Things
To Do
Besides
each idea is a selection of links to websites that might
help you with that idea, these websites are just suggestions,
this site does not assume any responsibility for the contents
of these external links. Please let us know if you think
a link is inappropriate. Links also change and disappear,
we apologise in advance for any links that no longer work.
Only you know how your MS affects you, we recommend that
before you spend a lot (or any) money on a project that
you are sure you will be able to do the task. We appreciate
how short funds might be, we don't want you to waste money.
Note: The ideas listed below are not classified
as suitable for Ladies or Gentlemen, we do not say who
can do what as we think you can make your own mind up
on that, but don't assume that an interest that traditionally
belongs to a specific gender is not suitable for you,
you may enjoy it if you try it!
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This
'Things to do' list is not put in any particular
order, it is really just a way of trying to give you
ideas for new hobbies or interests that you might not
have considered.
Although there are web sites listed, We do not actually
endorse anything on the sites, the links are just given
as some examples to prompt you into investigating deeper
into a hobby etc.
Here's hoping that something in the list catches your
interest. If you have an idea,
or interesting link to put here send it to leon @ ms247
. co .uk and we will put it on.
Leon
The
BBC
Look at the BBC
Create website for masses of creative ideas.
The Media:
Just so they are on the list, watching T.V., listening
to the radio etc, reading newspapers, magazines etc.
(I don't think I need expand further on this!)
Reading:
Surf on the likes of Amazon
for a massive selection of reading.
Writing:
Writing can take many forms, it can be done both for
pleasure and for profit. From writing a complete book
to writing short stories, poems, and scripts for plays
and television. Writing is ideal as an activity for
people with MS, it provides both a creative outlet and
a way of communicating thoughts and feelings that might
not be other wise expressed.
The most important thing about writing is that it can
be completely for you, it DOES NOT have to be perfect,
the most important thing is that you get satisfaction
from doing it, you may be the only person who reads
it, you may let close friends or relations, your spouse,
read it or you may decide to let the public at large
read it. There are no rules on who MUST read it, that
is your choice.
Writing is one of the cheaper things you can do, if
you have a computer the chances are you already have
something to type a document in (we recommend using
a computer as that will allow you to easily edit your
text without having to rewrite massive sections each
time you want to change a small part) . If you don't
have a computer, a simple pen and notebook can be obtained
cheaply from your local supermarket.
Searching for writing on any of the large search engines
will reveal a host of web sites dedicated to writing.
Cooking:
Numerous web sites and books will help teach or improve
your cooking skills, if you can't cook already, learn
the creative pleasure that can be had by presenting
food for your friends and family, or even just preparing
more interesting meals for yourself.
Puzzles and Jigsaw Puzzles:
There are too many places to list for the supply of
puzzles, check out the book/toy section of your local
supermarket. Look at sites like http://www.puzzles.com/,
http://www.flashpuzzlezone.com/,
the
Puzzler or http://www.freepuzzles.com/
Cross Stitch:
This popular pastime has a similarly massive number
of websites dedicated to it, check out SuperSticher
or Johnson
Crafts
Join an online group:
Numerous large (and small sites) have online discussions
groups, check out the MS
Society, or Googles
Groups.
Knitting:
Another pastime gaining in popularity, check out KnitAndSew,
Dragon
Yarns
Computer Games:
Although
computer games can cost up to £50, there are numerous
free games (see above),
but before you use a free game make sure your computer's
anti virus checker is up to date.
Gardening:
Most people at the very least have window ledges. There
is a vast amount of literature and web sites about gardening.
It is also something that most people have some experience
of. Taking care of house plants or outside plants can
provide a relaxing pastime.
Make Greetings Cards:
You can pay a lot of money from hobby shops for kits
to make greetings cards, or you can make them from computer
printouts of your favorite photos (look in shops like
PCWorld for their greeting card print out paper), or
you could draw your own.
