by Matt Bird

Created on: May 11, 2009

Everybody has hobbies, whether they know it or not. I certainly do: I wouldn't be able to get through a day without a little bit of hobbying, whether it's something intensely active or just sitting in one spot concentrated on a single thing for a few hours.

Here are a few of my favorite hobbies to relax and strip away the stress of life.

- Playing guitar. I got an acoustic guitar for my birthday and now I spend at least an hour a day strumming away on the thing. I can't admit to being very skilled yet, but I think I'm doing pretty good considering I'm learning on my own rather than taking lessons. I'm already better at finger picking than my brother, and he's been playing guitars for over ten years. (Can't hold a candle to him when it comes to strumming, though.)

- Reading. Guess this is an obvious choice for a writer, but what can I say? I love reading. I frequent the library looking for new books, and gobble down what I have with a voracious appetite. One's imagination outstrips any amount of detail found in a movie or television show, especially when it's given material by an especially adept author.

- Writing. Again, makes sense if I'm a writer, no? I may do it for a living, but I still enjoy writing for myself every now and then, and find it an excellent way to get out my frustrations on bad days.

- Walking and jogging. It's more so walking than jogging - I still view the latter as a chore - but anything that gets me from point A to point B in a way that allows me to appreciate the scenery while I listen to my music is A-OK.

- Riding my bike. Once summer rolls around out comes the bike, and I go everywhere on it. I have no need of a car to carry me places, the bike will do just as well - and, amazingly, I've managed to avoid serious hurt on the thing, despite how much I use it. Other people in my family haven't been so lucky.

- Playing video games. What can I say? I love video games. I have an extensive library of the things and I replay many of them on a rgeular basis. My favorites are RPGs, as I can often play them as well as do something else at the same time - quite often I tie my reading into my game playing, and just keep the buttons depressed with my toes so I'll level as I read.

- Drawing. I haven't been doing so much of this recently, but I'll always retain a hearty love of sitting and sketching. I'll draw just about anything so long as it interests me. My skills come into play especially often during school when I just don't want to pay attention.

- And, oddly enough, day dreaming. Yes, I consider this something of a hobby. It helps me with my writing, as I come up with some excellent story ideas when I just sit with my music on and let my mind wander. I'm especially productive in the shower - though I usually get yelled at for wasting water.

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