I have a few hobbies, like guitar, bass, snowboarding, reading, biking, composing. But I have two hobbies that I take seriously and may be a little odder.



Kite flying

I fly a dual line stunt kite when the winds are right. There is alot to them. Anyone can make them do twirls and circles in about an hours practice, but there are countless hard tricks that require hours and hours of practice. I'm not very good yet, as this summer will only be my second year doing it.

Here is the Beetle 2100+; the best entry level good-quality stunt kite out there, costing a low $50. I own one in this exact model and color:


Here is a YouTube clip of some awesome stunts. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LjL-36tMhwc&hl=en&gl=CA&client=mv-google



Kendama

I play the Japanese Kendama. It's a game of skill moderated by the JKA (Japanese Kendama Association). While it's technically a toy, many Masters insist "This is not a toy". There a levels to be reached, 10 begginer and 10 advanced. Only a hand full of people have ever made it past #6 on the advanced. I'm getting close to completing the last few begginer levels.

I own the legendary Shin Fuji, one of the only 3 Kendamas approved by the JKA, thus bearing the seal. You can get a variety of colored Tama (Ball), mine is black.

My exact make and model:


And a cool video (this guy is unbelievebly good later in the 1st video):
http://kendamausa.com/2009/11/28/colin-sander-single-tricks/

And that's it. Feel free to comment, ask questions, or post some weird hobby you have.

I solve the rubik's cube for a hobby...



My fastest time for the 3 x 3 x 3 is 30.56 secs, but I average around a minute.

I love flying kites.... I just never take the time to do it. I live on the east side of the Rocky Mountains so we get a lot of pretty good wind coming down off the mountains on a regular basis which makes it easy to fly them.

As for Kendama... that looks like a really fun hobby. Something you could carry around with you all the time and work on when you were waiting in line and such. I watched one of the videos and I didn't know he held the ball and not the stick part.... is that how it's always done? or are some tricks done either way?

There's something very piecefull about flying a kite. And add that to the excitment of doing tricks, it's a great combination.

He's using the Tama (ball) grip, but usually you'll hold the Ken (not ball part). It's just cause he's pro. It's much harder holding it in Tama grip.

What you say about taking the kendama anywhere is true. In Japan, it's not uncommon to see someone waiting in line practicing their Kendama. You can actually buy Kendama holsters!

How long did it take you to become good at it, because it is really hard to do tricks

I'm not really pro yet.

I'm not even done the beginner grades. I can juggle it between cups 60 times, catch the ball on the Ken Saki (point), and hold the ball and catch the Ken in the hole. I've been at it for a few months now.

Wow, I've never even heard of or seen that Kendama before. That's really interesting! It looks like a lot of fun. If I ever see one in a hobby store or at some of the malls around here, I might just pick one up and give it a try.

You might be able to find one.

If you can see on my picture. There's a sticker near the bottom, I'd be sure it has one if I were you.

I ordered mine online.

The game "Tale of Symphonia" features the Kendama. It's much more common in Japan.