Suduko:
This popular game can be addictive, it can be done from
books, calculator like handsets or online. See the SUN
newspapers Suduko
site for a daily game or the Puzzler.
Crosswords:
Crosswords appear in many places, you could try Crossword
Puzzles.
Meditation:
Meditation is a big subject and many disciplines and
religions do it, ranging from the prayer of Christians
to Yoga. The subject is too big to cover here, but their
are benefits of a clam rested mind to someone with MS.
Yoga:
Yoga takes many forms, from the extreme positions the
media likes to show, to gentle controlled movements
beneficial to those with Ms who may be confined or restricted
in their movements. Have a talk to your MS nurse, they
will most likely be aware of a Yogo group near you that
is MS sympathetic.
Swimming:
Some
people find that regular swimming helps with the aches
and pains of MS.
Family Tree:
A good excuse for a chat with obscure members of your
family. There are computer programs around to help,
surfing the web can also throw up interesting things
about your family name etc.
Hanjie
These are Japanese logic problems, there are several
Hanjie
web sites.
Rocks, Gems and Minerals study/collecting:
Learning and studying rocks etc., that is Geology, can
completely change the way you look at the countryside
and even the structure of the land around you.
Pottery:
This can involve starting small by simply making paper
mache models, pots etc, or you can get more serious
and get a small kiln and wheel and turn it into a business,
see Pottery
(loads of other links) as one site of many on the web
Painting:
The are many ways to start painting, check out some
of the numerous web site, hobby shops.
Mosaics:
Making patterns using bits of tile on flat surfaces,
covering pots etc, this is one of those hobbies that
takes over, see Design
a mosaic to do it online, or The
Joy of Shards for more information.
Photography:
Most
mobile phones come with digital cameras now, so the
chances are you already have a camera. Learn to take
good shots and be creative. This is another subject
that is easy to get into, and especially with digital
photography, it doesn't cost the earth to delete any
rough shots you may take.
Film Making:
Or Cinematography, although you could go to the expense
of buying a video camera, you could like with Photography,
make a start at film making using a mobile phone with
a video capability. You could enroll on a film making
course, or get magazines, books and visit websites about
it. Make films about your family, pets, holidays. Microsoft
Windows XP and Vista come with a film editor (Windows
Movie Maker) for you to make films (press start, all
programs, accessories, Windows Movie Maker to run the
program from XP). Check out the BBC file makers site
Film
Network, or check out filmmaking.net,
just some of the many sites about film making
Animation:
If you can hold a digital camera or mobile with a camera
steady and not let it move you can take a series photos
of the same scene, but slightly moving and object in
the scene to produce what is know as 'stop-motion' animation.
With a Movie editor like Windows Movie Maker (see film
making) all the photos can be stuck together to produce
a film, or animation. Obviously this is the crudest/simplest
way to make an animated film, you could try drawing
a series of drawings in a note book, then photographing
the drawings to produce a cartoon. There again, are
many books and websites, ranging from Clay animation
like that used in wallace and gromit to using more expensive
animation software (some such as blender
is free). Check out sites like Toonboom,
or one of my favorites Clay
Animation.
Learn a Musical Instrument:
You can either learn an instrument on your own by reading
a book, or some of the self instruction website, or
use a professional tutor, or get a friend to help. Obviously
the instrument for choose will depend on how well you
can move, take yourself to a musical instrument shop
and see what they have to offer, try holding different
instruments to see what they feel like, the shop will
be able to advise.
Learn to Sing:
If
you don't want to pay for lessons, search on learning
to sing, what about free
singing, or an online Learn
to Sing Product Review.
Dress Making/Sewing:
You can start dress making with just a small amount
of equipment, but really at least a sewing machine will
be needed, many good / cheap machines are available
for beginners, they are even stocked in some supermarkets.
Check out Sew
Essential, or Dressmaking
course for just a couple of places on the
web.
