BurritoBandito Posted April 15, 2013 Posted April 15, 2013 I was just reading the introductions page and noticed that it seems as though a LOT of members here share interest other than pyro. Many of us are also into making music (I play guitar), computers, and other non pyro related DIY type projects (electronics, construction, and such). I'm interested in knowing more about why so many people would share so many hobbies. Do you think that there is some underlying commonality or is it just coincidence? I noticed that I didn't see anyone say they like pop music, plenty of rockers here though. Is there a "type of person" who would be more attracted to these types of activities, or maybe even a deeper appreciation for some seemingly non-related aspect that they have in common (ie: creating something, or understanding complex systems). I would love to hear others thoughts on this.
nater Posted April 15, 2013 Posted April 15, 2013 I think some of the skills and knowledge required to work with pyro attact a certain kind of person. Other hobbies are similar, so we get a lot of crossover. Generally pyros consist of people with above average intelligence who are good at working with their hands. These skills lend themselves to electronics, machinists, carpenters, etc, all which are common in the pyro community. We also tend to be risk takers to a certain extent. I used to play guitar and bass regularly, but certainly not pop music. I don't play as much any more. My main hobbies are mountain biking and downhill skiing. I am not the only person here who does those either. Both of those sports get the adrenaline going in a similar way to pyro.
flying fish Posted April 15, 2013 Posted April 15, 2013 My main hobbies are mountain biking and downhill skiing. Same here! However I'm fairly new to mountain biking.
nater Posted April 15, 2013 Posted April 15, 2013 If you ever want to ride at Fort Custer, let me know and I will see if my riding buddies will make the trip. It is an hour and a half drive, which we usually make a few times during the year. I will not ride at "the dump" in Marshall again. I did not have that much fun there and I left with a handlebar shaped bruise on my chest.
flying fish Posted April 15, 2013 Posted April 15, 2013 Just mapquested it and it looks like it's about an hour and a half from me as well. I've only mountain biked locally and haven't been out yet this year... So I don't know exactly how well I'd keep up with you guys. I'm eager to get back into it though.
Nessalco Posted April 15, 2013 Posted April 15, 2013 BB, I play bass, guitar, and flute, but I'm certainly not into mountain biking.... too much work. A few years back I was seriously into caving, and then took up high-power rocketry. I've ridden motorcycles for years, though that hobby has also 'fallen by the wayside' - too many broken bones. You have to do something to keep from getting bored.... Kevin O
BurritoBandito Posted April 15, 2013 Author Posted April 15, 2013 Hey, I'm with you man, biking is too much work. Have you ever heard of Greg patillo or Nathan "flutebox" lee? They beatbox into their flutes. Generally speaking I don't dig beatbox but they are both pretty talented musicians which I definitely respect. You should check them out.
Bobosan Posted April 15, 2013 Posted April 15, 2013 (edited) @ Nessalco - lot of caving in this area and I was once heavy into it. Not the commercial caves, the guys and gals I hung around with knew farmers with solid known sinkholes to explore and we'd check out new ones if they were secure. I was always awe struck to step on ground where no human had stepped before not to mention the geologic formations. Back in the day I did RC aerocraft building and flying. Largest was a 1/3 scale Piper Cub. I think it's people who are creative in mind and enjoy working with hands to build stuff....whatever that might be. Edited April 15, 2013 by Bobosan
Boymechanic Posted April 15, 2013 Posted April 15, 2013 I think it's people who are creative in mind and enjoy working with hands to build stuff....whatever that might be. Very true. Most (Okay, all) of the pyros I know build other things and take stuff apart, some for fun, others for work. Just today a couple of us had a competition to disassemble and reassemble various office equipment (pens, staplers, the like) as fast as we could - with our eyes closed. Strangely enough, there's a sense of satisfaction that comes with knowing a system so well that it almost becomes one with you, and I believe that is the same with pyro to some extent. As for my non-pyro hobbies, I am very interested in reverse-engineering anything and everything around the house, as well as building... well, again just about anything. I love my guitars and have been slowly working on mixing and producing my own stuff when I can find a moment. For a while I was into RC planes, but it seems to have been pushed aside... might have to go dust it off now ~Mike
goldwingnut54 Posted April 15, 2013 Posted April 15, 2013 (edited) I direct a Church Orchestra in Kansas. I used to teach instrumental music, and it is a logical, natural outlet for my music...other than as a vocation. I play trombone at a decent level and can get along on tuba, depending on the key. I occasionally pretend to play trumpet, but I sound like trombonist playing trumpet. Ewiee.... I once mixed pyro and tuba playing for a smoky special effect at a concert 30+ years ago. Oh, and you can't direct the 1812 Overture without at least one cannon! I love motorcycling also, and I print shirts for a living. I am a committed follower of Christ, but I've no idea WHATsoever He sees in me! Part of my interest in this forum is to learn to make better black powder for my other hobby, namely the shooting sports. I've got a couple of mills, one of which I built loooong ago from Dan Williams pyro page. I also want to step up my game in rockets, perhaps eventually in the high power realm. Edited April 15, 2013 by goldwingnut54
