[Misc] Longest standing pursuit / hobby

[Superphil]

I bought my first replica shirt about age 11 from an advert in the back of Shoot/Goal magazine in around ‘76/77. An Admiral NASL California Surf shirt. I couldn’t afford any British team shirts but the American ones were cheaper. At the time I didn’t live in the uk and hadn’t discovered Brighton. My next shirt purchased was a Forest 79/80 shirt as I needed a red shirt for my house colours at boarding school in Sussex. I bought a Holland adidas shirt in 1980 as I lived in the country at the time. I wish I still had all of those, but sadly long gone now.
Despite watching the Albion since 1979 I didn’t buy my first Brighton shirt till 1994, the Admiral shirt. Since then I’ve amassed a collection of around 350 Brighton shirts, mostly matchworn examples. My oldest, so far, is a 1977 home match shirt, and I have every home shirt since then, all but 2 being match shirts. The rest of the collection includes always, thirds, fourths, goalies, specials and prototypes. In addition I have around 300 shirts of other teams ranging from Sussex non league sides to teams and countries from all over the world.

 

[The Clamp]

Exactly the same as yourself.

Once a year me and a few mates continue to travel to either the Lake District or the Highlands to get a mountain or two in. Such a great community of people, young and old. The first pint in a country pub after a day of hiking, there's no feeling better.

I love the Lakes. Not done much of Scotland. Would love to and plan to.

Off to climb Toubkal in Africa next year and then I’ll start exploring the highlands I think .

 

[Chicken Run]

Not a long standing interest but I started collecting fancy bags/luggage when I was mid to late 20s. I have built up a modest collection which now contains two Globetrotter cases, a small leather Globetrotter back pack, a Globetotter leather tote (often mistaken for a hand bag), two Mulburry manbags, a Porsche leather European style man purse and two McQueen leather wallets with chains.

I love this , please tell me you have a walk in closet with an island unit in your home

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

What was your first gig?

I was into rock and heavy metal at the time, and the first proper gig I went to was Magnum, On a Story Teller's Night tour at Eastborne Winter Gardens. I say proper, as I had seen a few 'pub rock' acts before this...anyone remember Dumpy's Rusty Nuts? These were good days, and I saw most bands of the era.

First gig would have been Hanoi Rocks but the drummer died and gig was cancelled.

This started something which has never stopped. As a teen rocker/metaller I was often in Brighton seeing bands and travelling to London to see shows regularly. I have encompassed many other forms of music now, but still go and see the big rock bands from time to time (Maiden, Metallica, AC/DC - one with Axl on vocals -, Def Leppard, Motohead RIP); the scale and the pantomime of heavy metal is still great fun.

 

[El Presidente]

Pornography, from finding the first tatty copy of Mayfair in a bongo bush in Woodingdean in 1974, to completing the whole of Pornhub during Covid. Managing a sex shop briefly before becoming a chartered accountant was an illuminating experience too.

There have been new trends (emergence of MILF, Hentai, reduction in pubic hair, in the early days some of the actresses appeared to be wearing Davy Crockett’s hat below their waist, whereas today most are plucked like chickens). There’s a lot more alan than there used to be too, tastes change I guess.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I love this , please tell me you have a walk in closet with an island unit in your home

Ha ha. Sadly not. I am most likely in my 'forever home' now so it will not happen. But, you never know!

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

What a brilliant thread BTW.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

What was your first gig?

I remember when we met, you mentioned a few concerts you have been to as well.

 

[The Clamp]

I was into rock and heavy metal at the time, and the first proper gig I went to was Magnum, On a Story Teller's Night tour at Eastborne Winter Gardens. I say proper, as I had seen a few 'pub rock' acts before this...anyone remember Dumpy's Rusty Nuts? These were good days, and I saw most bands of the era.

First gig would have been Hanoi Rocks but the drummer died and gig was cancelled.

This started something which has never stopped. As a teen rocker/metaller I was often in Brighton seeing bands and travelling to London to see shows regularly. I have encompassed many other forms of music now, but still go and see the big rock bands from time to time (Maiden, Metallica, AC/DC - one with Axl on vocals -, Def Leppard, Motohead RIP); the scale and the pantomime of heavy metal is still great fun.

Unfortunately my passion for music has withered through the years but my teenage years and twenties were spent seeing similar bands.

Maiden
AC / DC
Soundgarden
Pearl Jam
Aerosmith
Rollins Band
Etc

Like you my tastes broadened out in my 30’s. Going to see gigs like LCD Soundsystem.


I still go to gigs and keep fairly up to date but I don’t listen to much music these days and rarely purchase any.

Last gig I went to was Hurray For The Riff Raff at Komedia. And very good it was too.

Nordic Giants up next I should think.

 

[BigBod]

Motorbikes. Bought my first one in 1981 and never been without since. Joined a club in 1988 and still a member. They are my family. If I needed to I could call on them any time and I can guarantee 20 would turn up. Travelled 100's of thousands of miles with them all over Europe. Didn't get my first car until I was 40...

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

Music is without doubt my longest hobby/passion. I started listening and buying cassettes and records at a very young age and have never stopped. I went to my first gig at 16 and have never stopped this either. With age my consumption has increased and probably buy 20-30 vinyl albums a year and the same with gigs. I peaked with 40 plus gigs in a single year a few years back, including a memorable 9 in 13 day run. I also love reading and talking about it.

It still gives me immense pleasure, I am still enthusiastic about, and look out for, new music, and I guess this will only end when I do.