Carpentry:
One of those subjects that most men have tried, but
there is no reason why women can't try their hands at
woodwork. There are plenty of books on the subject,
plus local colleges do courses. Once you have basic
wood working skills there are many projects and tasks
you can perform. There is no reason why you can't start
wood work on your own, learning as you go, however sawing
etc can be strenuous, it would be wise to have a go
with a friends tools first to see if you were physically
capable.
Metal Work:
As with Carpentry, one of those subjects that most men
have tried, but there is no reason why women can't try
their hands at metal work, . Their are plenty of books
on the subject, plus local colleges do courses. The
same things apply with metal work as with wood work,
make sure you are physically up to filing sawing etc.
Making Jewelry:
It is possible to buy kits at Hobby stores to make your
own jewelry, if you combine this hobby with a hobby
such as collecting rocks/stones and polishing rocks
and stones, all sorts of fascinating jewelry can be
made. Check out Jewel
Tool Craft, Regal
Crafts, or Jilly
Beads for just some of the links that come
up when searching for making jewelry,
Carving:
Although
possibly a hobby for the more dexterous, carving can
be an absorbing hobby, see the Woodcarving
Patterns site for inspiration.
Lace Making:
This traditional craft is absoring and a great conversation
point, see Tim
Parker's site or Lace
Making Links.
Weaving:
Weaving can take many forms, see the Craft
Fair site for a mass of options.
Wine / Beer Making:
Always a popular hobby, cheap beer and wine help pass
away the hours! See Brew
it Yourself or The
Art of Brewing or the Home
Winemaking site.
Rug Making:
This used to be a way to recycle worn out clothing,
see Rug
Making Kits or for rag reycling The
Rug Makers Homestead.
Calligraphy:
This is a hobby for those with beautiful things to say,
see Learn
Calligraphy.
Kite Making/Flying:
Make and or fly kites see Davids
Magic Kites or Kite
Making Plans.
Model Making:
Model making is a very old and wide subject, there are
other ideas on this page related to various other aspects
of model making, have a look at The
Hobbies Shop, or The
UK Model Makers Resource or The
Hobby Directory or On
Tracks or The
Hobby and Model Centre.
Celtic
Knotwork:
Celtic Knotwork can provide hours of fun, have a look
at Make
Celtic Knotwork.
Decorative Ropework:
There are many uses for decorative ropework around the
house, etc, have a look at Knots
on the Web for a massive resource.
Water Gardening:
How about a pond or water garden, it can be bery restful
to sit besides a water feature and watch it change through
the seasons, a pond could be made up of native plants,
it could be a full of ornamental plants, or a wildlife
collection for butterflies, bees, dragon flies or even
newts! Have a look at Puddle
Plants .
Keep an Aquarium:
Keeping fish has the advantage of they don't need walking
etc. Have a look at Rocket
Aquatics or The
Aquatic Store or The
Pet SuperStore.
Theater Going:
Spend the occasional evening out entranced by actors
taking you into new places, see the theatregoer
or Blurtit.
Candle/Soap making:
An interesting hobby, great for making gifts, see FullMoons
Cauldron or Candle
and Soap Making.
Crochet:
Yet more gift ideas, it is astounding what can be made
with Crochet, see one
ladies addiction or learn
how to crochet
Drawing/Sketching:
The is an artist in everyone, learn how to draw at Drawing
Lessons or Draw
and Colour with Uncle Fred or Drawing
Now or Drawing
Lessons
Quilting:
Never be cold in bed again, have heaps of quilts, see
the World
Wide Quilting Page or FreeQuiltPatterns.
Pottery:
Thank you Elizabeth for this link on
pottery.