Anarchy08 Posted April 16, 2013 Posted April 16, 2013 ah I completely agree with this topic as well put by Nater.I believe this hobby not only draws upon those that enjoy fire and everything associated with it, the sparks, noise colour etc but the type of person that enjoys creating something from scratch, people that have a drive to see things come together and create a spectacular finished product. I myself started rocketry from a young age, water rockets with the air compressor from about 10 or 12 so its no wonder how I ended up putting 8'' shells into the sky I have met many people from all walks of life living this hobby, that all share one thing; passion working with their hands the kind of satisfaction that seems to be so primal. personally done many hobbies leading up to this one; rocketry, electronics, welding/turning radio control everything, down hill mountain bike riding pneumatic rilfes, spudguns and motorcycle riding. so id say, yes that pyro's seem to be the type of person that takes risks out of the ordinary to a degree and enjoys building and has an understanding of seemingly complex mechanisms to the layman 1
kilnj69 Posted April 16, 2013 Posted April 16, 2013 I too am very involved in RC Aeroplanes, desigining, scratch building and above most - Flying. Also anything RC related, helicopters, cars/buggies, boats, hovercraft ect. I've allways been In to computers and would love to finish my home built CNC machine one day. Just started building a foundary (About a year ago, not finished yet) before I decided to actually make real fireworks, ie finding the chemicals, studying, cooking charcoal, Reading reading and read some more. When I started this hobby, I too noticed alot of people were interested in the same things I am, ie foundary/metal casting, RC, electronics, chemistry ect. Justin
Davidg1 Posted April 16, 2013 Posted April 16, 2013 How about Martial Arts as well? Anyone learning Karate? Love my Guitar a Haagstrom beauty
BurritoBandito Posted April 16, 2013 Author Posted April 16, 2013 @davidg1,I used to take taekwondo back when I was a kid. Never really progressed in it though, I think I was really more infatuated with the idea of being a "ninja" than I was willing to put the effort into really learning. As a child I lacked the discipline for something like that and as I got older I lost that interest. I have several guitars which I love. My favorite is probably my ibanez xiphos 7 string playing trough my Mesa boogie triple rectifier. I love all types of music but mostly listen to and play progressive metal. Dream Theater is my favorite band right now. I also tinker with piano and though I own a bass I seldom play it. As an amendment to my OP what type of music do you guys like?
kpknd Posted April 16, 2013 Posted April 16, 2013 Trains, steam engines and early photography. Do steam engines count as pyro?
Davidg1 Posted April 16, 2013 Posted April 16, 2013 Steam Engines,oh yes. Another love of mine. The smell of that smoke mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doh!
Nessalco Posted April 16, 2013 Posted April 16, 2013 (edited) @davidg1 As an amendment to my OP what type of music do you guys like? I like to listen to most music - the exceptions being modern country and gangsta rap. All things being equal, I gravitate to classical or jazz. I've played classical, show tunes, folk, 70's-80's rock, and alternative. The current bass players I admire most are Flea, Vic Wooten, Tal Wilkenfeld - and my son Elyas One thing about the modern recording scene - there is *too* much music coming out to keep up with - I'm sure that my favorite performer is someone I've never even heard of... Kevin Edited April 16, 2013 by Nessalco
nater Posted April 16, 2013 Posted April 16, 2013 (edited) Steam Engines? My mom has one, which will be passed down to me eventually. It is a model of a Case Traction Engine which my grandpa made in the 40s. I've been tinkering with it with the help of a friend in HPA. He was able to get it running using an air compressor, but it still needs some repair work. I would mean a lot to my mom and my aunt if we were able to get it fully functional again. I know very little about it and know nothing about machining parts so it is a project for the distant future. My musical tastes are all over the place, but not much mainstream music. Mostly, I listen to indie rock which isn't too popular in the pyro realm. When I listen to metal, I prefer bands like Isis and Dream Theater to Metallica. When I was in high school and college, I was heavily into the punk/hardcore scene and worked with a ton of up and coming bands, some have become pretty big since then. To this day, I prefer going to shows at <1000 person clubs to arenas. I do make a few exceptions for certain summer tours. There's just something about sitting outside on a blanket listening to one of your favorite bands on a Summer night. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sJmIGSgK2o Edited April 16, 2013 by nater
BurritoBandito Posted April 17, 2013 Author Posted April 17, 2013 @nessalco, have you ever heard of Guthrie Govan? He's a jazz fusion guitarist. Very technical player, very fast. I recommend the song "Waves" from his album "Erotic Cakes". He has videos on YouTube if you're interested in hearing him.
DasSchaben Posted April 18, 2013 Posted April 18, 2013 (edited) Sure. Steam engines, music (who mentioned Isis?! I have recommendations for you), very basic C and Arduino programming, soldering, very basic metalworking, and discussion of politics, although I won't get into that here. Anything that combines hands-on craftsmanship with an artisan's knowledge. 3D printers might be over-hyped, but they're still pretty cool, in my opinion. Edited April 18, 2013 by DasSchaben
kpknd Posted April 18, 2013 Posted April 18, 2013 nater I would strongly suggest that you look in to a web forum that I go to alot, mamodforums.co.uk it is for enthusiasts of toy, model and some real steam engines . There are a few members from Indiana there. at least a few members will be willing to help you out to get your engine running again. My engines and other stuff, including rockets can be seen on youtube.com/kpkndusa . Give it a shot.
shouldnoteatindat Posted January 20, 2014 Posted January 20, 2014 (edited) I enjoy making things with my hand (or anything else you make things with) i have been doing pyro for a short time but i have along time to go being only 13 (unless i screw up) i dont have much interest in music. i once was going to get into rc helicopters but it ended up being to expensive. i enjoy skiing like i have seen a few other also enjoy. Edited January 20, 2014 by shouldnoteatindat
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