was younger. I saw at least one mountain biker in the list so any tips for getting started would be appreciated!
[font="Tahoma"]Bryant E. Byrd, BSSE MCDBA MCAD[/font]
Business Intelligence Administrator
MSBI Administration Blog
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