| Gaming, Writing, and Film Enthusiasm I was asked the other day what my hobbies were. It was a fair question — and one I had to think about for a moment. What even counts as a hobby? By definition, it’s anything you do regularly for enjoyment, relaxation, or personal interest — not for pay or obligation. My answer often surprises people. They say, “Really? I’d never have guessed that!” So what’s the unexpected revelation? I’m a gamer. These days, I’m mostly an online gamer, but my interest started long before I owned a desktop computer in 2001. Back in the 90s, I had a PlayStation, and even earlier — in the late 80s — I played Tetris on a handheld Nintendo Game Boy during my commutes on the London Underground. When I wasn’t gaming, I had my Walkman on, usually blasting rave and house music. In the 80s and 90s, I practically lived in nightclubs. Music was a huge part of my life — big enough that I even considered leaving the corporate world to train as a DJ. I had the gift of the gab, could make people laugh, and I loved the energy of moving a crowd through music. Even before all that, as a kid, I was a tabletop sandbox gamer and a devoted reader. I devoured horror books by the armful — sometimes nearly a dozen paperbacks in a weekend — and I collected them by the hundreds. But my biggest passion was Napoleonic war-gaming. I collected 1:32-scale soldiers and eventually built an army of more than 2,000 pieces: cavalry, cannons, infantry — the lot. Another hobby that has been with me for most of my life is writing. I’ve been an active writer since the age of 10. Whether it was short stories, notes, ideas, or simply putting thoughts on paper, writing has always been a creative outlet for me — one that still brings me a lot of satisfaction today. These days, though, I don’t read nearly as much fiction as I once did. The last time I read purely for entertainment was probably 2020. Most of my reading now is news, articles, or gardening-related material. I still read around 2–3 hours a week, but mostly for learning rather than pleasure. Part of that shift is due to my eyesight — long vision in my right eye, short vision in my left, and no suitable glasses yet to balance the two — so reading can be tiring. Combined with the physical nature of gardening, I often don’t have the energy unless it’s during the day and for a purpose. One hobby that has stayed constant is my love of online games. I’ve played World of Warcraft since it launched in November 2004 — twenty-one years now — which officially makes me a veteran. I also enjoy sandbox-style games like The Witcher 3 and Fallout 4, though I haven’t dipped into them recently. WoW is just easier to jump into. When I’m not gaming, I’m usually watching films. Not so much television — unless there’s an exceptional series — but films are my thing. I’m an avid film buff and have probably seen around 12,000 movies, not counting re-watches. These days, I watch about 2–5 films a week. I don’t stick to a single genre, though I do have a soft spot for shark films, disaster epics, crime, action, war films, and the occasional genuinely good comedy. And, of course, I love gardening — though since it’s my business, I’m not the type to wander around ornamental gardens on my days off. What I do enjoy, when time allows, is allotment gardening, composting, and anything involving nature. Wildlife and insects have always fascinated me. But that’s really the heart of it: I work on my hobbies when I can — which isn’t as often as I’d like. |
Earthly Comforts 