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| The most popular place in Tokyo to spend New Year's Eve--in Nanoblocks (fitting isn't it) |
Despite what people might think, Christmas is not
necessarily the greatest time for hobbyists.
Yes, Christmas brings the potential of much wanted presents for the
hobbyist. It might also bring a good
boxing day sale (as it did in my case) but that doesn't mean there really is
time to actually do anything. Christmas
is so full of stuff that the real hobby season may not begin until the start of
the new year.
I know there are people out there who had planned and
executed their Christmas shopping and preparation by September. Those people probably have had lots of time
to play with trains or build model cars.
Based on what people on my favourite train site are saying, there seems
to have been lots of time to improve their models and run quite a few trains.
I have not been blessed with too many vacation days--yes, I
am that guy. They guy you see marching
off to work like some lemming every morning while you are still in your PJs
enjoying that first cup of coffee. While
this may sound like sour grapes (and at times it is) I was still better off
than the people around here who didn't have power until Christmas day. Even if those people had the day off, they
couldn't have run trains or powered an airbrush.
The new year is upon us, and I should take stock of the --in
terms of hobbies. Life has been pretty
full, but I'd rather focus on what this blog is supposed to focus on.
- I have enjoyed blogging and while this blog's readership has been growing slowly, the blog that I set up to help my students' English has done remarkably well. I have even done a good job of preparing and working ahead, so I don't need to panic the day before a lesson is supposed to be published.
- I have reconnected with the Nscale.net website and have enjoyed their advice and stories as part of my effort to build my n scale train layout.
- I have built and painted several models, and can feel good about my improvement in these areas.
- I have spent time running trains and have reignited my passion in this area.
- I have come to love Nanoblocks, but hate that they aren't as readily available as their big brother Lego. While they are popping up at toy stores, they soon sell out and restocking seems to take months.
- My passion for reading allowed me to read 44 novels this year. While this is by no means a record for myself, I think it isn't too bad since for a quarter of the year I had my head buried in ESL methodology books.
- I found time to do a few Jigsaw puzzles, but wonder what to do with them after they are built.
- I have watched far too much YouTube, but I am happy that the few things I have posted have seemed popular. Though, honestly, I am not sure why unboxing the Statue of Liberty Nanoblock kit is so popular. Maybe one of you could watch it and let me know.
- It hasn't been a stellar year for practicing Japanese, but I still feel good about my ability.
In my next blog, I will look ahead to the coming year and
what joy it may bring. Thanks for reading.
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