Hungry for a Hobby...and a dog

I need to get focused. Now, it’s a must. I feel that there’s a lot of goals and at the same time distractions for me that I need to just focus on something and channel my energy there. I need a hobby, something kind of serious this time.

When I was in high school I was obsessed by anime. I started collecting texts, I started to collect and record videos. It was insane. I took notes. I analyzed episodes and people think I’ve gone crazy. The next thing I found out was I was locking myself in my music room, putting on soundtracks of anime cartoons, and tried to draw my own anime creations. I would get locked up in that room for 5 hours straight. My maid will just come in to bring me food and my parents knew better not to disturb me. They’re used to feeling I’m not at home when I’m just there in that small room, playing loud Japanese music and drawing like there’s no tomorrow. I bought professional pencils, drawing book and coloring equipment. It’s funny thinking back because I knew I suck at drawing. Well, I suck at art in general. I knew my creations aren’t worthy, but I can say that at least I’ve improved over time and for me, it doesn’t matter if it’s good or not. The point is it made me happy, productive and creative.

I miss that moment. As far as I can remember that was the first time I was engulfed in something I knew I couldn’t perfectly do, like drawing, but enjoyed and NEEDED tremendously. It made me more appreciative, focused and calm. I need that now, not because of something negative, but I need it to manage my energy and repressed emotions.

But it must come as a surprise to you that I am still searching for one. I blog, which is clearly considered a hobby, but for me it has already transcended beyond that. Blogging or writing is like oxygen for me. I approach it similarly as a person needs to eat or drink or go to the bathroom. It’s already a part of my existence that it has been a part of my unending chaos. I need something different, but something that I know I would really productively enjoy doing. In connection, taking up writing lessons is always something I would consider, but right now, I don’t want to box myself in the same activities over and over again lest I be drained. I need something fresher.

I’ve thought about cooking lessons also, especially that we will have a new kitchen. It’s probable, but I’m not that ticklish and passionate to consider paying for lessons. Basing it on my mood and on my random attempts of pursuing this craft, I’ve learned that my passion in cooking is fleeting. It’s a mood based hobby and for me and it’s always going to be experimental unless you devote most of your time creating dishes or catering to a certain food business. I firmly believe I can perfectly manage with Lifestyle Channel, a couple of cookbooks and some googled information. And besides, I’ve had cooking classes for four years straight in high school. I know what I’m missing and what I’m not.

I’ve thought of taking up music lessons, like violin classes, which I have been proclaiming forever. Although the interest is there, I can’t guarantee that I would be following through on it. Besides, I think I just fancy it. I honestly feel that I’m too old for that already, unless of course it’s a cello. Somehow I need my hobby to be also useful in the future.

In terms of drawing, it is something I already did on my own. I think I’ve already saturated that part and it’s not what I feel right now. Painting didn’t quite interest me even if my best friend does it as a hobby. The time she seriously started taking up painting lessons, I chose to self-study guitar. Painting, as far as I can see it, is not what I’d be doing anytime sooner.

What else?

What about Photography? Again, I may appreciate pictures, but the PASSION is, as of now, MIA(missing in Action). I know Mitch has been encouraging me ever since. I already have good exposure, connections and support groups, but it’s worthless without the passion and interest. I’ve been to numerous shoots and I am a witness to photographers blooming from hobbyists to professionals, but apparently I’m still stuck at a place where I only appreciate the work. The farthest photography I can do is in my imagination. If I have to participate in anyway, it would be on conceptualization and making story boards. And if ever I would delve into photography, it wouldn't be the norm. I would have to invent my own subjects of interests to set me apart. But again that is quite far from happening.

Sports like swimming, archery and tennis, they would always be like cooking to me, random points of interests that I’ve managed to do at some point already. I think it would always be an option. Also I have to consider the venues, which would always prove to be quite stressful.

I’ve thought about almost every hobby there is and ultimately stopped at Pottery.

I’ve always been vocal about my interest to do Pottery. I was about to enroll two years ago in a pottery school in Makati, but due to timing issues and my desire to do blogging first, it was put on hold. But the fascination didn’t waver. I really think that it’s something therapeutic, something you do with loud music, like drawing. It’s a hobby that demands too much artsy efforts from me, which I’m not really good at producing. But I believe this is definitely the type of art that I have a chance in improving on. Also, the challenge of the activity is done through the mastery of the artist’s hands while achieving utmost concentration to bring out a tangible creation. It’s clay, it’s something earthy which is honestly my element. There’s always this interest for me to feel the dirt and clay in my hands. It’s a hobby that packs enough creativity and imagination, but doesn’t require much mental activity, which makes it therapeutic. Lastly, it’s affordable and accessible...I think? I just need to buy a wheel, clay and do eventually do it in my backyard. I could produce something artistic, yet functional. I believe this hobby is just waiting for me for that opportune time, which is probably now.

I think I’ve singled this out already. I’m just doing necessary preparations and research. So far, I have the need. I have the feeling of neophyte passion, sensation and interest brewing up. I have also assessed its standards of accessibility and level of productivity. If all preparation goes well, I might be wearing that pottery apron after all.

Then again…I also want a dog. I’m targeting for a Harvey a JRT or nothing at all. Now, I need get at least one thing accomplished no matter what happens.