This week I learn all about hitchhiking. I'm curious about people who throw caution to the wind, stick out a thumb, and roll the dice on getting where they're going without getting murdered. Do people hitch out of necessity or is there a thrill to it that we're all missing? What about people who pick up hitchhikers? What goes through their minds?

Show notes: https://www.thatsahobby.com/hitchhiking-travel-and-see-the-world-for-free/

This episode is a bit different. When I learn about a hobby, I set out to actually try it. Obviously, it's not going to happen with climbing Everest, but after reading Into Thin Air, probably the most popular account of climbing it, I had to learn more about it and the people who do it. Think of this as a book report.

Show notes: https://www.thatsahobby.com/climbing-everest-who-does-it-and-how

This week, I learn about the hobby of collecting, why we collect from a psychological and neurological perspective, and get sucked into collecting the 118 known elements in our universe. How do you even collect radioactive elements or elements that are so volatile, they breakdown almost instantly?

Show notes: https://www.thatsahobby.com/element-collecting-the-ingredients-of-our-universe/

This episode I give my senses a break to have a mental and spiritual breakthrough, or at least I try to, by giving isolation tanks a try.  I'm not a spiritual person but I don't like the feeling of missing out so I try to take a shortcut to a meditate state by getting in an isolation tank. 

Show notes: https://www.thatsahobby.com/isolation-tanks-meditation-shortcut

This episode I get behind the wheel, go to a park lot and floor it through cones trying to not spin out. I talk about my history with used, German cars, learning to repair them on a shoestring budget. Then I take you along around the track where I spin, I forget to breathe, and I get a shot of adrenaline. 

Show Notes: https://www.thatsahobby.com/autocross-easiest-way-to-race-your-car

I try stand-up comedy, a hobby that unique in its impact on society and culture, and one where a lot people experience and think "I could probably do that". How hard could it be to make people laugh? As a huge comedy fan, I stumble on the dark art of comedy writing and write my first set. Then, I experience my first open mic.

 Links:

 Show Notes: https://www.thatsahobby.com/stand-up-comedy-writing-open-imc/

There are maybe a handful of hobbies more physical than obstacle races and the Spartan Race is the most popular. I underestimate the race, confirm what I know about myself, and learn about heat stroke the hard way. Learn about what makes the Spartan Race infamous for some and a community for others. Maybe you'll register for the next race.

Show Notes: https://www.thatsahobby.com/spartan-race-no-prep/

I go hands on with Hikaru Dorodango, the Japanese art of making shiny mud balls. I learn where it came from, about its resurgence, and how to make them. I grab a handful of dirt from my backyard and give it a try, and uncover a myth I never considered along the way. 

Show Notes: https://www.thatsahobby.com/hikaru-dorodango-meditation-japanese-mud-ball/

One of the more unusual hobbies, mooing. Making animal noises is strange enough but competitive mooing in the 80s laid the ground work for reality TV competitions. Find out how and see if you can tell the difference between cow and human - I moo twice, see if you can spot it.

Show Notes: https://www.thatsahobby.com/mooing-competitions-reality-tv/

Taking surveys online to make money. How does it work? How much money can you really make? Is it a scam? I fill out surveys for a day to see how much I can make. 

Show Notes: https://www.thatsahobby.com/taking-surveys-for-money-how-much/