This, all of it, I have been to gigs all over Europe, America, Australia, New Zealand and even Japan making life long friends all from our small little scene, it is not the most high brow style of music but brought me immense pleasure and happiness throughout my life.

 

[Muzzman]

Pornography, from finding the first tatty copy of Mayfair in a bongo bush in Woodingdean in 1974, to completing the whole of Pornhub during Covid. Managing a sex shop briefly before becoming a chartered accountant was an illuminating experience too.

There have been new trends (emergence of MILF, Hentai, reduction in public hair, in the early days some of the actresses appeared to be wearing Davy Crockett’s hat below their waist, whereas today most are plucked like chickens). There’s a lot more alan than there used to be too, tastes change I guess.

Please can you mention this the next time you're on Talksport or Sky? Thanks.

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

For me? Hiking. Could not live without it. Keeps me sane.

From a kid exploring the woods near our house to trips to mountain ranges and forests both UK and abroad to regular walks on the South Downs, it’s been my longest standing interest. Solo or with mates, it’s been a constant.

What about you?

I love a walk, but find it odd when people are obsessed with how far I've walked and how long it took. I stop, en-route, and chat to the cows, take in a view or watch the nature around me. I sometimes take a small lunch with me and sit and enjoy that. I find it strange that I'd want to do it in four hours or whatever Bob did it in. Part of the enjoyment, for me, is the occasional interaction be that a cow, fellow walker or chatting to myself!

 

[zefarelly]

I hadn't thought about gigs, I kind of lump it together with playing . . . For the whole of ther 90's we were gigging very regularly ( certainly a lot more than now!) and often with other bands, as well as going to gigs so I'd see sometimes 4 or more bands a week, especially when there were 3 bands on a bill. Mid 90's was quite common for a pub gig Wed, Fri with 2 or 3 bands, same Sat and sometimes a Sat lunchtime gig. attending and playing at festivals as well. It's standard practice whenever you travelled to see what live music may be on . . . Went to gigs in St Louis and Detroit when working in the US . . . Local stuff in a hotel in Ploiesti - Romania, oompah stuff in Chiemsee - Bavaria etc. then back to Channel D in the Freebutt or Wellington Wailers!

 

[The Clamp]

I love a walk, but find it odd when people are obsessed with how far I've walked and how long it took. I stop, en-route, and chat to the cows, take in a view or watch the nature around me. I sometimes take a small lunch with me and sit and enjoy that. I find it strange that I'd want to do it in four hours or whatever Bob did it in. Part of the enjoyment, for me, is the occasional interaction be that a cow, fellow walker or chatting to myself!

I agree.

I don’t count miles, until I’ve finished my walk anyway.

I take my time, if I’m with friends we chat and put the world to rights, look at views etc.

If I’m solo I think and look at things. Never gave headphones on. I like to hear the countryside.

I’m not interested in times, distances, annd speeds etc.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Cricket - grew up around the sport, from very earliest memories. Love to watch it (long form) and still love to play (this was my 42nd season, I think). Have played with hundreds of team-mates, across many teams, in various parts of the country. Actually played more competitive games this season than any since the '90s, and still doing okay a first team level.

Football (watching live / reading / watching on TV / writing) - all football, but especially the Albion, which has led to exploring most of the country (and 2 amazing trips to Europe) and meeting loads and loads of people, who are now friends. What a journey that has been - and what a privilege to have shared it with both my parents, and now my sons.

Football (playing) - from school, through Uni, to various XI-a-side teams, (from Sussex Sunday League right through to the Hampshire Senior Prem). From centre forward, to left wing, to left back, to centre back, to goal-keeper. Still playing 5-a-side now at the age of 53 - every Monday night, with the very same team that we started up over 20 years ago. The youngest lads are 33 now, having joined us for the first time when they were 15. We've played and had a beer together, once a week, for more than half of their lives, and I've been to weddings of 4 of them!

 

[Glawstergull]

I was into rock and heavy metal at the time, and the first proper gig I went to was Magnum, On a Story Teller's Night tour at Eastborne Winter Gardens. I say proper, as I had seen a few 'pub rock' acts before this...anyone remember Dumpy's Rusty Nuts? These were good days, and I saw most bands of the era.

First gig would have been Hanoi Rocks but the drummer died and gig was cancelled.

This started something which has never stopped. As a teen rocker/metaller I was often in Brighton seeing bands and travelling to London to see shows regularly. I have encompassed many other forms of music now, but still go and see the big rock bands from time to time (Maiden, Metallica, AC/DC - one with Axl on vocals -, Def Leppard, Motohead RIP); the scale and the pantomime of heavy metal is still great fun.

Apart from playing ball sports seeing Live music (Rock/Metal) is also my most enduring pastime. Saw Maiden as a 15 year old and have seen them 14 times since. Ive seen pretty much everyone in the genre of much note. Great time spent with my brother and a few friends. I saw Magnum many times and always loved it.

 

[Guinness Boy]

I love a walk,

@El Presidente loves something similar.

 

[Han Solo]

@El Presidente loves something similar.

He does talk a lot

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

I agree.

I don’t count miles, until I’ve finished my walk anyway.

I take my time, if I’m with friends we chat and put the world to rights, look at views etc.

If I’m solo I think and look at things. Never gave headphones on. I like to hear the countryside.

I’m not interested in times, distances, annd speeds etc.

Never thought about headphones, I must admit, and hearing the countryside, as you say, can be the best part.