Scrapbooking:
Flag Making:
Sailing:
Narrow boating/ Cruising:
Amateur/Ham Radio:
Amateur Astronomy:
Beachcombing:
Bell ringing:
Bird Watching:
Cloud Watching - Meteorology:
Doll Collecting / Clothes Making:
Electronics:
Juggling:
Lock Picking:
Magic:
Puppetry:
Train Spotting:
Making Robots:
Rocketry:
String Figures:
Textiles:
Tombstone Rubbing:
Statue Rubbing:
Fashion Design:
Learn a new Language:
Learn Sign Language:
Wine Tasting:
Astrology:
Palm reading:
Collecting Antiques:
Studying Antiques:
Studing Art:
Acting:
Drama:
Bee keeping:
Beading:
Collaging:
Doll Houses:
Doll Making:
Enamels:
Figure Painting:
Glass Blowing:
Leather Crafting:
Origami:
Paper Craft:
Sculpture:
Model
Railways:
Model Battles:
Historic Battle Re-enactment with models:
Glass Engraving:
Watch Repair:
Watch Collecting:
CB Radio:
DIY Audio:
Circuit Bending:
Designing and Building Electronic Circuits:
Hardware Hacking:
Home theater:
Building Model Steam Engines:
People/Crowd Watching:
Butterfly watching:
Ghost Hunting:
Horse Riding:
Astrophotography:
Darkroom work:
Kite Aerial Photography:
LEGO building - inc. Robotics:
Radio Controlled Models:
Build a Kit Car:
Bus Spotting:
Aircraft Spotting:
Train Spotting:
Charity Work:
Web-Mistress/Master:
Wicker work:
Model Steam Engines:
Model Boats:
Model Aircraft:
Learning to Glide:
Period Weaponry Models:
Models
Study of Ancient Romans/Greeks etc:
Chess:
Draughts:
Billiards/Snooker:
Model Helicopters:
Build a computer:
PC repair and maintenance:
Model Hovercraft:
Build a canoe:
Build a Sailing Dinghy:
Paint by Numbers:
House Plants:
Carnivorous Plants:
Learn
Chemistry:
Learn Biology:
Learn Human Anatomy:
Marquetry:
Flower Arranging:
Fishing:
Keep a Diary:
Matchstick Modeling:
Bridge:
Body Painting:
Natural Remedies:
Flower Pressing:
Making fancy Dress costumes:
Organising your Finances:
Learning Card Tricks:
Making Wind Chimes:
Making Paper Flowers:
Making Piggy Banks:
Stained Glass:
Lino Cutts / Printing:
Collecting Postcards:
Making/Designing Crosswords:
Beachcombing:
Button Collecting:
Diecast Collectables:
Handwriting Analysis:
Toy Collecting:
Calligraphy:
Car Maintenance:
Egg Painting:
Preserving Cut Flowers:
Metal Engraving:
Glass Etching:
Pet Sitting:
Hair Styling/Cutting:
Model Engineering:
Song Writing:
Collecting Something:
There are many things that could be considered Collectables,
coins, stamps etc., being the more commonly thought
of. You do not have to spend a lot of money collecting
things, in Gloucester there is a museum of packaging
with such items as soap powder packets, any item can
be collectable!
Look (or search on collecting in a search engine) at
Yahoo
Collecting for a massive list of ideas of
things to collect, ranging from Air Sickness Bags to
Writing Instruments!
Open University Courses:
The Open University and it's wide range of different
subjects has to be one of the best resources this country
(if not the world) has for distance learning. There
are just too many things to list here, but look at The
Open University home
page for more information.
Local College Courses:
Most College's across the country have day time and
evening courses across the year, such courses can provide
both a place to meet new people and give you other interests.
Have a look at the list
of UK Collages, or look in your telephone
directory etc.
Renovate a boat, car, motorcycle etc:
Many items can prove to be interesting and absorbing
renovation projects. Boats and cars are just two ideas,
but projects might be a small as a chair (doing some
French polishing) or a small photograph frame, or piece
of jewelry (cleaning it up). Look around you, is there
anything that would benefit from a long term effort.
Not only can renovation provide an interest and hobby,
but can introduce you to other people with the same
interests, and increase the value of your assets / property.
Renovate a Truck:
Jennifer sent us this link to Truck
Champ.
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