Hobbies

[timepiececlock]

I've been on a hunt for a hobby to counteract my boredom lately. This last month I tried knitting. I like it; it's addicting. But it doesn't get me out of the house.

I've been thinking about knife-throwing. There's a lot of positives to it...

1) it's cheap
2) throwing things is fun
3) gets me out of the house (this is #3 but it's still a big one)
4) improves my hand-eye coordination and aim, which could use the practice
5) one more step in my secret plan to become a ninja (last week I went indoor rock-climbing for the first time)
6) the more exercise my wrists get, the better for my continued health

Comments

[slacker-97.livejournal.com]

Oh, I skimmed your post initially and saw "hobby" and "knife-throwing" and thought "Wah!? Dude, knit!" but I now see what you were getting at. As far as hobbies go, all of your points make sense, but I can see it getting boring fast.

Unless you get super good, then you need to show me :)

Other than practicing your stealth, *shrugs*

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Knitting actually cramps my wrists after a while, it turns out. I can't do it for more than an hour or so when I'm watching tv.

It could get boring fast, that's true. But the plus side is that if it does, no big deal. I'd have spent maybe 20-30 bucks on it, buying a knife set and a guide book. I was browsing the internet... amateur throwing knives are fairly cheap. So if I did get bored, it wouldn't be a huge investment loss. I don't think I'd get bored too soon, though.

My stealth is pretty bad-- I learned the game of table-topping people while I was in AmeriCorps, and I always had to be the pusher instead of the table, because I had no ability to sneak up behind someone without being totally obvious. I've got less stealth than Naruto Uzumaki, even when I'm wearing black and he's wearing bright orange.

[slacker-97.livejournal.com]

You should pick up a set of darts too. Why not double up your aim/throwing skills. That way when you're in a bar hustling people by saying "oh, could you show me how to play? Oh, I think I can do it, sure I can place a bet...OH YEAH! Suck on that!" and when they get all mad that you took them for their cash, you can break out the kunai and insert it in the wall next to the closest guy...closest to the wall. Hmm, well, perhaps you should also look into some "Krav Maga" classes, or something else in hand-to-hand combat.

I haven't read any Naruto manga in forever. I think the last one I read was shortly after they came back all grown up and were out on their new missions. Got any good location to get back up to speed?

[jaina.livejournal.com]

How do you learn to throw knives? Or are you just gonna walk around targeting passersby?

I wouldn't mind targeting Orange County passersby, but I think they might report me for it, narcs.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Best I can tell from looking at websites, you set up a target in your backyard, use a set of balanced throwing knives (as opposed to kitchen knives), check out pictures or videos for tips on how to hold your hand, and then... throw knives. A lot.

It seems like the trick is counting the number of rotations in ratio to the distance between yourself and the target; you have to move forward or backward to make sure you're at the right distance. Then you practice until your aim is good, then you try different distances.

I suppose you could go to a class, but it looks to me like plenty of people just start practicing on their own and then get serious about it as they go. Like I said: inexpensive hobby, after you bust 15 to 20 dollars for a knife set.

[hex-the-ex.livejournal.com]

It could be a fun hobby, and even more fun explaining to the neighbors.

But definantly, if you decide to get interested, get yourself a decent knife set. People don't appreciate you breaking the tips of their knives when throwing them, and somehow the excuse of "just trying to practice my knifethrowing" doesn't go over too well either. Particularly with your mother. So now you've been forewarned.

[muffytaj.livejournal.com]

Doooo eeeet!

You will also be able to intimidate people by knowing such an awesome skill!

[flutingfrenzy.livejournal.com]

NOT SO SECRET A PLAN NOW, IS IT? >:D

[akavertigo.livejournal.com]

Personally, I think darts are a more sociable missile than knives but, um, hey, whatever rolls your wagon.

I recommend shooting pool, though. It's a better social investment.

since when are hobbies a social investment?

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Got a pool table; it's less satisfying than throwing things.